Laguna Nichupté is an extensive system of lagoons and mangrove forests that separates the Zona Hotelera from the mainland part of Cancún.

Most visitors only catch a glimpse of it from a bus or taxi whilst travelling along Boulevard Kukulcán.

Don’t expect a turquoise lagoon suitable for swimming. The water is darker and brackish; the main attractions are the mangrove channels, the birds and trips by boat, kayak or jet ski.

Our verdict

If you fancy swapping the beaches for mangroves for at least a few hours, this is one of the most interesting activities in Cancún.

The most fun option is the Jungle Tour, during which you steer a small motorboat yourself and then go snorkelling at Punta Nizuc.

For nature, tranquillity and a more intimate experience, we’d opt for kayaking.

The Columbus evening cruise is primarily aimed at couples who are more interested in a romantic dinner than in exploring the lagoon.

If you don’t want to take part in any paid activities, you can simply admire the lagoon from the Malecón Tajamar. However, we wouldn’t plan a separate trip just for this view.

Comparison of activities

Activity	Duration	Price from	Suitable for
Jungle Tour	2 hours	70 usd	Fun, boat steering and snorkelling
Kayaking in the mangroves	2 hours	50 usd	Nature, tranquillity, photography
Columbus Dinner Cruise	2.5 to 3 hours	95 usd	Couples and a romantic evening

Prices are indicative and vary depending on the date, availability and option selected. Some trips also incur a mandatory harbour or environmental charge.

<a href=""https://www.tkqlhce.com/click-6486361-15065626?sid=p-cancun-laguna-nichupte-all&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.getyourguide.com%2Fnichupte-lagoon-l127098%2F"" data-btn="true">Compare trips around the Nichupté Lagoon

Jungle Tour

The most popular activity is the Jungle Tour in your own motorboat. After a brief briefing, you’ll set off in a two-seater boat through the mangrove channels and then continue to the coral reef at Punta Nizuc, where snorkelling is planned.

You’ll be steering the boat yourself, but an instructor will guide you along the entire route. It is therefore not an individual boat hire or a free-roaming trip around the lagoon.

The price of the recommended option includes:

• a two-seater motorboat
• an instructor who speaks English and Spanish
• life jacket
• diving mask, snorkel and fins
• lockers, showers and changing rooms
• drinking water

Depending on current conditions, a mandatory harbour fee and a reef conservation fee of 22 usd s per person are payable on site. Please check before booking whether this is already included in the price.

This recommended option is not suitable for children under 5, pregnant women, people with reduced mobility or those aged over 65.

The trip starts at the Aquaworld Cancún marina in the Zona Hotelera. Transport to the marina is not included.

Kayaking in the mangroves

We consider a sunset kayaking trip to be the best way to truly experience the lagoon.

Over the course of approximately two hours, you’ll paddle through narrow mangrove channels that are inaccessible by motorboat. The guide will explain the basics of paddling and point out local flora and fauna. However, sightings cannot be guaranteed.

The trip is also suitable for beginners. Single and double kayaks are used, and groups are limited to a maximum of 10 participants. The price includes the kayak, paddle, life jacket, guide and drinking water.

The meeting point is directly at the Go Kayak Cancun office at Marina Scuba Cancun on Boulevard Kukulcán at km 5. Please arrive at least 20 minutes before the start. Hotel pick-up is not included in the price.

This recommended option is not suitable for children under 8 years of age, pregnant women, people who have recently undergone surgery, those with serious back, heart or mobility issues, or participants weighing over 115 kg.

Columbus Dinner Cruise

The Columbus Dinner Cruise takes place on a replica of a Spanish galleon. The cruise includes a three-course dinner, an all-you-can-drink open bar and live saxophone music.

You can choose between sunset cruises and later evening departures. This is primarily a romantic dinner on the water, rather than a trip focused on mangroves or wildlife spotting.

The cruise departs from Marina Aquatours on Boulevard Kukulcán at km 6.5, opposite Playa Tortugas. Please arrive at the venue approximately 30 minutes before departure.

Aquatours and Aquaworld are two different marinas, so please check the exact location stated on your voucher before setting off.

For your specific option, please check whether the price includes the harbour fee at 15 usd. A transfer from your hotel is usually available at an additional cost. The cruise is not suitable for children under 14, and casual smart attire is recommended.

Can you visit the lagoon for free?

The easiest publicly accessible view of the lagoon is from the Malecón Tajamar. It is situated in the mainland part of Cancún and features a wide promenade running alongside the water.

It’s a pleasant spot for a short stroll or to watch the sunset, but you won’t be able to see the mangrove channels or the most interesting parts of the lagoon from here.

We’d only recommend the Malecón if you’re already in this part of the city.

We do not recommend going into the water here.

Crocodiles and swimming

Nichupté Lagoon is not suitable for general swimming. Both American crocodiles and Morelet’s crocodiles live in the mangroves.

You are unlikely to see a crocodile at all, but their presence is not merely a tourist myth. Therefore, do not enter the water on your own, do not leave the promenades to go down to the shore, and do not feed the animals.

Snorkelling during the Jungle Tour takes place at a designated spot near Punta Nizuc, not as free swimming within the lagoon. When kayaking, stay in the boat and follow the guide’s instructions.

How to get there

The lagoon does not have a single main entrance or visitor centre. Therefore, do not simply enter ‘Laguna Nichupté’ into your sat-nav; instead, enter the exact marina or meeting point stated on your voucher.

Activity	Departure point
Jungle Tour	Aquaworld Cancún, Boulevard Kukulcán
Kayak	Marina Scuba Cancún, km 5
Columbus Dinner Cruise	Marina Aquatours, km 6.5

What to bring with you?

For the Jungle Tour or kayaking, bring:

• swimwear and quick-drying clothing
• a towel
• a hat
• coral-friendly sun cream
• insect repellent, especially for evening kayaking
• a waterproof phone case
• cash for any harbour fees
• proof of identity

It’s best to leave valuables in the hotel safe. Before setting off, also check the weather forecast and any updates from the tour operator. Strong winds or storms may result in the trip being rescheduled or cancelled.

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