has become Mexico’s calling card to world
travelers because it perfectly showcases both the
country’s breathtaking natural beauty and the
depth of its thousand-year-old history. Simply
stated, Cancún is the reason why most people
travel to Mexico. The sheer number of annual
travelers to Cancún underscores the magnetic
appeal of this resort on Mexico’s eastern coast,
with almost three million people visiting this
enticing beach resort annually--most of them on
their first trip to the country. The reasons for
this are both numerous and obvious.
Cancún offers an unrivaled
combination of high-quality accommodations, dreamy
beaches, and a wide diversity of shopping, dining,
nightlife, and activities nearby, with most
offered at exceptional values with easy air
access. There is also the added lure of ancient
cultures evident in all directions and a growing
number of eco-oriented theme parks.
No doubt about it--Cancún is
the peak of Caribbean splendor with translucent
turquoise waters and powdery white-sand beaches,
coupled with coastal areas of great natural
beauty. But Cancún is also a modern megaresort.
Even a traveler feeling apprehensive about
visiting foreign soil will feel completely at home
and at ease here. English is spoken, dollars are
accepted, roads are well paved, and lawns are
manicured. Malls are the mode for shopping and
dining, and you could swear that some hotels are
larger than a small town. Travelers feel
comfortable in Cancún. You do not need to spend a
day getting your bearings because you immediately
see familiar names for dining, shopping,
nightclubbing, and sleeping.
You may already know that in
1974 a team of Mexican government computer
analysts picked Cancún for tourism development for
its ideal mix of elements to attract
travelers--and they were right on. It’s actually
an island, a 14-mile long sliver of land connected
to the Mexican mainland by two bridges and
separated from it by the expansive Nichupté
lagoon. (Cancún means “Golden Snake” in the Maya
language.)
In addition to attractions of
its own, Cancún is a convenient distance from the
more traditional resorts of Isla Mujeres, Playa
del Carmen, and Cozumel and the Maya
ruins at Tulum, Chichén-Itzá, and Cobá. All
are within driving distance for a day trip.
You will run out of vacation
days before you run out of things to do in Cancún.
Snorkeling, jet skiing, jungle tours, and visits
to ancient Maya ruins or modern ecological theme
parks are among the most popular diversions. There
are a dozen malls with name-brand and duty-free
shops (with European goods at prices better than
in the U.S.), plus more than 350 restaurants and
nightclubs. The more than 24,000 hotel rooms in
the area offer something for every taste and every
budget.
Cancún’s luxury hotels have
pools so spectacular that you may find it tempting
to remain poolside, but don’t. Set aside some time
to simply gaze into the ocean and wriggle your
toes in the fine, brilliantly white sand. This is,
after all, what put Cancún on the map
