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Where the weather is always balmy, the food is spicy and you’ll never run out of things to do; Cancun. This Mexican city is beautiful in so many ways and on a variety of levels. Tourists flock to this mecca of flavour in foods, sites, places to stay and things to do.

Essentials in Cancun

There are so many beautiful places to see that you may find yourself lacking on sleep time because you’ll want to spend every minute going places and doing things to maximise your trip. Cancun sees its share of tourists all year long, around 4 million of them. It's a party city at its heart that knows how to dance until dawn. The only question is, can you keep up?

Riviera Maya: This is the main tourist district in and around Cancun. It's also called the Mayan Riviera and its a hot spot for hotels and beaches. It starts at Playa del Carmen and runs all the way along the coast until Tulum, including of course the Isla de Cozumel as well. Luxury travellers won't be disappointed by what's on offer here.

Chichen Itza: The temple is dedicated to the Mayan goddess of fertility and the moon, Ixchel. It was first discovered in the early 1500s by the conquistadors. In the 1980s the ruins were heavily damaged by a hurricane but today are well-worth exploring if you're looking for a little Mayan flavour to add to your holiday. The best way to reach the ruins is by rental car.

Beaches: For most visitors to Cancun, it's all about the beaches. If you're an experienced swimmer, then take to the open ocean waters! For those looking for calmer waters to lounge in, pick a beach that faces Isla Mujeres.

Snorkelling: Cancun is a great place to snorkel, equipment can be rented from your hotel. If you're looking for more adventure and less crowds (and better deals on hotel rooms), venture outside of Cancun, just an hour or two to Puero Morelos, Tulum or Playa del Carmen. The most incredible place to snorkel however it at the Cancun Underwater Museum, where hundreds of cement sculptures by Jason de Caires Taylor have been submerged, to attract tourists away from the deteriorating coral reefs.

Food: One of the highlights of any trip to Mexico is the food. Hot and spicy, tacos and burritos are more than just everyday fare. Chile, corn and beans are the staples, so don't miss the opportunity to try local tamales, gorditas or fresh tortillas.

Find more information on cancun.travel.

Accommodations in Cancun

At first it's easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices when it comes to reserving a hotel in Cancun. The main drag for beach resorts and hotels is the Boulevard Kukucán. You can't miss its palm-trees and incredibly manicured gardens, waterfalls and swimming pools. Entertaining the guests is a top priority so hotel spas, fitness rooms, mini-golf, swimming pools, tennis and even organised water sports are the standard. Hotels here however are expensive.

As far as hotel dining is concerned, you're better off heading elsewhere for dinner. The best restaurants are not on hotel grounds, that's for certain. This is the case especially if you want to try your hand at some authentic Mexican cuisine. Watch out for all-inclusive hotel deals as well, since you may be paying for many services you might not use. Read the fine print! Also, when checking-out, check your bill very carefully for added fees, especially for pool-side towels. Always bring your own, Cancun hotels are notorious for charging up to £20 for "renting" towels.