Playground of Ancient Civilizations...

World-renowned fishing, diving and snorkeling, archeological sites dating back thousands of years, a

balmy tropical climate and water sports galore. A very complete resort where you could keep busy 24

hours a day and yet Cancun remains a tranquil retreat where you can relax along the peaceful shore of

the Caribbean …

Beaches

Cancun’s beaches are legendary. The powdery, incredibly white sand, of the Caribbean blesses all of

the beaches in Cancun. These beaches seem to go on forever. The Caribbean Sea is unusually warm with

incredibly blue water and at most times is very calm. 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.

The entrances and parking areas for most of the beaches along Kukulacán Blvd are very well marked.

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.

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.

Restaurants and nightclubs in the tourist zone, of which there are many, come in endless varieties with

something that is just right for everyone.

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 City

But Cancun has a population of over 450,000 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 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, modern shopping facilities and is a semi-peaceful

diversion to all of glitz and hype that surrounds the tourist zone. Your wallet will appreciate your visit

to Centro, as the money contained therein will certainly go farther, as prices for almost everything are

 more reasonable in the city.

Things to Do...

W a t e r S p o r t s

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.

S p o r t f i s h i n g

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 any 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.

D i v i n g

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.

Ou t of the W a t e r

G o l f    a n d   T e n n i s

If you are 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 grownups). There are three more 18 hole courses less than an

hours drive away.

The first is located just 15 minutes west of the hotel zone at the new Moon Palace resort. Another is at

Playacar, next to Playa del Carmen, and still 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.

S h o p p i n g

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.

R e s t a u r a n t s

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 inquire ahead of time. Do sample some of the local Yucatecan dishes that are a

regional treat.

N i g h t l i f e

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.

A r c h a e o l o g y

In Cancun and its surrounding areas, many ruins and ceremonial grounds have been discovered. Among

them:

El Rey – Located at Km 17.5 on Kukulkan Boulevard in Cancun’s hotel zone, just in front of Nichupte

Lagoon.  It was one the first archaeological zones discovered in Cancun. Many of the objects found

there are now on exhibit in the Cancun Archaeological Museum, next to the convention center.

El Meco– Located 6 kilometers north of Cancun along the state highway that goes to Punta Sam, this

archaeological zone was opened to the public in April 2001. There you can find ruins of several temples

and remains of columns, a large square, and a well-conserved pyramid construction.

Tulum – An ancient Mayan city located 128 kilometers south of Cancun. It was one of the region’s main

cities and was built by a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. It is surround by a wall on three of its

sides and has five entryways and two watchtowers. Its important structures are a castle, two temples

 and the house of the ruler, who was known as the Halach Uinic (the True Man).

Chichen Itza – Located 200 kilometers from Cancun and 120 kilometers from Merida, on Highway 180 in

 the northern region of the Yucatan Peninsula. It was the most important regional capital of the

Mayans from 750-1200. Things to see include a castle (the Pyramid of Kukulkan) with 365 steps, a ball

court, la Plaza de Mil Columnas (the Plaza of a Thousand Columns), el Cenote Sagrado (the Sacred

Sinkhole), and the temples.

Coba – You can arrive there by taking the Cancun-Chetumal Highway. When you reach Tulum, take

the Km 47 turnoff, which will take you directly to the town and the archaeological zone. An important

political and commercial center, Coba was one of the most populated Mayan cities. You’ll appreciate its

grandeur when you see a temple that is 25 meters (82 feet) high within the Coba Group, a cluster of

 urban structures. Another important structure is the Nohoch Mul, one of the highest Mayan

constructions ever built, which towers 42 meters (138 feet) high.