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CANCUN INFORMATION
RIVIERA MAYA INFORMATION
PLAYA DEL CARMEN INFORMATION
With the Cancun activities we would like to extend the most cordial welcome to our city. We are here
to provide you with quality service and make
23 years ago, Cancun is located in Yucatan and was an unknown fisherman's
village with only 117 inhabitants. Today, it offers deluxe modern
hotels, a convention center; and two 18-hole golf courses one
designed by Robert Trent Jones, quality restaurants, and shops.
Cancun is located to one side of the northeastern end of Yucatan
peninsula. 347 miles south of Miami. Shaped like a "7",
the island is 13 miles long and about a third of a mile wide.
Cancun's location on the Yucatan peninsula makes it readily
accessible to some of the most important Mayan archeological areas.
And an hour by air from Miami, nestled on the eastern coast of the
vast, mysterious Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun is Mexico's number one
tourist destination.
Created in the 70's, Mexico's youngest and most luxurious tourist
destination sports a base population of 800,000 residents and with
that a first-class infrastructure for Cancun's stellar hotels.
Excellent weather, facilities, and the do-word of all premium
resorts - location, location, location - means that visitors get the
best services possible, not to mention the highest concentration of
luxury hotels in the Caribbean, with jungles and ruins right next
door.
Cancun is divided into two parts. The narrow 23-kilometer-long
(14-mile) island section (Cancun Island) is lined with modern
beachfront hotels surrounded by the Bahia de Mujeres (Bay of Women),
the Caribbean Sea, and the Nichupte and Bojorquez lagoons. Each end
of the boomerang-shaped islet is connected to the mainland by
bridges, the southernmost connecting to the airport and the highway
south. To the north, the bridge connects the Hotel Zone with Cancun
'Centro' on the mainland. 'El Centro' has colorful shops,
restaurants and smaller hotels catering more to European and
national tourism.
Cancun weather is friendly, with an average at 80° F (27° C). With
an annual 240 days of sunshine, rain is rare. Beaches are almost
100% limestone outcroppings covered with Caribbean sand - comes from
naturally processed shell and coral, so unlike quartz beaches to the
north and the south, our sand stays cool even on the hottest of
days.
Customs
Customs regulations allow citizens of the United States to import
$400.00 USD. worth of merchandise and 2 liters of liquor duty free.
The Government of the United States will tax any additional
purchases. Customs forms are supplied by airlines during flights to
the United States
Purified Water
The city of Cancun, as well as the hotel zone, has a special water
purification system. In addition to this each hotel has it's own
purifying plant. Water from the tap is safe to drink, or if you
prefer; bottled water can be found any place at your convenience.
Currency
The peso is the legal national currency in Mexico. However, American
dollars are accepted in the majority of shops and restaurants.
American dollars can be exchanged at banks and hotels at the daily
conversion rate (exchange rate).
Time
Eastern Time (Cancun)
Electricity
110 volts A.C./60 cycles
Climate
The temperature ranges from 75-90 degrees year round with a 90%
humidity level and more than 200 sunny days per year.
The City of Cancun is a grand mixture of
history and nature coming together to form a perfect getaway setting.
A mixture of turquoise blue sea and intricate jungle, joined by some
of the finest white sand covering it's beaches makes this truly a
paradise to behold.
After the ancient Mayas occupied this region, nobody else was
interested in it. It was in the early 1960's that Cancun began to
take shape revealing its many treasures. The City of Cancun has
grown to about 450,000 inhabitants. The City is divided into
Downtown Cancun and the Hotel Zone (where most of the tourist hotels
are located). Many people flock to the Downtown area to haggle with
the merchants in the giant mercados. At night, the Downtown area
comes alive with a pleasing offering of nightlife.
The Hotel Zone is an island shaped like a "7". It is attached to the
mainland via the Punta Nizuc Bridge at the southern tip and the
Playa Linda Bridge at the northern tip. The Hotel Zone is where most
of the fabulous beach front hotels area located in Cancun as well as
a mixture of dining and nightlife spots.
Today, Cancun has extended its appeal beyond the local area. When
one talks of Cancun, you have to include such places as Isla
Mujeres, Contoy, Cozumel, Akumal, Playa del Carmen, Xcaret, Xel-Ha,
Tulum, and even Chichen Itza. Cancun and its surrounding areas has
all its takes to please even the most discerning traveler, no matter
what interests or attractions you are looking for. Come to Cancun .
. . Come to Paradise!
Cancun is Mexico's most visited tourist destination and boasts over
twenty-five thousand hotel rooms. There's golf, tennis, lots of
shopping facilities and a remarkable biodiversity. There are four
hundred seventy-five bird species, over a hundred different mammals
and twelve hundred plant species.
Cancun has lots of beach and the hotels are magnificent. Some people
actually never even leave the hotel grounds their entire vacation.
This speaks volumes for some of these resorts situated on the edge
of ocean beaches.
The beautiful ocean is home to over two thousand five hundred marine
species with five hundred different tropical fish.
Cancun is located in the State of Quintana Roo at the most southern
tip of the peninsula. It is divided into two sections: the Hotel
Zone [Zona Hotelera] which is a 22 km sandy strip of land between a
lagoon and seaside hotels located on Cancun Island and Cancun City/Downtown
[El Centro] which is home to the many Mexicans who live in the
district. Downtown is located on the mainland.
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CANCUN HOTELS
For current Cancun hotel and resort information including rates,
availability and secure on-line reservations please see:
Cancun Hotels & Resorts
Cancun Airport to Hotel Shuttle see:
Transfer Information
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THE CANCUN HOTEL ZONE
The hotel zone is an island shaped like a 7. It is joined to the
mainland on the southern tip by the Punta Nizuc Bridge and the Playa
Linda Bridge at the northern end. This 22 km strip of sandy beach is
bisected by a long main street named Kukulcan Boulevard.
On the north and south side of the island is the Caribbean Sea while
an enormous lagoon named Laguna Nichupte is formed by the inside of
the "7" on the islands southwest side.
Cancun is similar to Miami or Myrtle Beach but with a more
international flare. In some places you would be hard-pressed to
notice the difference. You can however go on guided excursions from
Cancun to almost anywhere in the Yucatan.
To see full-size hotel map see: Cancun Hotel Map
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CANCUN CITY/DOWNTOWN
The city begins where Kukulcan Boulevard meets Bonampak Avenue at
the most northern tip. In Cancun streets are named after Mayan
cities. Today over 450,000 people live in this growing community.
The heart of the city is known as "Downtown" [El Centro] which is
where the main vendor markets are located on Tulum Avenue. There are
also numerous restaurants and boutiques offering everything from
cigars to exotic perfumes.
NOTE: We have purchased expensive perfumes in Cancun at 1/3 the cost
of the perfume in the US and Canada.
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HOTELS OFF THE BEACH STRIP
There are many hotels off the beach strip and these hotels drop in
price dramatically. Many are within a short drive or bus ride to the
beach. The rule is that the closer to the beach you are the more
expensive. You can also find some pretty expensive 5 Star resorts
way off the beach that cater to people who don't necessarily feel
the need to be near the sea.
If you are backpacking and traveling by bus there are a number of
cheap accommodations near the bus station. If you just stand there
with your backpack/luggage somebody will approach you and suggest a
hotel. These guys are the hotel reps and get a commission for
bringing in customers.
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HOTELS ON THE BEACH STRIP
Every time you blink it seems there is a new hotel. We have spoken
to many people who have had marvelous stays in more than one hotel
in the beach zone. Quite often we talk to people who have been going
here for over a dozen years and have never had a negative experience
with any of the hotels.
If you are planning on going there, the following articles written
by Jules Seigel are recommended reading. Jules has lived in the area
for over 20 years. See "Recommended Readings" located at the bottom
of this page.
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GETTING AROUND CANCUN
Getting around Cancun is relatively easy using the bus system,
taxis, hotel shuttles and walking.
Many vacationers are content to stay at the hotel the entire week
with maybe a couple tours, making it easy since you are picked up
more or less at your front door and returned there after your tours.
Airport transfers deliver you and pick you up with no problems.
For those vacationer who wish to get out of the hotel zone, visit
various attractions, sight-see and shop, see Getting Around Cancun
for more information.
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CANCUN BEACH UPDATE
Cancun Beach Video NEW
MSNBC - Cancun rebuilt, reborn, after Hurricane Wilma
Travel Weekly
The National Newspaper of the Travel Industry
THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT declared Cancun's famous beaches fully
restored, nearly six months after Hurricane Wilma roared ashore and
well ahead of the April 30 deadline set by Mexican President Vicente
Fox. Mexico began the 24/7 dredging program on Feb. 1 at a cost of
$21.5 million. Approximately 96 million cubic feet of sand was
dredged from 22 miles offshore by two ships and pumped back onto the
beach, resulting in what Cancun officials described as a wider beach
along the 7.5-mile stretch of sand between Punta Cancun south to
Punta Nizuc.
WITH THE FIRST PHASE COMPLETE, the next challenge will be to do the
necessary maintenance to prevent erosion and protect the beach from
any future storms, Cancun officials said. Don't be surprised to see
a hotel or tourism tax in the near future to help pay for necessary
maintenance. A spokeswoman for the Cancun Convention and Visitors
Bureau said plans for the next phase of beach restoration, which
will include dunes and other protective measures, will be unveiled
within the next six to eight weeks, and tourism officials are
considering some form of a tourism tax to help finance this second
phase of beach restoration.
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THINGS TO KNOW
Cancun is an international tourist destination and thus there is
foreign money and experience here. Many of the hotels are co-owned
by foreign investors who also supply experienced management. There
are countless Americans, Germans, Italians, Swiss, and Canadians
working here.
This is the tourist mecca of Mexico and the Mexican government
provides a safe environment for this to flourish. Crime is taken
very seriously here. You are indeed safe.
For vactioners, many of your questions could probably be answered if
you read these pages:
Cancun Vacations
Info & Tips
Cancun All Inclusive
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BREIF CANCUN HISTORY
During WW2 American servicemen stationed on Cozumel discovered what
an amazing place this little island was for diving. In fact it was
Americans who built the first air-field on the island. Cozumel is
located a little south-west of Cancun.
After the war word spread about the great diving at Isla Murejes and
Cozumel and Mexico's Carribean tourism industry began, albeit small.
In 1959, Jacques Cousteau discovered the extent and beauty of
Palancar, the coral reefs at the south of Cozumel and publicized it
as one of the best places in the world to go diving.
During this period Mexico began ramping up for the 1968 Olympic
games, which were to be held in Mexico City. Realizing the enormous
amount of international attention that would be garnished on the
country during and after the games, Mexico's government wisely
turned an eye to tourism, on a grand scale.
By 1969 The Bank of Mexico had begun developing the concept of
Cancun as one of five new tourist destinations that would be created.
Plans were made to convert this uninhabited jungle area into a
tropical tourist mecca as well as open up new tourism possibilities
by developing the infrastructure throughout the entire Yucatan
region.
In 1974 Quintana Roo [the Mexican state where Cancun exists]
officially gained statehood, Cancun International Airport opened its
runways and the first hotel opened.
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Cancun Airport Information
Immigration Customs
Cancun Airport Restaurants
Cancun Airport Duty Free
Cancun Airport VIP Lounges
Cancun Airport Lost & Found
Cancun Airport Medical Services
Flying Tips & Neat Stuff
RIVIERA MAYA INFORMATION
Riviera Maya Information
Riviera Maya, is located along the coast of the Yucatan peninsula,
between Cancun and Tulum, the famous Mayan archaeological site.
Large tourists developments and rustic lodgings are intermingled
among the rain forests and the natural coastline.
The Riviera Maya is a place for adventure: diving, snorkeling,
jungle walks, archaeological sites and ruins, underground rivers,
cenotes, caverns, beautiful white sandy beaches, bays, mangroves,
and inlets.
Locations
On the coast of the Riviera Maya there are several locations of
different importance, size and origin. The heart of the Riviera Maya
is the city of Playa del Carmen, which can be considered
specifically as a destination by itself. This city has the higher
rate of growth in the country. Here you will find all the services
and support that you may require during your stay in the Riviera
Maya, in addition, restaurants and shopping. Playa del Carmen’s
commercial pier is the place where ferries transport people to and
from the Island of Cozumel.
We encourage you to program a visit for the day to Playa del Carmen.
At sunset, walk by the fifth avenue, look around its stores, and
choose a restaurant to have a superb meal, this is something you
cannot miss.
Tulúm is the second town in importance in the Riviera Maya,
denominated just as the famous archaeological zone, although it is a
small town of just a few streets running parallel to the Federal
highway which is in reality its main avenue. In Tulúm you can find
basic services that are no longer available in other coastal
settlements of the southern part of the Riviera Maya.
There are other small towns and settlements, like Chemuyil and
Akumal, the last, an old port with a small town. Hotels and
residential areas can be found in this place. The growth of these
towns has been according to the needs of lodging the workers of the
great tourist developments, as well as a different option for the
visitors to stay in the local hotels.
Hotels
The hotels are distributed along the coastline. From Deluxe to small
Inns or Cabanas our visitors have a wide variety of categories and
characteristics to choose. Out from the towns there are great hotel
developments with modern facilities, the majority are all inclusive
hotels, in addition some European plan hotels provide specific
services such as Spa, Golf or Ecotourism.
There are rustic hotels, just with the elementary services, that
will make you feel like living in direct contact with nature;
beaches for camping, and in Playa del Carmen, you can even find
boarding houses.
Transportation
The main point of arrival is Cancun International Airport, a two-hour
flight from Mexico City. From here, the Riviera Maya can by covered
via the coastal highway which links the city of Cancun with Tulum
and continues Southwest, and another which links the cities of Tulum
and Cob'a. Available transportation from the airport includes buses,
rental cars or taxis which depart from the terminal. Playa del
Carmen has a small airport with planes which make short hops to the
more distant places. Ferries also depart from Playa del Carmen and
Calica, linking the continent with the islands. There are also local
bus lines which service different locations along the highway.
The ethnic makeup of this area is indigenous in origin, belonging to
the Maya race. There are also other races present, due to the influx
brought about by the zone's economic development over the past 20
years.
Related Information:
Riviera Maya Acommodation
Tours & Attractions
Map & Distances
Weather & Tips
MAYAN RIVIERA - RIVIERA MAYA TRAVEL INFORMATION
Mayan Riviera - Stretching from Punta Brava just south of Cancun
International Airport to Punta Allen just south of Tulum, exists one
of the most fascinating destination spots in the world. Tropical
beaches, ancient ruins, abundant marine and wildlife abound. The
Great Mayan Reef is the largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere.
Mexicans refer to the Riviera as "Riviera Maya" while foreigners
call it the "Mayan Riviera" or "Maya Riviera". It is used all three
ways in this web site.
We do not know if there exists an exact spot where the Mayan Riviera
- Riviera Maya starts but the general concensus is that once you get
onto highway 307 along the coast in Quintana Roo you are pretty well
in the Mayan Riviera. This highway runs from Cancun all the way down
to Belize. The Mayan Riviera ends after Tulum, where the Costa Maya
begins.
As you drive along highway 307 you are usually around a kilometer
away from the beach. The land is flat and the scenery will appear
similar to that of any flat-forested region of Canada or Europe. The
highway itself is brand-new having just been widened in recent years
and is in impeccable shape.
Along the Mayan Riviera, on the highway there is the occasional
Mexican craft market, small industrial center, and lots of resort
entrances. On the shoreline there are numerous privately owned
rental cabanas, fishing and diving operations and beaches.
The most popular travel destination in the Mayan Riviera is Playa
del Carmen which is where you get the ferry to go to Cozumel. After
Playa del Carmen the next town of any great size is Tulum.
PLAYA DEL CARMEN MEXICO
Experience the magic of Playa del Carmen.
Playa, as the locals call it, is a beach-side city located on the
coast of the Caribbean Sea. You generally fly into Cancun airport
then transfer to Playa, which is an hour's drive.
Playa del Carmen stretches from the beach west to highway 307 and
beyond, however the tourist zone is the area along the coast. Most
tourist buses pull into Playa turning off the highway at Benito
Juarez Avenue and drive to the downtown bus station which is located
right on 5th Avenue. The ferry docks to Cozumel are located close to
the bus station as well. This is the busiest spot in all of Playa.
5th Avenue [Quinto Avenida] is the main street that runs parallel to
the ocean. It's around 500 meters from the water. In between the
water and 5th are hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Inns, Rentals,
Timeshares, and restaurants. It is commonly referred to as, "Playa
del Carmen's Pedestrian Walkway".
Along 5th Avenue you will find numerous stores selling interesting
items as well as restaurants and hotels. There are clothing stores
selling the latest trends from Europe as well as Cuban Cigar and Rum
stores. It is a vibrant atmosphere reminiscent of a carnival. We
have seen live lions, fire breathers, giant boa constrictors and a
cavalcade of characters parading down 5th.
Interactive Playa del Carmen Visitor's Map Printable version too!
There are also lots of bars along 5th making it a good place to
party. The after hour clubs swing into action after 12:00. These
clubs are located on the beach away from the majority of hotels and
resorts because of the noise level.
Intersecting with 5th are streets that all lead to the beach. Along
many of these streets are dive-shops, convenience stores, hotels,
tour operators, Internet cafes, currency exchanges, and restaurants.
All the beaches in Playa are open to the public.
Playa's beaches are nice. Along 5th, in the tourist zone the beaches
are all clean white sand, not white powder. There is some coral but
not much. The seaweed and other garbage is cleaned up every day.
Within a short walk to almost any point on the Playa main beach is a
bar/restaurant. There are also a number of snorkeling, dive and
fishing boats ready to take you out.
The beaches closest to the ferry docks are the busiest and you have
to walk either north or south to find seclusion. Outside the tourist
zone the beaches are lined with jungle.
The restaurants along 5th are mostly Italian but there are American
restaurants and Mexican restaurants that cook American style food
with some Mexican dishes. Off 5th on any of the intersecting streets
that head away from the beach you will start to find Mexican
restaurants as well as numerous Italian cafes.
The farther away from 5th Avenue you go the cheaper things get. You
also will find the best Mexican restaurants not far from 5th on
30th, which puts you in Mexican territory, out of the tourista zona.
In fact, in-between 5th and 30th are all kinds of interesting stores
selling everything you can think of, from live chickens to computers.
If you're there during the summer and have kids then this is the
perfect place to get your school clothing. You will find all the
latest trends here. The Mexicans are right on top of fashion.
There are lots of Europeans in Playa, mostly from Germany,
Switzerland and Italy. Americans have always been going to Playa.
More Canadians would go but for the outrageous airfares.
At night 5th Avenue comes alive. Couples, all dressed up, head out
for dinner. The young girls are decked out in their new acquisitions,
hair braided. International bohemians walk the strip, many know each
other, and it's a friendly place.
Many Mexicans visit Playa for their vacations as well. Don't be
surprised if the family across the hall are Mexicans. Just say Hola
and you will have new friends.
There are banks, money exchanges, pharmacies all over the place.
Playa is not that big and everything the vacationer might need is
within the tourist zone. You can walk up 5th Avenue in about 45
minutes but the main strip is only around a kilometer long. After
the main strip there are still hotels and stores but they are not as
plentiful, however the area north of Constytiones is under
development.
Google Map and Satellite View for Playa del Carmen
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PLAYA DEL CARMEN HOTELS
For current Playa del Carmen hotel and resort information including
rates, availability and secure on-line reservations please see:
Playa del Carmen Hotels
Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen Hotels:
Shuttle Information
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THINGS TO KNOW
Playa del Carmen has everything you could possibly need on a
vacation. There are lots and lots of stores. There are laundromats,
hardware stores, hair salons, grocery stores, tattoo parlors, health
stores, gyms, Tae Kwon Do studios, etc. etc.
You can buy snorkel equipment, bathing suits, sandals, American
cigarettes, booze, diapers, you name it, they've got it. And most
everything is on 5th avenue or a short walk off of it.
It does not take long to acquaint yourself with Playa. In one day
you can get to know the vacation zone quite well and know where
things are.
There are two bus stations. The one located on 5th is primarily for
buses running up and down 307 from Cancun to Chetumal. The other bus
station in Playa del Carmen is located at Avenida 20 and Calle 12,
just behind the supermarket "San Francisco".
We have found that for convenience sake, staying close to 5th near
the Grand Porto Real at 5th & 14 is a good place to stay. You are
close to the supermarket, bus station, beach access, cheap Mexican
food and stores. It is also less noisy down at that end of the
strip.
Also another secret in Playa is the Chaak tun Cave. It's on Juarez
several miles down the highway on the right past Alux Cave. There is
a cenote that you can swim in there.
WARNING
Many vacationers rent those little scooters to get around on,
especially at Cozumel. Those things are death traps! Yes of course
the Mexicans use them and numerous tourists ride them unscathed,
however, we have seen the damage done. They are extremely easy to
wipe out on and you may have to pay the deductible, which could be
more than you bargained for, especially after the medical bills.
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PLAYA DEL CARMEN HOTELS
For current Playa del Carmen hotel and resort information including
rates, availability and secure on-line reservations please see:
Playa del Carmen Hotels & Resorts
Cancun Airport to Hotel Shuttle see:
Transfer Information
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