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Cancun, a growing city and world-renowned tourist destination, is located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico's southern state of Quintana Roo. The city of Cancun comprises two distinct areas: the Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone), a slender ribbon of an island that is bordered by the Caribbean Sea on one side and the Nichupte Lagoon on the other; and El Centro (Downtown), on the mainland, originally a workers' village for those laboring in the Hotel Zone.
Cancun's International Airport is the Mayan Riviera gateway for direct and charter flights from major capitals from all around the world, mainly from the US and Canada. It's convenient geographic location allows 4 hour flights from Los Angeles or New York, and 2 to 3 hour flights from most southern and center states.
 The Hotel Zone
Is a "7"-shaped island, which is joined to the mainland by the Punta Nizuc bridge at the south and by the Playa Linda bridge at the north. The island, a narrow, 22-kilometer (14-mi.) strip of sandy beach, is bisected by Kukulcan Boulevard. The large, natural Nichupte Lagoon extends southwest between the island and the mainland. Facing the Hotel Zone is a National Marine Park, nestled between the west coast of Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancun and Punta Nizuc. This protected area harbors the most beautiful reefs in Cancun.
The Beaches
The entire coast is federal property and, therefore, open to all. From Downtown to Punta Cancun, the coast is protected by off-shore Isla Mujeres and the waves rarely rise above knee level, whereas the wide-open beaches from Punta Cancun to Punta Nizuc are pounded with strong surf and deceptive currents. Restaurants, bars and water sports facilities are available at most of the beaches.
The City of Cancun
Today 500,000 people share the joys of living in this burgeoning community. Cancun is an interesting agglomeration of large Supermanzanas, or SM, (neighborhoods) with small residential parks in the middle and large streets.
Downtown Cancun
The heart of Cancun is El Centro. Thousands of tourists flock to haggle with vendors at the mercados (markets), shops and boutiques, or to enjoy the exquisite plates and exotic drinks offered by Downtown restaurants, and bars.
Electricity
110 volts. Most hotels feature voltage converters that make most 220-volt electrical devices work.
Flora & Fauna
Cancun, along with the entire state of Quintana Roo, harbors a remarkable biodiversity. In the zone one can find 475 species of birds, 100 mammal species, 1,200 different species of plants and 2,500 marine species, among which are many different types of coral and other life forms, cohabiting with 500 species of multicolored tropical fish.
Geography
Cancun is located 19 degrees 39' 07" North, and 89 degrees 25' 52" West. The ground is formed by layers of limestone, where many underground cave and river systems form hundreds of natural sinkholes, called cenotes. Parallel to the coast is the second largest reef barrier in the world, 864 kilometers (535 mi.) long.
Getting Around
Buses, taxis, rent-a-cars, mopeds and bicycles are plentiful throughout the beaches and boulevards. Bus stops are sprinkled throughout Downtown and the Hotel Zone. While economical, buses are usually packed during peak hours. Taxi fares are fixed. In the Hotel Zone that depends on which zones you are traveling between, so ask the driver for the fare.
Language
All throughout Mexico, Spanish is the official language as it is in Cancun. A significant part of the population, mainly the indigenous, speaks Maya. Other common languages include English, French, German and Italian.
Population
Cancun currently has 600,000 inhabitants, most of which are not originally from this area. A cosmopolitan city, it harbors people from every corner of Mexico and the rest of the world.
Time
Cancun has a summer schedule (May to September) and another for the winter (October to April). According to the international time zones, Cancun is located - 6 hours of the Greenwich Meridian Time.
Weather
During the summer season—April through September—high temperatures average 36°C (97°F) and lows 29°C (84°F); during winter season—October through March—highs average 28°C (82°F), and lows 18°C (64°F). Cancun enjoys 253 sunny days per year. The rainy season goes from May to November.
Learn more about the best places in the Riviera Maya:
CANCUN | PUERTO MORELOS | PLAYA DEL CARMEN | XCARET | PUERTO AVENTURAS | AKUMAL
AKTUN CHEN | HIDDEN WORLDS | XEL-HA | TULUM |
