About Cancun

Less than 40 years ago, Cancun was a deserted island and few even knew of its existence.

Located in a nearly forgotten region of Mexico, it consisted of a series of sand dunes in the shape of the Number "7." Some parts were only 66 feet wide, separated from the mainland by two narrow canals that opened out onto a huge lagoon system.

The first hotels and the Cancun International Airport were inaugurated in 1974.

From the beginning, Cancun has been the nation's most dynamic city. It contributes a large percentage of Mexico’s tourism-related revenue and accounts for much of Quintana Roo's gross domestic product. Cancun has become the country's largest tourism resort and is the most prosperous city in the Yucatan Peninsula. It is also the Caribbean's premier destination, surpassing even the Bahamas and Puerto Rico.

As any cosmopolitan destination, Cancun offers a captivating mix of culture, tradition and modernity.

From first-class services in accommodations, hospitals, flea markets, shopping malls, movie theaters, banks and ATMs, to the most varied options for enjoying regional, international and specialty cuisines in a real local atmosphere, as well as bars and discos for all tastes, are only a few of the many attractions found in Cancun.

The recent residential development projects adjacent to downtown include luxury condominiums and apartments, championship golf courses, a full-service mega yacht marina and shopping centers. This first-class infrastructure also strengthens Cancun's position among the world’s top destinations.

Indulging in sensational food should be part of any getaway experience. No matter what you crave, you can find it in Cancun. Whether in Cancun’s hotels or in the wealth of restaurants located on the island, expert chefs bring their talents to the table to ensure memorable dining experiences.

Mexican cuisine is recognized as one of the three most popular food styles in the world. Where better to enjoy it than Cancun? But don’t feel limited to local specialties. From steak to seafood, Oriental to Argentinean and American to Italian, Cancun offers a world of culinary options. Dine your way through endless international cuisine options at small eateries, contemporary restaurants, exotic bistros and themed dining rooms found throughout Cancun. Libations abound as well with fine wines and spirits from all corners of the globe. From fine dining to fast food, you’ll find tantalizing fare wherever you go.

All of this, together with the friendly attitude of the local people, makes Cancun a safe and really fascinating location for living the Mexican Caribbean to the fullest.

With 534 miles of coastline, the coast of Quintana Roo is the second longest in the Caribbean after Cuba. However, it has very distinct characteristics because it is at one and the same time the Caribbean, Mexico and the Maya World.

Its coral reef ecosystem is considered the longest in America and the second longest in the world at 311 miles long and between 109 yards and 273 yards wide at the northern end and 1.9 miles wide at the southern end, where it reaches its maximum development.

The reef extends practically the entire length of the state’s coastline from Punta Nizuc in Cancun to the Bay of Honduras.

The Great Maya Reef harbors nearly 100 species of coral, some 72 species of micro-algae from the plant kingdom and other microscopic animals and 30 species of sponges. Some 164 species of reef dwelling fish have been identified here, of which 60 percent are a valuable food source for humans. However, all the species are incredibly beautiful and are enormously valuable as an attraction for tourists. Sea anemones, tube worms, crustaceans including crab and lobster, mollusks such as conch and sea cucumbers, echinoderms represented by sea urchins and starfish, are just some of the thousand species of marine life found here.

An underwater, but not marine, world is the world of Quintana Roo’s cenotes. They are interconnected freshwater wells formed by the erosion of underground rivers by rainwater. It is thought that some formed before the last Ice Age (over 25,000 years ago). Caves, the entrances to cenotes, abound both on the coast and in the jungle

These unique systems, found nowhere else in the world, are a major attraction for tourists who enjoy snorkeling or cave diving. The most famous cenotes along the Riviera Maya and in the center of the state include Nohoch, Naranjal, Dos Ojos, Casa Cenote, Cristalino, El Gran Cenote, and Car Wash, to name just a few.

Ahh, and let’s not forget . . . the Turquoise water and powdery white sand beaches that never get too hot to walk on! This is what Cancun is all about!