Cancun, South East Mexico. A tropical place of beauty, history and relaxation. Located on the Yucatan Peninsular in the state of Quintana Roo, Cancun is very different to the rest of Mexico and is split into two main areas - Zona Hotelera (an 18km long island) and Ciudad Cancun (the mainland.) Both of these areas are connected together with a causeway, making access very easy via taxi, bus or even just walking.



Zona Hotelera faces the Carribean on one side and has a lagoon (the Laguna Nichupte) on the other. Most of the people live on the mainland (Ciudad Cancun) which is also where the hotels and resorts are located. This has meant that the Zona Hotelera hotel is quite free from mass commercialization in many respects. Cancun also offers some of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the world, which includes the fifth largest coral reef in the world (The Belize Reef) that has black coral (coral lovers will know that black coral is quite rare.)

There are also plenty of water sports for the person who enjoys a vacation with a bit more action. The selection of excellent resort hotels, classy restaurants, local pubs and bars and a large night-life with clubs makes for a great holiday spot for all kinds of people. Shoppers will enjoy the shopping facilities (five large shopping centers, or street shopping.) For those who want to relax a little more, Cancun's lagoons, sandbars, mangrove swamps, cenotes (waterholes) and beautiful beaches are what you would be looking for.

But you could probably get a lot of the above (besides the coral reefs etc.) at most other places in the world. One of the things that sets Cancun apart are the Maya sites and ruins nearby. These ruins are fascinating in every respect - full of mystery and history. Coba nearby boasts of the largest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula, and the ancient sites of Uxmal, Ruta Puuc and Merida are highly recommended. All of the ancient sites are very well kept, and will pique even the interest of those that don't enjoy history.

Cancun is also a great place for a vacation in the sense that it can cater very well for all kinds of budgets. Although the mainland has many top class hotels, there are also smaller resorts or places where you can stay if you are on a cheaper budget. Transport is easy in and around the city as well, and there are many tourism operations offering you transport to the ancient sites or several islands which lie offshore nearby.

The only drawback to Cancun, as with a lot of popular tourist destinations, is that if you're the kind of person who wants serious quiet and relaxation, Cancun can be quite busy with its 'party' sort of atmosphere. But if you're looking for a place where there is lots to do, see and enjoy, Cancun will be a very good choice.