Cancun attractions provide a break from long days on the beach and give vacationers numerous activities that are unique, educational or entertaining.

This city on the east coast of Mexico is one of the top destinations for vacationers in the Caribbean region. It is well-known for the many hotels that line the strip of land that surrounds Nichupe Lagoon, the numerous restaurants and shopping opportunities, and the convenient location that makes it easy to reach for U.S. citizens in particular.

Although Cancun has its share of standard vacation activities, such as swimming and other water sports, it also has unique attractions and excursions that make a trip there more interesting for adults and kids alike.

Possibly the most famous unique attraction is the extensive Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, which is located about two hours by bus from Cancun. This day trip will allow visitors to see massive stone structures including the Temple of Kukulkan, a step pyramid that dominates the city; the “El Caracol” observatory; the Temple of Warriors; and the Great Ball Court.

Vacationers who don’t want to make a day trip to see Chichen Itza can visit other Mayan ruins located near Cancun. Some of these sites include Uxmal, Tulum, Calakmul and Palenque.

Besides Mayan ruins, eco-tourism attractions are popular. Xcaret, also the site of Mayan ruins, has a snorkeling lagoon and the opportunity for visitors to float through an underground river. Xel-Ha is a water theme park and open-sea aquarium. Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is an education and eco-tourism center.

One of the most popular attractions close to Cancun is Isla Mujeres, a nearby island accessible by boat. Visitors can go to Dolphin Discovery to swim with the dolphins, see a turtle sanctuary, tour Garrafon National Park or take advantage of places to snorkel.

But people who would rather stay in Cancun proper and enjoy 21st century fun can go to the Parque Nizuc water park, the bullfighting ring at The Plaza de Toros or on a unique boat ride called The Rocket.

For more information:

Click Cancun attractions for more excursions plus Cancun travel tips, weather forecasts and other useful information.

 

Scott Bateman is a professional journalist with 29 years of experience as a reporter and editor. He publishes a Caribbean vacation guide with articles produced from nine trips to the region.

A vacation in Cancun, Mexico, is popular with tourists because of its  luxurious hotels, convenient location and numerous things to do.

A Cancun vacation is convenient because the city is within easy reach for most U.S. citizens. Flight times are about 1.5 hours from Miami and about four hours from Chicago.

Cancun is the second most popular place to visit in the Caribbean region. As a result, airlines offer a large number of flights from airports in the U.S. That makes it easy to schedule a flight, and it also keeps airline tickets less expensive than other Caribbean destinations that are farther away and less popular.

Visitors will find that Cancun is actually a lengthy strip of land surrounding Nichupte Lagoon. Hotels and restaurants are lined up closely together on the main road — Kukulkan Boulevard — with many shops and restaurants on the lagoon side and the hotels facing the ocean. One added advantage for tourists is an inexpensive public bus system with buses that run along the boulevard during both day and night.

Like most destinations in the Caribbean region, Canun has a heavy emphasis on water sports including scuba diving, snorkeling and boating. Families swim with dolphins at Isla Mujeres. Other popular attractions includ the huge Mayan ruins at Chichén-Itzá, plus other ruins at Calakmul, Palenque, Tulum and Uxmal.

Weather is a factor in determining the ideal time to vacation in Cancun. Rainfall is lightest in March through June when the daytime temperatures average from the mid-80s to low-90s Fahrenheit. September and October have far fewer visitors when about nine inches of rain falls each month during the annual Caribbean hurricane season.

Anyone thinking about a Caribbean trip will find that Cancun has numerous large hotels, plenty of shopping, restaurants and nightlife, and a wide variety of outdoor activities.

For more information:

Click Cancun vacation guide for travel tips, hotels, attractions, weather forecasts and other information.

Scott Bateman is a professional journalist with 29 years of experience as a reporter and editor. He publishes a Caribbean vacation guide with articles produced from nine trips to the region.