Cancun Mexico Vacations

  Mayan Riviera

The Riviera Maya is the strip from Cancun to Tulum which includes fishermen's villages such as of Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Playacar, Secreto, Perserverancia, Punta Bete Bay, Akumal, Tankah, Punta Soliman and Tulum. The ecological parks of Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xpu-Ha and Tres Rios are located within this area. The Riviera Maya will be able to offer ten to fifteen attractive options for visitors and will have between 15,000 - 25,000 hotel rooms within the next few years. Naturally, this would be a fantastic complement for Cancun since it would open limitless opportunities for tourism to the region. The harmonious conjunction of nature reserve and selected development centers is clearly the perfect response to those concerned with managing the volatile mixture of tourism and environmental protection, both today and tomorrow. Take a day to visit these beautiful areas, especially the quaint town of Playa del Carmen where there are numerous shops and restaurants on the famous 5th avenue.

  Xel Ha

Xel-Ha is an extended natural formation, made up of a group of inlets, lagoons, sinks holes and caves that are fed by a mixture of subterranean rivers and springs that make XEL-HA the worlds largest natural aquarium.  Snorkeling or swimming in the Inlet or placidly floating down the River, sunbathing or walking on the Beach, following the many Paths that lead into the jungle or admire the two Cenotes (sink holes), discover the vestiges of an ancient Mayan wall, all this surrounded by an vast array of tropical fish, birds, butterflies, iguanas, macaws and ducks. XEL-HA also offers one of the highest quality dolphin swims in the world. The infrastructure backed by the latest technology in the care of these beautiful marine mammals, allows you to enjoy this very privileged experience. (This activity has an additional cost to the admission fee to the park).

  Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is a tiny Caribbean island located six nautical miles off the coast of Cancun in Mexican territorial waters. Its picturesque name, which translates ' Women Island' dates to the early 15th century when the Spanish conquistadors found female figurines scattered on the beach as they landed on the island's shores for the first time. One of the mayor attractions of Isla Mujeres Garrafón-Punta Sur Park, an environmentally protected area located on the southern tip of the island. The Park encompasses both land and sea: a section of the longest reef in the hemisphere, and the highest point on the island. The reef is in the shallow water-perfect for snorkeling-while the cliffs above offer a panoramic view of the Island, the Caribbean Sea, and Cancun’s skyline beyond

  El Rey Ruins

Dating back to the Mayan post-classical period; its name is derived from the skeleton discovered on the upper part of the larger mound. The Mayan fishermen built this small ceremonial center and settlement very early in the history of Maya civilization. It was then abandoned, to be resettled later near the end of the Post classic period, not long before the arrival of the conquistadores. The platforms of numerous small temples are visible amid the banana plants, papayas, and wildflowers. The Hilton Golf Course has been built around the ruins, but there is a separate entrance for sight-seers.

  Water Sports

Many beachside hotels offer water-sports centers that offer rentals for rubber rafts, kayaks, wind-surfing, motorized jets and water skis, para-sailing, and snorkeling equipment. On the calm Nichupte Lagoon are outlets for water-skiing, sailboats, water jets, and water skis. The most popular activity to this beautiful lagoon is the Jungle Tour. Ride on a mini-boat for 2 persons through the jungle and then enjoy excellent snorkeling. Jungle Tours are usually a 3 hour tour, perfect for those with a tight schedule.

  Parque Nizuc (Wet 'n Wild)

This water park is formed by three different attractions, Wet' n Wild, Atlantida and Baxal-Ha. Wet' n Wild is to play in refreshing pools of water, slide down the water toboggans at dizzying speeds. The Wet' n Wild classics are: Twister, Kamikaze, Bubba Tub, Double Space Bowl, Lazy River, Kid's Park, Bubble Up and Wave Pool. Take a ride from 180 ft up on the Sky coaster and fly at speeds of over 60 mph. Wet n' Wild is the perfect place for carefree day of fun and adventure. The Satlantida is to learn the secrets of the dolphins in their natural environment. These sociable mammals will be ready to play with you. Visitors may choose between the Dolphin Interactive Program (DIP) and the Dolphin Swim Program (DSP). Or explore the world of Baxal-Ha, a safe place to snorkel and watch stingrays, nurse sharks, tropical fish and a variety of other marine wildlife in their environment. The park is one of the first attractions of Cancun coming from the airport.

  Folkloric Ballet

Nightly performances of the Ballet Folklorico de Cancun are held at the Cancun Convention Center. You can go for dinner or just for the show to enjoy the traditional Mexican Dances performed.

  Puerto Morelos

   Puerto Morelos is 22 miles to the south -it’s a fishing port with stunning beaches, where you can try fresh fish and seafood. Don’t forget to visit the crocodile zoo.

  Bullfight Show

Cancun has its own small bull-ring near the northern end of Blvd. Kukulcan, in the downtown area. Bullfights are specially performed for the tourist and their children; it is a less shocking bullfight, not as real as they are in other cities. The show is combined with folkloric dances, and a Mexican horse-riding charro-style performance. The show is held every Wednesday at 3.30pm.

  Chichen-Itzá

Chichen-Itzá is located at 120 km East of Mérida and 190 km West of Cancun, in the state of Yucatan. Hidden by the jungle for hundreds of years the great cities of the Mayans are being reclaimed. Exactly why this civilization collapsed is still a mystery. One of the greatest sites and the most fully restored is the huge site of Chichen-Itzá, one of the most visited, by its extraordinary architectonic beauty and geographic location. It was discovered in the year 514 of our age by the priest Lakin Chan, who was called Itzamná. While Europe was still in the midst of the Dark Ages, these amazing people had mapped the heavens, evolved the only true writing system native to the Americas and were masters of mathematics. They invented a calendar as accurately as the one used today. Without metal tools, beasts of burden or even the wheel they were able to construct vast cities across a huge jungle landscape with an amazing degree of architectural perfection and variety. Their legacy in stone, which has survived in a spectacular fashion it places such as Palenque, Tikal, Tulum, Chichen-Itzá, Palenque, Copan and Uxmal; the Maya are probably the best-known of the classical civilizations of Mesoamerica. Originating in the Yucatan Peninsula around 2600 BC, they rose to prominence around AD 250 in present-day.

  Cozumel Multicolor Paradise

The Island of Cozumel was named by its first inhabitants the Mayans who named it "Cumail", which means Land of the Swallows. The Mayans considered Cozumel a sacred place. Cozumel is world renown for its excellent diving and snorkeling. Chancanaab Park is a very popular place for diving and snorkeling. A complete park with restaurant, beach area and some of the very best snorkeling. The Palancar underwater national Park includes the cape beach of the same name. It is a beautiful spot, perhaps the best in the world for diving and fishing. Its reef is the second largest in the world, and has attracted the likes of Jacques Cousteau. The water activities never end. If you want to get out of the water, tour Cozumel on Moped, a very popular way to experience Cozumel. Day tours are available from Cancun for a diving tour, snorkeling tour or to just tour the island. The town of San Miguel offers ocean front cafes and international duty free shops and the friendliest people in the Caribbean.

  Tulum

Open daily from 8am-5pm. Magnificently situated, teetering on a craggy cliff overlooking the Caribbean, the walled ruins of Tulum have become the crossroads for sun-worshippers and archaeological enthusiasts. From the cliff top site a path winds down to an idyllic beach; other coves that dot this stretch of coastline make it a favorite day-trip. The approach from Highway 307 leads into a giant car park with a sprawling shopping complex. From here you can take a toy train or walk to the site. A second turn-off near the village leads to the Zona Hotelera along the coast as far as Punta Allen.

  Parque Nizuc (Wet 'n Wild)

This water park is formed by three different attractions, Wet' n Wild, Atlantida and Baxal-Ha. Wet' n Wild is to play in refreshing pools of water, slide down the water toboggans at dizzying speeds. The Wet' n Wild classics are: Twister, Kamikaze, Bubba Tub, Double Space Bowl, Lazy River, Kid's Park, Bubble Up and Wave Pool. Take a ride from 180 ft up on the Sky coaster and fly at speeds of over 60 mph. Wet n' Wild is the perfect place for carefree day of fun and adventure. The Satlantida is to learn the secrets of the dolphins in their natural environment. These sociable mammals will be ready to play with you. Visitors may choose between the Dolphin Interactive Program (DIP) and the Dolphin Swim Program (DSP). Or explore the world of Baxal-Ha, a safe place to snorkel and watch stingrays, nurse sharks, tropical fish and a variety of other marine wildlife in their environment. The park is one of the first attractions of Cancun coming from the airport.

  Interactive Aquarium

Opening soon at La Isla Shopping Center.

  Clubs & Music

Clubbing or discoing in Cancun is a raucous affair. Several of the big hotels have night-clubs, and the hotel zone is filled up with bars and discos, to live salsa dancing clubs. Great fun and long night life has made Cancun such a popular place.

  Anthropology Museum

 To the right of the entrance to the Convention Center is the Museo Arqueológico de Cancun, a small but interesting museum with relics from archaeological sites around the state.

  Boating Excursions

 A whole variety of pleasure boat cruises to the Nichupte lagoon, Isla Mujeres, Contoy Island, and other destinations are available every day from Cancun. Modern motor yachts, catamarans, tri-marans, and even old time sloops take swimmers, sunbathers, snorklers, and shoppers out into the limpid waters. Some tours include a snorkeling stop at ecological park a whole variety of pleasure boat cruises to the Nichupte lagoon, Isla Mujeres, Contoy Island, and other destinations are available every day from Cancun. Modern motor yachts, catamarans, tri-marans, and even old time sloops take swimmers, sunbathers, snorklers, and shoppers out into the limpid waters. Some tours include a snorkeling stop at ecological parks, snorkeling equipment, continental breakfast, lunch, and a shopping tour. Most tours leave at 9.30 or 10am and they last about 5 to 6 hours, Sunset and night cruises, go to beaches of Isla Mujeres away from the town for pirate shows, Caribbean shows and usually include a lobster dinner or Mexican buffet and open bar.

  Contoy Island

 An uninhabited Island that has turned into a Bird Sanctuary for large nesting colonies and wild frigates. Located about 45 minutes north of Isla Mujeres. Isla Contoy has a lookout tower with a spectacular panoramic view. Full day excursions are available daily. A limited number of visitors are allowed and therefore reservations are a must. The day trip includes Continental Breakfast, snorkeling along the way and lunch on the beaches of Contoy. During your visit to Contoy you will find numerous species of birds and other wildlife. This is an incredible experience.

  Puerto Juarez and Punta Sam

Located four miles north of Cancun. Ferry boats leave from both ports for Isla Mujeres.