Cancun
Cancun is one of the most important tourist complexes in Mexico and the world. Its superb Caribbean location makes it the perfect place for everything from ecotourism, snorkeling, horseback riding and fishing, to golf, scuba diving, surfing and sailing. Extreme sports are also a major part of the excitement found in Cancun – the city boasts one of the highest bungee jumps in Mexico.
Cancun has fascinating Mayan remains, as well as a museum displaying pieces from this culture. It’s excellent overland and air links will whisk you to some of the most impressive places in the Mayan World in both Quintana Roo and neighbouring Yucatán.
Nightlife in Cancun’s hotel zone is extremely varied. You will find some of the largest discotheques in the world and restaurants with some of the world’s most famous chefs as well as fast-food outlets.
Beaches
Cancun beaches are the most popular among tourists of Quintana Roo. Their beauty is an irresistible invitation to a totally unique holiday.
To the East: Gaviota Azul, Chaac Mool, Marlín, Ballenas and San Miguelito beaches face the open sea, the waves are big, but you can still practice water sports. The view is stunning.
To the North: Las Perlas, Linda, Langosta, Tortugas, Caracol and Juventud beaches have gentle waves and are therefore ideal for swimming and sailing. There is a main dock from which boats sail for Isla Mujeres and other, smaller docks where you can rent sailboats.
Climate The weather is warm and pleasant year-round, moderated by the marine breeze which circulates through its avenues. Although the main rainy season is from May to October, Cancun is on the ocean, which means there is always a high level of humidity in the air and therefore a chance of rain, but all-day rain is infrequent.
Geography
Quintana Roo is one of the youngest states in the country as well as the furthest east, meaning that it is the first Mexican state to see the sun come up every day. It is located in the Yucatan Peninsula, which it shares with Campeche and Yucatán, to the south it is separated from Belize and Guatemala by the Bay of Chetumal and Río Hondo, and to the east it is washed by the Caribbean.
You can find rustic beaches such as Isla Mujeres. It makes up for its lack of surface rivers with an intricate system of underground rivers and limestone sinkholes that are ideal for diving.
History The area’s history is rich with Mayan influences. This is where the Mayan culture flourished for centuries prior to the Spaniards’ arrival in 1519. There are over 1200 archaeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula. The Mayan culture still survives with the majority of the population being of Mayan descent.
Cancun was only “rediscovered” in the late 1960s when the Mexican government began searching for ideal spots for tourism development. With the mid-80s building boom Cancun’s popularity has been skyrocketing ever-since.
Nature Cancun is within easy reach of nature reserves such as Contoy Island and Sian Ka’an. It also has eco-archaeological parks such as Xcaret and Xel-ha with a wide range of attractions.
The El Garrafón Submarine National Park is located on the southern tip of Isla Mujeres. You can dive freely at this beautiful coral reef rich in marine fauna and multicolored tropical fish.
Tres Ríos is a nature reserve where you can kayak along the rivers, ride or go snorkeling and diving in the nearby reefs.
Contoy Island is a wildlife reserve with an extensive number of bird species, particularly the marine variety. There are two distinctive landscapes: to the east the ground is arid with jagged rocks, to the west you will find exuberant mangroves and magnificent beaches.
Unique to Here Cancun is a golfer’s paradise considering the gorgeous golf courses it has to offer and well over 200 sunny days a year.
Club de Golf Pok-Ta-Po This highly prestigious golf club has 18 holes and offers excellent services including golf club rental.
Cozumel Country Club This distinguished 18-hole course was designed by Nicklaus Design Group.
Hilton Cancún Beach and Golf Resort This professional golf course is 6,735 yards long and has 18 holes.
Cancun boasts of having one of the highest bungee jumps in Mexico - the Regio bungee with a height of 70 meters.
Airport :
Cancun International Airport Airport Tax :
The departure tax of around US$40 per person is usually included on your plane ticket, please verify. Distance from Airport :
16 km Tourist Office :
9-884-0437 Tourist Season :
November through May
Festivals & Events
Cancun, a place of mixed cultures, takes the best of both worlds (pre-Hispanic and Hispanic) to celebrate its traditions throughout most of the year. In the region, you’ll see diverse forms of celebration: cockfights, carnivals and religious festivities held during Easter week and Christmas.
Other important dates include December 12 (the Virgin of Guadalupe Day) and April 20 (the date commemorating the founding of Cancun).
Transportation Cancun International Airport is Mexico's second busiest airport. From the airport you can take a taxi which is more expensive or you will also find several car rentals companies. There are 2 companies officially licensed by Cancun Airport to provide the transfer service to the hotels (Gray Line and T.T.A.). There is also a first class bus service from the airport to the ADO bus station in Cancun.
In town and in the resort areas, taxis are everywhere but can get expensive. There is also a bus services running from the resort strip to downtown. Water taxis take you to the various lagoons. A great way to visit a bit outside the area is by renting a moped by the hour.
Activities & Sports
The waters of the bay, sheltered by Isla Mujeres, are calm and perfect for surfing, sailing, scuba diving and water sports; those facing the open surf have stronger currents but are also suitable for fishing and snorkeling. Superb kayaking can be found at the Laguna Nichupte.
Cancun has stunning golf courses, some of which have championship features, overlooking the Caribbean or Laguna Nichupte. All major hotels have tennis and squash courts. Volleyball tournaments are held on the most popular beaches. Kukulcan Boulevard has a special area for cycling and roller-skating.
One of the best places for sailing in Cancun is off its fantastic beaches. The waters are perfect for this activity also for boating in both the bay and Laguna Nichupté. You can fish for chad, coronado, sea bass, sailfish, dorado and red fish.
One of the best ways to enjoy the beaches and the Cancun surroundings is on horseback. The Rancho Loma Bonita is one of the most popular places for renting horses; the place itself also has a great riding area.
Archaeology Cancun has vestiges of Mayan culture in places such as El Rey and El Meco. Cancun is just a short trip away from imposing Mayan centers such as Tulum and even San Gervasio, on Cozumel Island.
Chichen Itza Just 200 km outside Cancun, stands this massive site, which reached its peak between 700 and 1200 AD, was the political, economic and military power in the area. The city’s main attractions include El Castillo or the Pyramid of the Serpent God Kukulkan, a magnificent pyramid topped by a temple and the sacbes, white paths used by the ancient Mayans.
El Rey This small Mayan settlement with one pyramid and two plazas, occupied from 1200 AD to the Conquest is located in the far south of the island. Hundreds of iguanas that flee the grand hotels site come find refuge here in the quiet and little visited ruins.
El Meco Considered the sail-off point for the Mayans to the island, it is referenced too as coastal navigation lagoons. Fourteen structures remain on the site including the main.
Yamil Lu’um (a rebuilt structure in the gardens of the Sheraton Hotel and Pok ta Pok (a small temple located on the Cancun Golf Course) are minor vestiges.
Attractions & Sights The Archaeological Museum of Cancun, set in the Convention Center, houses approximately 800 objects belonging to the Maya Culture, found at the archaeological compounds of El Rey, Coba and Tulum, which are part of the attractions in the region.
Museo de Arte Popular Mexicano displays a unique collection of masks, regional folkloric costumes, religious artefacts, nativity scenes, toys, musical instruments and gourd art.
Several companies offer submarine tours. One ship stays afloat, but has an underwater subversive galley that lowers all passengers well below the saline. The galley has a glass bottom that will allow you to see the spectacular Caribbean flora and fauna.
Aquaworld is a sports center/theme park offering every imaginable water activity. You can even drive your own boat through mangroves and explore the coral reef.
The Interactive Aquarium was opened in 2000 and is state-of-the-art. Besides the wonderful tanks there are hands-on activities for kids and you can swim with the dolphins. You can pet rays, nurse sharks, starfish, etc.
The museum-restaurant La Destileria offers a tour tracing tequila from the planting to the aging/bottling process.
Jeep adventures let you explore the Yucatan jungle for the day.
Nightlife The cultural activities in Cancun will make your stay here richer. See the Ballet Folklórico of Cancun which is presented at the Convention Center, or ask about the Mexican nights and other cultural events put on at several of the hotels. Another suggestion are the boat companies offering dinner with music night cruises around the bay and Laguna Nichupté.
Nightlife in Cancun is intense and goes on until dawn in its many discotheques and nightclubs. You’ll find all kinds of music there as well as the finest Mexican and imported drinks. The bars are very entertaining and the waiters make sure there’s always a lively atmosphere. If you are looking for a calmer atmosphere, there are jazz or piano bars, as well as those with traditional mariachi music.
Side Trips Tulum (a ancient Mayan pre-Hispanic site), and Xel-Há (a park featuring underwater rivers, lagoons, limestone sinkholes, virtually unspoiled forest and archaeological remains) are ideal day trips from Cancun with a tour company or on your own with a car rental.
Sea-bound adventures are offered to three popular islands:
- Isla Contoy is a wildlife reserve that is inhabited by over 70 different bird species along its sometimes arid, sometimes lush scenery. - Cozumel is a major resort destination with every water sport available for practice. - Isla Mujeres offers a quiet setting, a perfect place to recuperate from Cancun fast-paced style. There are several attractions to visit here as well.
Accommodations
Cancun has a first rate tourist infrastructure and services. The most famous hotel chains in the world have combined luxury and comfort with hospitality and all of them offer access to tennis courts and relaxing spas.
Camping can be enjoyed at various spots in the state of Quintana Roo, including Puerto Juarez and Punta Sam, among others.
Eating Out You can enjoy a wide variety of succulent exotic dishes available in Cancun. The exquisite dishes of Mayan origins are distinguished by their use of condiments found in the region. Fish of all sorts cooked in different ways, chirmole, papatz tzul, cocido, relleno negro, cochinita pibil and ceviche (marinated seafood cocktail) are just some of the dishes you can try at the restaurants in the state of Quintana Roo.
Some of the best restaurants include La Habichuela, Lorenzillo´s, Sirenita and El Mortero, among others.
Shopping Cancun is a cosmopolitan city with all facilities. It has plazas and large shopping malls where one can acquire handicrafts from all over the country.
Mexican handicrafts include items made of pewter, silver and glass, hand-painted tiles and oil paintings, huaraches (leather sandals for men and women), leather articles, tobacco and other imported goods
