The Most Instagrammable Spots in Cancun: Top 29 Attractions You Must Visit in Cancun 2023

Want to learn about the most Instagrammable spots in Cancun? You have landed in the right place.

I have lived in Cancun for 13 years and in this post, I will tell you what are the most photogenic spots in Cancun so that you can show off your amazing vacation!

Home to striking white sand beaches, a gorgeous skyline, and an incredible food and nightlife scene, Cancun has so much to offer visitors no matter their travel style.

Moreover, the city itself is great for a modern beach escape, but because it is considered the gateway to the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun is also a great hub to explore the rest of the Mayan Riviera.

Whether you want to get quintessential beach snaps, get out in nature to capture jungly photos, or even get that pink beach photo to brighten up your feed, these are the most Instagrammable spots in Cancun.

The Most Instagrammable Spots in Cancun

📸 MUSA (Underwater Museum of Art)

MUSA is a one-of-a-kind museum located underwater where you’ll find over 500 life-size sculptures that now act as coral reefs!

This place is one of the best Instagrammable places in Cancun, but keep in mind you’ll have to dive or snorkel and bring along a waterproof case to get that shot!

📸 Delfines Beach (Playa Delfines)

Playa Delfines is a quiet public beach in Cancun where you’ll find fewer crowds in comparison to more popular beaches thanks to its location far away from the touristic zone.

Here, you’ll stumble across beautiful panoramic views of Cancun’s coast as well as crystal-clear blue waters.

📸 Playa Norte (Isla Mujeres)

Located on Isla Mujeres, Playa Norte has constantly ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire world thanks to its white sand and calm blue Caribbean waters.

To get the best shots, try getting here early in the morning before cruises arrive or right before sunset.

📸 El Rey Archaeological Zone

El Rey is an archaeological site where you’ll find Mayan ruins that date all the way back to the 13th century.

It was once a royal retreat and features plenty of temples perfect to shoot photos at while you imagine what life was like here centuries ago.

📸 Chichén Itzá

As one of the 7 Wonders of the New World, Chichén Itzá may sound like a bit of a cliché, but there’s a reason people travel from all over the world to check out this imposing archaeological site!

Aside from taking pictures of the main pyramid, the rest of the complex is humongous and you’ll find plenty of smaller temples and interesting ruins all over, not to mention there’s also a cenote.

📸 Langosta Beach (Playa Langosta)

Located on the Zona Turistica, Langosta Beach is one of the easiest-to-access Instagram beaches in Cancun. You’ll find white sand and turquoise waters here perfect for an Insta post that screams “vacation time!”.

📸 La Gran Rueda

La Gran Rueda is a Ferris Wheel where you’ll get views of the Caribbean ocean to one side and Laguna Nichupté and downtown Cancun to the other.

📸 Malecon Tajamar

This is where most people hang out at sunrise or sunset to exercise. These are also the best time of the day to take amazing pictures with the Lagoon and the hotel zone as a background. At sunset, you will admire the spectacular colors behind Cancun skyscrapers.

📸 Jardín del Arte

This park is located on the shores of Nichupté Lagoon and features tons of art, murals, and all sorts of exhibitions, especially on weekends.

📸 El Meco Archaeological Site

Set on the north of Cancun, this archaeological site features tons of Mayan ruins, including an imposing pyramid and a gorgeous staircase made up of serpent heads!

📸 Cenote Ik-Kil

Cenote Ik-Kil is a natural sinkhole near the city of Valladolid that you can swim in.

You’ll find dark blue waters, rock walls covered in greenery, and hanging vines all over, which makes the perfect recipe for a unique Instagram post.

This cenote is open to the sky, making shooting pictures here very easy compared to other darker cenotes in the area.

📸 Cenote Samula

Not far from Ik-Kil, you’ll find Cenote Samula, which is another gorgeous sinkhole perfect for incredible pictures. Unlike Ik-Kil, this cenote in Cancun only has a small hole where light enters (a wide-angle lens is recommended).

📸 Isla Blanca

Isla Blanca sits about 18 miles north of Cancun and is one of the most beautiful beaches you’ll find in the entire Mayan Riviera. This place is perfect for beach photos, as there aren’t any crowds around.

📸 Hyatt Hotels (Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara) 

Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara are known for having the most beautiful strip of beaches in Cancun and infinity pools that overlook the ocean.

You will also find some of the most Instagrammable restaurants in Cancun inside the hotel, not to mention taking pictures at their beach clubs is a must!

📸 Xcaret

Xcaret is a one-of-a-kind adventure park where you’ll find underground caves, cenotes, live entertainment, rivers, beaches, pools, and plenty of fun rides.

The most Instagrammable spot in Xcaret, however, is a glass bridge that connects two buildings so you can swim from one to the other!

📸 La Isla Shopping Village in Cancun

La Isla Shopping Village is a humongous outdoor shopping mall where you’ll find pretty architecture to take pictures as well as some of the most Instagrammable restaurants and high-end bars in Cancun.

📸 Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa

Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa incredibly Instagrammable Cancun hotel is home to a gorgeous strip of beach, plenty of high-end restaurants you’ll want to post on your stories, and a gigantic pool with insane ocean views.

The property was well maintained and the staff really spoils you.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ laurie, june 2023

📸 Xoximilco (Mexican Floating Fiesta)

Xoximilco is a replica of the original Xhochimilco in Mexico City.

The site features a series of canals where you can board a trajinera (authentic colorful boats) and party the day away as you listen to live music, taste tequila,  and sample tons of delicious Mexican flavors.

📸 Punta Cancun Lighthouse

Punta Cancun Lighthouse is an adorable red and white lighthouse overlooking the ocean. This is one of the most Instagrammable spots in Cancun that not many people know of!

📸 Sea Walls Murals

Sea Walls is a series of 12 murals painted by some of the best street artists in the world.

You’ll find them all over Cancun, so you can make it your mission to find them all and spend the entire day having a photoshoot in Cancun.

📸 Playa Chac Mool

Playa Chac Mool is a public beach in Cancun that boasts white sand and stunning waters. This is also one of the few beaches in Cancun where surfing is possible!

📸 Playa Ballenas

This beach is public and completely free to visit. It features soft white sand and beautiful azure water perfect for a photoshoot.

📸 Playa Gaviota Azul 

Playa Gaviota Azul is another gorgeous public beach where you can snap beautiful photos in Cancun. It is located on the Zona Hotelera, so reaching it is pretty easy.

You can see Cancun downtown from the shore, which creates a cool background.

📸 Las Bendiciones (The Blessings)

Set underwater, Las Bendiciones is one of MUSA’s newest underwater sculptures. It features six enormous hands meant to represent the creation of men.

This is one of the most unique Cancun Instagram spots if you don’t mind getting wet!

📸 NIZUC Resort & Spa

Set in the middle of a mangrove jungle, NIZUC Resort and Spa is one of the most beautiful hotels in Cancun and perfect for those who want a more secluded experience.

You’ll find beautiful Instagram spots both at the beachfront side of the hotel as well as inside! This resort also features some of the most Instagrammable restaurants in Cancun.

The brunch was excellent. The room was beautiful and their staff is very professional.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ monica, august 2023

📸 Fred’s House

Fred’s House is one of the most Instagrammable restaurants in Cancun thanks to its perfect location overlooking the Nichupte Lagoon – it is especially gorgeous at sunset.

📸 Coco’s Beach Club

Featuring luxurious cabanas, incredibly beautiful cocktails, and glorious views of the Caribbean Ocean, Coco’s Beach Club is one of the best beach clubs in Cancun and Instagrammably worthy, especially if you’re in the mood to brag a little!

Best Instagrammable Spots Near Cancun

🏝 Las Coloradas (Pink Lagoon)

Las Coloradas is a bright pink-shaded lagoon that is easily one of the most Instagrammable spots near Cancun.

The water is colored this way due to microorganisms and high salinity levels in the water. While swimming isn’t allowed at Las Coloradas, you can take plenty of pictures on the shores of the lake.

🏝 The Shell House

Located just a short boat ride away from Cancun, The Seashell House is just what it sounds like a house that is shaped like an enormous seashell!

You’ll find this unique property on Isla Mujeres, and even though it isn’t open to the public, you can book yourself a stay here via Airbnb in order to get access to this incredibly Instagrammable spot near Cancun.

🏝 Punta Maroma

Located some 25 miles away from Cancun, Punta Maroma is a wonderful place for a photo shoot in Cancun, especially if you want to take epic beach photos without having to remove people from your background.

Punta Maroma is still somewhat of a hidden gem, so you won’t find too many people here.

🏝 Puerto Morelos

Set just outside Cancun, Puerto Morelos is a tiny fishing village that is home to some of the last few virgin beaches left in the region and a relaxed downtown.

🏝 Cenote Dos Ojos

Made up of two sinkholes that look up at the sun, Dos Ojos is home to the deepest underwater passageway in the world.

It is a popular snorkeling spot as it boasts interesting underwater rock formations, and taking pictures at the surface will make it look like you’re in a jungle paradise.

🏝 Gran Cenote

This is an open cenote encircled by caverns and caves made up of incredible cavern roofs that feature gigantic stalagmites. You may want to bring a wide-angle lens for this one!

🏝 Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

Sian Ka’an is a biosphere reserve located about three hours away from Cancun. It is one of the biggest protected natural areas in Mexico and a wonderful place to take photos where nature is the highlight.

Turquoise lagoons, mangrove forests, and crystal-clear blue waters are just a few of the landscapes you’ll get to find here, making it a dreamy day trip to take from Cancun for a day spent escaping the city’s bustle and hustle to take unique photos.

🏝 Isla Holbox

Isla Holbox is an island just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula where you’ll find some of the most pristine beaches Mexico has to offer.

Only a tiny percentage of the island is developed, so you can expect to find tons of untouched landscapes!

Aside from its striking white sand beaches that you can virtually get all to yourself, Isla Holbox’s downtown is also incredibly photogenic as you’ll find colorful buildings all over, incredible street art, over-water swings, and carless roads.

🏝 Isla Contoy

Officially a national park, Isla Contoy is a small island off the coast of the peninsula where you’ll find waters as clear as they can get, incredibly soft sand, and tons of lush nature all over.

🏝 Rainbow Stairs (Isla Mujeres)

The Rainbow Stairs is a huge staircase and each step is painted in a different color, creating a perfect backdrop for a colorful Mexico picture.

🏝 Goddess Ixchel Sculpture

Located inside Garrafon Park in Isla Mujeres, this sculpture depicts Ixchel, the Mayan moon goddess.

🏝 Acantilado el Amanecer (Cliff of the Dawn)

Perfect for a sunrise spot, el Acantilado del Amancer is a cliff overlooking the ocean that is said to provide the best sunrise views in the entire Isla Mujeres.

🏝 Los Aluxes Bacalar

Los Aluxes is a hotel on the shores of Bacalar, a lagoon known for its turquoise waters that seem to resemble the Maldives. It features overwater swings that make for a perfect Instagram photo.