Tortugas beach

A heavenly beach, perfect for children because of its gentle waves. The transparency and shallowness of its waters remind one of a swimming pool. Opposite the pier there is a platform for practising bungee jumping. In the water, visitors have fun with the banana boats.
This is the site of the Hotel Riu Cancun, where you can hire material for all kinds of water sports: windsurfing, canoeing or small catamarans, for discovering the surrounding area.

Caracol beach

Like Tortugas beach, this is a perfect place for youngsters. The beach’s gentle slope means you can go a long way into the sea before being out of your depth. Its tranquil waters are ideal for bathing or sports such as water skiing, which is very popular on this beach.
On the seafront lies the Hotel Riu Palace las Americas, where you can hire diving material, windsurf boards, pedaloes and small dinghies.

Langosta beach

This is a very lively beach, popular with families of tourists. The transparency of its waters is unbeatable, and therefore diving is recommended around this area.
The Hotel Riu Caribe is on the beachfront. In it, you will find all the services you need for a perfect holiday: water sports, tennis, table tennis, etc.

Chichen Itzá

This ancient Mayan city, a symbol of a whole civilisation, stands in the midst of lush jungle vegetation. Its name means “city of the sorcerers”. When you visit it, you will perceive its magic immediately. Stretching over 15 kilometres in diameter, every stone, building and monument in this place has a value and a meaning.

Perhaps the most impressive construction is the Kukulkán pyramid. With an imposing structure, 24 m. high and 55 m. in diameter, it has 9 flights of 365 steps, one for every day of the year. During the equinoxes, between March and September, its orientation produces a play of light and shadows that project an image that takes on the shape of a serpent, and seems to descend the temple’s steps. For the Mayans, this was the image of one of their gods, Kukulkán or Quetzalcoatl.

A short stroll will take you to one of the most important sacred cenotes. These sinkholes, formed by rainwater that filters through the stones, were essential for Mayan civilisation. Apart from containing the drinking water that was essential for life, they were an important place for holding religious ceremonies.

Another extremely interesting construction is the Temple of the Warriors and the Thousand Columns. It is constructed on a building dedicated to the god Chaac Mool, whose figure still forms part of the complex.

The El Caracol observatory is yet another impressive building. It was used to study the stars - the Mayans were great astronomers – and has steps inside shaped like a snail shell.

Don’t miss the largest pelota ground of the Mayan area: 70 metres wide by 168 metres long. This activity was more than entertainment - it formed part of an important ritual: it was a representation of the creation of the universe, trying to recreate the cycle of life, death and reincarnation.

Chichen Itza is several hours away from Cancun by car. But the trip, a large part of which runs along a motorway, is well worthwhile, as this is one of the most amazing places that exist on Earth. Actually, in 2007 it was elected as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

Other archaeological remains

El Rey archaeological zone: The zone consists of a Mayan temple with several ceremonial platforms that reached the zenith of its splendour between 1250 and 1521, during the post-classical period. A colony of iguanas lives in the area, and they are not shy about approaching visitors. It lies on the outskirts of Cancun.

El Meco: This site also dates from the post-classical period and consists of several temples with columns, a large square and a very well-preserved pyramidal structure. From the top of El Meco you can see Lake Chacmochuc. It lies 6 km. north of Cancun.

Isla Mujeres turtle conservation centre

In the pools of this centre, which is dedicated to the protection and reproduction of turtles, you will be able to see several specimens of many different sizes: from babies weighing 100 gr. to adults of 300 kg. The centre also organises visits to the beaches where the three turtle species in the area lay their eggs.
In the laying season, the centre protects the eggs from predators. When the young turtles hatch, they are transferred to special pools where they stay for a year, until they are large enough not to be devoured by predators.
The centre is on the island of Isla Mujeres, 40 minutes away from Cancun by boat.

Holbox Island

This island houses a large number of protected species of flora and fauna. Between April and October a colony of 400,000 red flamingos visits it, producing a unique spectacle. Its waters are also a habitual refuge for dolphins and whale sharks.
The only village on the island is picturesque and peaceful, with unmade roads and a charming local population.

Scenic tower

From the top of this 110-m. tower, you will enjoy an incomparable panoramic view of the town and the coast. A perfect place for taking photographs.

Snorkelling

The coast of Cancun is protected by the second-largest reef in the world, and is therefore a privileged area for diving. Here are some of the most interesting places:

Nizuc Park: The Park has reefs of between 6 and 9 metres, with beautiful coral and tropical fish. Its waters are also home to numerous sharks and rays. It lies on the southernmost tip of the hotel zone, a few kilometres from the RIU hotels.

Garrafón Nature Reserve: Very close to Cancun, on the island of Isla Mujeres, you will find beautiful shallow reefs with a huge variety of flora and fauna: sponges, anemones, tropical fish, etc. The fish are not shy about surrounding and accompanying people as they swim. An extremely beautiful experience for the whole family.
Isla Mujeres is 40 minutes from Cancun by boat.

Isla Contoy: This nature reserve has reefs with a high level of visibility and at shallow depths (from 3 to 5m). Its waters house a large number of multi-coloured fish and crustaceans. If you’re lucky, you may bump into a turtle or two.

Diving

The great Mayan reef hides many treasures that will amaze even the most demanding divers:

Isla Holbox: Its shallow waters contain an abundance of turtles, dolphins and docile whale sharks. It forms part of the Isla Contoy National Park.

El Frío: 90 minutes away from Isla Mujeres by boat lies the hull of a 60-m.cargo ship. The waters in the area are unusually cold, hence its name. The wreckage has been colonised by the coral and numerous tropical species: turtles, sharks, dolphins, whale sharks.

Canoeing

Nichupté Lagoon: The mangrove swamps of this interior lagoon that borders on the hotel zone are extremely beautiful. Just a few minutes from your hotel, you will have the impression of being in the jungle.

Garrafón Nature Reserve on Isla Mujeres: The transparency of the waters here means you will have no trouble at all seeing numerous tropical fish under your canoe.

Family fun: Aqua Park

This is a place that promises a great deal of fun for the whole family. It has slides, wave pools and a long beach of white sand.

Golf

Pok-ta-pok: Cancun’s most prestigious course lies a few minutes from the hotel zone. The route runs between the Nichupté lagoon and the ocean, and also contains some modest Mayan ruins.

Specialities

Meat: The cuisine of Yucatan has strong indigenous influences. The most representative dish is marinated suckling pig, wrapped in palm leaves and cooked in a hole in the ground.

Fish: Tikinxic (fish cooked in Mayan barbecue style) is also extremely popular, as are curried shrimps, another local speciality. There is also an abundance of lobster, snails, grouper, sea bass and red snapper.

Shopping

The best place for buying craft items is the centre of Cancun. In market 28 and Avenida Tulum you will find beautiful handmade objects: silver jewellery, shell and coral necklaces and even small clay figures of the images of Mayan gods.

If you prefer large American-style shopping centres, you will find them in Avenida Kukulkán, in the hotel zone. The numerous malls contain luxurious boutiques with the most famous international brands.