About Cancun
We would like to extend the most cordial welcome to our city. We are here to provide you with quality service and make your experience unforgettable.
Twenty-three years ago, Cancun was a small fishing village in the Yucatan, with only 117 inhabitants. Today, it is a world-class destination offering modern luxury hotels, a convention center, two 18-hole golf courses (one designed by Robert Trent Jones), and a wide variety of quality restaurants and shops. Just an hour's flight from Miami, this jewel of the Mexican Caribbean is studded with stunning beaches and ancient Mayan ruins.
Created in the 70s, Mexico's youngest and most luxurious tourist destination has a base population of 400,000 residents and a first-class infrastructure that supports its stellar hotels. Excellent weather, facilities, and the premium resort mantra—location, location, location—mean that visitors get the best services possible, not to mention the highest concentration of luxury hotels in the Caribbean, with jungles and ruins right next door.
Cancun is divided into two parts. The narrow, 14-mile-long island section (Cancun Island) is lined with modern beachfront hotels surrounded by the Bahia de Mujeres (Bay of Women), the Caribbean Sea, and the Nichupté and Bojorquez lagoons. The boomerang-shaped islet is connected to the mainland by two bridges: the southernmost connecting to the airport and the highway south, while the northern one links the Hotel Zone with "Cancun Centro." "El Centro" has colorful shops, restaurants, and smaller hotels catering more to European and national tourism.
More than just hotels and beaches, Cancun is packed with activities. Abundant marine life means excellent snorkeling, scuba diving, cave and wreck diving, water skiing, jungle tours, parasailing, and waverunning. Fishing is taken seriously, with red snapper, bonefish, tarpon, and sabana in the bay, and sailfish, marlin, and tuna in the ocean, especially in spring and summer. The obligatory pirate ships sail daily and nightly on "booze cruises" to Isla Mujeres.
And for the less materially-minded, there are nature tours in immense biosphere reserves. And ruins—endless, silent, awe-inspiring monuments to the Maya. Chichen Itza, Tulum, Coba, and Kohunlich are the star cities of the ancients. Golfers will find challenging 18-hole courses. Most luxury and first-class hotels also feature tennis courts.
Useful Travel Information
Climate: Cancun's weather is friendly, with an average temperature of 80°F (27°C). With 240 days of sunshine annually, rain is rare. The beaches are covered with Caribbean sand (naturally processed shell and coral), which stays cool even on the hottest days.
Purified Water: The city of Cancun and the hotel zone have a special water purification system. Water from the tap is safe to drink, but bottled water is also readily available.
Currency: The peso is the national currency. However, American dollars are accepted in most shops and restaurants. You can exchange dollars at banks and hotels.
Time Zone: Eastern Time (Cancun).
Clothing: Casual and seasonal attire is the dress code. Coat and tie are not necessary unless you are dining in a luxury restaurant that requires semi-formal attire. Beachwear should be restricted to the island and not used in town.
Electricity: 110 volts A.C./60 cycles.
Customs: U.S. citizens can import $400 USD worth of merchandise and 2 liters of liquor duty-free. Additional purchases are taxed.
More to Explore: If you find yourself craving a more quaint and rustic intimacy, you'll want to take a vacation from luxury and head for neighboring Cozumel and Isla Mujeres.
Ready to Explore the Mexican Caribbean?
You've read about the stunning beaches, the ancient Mayan ruins, and the endless activities. Now it's time to choose your adventure.