Cancun: stay-and-play essentials

Cancun’s array of activities from water sports and golf to shopping and nightlife are all played out against a backdrop of beautiful, sunny beaches that bask in an average high temperature of around 79 degrees. Visitors will find 14 miles of cool white sand stretching along Cancun’s Caribbean coast.

The Caribbean Sea has the liveliest surf, while Bahia Mujeres, between Isla Mujeres and Cancun is tranquil and serene and a great place to snorkel. Playa Marlin and Playa Ballenas are relatively less crowded beaches.

Playa Tortugas and Chacmool are two popular beaches that are great for visitors staying at downtown Cancun hotels. These beaches also have changing rooms and restaurants.

Beaches toward the north have gentle waves, ideal for swimming and sailing. These include Las Perlas, Linda Caracol, and Juventud.

Beaches toward the east including El Rey and Gaviota Azul face the open sea; the waves are big, but visitors can still practice water sports.

Topless bathing is usually frowned upon in Mexico, but it is quietly accepted in Cancun, so visitors should not be surprised at the sight.

Accommodations:

Cancun offers some 140 hotels totaling more than 26,000 rooms for all tastes and budgets. There are deluxe beachfront accommodations; all- inclusive resorts; condo and villa rentals, and less expensive properties for those on a budget. Amenities at resort hotels are plentiful and typically include children’s clubs, tennis courts, fitness centers, spas, fine dining, personable and well trained hotel staff and travel desks. Many resorts offer evening entertainment as well.

Cancun features two distinct hotel areas, each with its own appeal.

Hotel Zone: The 14- mile-long Hotel Zone runs along Cancun Island’s beachfront. Properties in the Hotel Zone are located on the bay (Bahia de Mujeres), the Caribbean Sea, or on the lagoon (Laguna Nichupte). Guest should chose a Caribbean side hotel if they desire traditional sun and fun activities, while the bay side offers calmer waters perfect for snorkeling. The Hotel Zone is also the site of numerous restaurants, shopping malls and nightclubs.

The Centro: Also known as Cancun City, The Centro is a nine-block area on the mainland. Although there are no beachfront hotels here, the area does offer a plentiful choice of shops, restaurants and services, as well as hotels that are less expensive than those in the Hotel Zone. If visitors are looking for local color and a more authentic Mexican experience, the Centro is a good choice for them.

Fast Facts:

Airlines: Aeromexico, American West, American, ATA, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Mexicana, Northwest, Spirit, and US Airways offer Non-stop or direct flights from the U.S. to Cancun. Cancun is about 1.5 hour flight from Miami, four hours from New York, and six hours from Los Angeles.

Currency: Visitors should check their local newspaper for the latest dollar-peso exchange rate just before leaving on their trip. U.S. dollars are accepted in many tourist areas.

Entering Cancun: U.S. citizens need a valid passport or an original birth certificate with a valid (state-issued) photo I.D. A visa is not necessary.

Language: The official language is Spanish, but most people employed in the tourism industry speak English.

Tipping: Restaurant gratuity, if not included in the bill, is 15 to 20 percent. Many hotels impose a daily service charge to cover non-food and beverage gratuities. If not, porters should be tipped $2 per bag; hotel maids should get $2 each day.

Water: Although many people drink straight from the tap, it is still recommended to drink bottled or purified water (agua purificada). All hotels either purify their water or serve purified water.

Beach Safety:

Although visitors will find lifeguards at hotel beaches, it is still important for swimmers to pay attention to a system of colored flags used to denote the safety of surf conditions: Green or Blue Flags mean the water is calm and safe for swimming. Yellow Flags indicate that swimmers should exercise caution. Red or Black Flags denote dangerous conditions such as strong undertow; swimmers should get out of the water until lifeguards determine an improvement in the sea’s condition.