Official Language:
Spanish
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Currency:
Peso & US Dollar
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Population:
Approximately 177,000 people call Cancun home.
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Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Cancun: Warm sun year round, with an average temperature of a heavenly 80°F/27°C with little humidity! Winter temperatures can go down to a warm 65°F/18°C Summer temperatures can be as high as 100°F/38°C!. Not to worry, the ocean breeze keeps Cancun comfortable, compared to other areas of Mexico.
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Cancun is a stunning Caribbean paradise with a dual history, one rich in ancient Mayan influences and Spanish imperialism, and the other a modern lesson on the growth of this slender island into a fascinating tourist Mecca. Back in 1967, the Mexican government began searching for a complete tourist destination on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. They found that Cancun had it all. It had the natural and cultural beauty highlighted by the stunning turquoise waters of the Caribbean, the unforgettable white sand beaches, and the incredible offshore reefs. Cancun enjoys 15 miles of beautiful powdery white sand beaches and an endless view of the Caribbean Sea. Its surrounding waters are ideal for aquatic sports including snorkeling, diving, and parasailing. Golfing is also readily accessible year round.The surrounding areas are rich with Mayan influences, one of the most advanced ancient civilizations the world has ever witnessed. Cancun is comprised of two distinct landmasses, Ciudad Cancun and Isla Cancun. Ciudad is located on the Yucatan mainland and features shopping and restaurants, as well as pharmacies, banks, travel agencies, and other general businesses. Many quick trips to the surrounding ruins of the Yucatan begin here. The second region, Isla Cancun, is the heart of the resort city. Isla Cancun is connected to the mainland by two bridges, and features luxurious resorts, championship golf courses, deep-sea fishing, diving, unforgettable beaches, and a whole lot more! The low-slung jungles of this part of Mexico the Yucatan Peninsula were first settled by the Maya, whose culture and elaborate temples (like those at Tulum and Coba) continue to fascinate archaeologists and casual visitors alike. By the time Cortes began the Spanish conquest of Mexico in 1519, the Maya culture was already in decline. But the conquistadors accelerated that descent with bloody battles and deadly European diseases. Eventually, the northern part of the Yucatan was settled by landowners of Spanish descent who used the Maya as workers. Though Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, decades of civil strife, dictatorships and instability followed. More than 1200 archeological sites, many completely restored, are within a few hours drive from Cancun. Popular guided day tours of the ruins of Tulum, Coba, and Chichen-Itza can be arranged upon your arrival.
Two distinct landmasses comprise the Cancun region. Ciudad Cancun is on the Yucatan mainland and features shopping and restaurants, as well as pharmacies, banks, travel agencies, and other general establishments. It is also the starting point for many quick trips to the surrounding ruins of the Yucatan. The second region, Isla Cancun, is the heart of the resort city. Isla Cancun is connected to the mainland via two bridges, and features opulent resorts, championship golf courses, deep-sea fishing, diving, amazing beaches, and so much more! Once the sun sets, Cancun offers a large selection of entertainment that includes Mexican-style bars and sophisticated nightclubs, playing anything from salsa music to modern dance club mixes. Dining in one of Cancun's excellent gourmet restaurants that offer live dancing and music shows, or browsing through an exclusive Mexican shopping pavilion, are just two of the many things you can look forward to on your visit to this Mexican paradise.
Cruise ships dock at the Centro Empresarial Cancun on Boulevard Kukulkan. It is a full service pier complete with shops, restaurants, and access to efficient public transportation to get you on your way to exploring all there is to see in the region, it is a great walking city, and many of the most popular attractions can be easily covered on foot. However, there are other modes of transportation to take advantage of. Taxis are readily available on the island, but there are some features of local taxi service to be aware of. Taxi rates within the hotel zone will cost you a minimum of $5 per ride, regardless of the distance. In addition, a discriminatory pricing system can charge tourists up to double the amount that local pay using the taxi service. Always ask your taxi driver for a rate card before beginning your trip. Taxis will take you to the surrounding sites of Chichen-Itza and the Riviera Maya for an hourly fee of approximately $30. Bus travel in Cancun is the most popular way of getting around town. At a modest 45 cents per ride, with buses operating from 6am to 10pm daily, you can travel to any major destination on the Island easily and cheaply. A moped can be rented from one of several agencies in town, beginning at $25 per day. Be aware that traffic in Cancun is heavy, and mopeds are a dangerous addition to the mix. You must provide a credit card as a security deposit if you wish to rent a moped in Cancun.
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Attractions |
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Cancun is an exotic, tropical island with modern comforts and conveniences. A carefully planned layout and infrastructure make this destination complete. Cancun has it all. It is a 14 mile long thin ribbon of sand, which is shaped like the number "seven". You will find over 18,000 hotel rooms and some 200 restaurants. Shopping is great, with over a dozen American-style shopping malls. It is very rare to find a site better equipped with natural, archaeological, and man-made attractions. Cancun more than 1200 archeological sites, many completely restored, which are within a few hours drive from Cancun. You can arrange guided day tours of the ruins of Tulum, Coba, and Chichen-Itza upon your arrival. From here tour Tulum's romantic cliff top ruins and the Coba Mayan ruins, featuring the pyramid of Noboch Mul with 120 steps.
For adventure seekers Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula has sight-seeing treasures. Also known as the Costa Turquesa, it stretches 300 miles to the south along the Yucatan's eastern flank is the Tulum Corridor region. This scenic and unspoiled coastal zone is emerging as one of Mexico's newest resort zones. Several new all-inclusive properties have opened, and there is still plenty of off-the-beaten-path exploring. Dozens of remote coves and deserted stretches of jungle-lined white sand beach are easy to reach. There are also dozens of archaeological sites here, ranging from magnificent, fully restored ancient cities to unexcavated, ceremonial centers.
Isla Mujeres Turtle Farm:
A 25-minute boat ride from Cancun. A land of white-sand beaches and colorful Caribbean architecture, Isle Mujeres features terrific shopping and dining values as well. Six species of sea turtle lay eggs in the sand along the island's calm western shore. Although they are endangered, sea turtles are still killed throughout Latin America for their eggs and meat, which are considered a delicacy. In the 1980s, efforts by a local fisherman led to the founding of the Centro de Investigaciones and the Isla Mujeres Turtle Farm, which protects the turtles' breeding grounds and places wire cages around their eggs to protect against predators. Hatchlings live in three large pools for up to a year, at which time they are tagged for monitoring and released. Because most turtles in the wild die within their first few months, the practice of guarding them until they are a year old greatly increases their chances of survival. The Turtle Farm is a scientific facility, not an amusement centre. But if you'd like to see several hundred sea turtles, ranging in weight from 150g (5oz) to more than 300kg (661lb), this is the place for you.The Isla is blessedly close to four fine reefs: Los Manchones, La Bandera, Cuevones and Chital. A regular stop for divers includes the Sleeping Shark Caves, about 5km (3mi) north of the island, where the usually dangerous creatures are said to be lethargically nonlethal because of the low oxygen content of the caves' waters. The good snorkelling and better swimming beaches are on the southern part of the island along the western shore (the Bahía de Mujeres), though Playa Norte, the town's principal beach, lies calmly facing northwest. If you desperately need a break from sun and sand, there's some ruined remains of a Mayan temple dedicated to Ixchel at the southern tip of the island.
The Ruinas del Rey:
It is a small archeological site 13 miles from town, built by Mayan fisherman as one of the first permanent settlements of the Mayan culture. Later abandoned, it was subsequently re-established by the Mayans just prior to the arrival of the Spaniards in the early 16th century. A lush backdrop of banana plants and wildflowers surround the numerous temples that adorn this site.(tel 9/884-8073)
The Tres Rios:
Eco/adventure Park is a 150-acre parcel of land located 25 minutes south of Cancun. It is a beautiful reserve that offers a variety of outdoor adventures for the whole family, including snorkeling, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, canoeing, and much more. You will be given access to the bikes, canoes, kayaks, and snorkels to complete your adventure. Open daily from 9am to 6pm, Tres Rios is sure to make a lasting impression on the young and young at heart. (tel 9/887-4977)
Isla Contoy:
From Isla Mujeres it's possible to take an excursion by boat to tiny, uninhabited Isla Contoy, Marine National Park, a coral coastline that attracts divers and snorkelers from around the globe. Bird sanctuary 30km (19mi) north. The island's dense foliage is home to more than 100 bird species, including brown pelicans, olive cormorants, turkey birds, brown boobies and red-pouched frigates. In addition, red flamingoes, snowy egrets and white herons make frequent visits. Bring mosquito repellent, and beware of the boa constrictors and small crocodiles that live in the island's brackish ponds.
Bullfights:
Cancún has a small bullring, Plaza de Toros (tel. 998/884-8372; bull@prodigy.net.mx), near the northern (town) end of Paseo Kukulkán opposite the Restaurant Los Almendros. Bullfights take place every Wednesday at 3:30pm during the winter tourist season. A sport introduced to Mexico by the Spanish viceroys, bullfighting is now as much a part of Mexican culture as tequila. The bullfights usually include four bulls, and the spectacle begins with a folkloric dance exhibition, followed by a performance by the charros (Mexico's sombrero-wearing cowboys). You're not likely to see Mexico's best bullfights in Cancún -- the real stars are in Mexico City. Keep in mind that if you go to a bullfight, you're going to see a bullfight, so stay away if you're an animal lover or you can't bear the sight of blood. Travel agencies in Cancún sell tickets, which cost $35 for adults, free for children; seating is by general admission. American Express, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted.
Panoramic helicopter tours:
Allow you to see a complete overview of this island paradise and the surrounding areas. Both day and evening flights are available. Tours to the ruins and flights south along the Riviera Maya are also an option.
-Heli Data (tel. 998/883-3104) offers customized tours with hourly rates depending upon the length of flight and time of day. Hotel pickup is provided.
-Heli Tours (tel. 998/849-4222 or 998/849-4230) offers a 15-minute ride over the Cancún Hotel Zone for $79.
The Beaches:
Cancun is the perfect resort city for one reason: its incredible coastline. Dotting this coastline are many beaches that provide ample opportunity to relax and soak in the sights of this paradise. Although the best stretches of beach are directly adjacent to the big hotels, all beaches are public property and are open to anyone who wishes to enjoy them. Playa Tortuga, Playa Linda, and Playa las Perlas are some of the more famous beaches, where you can ride a parasail, rent a Jet Ski, and take part in other water sport adventures. Yet, in addition, there are numerous other beaches, many away from the large crowds, that offer a different type of Caribbean experience. The choice is yours!
Snorkeling & Scuba Diving:
If want to Scuba dive or just snorkel in the clear shallow waters and see the coral and fish, Cancun has ideal waters for both.. The colours, shallow reefs and sheer diversity of marine life, make Cancun one of top resorts world-wide for divers and snorkelling. Of particular note, is the Gran Acerife Maya, (Great Mesoamerican Reef) which is one of the largest reefs in the whole world! For the experienced divers, explorations of the caverns and wellsprings, the cenotes, should not be missed. Veterans might wish to take a side trip to the popular reefs of El Garrafon.
Cave of the Sleeping Sharks:
Or, if you are just starting out, then an introductory course, offered by many of the resorts, would suit you best. Scuba Cancun (Paseo Kukulkan, tel. 9/884-1011) offers a 4-hour course. If you would like to get a view of this undersea paradise without getting wet, then contact. Aquaworld (Paseo Kukulkan, tel. 9/885-2288) for an unforgettable glass-bottom boat ride.
Museo Arqueológico de Cancun:
A museum To the right side of the entrance to the Cancún Convention Center is the a small but interesting museum with relics from archaeological sites around the state. .This museum has a collection of items - including jewellry, masks and intentionally deformed skulls - from the Postclassic period (AD1200-1500). Other exhibits include a Classic-period hieroglyphic staircase inscribed with dates from the 6th century, and the stucco head that gave the local archeological zone its name of El Rey. Most of the informative signs are in Spanish only, though an English information sheet is available at the ticket counter. Archeology buffs should be warned, however, that they may be left wanting. The Mayan ruins really worth seeing lie far outside of the city. Admission is $3.50; free on Sunday and holidays. It's open Tuesday through Sunday from 9am to 7pm, (tel. 998/883-0305)
There are such a tremendous variety of things to do in and around Cancun, yet several notable highlights have attracted millions of visitors the world over because of their appeal to families, tour groups, etc. Several are just a quick bus or taxi ride from Isla Cancun, while others are walking distance from the port.
Shopping The Plaza Kukulkan:
(www.kukulcanplaza.com) is a mammoth mall with over 300 shops and restaurants to choose from. Search for all the greatest bargains in traditional Mexican textiles, jewelry, and music. Find great deals on leather and crafts, and enjoy their new food court loaded with familiar U.S. restaurants. The recent addition to the shopping scene in Cancun is La Isla Shopping Village (Paseo Kukulkan, www.cancunshoppingmalls.com), an open-air venue featuring a lovely river-walk along the Nichupte Laogo, and many fine clothing and accessory stores.
Entertainment in Cancun:
Once the sun sets, Cancun offers a large selection of entertainment that includes Mexican-style bars and sophisticated nightclubs, playing anything from salsa music to modern dance club mixes. Dining in one of Cancun's excellent gourmet restaurants that offer live dancing and music shows, or browsing through an exclusive Mexican shopping pavilion, are just two of the many things you can look forward to on your visit to this Mexican paradise.
Maria Bonita (Hotel Camino Real, tel. 9/883-0100) will make you feel a part of Cancun culture with its crooning mariachis, marimba music, and a delightful array of mouth watering dishes to choose from. In addition, a great bar invites you to try one of their 50 varieties of tequila. When it's time to dance the night away, head to Christine's at the Hotel Krystal. Known for its laser-light shows and video displays, Christine's opens at 9:30pm nightly.
La Torre Cancún Paseo Kukulkán, Km 4 (tel. 998/849-4848 or 998/889-7777), a rotating tower at the El Embarcadero park andentertainment complex. One ride costs $9; a day and night pass goes for $14. Open daily from 9am to 11pm.
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More Information |
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Useful Links About Cancun:
Cancun Travel Information
Phone: 1 800 CANCUN8
Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau
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