Cancun

May 03, 2022

As one of the most popular beach destinations in North America, Cancun, Mexico, is famous for its turquoise waters, white-sand shores, luxury hotels and endless nightlife.

The Zona Hotelera, or Hotel Zone, is home to a 14-mile stretch of hotels that range from high-end, all-inclusive resorts, to student-friendly budget hotels. Though this area may teem with tourists who only seek constant pampering and sunshine, there is an authentic Mexican city just down the round in downtown Cancun. Unseen by travelers who don’t leave the confines of their resort, downtown Cancun offers a mix of tradition and modernity, and is home to many restaurants, shopping centers and outdoor markets where the locals spend their time. Not far from Cancun, travelers who seek out history and culture can delve deep into the Mayan ruins and archaeological sites at neighboring Tulum, Chichen Itza and Coba.

Because Cancun is bordered by the Caribbean Sea on one side, and Nichupte Lagoon on another, there are a myriad of outdoor, water and adventure sports to partake in. Featuring some of the best fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling in the world, the Great Mesoamerican Reef is located just off the city’s coast. Activities on offer include a variety of water sports, such as windsurfing, parasailing, jet-skiing, water skiing and kayaking to those looking for an aquatic thrill. Championship golf courses overlooking the Caribbean and eco-parks with underground rivers and cavern tours are also popular draws for visitors.

Showcasing everything from traditional Mexican cuisine downtown, to chic bistros and upscale international restaurants, the Cancun dining scene has something to suit all tastes. Dotted along the hotel strip and extending down into the Riviera Maya area, south of Cancun are some of the most prestigious and well-known restaurants in all of Mexico.

Located just six miles from the Hotel Zone, Cancun International Airport (CUN) is Mexico’s second-busiest airport, and serves the region’s international and domestic air travel. The transfer to the hotel strip in Cancun ranges from a quick 10-15 minutes to the hotels closest to the airport to a 30-40 minutes to the ones further away. Transfers to the Riviera Maya area, which is becoming an even bigger attraction than Cancun itself will normally take around 1 hour to Playa Del Carmen, the main town of the region, and to Tulum, fast coming close to the Riviera Maya in terms of popularity, the transfer time is between 1 ½-2 hours.

Cancun has a tropical climate and is characterized by warm year-round temperatures and a pronounced rainy season. The average annual temperature stays around 80.8° F (27.1° C) and tends to remain in that vicinity for the entire year. The tropical storm season lasts from the summer months through December, with peak precipitation coming down in September. The best times to visit Cancun are in the late winter and early spring months, when humidity and rainfall is at a minimum.

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