Description

Cancun is among the most visited resorts in Mexico. The town is primarily split into two areas; the downtown area inhabited by the residents and the hotel zone inhabited by the tourists. One is a bustling market place with street stalls, noisy vendors and hordes of people going around doing their daily chores and the other is the more glitzy area attracting wealthy pleasure seeking visitors with air-conditioned restaurants and shopping malls. However when people talk and imagine Cancun, they generally refer to the more glamorous hotel Zone, which is situated on Isla Cancun. This thin strip of land, which is in the shape of the figure seven, is a vision of Caribbean paradise, with crystal clear blue waters and soft white sand beaches. For a traveler, there is plenty of quality accommodation available. There is also a varied choice of dining, shopping, sporting activities and nightlife to suit the taste of any tourist.

Shopping

Most tourists always look to return home with some worthwhile souvenirs from their holiday. Cancun is considered a shoppers’ paradise as it provides a choice of ultra-modern malls with chic boutiques to street vendors to open-air markets and department stores. Plaza la Fiesta at Hotel Zone, El Zocalo(a handicrafts market) and the market on Tulum Avenue are highly recommended for buying local handicrafts and silverware. There are also some good shops along Yaxchilan Avenue. Credit cards and travelers cheques are accepted everywhere. Shops are generally open throughout the week between 10am to 2pm, and then again from 4pm to 7pm. On Saturdays most shops only open for the morning. A few shops are open on Sunday until 1pm.

Restaurants

Cancun has a variety of Restaurants. From Cuisine restaurants to multinational franchises, from small fast food joints to taco stands, Cancun has it all. Those opting to try the native cuisine can be assured that Yucatan cuisine, combining Mayan and Spanish influences, is regarded as the finest in all Mexico. Some of the local dishes that are worth a try include cochinita pibil and panuchos. Seafood is available in plenty. A visit to one of the many cantinas, traditional bar-restaurants, situated mainly in the downtown bullring area could give a true taste of Mexico. The food is excellent on every day of the week here though wednesday afternoons are pretty lively as it is the day for the weekly bullfights.

Night Life

Cancun has all types of nightclubs, discos and bars. The mood varies from pop, rock, reggae to salsa and techno. Thus a pair of dancing shoes is a must for all Cancun visitors. The night life comes alive around 10 with most clubs opening up and playing their music until after sunrise. There are a large variety of Clubs & Pubs which offer various themes from Karaoke to Foam Parties. The internationally renowned Ballet Folklorico, is a must watch for those seeking cultural entertainment. It is a permanent feature in various venues around Cancun; it features lavish costumes and traditional dances.

Activities

The beaches of Cancun are known for its powdery white sand and clear turquoise waters. Like all Caribbean beaches, Cancun too offers a wide variety of beach-based activities: volleyball, parasailing, snorkeling, jet skiing and so on can be found on all beaches in the tourist zone. Deep Sea fishing is always available with charters that can be booked through your hotel. For those who would like to explore the land, there are local Mayan ruins and archaeological sites worth a trip. Various attractions such as the Botany Park, the Alligator Farm and Fun Fairs can keep the kids occupied. For those who love sports, there are two championship 18-hole golf courses and numerous other sports facilities, including well-maintained cycling routes.

Communications

The international access code for Mexico is +52. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code. City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)55 for Mexico City, (0)744 for Acapulco and (0)998 for Cancun. When using a phone booth to call international numbers, it is advised to only use the official TelMex phone booths, as all others charge very high fees. GSM 1900 mobile networks cover most of the country. Internet access is widely available throughout the country.

Contacts

Mexican Tourist Office, Acapulco: +52 (01)744 842 423 or www.visitmexico.com
Mexican Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 728 1600
Mexican Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7499 8586
Mexican Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 233 8988
Mexican Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 3963
Mexican Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 362 2822
Mexican Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 260 0699
Mexican Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 472 0555
United States Embassy, Mexico City: +52 (01)55 5080 2000
British Embassy, Mexico City: +52 (01)55 5242 8500
Canadian Embassy, Mexico City: +52 (01)55 5724 7900
Australian Embassy, Mexico City: +52 (01)55 1101 2200
South African Embassy, Mexico City: +52 (01)55 282 9260
Irish Embassy, Mexico City: +52 (01)55 5520 5803
New Zealand Embassy, Mexico City: +52 (01)55 5283 9460
Emergencies: 066

Currency

MXN

Attractions

Chichén Itzá:

Chichén Itzá is a Mayan site famous for its pyramids and temples. This place is believed to be inhabited for more than two thousand years years. The Pyramid of Kukulkán or El Castillo, a grand pyramid topped by a temple, is the biggest attraction here. Each side of this pyramid has a stairway and excellent views of the area can be seen from the top of the pyramid. Inside the pyramid is a smaller pyramid which is the inner sanctum. During the spring and autumn equinoxes an exceptional spectacle caused by the shadows of the pyramid occurs. Though this illusion lasts only for a few hours, it leaves crowds wonder struck for ages and is a must watch for all those who enjoy the architectural wonders of the bygone era. Another interesting site in the area is El Caracol, which used to be an observatory. The dome of the building has several slits each having astronomical significance associated with specific dates of the year. Also on the other side of this site, is the Sacred Cenote, which is massive well into which human sacrifices and other offerings were made by the Mayans to please the gods.

Language

Spanish

Language Description

Spanish is the official language. But people do speak some amounts of English in tourist regions.

Tipping

Almost all services expect to be tipped with waiters and bar staff expecting 10 to 15% (if a service charge is not already included in the bill). Taxi drivers are not generally tipped unless they help with the luggage.