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CANCÚN, FANTASY ISLAND

With more than 240 sun- drenched days and averange temperature
of 80 degrees, Cancún is a tropical fantasyland

Cancún is a city built on dreams, a mega-resort of ancient lore, romance and hypnotic beauty. Its sugar-white beaches are legendary, the chalky product of eroding limestone, which coats the Yucatán Peninsula.

In 1967, the Mexican Government commissioned a study to pinpoint an ideal place for an international Caribbean resort. Cancún was picked by a computer from several destination choices. In 1969, the first road was carve out. In 1972, work began on the first hotel. Today Cancún has more than 26 thousand hotel rooms ranging from five-star to moderately priced hotels, which accommodate more three millions vacationers annually.

Two Sides of Paradise
The Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone) with its 14-mile stretch of beach is bordered by the Nichupté lagoon on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other. North from the Hotel Zone is El Centro (Downtown), a microcosm of real México. Curious scenes here can teach you much about the Mexican culture. The heart of Downtown is Tulum Avenue. This avenue is easily distinguished by its garish fish fountain known as "El Cebiche," a popular photo spot. Walk down Tulum and you can encounter open-air markets, modern grocery stores, street cafés, restaurants and bars.

Water Wonderland
The transparent waters with visibility of up to 100 feet, offer a fascinating window to an underwater world. Divers and snorkelers alike can venture into this spectacular underwater utopia populated by iridescent fish, intricate latticeworks of coral and an array of fauna. Chital, Cuevones, La Bandera and Manchones, are some of reefs near Cancún, hold seascape vistas of caverns and coral pillars radiating all the colors of the rainbow from electric blue to neon yellow.

The Caribbean Sea and the neighboring Nichupté lagoon are also unrivaled playgrounds for water sports enthusiasts. Water skiing, windsurfing, waverunner rides, sailing and even parasailing are all available very close to your hotel. The Nichupté lagoon is a combination of freshwater fed by underground springs and saltwater and laced by lush mangroves. Many jungle tours journey through its interesting eco-system of bird, plants and crocodiles. Deepsea fishing ranks among the finest, with plentiful sailfish, white and blue marlin, dorado, bonito, kingfish and tuna. Numerous charters offer fishing excursions.

This is a city, wich embodies all charisma of the Mexican Caribbean

Maya Roots
Remnants of ancient watchtowers and lighthouses indicate Cancún was once a Maya lookout over the Caribbean shores. Cancún is located near astounding Maya cities such as Chichén Itzá, Cobá and Tulum. Cancun's Maya roots are evidenced everywhere from its small, stone temples to the faces of the Maya inhabitants who still bear close resemblance to their ancestors. There was little mixing of the indigenous Maya and the Spanish who conquered and inhabited the Yucatán until recent history. Mixed marriages were forbidden until the 1900's. Today, those who are of mixed blood are called mestizos. Many who live here still speak the Maya language, and many women still wear hipiles, the native embroidered dresses.

The Yucatán peninsula has more archeological remains than any other area of the Western Hemisphere–nearly 1200 sites. The most impressive sites exist outside of Cancún, but there are three still standing beside ultra-modern developments in the Hotel Zone. Ruinas El Rey (The King Ruins), Yamil Lu'um and a small temple in Club de Golf Canún course all date back to the 12th century and are only within minutes from your hotel.

Paradise ShoppingIn Cancún, you find a multitude of handmade products: from silver jewelry, embroidered items, hand-woven hammocks to hand-painted pottery known as talavera, just to mention some of the most popular.