The Scenic Tower of Cancun

The Scenic Tower in Cancun (also known in Spanish as the Torre Escénica del Embarcadero de Cancún) rises 80 meters over the Hotel Zone. It is so high that this point gets the first sunlight in Mexico since it is the tallest structure in the east of Mexico. This rotating tower gives visitors great 360-degree views overlooking the Hotel Zone and across the lagoon and Caribbean. The tower can be accessed both day and night and is one of the attractions in Cancun where you can get great views.

Your visit will start when you enter the airconditioned cabin for visitors. You will smoothly rise 80 meters (260feet) to the top where it will slowly rotate. The ride is so smooth you barely feel it moving. During the rotations, a recorded voice in both Spanish and English will play, describing the surrounding area and giving you details about the scenic tower. Best of all, this can be a free activity, see below for details.

What is the view like from the Scenic Tower?

From 80 meters up you get good views up and down the Hotel Zone of Cancun. You are able to look down on several hotels and see the pools and rooftops. You are able to look out over the Carribean Sea and see Isla Mujeres in the distance. On the other side you can see the Nichupté Lagoon which is a green shade in contrast to the turquoise colors of the Caribbean.

Where is the Scenic Tower in Cancun?

El Embarcadero Isla Mujeres by Xcaret at Blvd. Kukulcán Km 4.5, in the Cancun Hotel Zone. This is the north end of the Hotel Zone where there is a bridge, and the pirate boats are parked.

Is there parking for the Scenic Tower?

There is a parking garage here that has a small charge for parking. There are sufficient spots here to find a place to park.

How much is the entrance to the tower?

The current prices are: Adults 396 pesos or $20 USD. Children are 198 pesos or $10 USD. These are the prices for one visit but there is another option to go up in the tower twice in a day to experience the daytime and nighttime. If you want to go up twice in a day, the daytime hours are 9:00am-6:00pm and nighttime hours are 6:00pm-9:00pm. For the two visits in a day the price for adults is 594 peso or $30 USD. and children are 297 pesos or $15 USD.

Did you know you can go for free to the Scenic Tower?

Here is a good tip to get a free visit to the Scenic Tower. If you take Xcaret’s ferry service to Isla Mujeres, one of their Catamaran tours from the same area, or visit any of the parks of Xcaret or take one of their tours, keep your wrist band on. Then visit the Scenic Tower in Cancun, first go to the ticket booth where they will scan your bracelet and punch a hole in it which tells them that you have visited the tower. This is a nice savings since it costs $20 USD for adults to visit.

Note: You have 15 days after your bracelet is put on to redeem the free visit to the Scenic Tower. However, you need to keep it on and in an unaltered state.

What hours is the Scenic Tower open?

Hours: open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. This means that it is possible to go at sunset. All of Cancun faces east for the most part over the Caribbean, so sunsets often get little attention. From the scenic tower you can watch sunset over the lagoon and the downtown area of Cancun. The time for sunset in Cancun is usually between 6:00pm and 7:00pm during the year.

How does the Scenic Tower compare to the Ferris Wheel in Cancun?

There are two places in Cancun’s Hotel Zone where you can go up and get a good view of the area. One is the Scenic Tower and the other is the Ferris Wheel called the Gran Rueda. So how do these two compare? Well, for one the Gran Rueda is 65 meters tall compared to the scenic tower of 80 meters. The views are similar, but the Gran Rueda has more buildings closer, so you have a little more to see of the Hotel Zone and less of the water. Another difference is the price, it is a little cheaper to take the Gran Rueda Ferris Wheel, but the Scenic Tower can be free for you if you use a bracelet from one of Xcaret’s parks, tours, or ferry services.