- Caracol: Of restless swell, its waters are perfect
for activities such as parasailing, and jet-skiing. It is located
steps away from Punta Cancun, at the kilometre
8.5 of the Hotel Zone.
- Punta Cancun: It is characterised by its calm and
transparent waters, being the favourite one for scuba diving
and snorkelling lovers. It is located at kilometre 9 of the
Hotel Zone.
-Beaches in the Caribbean Sea: Its belligerent swell and energetic
currents are adequate for the surfers' adrenaline requirements.
Further than the fierceness of the sea, the beaches offer dazzling
scenery.
- Gaviota Azul: It is a good place for the practice
of aquatic sports. It is passing Punta Cancun,
at the kilometre 9 of the Hotel Zone.
- Chac Mool: It is ideal for navigating on sailboats
and having fun on a jet-ski. Its waters are usually shallow.
It is at the kilometre 10 of the Hotel Zone.
- Marlin: Perfect scenery for the practice of surfing,
water skiing and other sports. It is located between Punta Cancun
and Punta Nizuc, at the kilometre 13 of the Hotel Zone.
- Ballenas: It stands out for the whiteness of its
sands, being one of the most attended. It is located between
Punta Cancun and Punta Nizuc, at the kilometre
14 of the Hotel Zone.
- San Miguelito: It has the additional attraction
of being very close to a homonymous archaeological zone of Mayan
origin. It is located at the kilometre 16.5 of the Hotel Zone.
- Delfines: Known also as "El Mirador" (Vantage Point)
for its spectacular sights of the Caribbean Sea. It is located
at the kilometre 18 of the Hotel Zone, a few steps away from
Punta Nizuc and facing the Ruins of the King.
- Punta Nizuc: A beautiful beach that allows watching
the majestic immensity of the Caribbean Sea. It is located at
the kilometre 21 of the Hotel Zone.
-Lake Zone of Nichupte: It is formed by seven lagoons whose depths
vary between 30 centimetres and three metres; they are connected
and linked through mangroves and canals, which allow the practice
of diverse nautical sports on its waters, such as sport fishing,
kayaking and snorkelling, besides rides on motorboats. It has a
3000 hectare extension. It is located in the easternmost part of
Cancun.
-Ruins of the King: It is a pre-Hispanic settlement
of Mayan origin that maintains two compounds baptised with the names
of King and Paintings, wherein you can appreciate 16 structures,
two plazas and an equal number of roads.
There are also remains of paintings at the base of the constructions which, according to scholars, would go back to the Late Postclassical period (1250-1550 D.C.)
The archaeological compound presents singular features within Mayan architecture, such as the two plazas and roads, contradicting the classical features of a central plaza surrounded by streets, which characterises all the other constructions of this Mesoamerican culture.
It is located on a forest opening nearby Nichupte, 17 kilometres
plus away from
Cancun, and 2.5 kilometres away
from Punta Nizuc.
-Archaeological Zone of El Meco: It is formed by
14 architectonic structures, amongst which The Castle, built at
the A Plaza, stands out, besides other religious and civic precincts.
The place might had been part of the maritime-terrestrial web of
the Mayas, which allowed them to consolidate their economy during
the Postclassical period (122-1550 D.C.), a situation that contrasts
with its surge during the Early Classical period (300-600 D.C.),
when it was a modest hamlet of fishermen dependent of the regional
capital. It is located north of
Cancun, at the
kilometre 2.7 of the Puerto Juarez-Punta Sam highway.
-Isla Mujeres Island: Its peaceful beauty lures
travellers looking for an intimate encounter with the sea in this
paradise of crystalline waters and impressive coral reefs. It is
located facing
Cancun, at a 13 kilometre distance;
it is a mass of land with a 7.5 kilometre length and a one kilometre
width. Its name was given in 1517 by the Spanish conquistador Francisco
Hernandez de Cordova, due to the little statues with female characteristics
he found at the site, which represent Ixchel, the fertility goddess
of the Mayas.
The most frequented sites within the island are the beaches of Los Cocos, apt for the practice of diverse aquatic sports; Lancheros, home of centenarian sea turtles; and Garrafon, a kind of submarine garden invaded by corals where scuba diving is imperative.
Another point of interest is the so called Dormitorio (Bedroom), a cemetery of pirate ships at almost 10 metres of depth.
You have to board a motorboat or a shuttle at Puerto Juarez or Playa
Linda, in the Hotel Zone of
Cancun in order to
get to Mujeres Island.
