Warm white sand beaches, crystal indigo seas, romantic Caribbean nights, world-class hotels, restaurants and nightlife; does all of this sound too good to be true? This is Cancun! World-renowned fishing, diving and snorkeling, archeological sites dating back thousands of years, a balmy tropical climate and water sports galore…this is Cancun! A very complete resort where you could keep busy 24 hours a day just participating in the many activities and tours available, and yet Cancun remains a tranquil retreat where you can relax to your hearts content along the peaceful shore of the Caribbean …this is the real purpose of Cancun! In Cancun you can literally choose a pace and lifestyle to suit any frame of mind, from ultra chic to funky laidback beach bum. Cancun is a resort for everybody, from college students on a strict budget to the rich and famous from all over the world. Cancun caters to all who visit and everyone should experience Cancun at least once.
Cancun is definitely Mexico's showcase resort. The original developers and the Mexican government can be proud of what they have accomplished here. Built in a location that was named by Mayan people, long ago, for the large number of snakes in the area, Cancun has been carefully groomed into one of the most polished resorts anywhere. Long gone are the snakes and most of the mosquitoes that might have enjoyed the numerous lagoons. Few resorts in the world have the infrastructure and amenities that were built into Cancun from the beginning. Everything just seems to flow together effortlessly in Cancun. This is one of the reasons that Cancun is Mexico's most popular resort, the other reason being... Location, Location, Location.
Monday, September 7, 2009
CANCUN: 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. Kukulacán 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. In Cancun one is never very far from the water so naturally much of your time is going to be spent in, on, or very close to the water. There is an area near the center of all this which is known as the “Party Zone” which is home to many of the areas nightclubs and discos. The very same area is also home to some of Cancun's better restaurants and one of the nicer shopping malls. Do not rule this area out of your itinerary just because you are not a party animal.
Restaurants and nightclubs in the tourist zone, of which there are many, come in endless varieties with something that is just right for everyone. From trendy "Brand Name" night clubs to simple taco stands, do a little hands on research and you're sure to find a favorite that will beckon you to return.
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 is a destination of different faces. The most famous, a face recognized by much of the world, is the above-mentioned tourist zone.
Restaurants and nightclubs in the tourist zone, of which there are many, come in endless varieties with something that is just right for everyone. From trendy "Brand Name" night clubs to simple taco stands, do a little hands on research and you're sure to find a favorite that will beckon you to return.
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 is a destination of different faces. The most famous, a face recognized by much of the world, is the above-mentioned tourist zone.
CANCUN: TOURIST SERVICES
Aeropuerto Internacional de Cancun (airport) ? Located off the Cancun-Tulum Highway 5 kilometers (3 miles ) from the hotel zone and 8 kilometers (5 miles ) from downtown. Has taxi and bus services that will take you to Cancun , the hotel zone and Playa del Carmen.
Terminal de Autobuses (bus terminal) ? Located in the downtown area on the corners of Uxmal Avenue Tulum Avenue
EMERGENCY NUMBERS AND INFORMATION
Tourism Office ? Tel. (998) 884-8073
FONATUR (tourism development agency) ? Tel. (998) 884-0610
Local information ? 040
Red Cross ? Tel. (998) 884-1616
Emergencies ? 060
Police ? Tel. (998) 884-2342
Federal police ? Tel. (998) 884-1107
Traffic police ? Tel. (998) 884-0710
Public safety office ? Tel. (998) 884-2342
Port Authority ? Tel. (998) 880-1360
Immigration ? Tel. (998) 884-1749
CANCUN FISHING
Akumal. Located 105 kilometers (65 miles ) south of Cancun off Route 307. A quiet place where different marine turtle species arrive to lay their eggs. This place offers sportfishing outings for those looking to catch sailfish, marlin, barracuda and bonito. It has a magnificent bay with a reef that serves as a barrier to the open sea. Akumal is an ideal spot to relax as you take in the beauty of the Caribbean scenery.
Isla Mujeres. Located 14 kilometers (9 miles ) off the coast of Cancun , it is one of the most beautiful spots in the Mexican Caribbean. The island is 8 kilometers (5 miles ) long and 1.5 kilometers (about 1 mile ) wide. To arrive there, you can take a ferry or speedboat from Puerto Juarez, Punta Sam and Playa Linda. You can arrive by taking the Garrafon Cruise, which departs from the Embarcadero in Cancun?s hotel zone at Km 4. It arrives at Parque Natural Garrafon on the southern part of the island. Fishing is the island?s mainstay of life. Off its coast, you can catch such species as marlin and dorado, among others.
Isla Holbox. Located 10 kilometers (6 miles ) north of the Yucatan Peninsula 100 kilometers (62 miles ) to the town of Chiquila. There you?ll have to cross Yalahan Lagoon in a boat to arrive at the island. The inhabitants are fishermen and they can guide you around the island. An island known for its shark fishing, you can catch hammerhead and blue sharks, as well as jackfish and tarpon.
Puerto Morelos. Located CANCUN GOLFING
Pok-Ta-Pok Golf Club ? This is one of the first golf courses built in Cancun ?s hotel zone. It is an 18-hole, par 72 course. Located on Kukulkan
Hotel Grand Oasis ? Located in Cancun ?s hotel zone, this hotel has an excellent nine-hole, par 27 course. Located on Kukulkan Boulevard
Club de Golf Melia ? Has an 18-hole, par 54 course. Located on Kukulkan Boulevard 16.5 in the hotel zone. Tel. (998) 881-1100 www.solmelia.com
Cancun Shopping
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 (enjoy them in Cancun if you are an U.S. citizen) to expensive jewelry and everything in between, is just a short distance away in Cancun. Truly, a shoppers delight.
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.
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