10 Things to Do in Cancun in July

July is one of the best months to travel to Cancun. The temperatures are pleasant and allow you to enjoy all the attractions that this Mexican paradise has to offer.

Carmen Navarro

Carmen Navarro

9 min read

10 Things to Do in Cancun in July

Cancun | ©John Hull

July is considered high season in Cancun so you'll find the city quite lively. Although July is one of the months with the highest probability of rain, this is not always the case, so it doesn't have to put a damper on your plans.

As one of the world's most popular holiday destinations, Cancun welcomes visitors at any time of the year, as it enjoys a semi-tropical climate. That said, the city is also known for its vibrant nightlife and idyllic beaches. But there are plenty of other things to do in Cancun in July that you shouldn't overlook.

To help you plan your Cancun holiday, I've compiled this article with everything that awaits you in this Riviera Maya city during the month of July. I'll tell you all about it below.

1. Don't miss the Virgen del Carmen fiestas

Virgen del Carmen festivities| ©Meredith D
Virgen del Carmen festivities| ©Meredith D

In mid-July, Cancun celebrates the festivities in honour of the patron saint of Playa del Carmen, the Virgen del Carmen. Make the most of the fact that you are in Cancun in July to get to know and experience this colourful tradition first hand.

It's a perfect opportunity to try typical Mexican food due to the wide range of food on offer. There are also parades through the streets, games and parties in bars and restaurants throughout the area.

These are days when the streets are filled with people in the festive spirit. In fact, there are almost 10 days of celebration, with free concerts, art exhibitions, attractions and, of course, the processions with the image of the Virgen del Carmen. Without a doubt, a good opportunity to feel the essence of Playa del Carmen, one of the best beaches in Cancun.

Book an excursion to Cancun's best beaches

2. Celebrate the Mayan New Year in Cancun

Archaeological sites| ©Silvia J
Archaeological sites| ©Silvia J

The Gregorian calendar, inherited from the Romans, begins on 1 January each year. However, the Mayan culture used different calendars that measured time in different ways.

According to some beliefs, in the Mayan Haab calendar, the year begins on 26 July each year. On July 25 (The Day Out of Time), it was a time to consider the year that had passed and the lessons that had been learned.

Although this idea is believed to be erroneous, there are many festivities celebrated in Cancun during these days to commemorate the Mayan New Year. If you visit Cancun during these July days, take some of the tours and excursions to some of the main archaeological sites in the region, as you will be able to attend the festive rituals.

Book one of the tours or excursions in Cancun

3. Swim with the whale sharks in Cancun

Swim with sharks in Holbox Island| ©Edier Rosario
Swim with sharks in Holbox Island| ©Edier Rosario

If you want to see whale sharks in Cancun, July is the best month of the year. You can also spot other marine life such as sea turtles and even dolphins.

Whale sharks are not dangerous, but you will be surprised by their enormous size. They are the largest fish in the sea, measuring between 12 and 15 metres in length.

The whale shark season in Cancun runs from May 17th to September 17th, but the best time to see them in Cancun is in July and August. In fact, a festival is held in Isla Mujeres between June and July with many activities.

The main objective is to raise awareness among visitors and locals of the challenges this animal faces in order to survive, as well as to highlight its relevance to the local ecosystem as a whole.

Book an excursion to Isla Mujeres from Cancun

4. Enjoy Cancun's nightlife during July

Shopping Village| ©Leon Yaakov
Shopping Village| ©Leon Yaakov

As well as visiting Cancun to enjoy the beautiful beaches and relax in the luxurious resorts, the city is attracting more and more people for its vibrant nightlife. Cancun is famous for its party nights and lively nightlife.

In July many people visit Cancun for the summer holidays, so you'll find plenty of atmosphere on the beaches and in the crowded nightclubs at night.

If partying is one of your priorities when looking for a holiday destination, travel to Cancun during July or any other summer month. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

5. Dive in the cenotes, the natural limestone pools

Cenote in Cancun| ©Viviane Kermeci
Cenote in Cancun| ©Viviane Kermeci

A visit to Cancun or anywhere else in the Riviera Maya will not be complete without going swimming in Cancun's best cenotes. Cenotes are like natural sinkholes or pools formed by limestone in which you can swim and dive, and which contain fresh water coming from a river.

July is a good month to visit the cenotes, as it is considered a rainy month and there are fewer tourists. It is the best time to swim in peace and quiet and enjoy the crystal clear waters of the cenote.

The entire coastline of the Riviera Maya is dotted with cenotes. Some are open air and surrounded by vegetation, while others are part of vast cave systems and underground rivers, which you can dive or snorkel through on a guided tour.

There are about 6000 cenotes in Yucatan. Near Puerto Morelos is the Cenotes Route where you will find Cenote Sol y Luna, Cenote Verde Lucero, Cenote Zapote and Cenote La Noria. Cenote Dos Ojos and Gran Cenote are close to the ruins of Tulum. There is a small fee to enter and you can rent life jackets and snorkelling masks.

Book a cenote excursion from Cancun

6. Explore the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá

Chichen Itza| ©Leosprspctive
Chichen Itza| ©Leosprspctive

The Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza are about 2.5 hours from Cancun, but it's a must-see no matter what time of year you travel. In July, the ruins are highly recommended, as the weather is good and makes the visit more comfortable and enjoyable.

The ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza, famous for its pyramid ruins, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

The ancient city dates back to the 5th century, although its most impressive structures were built later, between the 9th and 12th centuries, and are a mixture of Mayan, Toltec and Puuc styles. The Temple of Kukulkan is the best known pyramid, and was designed so that, during the equinoxes, sunlight creates a vision of a feathered serpent.

Book an excursion to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza

7. Visit the Mayan Museum of Cancun

Cancun Mayan Museum| ©David Stanley
Cancun Mayan Museum| ©David Stanley

If it rains during your trip to Cancun in July, you can take advantage of that day to visit covered places. The city offers plenty of options for when it rains. One of the best places to visit is the Mayan Museum of Cancun.

It is one of the most important art and anthropology museums in the city, with almost 400 exhibits to learn more about the Mayan culture.

This ancient empire was one of the most advanced of its time, so a visit to this museum will do you good to have a broad knowledge of its history and culture.

8. Take a refreshing visit to the Underwater Museum

Underwater Museum of Art| ©GoMéxico
Underwater Museum of Art| ©GoMéxico

Another visit you can make in July if it rains is to the Underwater Museum, or MUSA. It is an underwater art museum located between Cancun and Isla Mujeres. It has more than 500 sculptures that were designed and installed to encourage coral growth and replenish the habitat of tropical marine life.

The museum is the largest artificial reef in the world and continues to expand as older works are hidden by the fauna. Here you can see naval mines and life-size sculptures of people.

There are several ways to visit MUSA, such as on a glass-bottom boat or on a snorkelling excursion. This article tells you how: Visit Cancun's underwater museum. Without a doubt, it is a very innovative museum that will leave you open-mouthed.

Book your tickets for the Underwater Museum of Cancun

9. Get up close to the sea turtles

Snorkelling with Turtle Watching| ©Karolina Grabowska
Snorkelling with Turtle Watching| ©Karolina Grabowska

The beaches surrounding the Riviera Maya are some of the best places in the world to see sea turtles. You will be able to see the giant leatherback turtles (the largest turtle in the world), although the most common are the loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles.

From May to October, female sea turtles come ashore every night to dig nests and lay dozens of eggs each. The eggs hatch and the hatchlings swim out to sea between July and December.

In Cancun, resorts participate in sea turtle conservation efforts, and allow guests to participate or observe all stages, including the collection of eggs in a protective enclosure.

10. Enjoy an excursion to the Mayan ruins of Tulum

Ancient Mayan walled city of Tulum| ©ironypoisoning
Ancient Mayan walled city of Tulum| ©ironypoisoning

Excursions to Tulum from Cancun are among the most popular in the area. July, being a quieter month, is a good time to visit the area without rushing. These excursions offer a unique getaway where you will find a little bit of everything: cenotes, Mayan ruins and paradisiacal beaches.

The magic of Tulum, and the reason why it has become such a popular destination on the Yucatan Peninsula, lies not only in the history of the Mayan ruins, but also in the energetic attraction that the city and the sea exert on those who come to visit.

After seeing the ruins, make the most of your visit and visit one of the three main cenotes in the area. The Gran Cenote, as its name suggests, is the largest and busiest, and is made up of several small cenotes filled with fish and turtles.

Dos Ojos are two connecting cenotes, one bright blue and the other a deep, dark cavern (they have torches for rent). Finally, Yal Ku is more of a lagoon, with a mix of fresh and salt water and colourful tropical fish.

The weather in Cancun during the month of July

Afternoon in Cancun| ©Bill Claxton
Afternoon in Cancun| ©Bill Claxton

You may have heard that July is a month of heavy rains or even hurricanes. It's not uncommon for this to put many people off planning their holidays because they may think it's not the best time to visit Cancun. But fear not, the weather in July can be sunny and warm, or rainy or cloudy, but this should not deter you from travelling to Cancun in July.

July is considered to fall within the rainy season, although it is not the rainiest month. In fact, October is the rainiest month. However, there is always a chance of rain in the tropics, no matter what month you travel. It doesn't necessarily rain in July, and if it does, the rains are likely to be short-lived.

As for temperatures, July temperatures hover around 31 or 32°C in Cancún. When the sun goes down, temperatures in Cancun drop, but not by much. Nighttime temperatures in Cancún average 26 or 27°C, although humidity is not as high as during the day.

Is July a good time to visit Cancun?

Isla Mujeres beach paradise| ©dronepicr
Isla Mujeres beach paradise| ©dronepicr

If you want to save money on the most important expenses, such as flight, hotel or resort stay, you may find bargains in the month of July. Due to the possibility of rain showers, some travellers don't want to travel during this time.

On the other hand, if you don't mind the increased heat and humidity or a few days of showers, then Cancun in July is a great time to visit. Although there are likely to be days with tropical storms, there are also plenty of sunny days. The chances of facing a hurricane are very low.

July is also a great time to visit if you want to see marine life up close, whether it's swimming and snorkelling. You'll see whale sharks and it's also the month when baby sea turtles come out to sea.

Whether you're travelling with your partner, on a family holiday or on a solo trip, in July you'll be able to enjoy the best activities in Cancun. Don't let the threat of rain spoil your plans. In this vibrant city, the party goes on even when the weather is bad.