Quick – Name a Spring Break destination. Maybe some of you thought of Daytona Beach. Others perhaps thought of Mazatlan or even Ensenada. But most of you probably thought of Cancun, right? There’s a reason that Cancun is nearly synonymous with Spring Break – it has made a name for itself as a Spring Break destination for college students all over the world.
But there is far more to this location than flowing beer, half-naked college kids, and partying until the sun comes up. If you actually looked, you would find that there is far more to Cancun than meets the eye. Cancun is located on the Yucatan Peninsula, and the area is full of rich history and breathtaking beaches.
So where is Cancun located and why should you visit? Let me count the ways!
Where is Cancun Located?
Surprisingly, there are people out there who have no idea where Cancun is located. Many don’t realize how far south in Mexico it actually is. Unlike a city like Tijuana, it’s not on the U.S border nor is it easy to drive to from the United States – and with all of the cartel violence in Mexico over recent years, it’s not suggested you do so anyway.
Cancun is located in southeastern Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula and is in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The reason the beaches are so breathtakingly gorgeous is because they’re located on the Caribbean Sea, which, as you may have heard, has some of the clearest water and whitest sand around. Also, not far from Cancun, you have the luxury resort area of the Riviera Maya. Cancun is also considered the gateway to the Mundo Maya, a region that contains five countries and five Mexican states.
What’s the Weather like in Cancun?
Cancun has a tropical climate, and one thing you will notice year round is the oftentimes stifling humidity. There’s a reason the most popular time to visit Cancun is from December to April – the weather in the summer time can be brutally hot. The city and the water are warm, often even hot, year round. Of course, the hotel zone juts out into the Caribbean Sea, which helps keep it slightly cooler there than in other parts of Cancun.
History of Cancun
Cancun wasn’t always called Cancun – even if the name itself is possibly traced back to the Mayan language. It’s believed that Cancun means either “nest of snakes” or “place of the gold snakes.” However, Mayans themselves called the area Nizuc meaning either “promontory” or “point of grass” Mayans go back at least as far as 1800 B.C. The Yucatana Peninsula had a large number of Mayans and there are many historical sites you can still see to this day. Even the hotel zone has a site that was built between 1200 and 1500 El Rey (The King) at the Sheraton Cancun Resort and Towers.
El Rey is an archaeological site that’s open to the public. It’s called The King because of a skeleton found there that is believed to belong to an ancient Mayan king. Some believe the site is a burial ground for ancient Mayan nobility. Also near the Sheraton resort is the highest point in Cancun, known as Yamil Lu’um that has two temples, which were possibly used as watchtowers between 500 and 700 years ago.
Both sites are located right there in the hotel zone, so you don’t even have to go far to experience ancient history. For a lot of people, that alone is reason enough to check out this great city. But, if you’re willing to venture further from Cancun, you can see famous Mayan ruins like Tulum, Chichen Itza, and more all within a tour bus ride away from the hotel zone.
What Else is There to See in Cancun?
There are tons of great sites to see, and honestly, you probably won’t have time for them all.
Beaches
The beaches in Cancun are famous for their turquoise waters and white sand shores. You know those beautiful beach photos that look photoshopped because they’re too beautiful to believe? That is Cancun. Honestly. However, one thing to note about the water – swimming there is for more advanced swimmers only.
The waves are absolutely brutal, and while stunning to watch, they’re not fun if you get caught up in them. It can be downright dangerous if you’re inexperienced and could lead to serious injury or even death. That doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun in the water though. However, if you’re not a strong swimmer, you’ll want to stay in the very shallow parts near the shore or consider heading to the more gentle waters of Isla Mujeres.
Fishing
Cancun and the entire Riviera Maya are a world famous fishing destination. If you’re visiting Cancun with your fishing-addict boyfriend, then booking a fishing charter for him will be the ultimate vacation present! We’ve partnered with FishingBooker to get you a special discount. Just enter QUEENFISHING upon checkout and get 10 bucks off your booking!
Parque de las Palapas
This park is located downtown and includes a stage where you can watch shows. The palm trees overhead provide shade from the sun during the day, but at night, the lights go on and it provides for a romantic hangout. There’s also a food court with stands set up and a few merchants set up there to sell their local products. It’s a great way to get to the heart of the city.
Nature
Xcaret is an eco-archaeological park located about 46 miles south of Cancun. You can snorkel in underground rivers, hang out in the butterfly pavilion, visit Jaguar Island, and even swim with the dolphins – for an additional fee, of course. It’s a beautiful park full of amazing local flora and fauna with a hint of Mayan history.
There are a number of other ways to get in touch with nature in this city. You can discover underwater cenotes, explore the jungle, or even experience some of the best diving you can imagine. There are also plenty of opportunities to snorkel along the second largest barrier reef in the world where you can swim with whale sharks, manta rays, sea turtles and other local fish.
Shopping
Okay, so maybe you don’t think of shopping when you think of Cancun – but maybe you should. Many of the shop owners expect you to haggle for the best price you can get, so be prepared to do just that and you’ll be more likely to get a good deal. There’s Market 28 in downtown Cancun and Market 23, which is more a market for the locals than 28 is but still worth a look. And, of course, you have the main mall in the hotel zone, La Isla Mall, which offers boutique and designer stores.
Spas
When you go on vacation, you want to relax, right? What better way to relax than by hitting up a spa for a massage, seaweed wrap, or just some all-round pampering? Cancun has over thirty spa resorts that will cater to your every whim, pamper and relax you. Some of these spas utilize ancient Mayan healing rituals for a truly unique experience.
If you’re looking for the ultimate in relaxation, maybe a full-body massage overlooking the tranquil waters in the Caribbean would do the trick.
How to Get Around Cancun
Most likely, if you travel here, you’re coming in by plane. Cancun International Airport is Mexico’s second busiest airport; it’s only about 6 miles from the hotel zone and 9 miles from downtown. When you get off the plane and make your way to ground transportation, there are a ton of vendors trying to get you to speak with them – meaning buy something from them. Unless you have hours of vacation time you’re willing to burn, don’t stop and talk to them as they’re trying to sell you timeshares and anything they offer you comes with losing hours of your precious vacation time while they give you their demonstrations and entire spiel. Also, it should be common sense, but don’t give your bags to anyone offering to carry them – just because they offer to take your bags off your hands doesn’t mean they work for the airlines or the resort. Carry them yourself.
There are several options to get you from the airport to your hotel. You can take an authorized taxi from the airport – you can buy a ticket at one of the podiums outside the arrivals doors or pre-book it online before you arrive. If you pre-book, they will be waiting outside and holding up a sign with your name on it. Don’t take rides from just anyone offering to help you; they are likely people trying to sell timeshares or other services in addition to the ride – or they could perhaps be somebody worse.
City taxis and other types are not allowed to pick up passengers from the airport. Anybody who tries to get you into an unmarked car is not to be trusted under any circumstances. You can also use public transportation; ADO and Riviera operate buses to downtown. Your hotel may also have shuttles, so look into that before flying in Cancun.
Once you’re settled in, getting around Cancun is a breeze. There are city buses that take you down the hotel zone. There are ferries that can take you over to Isla Mujeres if you’re interested. Just know that most buses don’t have air conditioning, but many of the drivers speak English since they work in a popular tourist area. Buses are constantly running, and many will stop for you even if you’re not at an official bus stop. However, the buses do get crowded so expect it to be standing room only, but sometimes, the other passengers on the bus with you can be very friendly and highly entertaining. Watch out for pick-pockets when the bus is full – it’s a very common occurrence.
The busses run up and down the main street, Blvd. Kukulcan and they’re very easy to figure out. Cancun isn’t a complicated city – even for those who’ve never traveled to Mexico before or don’t speak English. A lot of people speak English in Cancun, at least in the hotel zone and most of the touristy areas.
Check with your hotel about tour buses that go to ancient ruins or take you around to enjoy other activities. Many of the hotels and resorts are all-inclusive and offer some popular activities for free including the tour bus to get there. If not, they likely have information on safe companies you can use to get around.
Taxis are plentiful, but expensive for the hotel zone and airport. Make sure to ask and settle on the price before boarding to make sure there’s no misunderstanding because prices can vary depending on where you’re at and where you’re going. Also, be aware that many taxis allow other people to ride with you, so you may not be the only people in the taxi. Also, be very clear on costs before leaving – if you and your friends are getting out at different places, the price may double since each drop off consists of one start point to one stop point.
If you’re traveling by car and driving yourself, be very, very careful. Police like to pull tourists over for the simplest of things – especially during Spring Break. If you do get pulled over, the police officer may expect a small “donation” in order to let you go with just a warning, so don’t be surprised if they ask you for a little something for the effort. If possible, find alternate modes of transport. Given the instability in the region, driving isn’t the best way to get around. The buses are cheap, and they’re simple. So unless you have a specific reason to drive yourself, it might be best to avoid it altogether.
Cancun is not only a destination for college students; it’s a beautiful place to visit and one that should definitely be on your travel list.
Add Comment