Cancun: the great jewel of the Mexican Caribbean awaits you to pamper you

But look how beautiful Cancun is! Did you know that this city is made to be a tourist destination? A few decades of planning went by so that this fisherman’s island, surrounded by jungle and virgin beaches, would become the most important tourist center in the entire country worldwide.

There are two versions of the etymology of Cancun, on one hand, it is a word of Mayan origin that could mean “nest or pot of snakes”, on the other hand, it is said to be a reference to a Golden Serpent, a shape that resembles the island. It is known that this area was part of the commercial network of the Mayans that went from Laguna de Terminos to Honduras. Here we tell you what you should not miss in this destination with Mayan heritage!

You should first know that you will be in a magnificent beach destination. It is considered “the most beautiful beach in the world”, Chemuyil is one of the best-kept secrets of the Riviera Maya, although it is not in the Hotel Zone, it is worth driving roughly 30 minutes to get to this place of fine white sand, turquoise water, and natural wonders. A few meters from here, you will find the Cenote Xunaan-Ha, a beautiful body of water that it’s a wonderful place to swim and snorkel. If you don’t want to get out from downtown, in Cancun, there are Playa Delfines, Tortugas, Lobster, Whales, Pearls, and the reefs of Punta Nizuc. You go to Cancun to swim, sunbathe and rest!

In addition to the paradisiacal beaches, if you want to learn a little about the Mayan heritage of Cancun, take a tour of the Archaeological Museum, now called the new Mayan Museum of Cancun. It is a space that, among its collection, has one of the most significant archaeological collections of the Mayan culture in Mexico. Among the variety of pieces, you can see objects and utensils rescued from Palenque, Chichen Itza, and Comalcalco. The place is designed for accessibility for people with disabilities and costs 85 pesos.

Very close to the museum, you will find the Archaeological Zone of San Miguelito, a name given to it by the ranch that existed on this site, and that, in pre-Hispanic times, was a settlement dedicated to fishing, agriculture, and the production of products such as salt, honey, and cotton. Access to the place is through the museum we just mentioned, and it costs 80 pesos.

On another note, you can go to the Cancun Wax Museum, an entertainment place that displays more than one hundred figures from music, television, and the seventh art. Within the urban area, you will find the Kabah Ecological Park, a protected natural site that covers 41 hectares of territory and whose main objective is to conserve and preserve endemic species of Quintana Roo. Here you can take a look into the past at the Casa Maya Museum, a place that exhibits several photographs of Cancun before it became the gigantic tourist destination that we know and enjoy today.

To dive deeper into the past of Cancun, an essential place to visit is the Archaeological Zone ‘El Meco,’ one of the oldest Mayan settlements that historians link directly to Cobá. Although the real name is unknown, it is believed that it had an important role in the Mayan navigation route. It can be accessed from Monday to Sunday, from 8 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon. And the entrance costs 65 pesos.

Before telling you anything about the Cancun Interactive Aquarium, you should know that very close is Yamil Lu’um, a Mayan structure facing the sea that has two temples to see and take pictures. And as we already told you, the aquarium is located a short distance away, a recreation place that offers unique experiences such as swimming with manta rays, dolphins, big fish tanks and even an auditorium. Perfect if you travel with children!

In addition to the culture and nature, Cancun never sleeps! In the beach clubs, you can find parties and fun both in the afternoon and at night. In many of the clubs there are fire shows, pyrotechnics, drink promotions and good music. In addition to Cancun, if you want to see more places, you can drive by car or go on tours that depart from the ports. You can reach the imposing Chichen Itza, Tulum, Isla Mujeres and Cozumel.

What do you think, are you down to know the most important tourist jewel of Mexico? Cancun is a corner that makes everyone fall in love with it, no exception!