Cancun - the Mexican Caribbean
Soft ivory sands, warm turquoise seas and exuberant Mexican hospitality await you in Cancun. Spend your days on the beaches and your nights partying til dawn. There are plenty of fun and sophisticated nightlife options, from salsa bands to lobster dinner cruises. The pearly beaches and animated coral reefs are legendary, and you can snorkel and dive to your heart’s content. Families might prefer to pick a resort facing Isla Mujeres – shallow water and cooler sands make it safer for little ones. Once you’ve had your fill of idyllic beaches, head for the Mayan temples and archaeological sites or choose an adventure on a self-drive guided jeep safari where you can explore Mayan ruins and visit a jungle reserve. The kids will love swimming with dolphins and exploring the underwater caves and cenotes at the ecological theme parks, or getting up close to stingrays and sharks at the interactive aquarium.
Why Go?
Go for the beaches and nightlife, the Mayan heritage and delicious Mexican food. Ideal for couples, singles and families, your Cancun holiday can be as relaxed or as lively as you choose. Cancun’s underwater world is equally fascinating – dive with tropical fish, hawksbill sea turtles, manta rays and rare manatees.
When to Go?
Cancun is a year-round destination with a great deal of sunshine. High season (and high prices) peaks between December and April, when daily temperatures average 30C. Christmas/ New Year and Easter are particularly popular and should be booked well in advance. The hurricane season can cause trouble between June and mid-October and it’s best to avoid the jellyfish season in April (2nd to 4th week) if you’re planning on swimming in the sea.
How to get there?
Cancun is served by Cancun International Airport and direct flights are available from the UK. The airport is 22kms south of Cancun city centre, which can easily be reached by bus, taxi and airport shuttle (taxis are the least economical option). Buses are the preferred travel option in Cancun – they are frequent and inexpensive. Driving in Cancun can be problematic.
Must see
A trip to Cancun wouldn’t be complete without seeing the Mayan temples - Chichen Itza and Tulum are well worth a day trip and the beaches in Tulum are less crowded than in the main hotel zone. Xcaret and Xel-Ha eco-theme parks are ideal family days out if you love water and want to swim with dolphins, and the Hidden Worlds Cenote Adventure Park boasts the most extensive network of underwater caverns and caves on the planet! For a romantic evening, book a dinner cruise and admire the sunset as you tuck into succulent steak and lobster.