Cancun is Mexico's calling card to the world.

It showcases perfectly both the country's breathtaking natural beauty and the depth of its thousand-year history.

Cancun is why most people travel to Mexico. The sheer number of travelers underscores Cancún's magnetic appeal. Nearly three million people visit this enticing beach resort annually. Most of them are on their first trip to the country. There are numerous and obvious reasons.

In the Riviera Maya , Cancun offers an unrivaled combination of:

• High-quality accommodations ( from Luxury all inclusive resorts in Cancun to small hotels beach front)
• Dreamy beaches
• Easy air access
• A wide diversity of shopping, restaurants, and night life
• Attractions in Cancun and nearby activities, most of them exceptional value
• The lure of ancient cultures evident in all directions
• A number of ecologically-oriented theme parks

Without doubt, Cancun embodies Caribbean splendor.
It offers translucent turquoise waters and powdery white-sand beaches. These are coupled with coastal areas of great natural beauty.
But Cancun is also a modern mega resort. Even a nervous traveler will feel completely at ease here.

English is spoken, American dollars are accepted, roads are well-maintained, and lawns are manicured. Malls are the places to shop and dine. Some hotels are larger than a small town. Visitors feel comfortable in Cancun Riviera Maya.
They can settle in right away when they see familiar names for restaurants, stores, night clubs, and hotels.

In 1974, a team of Mexican government computer analysts choose Cancun for tourism development. They liked its ideal mix of elements to attract travelers, and they were right on.

Cancun is an island. It is a 24 km (14 mile) sliver of land linked to the mainland by two bridges and separated from it by the expansive Nichupté lagoon. (Cancún means "golden snake" in Mayan.)

In addition to attractions of its own, Cancun is a convenient day-trip distance from the more traditional resorts of:

• Isla Mujeres
• The coastal zone now known as the Riviera Maya, which extends down from Cancún, through:
• Playa del Carmen
• The Maya ruins at Tulum
• Cozumel
• Chichén Itzá
• Cobá.

There are more things to do in Cancun than in a visitor’s holiday period.
Among the most popular diversions are:

• Snorkeling
• Jet-skiing
• Jungle tours
• Visits to ancient Maya ruins and modern ecological theme parks.

There are also:

• A dozen malls with name-brand and duty-free shops (with European goods at prices better than in the U.S.)
• More than 350 restaurants and nightclubs.
• More than 24,000 hotel rooms offering something for every taste and budget

The Cancun luxury hotels have spectacular pools. It may be tempting to remain poolside, but don't. Spend some time just gazing into the ocean and wriggling your toes in the fine, brilliantly white sand. This same sand put Cancun on the map.