TRAVEL CANCUN
(including Chichen Itza)
(including Chichen Itza)
GENERAL INFORMATION- Cancun is a vacation paradise with beautiful beaches, sparkling waters, temperate weather & sunny skies, and an estimated 30,000 hotel rooms offering enough options to satisfy every taste .Cancun is considered one of Mexico's top tourist destinations because of its great natural beauty. Cancún, is on the Yucatán Peninsula bordering the Caribbean Sea. The turquoise sea filled with colourful fish and coral reefs, soft white sandy beaches, attract visitors from all over the world.
Magnificent resorts in Cancun, establish it as a top destination for offering comfort, relaxation, fun, and adventure. Cancún is also the gateway to the Riviera Maya and the Yucatán interior, which has numerous archaeological sites, such as Chichen Itza, Cobá and Tulum as well as the many cenotes .It was just a small sand barrier some 35 years ago when the plan to begin and to develop it into a vacation haven of the 21st century. Today, Cancun consists of a medium-sized coastal city and a long, thin island connected to the mainland through bridges at its north and south ends. It offers something for everyone, from an all-day fun party beach to an isolated, tranquil island.
Cancún is naturally divided into two distinctive districts, the famous Hotel Zone (Zona Hoteléra) and the actual city of Cancún, known as Centró. The Hotel Zone, shaped like a narrow horseshoe and surrounded by 22 kilometres of pure white sandy beach, is linked to the city on the mainland via the four-lane Boulevard Kukulcán. Cancun's hotel zone is shaped like the number 7.
Lagoon: To the left of the "7" is the Nichupte Lagoon. It is a salt-water lagoon, and is generally not good for swimming. During the day, many marinas offer a variety of water sports in the lagoon.
Cancun City: Referred to as downtown Cancun or "el centro" in Cancun, it is located just north of the hotel zone, at the top/left of the "7" and includes shopping malls, open air markets, and the main bus station.
Puerto Juarez: Puerto Juarez is located along the coast just north of Cancun city, between Cancun and Playa Mujeres, near the ferry docks to Isla Mujeres. There are two diffrent docks (Puetro Juarez & Gran Puetro) for Ultramar and Magna Ferry Companies.
Cenotes-These magnificent cenotes (sinkholes) are unique to the Yucatán peninsula. They are deep water filled sinkholes formed by water percolating through the soft limestone above. Since the porous soil held little water, these underground bodies were extremely important to the city. Entry is through a vertical hole with narrow stair steps carved by the Mayan's themselves. Stalactites of red limestone seem to ooze from the dripping walls. Ahead is a strange green pool of glowing water. As you approach the pool you notice roots of trees hanging before you. In their search for water they've penetrated the ceiling, dropping 50 feet to the pool below. It's like an eerie underground forest. After you've crawled under some especially low hanging stalactites you're greeted by an incredible scene. A beautiful blue green pool of unknown depth stretches out before you. A massive stalactite hangs down, just inches from touching the surface. The sink holes was thought to have been used as a place of human sacrifice. These sacrifices were made in times of drought, and men, women and children would be thrown in the well as a sacrifice to the Chac God. The Chac God is the Maya God of rain and lightning and these sacrifices were done to end drought.
Magnificent resorts in Cancun, establish it as a top destination for offering comfort, relaxation, fun, and adventure. Cancún is also the gateway to the Riviera Maya and the Yucatán interior, which has numerous archaeological sites, such as Chichen Itza, Cobá and Tulum as well as the many cenotes .It was just a small sand barrier some 35 years ago when the plan to begin and to develop it into a vacation haven of the 21st century. Today, Cancun consists of a medium-sized coastal city and a long, thin island connected to the mainland through bridges at its north and south ends. It offers something for everyone, from an all-day fun party beach to an isolated, tranquil island.
Cancún is naturally divided into two distinctive districts, the famous Hotel Zone (Zona Hoteléra) and the actual city of Cancún, known as Centró. The Hotel Zone, shaped like a narrow horseshoe and surrounded by 22 kilometres of pure white sandy beach, is linked to the city on the mainland via the four-lane Boulevard Kukulcán. Cancun's hotel zone is shaped like the number 7.
- At the top of the "7" is the Bahia de Mujeres. These beaches face Isla Mujeres, which gives them some protection from the open sea. Beaches here are shallow for some distance out, and have little or no surf, making them great for children, swimming, snorkelling and other water sports.
- To the right of the "7" is the Caribbean sea. The beaches here have beautiful views, and they also have surf. Be especially careful when swimming on these beaches fronting the open Caribbean, where the undertow can be dangerous at times. Flags on the beach will indicate current swimming conditions. A black flag is the highest danger level - don't swim. A red flag indicates only swim with much caution. Yellow flags indicate some caution needed. And a green flag indicates water conditions are safe.
Lagoon: To the left of the "7" is the Nichupte Lagoon. It is a salt-water lagoon, and is generally not good for swimming. During the day, many marinas offer a variety of water sports in the lagoon.
Cancun City: Referred to as downtown Cancun or "el centro" in Cancun, it is located just north of the hotel zone, at the top/left of the "7" and includes shopping malls, open air markets, and the main bus station.
Puerto Juarez: Puerto Juarez is located along the coast just north of Cancun city, between Cancun and Playa Mujeres, near the ferry docks to Isla Mujeres. There are two diffrent docks (Puetro Juarez & Gran Puetro) for Ultramar and Magna Ferry Companies.
Cenotes-These magnificent cenotes (sinkholes) are unique to the Yucatán peninsula. They are deep water filled sinkholes formed by water percolating through the soft limestone above. Since the porous soil held little water, these underground bodies were extremely important to the city. Entry is through a vertical hole with narrow stair steps carved by the Mayan's themselves. Stalactites of red limestone seem to ooze from the dripping walls. Ahead is a strange green pool of glowing water. As you approach the pool you notice roots of trees hanging before you. In their search for water they've penetrated the ceiling, dropping 50 feet to the pool below. It's like an eerie underground forest. After you've crawled under some especially low hanging stalactites you're greeted by an incredible scene. A beautiful blue green pool of unknown depth stretches out before you. A massive stalactite hangs down, just inches from touching the surface. The sink holes was thought to have been used as a place of human sacrifice. These sacrifices were made in times of drought, and men, women and children would be thrown in the well as a sacrifice to the Chac God. The Chac God is the Maya God of rain and lightning and these sacrifices were done to end drought.
HISTORY-The Itzae Maya settled the area during the Preclassic era (200 BC) and remained until the 14th or 15th century. But the few ruins in the area, discovered in the 19th century, discovered in the 19th century, have not revealed much about Cancun ancient history. It doesn’t appear to have achieved the kind of commercial and political powers found at other Maya sites. Other British and Spanish explorers seem to have overlooked the barrier island as well as they never established any permanent settlements and the area does not even show up on early navigation maps. In 1968 the only town in the area was the small fishing village of Puerto Juárez, population 500. Puerto Juarez is still there, just north of downtown Cancun ("el centro"), and where the ferry dock to Isla Mujeres is located.
Cancun dates back to 1967 when the Mexican government, recognizing the importance of tourism to the country’s economic future. Cancun was a part of the ancient Mayan civilization and is still considered the gateway to El Mundo Maya (the Mayan World).
Cancun dates back to 1967 when the Mexican government, recognizing the importance of tourism to the country’s economic future. Cancun was a part of the ancient Mayan civilization and is still considered the gateway to El Mundo Maya (the Mayan World).
GEOGRAPHY-It is located northeast corner of the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo (keen-tah-nah-ROW).Cancun originally consisted of a series of sand dunes in the shape of a number “7″ - some parts of which were only 20 meters wide.
AREA- 1978Km2
POPULATION- 7,23,000
CO-ORDINATES- 21°09′38″N 86°50′51″W
TIME ZONE- UTC-5
CLIMATEI-Hurricanes can be a major threat in late summer and autumn. Cancun gets hit with a really severe hurricane every 10 to 20 years. Peak season in Cancun tends to run from December to April. From February to May, tourists arrive in masses. Easter weekend, spring break, and Christmas week are the most popular, and pricey, times to visit. For the best prices with reasonably low crowds, November and early December are perhaps the best times to visit Cancun.
TEM JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Av H 28 29 31 32 33 34 34 35 34 32 30 29
Av L 20 20 21 23 24 24 25 25 24 23 22 20
Av Rainy
Days 9 6 5 4 7 11 9 10 14 16 11 10
AREA- 1978Km2
POPULATION- 7,23,000
CO-ORDINATES- 21°09′38″N 86°50′51″W
TIME ZONE- UTC-5
CLIMATEI-Hurricanes can be a major threat in late summer and autumn. Cancun gets hit with a really severe hurricane every 10 to 20 years. Peak season in Cancun tends to run from December to April. From February to May, tourists arrive in masses. Easter weekend, spring break, and Christmas week are the most popular, and pricey, times to visit. For the best prices with reasonably low crowds, November and early December are perhaps the best times to visit Cancun.
TEM JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Av H 28 29 31 32 33 34 34 35 34 32 30 29
Av L 20 20 21 23 24 24 25 25 24 23 22 20
Av Rainy
Days 9 6 5 4 7 11 9 10 14 16 11 10
AIRPORT- Cancun is served by Cancun International Airport. The airport is located around 20 km from the hotel zone, approximately a 20 minute trip by car. It is Mexico's second busiest airport and 16km southwest of downtown. The airport has three commercial terminals. Terminal 1 is used by some low-cost and charter domestic airlines, Terminal 2 is used by all of the scheduled domestic airlines and some international flights; and the new Terminal 3 handles primarily international operations of airlines from the United States and Europe. Terminal 3 has 15 gates: C23-C37
Airport Transportation- When you arrive to the Cancun airport, you have a few options of transport. There is a collectivo that will take you to your Cancun hotel for about $9.00 each way. The collectivo will make several stops, and is the same price as Airport Shuttles, which are smaller and therefore have less stops. However, if you don't want to reserve transportation online in advance, there is an option for you. Most people pre-reserve either a shuttle (above) or Private Airport Transfer to take them to Cancun or the Riviera Maya. These start at $52.00 round-trip per vehicle(8persons) and go up from there depending on where you are staying and how many people you have, which works out to as little as $6.50 a person for non-stop transportation depending on who you use and how many people you have.
Airport Express-Shuttle from Cancun Airport to Cancun Hotels-
Airport Transportation- When you arrive to the Cancun airport, you have a few options of transport. There is a collectivo that will take you to your Cancun hotel for about $9.00 each way. The collectivo will make several stops, and is the same price as Airport Shuttles, which are smaller and therefore have less stops. However, if you don't want to reserve transportation online in advance, there is an option for you. Most people pre-reserve either a shuttle (above) or Private Airport Transfer to take them to Cancun or the Riviera Maya. These start at $52.00 round-trip per vehicle(8persons) and go up from there depending on where you are staying and how many people you have, which works out to as little as $6.50 a person for non-stop transportation depending on who you use and how many people you have.
Airport Express-Shuttle from Cancun Airport to Cancun Hotels-
- $12.00 US Dollars per passenger ONE WAY.
- Available from 7:00AM to 8:00PM Daily.
- Leave approximately every 20 minutes.
- Available ONE WAY Airport to Hotels only.
- Hotels located about 30 minutes away.
CANCUN TRANSPORTATION- Cancun’s bus station is the transportation super hub of the area. The major provider is ADO (Pronounced ah-day-oh, the letters are in Spanish). The OXXO convenience store across the street is a good place to grab a light snack and a drink for your journey.
The buses in Cancun are run by two different companies. The route numbers will be clearly displayed on the front window, so you'll know which bus to get on. The buses aren't in the greatest condition, but they're not bad. When riding the bus, just pull on the cord to notify the driver when you want to stop. If it doesn't work, just yell "stop" and he'll pull over as soon as the next bus stop comes up.
a-Local Bus-Throughout the Cancun Hotel Zone, the buses run 24 hours a day, cost just $6 Pesos to ride (About 60 cents) and take you anywhere you want to go in the hotel zone. Riding the bus in Cancun is safe, convenient, and is the most common form of transportation.
b-Cancun Bus Stops- The bus stops are so easy to find because they're almost everywhere. Each bus stop is clearly marked with a sign.
c-Bus Routes- There are 4 bus routes R-1, R-2, R-15 & R 27.The two major routes in Cancun proper are R1 and R2. Both will take you where you want to go. R1 is the route to go downtown or to the bus station. The only real thing here to make sure of is that you grab the bus on the right side of the street to take you where you want to go. The buses on the ocean side of the street will go toward downtown, and the lagoon side buses will go toward the airport.
R1(sea/right side) - Take this route to go downtown, or to Puerto Juarez, Wal-Mart, Plaza 2000, Mercado 23 and the Cancun bus station ADO.
R2 (lagoon/left side) - Goes to Wal-Mart & Mercado 28.
d- Bus to Other cities-The bus system in Cancun is set up very well and there are many options. All the buses to the other cities leave from the main Cancun bus station, located downtown at the corner of Avenida Uxmal and Avenida Tulum. To reach it, you'll first need to take the Cancun city bus there. Once there, you can hop a bus to almost any town in Mexico. Watch out though, riding the bus outside of Cancun isn't quite so tourist-friendly as it is within Cancun. Most people take a pre-reserved Airport transfer from the airport to Playa del Carmen or the Riviera Maya.
The buses in Cancun are run by two different companies. The route numbers will be clearly displayed on the front window, so you'll know which bus to get on. The buses aren't in the greatest condition, but they're not bad. When riding the bus, just pull on the cord to notify the driver when you want to stop. If it doesn't work, just yell "stop" and he'll pull over as soon as the next bus stop comes up.
a-Local Bus-Throughout the Cancun Hotel Zone, the buses run 24 hours a day, cost just $6 Pesos to ride (About 60 cents) and take you anywhere you want to go in the hotel zone. Riding the bus in Cancun is safe, convenient, and is the most common form of transportation.
b-Cancun Bus Stops- The bus stops are so easy to find because they're almost everywhere. Each bus stop is clearly marked with a sign.
c-Bus Routes- There are 4 bus routes R-1, R-2, R-15 & R 27.The two major routes in Cancun proper are R1 and R2. Both will take you where you want to go. R1 is the route to go downtown or to the bus station. The only real thing here to make sure of is that you grab the bus on the right side of the street to take you where you want to go. The buses on the ocean side of the street will go toward downtown, and the lagoon side buses will go toward the airport.
R1(sea/right side) - Take this route to go downtown, or to Puerto Juarez, Wal-Mart, Plaza 2000, Mercado 23 and the Cancun bus station ADO.
R2 (lagoon/left side) - Goes to Wal-Mart & Mercado 28.
d- Bus to Other cities-The bus system in Cancun is set up very well and there are many options. All the buses to the other cities leave from the main Cancun bus station, located downtown at the corner of Avenida Uxmal and Avenida Tulum. To reach it, you'll first need to take the Cancun city bus there. Once there, you can hop a bus to almost any town in Mexico. Watch out though, riding the bus outside of Cancun isn't quite so tourist-friendly as it is within Cancun. Most people take a pre-reserved Airport transfer from the airport to Playa del Carmen or the Riviera Maya.
ISLA MUJERES FERRY - TO AND FROM CANCUN-There are three ferries that run between Cancun and Isla Mujeres. Out of which two are passenger ferries and one car ferry.All three terminals are located within 5 minutes of each other.
a-Gran Puerto Cancun (Ultramar Ferry) –
Gran Puerto- The newest ferry service to Isla Mujeres, Ultramar leaves from Gran Puerto, just two blocks before Puerto Juarez. Actually, that entire area is considered Puerto Juarez, but here are two terminals for the two different ferry company. The new catamarans they operate provide a comfortable ride with individual seats rather than benches. For this service you buy the tickets from the desk as you arrive and show your ticket before boarding. The facilities at Gran Puerto are very comfortable with nice bathrooms, an Oxxo (convience store) as well as a McDonalds and a tourist clothing shop where you can get hats, sunglasses, beach bags and beach clothes.
Going-From Puerto Juarez (Cancun):
Every half-hour (on the half-hour) from 5:00AM to 8:30PM, then ferries at 9:30PM, 10:30PM, and 11:30PM.
Back-From Isla Mujeres:
Every half-hour (on the half-hour) from 5:30AM to 9:00PM, then ferries at 8:30PM, 10:00PM, 11:00PM and 12:00AM.
b-Puerto Juarez (Magana Ferry)-
Less than a half-mile further north you'll find the Puerto Juarez Terminal. This is where the Magana departs from. From the bus station you take the R15 local bus but taxi is easiest and it is a 10-15 minute drive by taxi. Also a high-speed ferry, the Magana is the same price as Ultramar and also takes about 15 minutes.
Going-From Puerto Juarez (Cancun):
Every half-hour (on the half-hour) from 6:30AM to 8:30PM, then ferries at 11:30PM, and 12:30AM.
Back-From Isla Mujeres:
Every half-hour (on the half-hour) from 6:00AM to 8:00PM, then ferries at 9:00PM, 10:00PM, and 11:00PM.
c-Punta Sam(Car Ferry)-
About five minutes north of Puerto Juarez, you'll find Punta Sam, where the only car ferry to Isla Mujeres runs from. The vehicle ferry offers a slower, smoother ride than the other two, taking about 45 minutes to make the crossing.
Going-From Punta Sam (Cancun)-
8:00AM - 11:00AM - 2:45pm - 5:30pm - 8:15pm
Back-From Isla Mujeres-
6:30AM - 9:30AM - 12:45PM - 4:15PM - 7:15PM
d-Cancun Hotel Zone-
You can now take the new Ultramar ferry to Isla Mujeres without having to leave the hotel zone. Ultramar is running out of three locations daily - Embarcadero Pier at Km 4, Playa Tortugas at Km 7, and Playa Caracol at Km 9.5. These options are a bit longer, run less frequently and cost more than Puerto Juarez or Gran Puerto.
i-Ultramar – El Embarcadero Pier (Km 4, Zona Hotelera)
Going-From Embarcadero (Cancun)
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Back-From Isla Mujeres
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
ii-Ultramar - Playa Tortugas Pier (Km 6.5, Zona Hotelera)
Going-From Playa Tortuga (Cancun)
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Back-From Isla Mujeres
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
iii-Ultramar - Playa Caracol Pier (Km 9.5, Zona Hotelera)
Going-From Playa Caracol (Cancun)
10:10 AM - 11:40 AM - 1:10 PM - 4:50 PM
Back-From Isla Mujeres
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM
ISLA MUJERES FERRY PRICES -
Pueto Juarez/Gran Puerto Ferries - $78 Pesos (one-way) $146Peso (round) - roughly $8.00 USD
Cancun Hotel Zone Ferries - $14USD (one-way) or $19 USD (round-trip)
Car Ferry (Punta Sam) Prices
Passengers - $14 Pesos each way
a-Gran Puerto Cancun (Ultramar Ferry) –
Gran Puerto- The newest ferry service to Isla Mujeres, Ultramar leaves from Gran Puerto, just two blocks before Puerto Juarez. Actually, that entire area is considered Puerto Juarez, but here are two terminals for the two different ferry company. The new catamarans they operate provide a comfortable ride with individual seats rather than benches. For this service you buy the tickets from the desk as you arrive and show your ticket before boarding. The facilities at Gran Puerto are very comfortable with nice bathrooms, an Oxxo (convience store) as well as a McDonalds and a tourist clothing shop where you can get hats, sunglasses, beach bags and beach clothes.
Going-From Puerto Juarez (Cancun):
Every half-hour (on the half-hour) from 5:00AM to 8:30PM, then ferries at 9:30PM, 10:30PM, and 11:30PM.
Back-From Isla Mujeres:
Every half-hour (on the half-hour) from 5:30AM to 9:00PM, then ferries at 8:30PM, 10:00PM, 11:00PM and 12:00AM.
b-Puerto Juarez (Magana Ferry)-
Less than a half-mile further north you'll find the Puerto Juarez Terminal. This is where the Magana departs from. From the bus station you take the R15 local bus but taxi is easiest and it is a 10-15 minute drive by taxi. Also a high-speed ferry, the Magana is the same price as Ultramar and also takes about 15 minutes.
Going-From Puerto Juarez (Cancun):
Every half-hour (on the half-hour) from 6:30AM to 8:30PM, then ferries at 11:30PM, and 12:30AM.
Back-From Isla Mujeres:
Every half-hour (on the half-hour) from 6:00AM to 8:00PM, then ferries at 9:00PM, 10:00PM, and 11:00PM.
c-Punta Sam(Car Ferry)-
About five minutes north of Puerto Juarez, you'll find Punta Sam, where the only car ferry to Isla Mujeres runs from. The vehicle ferry offers a slower, smoother ride than the other two, taking about 45 minutes to make the crossing.
Going-From Punta Sam (Cancun)-
8:00AM - 11:00AM - 2:45pm - 5:30pm - 8:15pm
Back-From Isla Mujeres-
6:30AM - 9:30AM - 12:45PM - 4:15PM - 7:15PM
d-Cancun Hotel Zone-
You can now take the new Ultramar ferry to Isla Mujeres without having to leave the hotel zone. Ultramar is running out of three locations daily - Embarcadero Pier at Km 4, Playa Tortugas at Km 7, and Playa Caracol at Km 9.5. These options are a bit longer, run less frequently and cost more than Puerto Juarez or Gran Puerto.
i-Ultramar – El Embarcadero Pier (Km 4, Zona Hotelera)
Going-From Embarcadero (Cancun)
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Back-From Isla Mujeres
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
ii-Ultramar - Playa Tortugas Pier (Km 6.5, Zona Hotelera)
Going-From Playa Tortuga (Cancun)
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Back-From Isla Mujeres
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
iii-Ultramar - Playa Caracol Pier (Km 9.5, Zona Hotelera)
Going-From Playa Caracol (Cancun)
10:10 AM - 11:40 AM - 1:10 PM - 4:50 PM
Back-From Isla Mujeres
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM
ISLA MUJERES FERRY PRICES -
Pueto Juarez/Gran Puerto Ferries - $78 Pesos (one-way) $146Peso (round) - roughly $8.00 USD
Cancun Hotel Zone Ferries - $14USD (one-way) or $19 USD (round-trip)
Car Ferry (Punta Sam) Prices
Passengers - $14 Pesos each way
DRIVING TIMES AND DISTANCES FROM CANCUN
Destination Driving Time Miles Kilometers
Cozumel 1 hour + ferry 55 88
Xcaret 1 hour 45 72
Xel Ha 2 hours 76 122
Tulum 2 hours 15 minutes 81 131
Chichen Itza 2.5 hours 117 188
Destination Driving Time Miles Kilometers
Cozumel 1 hour + ferry 55 88
Xcaret 1 hour 45 72
Xel Ha 2 hours 76 122
Tulum 2 hours 15 minutes 81 131
Chichen Itza 2.5 hours 117 188
CANCUN ATTRACTION AND SIGHTS-
001-AVENIDA KUKULKAN -If you are staying in the hotel zone in Cancun, you would be staying somewhere on this stretch of road. This is the main road that stretches north to south through the hotel zone in Cancun. This 20km road running along the beachfront hotels in the Hotel Zone is well kept and easy to walk and has two or three public access to the beach. Good sidewalk for running/ walking and has frequent bus stops. The bus service regular, safe and cheap. Many restaurants, bars, shops, shopping plaza/malls, etc. Great avenue to see and do many things and boating embarkations as well as the main ferry points to Isla Mujeres. The busses R1 and R2 run up and down quite frequently and tickets cost less than a dollar. There are two luxury shopping malls in Avenida Kukulkan, the largest one is ISLA. Located at KM12.5 hotel zone. Party Zone is at km 8 featuring the best nightclubs, bars, restaurants. Walking along the 14 miles of Caribbean coast in Cancun is what most visitor’s desire, and it’s all free – all beaches in Cancun are open to the public. Many of the hotel beaches have lounge chairs laid out under palapas (thatched umbrellas) to shade visitors from the considerable effects of the Mexican sun.
002-ISLA MUJERES-A 20-minute boat ride(13kms) from Cancún lies the small island of Isla Mujeres with its laid back Caribbean ambiance, tiny streets lined with stalls and street cafés in pastel coloured houses. The best months to visit are from April to November due to the temperature and conditions to enjoy the fabulous sea and beach. Once you arrive with ferry you are already downtown .Golf carts and mopeds dominate the streets. Although only 5 miles long and half a mile wide, the island offers everything from a beautiful palm fringed white beach on the north coast to a rocky shoreline on the eastern side. Isla's best beaches are on the northern most tip of the island, near the downtown area, and the pristine sea that surrounds them is as calm as a giant swimming pool (Palaya Norte Beach). The colourful downtown area, known as ‘Centro’ is four by six blocks – perfect for exploring by foot. The town square, vibrant homes, and many shops and restaurants add to its perfectness. Parque Marino El Garrafon is a popular beach and swimming site (on south side). Activities include snorkelling and hiking trails, aerial “zip line,” dolphin swim, kayaks, “snuba” and scuba, plus dining, showers, and a nice beach. Occupying the island’s southern tip are two related structures. A modern lighthouse overlooks a small Mayan temple (Ixchel, goddess of fertility) that signalled Mayan sailors and settlements as far away as Cozumel. A colourful Caribbean-style village with shops, a cafe, and an outdoor sculpture garden, now occupy the entrance to this area. Visit the turtle farm, try one of the local fish restaurants on the beach.
i-North Beach (Playa Norte)- The stretch of beach that runs along the northern end of the island. It has shallow waters and stunning white sand. The beach is full of fun restaurants and bars as well as several hotels. This is where the majority of travelers will spend their beach time so it can get crowded during peak season. There is almost no current and you can wade out very far with the water still only coming to your waist. In front of the hotels on Playa Norte there are beach bars offer lounge chairs and umbrellas (for a fee) with waiter service on the sand. You can also rent water toys, kayaks and snorkeling gear.
ii- The Zocolo - The Town Square- the Zocolo is located at the centre. Not much happens during the day but if you decide to extend your visit through the evening, you’ll often see dances, events and celebrations going on. On the west side is the Palacio Municipal (City Hall).The Catholic church is on the south side with the basketball court nestled between the two. On the east side is a small playground for children. From November through April on the 1st Thursday of every month, the Isla Mujeres Artist Fair takes place in the square from 4:00 in the afternoon to around 9:00 in the evening.
iii- The East and West Malecons-The Malecons are seaside promenades, lined with places sit, stroll, palm trees and sculptures. MaleconWest: The Rueda Medina Malecon which runs from just beyond the ferry docks all the way to Playa Norte, is a pleasant place to walk.
iv-Sea Wall Murals-In the summer of 2014 a group of internationally acclaimed contemporary artists, including three Mexican artists, joined forces to raise awareness about whale shark conservation, ecotourism and long-term sustainability of natural resources by creating a series of large-scale ocean-themed murals on Isla.
v-The Lighthouses(South Side)-Built by the Mexican Navy during World War II, the largest is known simply as El Faro (The Lighthouse). Located on Rueda Medina across from Posada Beach, it is 19 meters (62 feet) tall and flashes white twice every 10 seconds. The public is not allowed to climb to the top.
vi- Garrafón Reef Park(south Side)- At the southern tip of Isla Mujeres - a picturesque beautiful island .It is named for an incredible reef formation, part of the longest reef in the hemisphere. You will enjoy water activities like kayaking and snorkelling, adventure activities like hiking, biking and flying over the turquoise waters on a zip line, and of course live moments or hours of relaxation on hammocks, lounge chairs or our tropical bar. The Park is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and offers several packages including an all-inclusive package which includes a buffet lunch, beverages with open bar, snorkel equipment, life jackets, kayaks, hammocks, an infinity pool, bathrooms, showers and lockers as well as admission to Punta Sur and the Sculpture Garden.
vii-Punta Sur(South Side) - The Mayan Temple, Sculptures and Breath-taking Views-Punta Sur is located at the southern tip of Isla Mujeres, 20 meters above sea level, where the rising sun first touches Mexican soil. This is the highest elevation in the Yucatan and home to an ancient temple honouring the Mayan Moon Goddess.
viii- La Tortuga Granja(middle) - The Turtle Farm-Isla Mujeres is the ancestral hatching ground for the giant sea turtles that lay their eggs in the soft sand from May through September. The eggs are gathered and placed in pens at the Turtle Farm to keep them safe from predators. Depending on the time of year, you can see hundreds of baby turtles in the outdoor holding tanks. From August to October they are released. Located on Sac Bajo and open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
ix- Hacienda Mundaca(Middle)-Hacienda Mundaca is located mid-island near the entrance to Sac Bajo and originally covered almost forty percent of the island. Built by Fermin Mundaca after he "retired" from pirating and slave trading in 1858, the hacienda was surrounded by magnificent gardens including the solar clock garden called "The Rose of the Winds”.
http://www.isla-mujeres.net/
i-North Beach (Playa Norte)- The stretch of beach that runs along the northern end of the island. It has shallow waters and stunning white sand. The beach is full of fun restaurants and bars as well as several hotels. This is where the majority of travelers will spend their beach time so it can get crowded during peak season. There is almost no current and you can wade out very far with the water still only coming to your waist. In front of the hotels on Playa Norte there are beach bars offer lounge chairs and umbrellas (for a fee) with waiter service on the sand. You can also rent water toys, kayaks and snorkeling gear.
ii- The Zocolo - The Town Square- the Zocolo is located at the centre. Not much happens during the day but if you decide to extend your visit through the evening, you’ll often see dances, events and celebrations going on. On the west side is the Palacio Municipal (City Hall).The Catholic church is on the south side with the basketball court nestled between the two. On the east side is a small playground for children. From November through April on the 1st Thursday of every month, the Isla Mujeres Artist Fair takes place in the square from 4:00 in the afternoon to around 9:00 in the evening.
iii- The East and West Malecons-The Malecons are seaside promenades, lined with places sit, stroll, palm trees and sculptures. MaleconWest: The Rueda Medina Malecon which runs from just beyond the ferry docks all the way to Playa Norte, is a pleasant place to walk.
iv-Sea Wall Murals-In the summer of 2014 a group of internationally acclaimed contemporary artists, including three Mexican artists, joined forces to raise awareness about whale shark conservation, ecotourism and long-term sustainability of natural resources by creating a series of large-scale ocean-themed murals on Isla.
v-The Lighthouses(South Side)-Built by the Mexican Navy during World War II, the largest is known simply as El Faro (The Lighthouse). Located on Rueda Medina across from Posada Beach, it is 19 meters (62 feet) tall and flashes white twice every 10 seconds. The public is not allowed to climb to the top.
vi- Garrafón Reef Park(south Side)- At the southern tip of Isla Mujeres - a picturesque beautiful island .It is named for an incredible reef formation, part of the longest reef in the hemisphere. You will enjoy water activities like kayaking and snorkelling, adventure activities like hiking, biking and flying over the turquoise waters on a zip line, and of course live moments or hours of relaxation on hammocks, lounge chairs or our tropical bar. The Park is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and offers several packages including an all-inclusive package which includes a buffet lunch, beverages with open bar, snorkel equipment, life jackets, kayaks, hammocks, an infinity pool, bathrooms, showers and lockers as well as admission to Punta Sur and the Sculpture Garden.
vii-Punta Sur(South Side) - The Mayan Temple, Sculptures and Breath-taking Views-Punta Sur is located at the southern tip of Isla Mujeres, 20 meters above sea level, where the rising sun first touches Mexican soil. This is the highest elevation in the Yucatan and home to an ancient temple honouring the Mayan Moon Goddess.
viii- La Tortuga Granja(middle) - The Turtle Farm-Isla Mujeres is the ancestral hatching ground for the giant sea turtles that lay their eggs in the soft sand from May through September. The eggs are gathered and placed in pens at the Turtle Farm to keep them safe from predators. Depending on the time of year, you can see hundreds of baby turtles in the outdoor holding tanks. From August to October they are released. Located on Sac Bajo and open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
ix- Hacienda Mundaca(Middle)-Hacienda Mundaca is located mid-island near the entrance to Sac Bajo and originally covered almost forty percent of the island. Built by Fermin Mundaca after he "retired" from pirating and slave trading in 1858, the hacienda was surrounded by magnificent gardens including the solar clock garden called "The Rose of the Winds”.
http://www.isla-mujeres.net/
003- PARQUE LAS PALAPAS- Parque las Palapas is the main park in downtown Cancun and is located a short walk from Tulum Avenue .This park is considered a classic place to meet for most of the residents, thus it is the real heart of the city of Cancun. It is a must to visit this area, to walk around, watch the artists place their paintings on display. The city's oldest Catholic church, El Cristo Rey, is located at one edge of the park so it’s especially busy on Sundays.
004- TORRE ESCENICA (Rotating Scenic Tower)-To fully appreciate the beauty of Cancun and its surrounding area, do ride the 360° rotating scenic tower where you get a spectacular birds-eye view of the entire Hotel Zone and surrounding area from the 100 m tall tower. A different experience during day and night time.
- Address: Kukulcan Km 4.5 El Embarcadero |Terminal Playa Linda Hotel Zone.
- Opening hours: Daily 9am-9pm
- Tickets: Admission - $14.00 per person
005-INTERACTIVE AQUARIUM- Conveniently located at Km 12.5 of the Cancun Hotel Zone, next door to La Isla Mall, the Cancun Interactive Aquarium is the only aquarium in Cancun. In the Interactive Aquarium you will be able to dive into the underwater world and meet many of the most spectacular species of marine animals inhabiting the coasts of the Mexican Republic and the world. Here, you will be able to see and interact with fish of all sizes and colours such as jellyfish, stingrays, moray eels, sea horses, clown fish, piranhas, turtles and even sharks.
At this aquarium, you will get up close and personal with the sea life in a way that is not possible anywhere else. Swim with the dolphins, touch a stingray and feed a turtle, this is a great way to spend your day. Nearby is La Isla Mall, Cancun's most popular outdoor shopping mall. Here you will find lots of shops and restaurants and entertainment venues, so you can combine your trip to the aquarium with lunch at La Isla.
At this aquarium, you will get up close and personal with the sea life in a way that is not possible anywhere else. Swim with the dolphins, touch a stingray and feed a turtle, this is a great way to spend your day. Nearby is La Isla Mall, Cancun's most popular outdoor shopping mall. Here you will find lots of shops and restaurants and entertainment venues, so you can combine your trip to the aquarium with lunch at La Isla.
- Address: Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 12.5 Zona, Plaza La Isla, Cancún
- Email: [email protected]
- Opening hours: Daily 10.30am-7.30pm
006- AQUA WORLD-SKIRIDER/PARASAILING-Only seen before at Disney, this unique mechanism provides a comfortable and secure ride as you are lifted from a platform on the back of the boat. Our sensational two seater SkyRider experience will take you up, up and away into the clear blue Caribbean sky. Price=50$
- Address: Blvd. Kukulcán, HZ, KM 15.1, Cancún
- Opening hours: Daily 7am-8pm
- Phone: +52 998 848 8327
007- "EL REY" ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE CANCUN-El Rey” is located walking distance from the Hilton Club (Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 19). El Rey, known to some as the playground of the ancient Mayans, had its peak during the Post classic period (A.D. 1250-1630). The site includes plazas outlined by buildings and platforms that are connected by a 220 yard path. It is named after a skeleton that was found on the site, thought to be that of a king (El Rey is Spanish for “the king”). El Rey is open to tourists from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entrance fee is $50. Pesos. Next to the Sheraton, Cancun Resort and Towers. The site consists of two small temples that were likely used as watchtowers and lighthouses between 500 and 700 years ago. Not only are there hundreds of iguanas, but they aren't afraid of humans. Sunning themselves in the midst of the runs, you can get quite close before they run for cover.
008-THE NICHUPTÉ LAGOON-It is on the opposite side of the island from the Caribbean Sea, which is used for boating excursions
and jet-ski jungle tours.
a-Jungle Tour- The is a very popular activity in Cancun. The mangroves of the Nichupte Lagoon are protected by the government as they are of extreme importance because they safeguard the wildlife and prevents soil erosion during times of storms and hurricanes. This jungle is a habitat of a variety of 4 mangrove types like the black, red, white and buttonwood, along with a wide range of exotic wild animals like white turtles, crocodiles, birds and iguanas which are natives of Cancun. Price=60$(Aquaworld)
b-Boat Cruise Around Cancun- There aren’t many boat trips in Cancun that take you on a circuit of the Nichupte Lagoon, Punta Nizuc and the bay of Isla Mujeres all in one excursion. Price=60$ Time-16hrs (Aquaworld)
and jet-ski jungle tours.
a-Jungle Tour- The is a very popular activity in Cancun. The mangroves of the Nichupte Lagoon are protected by the government as they are of extreme importance because they safeguard the wildlife and prevents soil erosion during times of storms and hurricanes. This jungle is a habitat of a variety of 4 mangrove types like the black, red, white and buttonwood, along with a wide range of exotic wild animals like white turtles, crocodiles, birds and iguanas which are natives of Cancun. Price=60$(Aquaworld)
b-Boat Cruise Around Cancun- There aren’t many boat trips in Cancun that take you on a circuit of the Nichupte Lagoon, Punta Nizuc and the bay of Isla Mujeres all in one excursion. Price=60$ Time-16hrs (Aquaworld)
009-BULLFIGHTS at PLAZA DE TOROS-Downtown Cancun has a small bullring, Plaza de Toros, near the north end of Boulevard Kukulkan. Bullfights take place every Wednesday at 3:30 pm. Introduced to Mexico by the Spanish viceroys, bullfighting is now as much a part of Mexican culture as tequila. These contests between man and beast attract huge crowds and can be an exciting form of entertainment, but they are not for the faint-hearted, with the matador or the bull dying at the end of each fight. Take the R27 bus and tell the driver you want to go to Plaza de Toros. As previously mentioned, this route is not as common as other routes and it may take up to 30 minutes for a R27 bus to pass. Another option, take the R1 or R2 but to the first stop downtown and take a taxi (about 25 pesos) to the bullring.
010-CANCUN’S UNDERWATER MUSEUM (National Marine Park)- The Cancun Underwater Art Museum (known as MUSA) was conceived in 2008 as a way of preserving the marine life of the local area by drawing tourists away from nearby reefs of Mexico where inexperienced divers were causing damage to the coral. Collaborating with British artist Jason deCaires Taylor, they considered the idea of submerging sculptures to create an artificial reef. The statues provide a perfect home for coral as well as a protected environment for fish and other marine life, creating, over time, a living, breathing exhibition. Covering an area of 420 square metres, the museum is divided into two distinct galleries several miles apart, Salon Manchones and Salon Nizuc. Manchones, 8 metres below the surface, features haunting pieces such as “The Promise”, depicting a circle of people linking hands; “Man on Fire”, a 1 ton cast of a local fisherman planted with fiery coral; and “The Dream Collector”, an underwater office guarded and protected by a submerged registrar. The smaller Nizuc gallery is just 4 metres underwater; it’s most famous piece is the “Gardener of hope”, a young lady lying on a patio surrounded by flower pots.
El Farito is a famous snorkel area just off the coast of Isla Mujeres where you will enjoy a 20 minute visit; the perfect way to round off your MUSA experience. Price=45$(Aquaworld)
El Farito is a famous snorkel area just off the coast of Isla Mujeres where you will enjoy a 20 minute visit; the perfect way to round off your MUSA experience. Price=45$(Aquaworld)
011-COCO BONGO CANCUN-BLVD. KUKULKAN KM. 9.5 PLAZA FORUM- Party the night away at one of the world's greatest nightclubs .Las Vegas-style performances and breath-taking aerial acrobatics. More than 40 actors, musicians, artists and flying acrobats take to the stage, creating a world class spectacle that never fails to bring the magic and energy of the night to life. From recreations of the Beatles to modern acts like Lady Gaga. Bar top conga lines, movie clips projected on high tech video screens, costumed performers, soap bubbles, giant balloons, confetti, streamers, fog sprayers. Post show, a more traditional nightclub-scene takes over. With its multi-level seating, 1,800 person capacity, and central location, the dancefloor will be packed deep into the night.
Start Times- 10.30pm.
Address- Blvd. Kukulcan Km 9.5 #30, Plaza Forum By The Sea,
Price for-Entrance+ Shows+ Unlimited domestic drinks from 10:30pm to 3:30am=USD75.00
Start Times- 10.30pm.
Address- Blvd. Kukulcan Km 9.5 #30, Plaza Forum By The Sea,
Price for-Entrance+ Shows+ Unlimited domestic drinks from 10:30pm to 3:30am=USD75.00
012-PLAYA DELFINES-Playa Delfines, or Dolphin Beach, is a truly beautiful place. As Boulevard Kukulcán curved into a hill at Km 18 near Ruinas del Rey is where you will find Playa Delfines. The wide strip of light sand appears to stretch on for miles. The beach is dotted with umbrellas, free to use, so you'd be advised to set yourself up under one of these to have some protection from the intense heat. In fact, this coastal strip is very well tended to, and working alongside the trained lifeguards are also medical officers, should anything go wrong. This is a favourite place for people to come dolphin watching, and you can often spot these amazing creatures playing in the waves not too far off the coast. It's also possible to charter a boat to take you out to sea if you want to see them up close, and you can even arrange to swim with them. The beach a surprisingly good place to try out some local dishes, such as fresh fish wrapped in banana leaf, or kibis, a kind of Yucatan dumpling. One of the closest restaurants is Cayo Largo. The restaurant has International cuisine.
Location- Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 18
Location- Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 18
013-CANCUN BEACHES-
Cancun has almost 14 miles (22 kilometres) of beach. Cancun has two types of beaches, the north side beaches which have more tranquil water and the eastside beaches which have more exciting waves. Generally the further east you go in the Hotel Zone the more turquoise the colour of the water is.
Cancun’s North side Beaches-These beaches are located on the north side of the 7-shaped island of Cancun. North side beaches are protected from the open ocean by Isla Mujeres. They all have tranquil water and are generally safe for swimmers of all ages. There are numerous docks and water sport rental facilities on the north side.
1-Playa Las Perlas – Pearl Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 2.5
This beach is located midway between the mainland city of Cancun and the bridge on the northside.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #84, Green Line Stop #89
2-Playa Linda – Pretty Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 4
This beach is located just west of the Puente Nichupte, which is the bridge on the northside. Parking is at El Embarcadero and the Teatro de Cancun.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #80, Green Line Stop #81
3-Playa Langosta – Lobster Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 5
This beach is located near the big Mexican flag and the Casa Maya Hotel, midway along the northside of the island.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #74, Green Line Stop #77
The Playa Langosta beach is popular with locals. Playa Langosta is also the dock for Dolphin Discovery and for one of many Isla Mujeres Ferries. The water at this beach is tranquil and is generally safe for children. Enjoyable seaside dining can be had at La Cueva, aka the Cove Restaurant, which features a nice (and nicely priced) buffet and many seafood dishes.
4-Playa Tortugas – Turtle Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 6.5
This beach is located between the big Mexican flag and the corner of the 7, which is the heart of the Hotel Zone.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #70, Green Line Stop #75
5-Playa Caracol – Snail Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 9
This beach is located near Plaza Caracol and the Xcaret dock, close to the heart of the Hotel Zone.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #64, Green Line Stop #65
Cancun’s Eastside Beaches
Beaches on the eastside of Cancun’s 7-shaped island face the beautiful Caribbean Sea. They generally have large enough waves for some great body surfing. The sea there is the rich turquoise blue color. If you stay in a hotel on the eastside be sure to get up (or stay up) to watch the sunrise over the Caribbean; Cancun is blessed with perfect sunrises.
6-Playa Gaviota Azul – Blue Seagull Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 9.5
This beach is located near Plaza Forum and The City Beach Club. It is close to the heart of the Hotel Zone. There is no public parking for this beach, we suggest you park either in Plaza Forum lot (paid) or on the street near the NH Krystal Hotel.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #62, Green Line Stop #61
Playa Gaviota Azul is that lovely turquoise color that everyone loves. This beach is popular and always has lots of body surfers playing in the waves. This beach is usually busy due to it’s proximity to the heart of the Hotel Zone. It’s worth taking a stroll to the south from this beach, the beach changes a lot along there and is interesting.
7-Playa Chac Mool – Chac Mool Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 10
This beach is located across from Señor Frog’s, just south of the busy heart of the Hotel Zone. There is no parking lot for this beach. One has to walk to this beach from Playa Gaviota Azul.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #60, Green Line Stop #57
8-Playa Marlín – Marlin Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 13
This beach is located near the Carisma Courts and the Tucancun Hotel, behind Plaza Kukulcán.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #46, Green Line Stop #41
Playa Marlin is spectacular, as are most of the beaches along the eastside of the 7-shaped island of Cancun. The water is always a lovely deep turquoise and good swimmers enjoy playing in the waves there. There are kilometers of great beach in either direction so if you find the beach at Playa Marlin to be crowded just take a little walk and find your spot. Access to this beach is behind Plaza Kukulcán.
9-Playa Ballenas – Whale Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 14.5
This beach is located just north of the Cancun Palace Hotel and just south of Le Meridien Hotel, parking and beach access are off of Calle Ballenas.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #38, Green Line Stop #33
Playa Ballenas is a superb beach with spectacular turquoise water and fun waves. Jet ski rentals and parasailing are available there.
10-Playa Delfines – Dolphin Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 18
This beach is located near the Ruinas El Rey along the southern end of the eastside.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #20, Green Line Stop #17
Playa Delfines is very popular, but is large enough to comfortably accommodate everyone. The water at this beach is a perfect turquoise colour and there are fun waves there. There are no hotels in the immediate vicinity which makes this beach a little more relaxed than others that are further north. Usually there are jet-ski rentals available close to this beach.
11-Playa Punta Nizuc – Point Nizuc Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 24
This beach is located at the southern tip of the 7-shaped island of Cancun’s Hotel Zone, close to the Parque Nizuc waterpark.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #4, Green Line Stop #3
Cancun has almost 14 miles (22 kilometres) of beach. Cancun has two types of beaches, the north side beaches which have more tranquil water and the eastside beaches which have more exciting waves. Generally the further east you go in the Hotel Zone the more turquoise the colour of the water is.
Cancun’s North side Beaches-These beaches are located on the north side of the 7-shaped island of Cancun. North side beaches are protected from the open ocean by Isla Mujeres. They all have tranquil water and are generally safe for swimmers of all ages. There are numerous docks and water sport rental facilities on the north side.
1-Playa Las Perlas – Pearl Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 2.5
This beach is located midway between the mainland city of Cancun and the bridge on the northside.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #84, Green Line Stop #89
2-Playa Linda – Pretty Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 4
This beach is located just west of the Puente Nichupte, which is the bridge on the northside. Parking is at El Embarcadero and the Teatro de Cancun.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #80, Green Line Stop #81
3-Playa Langosta – Lobster Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 5
This beach is located near the big Mexican flag and the Casa Maya Hotel, midway along the northside of the island.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #74, Green Line Stop #77
The Playa Langosta beach is popular with locals. Playa Langosta is also the dock for Dolphin Discovery and for one of many Isla Mujeres Ferries. The water at this beach is tranquil and is generally safe for children. Enjoyable seaside dining can be had at La Cueva, aka the Cove Restaurant, which features a nice (and nicely priced) buffet and many seafood dishes.
4-Playa Tortugas – Turtle Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 6.5
This beach is located between the big Mexican flag and the corner of the 7, which is the heart of the Hotel Zone.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #70, Green Line Stop #75
5-Playa Caracol – Snail Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 9
This beach is located near Plaza Caracol and the Xcaret dock, close to the heart of the Hotel Zone.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #64, Green Line Stop #65
Cancun’s Eastside Beaches
Beaches on the eastside of Cancun’s 7-shaped island face the beautiful Caribbean Sea. They generally have large enough waves for some great body surfing. The sea there is the rich turquoise blue color. If you stay in a hotel on the eastside be sure to get up (or stay up) to watch the sunrise over the Caribbean; Cancun is blessed with perfect sunrises.
6-Playa Gaviota Azul – Blue Seagull Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 9.5
This beach is located near Plaza Forum and The City Beach Club. It is close to the heart of the Hotel Zone. There is no public parking for this beach, we suggest you park either in Plaza Forum lot (paid) or on the street near the NH Krystal Hotel.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #62, Green Line Stop #61
Playa Gaviota Azul is that lovely turquoise color that everyone loves. This beach is popular and always has lots of body surfers playing in the waves. This beach is usually busy due to it’s proximity to the heart of the Hotel Zone. It’s worth taking a stroll to the south from this beach, the beach changes a lot along there and is interesting.
7-Playa Chac Mool – Chac Mool Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 10
This beach is located across from Señor Frog’s, just south of the busy heart of the Hotel Zone. There is no parking lot for this beach. One has to walk to this beach from Playa Gaviota Azul.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #60, Green Line Stop #57
8-Playa Marlín – Marlin Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 13
This beach is located near the Carisma Courts and the Tucancun Hotel, behind Plaza Kukulcán.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #46, Green Line Stop #41
Playa Marlin is spectacular, as are most of the beaches along the eastside of the 7-shaped island of Cancun. The water is always a lovely deep turquoise and good swimmers enjoy playing in the waves there. There are kilometers of great beach in either direction so if you find the beach at Playa Marlin to be crowded just take a little walk and find your spot. Access to this beach is behind Plaza Kukulcán.
9-Playa Ballenas – Whale Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 14.5
This beach is located just north of the Cancun Palace Hotel and just south of Le Meridien Hotel, parking and beach access are off of Calle Ballenas.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #38, Green Line Stop #33
Playa Ballenas is a superb beach with spectacular turquoise water and fun waves. Jet ski rentals and parasailing are available there.
10-Playa Delfines – Dolphin Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 18
This beach is located near the Ruinas El Rey along the southern end of the eastside.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #20, Green Line Stop #17
Playa Delfines is very popular, but is large enough to comfortably accommodate everyone. The water at this beach is a perfect turquoise colour and there are fun waves there. There are no hotels in the immediate vicinity which makes this beach a little more relaxed than others that are further north. Usually there are jet-ski rentals available close to this beach.
11-Playa Punta Nizuc – Point Nizuc Beach
Location: Hotel Zone – Boulevard Kukulcán – km 24
This beach is located at the southern tip of the 7-shaped island of Cancun’s Hotel Zone, close to the Parque Nizuc waterpark.
Getting There By Bus: Blue Line Stop #4, Green Line Stop #3
014-SHOPPING AT CANCUN-
i-La Isla Shopping Village, Cancun (Blvd. Kukulcan, Km 12.5)-
La Isla Shopping Village is a glittering, ultra-trendy shoppers’ paradise on the banks of the Nichupte Lagoon in the Hotel Zone Cancun. You will find over 150 shops here all under a giant canopy with a series of canals and small bridges designed to create a Venetian look. There is an amazing aquarium here as well as fabulous restaurants and cinemas showing movies in English and Spanish. Mariachi Movie-lovers will be pleased to find the latest shows [in English] offered at the 10 fully equipped theatres in the plush cinema complex Cinemark at the mall.
Restaurants- Elefanta, Thai Lounge, La Madonna, Italianni´s, Chili’s, Johnny Rockets, Hooters, Planet Hollywood, Starbucks, Haagen- Dazs and more.
ii-Kukulcan Plaza & Luxury Avenue (Blvd. Kukulcan, Km 13)-
Kukulcan Plaza & Luxury Avenue are adjacent to each other in the Hotel Zone. Between them they boast more than 300 shops and boutiques in exclusive and luxurious surroundings including word famous brands such as Louis Vuitton and Cartier. There are many specialty restaurants, bars and cafes and even a bowling alley if you are looking for something fun to do.
Restaurants- Bar andal, Pizzare, Burger King, Subway, Baskin Robbins, Cenacolo Italian Cuisine, Cuisine, Expresso Lounge Snacks and Coffee, Ruth´s Chris Steak House, Tequila Grill. Comida Mexicana estilo la parrilla, Bar andal, Chilimon, Special attraction: Kukulkids, and Play City.
Luxury Avenue-This upscale mall is attached to Plaza Kukulkan and like its counterpart in Los Cabos, is made up of exclusive high end shops such as Burberry, Coach, Tous, Mont Blanc, Swarovski, Cartier and Fendi. The mall occasionally holds fashion and bridal shows.
iii-Plaza Caracol (Blvd. Kukulcan, Km 8.5)-
Plaza Caracol is situated just north of the Cancun Convention Center. There are over 200 shops and boutiques where you will find everything from Ralph Lauren and Sunglass Island to chic perfumeries such as Ultrafemme to souvenir and silver jewellery stores. There is also a great choice of restaurants and cafes if you need to take a rest from shopping in Cancun.
Restaurants- Savio’s, La Fishería, La Iguana Guana, Casa Rolandi, Le café du Soleil.
Comida Rápida- Hong Kong, La Patria, Subway, Baskin Robbins, Haagen Dazs, Neve Gelato and more.
iv- Plaza Mayafair (Blvd. Kukulcán, Km 8.5)-Plaza Mayafair was Cancun's first shopping mall in the hotel zone. It is a smaller open-air mall decorated in a Mayan/rainforest motif. The mall has nightly Mayan dance and music shows.
v- Forum-by-the-Sea (Blvd. Kukulcan, Km 9)-Forum-by-the-Sea is more of an entertainment complex than a shopping mall. There are a few stores scattered throughout this multi-level plaza but the focus is more on the Hard Rock Cafe and the Rainforest Café, which reside there. Home to Coco Bongo nightclub, Carlos 'n Charlie's and a Chili's, this oceanfront mall is always busy, especially after dark. Cambalache, a popular Argentine steakhouse, is also located inside Forum by the Sea. Haagen Dazs is close to the main entrance.
Restaurants- Cambalache, Rainforest café, Carlos n’ Charlie’s, Hard Rock Café, Johnny Rockets, Caliente, Burger King, Subway
vi- Flamingo Plaza (Blvd. Kukulcan, Km 11.5 Across from the Flamingo Hotel)-Medium sized mall good for practical shopping like beach gear, souvenirs arts & crafts and general merchandise. Restaurants such as Planet Hollywood and Pat O' Brien's are in the mall and Outback and Bubba Gump, are right next door.
Restaurants- Margaritaville, Bubba Gump, Sanborn´s Café, Outback Steakhouse, La Panza es Primero.
Shopping at Local Market-There are three big open-air markets, which are all located within walking distance of each other in the downtown area (El Centro). Markets are located north of the ADO bus terminal in downtown.
a-Mercado 28- Mercado 28 is an open air market where you can find Mexican handicraft souvenirs, clothing and jewellery stores, and restaurants where you can try authentic local dishes. It is large and maze-like, filled with vendors trying to get you to enter their stores. Lots of vendors selling inexpensive jewellery, sunglasses, clay pottery, Mayan artefacts [copies], chess-sets etc. There are Mexican restaurants, beauty salons, a pharmacy and an upscale section called Plaza Bonita that features clothing boutiques, art galleries, cafes and ice cream stores. Take the R2 or R15 bus and tell the driver you want to go to Market 28. Best time to visit: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Mon – Sun
b- Mercado 23-This is more of a local market catering to the local economy. This is where you can buy fresh vegetables and produce, flowers, meat, household products and general merchandise.
c- Ki Huic Market-Like Mercado 28 but not as big. Good place to go for the restaurants.
d- Malecon Americas / Plaza Las Americas- This is the major shopping mall in downtown Cancun,. Malecon Americas and Plaza las Americas (they are connected) offer a large variety of shops. The food court features Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, American, Italian, etc. and there are also chain restaurants like Chili’s, Hooters, California Pizza Kitchen, among others. Take the R27 bus and tell the driver you want to go to Plaza las Americas. This route is not as common as other routes and it may take up to 30 minutes for a R27 bus to pass. When you get off the bus just cross the street. Another option, take the R1 or R2 bus to the first stop downtown and then take a taxi (about 25 pesos) to the mall.
i-La Isla Shopping Village, Cancun (Blvd. Kukulcan, Km 12.5)-
La Isla Shopping Village is a glittering, ultra-trendy shoppers’ paradise on the banks of the Nichupte Lagoon in the Hotel Zone Cancun. You will find over 150 shops here all under a giant canopy with a series of canals and small bridges designed to create a Venetian look. There is an amazing aquarium here as well as fabulous restaurants and cinemas showing movies in English and Spanish. Mariachi Movie-lovers will be pleased to find the latest shows [in English] offered at the 10 fully equipped theatres in the plush cinema complex Cinemark at the mall.
Restaurants- Elefanta, Thai Lounge, La Madonna, Italianni´s, Chili’s, Johnny Rockets, Hooters, Planet Hollywood, Starbucks, Haagen- Dazs and more.
ii-Kukulcan Plaza & Luxury Avenue (Blvd. Kukulcan, Km 13)-
Kukulcan Plaza & Luxury Avenue are adjacent to each other in the Hotel Zone. Between them they boast more than 300 shops and boutiques in exclusive and luxurious surroundings including word famous brands such as Louis Vuitton and Cartier. There are many specialty restaurants, bars and cafes and even a bowling alley if you are looking for something fun to do.
Restaurants- Bar andal, Pizzare, Burger King, Subway, Baskin Robbins, Cenacolo Italian Cuisine, Cuisine, Expresso Lounge Snacks and Coffee, Ruth´s Chris Steak House, Tequila Grill. Comida Mexicana estilo la parrilla, Bar andal, Chilimon, Special attraction: Kukulkids, and Play City.
Luxury Avenue-This upscale mall is attached to Plaza Kukulkan and like its counterpart in Los Cabos, is made up of exclusive high end shops such as Burberry, Coach, Tous, Mont Blanc, Swarovski, Cartier and Fendi. The mall occasionally holds fashion and bridal shows.
iii-Plaza Caracol (Blvd. Kukulcan, Km 8.5)-
Plaza Caracol is situated just north of the Cancun Convention Center. There are over 200 shops and boutiques where you will find everything from Ralph Lauren and Sunglass Island to chic perfumeries such as Ultrafemme to souvenir and silver jewellery stores. There is also a great choice of restaurants and cafes if you need to take a rest from shopping in Cancun.
Restaurants- Savio’s, La Fishería, La Iguana Guana, Casa Rolandi, Le café du Soleil.
Comida Rápida- Hong Kong, La Patria, Subway, Baskin Robbins, Haagen Dazs, Neve Gelato and more.
iv- Plaza Mayafair (Blvd. Kukulcán, Km 8.5)-Plaza Mayafair was Cancun's first shopping mall in the hotel zone. It is a smaller open-air mall decorated in a Mayan/rainforest motif. The mall has nightly Mayan dance and music shows.
v- Forum-by-the-Sea (Blvd. Kukulcan, Km 9)-Forum-by-the-Sea is more of an entertainment complex than a shopping mall. There are a few stores scattered throughout this multi-level plaza but the focus is more on the Hard Rock Cafe and the Rainforest Café, which reside there. Home to Coco Bongo nightclub, Carlos 'n Charlie's and a Chili's, this oceanfront mall is always busy, especially after dark. Cambalache, a popular Argentine steakhouse, is also located inside Forum by the Sea. Haagen Dazs is close to the main entrance.
Restaurants- Cambalache, Rainforest café, Carlos n’ Charlie’s, Hard Rock Café, Johnny Rockets, Caliente, Burger King, Subway
vi- Flamingo Plaza (Blvd. Kukulcan, Km 11.5 Across from the Flamingo Hotel)-Medium sized mall good for practical shopping like beach gear, souvenirs arts & crafts and general merchandise. Restaurants such as Planet Hollywood and Pat O' Brien's are in the mall and Outback and Bubba Gump, are right next door.
Restaurants- Margaritaville, Bubba Gump, Sanborn´s Café, Outback Steakhouse, La Panza es Primero.
Shopping at Local Market-There are three big open-air markets, which are all located within walking distance of each other in the downtown area (El Centro). Markets are located north of the ADO bus terminal in downtown.
a-Mercado 28- Mercado 28 is an open air market where you can find Mexican handicraft souvenirs, clothing and jewellery stores, and restaurants where you can try authentic local dishes. It is large and maze-like, filled with vendors trying to get you to enter their stores. Lots of vendors selling inexpensive jewellery, sunglasses, clay pottery, Mayan artefacts [copies], chess-sets etc. There are Mexican restaurants, beauty salons, a pharmacy and an upscale section called Plaza Bonita that features clothing boutiques, art galleries, cafes and ice cream stores. Take the R2 or R15 bus and tell the driver you want to go to Market 28. Best time to visit: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Mon – Sun
b- Mercado 23-This is more of a local market catering to the local economy. This is where you can buy fresh vegetables and produce, flowers, meat, household products and general merchandise.
c- Ki Huic Market-Like Mercado 28 but not as big. Good place to go for the restaurants.
d- Malecon Americas / Plaza Las Americas- This is the major shopping mall in downtown Cancun,. Malecon Americas and Plaza las Americas (they are connected) offer a large variety of shops. The food court features Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, American, Italian, etc. and there are also chain restaurants like Chili’s, Hooters, California Pizza Kitchen, among others. Take the R27 bus and tell the driver you want to go to Plaza las Americas. This route is not as common as other routes and it may take up to 30 minutes for a R27 bus to pass. When you get off the bus just cross the street. Another option, take the R1 or R2 bus to the first stop downtown and then take a taxi (about 25 pesos) to the mall.
015-CANCUN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER-Cancun International Convention Center (Cancun ICC) is located at the heart of the hotel zone in “Punta Cancún” the second busiest in Mexico and the largest in Latin America. Punta Cancún is the main business area, including our facility and more than 4,237 nearby hotel rooms within walking distance. It also offers a wide variety of services, such as banks, money exchange houses, restaurants, nightlife entertainment, which offer special prices for congress, meetings and exhibitions participants.
(Boulevard Kukulcan KM. 9)
(Boulevard Kukulcan KM. 9)
CHICHEN ITZA
GENERAL INFORMATION-It is in the list of the “New Seven Wonders of the World”. Chichen Itza is one of Mexico’s most popular tourist destination. The Yucatan’s grandest archaeological site is Chichen-Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage area. Chichen Itza is perhaps the largest, most famous and most accessible Mayan site, about 188 kilometres (2.5hrs) west of Cancun and Cozumel. The restoration and reconstruction by the Carnegie Institute and Mexican government was begun in 1922, and continued for 20 years. Largest of Mayan cities, Chichen Itza was started around 400 A.D., abandoned and returned to several times before the Toltecs arrived in 987 A.D. In about 600 AD. Chichen Itza had started to gain importance in the region. They were superb astronomers, architect/ builders, athletes and mathematicians.
In Chichen Itza, the people worshipped the great Kukulcán who was the Mayan representation of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent. As the focus of ritual and the central point of religious and political power, the emblematic pyramid at Chichen Itza, known as Kukulcán or El Castillo, stands in the centre of the plaza. There are other buildings: - El Observatorio (Observatory), the Templo de los Guerreros (Temple of the Warriors), the famous ball game court, and the Edificio de las Mil Columnas (Building of the Thousand Columns). In March each year, more than 70,000 visitors flock to Chichen Itza to watch a wonder as the shadow of the snake descends the pyramid, which according to the ancient Maya represents the descent of the great Kukulcán. According to Mayan cosmology, the arrival of the god is a sign that can be used to predict the coming weather, success of the harvest, and fortune of the people, but if the fateful day is overcast or rainy, it can point to bad fortune or even disaster for the region. All the buildings at Chichen Itza are made out of stone. It's also thought that the Maya did no use the wheel to build any of their temples, pyramids or palaces. Visitors are not allowed to climb the stairs of the Castillo anymore in order to better preserve the monument. An estimated 1.4 million tourists visit the ruins every year.
Coordinates- 20°40′58.44″N 88°34′7.14″W
Chichen Itza Day Trip from Cancun-Duration:12 hours (approx.), Departure time-Between 4:45am and 7am (depending on your hotel's location)-Returns to original departure point at approximately 3pm-Price=70$
Tour-Explore the observatory, a sacred cenote, the ball court and the castle. En route to the ancient Maya capital, stop to explore the natural wonders of a nearby cenote — either Ik Kil or Hubiku — depending on which area is less populated on the day of your tour. You’ll have almost one hour to play in the deep, aquamarine waters of an underground swimming hole formed from a collapsed limestone cavern, before you continue on to Chichen Itza. Enjoy a delicious buffet-style lunch while watching a traditional folkloric dance.
In Chichen Itza, the people worshipped the great Kukulcán who was the Mayan representation of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent. As the focus of ritual and the central point of religious and political power, the emblematic pyramid at Chichen Itza, known as Kukulcán or El Castillo, stands in the centre of the plaza. There are other buildings: - El Observatorio (Observatory), the Templo de los Guerreros (Temple of the Warriors), the famous ball game court, and the Edificio de las Mil Columnas (Building of the Thousand Columns). In March each year, more than 70,000 visitors flock to Chichen Itza to watch a wonder as the shadow of the snake descends the pyramid, which according to the ancient Maya represents the descent of the great Kukulcán. According to Mayan cosmology, the arrival of the god is a sign that can be used to predict the coming weather, success of the harvest, and fortune of the people, but if the fateful day is overcast or rainy, it can point to bad fortune or even disaster for the region. All the buildings at Chichen Itza are made out of stone. It's also thought that the Maya did no use the wheel to build any of their temples, pyramids or palaces. Visitors are not allowed to climb the stairs of the Castillo anymore in order to better preserve the monument. An estimated 1.4 million tourists visit the ruins every year.
Coordinates- 20°40′58.44″N 88°34′7.14″W
Chichen Itza Day Trip from Cancun-Duration:12 hours (approx.), Departure time-Between 4:45am and 7am (depending on your hotel's location)-Returns to original departure point at approximately 3pm-Price=70$
Tour-Explore the observatory, a sacred cenote, the ball court and the castle. En route to the ancient Maya capital, stop to explore the natural wonders of a nearby cenote — either Ik Kil or Hubiku — depending on which area is less populated on the day of your tour. You’ll have almost one hour to play in the deep, aquamarine waters of an underground swimming hole formed from a collapsed limestone cavern, before you continue on to Chichen Itza. Enjoy a delicious buffet-style lunch while watching a traditional folkloric dance.
001-CHICHEN ITZA ARCHEOLOGICAL PARK--
i-Pyramid of Kukulcan (also spelt Kukulkan)-This glorious step pyramid demonstrates the accuracy and importance of Maya astronomy. This step pyramid stands about 98 ft. high and consists of a series of nine square terraces, each approximately 8.4 ft. high, with a 20 ft. high temple upon the summit. The sides of the pyramid are approximately 181 ft. at the base and rise at an angle of 53°. Mesoamerican cultures periodically superimposed larger structures over older ones, and El Castillo is one such example. By digging from the top, another temple buried below the current one. Inside the temple chamber was a Chac Mool statue and a throne in the shape of Jaguar, painted red and with spots made of inlaid jade.
There are four staircases, each with 91 steps, with one final step to the summit temple making 365 steps, one for each day of the year (depicting the solar year), 52 panels (for each year in the Mayan century as well as each week in the solar year) and these stairways also divide the nine terraces of each side of the pyramid into eighteen segments, 18terraces (for the 18 months in the religious year). Inside, the Castillo is an interesting temple accessible up a narrow stairway.
Kukulkan Pyramid was built also for the astronomical purposes and during the vernal equinox (March 20) and the autumnal equinox (September 21) at about 3pm the sunlight bathes the western balustrade of the pyramid's main stairway.
This causes 7 isosceles triangles to form imitating the body of a serpent roughly 37 yards long that creeps downwards until it joins the huge serpent's head carved in stone at the bottom of the stairway. It is a magnificent testament to the astronomical and architectural genius of its construction nearly 1,000 years ago.
i-Pyramid of Kukulcan (also spelt Kukulkan)-This glorious step pyramid demonstrates the accuracy and importance of Maya astronomy. This step pyramid stands about 98 ft. high and consists of a series of nine square terraces, each approximately 8.4 ft. high, with a 20 ft. high temple upon the summit. The sides of the pyramid are approximately 181 ft. at the base and rise at an angle of 53°. Mesoamerican cultures periodically superimposed larger structures over older ones, and El Castillo is one such example. By digging from the top, another temple buried below the current one. Inside the temple chamber was a Chac Mool statue and a throne in the shape of Jaguar, painted red and with spots made of inlaid jade.
There are four staircases, each with 91 steps, with one final step to the summit temple making 365 steps, one for each day of the year (depicting the solar year), 52 panels (for each year in the Mayan century as well as each week in the solar year) and these stairways also divide the nine terraces of each side of the pyramid into eighteen segments, 18terraces (for the 18 months in the religious year). Inside, the Castillo is an interesting temple accessible up a narrow stairway.
Kukulkan Pyramid was built also for the astronomical purposes and during the vernal equinox (March 20) and the autumnal equinox (September 21) at about 3pm the sunlight bathes the western balustrade of the pyramid's main stairway.
This causes 7 isosceles triangles to form imitating the body of a serpent roughly 37 yards long that creeps downwards until it joins the huge serpent's head carved in stone at the bottom of the stairway. It is a magnificent testament to the astronomical and architectural genius of its construction nearly 1,000 years ago.
ii-The Great Ball Court-The Mayans were great sportsmen and build huge ball courts to play all their games. The Great Ballcourt of Chichen Itza is 230 feet wide and 551 feet long overall. It has no vault, no discontinuity between the walls and is totally open to the blue sky. Most Maya courts had a central playing alley with a smooth surface that was bordered on its long sides by stone platforms. The platforms often had buildings on top, but their identifying features were the inclined, horizontal, and vertical planes that faced the playing alley and served as surfaces against which players bounced a rubber ball. The court’s rings, through which competing teams somehow tried to score, rose about 20 feet (6 meters) off the ground, about twice the height of a modern-day NBA net,through which a 12 pound hard rubber ball had to be shot.
Each end has a raised to the temple area. A whisper from end can be heard clearly enough at the other end 500 feet far away and through the length and breadth of the court. The sound waves are unaffected by wind direction or time of day and also night. Archaeologists engaged in the reconstruction noted that the sound transmission became more and more strong and clear as they proceeded.
Maya kings and nobles, the ball game had ritual significance and was associated with warfare. It is easy to imagine a Mayan King sitting here presiding over the games. Legends say that the winning Capitan would present his own head to the losing Capitan, who then decapitates him. While this may seem very strange reward, the Mayans believed that this to be the ultimate honour. The winning Capitan getting a direct ticket for heaven.
The enormous Chichen-Itza court where this game was played is the largest ever found and is lined with fascinating carvings that display the rules and details of the sacred game. Depictions on Maya pottery vessels show men using their bodies, arms and hips to drive the ball. One carving even shows the captain of the losing game being beheaded. In one panel, one of the players has been decapitated; the wound emits streams of blood in the form of wriggling snakes.
At one end of the Great Ball Court is the North Temple, also known as the Temple of the Bearded Man (Templo del Hombre Barbado). This small masonry building has detailed bas relief carving on the inner walls, including a center figure that has carving under his chin that resembles facial hair. At the south end is another, much bigger temple, but in ruins.
Each end has a raised to the temple area. A whisper from end can be heard clearly enough at the other end 500 feet far away and through the length and breadth of the court. The sound waves are unaffected by wind direction or time of day and also night. Archaeologists engaged in the reconstruction noted that the sound transmission became more and more strong and clear as they proceeded.
Maya kings and nobles, the ball game had ritual significance and was associated with warfare. It is easy to imagine a Mayan King sitting here presiding over the games. Legends say that the winning Capitan would present his own head to the losing Capitan, who then decapitates him. While this may seem very strange reward, the Mayans believed that this to be the ultimate honour. The winning Capitan getting a direct ticket for heaven.
The enormous Chichen-Itza court where this game was played is the largest ever found and is lined with fascinating carvings that display the rules and details of the sacred game. Depictions on Maya pottery vessels show men using their bodies, arms and hips to drive the ball. One carving even shows the captain of the losing game being beheaded. In one panel, one of the players has been decapitated; the wound emits streams of blood in the form of wriggling snakes.
At one end of the Great Ball Court is the North Temple, also known as the Temple of the Bearded Man (Templo del Hombre Barbado). This small masonry building has detailed bas relief carving on the inner walls, including a center figure that has carving under his chin that resembles facial hair. At the south end is another, much bigger temple, but in ruins.
iii- Tzompantli-Tzompantli is called The Wall of Skulls. The Tzompantli structure at Chichen Itza is very interesting Toltec structure, where the heads of sacrificial victims were placed; although it was one of three platforms in the Great Plaza. The platform walls of the Tzompantli have carved beautiful reliefs of four different subjects. The primary subject is the skull rack itself; others show a scene with a human sacrifice; eagles eating all human hearts; and skeletonized warriors with arrows and shields.
iv- Platform of Venus-In the corner of one of its panels, there is a relief of Serpent Bird Man, which is considered to be the Quetzalcoatl-Kukulkan’s representation as the 'Morning Star'. Towards the stairway, one can observe the matting, which symbolizes power, and in the corners can be seen what has been interpreted as the Knotting of the Years alongside the Venus planet. The platform was originally painted in ochre, blue, red, green, and black. An offering, consisting of a skull of a decapitated man, was found in the stairway on east.
v-The Warrior's Temple-The Temple of the Warriors is one of the most impressive and important structures at Chichen Itza. The temple consists of four platforms, flanked on the south and west sides by 200 round and square columns.The Temple of Warriors is approached by a broad stairway with a plain, stepped ramp on either side, and each ramp has figures of standard-bearers to hold flags. Before the main entrance a chacmool reclined. On the top, serpent columns which had S shaped supported wooden lintels (now gone) above the doorways. Astronomical signs and decorative features on the head of each serpent are carved over the eyes. On the top of each serpent head is a shallow basin that could have been used as an oil lamp.
vi-Temple of Thousands Column (Edificio de las Mil Columnas)-This vast space has a quadrangular floor plan. It is surrounded by several important structures including the Mercado (marketplace), the Temple of the Warriors and some structures still to be reconstructed. Stretching seventy six meters long, this raised platform is filled with square and round columns that likely supported a thatched or grass roof.
vii-The El Caracol/Obsevatory-It is so named due to the spiral stone staircase set within its turret. The El Caracol was an observatory and it is precisely aligned to the vernal equinox. The Mayans had an extremely sophisticated knowledge of celestial bodies. They calculated the movement of the planet Venus with extreme accuracy. The main part of the building that makes up the Observatory can still be entered and explored. Several of its windows point towards the equinox sunset and the southernmost and northernmost points on the horizon where Venus rises.
viii-Light & Sound Show-If you visited the ruins during the day, you can return re-enter with the same ticket for the night show, which takes places in the centre of the ruins. There's a light show and a narrative in Spanish (headsets for other languages are available for a small fee). The show lasts around an hour and while it may not be the most exciting, on a nice night it is a pleasant way to relax, watch the stars and see the ruins lit up. They tell a great tale, which is very well done. If you do stay for the show, keep in mind it will be dark, very dark, when you leave the grounds. Have a flashlight and be familiar with how to get back to the main road, signs are almost non-existent. If you can plan to be there at a "full moon", it will be worth the effort. An alternate plan is to arrive in the area in the afternoon, see the Light & Sound Show that evening, the ruins in the morning, and depart the following afternoon - your admission on the first evening grants a discount on the next day, making it about the same price.
002- IL-KIL ECOLOGICAL PARK & CENOTE- Ik Kil is a well-known cenote outside Pisté in the Tinúm Municipality, Yucatán, Mexico. It is located in the northern centre of the Yucatán Peninsula and is part of the Ik Kil Archaeological Park near Chichen Itza. It is 3kms from Chichen Itza. There are changing rooms close to the cenote, as well as lockers available for rental and even a restaurant.
A cenote is a spot where the limestone has collapsed into this underground water system. Usually the roof has collapsed to create an opening and one heck of a swimming hole. Some access large caverns that are suitable for scuba diving while others are more suited as excellent swimming holes. Cenote Ik Kil is sacred to the Mayans and the Mayans used this cenote for both relaxation and ritual services.
The Il-Kil is 200ft in diameter &130ft deep and the water surface is 85ft below the ground. No one has ever hit their head on the bottom and diving is allowed. Ik Kil water is refreshingly fresh and cold. A circular staircase has been carved out of the limestone making for an easy walk down to the water. There are access windows carved out in two spots on the way down affording great views for pictures. Black Catfish swim here but no worries; they don’t bite and just add to the mystique. There are vines descending from the top and little water drops constantly flow from above. There are platforms carved out of the limestone for jumping and diving so go for it: you’re definitely not going to hit bottom.
A cenote is a spot where the limestone has collapsed into this underground water system. Usually the roof has collapsed to create an opening and one heck of a swimming hole. Some access large caverns that are suitable for scuba diving while others are more suited as excellent swimming holes. Cenote Ik Kil is sacred to the Mayans and the Mayans used this cenote for both relaxation and ritual services.
The Il-Kil is 200ft in diameter &130ft deep and the water surface is 85ft below the ground. No one has ever hit their head on the bottom and diving is allowed. Ik Kil water is refreshingly fresh and cold. A circular staircase has been carved out of the limestone making for an easy walk down to the water. There are access windows carved out in two spots on the way down affording great views for pictures. Black Catfish swim here but no worries; they don’t bite and just add to the mystique. There are vines descending from the top and little water drops constantly flow from above. There are platforms carved out of the limestone for jumping and diving so go for it: you’re definitely not going to hit bottom.
003-VALLADOLID -Valladolid, newly-named “Pueblo Mágico” in August 2012, is a bustling Maya city with a special colonial flavour. This is where you will see the majority of the townspeople still using the typical dress of the Maya, and the buildings around the Main Plaza painted pastel colours. Located halfway (two hours from each) between Mérida and Cancún, and Chichén Itzá 28 miles away. It is a major crossroad of north/south and east/west highways. From the beginning, Valladolid has had the structure of the Spanish establishments in Yucatán. Like so many Spanish colonial towns, Valladolid is laid out on a classic grid radiating from a central town square. Valladolid is known as “The Sultan of the East,” a title given for the architectural beauty of its colonial buildings such as the Convent of San Bernardino de Siena, the Municipal Palace, the Iglesia de San Servacio, and the Museum of San Roque, among others. Valladolid was founded by Don Francisco de Montejo “El Mozo” in 1543 and acquired the category of city in 1823. Valladolid is the setting of two of Mexico’s most significant events: The Caste War in 1847 and the “first spark of the Mexican Revolution” in 1910.
- The Church of San Servacio- This church took the place of the one which was erected on March 24, 1545, by Padre Francisco Hernández whose façade faced the west, which was the custom for Yucatecan temples in the Colonial era, located on the south side of the main plaza. Above the main façade is a clock dating from the XIX century, the only public clock in the city.
- Parque Francisco Cantón-Is the main plaza in the centre of the city, is surrounded by pretty colonial style buildings that maintain much of their historic character. The statue of a Maya woman in the middle of the park is a typical place to have your picture taken.
- Municipal Palace (Palacio Municipal).
- Bazar Municipal
CANCUN DAY TOURS AND ACTIVITY-
001- XEL HÁ- It is located in the Riviera Maya. Xel-Há is an incredible place to explore the crystal clear waters of the Riviera Maya. Xel-Há is a paradise and an amazing natural aquarium. This tropical Park is a place of unparalleled beauty where one can swim and snorkel among hundreds of multi - coloured fish that have made the river and the lagoon their home. Due to its privileged location, during pre-Hispanic times Xel-Há served as an inner port, trading centre, place of pilgrimage and shelter for sailors. Xel-Há is located, 122 km to the South of Cancun, 9 km to the North of the archaeological site of Tulum and 40 km from the archaeological site of Cobá.
The park opens 365 days a year, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Online Price=80$ +36$ Transportation=116$.
ATTRACTIONS-
i- Snorkel-Snorkelling is a favourite activity for tourists who visit the Mexican Caribbean. In this Natural Wonder you can observe more than 70 marine species. You can pick up the snorkel gear at any one of five modules by scanning your bracelet.
Included in admission-
ii-River Tour-
iii-Xel-Ha Cave-
iv- Cliff of Courage-Once the visitors get to the edge and look down at the river, they will prove their diving skills and their courage if they dare to jump these challenging heights and fall into the refreshing turquoise waters.
v-Trepachanga- Test your balance with the Trepachanga and walk over the river between two ropes.
vi- Zip-Line- Slide down on Salpichanga and end up in the fresh and crystalline waters of Xel-Há. You can sit in a hammock and feel the speed as you slip along the Salpichanga ropes across the river to finish by splashing in its waters.
vii- Chuc Kay’s Flight-From a higher perch you can fly towards the inside of the grotto on a rope. You can dive into the refreshing blue water of the lagoon. The flight of Chuc Kay is less than a ten minute walk from the starting point of the river, or twenty minutes from the south side of the floating bridge.
ix- River Mangroves-An excellent perspective of the mangrove forest at Xel-Há can be found along the pedestrian path to the river.
x-Cenotes- At Xel-Há you can find two in the heart of the Mayan jungle. The bridge which crosses the Xel-Há river connects the jungle paths, caves and tropical fauna. Following this path, you will find our two cenotes, Paradise and Adventure, which are protected areas however, and swimming is not allowed.
xii- Floating Bridge- Built to join the Path of Consciousness and the main services area, the bridge is formed by interconnecting floating sections, bonds on the water, separating the cove from the open sea of the Caribbean.
There are Optional activities-
i-Swim With Dolphins-At Xel-Há you can play with them and watch them swim in their natural environment. They will welcome you by moving their fins in the form of a greeting, and will hold you from the tip of your toes to push you over the water. Price=134$
ii-Sea Treak-Walk in the sea using the Sea Trek technology, a helmet that allows you to breathe comfortably while you enjoy the setting.
iv-Snuba Cenote-Freely and discover the underwater world in this combination of snorkelling and scuba diving. At all times you will have an oxygen tank which will be floating on the surface so you can breathe comfortably while you explore the depths of the cenote.
vi-Stringray Encounter-In this new adventure full of fun, you will be very close to these majestic creatures and can witness how their incredible fins appear as wings in the water. Price=44$
vii- Adrenalina Xel-Há-Adrenalina is a fascinating adventure where you will experience real speed. On board a fast sea craft. Price=44$
The park opens 365 days a year, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Online Price=80$ +36$ Transportation=116$.
ATTRACTIONS-
i- Snorkel-Snorkelling is a favourite activity for tourists who visit the Mexican Caribbean. In this Natural Wonder you can observe more than 70 marine species. You can pick up the snorkel gear at any one of five modules by scanning your bracelet.
Included in admission-
ii-River Tour-
iii-Xel-Ha Cave-
iv- Cliff of Courage-Once the visitors get to the edge and look down at the river, they will prove their diving skills and their courage if they dare to jump these challenging heights and fall into the refreshing turquoise waters.
v-Trepachanga- Test your balance with the Trepachanga and walk over the river between two ropes.
vi- Zip-Line- Slide down on Salpichanga and end up in the fresh and crystalline waters of Xel-Há. You can sit in a hammock and feel the speed as you slip along the Salpichanga ropes across the river to finish by splashing in its waters.
vii- Chuc Kay’s Flight-From a higher perch you can fly towards the inside of the grotto on a rope. You can dive into the refreshing blue water of the lagoon. The flight of Chuc Kay is less than a ten minute walk from the starting point of the river, or twenty minutes from the south side of the floating bridge.
ix- River Mangroves-An excellent perspective of the mangrove forest at Xel-Há can be found along the pedestrian path to the river.
x-Cenotes- At Xel-Há you can find two in the heart of the Mayan jungle. The bridge which crosses the Xel-Há river connects the jungle paths, caves and tropical fauna. Following this path, you will find our two cenotes, Paradise and Adventure, which are protected areas however, and swimming is not allowed.
xii- Floating Bridge- Built to join the Path of Consciousness and the main services area, the bridge is formed by interconnecting floating sections, bonds on the water, separating the cove from the open sea of the Caribbean.
There are Optional activities-
i-Swim With Dolphins-At Xel-Há you can play with them and watch them swim in their natural environment. They will welcome you by moving their fins in the form of a greeting, and will hold you from the tip of your toes to push you over the water. Price=134$
ii-Sea Treak-Walk in the sea using the Sea Trek technology, a helmet that allows you to breathe comfortably while you enjoy the setting.
- Maximum depth: 3 meters.
- Duration: 30 min (10 min introduction and 20 min underwater walk).
- Price=48$
- Maximum depth: 3 meters.
- Duration: 1 hour (10 min safety training and placement of equipment / 10 min of practice on the dock / 40 min in the water).
iv-Snuba Cenote-Freely and discover the underwater world in this combination of snorkelling and scuba diving. At all times you will have an oxygen tank which will be floating on the surface so you can breathe comfortably while you explore the depths of the cenote.
- Maximum depth: 6 meters.
- Duration: 1 hour (10 min safety training and placement of equipment / 10 min practice on the dock, 40 min in the water).
- Price=44$
vi-Stringray Encounter-In this new adventure full of fun, you will be very close to these majestic creatures and can witness how their incredible fins appear as wings in the water. Price=44$
vii- Adrenalina Xel-Há-Adrenalina is a fascinating adventure where you will experience real speed. On board a fast sea craft. Price=44$
002-XCARÉT-Xcaret is a natural park with more than 40 attractions for all ages, perfect to visit with the family. Located on the seashore near Cancun in the Riviera Maya, Xcaret has attractions for everyone. It is located 72 km south of Cancun, 6 km from Playa del Carmen and 57 km north of Tulum. You can also take a bus from the station in Cancun (Av. Uxmal). Tour Xcaret, the best luxury transportation service from your hotel. The easiest and safest way to get to Xcaret Park. There are several attractions to visit at Xcaret Mexico, such as the Mayan ruins, the Mexican Folk Art Museum, a traditional Hacienda Henequenera and the Chapel of Guadalupe. In addition, enjoy Mexican culture and get entertained with pre-Hispanic dances, the equestrian show and the splendid presentation of “Xcaret Mexico Espectacular”, with more than 300 artists on stage. Admission to Xcaret Park allows you to discover a natural paradise in Cancun and Riviera Maya with access to over 40 attractions and activities. The park opens 365 days a year, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Online Price=89$+27$ Transportation=116$.
i- Rotating Scenic Tower- View of Xcaret Park and the beautiful Caribbean Sea from the Rotating Scenic Tower. Located just a few steps from the Gran Tlachco Theater, this popular attraction. The Scenic Tower at Xcaret go to a height of 80 meters and rotates 3600 .
ii- House of Whispers- The House of Whispers is located in one of the highest points of the Park, next to the Mexican Cemetery. Have fun listening to the whispers circulating around the walls and discover the best kept secrets in Xcaret Park. And don’t forget to admire the traditional crafts and unique products from Mexico that the House of Whispers offers.
iii- Hacienda Henequenera- The Hacienda Henequenera of Xcaret is the gateway to other attractions such as the Museum of Mexican Folk Art, the magnificent setting of the Gran Tlachco Theater and the Charra Fiesta . You will learn about the ancient machinery that was used for the production of materials during the golden age of Yucatan and Mexico.
iv-Main Plaza- The Main Plaza, an area of detailed colonial architecture .
v-Paradise River- Sail through crystalline water channels that run through the deep jungle of Xcaret Park and spot local fauna such as deer, monkeys, macaws and more. Enjoy the scenery of the Riviera Maya in this tour of Xcaret's underground rivers.
vi- Mayan Village- This is a journey into the past where you can integrate into the daily life of an ancient community, learn about their way of life, social organization, how they build their homes, and what they eat. Go through caves, trails and bridges to reach this corner of Xcaret Park where you can also find crafts of the region.
vii- Xcaret Mexico Espectacular- A journey through Mexico´s History going all the way from the pre-Hispanic times and reaching up to the modern days, a country with an ancient blend of culture and traditions that endures. More than 300 actors with original costumes are displayed in a spectacular setting in an atmosphere of light and colour showing typical dances, performances of our history, legends and all the festivities of the different cultural regions of our country.
viii- Mexico with the Charros and Adelitas- The Equestrian Show in Xcaret. It is an unforgettable evening admiring the Mexican charros and adelitas exhibiting surprising moves in fine horses. This show combines the elements of Mexican horsemanship with typical music and colours of Mexico, a true display of talent located within a typical Hacienda Henequenera, right next to our Mexican restaurant La Cocina.
ix-Voladores de Papantla- The ritual ceremony of the “Voladores” (flyers) is considered Intangible Cultural Heritage . This custom of Mesoamerican origin expresses respect for nature and the spiritual universe. During the ceremony, four Voladores de Papantla climb a pole while one more flyer remains sitting on the edge of the platform, while playing with a flute and drum melodies in honour of the sun, the four winds and the cardinal points. After this act of invocation, the dancers launch themselves from the platform to which they are tied by long ropes, imitating the flight of birds and drop down to the ground.
x- Prehispanic Performances- Owl Dance- From the darkness of a natural grotto the owl emerges to tell his story through an unforgettable performance.
i- Rotating Scenic Tower- View of Xcaret Park and the beautiful Caribbean Sea from the Rotating Scenic Tower. Located just a few steps from the Gran Tlachco Theater, this popular attraction. The Scenic Tower at Xcaret go to a height of 80 meters and rotates 3600 .
ii- House of Whispers- The House of Whispers is located in one of the highest points of the Park, next to the Mexican Cemetery. Have fun listening to the whispers circulating around the walls and discover the best kept secrets in Xcaret Park. And don’t forget to admire the traditional crafts and unique products from Mexico that the House of Whispers offers.
iii- Hacienda Henequenera- The Hacienda Henequenera of Xcaret is the gateway to other attractions such as the Museum of Mexican Folk Art, the magnificent setting of the Gran Tlachco Theater and the Charra Fiesta . You will learn about the ancient machinery that was used for the production of materials during the golden age of Yucatan and Mexico.
iv-Main Plaza- The Main Plaza, an area of detailed colonial architecture .
v-Paradise River- Sail through crystalline water channels that run through the deep jungle of Xcaret Park and spot local fauna such as deer, monkeys, macaws and more. Enjoy the scenery of the Riviera Maya in this tour of Xcaret's underground rivers.
vi- Mayan Village- This is a journey into the past where you can integrate into the daily life of an ancient community, learn about their way of life, social organization, how they build their homes, and what they eat. Go through caves, trails and bridges to reach this corner of Xcaret Park where you can also find crafts of the region.
vii- Xcaret Mexico Espectacular- A journey through Mexico´s History going all the way from the pre-Hispanic times and reaching up to the modern days, a country with an ancient blend of culture and traditions that endures. More than 300 actors with original costumes are displayed in a spectacular setting in an atmosphere of light and colour showing typical dances, performances of our history, legends and all the festivities of the different cultural regions of our country.
viii- Mexico with the Charros and Adelitas- The Equestrian Show in Xcaret. It is an unforgettable evening admiring the Mexican charros and adelitas exhibiting surprising moves in fine horses. This show combines the elements of Mexican horsemanship with typical music and colours of Mexico, a true display of talent located within a typical Hacienda Henequenera, right next to our Mexican restaurant La Cocina.
ix-Voladores de Papantla- The ritual ceremony of the “Voladores” (flyers) is considered Intangible Cultural Heritage . This custom of Mesoamerican origin expresses respect for nature and the spiritual universe. During the ceremony, four Voladores de Papantla climb a pole while one more flyer remains sitting on the edge of the platform, while playing with a flute and drum melodies in honour of the sun, the four winds and the cardinal points. After this act of invocation, the dancers launch themselves from the platform to which they are tied by long ropes, imitating the flight of birds and drop down to the ground.
x- Prehispanic Performances- Owl Dance- From the darkness of a natural grotto the owl emerges to tell his story through an unforgettable performance.
003-WETNWILD-Experience an ocean of fun with towering water slides and incredible attractions at this fun-filled park located at the southern end of the Cancun Hotel Zone. In addition to unlimited meals and beverages included in the price. Opened every day from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Location-Blvd. Kukulcán Km. 25 Zona Hotelera
Your admission includes:
Your admission includes:
- Bubba Tub
- Kamikaze
- Kids Park
- Wet Bubble
- Wave Pool
- Double Space Bowl
- Lazy River
- Twister
- Dolphin Presentation
- All Inclusive (unlimited meals and beverages)
004-XPLOR- X’plor Cancun Park is next door to Xcaret Park, located only 5 minutes from the heart of Playa del Carmen and 45 minutes from Cancun. One can enjoy five activities: zip-lines, amphibious vehicles, rafts, swimming in underground rivers, and hiking through caverns and grottos. X’plor Fuego Tour joins the better of two worlds in a night version that invites you to discover new emotions with additional ingredients such as the fire of torches, fireflies and stars that light up caves, paths and bridges. X’plor Park is opened Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time. Online Price=107$. +27$Transportation=134$.
005-TULUM- Tulum is the combination of beach coastline, archaeological zone, and town -pueblo.
i-Tulum Ruins-Tulum ruins are located 131 km south of Cancun. The "Tulum Archaeological Zone" is the first distinct zone. The ruins are along Hwy 307.Tulum ruins are approximately 1 km East of Highway 307 towards the coast. There is a large craft market there as well as a few fast food restaurants and assorted stores. Along the road towards the ruins on your immediate right is where the Mayan Pole Flyers do their pole flying. They perform throughout the day and you can sit and watch.
Tulum ruins has one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. You can jump in the water at Tulum ruins and swim north to Boca Paila. Even if you are just going to visit the ruins it is still quite an experience to swim out on the ruins beach and see the ruins from the water. On a hot summer day it is a great way to cool off.
You can spend a couple hours visiting Tulum ruins or you can spend the day. The following is a break-down of what is available to you:-
Explore the Mayan ruins.
Swim or relax on the beach.
Visit craft market.
Get something to eat.
Walk up Tulum Beach Road.
Watch the Poll Flyers.
This is where the craft market and restaurants are. The walk to the ruins is approximately 1 km. There is a little train that transports people back and forth to the ruins all day.
ii-Tulum Beaches-
Boca Paila - Along the beach you find inexpensive cabana's for rent and the odd drink stand/BBQ joint. Snorkelling along the coast here is not that good. Tulum Beach can be accessed through a number of points. You can walk in via the road that takes you to the ruins. Just keep following the road south when it hits the ruins. This same road takes you to the Sian Kaan Biosphere and Punta Allen. You can access the beach by walking through an opening or access point from the road. All beaches are "public".
Day Trip to Tulum Ruins with an Archeologist-Duration:8 hours (approx.)Price=50$
i-Tulum Ruins-Tulum ruins are located 131 km south of Cancun. The "Tulum Archaeological Zone" is the first distinct zone. The ruins are along Hwy 307.Tulum ruins are approximately 1 km East of Highway 307 towards the coast. There is a large craft market there as well as a few fast food restaurants and assorted stores. Along the road towards the ruins on your immediate right is where the Mayan Pole Flyers do their pole flying. They perform throughout the day and you can sit and watch.
Tulum ruins has one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. You can jump in the water at Tulum ruins and swim north to Boca Paila. Even if you are just going to visit the ruins it is still quite an experience to swim out on the ruins beach and see the ruins from the water. On a hot summer day it is a great way to cool off.
You can spend a couple hours visiting Tulum ruins or you can spend the day. The following is a break-down of what is available to you:-
Explore the Mayan ruins.
Swim or relax on the beach.
Visit craft market.
Get something to eat.
Walk up Tulum Beach Road.
Watch the Poll Flyers.
This is where the craft market and restaurants are. The walk to the ruins is approximately 1 km. There is a little train that transports people back and forth to the ruins all day.
ii-Tulum Beaches-
Boca Paila - Along the beach you find inexpensive cabana's for rent and the odd drink stand/BBQ joint. Snorkelling along the coast here is not that good. Tulum Beach can be accessed through a number of points. You can walk in via the road that takes you to the ruins. Just keep following the road south when it hits the ruins. This same road takes you to the Sian Kaan Biosphere and Punta Allen. You can access the beach by walking through an opening or access point from the road. All beaches are "public".
Day Trip to Tulum Ruins with an Archeologist-Duration:8 hours (approx.)Price=50$
ABOUT MAYAN PEOPLE
THE CLASSIC MAYA, A.D. 250-900 -The Classic Period, which began around A.D. 250, was the golden age of the Maya Empire. Classic Maya civilization grew to some 40 cities, including Tikal, Uaxactún, Copán, Bonampak, Dos Pilas, Calakmul, Palenque and Río Bec; each city held a population of between 5,000 and 50,000 people. At its peak, the Maya population may have reached 2,000,000. The Maya used their mathematical knowledge along with celestial observations to finesse a calendar created by the Olmec which is a culture from the Mexican Gulf Coast and to create monuments to observe and commemorate movements of the moon, the sun, and Venus. The Maya were deeply religious, and worshiped various gods related to nature, including the gods of the sun, the moon, rain and corn. At the top of Maya society were the kings, or “kuhul ajaw” (holy lords), who claimed to be related to gods and followed a hereditary succession. They were thought to serve as mediators between the gods and people on earth, and performed the elaborate religious ceremonies and rituals so important to the Maya culture. The Classic Maya built many of their temples and palaces in a stepped pyramid shape, decorating them with elaborate reliefs and inscriptions. These structures have earned the Maya their reputation as the great artists of Mesoamerica. Guided by their religious ritual, the Maya also made significant advances in mathematics and astronomy, including the use of the zero and the development of a complex calendar system based on 365 days.
MAYA, A.D. 800-900AD-From the late eighth through the end of the ninth century, something unknown happened to shake the Maya civilization to its foundations. One by one, the Classic cities in the southern lowlands were abandoned, and by A.D. 900, Maya civilization in that region had collapsed. The reason for this mysterious decline is unknown, though scholars have developed several competing theories.
AFTER 900AD-The area was then largely abandoned for about a hundred years (why, no one is certain), to be resettled around AD 900.During 967AD- 987 A. D it was invaded by Toltecs , a people from the north.The aggressive Toltecs conquered the Itzas, introduced them to the practice of human sacrifice and with their labour rebuilt the city as a religious centre. Following the conquest of Yucatán a new style blending the Maya and Toltec traditions developed. Chichen-Itza is a clear illustration of this fusion. And the 10th century saw the rise of the city as a regional capital controlling the area from central Yucatán to the north coast, with its power extending down the east and west coasts of the peninsula. Chichén Itzá was urban centre of their empire from A.D. 750 to 1200.
After the 13th century no major monuments seem to have been constructed at Chichen-Itza and the city rapidly declined after around 1440 A.D. During the 1400s people abandoned Chichén Itzá to the jungle. Though they left behind amazing works of architecture and art, the city’s inhabitants left no known record of why they abandoned their homes. In 1532-35 Spanish conquer, Francisco Montejo The Younger, conquer the Chichén Itzá. A New York lawyer rediscovered them in 1842. Real restoration and reconstruction by the Carnegie Institute and Mexican government was begun in 1922, and continued for 20 years.
After the 13th century no major monuments seem to have been constructed at Chichen-Itza and the city rapidly declined after around 1440 A.D. During the 1400s people abandoned Chichén Itzá to the jungle. Though they left behind amazing works of architecture and art, the city’s inhabitants left no known record of why they abandoned their homes. In 1532-35 Spanish conquer, Francisco Montejo The Younger, conquer the Chichén Itzá. A New York lawyer rediscovered them in 1842. Real restoration and reconstruction by the Carnegie Institute and Mexican government was begun in 1922, and continued for 20 years.
WRITING-The Maya’s developed the only writing system of all the civilizations of America prior to the conquest. The written language of the Maya was made up of about 800 glyphs, or symbols. Each one represented a word or a syllable, and could be combined with the others in an almost infinite number of ways. As a result, there were three or four different ways to write almost every word in the Mayan language.The Mayans also had writing tools, usually crafted from animal hair and feathers. The Maya also made paper from tree bark and wrote in books made from this paper, known as codices; four of these codices are known to have survived. Four books are known today:
a-The Dresden Codex
b-The Madud Codex
c-The Paris Codex
d-The Grolier Codex.
a-The Dresden Codex
b-The Madud Codex
c-The Paris Codex
d-The Grolier Codex.
ASTRONOMY-The Maya’s astronomical skills were so advanced they could even predict solar eclipses, and an impressive and sophisticated observatory structure remains on the site today. During the first millennium AD the Maya keenly observed and mapped the movements of the sun, moon, planets and stars. These celestial objects were incorporated into a complex cosmology and mythology that explained the past and predicted the future. They also used astrological cycles to aid in planting and harvesting and developed two calendars that are as precise as those we use today.
The axes that run through the northwest and southwest corners of the pyramid are oriented toward the rising point of the sun at the summer solstice and its setting point at the winter solstice. At sunset on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, an interplay between the sun's light and the edges of the stepped terraces on the pyramid creates a fascinating - and very brief - shadow display upon the sides of the northern stairway. A serrated line of seven interlocking triangles gives the impression of a long tail leading downward to the stone head of the serpent Kukulkan, at the base of the stairway.
The axes that run through the northwest and southwest corners of the pyramid are oriented toward the rising point of the sun at the summer solstice and its setting point at the winter solstice. At sunset on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, an interplay between the sun's light and the edges of the stepped terraces on the pyramid creates a fascinating - and very brief - shadow display upon the sides of the northern stairway. A serrated line of seven interlocking triangles gives the impression of a long tail leading downward to the stone head of the serpent Kukulkan, at the base of the stairway.
SCIENCE--Strange acoustic anomalies observable at the great ball court and the temple of Kukulkan. Words softly whispered at one end of the great ball court (measuring 545 feet long by 225 feet wide) are clearly audible all the way at the other end and a single clap or shout sounded in the centre of the ball court will produce nine distinct echoes. Visitors have also commented on a curious acoustic phenomenon at the pyramid of Kukulkan where the sound of a hand clap is echoed back as the chirping sound of the Quetzal bird, the sacred bird associated with both the name of the pyramid and its deity Kukulkan/Quetzalcoatl.
MAYAN CALANDER-The Mayan civilization developed the calendar further and it's still in use in some Maya communities today. The Mayan Calendar consists of three separate corresponding calendars, the Long Count, the Tzolkin (divine calendar) and the Haab (civil calendar). Time is cyclical in the calendars and a set number of days must occur before a new cycle can begin. The three calendars are used simultaneously.
- a 365 day solar calendar- The Haab is a 365 day solar calendar which is divided into 18 months of 20 days each and one month which is only 5 days long (Uayeb). The calendar has an outer ring of Mayan glyphs (pictures) which represent each of the 19 months. Each day is represented by a number in the month followed by the name of the month.
- The divine calendar- It is a 260-day calendar, with 20 periods of 13 days used to determine the time of religious and ceremonial events. Each day is numbered from one to thirteen, and then repeated. The day is also given a name (glyph) from a sequence of 20 day names. The calendar repeats itself after each cycle. Every 52 years counted as a single interval, or Calendar Round. After each interval the calendar would reset itself like a clock.
- The Long Count- The Long Count is an astronomical calendar which was used to track longer periods of time, what the Maya called the “universal cycle”. Each such cycle is calculated to be 28,80,000 days (about 7885 solar years). The Mayans believed that the universe is destroyed and then recreated at the start of each universal cycle. This belief still inspires a myriad of prophesies about the end of the world. The Long Count system identified each day by counting forward from a fixed date in the distant past. (In the early 20th century, scholars found that this “base date” was August 11 or August 13, 3114 BC.).
TECHNOLOGY-The ancient Maya managed to build elaborate temples and great cities without what we would consider to be essential tools: metal and the wheel. However, they did use a number of other “modern” innovations and tools. They built complicated looms for weaving cloth and devised a rainbow of glittery paints made from mica, a mineral that still has technological uses today. Maya discovered vulcanization–combining rubber with other materials to make it more durable. Maya began to use it in a variety of ways: to make water-resistant cloth, glue, bindings for books, figurines and the large rubber balls used in the ritual game known as pokatok.
MATHEMATICS-The Mayans also were skilled at mathematics; they created a numerical system, based upon the numeral 20 (as opposed to our own, which is based on the number 10). Furthermore, they independently developed the concept of zero and positional value, even before the Romans did. This especially sets them apart as capable mathematicians, as few ancient societies mastered this abstract notion before them. Their ability to do complicated math and understand abstract ideas also allowed them to develop complex, highly accurate calendars, even predicting solar and lunar eclipses (amongst other celestial happenings). These were a major part of their culture and were used for many purposes in everyday Mayan life.
ART-The Mayans mostly created sculptures, ceramic pieces and paintings, though few of the latter survived due to the humid climate of the region. Mayan sculpture was typically made out of stone, wood, stucco or precious stones. Many of the stone sculptures were inlaid with jade; most of those made with stucco were painted. Mayan sculpture was also very realistic, especially in the carved busts of kings and gods. One of the major styles of Mayan sculpture were the Stelae. A Stela was a large stone slab, covered with carvings. Like most Mayan art, these usually depicted either kings or gods. Another common form of sculpture was altars, which were used for religious purposes and carved with scenes from mythology. Sculpture was also used to decorate the walls and doorways of buildings.
RELIGION-The Ancient Maya believed in cycles and nature, and many of their rites and religious events were held at specific times of the year. They believed in three planes of existence: The Earth, The Heavens (above) and the Underworld (below). These planes all had their own gods, not all of whom were good, especially those dealing with death. Some art suggests that they believed in human sacrifice, and it was performed by priests for the good of the whole community.
ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM-Around 300 B.C., the Maya adopted a hierarchical system of government with rule by nobles and kings. This civilization developed into highly structured kingdoms during the Classic period, A.D. 200-900. Their society consisted of many independent states, each with a rural farming community and large urban sites built around ceremonial centers.