Cancún is a planned tourist city on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. The area had few inhabitants when Cancún was built. It is a popular vacation spot on the Caribbean coast. The Cancún hotel zone is almost entirely built around the tourist industry. It abounds with all-inclusive resort hotels. Stay here only if you don't mind spending your vacation with many other tourists. There is lots to do in the city, and if you're willing to take an hour or two bus trip, there is more to explore than you could possibly fit into a single vacation. Downtown Cancún, especially once you get away from the ADO bus station and nearby hostels and hotels, is a real Mexican city. Those looking for a base of operations who want good or luxury hotels and the advantages of urban life but prefer more local flavour may wish to stay in the Yucatán's main city of Mérida.

Dangers and Annoyances
One word of warning: late June is especially hot, so come prepared or try the off season. Hurricanes can be a major threat in the summer and early autumn. Peak season in Cancún tends to run from December to April. Prices in both airfare and hotel increase dramatically during these times, while dropping in the late summer and early autumn months.

Around and closeby
You can rent a car, or take the bus to Puerto Morelos (about 20 minutes) or Tulum (1 hour). Playa del Carmen (45 minutes) is between the two. Tulum is the only major Mayan archaeological site to overlook the Caribbean Sea. Tulum contains over sixty different ruin structures and is believed to be one of the most important ceremonial sites for the Mayan people. These ruins show the remains of a huge walled city with roads, homes and businesses by the sea. The major highlight of Tulum is El Castillo which is a large pyramid that sits on a forty-foot cliff. El Castillo is thought to be a part of a series of lighthouses. A great break from the Cancún tourist traps, Isla Mujeres is just a 20 minute ferry ride from the hotel zone. Rent a scooter to get around the island fast and cheap.

Sightseeing
Xcaret is a nice nature preserve park with some good swimming and snorkelling opportunities. One of the highlights of this location is Xcaret de Noche, a wonderfully produced song and dance show detailing the history of Mexico. Right in the middle of the hotel zone, is a small but modern Interactive Aquarium lets you get up close and personal with aquatic life. You can pet rays, nurse sharks, starfish, etc. There is also a chance to swim with dolphins in a large pool.

Getting there
There are buses arriving here from Mexico City, Mérida, Chetumal, Valladolid, Puerto Morelos and Villahermosa.