Cancun: The Caribbean Jewel
 The city of Cancun is Mexico’s Caribbean Jewel: Its powdery white beaches meet with crystal clear-blue waters situated along the Yucatan Peninsula within Mexico’s eastern coastal state of Quintana Roo. There are a thousand things to do and see in Cancun: The Caribbean Jewel.
The Best of Both Worlds
One of the best qualities about vacationing in Cancun, Mexico is the ability to taste the best of both worlds. In Cancun, you’ll experience the best of the old and the new from world-class water sports to visiting Cancun’s many Mayan ruins. Moreover, Cancun offers a lagoon side where paradise meets world-class water sports. On Cancun’s Caribbean side - swimming, sunbathing for the sun worshippers, and all the nightlife and culture you could ever want are available. Cancun offers something for everyone: World-Class activities, ultra-modern amenities, culture, natural beauty, and romance and adventure. It’s an ideal paradise destination for your next Caribbean vacation.
Things to Do in Cancun, Mexico:
World-Class Activities
From relaxing in the lap of luxury at world-class resorts along the Caribbean Sea, to snorkeling in the Nichupte Lagoon on the other side of Cancun, there are ample things to do on both sides of Cancun, Mexico. Cancun is known for its eco-parks, and home of the second largest barrier reef in the world – the Great Mesoamerican Reef - facilitating some of the best water sports, such as snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing, in the world. For golf lovers, Cancun will delight you with some of the finest golf courses around, designed by experts such as Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman.
Ultra Modern Amenities
If this isn’t enough yet, there is plenty of shopping for all tastes. Try the best of the old and the new in downtown Cancun. Mercado 28 offers a handicraft market, while Plaza Las Americas offers the modern amenities of a shopping mall. The nightlife and culinary delights of Cancun are one-of-a-kind. If you’re looking for small, local restaurants for any budget, downtown Cancun is your oyster. Saunter through the Hotel Zone if your yen is for something trendy and bistro. No matter what your taste or budget is, you will walk away remembering the wonderful, friendly service offered in Cancun’s restaurants. If you’re looking for nightlife, Cancun’s Hotel Zone is unparalleled to any other nightlife district. It is brimming with some of the best nightclubs, trendy bars, and music venues the world round.
The Crown of the Yucatan Peninsula
If you’re craving for tradition and culture after immersing yourself in the luxuries of Cancun’s ultra sophistication, you can’t go wrong visiting the crown of the Yucatan Peninsula – the Mayan culture. The beautiful coasts of Cancun are Mexico’s jewel, while Mayan culture is its crown. Mayan archeological sites, such as Tulum and Xel-Ha, Coba, Uxmal, Kabah, and Chichen Itza, are all in close traveling distance from Cancun, Mexico. El Ray is situated right in the heart of Cancun. There is something new for everyone in Cancun, Mexico - whether you enjoy something old with history and tradition, or a fun-filled day packed with ultra-modern amenities.
The Heart of the Ocean
Cancun, Mexico is a romantic destination with its crystal blue waters and shimmering white sand. The luxurious resorts dotted along the Hotel Zone offer a perfect wedding location, honeymoon, or both! Cancun resorts have packages for everyone’s taste and style when it comes to tie the knot together.
Destination Cancun, Mexico:
Cruising the Sea
In Cancun, there’s a boating excursion for everyone. There are boating cruises, modern yachts, and catamaran excursions daily, including romantic sunset cruises in the evening. Popular destinations sail to Nichupte Lagoon, Isle Mujeres, and Contoy Island.
There are theme pleasure excursions featuring pirate or Caribbean themes, and a vast array of activities that can suit everyone’s tastes. Snorkeling the lagoons, diving, buffets, shopping excursions, and fishing are popular activities on boating excursions in Cancun.
Fishing
Fishing tours are popular and exciting in Cancun, from deep-sea fishing to heart pounding night fishing tours. Cancun’s fishing tours are the perfect activity for those who love adventure and fun.
Water Sports
Water activities are boundless in Cancun, from exhilarating sail boating and water skiing to exploring the underwater mysteries of caves and cenotes. Don’t forget the exciting opportunities to scuba dive and parasail. Beach side amenities rent out water sport equipment like kayaks, motorized jets, and equipment for windsurfing and snorkeling.
Diving and Snorkeling Tours
Explore the second largest barrier reef in the world – the Mayan Reef, or swim and snorkel the underwater caverns and cenotes of Cancun. Cancun is brimming over with underwater adventure.
If the Mayan Barrier Reef is not enough, and you need more, try Banderas and El Bajito coral reefs in Punta Cuncan to the north. To the east, visit the Aristos and San Miguel coral reefs.
Ecological Parks and Lagoons
Cancun is unique in all its numerous water sports and natural beauty, yet it also houses some of the finest and most beautiful ecological parks in the world.
Snorkel the caverns and cenotes, play in the clear water, take a sunset cruise, hike, and visit the natural beauty of mangroves and jungle. Places like Xcaret, Tres Rios, and Xel-ha are amazing, and don’t forget to play with the crocodiles at Crococun!
Mangrove and Jungle Tours
Discover the natural beauty of Cancun by touring the Mangrove forests of Nichupte Lagoon and jungle wildlife by speedboat or wave runner. These adventure tours are popular, and are offered by marinas in Cancun.
Parasailing
Not into water sports and getting wet? Take a look at the spectacular view of the aquamarine Caribbean Sea with a bird’s eye view from above. You’ll also get spectacular views of the Hotel Zone where these parasailing experiences can be found.
Submarine Tours
Dive deep into the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea and view Cancun’s outstanding Coral Reef and underwater sea life without ever putting on your scuba gear. This is a perfect way to see the Caribbean Sea without ever getting wet!
Interactive Aquarium
Take advantage of this interactive aquarium in Cancun, Mexico where there’s ample opportunity to interact with sting rays and sea urchins and turtles to name a few. Feeding the sharks and swimming with the dolphins are activities you and your family can participate in at this impressive aquarium.
Bull Fights
Taste a slice of Mexican history while in downtown Cancun, and visit the bullring, Plaza de Toros. Mexico takes the bullring very seriously, and you won’t be disappointed. Drive North along Boulevard Kukulkan in downtown Cancun to participate in the festivities.
Archeological Ruins
El Ray archeological site is the largest ruins in Cancun, and their situated right in the heart of Cancun’s resort area. It’s well worth a visit to the ruins to learn the history of Mayan culture during your stay in Cancun.
Tours abound for nearby Mayan ruins that you’ll want to visit as well, like Tulum and Xel-Ha, Coba, Uxmal, Kabah, and Chichen Itza. The Tulum tours with Xel-ha are fantastic because you’ll also get the chance to visit the ecological park of Xel-ha after touring the ancient ruins of Tulum.
Destination Paradise
If you’re considering traveling to a paradise destination, consider the all-inclusive beauty of Cancun, Mexico – the Caribbean Jewel. Cancun offers something for everyone: World-Class activities, ultra-modern amenities, culture, natural beauty, and romance and adventure – the best of all worlds. It’s the ideal paradise destination for a Caribbean adventure.
Thriving Mexican culture, tropical weather and wildlife, and impressive Mayan history attract millions of visitors to Cancun each year. Most stay in the hotel zone, or zona hotelera, which is shaped like a massive number 7. Bridges on each end provide access to the mainland. The horizontal side of the 7 has the best coral sands, while beaches on the vertical side are rougher and more eroded. The beach is publicly owned, so guests can circle the entire island on foot.
Bordered by the Caribbean Sea, Cancun is the place to go for underwater exploration. The clarity of the water is inconceivable. While some choose to don a wetsuit and swim with the wildlife, others prefer to keep dry and watch through a glass-bottomed boat. Anglers typically head farther out on deep sea fishing charters, which accommodate amateurs and professionals alike. Who can resist a fishing tournament when Marlin, Wahoo, Kingfish, and Barracuda are lurking in the water? To avoid getting toasted by the sun, many fishermen head out after dark.
For a taste of culture, Ballet Folklorico de Cancun runs every night. Traditional music, dance, and garb create a colorful and fascinating show. Also in the Cancun Convention Center is the National Institute of Anthropology and History. Artifacts from the region are displayed here; some were even used by the Maya well over one thousand years ago. More modern displays can be found at Casa de Cultura de Cancun, where locals artists exhibition their masterpieces.
Dazzling ancient ruins are only a few hours away. They were abandoned long ago, but the reason for that remains a mystery. Tours to and around the sites of Chichen Itza, Tulum, and Xel-Ha can be taken nearly every day. Guides are not necessary, but they have a great deal of knowledge to share about one of the most advanced societies that ever existed. A spectacular evening light and sound show can be enjoyed at Chichen Itza.
Downtown at Cancun Centro, the atmosphere is more laid back and family friendly compared to the Hotel Zone. Prices take a nosedive here since there are fewer tourists. In fact, quite a few locals live in this area, so the cultural experience is much more authentic. This is where to haggle at street markets for souvenirs. If anyone is in the mood for sports, two stadiums in Cancun Centro stand back to back. One is a soccer stadium and the other is for baseball. And to think it used to be nothing but uninhabited, wild greenery!
Cancun translates to snake’s nest in Mayan, which was a fitting title mere decades ago. Little more than jungle brush abounded there. The Mexican government invested colossal sums into this vacation destination, and over time, it certainly paid off. Now a grand selection of 140 hotels and nearly 400 restaurants guarantees a brand new experience during every visit. |
