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| Cancun offers a variety of activities for all. |
 Whether you're anxious to get your sea legs back or you prefer your adventures on dry land, the choice of activities is plenty. The brilliant, clear blue waters surrounding the Hotel Zone paints the perfect backdrop for whatever strikes your fancy, whether it's beside the sea, beneath it, above it, or just beyond it.
Beautiful beaches beyond imagination, lagoons, tropical jungles, and fascinating archaeological sites are the backdrop for your Cancun adventures. Experience it all! |
 There is no denying that while Cancun has just about every recreational, sightseeing and entertainment option imaginable, it is probably the 14 miles of soft, powdery sands and crystal clear waters that will draw you here. Cancun has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Stride onto the powdery pleasure of the white sand and you will be tempted to lay out a towel and never leave.
These gorgeous beaches are a product of the limestone underneath the Yucatan peninsula and the pastel-colored coral reefs just offshore. Because of sand's porosity and pale color, it is always comfortable to walk on or lie on, even in the midday sun!
Most beaches in Cancun's Hotel Zone are spectacular, but there are subtle differences worth exploring. Because of the city's shape, similar to a number 7, the area offers two distinct beach experiences. The top of the 7, or northern side, faces the Bahia de Mujeres and has beaches prime for swimming and water sports. The lower portion of the 7 (its eastern side) is more open to the Caribbean Sea, and a place to watch the big waves roll excitedly onto the beach.
For a change of pace, there are many equally spectacular but less frequented beaches scattered along the 100-mile-long Riviera Maya to the south of Cancun. |
 Sooner or later, a dip in the warm turquoise waters will beckon. With the world's second largest barrier reef at its doorstep, off nearby Cozumel, no visit to Cancun is complete without a first hand view.Most hotels rent snorkeling gear if you don't bring your own. Dive trips can be booked through the hotels or at any of Cancun's 20 dive shops.
Cancun's miles of fabulous beaches make for some great days of sun and the fun of all your favorite watersports, or for a truly exceptional underwater experience, make the short trip (about five miles) to beautiful Isla Mujeres.
El Garrafón National Marine Park, at the southern end of Isla Mujeres, is a haven for snorkeling and swimming with its shallow coral reef and diversity of marine life, including dozens of varieties of tropical fish. For a true experience of a lifetime, seek out some of the region's numerous freshwater cenotes (sinkholes) or underground caverns. The swimming, snorkeling and diving is spectacular.
For experienced divers, the Cave of the Sleeping Giants is a fascinating discovery. Sixty feet down in the Caribbean Sea northeast of Isla Mujeres, the cave is home to immobile sharks that are a bizarre phenomenon, since sharks normally remain in constant motion in order to breath!
 The legendary waters of Cozumel (home to the world's second largest coral reef and the wrecks of many Spanish galleons) are popular for day trips. Guides accompany divers to an impressive underground cave system at Puerto Aventuras. Puerto Morelos, and Xel-ha are also popular sites
For novice snorkelers, a great place to learn is at Punta Nizuc at the southern tip of Cancun's "7". For a day trip, the main bay at Akumal (or "place of the turtles"), 59 miles south of Cancun, is a great snorkeling spot with its shallow, calm waters and more than 300 species of tropical fish.There are also several opportunities in the area to experience swimming with a dolphin, also an encounter you will not soon forget. |
 The calm waters of the Nichupte Lagoon, Bahía Mujeres and Isla Mujeres are ideal for lovers of all kinds of watersports. Some of the great choices include windsurfing, sailing, jetskiing and water-skiing. |
 Deep-sea and lagoon fishing are popular activities in Cancun. Catch red snapper and bonefish while fishing right in the sheltered bay, and you can charter a boat to go after bigger game. Sailfish and dolphin fish run from March through July, while blue and white marlin and bluefin tuna run from April to June. There are a variety of excellent daily fishing cruises available during the day and the evening. You can also charter boat trips for snorkeling, swimming, dinner or party cruises. Enjoy great times at sea, while the crew looks after the food and entertainment. |
| Back on land, there's no excuse not to get active! Play an unforgettable round of golf! Pok ta Pok, Hilton Cancun, and Playacar Golf Club are just some of the beautiful 18-hole golf courses in the region to challenge and inspire you with their unique landscapes and beautiful views.
Tennis courts are in plentiful supply and located in the larger hotels. A game of tennis is never better than when topped off with a trip to the local spa to work out any kinks! |
 There are several excellent spots for bird-watching, including the national wildlife reserve of Isla Contoy which is home to over 70 species of birds, and the archaeological site of Cobá. The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is a 1.3-million-acre park which is home to over 350 species of birds, including the rare Jabiru stork and over a million migratory songbirds from the U.S. and Canada. |
| There is just so much to do in this beautiful vacation destination! Pick from relaxing tours to the calm pleasure of horseback riding along secluded trails and beautiful coastlines.
Bicycles can be rented in town, for a ride along the scenic six-mile long bicycle path and promenade which runs from the Hotel Zone to downtown Cancun.
For a lively outing, bullfights can be seen on Wednesday afternoons during season. Or for those who prefer a quieter touch, the Ballet Folklorico Nacional de Mexico regularly showcases traditional Mexican folk dances. |
| Make the most of your vacation to Cancun!
With so much to see and do in Cancun, it is hard to choose what to do first. Here is our checklist of some of the top things not to be missed:
- Book a guided tour of the Mayan sites. The Yucatan Peninsula is home to some of the most inspiring archaeological finds in the western hemisphere, Chichen Itza, Coba, and Tulum are just a few. Don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity.
- Spend a day at one of the region's ecological parks. showcasing the area's fabulous natural environment with a range of entertaining activities both on water and on land. Speak to your official destination representative for details on the park that best suits your needs.
- Swim with the dolphins, some of nature's friendliest and most intelligent creatures! It's the experience of a lifetime.
- Explore the Cenotes scattered throughout the Mayan corridor, these underground caves and tunnels are the perfect setting for wondrous and extraordinary adventures.
- Take a trip to Isla Mujeres, the legendary 'Island of Women,' it's the perfect place to visit ruined temples, snorkel, sample regional cuisine or just relax on the beach.
- Visit Parque Nizuc and try out the Wet 'n Wild waterslides and multitude of amusements for a day of fun and adventure.
- Discover Cancun's famous nightclubs. The action starts around midnight, and the party might not end before the sun rises.
- Dine out in one of the fine restaurants. Sample the authentic Mexican cuisine, as well as the offerings from the many international chefs who have been drawn to the area.
- Golf on one of the region's spectacular and challenging courses.
- Visit Cozumel. This island is home to the world's second largest coral reef, and the fantastic snorkeling and diving attract visitors from around the globe.
- Take a romantic sunset cruise out on the calm waters while the crew takes care of all the food, refreshments, and entertainment.
- Enjoy an entertaining folkloric or dinner show. These colorful festivals of music, costume, and dance make for unforgettable evenings.
- Try out the vast assortment of aquatic activities on the sheltered waters of the Nichupté lagoon, or pilot your own boat on a Jungle Tour.
- Relax on one of the fabulous beaches with a tropical drink and enjoy the sun.
- Make a point of talking to your local destination representative to plan all of your activity and excursion options. |
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Parque Nizuc
Dolphins Discovery
Xel-Ha
Pok-Ta-Pok
Hilton Cancun Golf Club
Xcaret
Garrafon
Aktun Chen
AT & T
Aerocaribe
The Lobster Dinner Cruise
Isla Discovery
The Golf Club at Moon Palace
Bluewater Adventures
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