Cancun

Trip preparation

Cancun is a city on the coast of the “Yucatan” Peninsula and is located in the northeast of the federal state of “Quintana Roo”. Cancun is the center of the tourist region of the Riviera Maya and has about 880,000 inhabitants. In the Mayan language “Cancun” means "nest of snakes". The Cancun region has the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere.

Language

The official language in Cancun is Spanish, however in the tourism industry most Mexicans speak English and possibly French, Italian and German.

Currency

Mexico’s currency is the Mexican Peso.

Best travel time

You can go to Cancun at any time during the year. The weather in Cancun is generally quite hot and humid with a tropical climate. The temperature ranges from 20-30 C from October to March and from 22- 33 C from April to September. However during September and October the area has some risks of hurricanes occurring.

Visa requirements

To enter Cancun no Visa is required, your passport will be sufficient. Until 1950 Cancun was an island in the Caribbean Sea with people who lived of fishing and in pre-Hispanic ruins of the Mayans. In 1969 the Mexican government decided to create a tourist region In Cancun due to the fact that many tourists started coming to Acapulco. The construction project for Cancun was developed by “Agustín Landa Verdugo”. They also built an international airport in the southwest of the city. From the 1970s Cancún began to experience a boom. Many hotels were built along the "hotel zone" which extends to about 20km. Most of the tourists came from the U.S. and Canada. Especially during spring break many young Americans go to Cancun, describing it as the Mexican Mallorca and Ibiza. In contrast to other cities in Mexico, in Cancun there is no central square or a cathedral and other historic buildings.In 2003 the fifth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization was held in Cancun. And in 2005 Cancun was hit by the Hurricane Wilma.

Vaccinations

Other than the standard vaccinations, no other vaccinations are needed.

Traditions and Culture

Cancun is a city that has grown and developed considerably in recent years. Due to the tourist industry many Mexicans from different regions and other countries have found jobs in Cancun. Cancun is characterized by the folklore, gastronomy and customs of the state of Yucatan and the Mayan culture. A Tradition in Cancun is the “National Folkloric Ballet” of Mexico which is a decade-old production dedicated to the diverse history of the country.

Religion

Most people in Cancun are Catholic. The second largest religious group is Protestant / Evangelical.

By bus

The bus service runs every hour from 8 am until 8 pm which travels to the central bus station in Cancun and the “Playa del Carmen” from 10.50 am until 19.00 pm. The bus ride from the airport to downtown Cancun takes about 25 minutes.

By plane

Cancun International Airport (CUN) is located 22km southwest of downtown Cancun. The airport has several car rental providers.

By taxi

Taxis can be found anywhere, from the airport, on the streets or can simply be ordered by the hotel reception.

Experience and enjoy

Events/ Lifestyle Apart from the beautiful sandy beaches, Cancun has much to offer, for example, there are entertainment areas, top quality hotels and archaeological sites. In addition, there are several possibilities to go shopping, two golf courses, numerous restaurants and nightclubs. Cancun is famous for its nightlife. In addition, during February the carnival season is celebrated in this region. The clear water is ideal for snorkeling and has the second largest coral reef in the world which is only a few hundred meters away from the beach.

Sights

Sights worth visiting include: - “North-South Dialogue Source” - The “Statue of Kukulcan” - “City Hall and Plaza de la Reforma” - Monuments of the History of Mexico - Kabah Ecological Park -Island of Women in the “Bahia de Mujeres”

Food

The typical food of Cancun is combined by a mixture of European and Mayan flavors. Cancun local specialties which are extremely popular include: “Pescado Tikin Xic”, which is fish prepared with achiote and baked banana leaves. “Cochinita Pibil” which is a dish made from pork marinated in achiote, peppercorns, garlic, cumin and salt. This is usually served with fresh tortillas and chopped pink onions. “Panuchos” which are corn tortillas filled with black bean paste topped with chicken lettuce, tomato and pink onions. “Sopa de Lima” which is a chicken soup including lime and strips of fried tortilla and many more delicious specialties.