In the 1970s Mexicos tourism planners decided that a deserted sand spit on the Yucatan peninsula close to the small fishing village of Puerto Juarez was the ideal location for a major tourist Mecca and they set about building a brand new world class resort. Today Cancun, with a permanent population of 500000, is Mexicos premier tourist destination.
The magnificent resort city of Cancun now offers visitors over 25000 rooms in four and five star hotels as well as all inclusive. Just twenty years ago Cancun was a deserted, sun-drenched island off the northeast tip of the Yucatan peninsula.
Also known as Cancun City, the downtown area or Centro is a nine-block square connected to the island by a causeway. The commercial heart of Cancun, is where you will find lots of restaurants and some nice little shops, particularly along Yaxchilan Avenue. Flea market are on Tulum Avenue, the main street, where silver items and handicrafts brought in from all of Mexico.
Downtown is home to less expensive places to shop, including supermarkets such as Soriana and Walmart not to mention several Flea Markets like the one in the Hotel Zone.
Cancun has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. For those who go out more for daytime than night time sports. The beaches are of powdery coral sand, is the place to be. Cancun is a snorkel and scuba diving paradise, the lagoon enclosed by the L shape of the island, is ideal for sailing and water skiing. Deep-sea fishing and diving are fantastic in the open sea, which stretches out in shades of light-green to turquoise from the shoreline to the violet-blue horizon. Along the coastline of about 540 miles, there are numerous coral islands and a reef barrier, the second largest in the world.
Cancun is alive at night time up the Hotel Zone. Many clubs are divided into sections with techno dance music on one side and on the other live rock bands. These clubs usually open their doors at 10 pm and close when the sun rises.
The Yucatan Peninsula has a rich history and a three-hour bus ride east from Cancun hotel zone. Chichen Itza is considered the capital of ancient Mayan civilization and home to some of Mexicos most important archaeological discoveries. The Pyramid of Kukulkan, El Castillo, a step-sided stone pyramid is the centre piece. Chichen Itza officials still allow tourists to climb up its 91 steps, but this opportunity will soon end due to the impact of the thousands of tourists who visit the site.
