Introduction

Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Wilma, the following description may no longer be accurate. Please consider this when making your travel plans.

The area's tourism industry underwent rapid growth during the 1980s, made possible by enthusiastic foreign investment. Large hotels flourished, offering complete services and amenities, abounding in luxury and exclusivity. This also applied to shopping centres, which include some of the finest boutiques, jewelers, and restaurants. These factors boosted the area's status, already considered a paradise of sun and sea, given the color of its waters, powdered sand beaches and the exuberant vegetation of its mangroves and ecological reserves, which protect its native species.

Cancun can be divided into three main areas: The Hotel District, the Town, and the Ecological Reserve, blessed with incredible lakes and mangrove swamps.

The Hotel District is comprised of the so-called gran turismo accommodations of five- and four-star luxury hotels. These magnificent buildings include various architectural styles, from the classical-style columns of the NH Krystal to the modernist pyramidal Gran Melia Cancun Hotel. Hotels and shopping centres are distributed along the main Boulevard Kuculkán, which runs the length of the 21-kilometre island. This district undoubtedly generates the greatest revenue and has the greatest economic impact in comparison to the rest of the state. This area is where the trendiest, most popular discos, restaurants serving international cuisine and the largest entertainment venues are situated.

The Town of Cancún changes the scenery, albeit not too drastically. Peaceful provincial life is more picturesque, folkloric, and the simplicity of some of the shops provides a stark contrast to the million-dollar hotel chains. In town, or el pueblo, accommodations are more affordable. Anything from four-star hotels to inns and rooms can be had for a reasonable rate. Restaurants in this district serve typical local food and snacks, providing a real opportunity to taste some genuine homemade Mexican dishes.

The shops are not ostentatious, enabling quality items to be purchased at lower prices than those sold in the Hotel District. Theatres and cinemas are located on the main streets of the pueblo.

Lastly, but certainly not least, the third district resides in the Reserva de la Biósfera de Sian Ka´an where nature still reigns supreme in the history of this area. Occupying hundreds of kilometers, it constitutes Mexico's largest genuine ecosystem, home to a diverse number of plant and animal species. The Government and non-profit organizations do their best to preserve this area as a wildlife refuge containing many species in danger of extinction.

Archaeological sites can be found in the vicinity, extending towards the four cardinal points. Structures tell of the settlements of the Mayan people on this peninsula, and just about every rock reveals traces of the historical and cultural legacy which these inhabitants left behind in what was the post-classic period.

Cancun combines the elegance and gamut of entertainment choices in its Hotel District, the traditions and serenity of its pueblo, and the natural beauty of its ecological reserve, coral reef and history of its peoples. What else could one ask for?