To replicate the success and popularity of Acapulco and it's major tourism boom, the Mexican government wanted to find the another location for a purpose-built resort area. At that point Cancun, a deserted sun drenched piece of land on the north-eastern tip of the Yucatan peninsula, was only a crumbling coconut plantation, but potential could be seen in it and Cancun was selected. The first hotel was built in 1972.

Since then Cancun has done nothing but grow. Few resorts in the world have the infrastructure and amenities that were built into Cancun from the beginning. Hotels take up the entire coastline of the Hotel Zone and tourists come from all parts of the world to fill them. People from all over Mexico and the world move to Cancun to start businesses, work, study or retire.

The Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera) offers more than 100 hotels of excellent quality, large shopping centers, restaurants, discos and clubs, an archaeological site, museums ad art galleries and one of the most important convention centers in Mexico. Services of exceptional international standards are offered throughout the Hotel Zone. It is a resort where you could keep busy 24 hours a day just participating in the many activities and tours available, but yet also remains a tranquil retreat where you can relax to your heart’s content. This is one of the reasons that Cancun is Mexico's most popular resort, chosen every year by  thousands of tourists for their holiday meta and by international companies for congresses and conventions. Perhaps no other city in the world has as many and varied activities for every mood and budget.

The museums around Cancun celebrate the region's past and offer a range of information about Quintana Roo and Mexico in general. Particularly impressive are the archaeological exhibits at the Museo del INAH (Museo del National Institute of Anthropology and History) and the ruins at the 13th-century Zona Arqueológica El Rey, which are best explored on a guided tour. The Centro Ceremonial Kohunlich is of great historical significance in Cancun and features an ancient Mayan Sun Temple. For art lovers in Cancun, there are plenty of reputable galleries around the city, including a number along the Boulevard Kukulcán and in the Plaza Caracol mall. Art galleries in Cancun display an array of traditional and contemporary Mexican art works, including a number of unusual hand-carved wooden figures.

From splendid white sand beaches  and clear turquoise waters to exciting nightlife and gourmet dining, Cancun's strategic location is a privileged spot in the Mexican geography to enjoy the wonders of nature and the marvels of the Mayan civilization. It is indeed  a gateway to the Mayan ancient world, where many of the best archaeological sites remain. Chichen Itza, for example, is the heart of the Mayan civilization and is only a couple of hours away from Cancun. It is considered the most important archaeological zone of the Mayan world in the region and arose at the end of the Classic period in the year 900 AD until the start of the Post classic in 1200 AD. Rediscovered in 1842, it was not until the twentieth century that its restoration began along with its resurgence as one of the most important and valuable sites of Mayan culture.

In Cancun you can choose a pace and lifestyle to suit you. Cancun is a world-class resort for everybody and Cancun caters to all who visit. Cancun is Mexico’s showcase resort.

Cancun Facts

Country: Mexico (east)




Location: Quintana Roo (QR)




Status: coastal city




Population: approximately 520,000




Language: Mexican Spanish




Currency: Peso (MXP)




Time zone: UTC / GMT - 6 hours




Country dialling code: +52




Telephone area code: 998




Religion: mainly Roman Catholic, with small amount of Protestants




Average daily temperature in December in Cancun: 30°C / 86°F