Cancun
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Cancun is the top resort area in Mexico. Wrapped in crystal clear water and brilliant sunshine, visitors to this comfortable resort area on the Mexican Caribbean take advantage of the gorgeous aquamarine water and tropical temperate climate.
Isla Mujeres, the closest island to Cancun, is famous for snorkeling and hasn't lost its friendly fishing-village allure. For another small-town experience on the mainland, Puerto Morelos, home to local fishermen, is just 20 minutes south of Cancun. |
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Sights—The palatial hotels that line Boulevard Kukulcan; the Mexican goods in Market 28 in downtown Cancun; watching the sunset from the lagoon by La Isla Shopping Village.
Memorable Meals—Mexican and Yucatecan specialties at La Habichuela; cheap eats at Surfin Burrito; Caribbean lobster under the stars at Captain's Cove; anything on the menu at La Destileria.
Late Night—Taking in the latest dance tunes and people-watching at Mandala; a party cruise; dancing and watching the lively shows and celebrity impersonators at Coco Bongo.
Walks—Strolling along the beach; window-shopping in La Isla mall; exploring Parque de las Palapas or getting some exercise at the Malecon Tajamar (boardwalk) in downtown Cancun.
Especially for Kids—Dolphins at Dolphinaris in Wet 'n Wild; the marine life at the Interactive Aquarium; hanging out with live crocodiles at Crococun; taking the Jolly Roger pirate cruise.
Memorable Meals—Mexican and Yucatecan specialties at La Habichuela; cheap eats at Surfin Burrito; Caribbean lobster under the stars at Captain's Cove; anything on the menu at La Destileria.
Late Night—Taking in the latest dance tunes and people-watching at Mandala; a party cruise; dancing and watching the lively shows and celebrity impersonators at Coco Bongo.
Walks—Strolling along the beach; window-shopping in La Isla mall; exploring Parque de las Palapas or getting some exercise at the Malecon Tajamar (boardwalk) in downtown Cancun.
Especially for Kids—Dolphins at Dolphinaris in Wet 'n Wild; the marine life at the Interactive Aquarium; hanging out with live crocodiles at Crococun; taking the Jolly Roger pirate cruise.
Interesting Facts
- If you want to see the first light of day strike Mexican soil, spend the night at Isla Mujeres, to the north of Cancun. It's the easternmost point of Mexico, and Punta Sur is the easternmost point of Isla Mujeres.
- Before it became a resort, the area where Cancun now sits was inhabited by a dozen poor Maya fishing families.
- The City nightclub with its spectacular shows is the largest in Mexico, hosting 5,000 partygoers at a time.
- There's a gravestone for the pirate Fermin Mundaca in the small cemetery on Isla Mujeres. Mundaca designed it himself. However, he died in Merida and is buried there instead.
- The Yucatan Peninsula is covered in thousands of cenotes, natural freshwater sinkholes. The Maya considered them to sacred portals to the underworld. A cenote is the perfect place to cool off on a sweltering day.
- Jennifer Lopez filmed the video for her song “I'm Into You” at the Chichen Itza Mayan ruins and on the white-sand beaches of Tulum.
- Mexico receives more visitors from the United States than from any other country in the world.
