Arriba, arriba! Sombreros, Speedy Gonzalez, fajitas, burritos and all that jazz. If glittering clear seas, blue skies, hot sun, white beaches, lively nights and delicious food is your kind of holiday, look no further than the sunshine resort of Cancun.
Popular with honeymooners, Cancun is linked to the mainland by bridges. Despite its party atmosphere and abundance of shopping opportunities, award-winning golf courses and glittering marina, the spirit of the Mayans is evident in the many nearby ruins.
Flights from Gatwick operate regularly and are reasonably priced. Gatwick parking can be added as an extra, giving you peace of mind and convenience. Airport taxis can be expensive, why not cut the cost wherever possible?
With year round temperatures, when to go depends on how hot you like it. Summer is like an inferno, spring is pleasantly hot, but also comes with the added “bonus” of US students on spring break. If you like partying, maybe this is the time for you, if not, avoid like the plague!
Accommodation is plentiful, and the majority of hotels are situated in the Hotel Zone. When travelling this far, it might be worth saving a little more and staying in comfort at one of the better hotels.
Nightlife central is predictably named the Party Zone. This is where the concentration of clubs, bars and restaurants reside, including the famous City Nightclub. Transportation runs late into the evening, saving you the worry of getting back to your hotel safely. In comparison, a more family-friendly form of nightlife can be found in downtown Cancun, with glittering seafood restaurants on the waterfront of Laguna Nichupte, on the west side. Laidback or lively, take your pick.
Of course, the beaches are second to none. Running the length of the Hotel Zone, brilliant white sand, soft and silky underneath your feet, dazzling blue sea, palm trees – a scene from paradise, and worth the airfare alone.
Many water sports are available on the island, however if you want to see what lurks below the surface of the big blue, scuba diving gives you a breathtaking view of a stunning underwater world. If you don’t fancy getting wet however, submarine tours are available and offer much the same experience.
If you can drag yourself away from the beach, there are many varied day excursions. Synonymous with Mayan history, the nearby El Rey ruins should certainly be on your to-do list. A tip – wear comfortable shoes! Jungle tours into the nearby forest and mangroves offer a chance to see stunning wildlife and flora up close. Boats leave to Nichupte Lagoon daily, a beautiful spot where eight lagoons interchange, and Contoy Island, with its abundance of sea birds in a protected nature reserve.
For a spot of culture, Plaza de Toros in downtown Cancun is a bullring that houses fights every Wednesday afternoon. A huge part of history and culture, a visit here is informative and colourful, with shows and demonstrations.
Cancun is charming, colourful, blissful and simply beautiful. It’s also closer than you think with around an 11 hour flight from London. Long-haul flights equal the need to make travelling as stress-free as possible, and Airport Parking goes a long way to keep blood pressure levels on an even keel. Airparks offer great deals from many UK airports.
The beaches alone are enough to make most people book their holiday of a lifetime to this sublime Mexican resort, but there is so much more to Cancun than sunbathing. Whether you’re after partying in the sun, or relaxing in paradise, Cancun has something for you.
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