Cancun is the place where warm white powdery sand beaches and turquoise crystal clear waters come together. The resort city offers sun, sea, sand and vibrant nightlife, providing all kinds of fun, entertainment and luxury. You can relax on the beach, rejuvenate in the world-class spas or get your adrenalin rush with the variety of water sports on the offer. This city has something for everyone. But you can certainly add a twist to you Cancun vacation by venturing beyond the resort areas and exploring new avenues which are offbeat and unique in their own way.
One of the most popular and unusual attraction is the Cancun Underwater Museum which is located near the Manchones reef in the waters surrounding Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nizuc. Featuring over 400 sculptures by British eco artist, Jason deCaires Taylor and spread over 1,600 square feet, the museum boasts of being one of the largest underwater museums on the planet. The sculptures are constructed using pH-neutral marine concrete so that they support the marine life system and become artificial reefs to maintain the ecological balance.
Another spectacular site is the El Rey Ruins. Located in the middle of Cancun’s hotel zone across from the Mirador Playa Delfines, this small group of ruins offer an interesting glimpse into ancient Mayan life. The ruins are believed to be remains of ceremonial buildings and market areas. So you don’t have to undertake long travels to Chichen Itza or Tulum to witness the great Mayan culture. The site is also home to hundreds of giant iguanas.
If craving for more archaeological sites, then El Meco Ruins is your answer. It was once an important religious center and consists of 13 structures gathered around a central temple. It also served as an important reference point for coastal navigation as it is believed to be a departure point for Mayans sailing to Isla Mujeres. Located three miles outside Cancun’s hotel zone, it’s of the lesser known and lesser visited archaeological sites in the Yucatán region. So if you want to soak in the past, then this is the place to be. Just rent a car and have the site all to yourself.
Situated roughly 30 km north of Isla Mujeres, serving as one of the most important nesting place for sea birds in the Mexican Caribbean, is the Isla Contoy National park and nature reserve. Apart from being home to over 100 birds, it also serves as a nesting ground for sea turtles. The nature park can be reached by sailing from Cancun and Isla Mujeres. So make your booking as the number of visitors is limited to 200 per day as that you wouldn’t want to miss this nature’s abode.
Not vacation is complete without these two things, one is food and the other shopping. So the Cancun Tianguis (Mercado) or the neighborhood tianguis, or market is the one stop solution to complete your fun-filled vacation. From experiencing the chaotic atmosphere of a traditional Mexican market where you haggle over prices, interact with the vendors to sampling street food, the local market it is the perfect place for a taste of the authentic Mexican culture. The market houses everything one can think of from food, household goods, artisans to souvenirs such as plastic chilli peppers, puppets, sombreros, blankets, blouses and a variety of other handicrafts. So eat your heart out and shop till you drop. This unique Cancun experience is sure to bring you back year after year.
Author:Tom Budniak is passionate about both real estate and Mexico and that made him move to Mexico to pursue his interests. He blogs regularly for his blog at http://www.playadelcarmenrealestate.mx/new-blog.html and shares his insights with fellow travellers.
