| Cancun offers such a wide range of great things to | | | | the Cancun Convention Center. For one price, you |
| do, your biggest challenge might be fitting them all in | | | | can take in the show while enjoying dinner and an |
| without feeling like you have missed something. | | | | open bar. |
| Instead of spending hours researching everything | | | | More locally seasoned dinner and dancing can be |
| Cancun has to offer, we have done the dirty work | | | | found at El Mexicano Restaurant Folkloric Ballet & |
| for you. Without further ado, here are 10 things you | | | | Mariachis, located in the Costa Blanca shopping center. |
| do not want to miss while vacationing in Cancun: | | | | Starting at 7 p.m. and running until 11 p.m., every |
| Number one is definitely hit the beach. Cancun spoils | | | | performance features live mariachi music, dancing, |
| you with some of the worlds most beautiful beaches, | | | | and folkloric ballet. Enjoy the show while feasting on |
| featuring white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise | | | | large, colorful plates of enticingly fresh and authentic |
| blue water, and water sports galore. Sun yourself, | | | | Mexican dishes. If you are traveling with the kids, |
| play in the pristine water, scuba dive or snorkel in | | | | check out Casa de la Cultura on Isla Mujeres, which |
| one of the world's most effervescent patches of | | | | hosts dance classes and other childrens activities. |
| ocean, sail, sea kayak, jet ski you will be hard | | | | Number six is to behold the timeless matador. |
| pressed to run out of ways to enjoy yourself. | | | | To experience one of the oldest Mexican traditions, |
| Number two is to kick back on Isla Mujeres. You can | | | | head to Plaza del Toros in downtown Cancun for the |
| hop a ferry from the mainland to explore this once | | | | thrills and spills of bullfighting. Every Wednesday |
| sleepy fishing island eight miles offshore, now chock | | | | afternoon, man and beast face off in a battle of |
| full of quaint restaurants, shops, and exquisite | | | | wits, cunning, and endurance. Matches are preceded |
| beaches. As you stroll through Isla Mujeres streets, | | | | by horseback riders, ropers, and dancers decked out |
| music surrounds you, providing a locally flavored | | | | in elaborate costumes. |
| soundtrack for your exploration. | | | | Number Seven is to visit the magical Mayan ruins. |
| The islands magnificent white sand beaches feature | | | | Mayan history is alive and well in Cancun. Located on |
| many of the same water sports found on the | | | | the Hotel Zones lagoon side, Ruinas Del Rey are now |
| mainland snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing, kayaking | | | | part of the Hilton Resort complex but open to the |
| but in a more relaxed setting. You can even swim | | | | public for a small fee. Skeletons excavated at the |
| with dolphins and docile sharks a great story to take | | | | site suggest it may have been a royal Mayan burial |
| back to the mainland with you. | | | | ground. Just north of Cancun, the ancient coastal city |
| Number three is to dive into an enchanting new | | | | of El Meco features Mayan pyramids, from the top |
| worldwith the worlds second largest reef just | | | | of which you can take in stunning views of |
| offshore. Cancun offers some of the most | | | | Chacmochuc Lagoon. Recently opened to the public, |
| spectacular scuba diving in the Western Hemisphere. | | | | you wwill not have to worry about throngs of |
| Warm, crystal clear waters provide visibility of up to | | | | tourists. |
| 100 feet, and the range of flora and fauna is virtually | | | | Number eight is to go museum hopping. |
| unrivaled. There are more than a dozen different | | | | The Museo de Antropologia e Historia features |
| diving and snorkeling sites in and around Cancun and | | | | artifacts and displays chronicling centuries of Mexican |
| another 10 on Isla Mujeres. | | | | culture, including an examination of Mayan culture with |
| Number four is to discover the real Cancun in El | | | | items dating back as many as 1,500 years. Museo |
| Centro. El Centro, the citys thriving downtown where | | | | INAH also has an impressive amount of Mayan |
| most of the locals and expats live, provides a glimpse | | | | cultural and archeological relics, including jewelry, |
| of the Mexican urban lifestyle. Filled with excellent | | | | masks, skulls, and a hieroglyphic staircase from the |
| restaurants, shopping, and local crafts, you will find | | | | 6th Century. |
| great prices and the best Mexican food in Cancun. | | | | Number nine is to get close to nature at Reserva |
| Mercado Veintiocho also called Market 28 is a huge | | | | Natural Tres Rios. It is located 35 minutes south of |
| crafts market filled with vendors hawking many of | | | | Cancun airport, this off the beaten path ecological |
| the same wares you will find in the Hotel Zone, but | | | | park is often overlooked by visitors but worth the |
| at half the price. More bargains can be found along | | | | short trip. Situated in a pristine low subtropical jungle, |
| Avenida Tulum, El Centros main drag, and Avenida | | | | you can explore this nature reserve by foot, |
| Yaxchilan, which also has a number of good | | | | horseback, or bicycle, either on your own or by |
| restaurants and nightlife. | | | | guided tour. |
| If sidewalk cafes and smaller restaurants are you are | | | | More than 100 exotic animals make their home here, |
| thing, check out Avenida Nader. Also near Avenida | | | | as well as countless varieties of flora. Kayak, canoe, |
| Tulum, Parque de Palapas is an action packed park | | | | or jet ski through the reserves mangrove swamps. |
| popular with locals offering music, food, and a giant | | | | Snorkel off the coast and take in the wide array of |
| thatched roof stage. | | | | tropical fish and ever changing coral reefs. You can |
| Number five is to in Cancun is to dance, dance, | | | | even overnight here group camping is available. |
| dance. | | | | Number 10: Eco Cool Wrapped up in a Theme Park |
| Whether you want to cut the rug or just watch | | | | 45 minutes outside of Cancun, Xcaret Eco Theme |
| professionals do it on stage, the internationally | | | | Park features Mayan culture and archeological tours, |
| renowned Ballet Folklorico Nacional de Mexico Aztlan | | | | as well as entertaining shows, scuba diving, snorkeling, |
| performs traditional dances set to Mexican music in | | | | and a chance to swim with dolphins. |