World City Guide

Mini Guide of Cancun

City Overview

In the 1970s Cancun was a small fishing village. A mere 30 years later, it has become an international resort with a population of 500,000 that annually receives four times that number of visitors – mainly from the United States to the north. The downtown area is the city proper, where most of the shops, banks, government offices are and where most of the local residents live. Most of the luxury hotels lie on the Zona Hotelera – a 22km (13.5 mile) long island that encloses its own lagoon. Famed for its white sandy beaches, it is connected to the mainland by a causeway at each end. Most of the tourists arrive on package tours lured by the clear waters of the Caribbean and the year-round sun. With the bewildering choice of bars, clubs, restaurants and other tourist amenities few will ever leave the zona hotelera, let alone venture out to explore the rest of the Yucatan. Although Cancun itself has little cultural or historical significance, the peninsula is littered with Mayan ruins and peaceful colonial towns.

Getting There By Air

Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Tel: (998) 848 7200.
Website: www.cancun-airport.com

Located just 22km (14 miles) from the city centre, the airport is served by more than 20 international and regional airlines, including the two main carriers Mexicana (tel: (998) 887 2333; website: www.mexicana.com) and Aero Mexico (tel: (998) 884 1097 or 1 800 021 4010; website: www.aeromexico.com).

Airport facilities include ATMs, bureau de change, duty-free and convenience shops, restaurants, bars, food court, video arcade, lockers, tourist information, beauty parlour and car hire. Executive and VIP lounges and meeting areas can be booked through Cancun Air (tel: (998) 8860183). There is also a business centre, Internet access, limousine and hotel booking.

There are three services from the airport: shuttle, taxi or private (deluxe) vehicles. All can be booked through a central reservation number (tel: 1 866 922 6286). The public shuttle is cheapest, but you have to wait until it is full to depart. It can be booked online (website: www.cancunshuttle.com). Taxis and private cars have to be booked in advance, either or from a desk at arrivals. Car hire is available in the arrivals hall. Some hotels have a free pick-up from the airport.

Getting There By Water

Getting There By Road

There are two main highways out of Cancun. Highway 307 follows the coast south through Tulum to Chetumal and the Belize border. Highway 180 heads down the peninsula to Valladolid where it branches out, forming connections to Chichen Itza, Merida and on to the rest of the country, including the capital, Mexico City. The highways are generally of good quality. Mexico has an extensive, fast and comfortable bus network. First and second-class buses leave from the bus station on the junction of the avenidas Uxmal and Tulum. Main destinations include Merida, Campeche, Chetumal and Mexico City. Tourist destinations such as Chichen Itza, Tulum and Valladolid are also well served by Playa Express (tel: (998) 884 0994). Two of the most reliable companies are Uno (website: www.uno.com.mx) and Ado GL (website: www.adogl.com.mx). Tickets for these and any operators in the country can be bought online through Ticket Bus (tel: 1 800 702 8000; website: www.ticketbus.com.mx). The bus station can be reached on (tel: (998) 8845542).

Getting There By Rail

There are no rail services to and from Cancun.

Getting Around

Public Transport
There are two bus companies that are responsible for public transport in Cancun: Autocar (tel: (998) 888 6858; website: www.autocarcancun.com) and Turican (tel: (998) 888 2271). The most useful routes in the city are Ruta 1 and Ruta 2, which run frequent services between the mainland and the beaches along Avenida Tulum to Punta Nizuc at the end of the zona hotelera; and Ruta 13 that goes from Avenida Tulum (eastside) to Puerto Juarez where ferries for Isla Mujeres depart.

Taxis
Taxis in Cancun fall into two main types - those that cruise looking for fares and those working from stands, outside hotels and restaurants. There is a flat rate for journeys in the zona hotelera and by law the driver should have a card with rates, although this will be printed in Spanish. You should fix a price before you start your journey. If you are looking for something a bit more special, Cancun Limo and Transfer (tel: (998) 880 8200; website: www.cancunlimo.com) rents out limousines.

Car Hire
Car hire is relatively expensive in Mexico and driving conditions are more chaotic than in many Western countries. Speed limits are generally ignored and mirrors are seldom used. Speed limits in the downtown area are 40kph (25mph) and 60kph (37mph) in the zona hotelera. Highway speed limits vary between 90kph (55mph) and 110kph (68mph). Drive on the right, and be careful of vicious speed bumps – especially on the outskirts of villages and towns. You should avoid driving at night and be careful when overtaking. You will need to be at least 21 when hiring a car in Mexico and although an international driving licence will help, a national licence should be sufficient. You should ensure that you have adequate Mexican insurance, as any accident will be considered your fault, and that might be all that keeps you out of a Mexican jail. Drink driving is taken as a serious matter in Mexico and can land you in jail. Even if you are not over the limit, if a traffic accident is judged to have been caused by alcohol, your insurance will be deemed to be invalid. You should also be careful of other drivers and pedestrians who may have been drinking. Major providers with desks at the airport include: Alamo (tel: (998) 886 0448; website: www.alamo.com), Avis (tel: (998) 886 0221; website: www.avis.com), Hertz (tel: (998) 886 0045; website: www.hertz.com) and Thrifty (tel: (998) 886 0333; website: www.thrifty.com).

Bicycle & Scooter Hire
EagleRider (tel: (998) 885 0988; website: www.eagleridercancun.com) rent out a range of Harley Davidson motorbikes. A number of hotels and shops offer bicycle hire in Cancun.

Business

Business Etiquette
Business in Mexico is conducted on a more formal level than in the west. You should dress conservatively and use titles when addressing people. It is important to establish personal relationships before attempting business. Greet people with a friendly handshake and make friendly enquiries about family members. When people get to know you, they are likely to be more tactile than you might be used to. Business cards are vital, and you will find it difficult to do business without a good supply. Losing your temper will be totally counter-productive, and loud behaviour will be frowned upon. Time-keeping is lax, and being late for appointments is not considered rude. English is widely spoken in business, but you should attempt to learn a few words of Spanish, as this will endear you to your hosts. As Mexico is a staunchly Catholic country, business tends to grind to a halt around Christmas and Easter. Business hours vary widely, but are generally Monday to Friday 0900-1400 and 1600-1900.

Sightseeing

Sightseeing Overview
Cancun has little in the way of cerebral or historical attractions. The main draw is undoubtedly the beaches of the zona hotelera. None of these are actually private, but many of the hotels will make you feel less than welcome. There are, though, some official public beaches that are more relaxed. Predictably, watersports are popular. One of the best places to go snorkeling is at the Punta Nizu. Off the Isla Mujeres lies the El Garrafón Submarine National Park which has excellent scuba diving. Aquaworld (tel: (998) 848 8327; website: www.aquaworld.com.mx) offers tours. Many hotels and beachside business offer jet-skiing, parasailing and sailing. Some of the best surfing is the Bahía de las Mujeres. There are a number of options for sea and big game fishing, including Aqua-Sports (tel: (998) 887 3414; website: www.cancun-aquasports.com). Drier, but no less exhilarating pursuits include free-fall parachuting and the 70-metre Regio bungee jump – one of the highest in Mexico. There are several world-class golf courses in Cancun, and most of the major hotels boast squash and tennis facilities. It is even possible to hire horses from the Rancho Loma Bonita (tel: (998) 887 5465; website: www.lomabonitamex.com). There are a couple of museums that are worth visiting to get an idea of the Mayan history in the region: the Archeological Museum of Cancun and the National Institute of History and Anthropology’s Cultural Centre. As a holiday resort, Cancun is famed for its wild nightlife, with a proliferation of bars and clubs.

Tourist Information
State Tourist Office
Avenida Tulum 26
Tel: (998) 884 8073.
Website: www.visitmexico.com

Key Attractions

The Beaches
The undoubted main attraction at Cancun is the sweeping 14 miles of white sand beaches nestling into the warm waters of the Caribbean. The Isla Cancun is effectively one long beach, separated from the mainland by a series of lagoons. On the sheltered western side of the island, the beaches of Playa Lina, Playa Langosta, Playa Tortugas and Playa Caracol along the Bahia des Mujeres have the calmest water, and are best suited for swimming and watersports. The beaches on the East side of the island have rougher water, but are still idyllic.

Diving
Cancun and the surrounding areas of the Mexican Caribbean, like Cozumel and Puerto Morelos, are noted for their clear turquoise waters and colourful tropical fish and coral reefs. There are a number of diving operators, which cater for a wide variety of dive levels.

Lemon Divers
Marina Las Perlas
Boulevard Kukulkan Km 2.5
Tel: (998) 845 0977.
E-mail: lemondiv@qroo1.telmex.net.mx

Scuba Cancun
Boulevard Kukulkan Km 5
Tel: (998) 849 7508.
Website: www.scubacancun.com.mx

Watersports
With so much water around in sea and lagoon, there are many options for watersports. As well as scuba diving and snorkeling, you can windsurf, parasail, kayak, water ski, jet-ski, fish and swim with the dolphins. Most of these sports take place on the Northern beaches, and in the Laguna Nichupté, between the mainland and the Hotel Zone. There are many small operators offering watersports: they can be found anywhere on the beaches or organised through your hotel.

Museo de Antropologia e/y Historia
Cancun’s Museum of Anthropology and History has as a collection of items such as jewellery, masks and intentionally deformed skulls from the Post-classic period (AD1200-1500) that will give an idea as to the history and culture of the region. Signs are in Spanish so pick up an English info sheet from the ticket counter.

Cancun Convention Center, Boulevard Kukulcán Km 9
Tel: (998) 883 0305.

Xcaret
This eco-archaeological park was a Mayan ceremonial centres and port for more than a millennium. Attractions include a butterfly pavilion, aviary, underground rivers in which one can swim, tropical reef aquarium, botanical garden, museum, caverns (guided tours are available) and a Mayan village. Situated down the coast in Playa del Carmen.

Tel: (998) 883 3144.
Website: www.xcaret.net

Further Distractions

Parque Nizuc
If you still haven’t got wet enough, then head for the only marine park at the southern end of Cancun’s Hotel Zone. You can snorkel, try the waterslides, swim in a wave pool and even swim with dolphins.

Boulevard Kukulkan Km 25
Tel: (998) 881 3000.
Website: www.parquenizuc.com

La Destileria
Museum-restaurant that offers tours tracing the production of tequila from the planting of cacti to the aging and bottling processes. Obviously there are tastings as well.

Boulevard Kukulkan Km 12.6
Tel: (998) 885 1087.
Website: www.ladestileriacancun.com

Tours of the City

As you might expect – all of the tours in the Cancun area seem water related. Aquaworld (tel: (998) 848 8327; website: www.aquaworld.com.mx) offer Jungle Tours where you drive your own boat through mangroves and over coral reefs. There are a number of glass-bottomed boats that will take you out to the coral reefs. Alternatively the semi-submersible Nautibus (tel: (998) 883 3552) or the Atlantis submarine (tel: (987) 872 5671; website: www.atlantisadventures.com) in nearby Cozumel, will give you closer view.

Excursions

There are a couple of islands a short ferry ride away from Cancun. Cozumel, the largest island in the Mexican Caribbean, is noted for its fishing and diving. Isla Mujeres is more historical, with handicrafts stalls and even a Turtle Farm amongst its attractions. There are also many dive opportunities.

Further afield the ancient Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza can be reached on a day trip, or stay longer if you want to explore properly. The Mayan ruins at Tulum are smaller and less impressive, but are overlooking a beautiful white sand beach.

Most operators and hotels in Cancun offer tours to Chichen Itza and Tulum, or you can book online through www.cancunandrivieramaya.com

Sport

Shopping

Most of the shops catering to tourists are in malls spread along the Hotel Zone. There are shops selling European fashions, jewellery, expensive perfumes as well as outlets Mexican crafts. Almost all the hotels will have a convenience store and a boutique. There are many shops selling tequila and cigars – especially Cuban cigars, which are banned in the nearby US. Shops in Cancun generally stay open until 2200.

Try the following: Flamingo Plaza for shops and restaurants next to a lagoon boardwalk, Boulevard Kukulcan Km 11.5, Hotel Zone; La Isla Shopping Village, on the Nichupte Lagoon under a giant canopy; Market 28 (commonly called Mercado Veintiocho), the Downtown flea market just off Avenida Yaxchilan and Sunyaxchen; Coral Negro, the only open-air market in the Hotel Zone; and Casa del Fumador, Plaza Caracol, Boulevard Kukulcan Km 8.5, for Cuban cigars.

Culture

Cancun will never win any ‘city of culture’ awards, but there is local culture here if you look for it.

Casa De La Cultura, Prolongación, Avenida Yaxchilán, Km 21 Downtown, is the art centre for local events, art exhibitions, dance performances, plays, and concerts. Information (in Spanish) is available from www.casaculturacancun.gob.mx

Teatro De Cancun (Voces y Danzas de Mexico), Boulevard Kukulcán Km 4.5, puts on traditional dance and music performance Mon-Fri at 1900. No reservations required.

There are a number of cinemas in Cancun, including the Cinemark complex in La Isla Shopping Village, Boulevard Kukulcán Km 12.5 (tel: (998) 883 5603).

Mexico has a tradition of bullfighting that dates back to 1526. Bullfights are held in Cancun every Wednesday afternoon at 1530 at Avenida Bonampak (near Plaza las Americas) (tel: (998) 884 8372).

Nightlife

When the sun goes down, Cancun comes alive with a wide range of bars and clubs that are open until around 0400. Some are open all day and all night.

Most of the tourist bars are in the Hotel Zone and many seem to be gathered in the same area on the Boulevard Kukulcan, known as the Party Zone. Although some are classy and chic, most cater for tequila swilling tourists and are rowdy and fun.

Try the The Lobby Lounge, Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Retorno del Rey #36, Hotel Zone; Solarium, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Boulevard Kukulcan Km 8.5; Winners Sports Bar, Boulevard Kukulcan Km 9.5; O Ultra Lounge, Boulevard Kukulcan Km 9.5; and Señor Frog's, Boulevard Kukulcan Km 9.5.

Most of the clubs in Cancun are in the so called Party Zone. Some have live music, but most have DJs. Things tend to get going after midnight and go through to the small hours. Like the bars, they tend to be more rowdy than chic. Try Coco Bongo, The City and Dady O, all on Boulevard Kukulcan Km 9.5 in the Hotel Zone.

Many of the bars and clubs have live music. For more traditional offerings, try the following options: Noches Caribeños, at the Parque de las Palapas (main park) on Sunday nights for live tropical music and dance, or Ballet Folklorico, at the Continental Plaza Hotel, Boulevard Kukulcan Km 11, which shows the different musical traditions of Mexico.

City Statistics

Location: Cancun lies at the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, which juts out into the Gulf of Mexico, at an altitude of 10 metres (35ft).
Country dialling code: + 52.
Time zone: GMT - 6 (GMT - 5 from first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 127 volts, 60Hz; two flat pin plugs.
Average January temp: 23.5°C (74°F).
Average July temp: 28°C (82°F).
Annual rainfall: 937mm (37 inches).

Special Events

Carnaval (Mardi Gras), end of Feb/first half of Mar, just before Lent, floats, parades, street parties and a variety of events all over town
Cancun Jazz Festival, Memorial Day weekend in May, live performances in the Parque de las Palapas and around the Convention Center
Inicio Primavera (Spring Equinox), 21 to 22 Mar, the shadow of the sun appears as a slithering snake on the Kukulcan Pyramid at the Spring Equinox, Chichen-Itza
Feast of Our Lady of Carmen, mid Jul, a fair in the nearby port town of Ciudad del Carmen, featuring bullfighting, sporting events, and much drinking and dancing
Independence Day, mid-Sep, Cancun residents gather in the Town Square to celebrate the liberation of Mexico
World Cup Triathlon, first week of Nov, swimming, running and biking event attracting international competitors to Langosta Beach

Cost of Living

Mexican Nuevo Pesos are actually demarcated with a $ sign, so to distinguish from the US Dollars (US$) that are also in use, especially in areas frequented by tourists, the symbols M$, N$ or NP are found. It is worthwhile keeping the current exchange rate in mind, as some establishments offer better deals when paying in Dollars rather than Pesos and vice versa.

1 Mexican Nuevo Peso (M$1) = £0.05; US$0.09; C$0.11; A$0.12; ¬0.08
Currency conversion rates as of October 2005