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Cancún

Mexico

Cancún

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€4.95

CancúnGuide was updated:
Cancún's white sandy beaches and warm, crystal waters make it a paradise for all beach and water sports enthusiasts. Add a vibrant nightlife and the closeness to the breathtaking Mayan ruins, and you have Mexico's most popular tourist hotspot. Caring for four million tourists every year, it's hard to understand how this beautiful resort was a sleepy fishing village just a few decades ago. Its colorful buzz and ancient traditions co-existing with ultra-modern developments enchant everyone, from backpackers to luxury travelers.
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Facts
Population:1,023,000 (2023)
Currency:Mexican Peso 1 $ = 100 Centavos. USD are widely accepted in tourist areas. Prices may be in USD or MX pesos.
Emergency Numbers:911
Newspapers:Cancun Herald: cancunherald.com Riviera Maya News: riviera-maya-news.com
Opening Hours:Downtown 9am–9pm. Hotel Zone 10am–10pm. Shops & malls are usually open 7 days a week. Small shops may close for siesta between 2pm and 4pm.
Tourist Information:Cancún Convention & Visitors Bureau Boulevard Kukulcan Km. 9, Punta Cancun, Zona Hotelera, Cancún +52 998 881 0400 Open daily 9am–6pm

Do & See

Apart from its dreamy beaches and energetic nightlife, Cancún offers a myriad of activities to fill your day. From historical sites where you can learn more about Mexico’s rich history and culture to breathtaking and unique natural spots to thrilling water sports and even the chance to swim with dolphins — or sharks for the courageous ones.
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Cenotes

Cenotes

Cenotes (sinkholes) are deep wells with crystal clear water that can be accessed when the roof of a cave collapses. Fed by underground rivers, the cenotes were the main source of freshwater for the Mayans and therefore are considered sacred. They are unique to the Yucatán peninsula, and still to this day, the underground cave system connecting all the cenotes remains largely unexplored. Witnessing the breathtaking beauty of the large clusters of stalactites and stalagmites being mirrored in the crystal clear cool waters is a unique experience. Every cenote has its own particular beauty, and putting on a swimsuit and snorkeling in the pool is an absolutely unforgettable experience. Some tour operators also offer cave diving excursions for very experienced divers.

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Hotel Zone

Hotel Zone

Most hotels in the Hotel Zone or Zona Hotelera are located directly on Cancún's beautiful beach. The Hotel Zone itself is divided into kilometer-long sections, which make it easy to navigate. The heart of the area is undoubtedly Cancún's famous buzzing party zone (km 8), where the bars and nightclubs draw both young and old crowds until the early morning hours. The party also attracts performing and visiting celebrities so you'll never know who you might be rubbing shoulders with.

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Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres

A 20-minute boat ride from Cancún lies the small island of Isla Mujeres with its laid-back Caribbean ambiance, tiny streets lined with stalls, and street cafés in pastel-colored houses. Golf carts and mopeds dominate the streets, and although the island is only 5 miles long and half a mile wide, it still offers plenty of things to do and see. Everything from a beautiful palm-fringed white beach on the north coast to a dramatic rocky shoreline on the eastern side to a sea turtle sanctuary and the remains of a Mayan temple at the southern tip. If you're into adventure, then you should visit the Garrafon Reef Park & Beach Club, where you can go zip-lining, snorkeling, and kayaking. Lastly, a must-visit for nature and wildlife lovers is a tour to Isla Contoy, a nature reserve only inhabited by a few biologists and restricted to 200 visitors per day.

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