Cancun Attractions

A series of beaches - de las Perlas, Juventud, Linda, Langosta, Tortugas, Caracol and Chac-mool - extend alongside the Boulevard Cancún and the Paseo Kukulkán all the way from the city boundary. Tortugas, Caracol and Chac-mool are the most popular. Laid out beside the 7.5km/4.6mi Paseo Kukulkán is an 18-hole public golf course known as Pok-ta-Pok.

There is a hydrofoil service from the resort (pier at the Centro de Convenciones) to Cozumel (island) and the Isla Mujeres.

Mexico's underwater exploration club CEDAM has its own museum, located near the Bahía Complex on the Paseo Kukulkán. Finds recovered on underwater expeditions, etc. are among the items exhibited.

Between Punta Cancún and Punta Nizuc a number of interesting Mayan ruins have been found, mostly Puuc in style. They are usually referred to collectively as the El Rey ruins though occasionally heard called Pinturas, San Miguel, Yamilum, Pok-ta-poc or El Conchero. Most consist of stumps of pyramids with temples built on them, some with rounded corners. In addition, more than 50 tombs have been discovered.

This archeological museum features Mayan artifacts. Exhibits also describe the history of the Maya.

Rio Secreto is an underground river running through caves with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Visitors can take tour which involves descending down stairs into the cave system and then floating around the caverns. Wet suits are provided for these guided tours. Optional pick up from Cancun or the Riviera Maya is possible or visitors who have their own transportation can drive to the location themselves.

10km/6mi further on down MEX 307 from Punta Beté lies Playa del Carmen, another small port from which ferries run to and from Cozumel. The town has a pretty beach but has suffered from too rapid growth in past years. There are good facilities for diving and deep-sea fishing.

Akumal, Xel-há and Tulum are 37km/23mi, 44km/27mi and 62km/38mi respectively from Playa del Carmen.

Leaving Cancún, drive south on the MEX 307, past Cancún Airport (15km/9.3mi) to the little harbour of Puerto Morelos (37km/23mi) from where passenger and car ferries cross to Cozumel.

Next continue for another 25km/15.5mi to Punta Beté where good accommodation is available close to the beach and where diving equipment can be hired.