Cancun Mexico Directory
Cancun Mexico Overview
Cancún has 200-plus days of sun a year and a temperature that averages 80F. With these statistics, it isn't hard to understand why it is Mexico's top tourist destination. Located on the tip of the Yucatan peninsula, it's beaches are unparalleled, broad expanses of gleaming white sand stretched out beside the clear blue-green waters of the Caribbean. 
Cancun Mexico Beach
A wide range of restaurants, vivacious night life, a variety of shopping opportunities and the overall tropical atmosphere draw over two million visitors a year. It is hard to believe that 25 years ago it didn't exist at all!
The town can be divided into three main areas: the Hotel area, the Town and the Ecological Reserve, which contains incredible lakes and mangrove swamps.
The Hotel Area contains all the top-class luxury hotels, the so-called Gran Turismo accomodation, five stars and some four stars. These magnificent buildings include various architectural styles: from the classical-style columns in Hotel Krystal, to the modern pyramid-shaped Hotel Meliá Beach and Spa Resort. Hotels and shopping centres are both distributed along the Boulevard Kuculkán, the main avenue which crosses the island length-wise, measuring around 21 kilometres. This district is undoubtedly the one which generates the most income for Cancun, and where the economic impact is considerably more noticeable than in the rest of the State. The trendiest and most popular discos, the restaurants serving the best in international haute cuisine, and the largest entertainment venues are all located in this area.
The whole family is welcome and appreciated in Cancún. Much thought and preparation has gone into developing attractions that will be of interest to family members of all ages. AquaWorld is one such facility. It offers wave runners, water skiing, windsurfing, catamarans, paddle boats, sailboats, kayaks, floats and boogie boards. There is even a sub sea explorer craft with large glass windows built into the sides for underwater viewing of fish, coral formations, turtles, and other marine life. There is no excuse not to have fun! Children will also enjoy time spent at Xcaret, the waterside theme park. Stunning beaches and breathtaking views are to be seen, before you can appreciate the natural beauty that this resort has to offer. Miles and miles of silky smooth sugar powder beaches, softly washed by the turquoise waves of the emerald waters of the Caribbean Sea. 
Cancun from the Air
The Town of Cancun is a change of scenery, albeit not a drastic one. Life here turns more picturesque, folkloric and a little more down to earth. The calmness of life in the province and the simplicity of some of the shops provide a stark contrast with the million-dollar hotel chains. In the town, or Pueblo, accommodation is cheaper. You will find anything from four star hotels to inns and rooms to rent for a few pesos. In this district you will find restaurants serving typical local food and snacks, which are a real opportunity for you to taste some genuine home-made Mexican dishes.
The shops are not fancy, and one can easily find quality items at lower prices than those being sold in the hotel area. Theatres and cinemas tend to be located in the Pueblo's main streets.
Lastly, we can't forget the third area in Cancun, in which Nature is still Queen. The ecological reserve (Sian Ka'an) occupies hundreds of kilometres, making it the largest in Mexico. It is a real ecosystem, home to many species of plants and animals. The government and non-profit-making organisations do their best to try and maintain this area intact, in order to keep it as a refuge for species, many of them facing the danger of extinction.
East, West, North and South, one can see archaeological sites. The buildings reveal the settlement of the Mayas in these lands, and every rock reveals traces of the historical and cultural legacy which these inhabitants left from the post-classic period.
In Cancun elegance merges with an array possibilities for entertainment in the Hotel Area, the tradition and quiet of the Pueblo, the natural beauty of the ecological reserve, the coral reef and the history of its peoples.
Cancun Mexico Facts
Banks and Currency Exchange Facilities
US Dollars are easily exchanged into pesos in banks, major hotels, airports and exchange houses. Mexican banks are generally open from 9 am to 2:30 pm weekdays only. Exchange houses are open longer and offer quicker service. Most credit cards are accepted in shops, hotels and travel agencies. Major purchases are best made with a credit card. You automatically receive the bank rate of exchange, ... more
Language
Spanish is the main language of Mexico with the native Mayan being spoken only by a small minority of the population. In the more tourist trodden parts of the country such as Cancun many people will have a basic knowledge of English. Despite this, it is helpful to have at ones disposal at least a smattering of Spanish.
Electricity
110 volts, 60 cycles, same as in the U.S.
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