By Isabel Prontes
Cancun is one of the most popular
beach resort towns in
Mexico, and one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet as well. Located in the Riviera Maya district that follows along the coastline of the
Caribbean Sea, there is no shortage of activities in which to engage. Although Cancun is most well known for being a beach resort town with luxurious hotels and nightclubs, the area is also full of amusement parks, cultural centers, historical landmarks, museums and aquariums. Visitors to Cancun can receive a very well-rounded vacation, complete with rest and relaxation, culture, history, science and the arts.
El Meco Ruins
The El Meco Ruins are located in northern Cancun's Mujeres Bay. This is a historical site that is relevant because of the significant role it played in the post-Classic Era. Mayans used this area as a place to jump off into canoes for trips to Isla Mujeres. Another use for the area was as a lighthouse for nighttime navigation purposes. There are 14 different structures that visitors can explore while at El Meco Ruins. A couple of the notable structures are the pyramids (the highest archaeological structures in the region) and the monuments dedicated to the Mayan rain god Chaac. The central plaza of the ruins is a tribute to Chaac as well. Be sure to check out picturesque Chacmochuk lagoon. All of these structures were built between the 13th and 16th centuries.
Blvd. Mujeres Bay
Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Beaches
Cancun is best known for its many glorious beaches, which are excellent for snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, scuba diving and engaging in a bevy of other recreational activities. Some of the area's best beaches include Bahia de Mujeres (beautiful, fine white sand), Playa Caracol (ideal for beginners or child swimmers), Playa Juventud (good for water sports), Playa Linda (particularly good for people who enjoy swimming) and Playa Marin (excellent for sunbathers). If you are seeking secluded, isolated and serene beaches, Playa del Carmen beach is ideal. The area is full of nameless coves and beaches that are very uncrowded (you'll be lucky if you find a single person around). The beaches surrounding Playa del Carmen are particularly beneficial if you have children because the waters are calm and quiet, making them excellent for children who like swimming.
Mexican Popular Art Museum
The Mexican Popular Art Museum showcases over 3,400 pieces of traditional Mexican arts and crafts, including toys and paintings. If you are interested in seeing authentic Mexican handicrafts, the Mexican Popular Art Museum is a great place for you to visit while in Cancun. There is also a museum store that sells a large variety of Mexican handicrafts, so you can purchase some for yourself afterward. Some examples of Mexican handicrafts on display at this museum include black clay pottery, Mexican animal figures, wool rugs, jewelry, sculptures, Talavera stoneware and lanterns. The store sells traditional Mexican attire, sculptures, jewelry and pottery (a perfect place to purchase souvenirs for friends and family back home).
Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 4,
Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico 77500
011 (+52) 998 849 4332
Wet 'n Wild
Wet 'n Wild is a water park that is part of Palace resorts. Some of the most exciting features of Wet 'n Wild in Cancun include the "Dolphinaris," which enable visitors to swim and play alongside captive dolphins, and Baxalha, a place to snorkel with tropical fish and stingrays. This site is particularly popular with families and younger people. This is probably the most exciting amusement park experience available on the Riviera Maya.
Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 25
Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico 77500
011 (+52) 998 193 2000
Interactive Aquarium
The Interactive Aquarium is a family-oriented entertainment center where you can watch sharks and other types of marine life in aquarium displays. There are guided tours of the aquarium available in which visitors will learn about local coral reefs and the fish that feed off of them. If you pay a fee, you can even swim around and play with some of the dolphins at the aquarium. There is also a shark feeding area. There is a vast array of fish exhibits at the aquarium, where you can speak with a diver who will discuss (in a lot of detail) about the variety of Caribbean aquatic life.
Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 12.5
Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico 77500
011 (+52) 998 883 0411
About the Author:
Isabel Prontes is a freelance writer and traveler residing in Manhattan, NY. She has traveled to five continents and counting. Her work has appeared on a number of websites, such as Travels, eHow.com and "Happy Living Magazine." Prontes has a professional background in public relations; she received a bachelor's degree in communication studies from Pace University.
