GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Cancun, or “Nest of Serpents” in the Mayan language, is Mexico’s world famous tourist resort. Its sophisticated infrastructure, variety of top quality tourism services and diversity of attractions has turned it into the Caribbean’s premier destination. Cancun is visited by more than three million people from all over the world each year and contributes more than one third of Mexico’s tourism generated revenues.

Embedded in northern Quintana Roo, a state located in southeast Mexico, Cancun is a hub linking the state’s archaeological sites with those of the neighboring state of Yucatan.

Cancun is divided into two areas: one on the mainland, where the city itself is located, and the other, a 20-kilometer(12 mile)-long island occupied by the Hotel Zone. Cancun Island –shaped like a number “7" and flanked by Bahía de Mujeres to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east and Nichupte Lagoon to the west– is joined to the mainland by two bridges. The first crosses the Nichupte Channel, four kilometers from downtown Cancun, and the second joins Punta Nizuc to the mainland at Nizuc Channel to the south, en route to the airport and the Riviera Maya.

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Cancun’s natural environment is characterized by sub-tropical vegetation with low growth jungle and species such as flame, acacia and tamarind trees. Mangroves flourish along the coast and are inhabited by blue crabs, alligators, river crocodiles and raccoons, in addition to a variety of birds like the heron, ibis and cormorant.  Other bird species (frigate birds, sea gulls and pelicans) fly close to the beaches and the city’s parks are full of hummingbirds, woodpeckers, parrots and the occasional toucan.

BEACHES, SAND AND SEA

Beaches are distributed along Cancun’s shores. Some edge the tranquil waters of Mujeres Bay while others face the open Caribbean Sea. Special precautions should be taken on the open ocean-side beaches when the sea is rough and, in general, visitors should always pay attention to the warning flags posted in front of each hotel: green or blue indicates calm seas, yellow, precaution and red or black, danger.

Cancun’s beaches are made of fine, soft white sand. The brilliant white color helps keep the sand cool by reflecting the sun’s rays and it also retains less heat because it consists of a mixture of minute fragments of shell and ground coral. The beautiful turquoise color of the sea varies depending on the area and depth and in some places it ranges from deep blue to emerald green.

NICHUPTE LAGOON SYSTEM

Located between Cancun island and the mainland, Nichupte Lagoon is formed by three principal bodies of water: an enormous lagoon (called Nichupte) and two appendages, Laguna Bojorquez and Ingles, in addition to dozens of minor mangrove-lined lagoons interconnected by canals.

REEFS

In the area between Bahia de Mujeres, Punta Cancun and Punta Nizuc, are several reefs, part of the world’s second largest barrier reef; the Mesoamerican Reef System. This protected area has been designated a National Park.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

Archaeological sites are scattered throughout Cancun. Some of these small sites are located on the Pok Ta Pok golf course while others are located in front of the Royal Mayan Hotel (San Miguelito) and next to the Sheraton Hotel (Yumil Lu’um). The larger sites of El Meco and El Rey are also located in the area.

Open to the public since April 1, 2001, El Meco is located six kilometers north of Cancun on the Punta Sam highway. It consists of a large central plaza with vestiges of temples, columns and stucco-covered walls.

El Rey is an ancient Mayan city that developed during the Post-Classic period – between 1200 and 1521. The site, consisting of 47 structures, is located in the Hotel Zone between Nichupte Lagoon and Playa Delfines.

THE CITY AND KUKULCAN BOULEVARD

The city of Cancun is divided into “supermanzanas", large residential and commercial areas with walkways and gardens. The city’s main streets and avenues are named after Mayan cities (Tulum, Bonampak, Yaxchilan, Xel-HA and Uxmal), while side streets bear the names of fish, flowers, fruit and animals.

Most of the public buildings, like schools and hospitals are found here, in addition to shopping centers and residential zones. Downtown Cancun is connected to the Hotel Zone by Kukulcan Boulevard, enhanced in some areas with reproductions of pre-Hispanic sculptures.

There is a 16-kilometer (10 mile) bicycle path running between Bahia de Mujeres and the boulevard so those on foot or bicycle can enjoy views of the hotels, gardens and parks, and glimpses of the beautiful Caribbean Sea.