Cancun is the kind of vacation destination that has a lot to offer on top of the beaches and water activities. Cancun definitely has some of Mexico's most beautiful and pristine beaches along with excellent fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and other watersports, but there is much more to see and do while in Cancun. Here is our short list of places we think are worth checking out while vacationing in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Isla Mujeres:

Isla Mujeres is where the marine facilities for most of the Cancun dolphin tours are located. But there is a lot to do and see in Isla Mujeres outside of the dolphin facilities that are located in the island's well-known Garrafon Park. Isla Mujeres is one of the nine municipalities of the state of Quintana Roo (the state to which Cancun belongs) and is home to over 11,000 people. Most visitors who are staying in Cancun take the ferry over to Isla Mujeres for a day trip, but travelers also have the option of spending the night, or several nights, in one of Isla Mujeres's several hotels and inns. The island offers pristine natural habitats (such as parks and beaches) along with the quaint, laid-back, and slow-paced island lifestyle. The island also boasts a variety of delicious restaurants serving your share of Mexican food, Caribbean food, seafood, Italian cuisine, Mediterranean cuisine, and much more. This is definitely a place you have to go to during your Cancun vacation.

Coba and Tulum:

Coba and Tulum are two of the Yucatan's most famous Mayan ruin sites. Each of these sites are located not too far from the heart of Cancun and are reached easily through tours and excursions that offer complimentary pick-up and transportation. Coba is one of the more recent finds as far as Mayan archaeological sites go, and it is still in the process of being completely excavated and restored. Coba is located in the heart of the Yucatan Jungle, so a tour out to Coba takes you through the dense rainforest jungle habitats outside of Cancun. The area of Coba was once a large and thriving Mayan city. Today, many of the city's limestone buildings and structures still remain and you can explore them along over three miles of hiking paths. Tulum is located on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, sitting on the top of forty foot cliffs that look over the ocean. The views you get from Tulum are reason enough to go visit the ancient Mayan site. But it's the cultural remains of the Mayans that you see while you're there that are the main attraction. Three of Tulum's most distinctive structures include the Temple of Frescoes and the Temple of Descending Gods. Bring your camera to these ancient Mayan sites because you will definitely want to have photographs of these impressive centuries-old buildings.

Yaxchilan Avenue and Downtown Cancun:

While Cancun's famous Hotel Zone is the best place to find luxury spas, fine dining, the best beaches, and all kinds of Cancun tours and excursions, it's in Downtown Cancun where most of the partying happens. When you think of Cancun's party side, such as Spring Break Cancun-style, you are probably thinking of the bars and clubs along Yaxchilan Avenue. Yaxchilan Avenue is Downtown Cancun's busiest street and the one that is most densely packed with bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. The street has something for everyone whether you are in the mood for some karaoke, in the mood for some fast food Mexican-style, some live music, a low-key locals dive bar, or a bumping exclusive nightclub. It's all there for you in Downtown Cancun and especially on Yaxchilan Avenue.