Cancún

Cancún is a city in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, located on the northeastern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula along the Caribbean Sea. It is one of the country’s premier international tourist destinations, renowned for its beaches, hotel complexes, and vibrant nightlife.

Geography and districts: The city comprises downtown Cancún (El Centro) and the Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera), a long, narrow barrier island separated from the mainland by canals and the Nichupté Lagoon. The Hotel Zone runs along the coast for about 20 kilometers and contains the majority of the area’s beaches and resorts.

History: The area was historically inhabited by Maya communities. In the 1970s the Mexican government launched a large-scale development program through FONATUR to create a purpose-built resort destination. Since then Cancún has grown rapidly into an international resort city with extensive hotel infrastructure and services.

Economy and attractions: Tourism dominates Cancún’s economy. The city offers numerous all-inclusive resorts, dining options, and entertainment venues, as well as snorkeling and scuba diving in nearby marine and cenote attractions. Cultural sites include the Maya ruins of El Rey within the Hotel Zone, and visitors commonly take day trips to nearby sites such as Chichén Itzá, Tulum, or cenotes on the peninsula.

Transportation: Cancún is served by Cancún International Airport (CUN), one of Mexico’s busiest gateways, with frequent international and domestic flights. The city is connected to the rest of the peninsula by highways, and ferries link Cancún to nearby locations such as Isla Mujeres.