Cancun map & travel guide

The name “Cancun” conjures up thoughts of beautiful beaches and the ultimate in nightlife. Both true, but it is also the most developed of Mexico's Caribbean resort destinations—often compared to Miami Beach.

Cancun's hotel zone is a narrow island shaped like the number 7. The long spine of this 7 is lined with 7.5 miles (12 km) of wide, white-sand beaches, pounded by the crashing waves (this is the area where most major hotels are located). The top of the 7 has 4.3 miles (7km) of beach, interrupted by areas of rugged rock. This area forms a bay that is protected from the crashing waves. Between the island and the mainland is Nichupte lagoon. There are hotels on the lagoon side, but we don't recommend the lagoon for swimming (keep that in mind when choosing a hotel).

Most hotels have recently changed to all-inclusive; as a blanket statement, we aren't totally impressed with this option. Cancun hotels are typically much smaller than the sprawling all-incllusive resorts located south along the Riviera Maya; and don't have room for a variety of restaurants. A few hotels may only have one, or two, dining areas; after a week you could grow quite weary of the same atmosphere every day. Skip the all-inclusive offering, and you'll have an assortment of fantastic restaurants (and fast food) at your fingertips, but you'll have to leave the resort to dine.

Leaving the resort couldn't be easier. Cancun has a bus system that runs through the entire length of the hotel zone, with buses passing by every few minutes. There are also plenty of taxis, however we consider them rather expensive. Don't rent a car when staying in Cancun. Parking is at a premium, traffic is congested, and the police–well, just don't rent a car unless you are taking a day-trip outside the city.

Nightlife may be second to none. There are five large nightclubs, and dozens of smaller clubs (called Party Bars) located in the Punta Cancun area (where the two legs of the 7 meet). The action starts late, and doesn’t end until sunrise, so you might want to consider a nap between your day in the sun, and your night at the clubs.

For shopping, there are the usual flea markets filled with stalls selling souvenirs, and Mexican handicrafts. There are several malls, but they are small to medium size by U.S. Standards. Inside you'll find boutique shops, souvenir vendors, basic supplies, and food courts. Plaza La Isla shopping village is our favorite. Built around a Venitian-style canal, it's a beautiful place for an evening stroll under the stars.