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Cancun Travel Guide
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Everything Cancun.
Cancun is known for its wild spring breaks and beautiful beaches in which to catch some rays and get away from home.
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Welcome to Cancun!
The name alone conjures up images of flawless sugar sand beaches with turquoise waves gently lapping along the shoreline. Maybe a palm tree or two can be seen in the background. Perhaps it's just after sunset and the sky is ablaze with seductive colors. While these sights are cause enough for many to venture to the tropical oasis known as Cancun, there are many more exotic and intriguing aspects of this foreign destination that all combine to make this Mexico's most popular destination year after year.
Cancun is known as a tourist-friendly locale found on the Yucatan Peninsula. Million dollar hotels and five-star waterfront resorts line the beaches of this 14-mile island off the Caribbean coast and make up what is known as the Hotel Zone, a glitzy, glamorous, round-the-clock celebration center where anything goes.
The west side of the island is known as Laguna Nichupte. This faces an area on the mainland that forms a lagoon along which many marinas, shopping centers, dining opportunities, and golf courses can be found. Additionally, Laguna Nichupte offers countless places to catch a memorable sunset.
The Hotel Zone is a more adult-geared part of Cancun due to the abundance of some of the world's best entertainment including scintillating bars and nightclubs, on-going beach parties, and topless bathing permitted areas. The festive atmosphere is apparent along the water, but mainly emanates from the popular Party Zone found within the Hotel Zone, acting as a throbbing heartbeat that keeps the energy up and the drinks flowing. As anyone who has been here will tell you, Cancun hasn't earned the title of a Spring Break capital for nothing!
But don't rule out this area simply because you are not a party animal. Nearly everything in this zone can be found along Kukulacan Boulevard, the only thoroughfare of the island, including upscale and trendy restaurants and the most elite and extravagant shopping centers in the area. Additionally, another of Cancun's most famous appeals is located here, the Ruinas El Rey. Just off Kukulacan Boulevard is where you will find the very well preserved ruins that are inhabited by numerous iguanas. It is nearly impossible to not spot these creatures as you wander through the grounds, as they lazily sunbath in plain sight and make for excellent photo opportunities. Tours of the area are available from bilingual guides for the more inquisitive travelers.
Another favorite tourist attraction is Downtown Cancun, also known as Cancun Centro, the family-friendly section. This area is a much more naturally picturesque part of the island that offers exotic appeal paired with stunning simplicity. The architecture of the center is traditional and authentic, just like the people you will find here. Cancun Centro is run by locals who live, work, and play in this area, and their fun and easy-going approach to life is contagious. Visitors will find it a little slower paced than the high-rise haven on the shore, allowing more time to fully appreciate all that goes into making downtown unique.
You can still find four-star lodging here, but many stay in quaint, cozy inns or choose to rent a room for a few pesos. Everything is cheaper in downtown, from the shops to the food, but one thing the area is rich in is culture. The traditions of the people are displayed everywhere you look, from the ancient buildings to the authentic Mexican fare advertised on local menus. If you truly want a taste of Mexico, this is the place to be. Also, this is where you can find the most authentic souvenirs made by people who have inhabited the area and passed down traditions for generations.
For the best look at what this part of Mexico was really like long ago, a trip to the Ecological Zone is in order. This is the largest of the zones and is a preserve for numerous endangered species of flora and fauna. A genuinely untouched area that has been allowed to progress naturally without the trends of the rest of the world, this zone is strikingly unique and fascinating.
Known as one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, Cancun offers a multitude of water activities as well as land adventures. Snorkeling is a popular past time as is scuba diving and many classes and tours are offered in the area as well as nearby islands. Para-sailing, jet ski riding, banana boat rides, water-skiing, cocktail cruises, boating and excellent fishing opportunities can all be found within a stone's throw from one another.
Indigo and turquoise waters bordering white sand beaches, world class entertainment and adventure, romantic Caribbean nights under the stars, and more history than can fit into a book are just a few of the things that you'll experience when you choose to explore Cancun. A destination for the young and the young at heart, from party central to family friendly environments to breathtaking natural beauty everywhere you look, you can't go wrong with a vacation to this island.
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Attractions 
