Cancun |
| Wednesday, 14 May 2008 00:00 |
 Cancun is the capital of Yucatan and located on an island off the northern shore of the Mexican peninsula, continuing on the mainland. The beaches are covered in sugary white sand that is partly of coral origin, keeping cool even in hot weather, the water is turquoise, hotels and restaurants are excellent, the nightlife exciting and the tourists always happy. With average 80°F and 240 days of sunshine per year there is almost no restrictions as to when to enjoy one (or all) of the eleven beaches of Cancun, the best of which are on the northern edge of town. The area offers plenty of opportunities for water sports. Coral reefs attract scuba divers and snorkelers, and the quiet bay between the island and mainland is perfect for water skiing and fishing. You don’t have to be a surfing ace to keep busy in Cancun, though. If you rent a car you can explore the surrounding sights quite easily. A popular day trip destination and one of Mexico’s most famous attractions is Chichen-Itza, an ancient Maya site. The ruins were erected in the 5th century and are testament to the immense knowledge and skill of the Mayas. The El Castillo, or Kukulcan Pyramid, is one of the most spectacular construction built by the ancient Middle American people. The square pyramid is made up by 91 steps on each side, which, including the top one, adds up to 365, the number of days in a year. This is just one of many signs of the comprehensive astronomical knowledge of the Mayas. You can reach Chichen-Itza from Cancun on the 180 hwy in western direction. It is roughly 120 miles to Piste, the town closest to the Mayan ruins. Another great way to spend a day is a trip to the Xel-Ha Water Park. The preservation of the ecologically unique maritime world has highest priority here; spectacular caves, beautiful mangroves, and breathtaking cliffs above blue lagoons await the visitor. The underwater world can be explored on snorkeling tours. The park is easy to reach from Cancun on the 307 coastal road, roughly 70 miles south of the city. |
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