Things to do in Cancún

About Cancún

Cancún serves as the gateway to the Yucatán Peninsula, positioned on the Caribbean Sea at the northeastern tip of Mexico. Unlike many historic colonial Mexican cities, it was master-planned in the 1970s specifically to transform a barrier island and lagoon system into a global tourism destination. Visitors can experience the contrast between the resort-heavy Hotel Zone and the local atmosphere of downtown at spots like Parque de las Palapas. Cultural and panoramic interests are satisfied by the elevated views at Torre Escénica del Embarcadero de Cancún and the spiritual architecture found at the Catedral de Cancún (La Santa Cruz y de la Santísima Trinidad).

Good to know

1. 1

   Before its rapid development beginning in 1970, the area was a largely uninhabited sand spit known primarily for coconut plantations and small fishing camps.

2. 2

   The city was designed with a unique '7' shape for its main hotel district to maximize the exposure of hotel rooms to the oceanfront.

3. 3

   The primary island component of the city is connected to the mainland by two bridges over the Nichupté Lagoon, which acts as a massive natural nursery for marine life.

4. 4

   The name Cancún is derived from the Mayan words 'k'áan' and 'kun', which translate to 'nest of snakes' or 'place of snakes'.

5. 5

   It remains one of the world's most significant sites for underwater archaeology and reef conservation due to its proximity to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.