Cancún

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. Although only 5 miles long and half a mile wide, the island offers everything from a beautiful palm fringed white beach on the north coast to a dramatic rocky shoreline on the eastern side. Visit the turtle farm, try one of the local fish restaurants on the beach or visit Garrafón Park at the south of the island with its spectacular view over Cancún's skyline. A must 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.

If you are looking for a great family day out don’t forget to visit the eco-parks of Xel Há or Xcarét. With shows and adventures set in stunning lush tropical vegetation with exotic wildlife, these parks offer a truly wonderful entertaining, educational and fun day out for young and old alike. For the slightly more energetic and adventurous, try one of the exciting eco-tours which will make you feel like a true explorer.

The lively, friendly atmosphere of Parque de las Palapas is worth a visit, especially in the weekend evenings. Watch a local performance or just observe and soak in the atmosphere, browse around the artisan stalls or visit one of the bars and cafés dotted all around the park. Just across the adjacent car park, next to the church, you find the so-called ‘Hippie Park’ offering hand-made jewelry, lamps and tie-dyed clothing.

What better way to enjoy water sports than in the warm, crystal clear turquoise waters of Cancún? Whether you choose to go swimming, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, kite sailing, jet-skiing, parasailing, diving or snorkeling along the second largest reef in the world, you will not be disappointed. Maybe you prefer to stay on the surface and experience the thrill of deep sea fishing or just relax on a sunset cruise, there is literally no water sport imaginable that you won’t find in Cancún. Aspiring and advanced divers should not miss a dive in the famous diving paradise of Cozumel. Another must is the popular jungle tour through the nature reserve of the Nichupte Lagoon where you can be a captain of your own boat.

Downtown (El Centró) is the actual backbone of Cancún. What it lacks in history it makes up for through being a true melting pot - an exciting mix of the old traditional Mexico and an ultra modern urban sprawl. Avenida Tulum, the main street, passing through the heart of the city, is easy to reach by public transport. The street is lined with shops, banks, internet cafes, bars and restaurants. Don’t miss out on a weekend visit to Parque de las Palapas, on the market square, where locals come to chat and watch the entertainment provided by various local groups. The lively, happy atmosphere and the sound of the Mexican music is infectious and any worries will quickly be postponed to ‘mañana’. Browse around the artisan stalls and try some of the local sweet delicacies or visit the ‘hippie market’ around the corner. In the evenings, the place to be is Avenida Yaxchillan with its lively restaurants and bars, popular with locals and tourists alike.