Cancun Tours &
Activities
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The Riviera Maya is the strip from Cancun to
Tulum which includes fishermen's villages such as of Puerto Morelos, Playa
del Carmen, Playacar, Secreto, Perserverancia, Punta Bete Bay, Akumal,
Tankah, Punta Soliman and Tulum. The ecological parks of Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xpu-Ha
and Tres Rios are located within this area. The Riviera Maya will be able to
offer ten to fifteen attractive options for visitors and will have between
15,000 - 25,000 hotel rooms within the next few years. Naturally, this would
be a fantastic complement for Cancun since it would open limitless
opportunities for tourism to the region. The harmonious conjunction of
nature reserve and selected development centers is clearly the perfect
response to those concerned with managing the volatile mixture of tourism
and environmental protection, both today and tomorrow. Take a day to visit
these beautiful areas, especially the quaint town of Playa del Carmen where
there are numerous shops and restaurants on the famous 5th avenue. |
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Xel Ha |
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Xel-Ha is an extended
natural formation, made up of a group of inlets, lagoons, sinks holes and
caves that are fed by a mixture of subterranean rivers and springs that make
XEL-HA the worlds largest natural aquarium. Snorkeling or swimming in the
Inlet or placidly floating down the River, sunbathing or walking on the
Beach, following the many Paths that lead into the jungle or admire the two
Cenotes (sink holes), discover the vestiges of an ancient Mayan wall, all
this surrounded by an vast array of tropical fish, birds, butterflies,
iguanas, macaws and ducks. XEL-HA also offers one of the highest quality
dolphin swims in the world. The infrastructure backed by the latest
technology in the care of these beautiful marine mammals, allows you to
enjoy this very privileged experience. (This activity has an additional cost
to the admission fee to the park). |
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Xcaret Sacred Paradise |
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Xcaret has an unbelievable underground
river, which is quite common to the Yucatan Peninsula, since the area is
filled with underground rivers. Let the gentle current carry you through
the crystalline water of this 1,590 feet underground waterway. You will
be amazed by the marvels of this subterranean world that millions of
years ago formed part of the ocean floor. The light current allows you
the peacefully drift along the river, letting you relax and enjoy the
magical sky-lit caves. You will be provided with a life-jacket for the
journey. Xcaret also has a wonderful inlet which is perfect for
beginners to learn how to snorkel, since it has no waves and is only
about 3.5 feet deep. Xcaret is filled with magnificent clear blue water
and hundreds of tropical fish who happily approach swimmers. In this
place you can feed fish with the special food that is sold by Xcaret. |
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Isla Mujeres |
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Isla Mujeres is a tiny Caribbean island located
six nautical miles off the coast of Cancun in Mexican territorial waters.
Its picturesque name, which translates ' Women Island' dates to the early
15th century when the Spanish conquistadors found female figurines scattered
on the beach as they landed on the island's shores for the first time. One
of the mayor attractions of Isla Mujeres Garrafón-Punta Sur Park, an
environmentally protected area located on the southern tip of the island.
The Park encompasses both land and sea: a section of the longest reef in the
hemisphere, and the highest point on the island. The reef is in the shallow
water-perfect for snorkeling-while the cliffs above offer a panoramic view
of the Island, the Caribbean Sea, and Cancun’s skyline beyond |
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El Rey Ruins |
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Dating back to the Mayan post-classical period;
its name is derived from the skeleton discovered on the upper part of the
larger mound. The Mayan fishermen built this small ceremonial center and
settlement very early in the history of Maya civilization. It was then
abandoned, to be resettled later near the end of the Post classic period,
not long before the arrival of the conquistadores. The platforms of numerous
small temples are visible amid the banana plants, papayas, and wildflowers.
The Hilton Golf Course has been built around the ruins, but there is a
separate entrance for sight-seers. |
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Water Sports |
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Many beachside hotels offer water-sports centers
that offer rentals for rubber rafts, kayaks, wind-surfing, motorized jets
and water skis, para-sailing, and snorkeling equipment. On the calm Nichupte
Lagoon are outlets for water-skiing, sailboats, water jets, and water skis.
The most popular activity to this beautiful lagoon is the Jungle Tour. Ride
on a mini-boat for 2 persons through the jungle and then enjoy excellent
snorkeling. Jungle Tours are usually a 3 hour tour, perfect for those with a
tight schedule. |
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Parque Nizuc (Wet 'n Wild) |
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This water park is formed by three different
attractions, Wet' n Wild, Atlantida and Baxal-Ha. Wet' n Wild is to play in
refreshing pools of water, slide down the water toboggans at dizzying
speeds. The Wet' n Wild classics are: Twister, Kamikaze, Bubba Tub, Double
Space Bowl, Lazy River, Kid's Park, Bubble Up and Wave Pool. Take a ride
from 180 ft up on the Sky coaster and fly at speeds of over 60 mph. Wet n'
Wild is the perfect place for carefree day of fun and adventure. The
Satlantida is to learn the secrets of the dolphins in their natural
environment. These sociable mammals will be ready to play with you. Visitors
may choose between the Dolphin Interactive Program (DIP) and the Dolphin
Swim Program (DSP). Or explore the world of Baxal-Ha, a safe place to
snorkel and watch stingrays, nurse sharks, tropical fish and a variety of
other marine wildlife in their environment. The park is one of the first
attractions of Cancun coming from the airport. |
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Folkloric Ballet |
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Nightly performances of the Ballet Folklorico de
Cancun are held at the Cancun Convention Center. You can go for dinner or
just for the show to enjoy the traditional Mexican Dances performed. |
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Puerto Morelos |
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Puerto Morelos is 22 miles to the south -it’s
a fishing port with stunning beaches, where you can try fresh fish and
seafood. Don’t forget to visit the crocodile zoo. |
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Bullfight
Show |
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Cancun has its own small bull-ring near the
northern end of Blvd. Kukulcan, in the downtown area. Bullfights are
specially performed for the tourist and their children; it is a less
shocking bullfight, not as real as they are in other cities. The show is
combined with folkloric dances, and a Mexican horse-riding charro-style
performance. The show is held every Wednesday at 3.30pm. |
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Chichen-Itzá |
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Chichen-Itzá is located at 120 km East of Mérida
and 190 km West of Cancun, in the state of Yucatan. Hidden by the jungle for
hundreds of years the great cities of the Mayans are being reclaimed.
Exactly why this civilization collapsed is still a mystery. One of the
greatest sites and the most fully restored is the huge site of Chichen-Itzá,
one of the most visited, by its extraordinary architectonic beauty and
geographic location. It was discovered in the year 514 of our age by the
priest Lakin Chan, who was called Itzamná. While Europe was still in the
midst of the Dark Ages, these amazing people had mapped the heavens, evolved
the only true writing system native to the Americas and were masters of
mathematics. They invented a calendar as accurately as the one used today.
Without metal tools, beasts of burden or even the wheel they were able to
construct vast cities across a huge jungle landscape with an amazing degree
of architectural perfection and variety. Their legacy in stone, which has
survived in a spectacular fashion it places such as Palenque, Tikal, Tulum,
Chichen-Itzá, Palenque, Copan and Uxmal; the Maya are probably the
best-known of the classical civilizations of Mesoamerica. Originating in the
Yucatan Peninsula around 2600 BC, they rose to prominence around AD 250 in
present-day. |
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Cozumel Multicolor Paradise |
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The Island of Cozumel was named by its first
inhabitants the Mayans who named it "Cumail", which means Land of the
Swallows. The Mayans considered Cozumel a sacred place. Cozumel is world
renown for its excellent diving and snorkeling. Chancanaab Park is a very
popular place for diving and snorkeling. A complete park with restaurant,
beach area and some of the very best snorkeling. The Palancar underwater
national Park includes the cape beach of the same name. It is a beautiful
spot, perhaps the best in the world for diving and fishing. Its reef is the
second largest in the world, and has attracted the likes of Jacques
Cousteau. The water activities never end. If you want to get out of the
water, tour Cozumel on Moped, a very popular way to experience Cozumel. Day
tours are available from Cancun for a diving tour, snorkeling tour or to
just tour the island. The town of San Miguel offers ocean front cafes and
international duty free shops and the friendliest people in the Caribbean. |
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Tulum |
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Open daily from 8am-5pm. Magnificently situated,
teetering on a craggy cliff overlooking the Caribbean, the walled ruins of
Tulum have become the crossroads for sun-worshippers and archaeological
enthusiasts. From the cliff top site a path winds down to an idyllic beach;
other coves that dot this stretch of coastline make it a favorite day-trip.
The approach from Highway 307 leads into a giant car park with a sprawling
shopping complex. From here you can take a toy train or walk to the site. A
second turn-off near the village leads to the Zona Hotelera along the coast
as far as Punta Allen. |
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Parque Nizuc (Wet 'n Wild) |
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This water park is formed by three different
attractions, Wet' n Wild, Atlantida and Baxal-Ha. Wet' n Wild is to play in
refreshing pools of water, slide down the water toboggans at dizzying
speeds. The Wet' n Wild classics are: Twister, Kamikaze, Bubba Tub, Double
Space Bowl, Lazy River, Kid's Park, Bubble Up and Wave Pool. Take a ride
from 180 ft up on the Sky coaster and fly at speeds of over 60 mph. Wet n'
Wild is the perfect place for carefree day of fun and adventure. The
Satlantida is to learn the secrets of the dolphins in their natural
environment. These sociable mammals will be ready to play with you. Visitors
may choose between the Dolphin Interactive Program (DIP) and the Dolphin
Swim Program (DSP). Or explore the world of Baxal-Ha, a safe place to
snorkel and watch stingrays, nurse sharks, tropical fish and a variety of
other marine wildlife in their environment. The park is one of the first
attractions of Cancun coming from the airport. |
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Interactive Aquarium |
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Opening soon at La Isla Shopping Center. |
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Clubs & Music |
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Clubbing or discoing in Cancun is a raucous
affair. Several of the big hotels have night-clubs, and the hotel zone is
filled up with bars and discos, to live salsa dancing clubs. Great fun and
long night life has made Cancun such a popular place. |
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Anthropology Museum |
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To the right of the entrance to the Convention
Center is the Museo Arqueológico de Cancun, a small but interesting museum
with relics from archaeological sites around the state. |
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Boating Excursions |
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A whole variety of pleasure boat cruises to the
Nichupte lagoon, Isla Mujeres, Contoy Island, and other destinations are
available every day from Cancun. Modern motor yachts, catamarans, tri-marans,
and even old time sloops take swimmers, sunbathers, snorklers, and shoppers
out into the limpid waters. Some tours include a snorkeling stop at
ecological park a whole variety of pleasure boat cruises to the Nichupte
lagoon, Isla Mujeres, Contoy Island, and other destinations are available
every day from Cancun. Modern motor yachts, catamarans, tri-marans, and even
old time sloops take swimmers, sunbathers, snorklers, and shoppers out into
the limpid waters. Some tours include a snorkeling stop at ecological parks,
snorkeling equipment, continental breakfast, lunch, and a shopping tour.
Most tours leave at 9.30 or 10am and they last about 5 to 6 hours, Sunset
and night cruises, go to beaches of Isla Mujeres away from the town for
pirate shows, Caribbean shows and usually include a lobster dinner or
Mexican buffet and open bar. |
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Contoy Island |
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An uninhabited Island that has turned into a
Bird Sanctuary for large nesting colonies and wild frigates. Located about
45 minutes north of Isla Mujeres. Isla Contoy has a lookout tower with a
spectacular panoramic view. Full day excursions are available daily. A
limited number of visitors are allowed and therefore reservations are a
must. The day trip includes Continental Breakfast, snorkeling along the way
and lunch on the beaches of Contoy. During your visit to Contoy you will
find numerous species of birds and other wildlife. This is an incredible
experience. |
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Puerto Juarez and Punta Sam |
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Located four miles north of Cancun. Ferry boats
leave from both ports for Isla Mujeres. |
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