ECOTOURISM AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES:
Outdoor activities:
In Cancun, one of the most romantic things you can do is go horseback riding, whether it’s on the beach admiring the gorgeous scenery, or in the in the lush surroundings of the jungle. There are daily horseback excursions that begin at 8:00 am, 10:30 am and 1:30 pm and last for about four or five hours. The horses depart from Plaza Kukulkan.

Scuba diving:
Cancun is one of the best places in Mexico to scuba dive and snorkel. Its favorable location on the Yucatan Peninsula, which offers crystalline waters and abundant marine life, makes it a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Under its turquoise-blue waters, you’ll find hundreds of multicolored fish, sponges, crustaceans, anemone, tunicates, mollusks, and incredible reefs inhabited by various coral species. When diving in this area, you should be careful not to harm the reefs since a damaged formation can take more than 500 years to recover. Some of the best places to dive are: Isla Contoy, Isla Holbox, Puerto Morelos, Parque Nizuc, Xcaret, Xel-Há, Akumal, Tres Palos, Tres Ríos Ecopark, Parque Natural Garrafón, El Farito, the Arrecife Manchones and Cruz Submarina.

Extreme sports:
Cancun was one of Mexico’s first destinations to offer bungee jumping. Currently, there are three bungee platforms. The most well-known of the three is on a dock at Fat Tuesday’s in Playa Tortugas. It is 20 meters (66 feet) high and daring jumpers can freefall until their heads touch the water below.

Ecotourism:
Cancun is a paradise surrounded by jungles, parks and nature reserves. In these places, you can see many different kinds of exotic birds, endangered animals, and an abundant and spectacular marine life. You can also explore sinkholes, underground rivers, caverns and caves, where bats and other species live. In short, you can enjoy a close encounter with nature. At crocodile farms and turtle sanctuaries, you can learn about the reproductive processes and life cycles of these species, and you can help protect the region’s Hawksbill Turtles.

Kayaking:
Cancun is a great place for kayaking. While paddling around in its calm waters, you can get plenty of exercise as you take in the incredible scenery of the Caribbean Sea and the hotel zone. Or you can watch a beautiful sunset at Nichupte Lagoon, where birds, turtles and crocodiles inhabit mangroves. Other ideal places for kayaking are: Puerto Morelos, the Parque Natural Garrafón and the Tres Rios Ecopark

Fishing:
Cancun ranks among one of the top destinations for sport fishing. In the marinas and in nearly all the hotels, fishing tours are offered. The boats depart at 10:00 am and return in the late afternoon. You can rent a private boat or go on a group outing. February to April is a good time of year to catch kingfish, barracuda, shark, and blue marlin. From September to February, you’ll reel in barracuda, grouper, jackfish and kingfish. From April to August, you’ll hook blue marlin, sailfish, tuna, bonito and dorado. In annual fishing tournaments off the coast, these species are caught and returned to the sea. Prizes go to fishermen who catch the biggest fish. The most recommended areas for fishing are: Cozumel (Throughout the year, the waters of the Mexican Caribbean’s largest island offer sierra, mackerel, barracuda, kingfish, snapper and shark. From March to June, you’ll find blue marlin, sailfish, dorado and white marlin ;) at Akumal (this place offers sport fishing outings for those looking to catch sailfish, marlin, barracuda and bonito,) Isla Mujeres (fishing is the island’s mainstay of life. Off its coast, you can catch such species as marlin and dorado, among others,) Isla Holbox (the island is known for its shark fishing, you can catch hammerhead and blue sharks, as well as jackfish and tarpon) and Puerto Morelos (a fishing village where fishermen catch blue and white marlin, dorado, tuna and barracuda.)

Surfing:
Cancun has some great spots for windsurfing, where enthusiasts can glide across the water as they are pushed by the wind and strong ocean currents. If you’d like to do some windsurfing, just about every beach and many hotels rent all the necessary equipment. One of the best areas to practice this sport is Puerto Morelos.

Golf:
For those who enjoy golfing, Cancun has several world-class courses that offer the unparalleled beauty of the Mexican Caribbean. These are some of the most known golf courses:

• Club de Golf Cancun en Pokta Pok: 18 holes, par 72 - Robert Trent Jones
• Cozumel Country Club: 18 holes, par 72 – Nicklaus
• El Camaleón, Mayakoba: 18 holes, par 72 – Greg Norman
• Hilton Golf Club: 18 holes, par 72 – Aoki y Guereca
• Iberostar Playa Paraíso Golf Club: 18 holes, par 72 – B. P. Dye
• Moon Spa & Golf Club: 27 holes – Nicklaus
• Grand Oasis: 9 holes, par 27
• Playa Mujeres Golf Club: 18 holes, par 72 – Greg Norman
• Playacar Spa & Golf Club: 18 holes, par 72 – Robert von Hagge

Boating:
In Cancun’s hotel zone, there are several private marinas that sell and rent equipment for yachts and small boats. In Playa Linda, at Km 4 on Kukulkan Blvd (near the Torre Escenica), you’ll find the Embarcadero marine station, which provides gas and electrical refueling services, filtered water, and fishing and scuba diving equipment hire.

SPAs:
Cancun’s most exclusive hotels have modern spas that offer aerobics classes, massages, and diverse treatments to relax, humidify the skin, and to recover lost energy.

ARCHEOLOGY:
In Cancun and its surrounding areas, many ruins and ceremonial grounds have been discovered, where the Mayans used to pray and pay homage to their gods.

ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE EL REY:
Located at Km 17.5 on Kukulkan Boulevard in Cancun’s hotel zone, just in front of Nichupte Lagoon. It was one the first archaeological zones discovered in Cancun. Many of the objects found there are now on exhibit in the Cancun Archaeological Museum, next to the convention center. According to experts in the field, El Rey was an important ceremonial center that reached its height during the Postclassic period (1250-1521). The architectural style resembles those found in other nearby sites such as Tulum, Xel-Ha and El Meco. On your tour of the site, you’ll notice that the constructions, like structure 3B, are very well conserved. Inside, you’ll find traces of an original painting in what was presumably a king’s tomb, which explains why the site is called El Rey (The King).

ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE EL MECO:
Located six kilometers north of Cancun along the state highway that goes to Punta Sam, this archaeological zone was opened to the public in April 2001. There you can find ruins of several temples and remains of columns, a large square, and a well-conserved pyramid construction.

ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE OF TULUM:
An ancient Mayan city located 128 kilometers south of Cancun. It was one of the region’s main cities and was built on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. It is surrounded by a wall on three of its sides and has five entryways and two watchtowers. The most important structures are the Castle, two temples and the House of the Ruler, who was known as the Halach Uinic (the True Man).

ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE OF CHICHEN-ITZA:
Located at 200 kilometers from Cancun and 120 kilometers from Merida, on Highway 180 in the northern region of the Yucatan Peninsula. It was the most important regional capital of the Mayans from 750-1200 and it is considered today as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Things to see include the Castle (the Pyramid of Kukulkan) with 365 steps, the Ball Court, la Plaza de Mil Columnas (the Plaza of a Thousand Columns), el Cenote Sagrado (the Sacred Sinkhole), and the Temple of the Tables and Warriors.

ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE OF COBA:
You can arrive there by taking the Cancun - Chetumal Highway. When you reach Tulum, take the Km 47 turnoff, which will take you directly to the town and the archaeological zone. An important political and commercial center, Coba was one of the most populated Mayan cities. You’ll appreciate its grandeur when you see a temple that is 25 meters (82 feet) high within the Coba Group, a cluster of urban structures. Another important structure is the Nohoch Mul, one of the highest Mayan constructions ever built, which towers 42 meters (138 feet) high.

ARTS AND CRAFTS:
In the marketplaces and shopping malls of Cancun’s hotel zone, as well as those located on Tulum Avenue and in the downtown area, you’ll find all kinds of traditional Mexican crafts: Cowboy hats, brightly colored sarapes, sliver jewelry, and other items, like earrings and necklaces with figures of Mayan deities made from seashells or clay.

FESTIVALS AND TRADITIONS:
Cancun, a place of mixed cultures, takes the best of both worlds (pre-Hispanic and Hispanic) to celebrate its traditions throughout most of the year. In the region, you’ll see diverse forms of celebrations: Cockfights, carnivals and religious festivities held during Easter week and Christmas. Other important dates include December 12 (the Virgin of Guadalupe Day) and April 20 (the date commemorating the founding of Cancun.)

GASTRONOMY:
Cancun has more than 500 restaurants that offer the best in national and international cuisine. Because it is a beach resort, the specialties are fish and seafood dishes. Still, you’ll find many places that offer vegetarian dishes or delicious Mayan cuisine like spiced pork, chicken and rabbit dishes. The staples are beans, corn, and Serrano and Habanero chili peppers.

You’ll also come across tasty rice dishes and deserts. As far as Cancun’s fish and seafood dishes, you can eat lobster, sea snail, grouper and red snapper. The region is also known for such exquisite traditional dishes as el Tikinxic (fish prepared Mayan barbeque style), pan de cazon (shredded shark baked in tomato sauce and served on a tortilla), and curry shrimp.

MUSEUMS:
Cancun has two museums in the hotel zone, where they exhibit archaeological pieces and regional arts and crafts.

Archeological Museum of Cancun: Located next to the convention center. This museum, in a joint effort with the National History and Anthropological Institute, known as INAH, displays more than 100 archaeological pieces that were excavated from some of the state’s most important pre-Hispanic sites.

Museum of Popular Mexican Art: Located at the Embarcadero, next to the Cancun Theater, this museum exhibits many examples of popular arts and crafts made in different cultural regions throughout the nation.

SHOPPING:
Cancun has many important marketplaces, shopping malls, and artisan markets where you can find all kinds of souvenirs. In the hotel zone, we recommend that you visit Plaza Caracol, Plaza Flamingos, Plaza La Isla, and Plaza Kukulkan, modern shopping complexes with a wide array of stores, boutiques and jewelry and perfume shops. In the downtown area, we recommend that you visit Plaza Las Americas and the stores that sell crafts along Tulum Avenue and at Mercado 28. Most of these businesses are open from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., however some close during lunch hours from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

AMUSEMENT AND RECREATION:
Cancun is one of the best places in Mexico to relax and enjoy your free time. It offers a wide variety of entertainment options, amusement parks, nature outings, ecological reserves, bathing resorts and zoos. We recommend that you visit the following places:

Torre Escenica: Located at Km 4 in the hotel zone, this structure towers 110 meters (363 feet) high and offers a panoramic view of the city and the Caribbean Sea.

Interactive Aquarium: Located in Plaza La Isla at Km 12.5 in the hotel zone, this aquarium, the first of its kind in Latin America, features a wide variety of fish that live in the Caribbean Sea. Its main attraction is a shark tank that allows you to have an interactive experience with various types of sharks.

Wet ‘n Wild: Located in the hotel zone at Km 25 in Punta Nizuc. This aquatic park offers fun for the whole family with its waterslides, wave pool, more than 800 feet of white-sand beaches, and so much more

ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS EVENTS:
Year-round, Cancun hosts many world-class events ranging from food and film festivals to important fishing tournaments and sailboat races.

Cancun Banamex Triathlon: This event, which takes place in October, has been held for several years now. Athletes from all over the world and off all ages descend on Cancun to compete in the triathlon, which combines swimming, bicycling and running.

Festival Internacional del Caribe Mexicano: This annual food festival runs from October to November. The festival features international cuisine prepared by Mexico’s top chefs. There are other activities as well, such as competitions to pick Mexico’s best chef or bartender. Because different restaurants are picked each year to host the festival, the location of the event changes annually.

Centro de Convenciones Cancun Center: This convention center has been one of the preferred places where diverse artists from all over the world have exhibited their work.

La Plaza de Toros: Located on Bonampak Avenue, a venue that offers concerts, sports events and other live entertainment.

Puerto Aventuras: Located on the Mayan Riviera, this place hosts international fishing and golf competitions and sailboat races.

NIGHTLIFE:
Cancun is the best place to have fun at night. If you’re looking to dance to the beat of Latin rhythms, we recommend the Cocobongo, located in Plaza Forum. For those who like pop and electronic music, The City, El Alebrije and La Boom are good options. For live music, check out Dady Rock, El Bulldog, or The Hard Rock Café.

Nearby, along Kukulkan Boulevard, you can listen to Latin and Caribbean sounds at Mango Tango, a place with ten years of tradition. If you want to do something totally different, you can take a cruise on a replica of a Spanish galleon, where you’ll be waited on by pirates and enjoy a delicious meal, an open bar and dancing. There are also other boats that offer romantic night tours and dinner on the Caribbean Sea.

For prices, reservations, availability and bookings, please contact us at: visit@luxuriousmexico.com