DK Travel : Cancún and the Yucatán : Cancún

Cancún

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Just a dot on the map before 1970, Cancún is now the biggest resort on the Caribbean. Its Hotel Zone occupies a huge, narrow sand spit shaped like a giant “7.” On the mainland is the fast-growing city of Ciudad Cancún – also known as Downtown. All along Boulevard Kukulcán are hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, and visitor attractions.
For more on Cancún and the northern part of the Mayan Riviera (see Cancún and the North)

Top 10 Sights

1. Night-time Cancún

Cancún’s pulsating night-life is most concentrated in the “Corazone” but extends all the way to Ciudad Cancún. A non-stop party atmosphere is maintained in clubs varying from Mexican traditional to modern cool.
2. The Beach

2. The Beach

Cancún’s greatest glory is made up of fine white silicate sand that’s soft and somehow always cool despite the warmth of the sun. There are several public access points from Boulevard Kukulcán. The north side of the “7” is best for swimming; the eastern beaches have more crashing waves.
3. Laguna Nichupté

3. Laguna Nichupté

The placid lagoon enclosed by Cancún Island offers more tranquillity than the ocean, and is a favorite place for water sports. To the west are man-groves and jungle.
4. Punta Cancún and the “Corazone”

4. Punta Cancún and the “Corazone”

The heart of the action on the Hotel Zone strip is around the bend in the “7.” Here are vast shopping and entertainment malls, such as Plaza Caracol and Forum by the Sea, and the biggest nightclubs, Dady’O and the Coco Bongo
5. Museo de Antropología e Historia

The star exhibit is a 15th-century stucco head known as The King (El Rey). The deliberately misshapen human skulls show the Mayan ideals of beauty.
6. Shopping Areas

6. Shopping Areas

Cancún is a shopaholic’s heaven. You have everything from international fashion in the vast, gleaming malls of the Hotel Zone to Mexican souvenirs in the markets of Downtown.
7. Avenida Tulum and Downtown

The hub of the more Mexican town of Ciudad Cancún is tree-lined Avenida Tulum. It’s a good spot for strolling and souvenir-shopping, and its cafés and restaurants are more tranquil than those by the beach.
8. El Meco Ruins

8. El Meco Ruins

Near the Isla Mujeres ferry ports, the ruined city of El Meco dates back to AD 300. An impressive pyramid and the remains of an opulent Mayan palace can be seen.
9. El Rey Ruins

9. El Rey Ruins

These ruins were part of a city that was prominent in the last centuries of Mayan civilization, just before the Spanish Conquest. By the ruins is a mock Mayan village, presenting a reconstruction of ancient Mayan life, including traditional cooking.
10. Parque Nizuc

10. Parque Nizuc

The giant theme park combines slides and rides of all sizes at the Wet’n’ Wild water park; a snorkeling pool with stingrays and (harmless) sharks; an interactive dolphin pool; and bungee-jumping from the Sky Coaster (see Attractions for Children).

Practical Information

Kilometer markers, numbered from the north end, are used as locators along Boulevard Kukulcán. Bus routes R-1, R-2 and R-15 run up and down between Avenida Tulum and along the Hotel Zone, 24 hours a day. For good Mexican cooking and some local atmosphere, try the restaurants inside Mercado 28 in Downtown Cancún. Tourist info kiosks inside Town Hall, Av Tulum, La Isla and Forum malls, and Centro de Convenciones, (998) 881 9000; www.cancun.info El Rey ruins, 8am–5pm daily adm $3 El Meco ruins, 8am–3pm daily adm $3 Museo de Antropología e Historia, 8am–5pm daily adm $3