When many travellers think of Mexico beach vacations, the first destination that comes to mind is Cancun. Located on the Yucatan Peninsula in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, Cancun is in what is sometimes called the Mexican Caribbean. The city of Cancun itself is relatively young, having been developed in the early 1970s. Today, 600,000 people live in Cancun full-time, and four million per year visit the beach paradise.
Temperatures range from a low of 78 degrees F in January to a high of 90 degrees F in July and August. Although Cancun lies in one of the main Caribbean hurricane areas, it has only been hit twice: by Gilbert in 1988 and Wilma in 2005.
Visitors to Cancun should never be bored. As it is a beach resort, Cancun has all the normal beach activities, such as swimming in the clear blue water, sunbathing on the beautiful white sand, boating, water sports, and snorkeling. One of the most unique pasttimes available in Cancun, however, is swimming with dolphins. Different programs exist for all levels, from children to senior citizens. The Royal Swim for one hour costs from $149 and is the most popular plan for adults. The Dolphin Encounter for children is 45 mins and $69. If you prefer your dolphin one-on-one, you can do so for an hour, for $499. More information and online booking is available at http://www.cancuntravel.com/dolphin-swim.asp .
Of course, there is shopping to be found in Cancun. In addition to the smaller, local, quaint shops, one can also find American staples such as Starbucks and WalMart. The largest shopping mall in Cancun, La Isla, also features many American franchises includingPlanet Hollywood, and is quite popular with tourists who are looking for the familiar in their shopping/dining experiences.
Cancun''s rich history provides tourists with the opportunity to visit ancient Mayan archeological ruins. The Mayan archeological zone known as Chichen Itza has been described as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Visitors have their pick of about 150 hotels in Cancun when choosing lodging. A few of the more popular choices include the Omni Cancun Hotels & Villas (https://ssl.omnihotels.com/Omni?pagesrc=RR&chainCode=OM®ion_city=CANCUN&hotelCode=&StartDate=07/15/2009&room1_adult_qty=2&room1_child_qty=0&room_qty=1&EndDate=07/23/2009&language=en-us&pagedst=RR1_2&Phoenix_state=clear ) (1-888-444-OMNI ) with rates of $120 per night in summer. For families, Club Med (http://www.clubmed.us ) is offering a special promotion from February through October 2009 in which one child age 0-15 stays free per each paying adult.
The rate averages to about $5000 per week(including airfare) for 2 adults and 1 child during the peak season (July). The Park Royal Piramdes Cancun resort (http://www.parkroyalcancunresort.com/index.asp ), which is said to be a middle-of-the-road hotel (not too luxurious but not too cheap) ranges about $2000 per week, not including air, for the same time period.
There are about 500 places to dine in Cancun (including American franchises such as McDonalds if you''re longing for the familiar). The Puerto Madero restaurant (http://www.puertomaderocancun.com ) ranges from $25 to $100 per entree and is perfect for romantic, upscale outdoor dining . Reservations are required. Also recommended by tourists, La Habichuela (http://www.lahabichuela.com/ ) offers alfresco seating and local flavor for a bit less money.
One thing most visitors agree upon is that the hospitality and customer service provided in Cancun is second to none. This makes it a destination one wants to visit over and over again.
Author: Susan F. Maphis 2009-02-20
|
|
