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 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 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. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/Cancun_Mexico/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:06:51 EST Cancun is located at the beginning of what's named the Riviera Maya or sometimes called the Mayan Riviera. This area stretches from Cancun all the way south to Tulum. Geographiclly speaking the entire area is part of the Yucatan Peninsula. * The state is called Quintana Roo. * The Yucatan peninsula is an area that swoops up toward Florida. It is only approx. 500 miles from Miami, Florida. * Latitude/Longitude at the Cancun airport is: 21* 02' 000" lat. 86* 53' 000" long. For great street maps of the area check out: http://www.cancunmap.com/ http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/Cancun_Mexico/ Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:06:51 EST Semi-tropical with an average temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures for Cancún: January-March, 68-86°F (20-30°C); April-June, 71-89°F (22-32°C); July-September, 75-91°F (24-33°C); October-December, 68-87°F (20-31°C). Cancún has an average of more than 200 sunny days a year and has less annual rainfall than the Virgin Islands or the Bahamas. You may run into some rain, overcast weather and days with bothersome wind gusts. Usually a light breeze blows across the island, keeping things cool. The city's temperature averages an idyllic 80°F (27°C) year-round, dipping painlessly from time to time, hitting 65°F (19°C) in January. It can swelter to 100°F (38°C) in May, though ocean breezes keep it more bearable than the rest of the Yucatán, which can get drenchingly muggy and hot. Rainfall is rare, though violent storms called nortes can roll in on any afternoon, their black clouds, high winds and torrents of rain followed within an hour by bright sun and blue sky. Hurricane season lasts from July to November. November and early December are perhaps the best times to go, as there are fewer tourists and prices are low. The busy season is from mid-December to April, when prices are noticeably higher. Surcharges get tacked on around the Christmas, New Year's and Easter holidays. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/weather/Cancun_Mexico/ Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:06:51 EST Buy Mexican auto insurance! Yeah I know your credit card may cover some of this in the states but not always in Mexico. If you do get in an accident it will be worth the few extra bucks you end up paying for the insurance. Driving is on the right hand side of the road just like in the USA. Be aware that many roads are not in the best of conditions after you leave Cancun. Though Highway 307 has been improved greatly over the years beware to the tope! Most secondary roads will not be in good condition. Driving at night should be avoided if possible: cars without lights, drunk drivers, cows in the road, drunks in the road, no reflective lines on the highway, potholes, etc. Always be aware of livestock. Gringos call them "speed bumps", in Mexico they are called tope (TOE-pay). Tope are common even on some major roads so keep your eyes on the road as they are nearly invisible but very tall, which can rip off your muffler. There are not a lot of gas stations in the Mayan Riviera. There are gas stations at Puerto Moreles, Playa del Carmen and Tulum (also one on the island of Cozumel). To be safe, don't let your tank get down below 1/4. Credit cards are NOT accepted at PEMEX, the state run gas company. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/car_rentals/Cancun_Mexico/ Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:06:51 EST Restaurants and Dining: http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/restaurants/Cancun_Mexico/ Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:06:51 EST