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Yours
to Enjoy Today
Warm
white sand beaches, crystal indigo seas, romantic
Caribbean nights, world-class hotels, restaurants
and nightlife; does all of this sound too good
to be true? This is Cancun! World-renowned fishing,
diving and snorkeling, archeological sites dating
back thousands of years, a balmy tropical climate
and water sports galore…this is Cancun! A resort
where you could keep busy 24 hours a day just
participating in the many activities and tours
available, and yet it remains a tranquil retreat
where you could relax to your hearts content…this
is Cancun!
In
Cancun you can literally choose a pace and lifestyle
to suit any frame of mind, from ultra chic to
funky laidback beach bum. Cancun is a resort for
everybody, from college students on a strict budget
to the rich and famous from all over the world.
Cancun caters to all who visit and everyone should
experience Cancun at least once.
Cancun
is definitely Mexico’s showcase resort. The original
developers and the Mexican government can be proud
of what they have accomplished here. Built in
a location that was named by Mayan people, long
ago, for the large number of snakes in the area,
Cancun has been carefully groomed into one of
the most polished resorts anywhere. Long gone
are the snakes and most of the mosquitoes that
might have enjoyed the numerous lagoons. Few resorts
in the world have the infrastructure and amenities
that were built into Cancun from the beginning.
Everything just seems to flow together effortlessly
in Cancun. This is one of the reasons that Cancun
is Mexico's most popular resort.
Beaches
Cancun’s beaches are legendary and with good cause.
The powdery, incredibly white sand, of the Caribbean
blesses all of the beaches in Cancun. These beaches
seem to go on forever and each one is a beach
lover’s fantasy come true. The Caribbean Sea is
unusually warm with incredibly blue water and
at most times is very calm. Look down any beach,
at almost any time, and you will see people enjoying
the calming effects that seem to instantly relieve
the tensions of everyday life.
The
beaches are one of Cancun’s most famous attractions,
and everyone seems to enjoy the endless activities
that abound on almost every beach. Volleyball,
parasailing, snorkeling, wave-runners or just
a relaxing day in a hammock, it is you’re choice
and all easily available all along the many miles
of incredible beaches.
Due
to the many miles of beaches in Cancun it is relatively
easy to find a stretch of beach to enjoy without
a lot of interruptions. The entrances and parking
areas for most of the beaches along Kukulacán
Blvd are very well marked. Buses run along the
island every few minutes and for an investment
of just a few pesos you might just find the beach
of your dreams.
Topless
bathing is an activity that is quietly accepted
in Cancun and many of the surrounding areas along
the Mayan Rivera. Total nudity is rare (as well
as illegal), especially on the major beaches.
If you have an insatiable craving for real seclusion,
rent a car, a short drive to the west toward Playa
del Carmen offers numerous secluded beaches or
coves with little chance of finding a crowd. Most
of these beaches, many of which are unnamed, are
just a short drive off of the main highway. Almost
any dirt road heading toward the Caribbean will
eventually take you to a beach. Be careful of
bad road conditions during (but not limited to)
the rainy season.
The
Tourist Zone
The “Zona Hotelera” or Tourist Zone, a narrow
island 14 miles long, is the area of Cancun where
it all comes together for most visitors. Hotels
and beachfront condominiums line the beaches and
serve as the nearly uninterrupted backdrop along
this stretch of incredible Caribbean coastline.
Kukulcán Blvd is the main thoroughfare that dissects
the island and is a name that you will become
familiar with in your travels around Cancun. On
the inland side of Cancun Island is Laguna Nichupté,
a vast lagoon that serves as home to numerous
marinas, water front restaurants, shopping malls,
a couple of golf courses, a few islands and inlets
and some fantastic sunsets . Laguna Nichupté is
fed by fresh underground water and is connected
to the sea in two places which in turn provide
an outlet for numerous water related activities
and tours. In Cancun one is never very far from
the water so naturally much of your time is going
to be spent in, on, or very close to the water.
There is an area near the centre of all this which
is known as the “Golden Zone” which is home to
many of the areas nightclubs and also to some
of Cancun’s better restaurants and one of the
nicer shopping malls.
Restaurants
and nightclubs in the tourist zone, of which there
are many, come in endless varieties with something
that is just right for everyone. From trendy "Brand
Name" night clubs to simple taco stands, do a
little hands on research and you're sure to find
a favourite that will beckon you to return.
The
tourist zone has some minor archeological sites,
the best example of which is Ruinas El Rey located
on Kukulacán Blvd at Km. 17 across from the Hilton
Cancun Beach & Golf Resort (formerly Caesar
Park). A visit to El Rey is well worth the modest
entry fee. The ruins are well preserved and the
sheer number of resident Iguanas make for a pleasant
diversion. Bilingual tour guides are available
for the more inquisitive types. There are other
very minor ruins along the beach, well marked
on most maps.
Cancun
is a destination of different faces. The most
famous, a face recognized by much of the world,
is the above-mentioned tourist zone.
Cancun
City
But Cancun has a population of over 500,000 and
there is another Cancun, a lesser-known face to
many. This is the heartbeat of the entire area;
this is Cancun City or simply Cancun Centro. This
is an area that is not heavily promoted, but should
definitely be included as part of your Cancun
vacation if you are spending more than just a
long weekend. When the beach and hotel scene get
to be a bit overwhelming take a short drive and
see where the locals live and spend much of their
time. “Centro” is a pleasant city with some great
restaurants and modern shopping facilities.
Things
to Do...
Water
Sports
Cancun is naturally a haven for water sports of
all kinds. Just about every kind of water sport
is available here. Almost every beach has vendors
that offer parasailing, banana rides, jet skis
and other varieties of small watercraft. Parasailing
is offered in different forms for one or two flyers,
one of the variations offered here resembles a
small flying boat that is perfect for the less
adventurous. Jet skis, waverunners and parasailing
are available on the Caribbean and on the usually
calm surface of Laguna Nichupté, which also offers
near perfect conditions for water skiing. World
class scuba diving is available at many nearby
locations, most notably, the islands of Cozumel
and Isla Mujeres. A wide variety of packages are
available, most of which include transportation.
Snorkeling is practiced everywhere but the best
locations are generally away from Cancun proper.
A modern water park with a wave making machine,
rivers, slides, a free fall thrill ride and restaurants,
is located near Punta Nizúc. Check out our Activities
page and our Travel & Tours page for more
information on the overwhelming number of options
that await you.
Sportfishing
Cancun and the surrounding area offer some excellent
sportfishing, deep sea fishing in the outer Caribbean
for sailfish, marlin, dorado, wahoo, grouper and
bluefin tuna. The many nearby inlets, flats and
lagoons give anglers a chance to try their luck
at catching tarpon, snook, permit and some hard
fighting bonefish.
Charters
can be arranged through the activity desk at your
hotel or at one of the many marinas along Laguna
Nichupté. Nearby, Isla Cozumel also has a small,
though well equipped marina and a reputable sportfishing
fleet. If you happen to be spending a few days
on Cozumel the fishing grounds are a little closer
to the island and therefore you get more real
fishing time for your money.
Diving
If diving or snorkeling is on your agenda you
have certainly come to the right place. The waters
of the Caribbean are noted for their clarity.
Some of the worlds most famous reefs are just
a short distance from your hotel. There are underwater
national parks and many, many dive sites that
are easily accessible from many of the nearby
beaches or islands.
World-class
dive operations are everywhere, just waiting to
take you on what may turn out to be your best
dive ever. All equipment can be rented, saving
all but expert divers, the hassle of lugging your
gear along with you.
Out
of the Water
Activities
Cancun is not a place where you will get bored,
unless of course, that is the purpose of your
visit. In Cancun even relaxing is never boring.
The hammock and a book set will have to put their
books down occasionally for a bit of world class
people watching. There is plenty to keep everyone
occupied when they want to get away from the beach
for a while. Explore some of Cancun's local Mayan
ruins. Go shopping, ride a bike on some of Mexico's
most well groomed bike paths. Take in a bull fight
(Wednesday afternoons), go ride an ultra fast
go kart or experience The Rocket, if you are really
brave. You can rent a motorcycle or buggy and
go exploring in the jungle, or visit the alligator
farm or the nearby botany park. The local malls
and restaurants could keep you busy for an entire
vacation.
Golf
and Tennis
If you're a golfer or a tennis player, you will
not be disappointed with Cancun. Two championship
18 hole golf courses are located in Cancun proper.
There are also two 3 par executive courses and
a miniature golf course for the kids (and grown
ups). There are two more 18 hole courses less
than an hours drive away. One is at Playacar,
next to Playa del Carmen, and another is located
at Puerto Aventuras a little farther down the
coast. Tennis can be enjoyed at most of Cancun's
hotels. Many will allow non guests to play, also,
sometimes for a small fee. Pok-Ta-Pok Golf Club
has two tennis courts that are open to the public.
They also have a club house with a waterfront
restaurant that is a very pleasant location, away
from the crowds.
Shopping
Shoppers rejoice! Cancun has it all!
The varied aspects of Cancun's shopping facilities
are seemingly endless. From ultra modern malls
with chic boutiques and shops to street vendors
and open-air markets, it is all here. You could
forget the beach if you wanted to, but that was
probably one of the main reasons you came here.
Everything from Cuban cigars to expensive jewelry
and everything in between, is just a short distance
away in Cancun. Truly, a shoppers delight.
Restaurants
You should not go hungry in Cancun. Great
restaurants are everywhere and they serve up some
incredible meals. Steak lovers to vegetarians,
everyone has a great choice of meals. Everywhere
you go there are waterfront restaurants and taco
stands, food courts to fast food. Have it delivered
to your hotel or dress up and go out, the choice
is yours. Some of the fancier restaurants have
a dress code; you may want to enquire ahead of
time. Do sample some of the local Yucatecan dishes
that are a regional treat.
Nightlife
You've been at the beach all day; you've
had your siesta and now your ready to dance the
night away! This is the place! Cancun has major
numbers of nightclubs, discos and bars. The discos
go all night, the bars range from fancy to downright
funky. Live music and Karaoke, to ultra loud disco
music, it just depends on your mood. Mini skirt
and bikini contests, along with other promotions,
are numerous. There are "Ladies Nights" where
women drink for free and even some Chippendale
type shows. Everyone should easily find a place
to call their favorite while on vacation in Cancun.
Ask around among other tourists and some locals
and you will probably be able to find out "where
it's at" currently.
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