In the northeast coast of the State of Quintana Roo, framed on one side by the Caribbean Sea and on the other by the Nichupte Lagoon, Cancun is the Mexican destination par excellence and one of the most important international tourist developments with the most prestigious resorts, restaurants, nightclubs and shopping centers in the country.

State: Quintana Roo

Coordinates:
21°09'38"N 86°50'51"W

Altitude: 10 meters above sea level

Area:
1.300,67 km²

Time Zone: Central Standard Time UTC-6

Population: 628,306 inhabitants (INEGI, 2010)

Area Code: 998



Since its founding in 1974, Cancun has been the focus of attention for the development of large luxury hotels, cutting edge international restaurants, and lots of nightclubs, among many other tourist services that enhance the magnificence of this paradise framed by the warm turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean Sea which has the second largest coral reef in the world, lagoons, white sandy beaches, and green jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula that together give it a truly unusual and magical atmosphere.



Cancun has a Hotel Zone located on Cancun Island, a strip of land extending 23 km that connects to the urban area through three bridges and houses most of the resorts, golf courses and residential areas most renowned in the city, and nine beautiful beaches.

On the opposite side is the great Nichupté Lagoon, an ideal place for water sports that is home to several restaurants, shopping centers, and golf courses.



Among its attractions are endless water sports and ecotourism as well as walks along minor archaeological sites and shopping with all the comforts of a modern metropolis.

The land near Cancun was occupied in pre-Hispanic times by the Itzaes, the same who created Siyancaan Bakhal and Chichen Itza.

This destination is situated about 100 kilometers from the renowned Mayan Route showing visitors the splendor of the Mayan culture and its presence and importance in southern Mexico.



Getting there

Cancún is located in the northeast of the Yucatan Peninsula, bordered on the east by the Caribbean Sea, Isla Mujeres to the north, to the west by the municipality of Lázaro Cárdenas and south by the municipality of Solidaridad. 


You can reach Cancun by land, sea and air.

 Airlines fly into the Cancun International Airport the second most important in the country with planes arriving from Mexico, United States, Canada and Europe.



By land you can get to Cancun via highway No. 180.

By sea Cancun is visited by various cruise ships mostly from New Orleans, Tampa and Miami.



Distance from Cancun to other cities in Mexico

• Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo: 71 km.
• Mérida, Yucatán: 309 km
• Campeche, Campeche: 598 km

• Villahermosa, Tabasco: 861 km

• Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas: 1113 km
• Oaxaca, Oaxaca: 1469 km
• Puebla, Puebla: 1507 km
• Mexico City, D.F.: 1630 km
• Guadalajara, Jalisco: 2167 km
• Monterrey, Nuevo León: 2325 km

Climate

The Cancun climate is classified as warm and sub-humid with rain likely throughout the year but mostly in summer.

November to May: Low of 17 ° C, High 34 ° C.

June-October: Low 22 ° C, High 38 ° C. (Rainy season)

What to pack?

Being a beach destination it is essential to pack: a swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses,insect repellent, flip flops, and light clothing such as, shorts, tank tops, sandals, and a hat.

In the rainy season it is necessary to bring a light sweater due to the strong winds and sneakers if you plan to visit the archaeological sites.

What to do in Cancun?


Water sports: parasailing, banana boat rides, jet skiing, snorkeling, diving
, Swim with dolphins, Snorkeling on the second largest barrier reef
, Jungle tours, Tequila Museum, Underwater Art Museum (MUSA) the world’s first Underwater Sculpture Park.

Mayan Museum of Cancun and its Archaeological Site, San Miguelito (Hotel Zone)

Activities at the Nichupte Lagoon, Bojórquez Lagoon and Río Inglés Lagoon, Kabah Ecological Park,Punta Cancun and Punta Nizuc National Park , Hotel Zone. Archaeological site El Meco, Archaeological Ruins El Rey, Yamil Lu'um Archaeological area (Hotel Zone Km 12), El Mirador (Playa Delfines). 

Water Parks, 
Coba-Chimuch walk Jungle Tour
, Cancun Scenic Tower, 
Trip to Isla Mujeres and Cozumel islands.

Boating, Ecotourism, Golf Courses, Mayan Route,  Tours, Spas and massages
, gourmet and international restaurants
, VIP movie theater, bars and nightclubs, 
shopping malls. 

Feasts and Festivals in the city of Cancun

January: Annual Barracuda Fishing Tournament

February: Carnival


March-April: Easter Holy Week


May: Cancun International Gay Festival


June: (21) Summer Solstice Celebration at the ruins of Chichen Itza
 (200 km)

July: Mayan New Year Celebration


September: (15 and 16) - Celebration of Mexican Independence. 
Latin American Food Show
. Cancun Triathlon
. Autumn Equinox at Chichen Itza
( (200 km)

October: (12) Celebration of Columbus Day


November: International Film Festival Cancun Maya Riviera 


December: (12) - Festivities in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe