Cancun is one of Mexico’s most popular tourist spots, attracting around 2.7 million visitors every year. Surrounded by jungle, only three people (workers on a coconut grove) lived in this beautiful area until the 1970s, when, the story goes; a computer program selected this as an ideal site for an international resort. It’s not hard to understand why – the city is home to sparkling beaches with clear, turquoise water.

Situated near the fascinating ruins of ancient Mayan cities and great places for water fun (from scuba diving and snorkeling to rafting and water skiing), Cancun is also in a region that is known, even within Mexico, for its extraordinary

cuisine, which combines Mayan and European flavors in delicious classic dishes like cochinita pibil, a moist pork in a rich annatto sauce, baked in the sauce and wrapped in banana leaves. Of course, with over 180 restaurants, U.S. and European chains and international cuisine are also easy to find in Cancun.

The city is divided between the Downtown area (also known as Cancun City) and the Hotel Zone. The Downtown area offers the most authentic glimpse of Mexican life that you will find in Cancun while the Hotel Zone is home to modern shops and hotels. This is where most tourists spend their days on the beach. And after enjoying the day, the city offers a myriad of options for night activities in the city, from dance and jazz performances to Spring Break style dance clubs.

Cancun Travel Guides
 Frommer's Cancun
 Lonely Planet Cancun
 Let's Go Cancun
 Fodors Cancun