Mexico
Little more than twenty years ago, Cancun was just a Mayan name, a deserted,
sun-drenched island off the northeast tip of the Yucatan peninsula.
The Mexican Caribbean stretches along the coast of the Yucatan peninsula and includes such exotic ports of call as Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Isla Mujeres. Well known for its Mayan cultural attractions and sandy beaches, this area of Mexico also boasts extraordinary sites for snorkeling and scuba diving, like the underground rivers and natural springs of Xel-Ha.
Forests, jungle, flora and fauna, archaeological sites, solitary beaches, a turquoise-colored sea with crystal-clear water which turns to silver by moonlight, the fantasy and warmth of the tropics, the mystery of the millenary culture which lives on in the Maya people, are just some of the qualities which have turned the Riviera Maya into a great holiday destination.
Capital: Mexico City. Cancun is located on the east coast of Mexico in the state of
Quintana Roo.
Currency: Mexican Peso US$ are widely accepted
Population: 350,000 (Cancun); 55,000 (Cozumel)
Area: From point to point the island is 17 kilometers long. From side to side, however, it only
measures between 300 to 500 meters width, less in some places.
Language: Spanish
Economy: Tourism
Religion: Christian (Roman Catholic).
Government: Democratic Republic
Telephone Codes: - 52 – 98
Airport Departure Tax: US$17.00
Passport/Visa requirements: Australian passport holders do require visas, these can be issued on
arrival
Banking Hours: Mexican banks are generally open from 9 am to 2:30 pm weekdays only.
Shopping Hours: Most stores are open from 10 am to 10 pm daily in the Hotel Zone. Stores
downtown may close between 2 pm and 4 pm for the traditional "siesta" and on
Sundays.
Time Zone: 15 hours behind Sydney (EST)
Electricity: 110 volts
Weather: Semi-tropical with an average temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures for Cancún: January-March, 68-86°F (20-30°C); April-June, 71-89°F (22-32°C); July-September, 75-91°F (24-33°C); October-December, 68-87°F (20-31°C).
Transportation: City buses and taxi vans run through the hotel zone and downtown. Local urban bus companies service the hotel zone. They stop by all hotels during the day.
Taxis are very affordable in Mexico. We suggest that you ask the driver before getting in the taxi the fare they will charge. Usually in your hotel they have a list of the fares so you can be sure that you are getting the correct price.
The Mayan women of Mexico used to make annual pilgrimages to Cozumel to worship Ixchel, the goddess of fertility. In the 1500s, Spain conquered Mexico and the ensuing settlers mixed with the Mayan people. Their descendants are known as mestizos. In 1821, Mexico achieved independence.
The first hotel opened on Cozumel some 40 years ago. Soon after, divers discovered the spectacular reefs that line the island's west coast, and it has become a mecca for the scuba set.
In 1974, a computer decided that the strip of sand called Cancun was ideal for a planned resort town. Well-behaved weather and the island's close proximity to North America ensured its popularity. Thus, Mexico's number-one tourist destination was conceived.
The downtown district of Cancun, on the mainland of the Yucatan peninsula, is separated from the nine-mile island of Cancun by a lagoon. One road runs the length of the flat, L-shaped island. Though every inch of Cancun is developed--high-rise hotels and restaurants with views bump hips with late-night discos and thriving mini-malls--the balance is perfect, thanks to careful planning. Even in the high season when most of the 17,000-plus accommodations are booked, few restaurants have waiting lines. As Cancun's popularity has soared, its now the most-visited spot in the Caribbean. Luxury hotels have sprouted to cater to visitors with more affluent tastes.
Cozumel is Cancun's alter ego. Despite the fact that Cozumel is considerably larger than its compatriot to the north, just eight percent of the land supports commercial ventures. Dining, for the most part, takes place in informal eateries. The hotels do not feel the need to outshine the natural attractions. The north west curve of the island is bordered by a lazy lagoon. Altogether, the atmosphere is easy going. Offshore, Cozumel is bordered by some of the fabulous coral in the hemisphere, and it still hosts tens of thousands of divers annually.
Minutes away the picture changes – to Mayan ruins at Tulum and Chichenitza, snapper “veracruzana” with cold beer served from makeshift grills on beaches near Playacar and Playa del Carmen, a sleepy afternoon spent sunning and snorkelling at Isla Mujeres, mariachis, a brass band and Mexican families celebrating Sunday night in the town square.
