HISTORY OF CANCUN

Mexico's Riviera

For decades, vacationers heading to Mexico's renowned beach getaways had to look no further than a string of sunny resorts along the Pacific Coast. From Mazatlan to Acapulco, Mexico's Riviera was the only region with any developed visitor attractions and facilities. Then, in the late 1960's, the government took interest in a remote sandbar on the eastern shore of the Yucatan Peninsula. The resort of Cancun Mexico was born, transforming not only a frontier region of Mexico, but also Mexico's identity from a "Pacific Coast-only" destination.

It all started in 1967 when the Mexican government, recognizing the importance of tourism to the country's economic future, began a detailed search to pinpoint ideal sites for tourism development. Cancun Mexico emerged as the government's top candidate. Still, the new resort reached the 1980's as a relatively small and undiscovered destination with a dozen or so hotels. A building boom in the mid-1980's finally vaulted Cancun Mexico into the global tourism arena as THE resort of the '90's. In fact, Quintana Roo State now garners 35% of Mexico's annual tourism revenue - a whopping $3 billion annually!

From ruins to riches, Cancun Mexico has it all, offering an exotic, tropical island setting buoyed by modern comforts and conveniences. In fact, it's hard to imagine a site better endowed with natural, cultural, and man-made attractions. Technically an island, the Cancun Mexico resort zone is a 22.5-kmlong slender ribbon of sand, shaped like the number seven. Its stunning beaches must be seen to be believed: silky smooth, sugar-white sand, lapped by the turquoise and emerald waters of the Caribbean.

Cancun Mexico is comprised of three distinct but integrated areas: the City of Cancun, a raffish boomtown of 500,000 people, popular for shopping, dining, less expensive accommodations; the ecological reserve -lovely lagoons and mangroves; and the resort zone, an island. Development is designed around an ecologically-sensitive master plan, divided into three phases. Phase two is completed. Phase three will include 4,500 new hotel rooms, a marina, more shopping malls/restaurants in the area between the airport and Punta Nizuc. A well planned layout and modern infrastructure give the Cancun destination a polished (although mostly un-Mexican) appearance.

Cancun's history is rich with Mayan influences. The Yucatan Peninsula is where Mayan culture flourished for centuries prior to the Spaniards' arrival in 1519. Over 1200 archaeological sites are scattered within a few hour's drive from Cancun Mexico. Many sites have been wonderfully restored, while others are still shrouded by tangled jungle vegetation. Even Cancun's ultra-modern resort zone harbors ruins dating to the 12th century. Popular day tours to sites like Tulum, Coba, and Chichen Itza afford visitors the opportunity to appreciate the work of one of the world's most advanced ancient societies.

Beyond the area's famous ruins, the Mayan culture has survived despite tourism's rapid encroachment. In fact, much of Cancun Mexico's population is of Mayan descent. With natural and cultural wonders as a backdrop, developers have built Mexico's most dazzling offering of creature comforts.

Recent additions to Cancun Mexico's entertainment attractions include the spectacular "La Isla" entertainment complex, a luxury offshore casino ship, a state-of-the-art Convention Center (a $30 million facility with over 150,000 sq. ft. of meeting space), an annual marathon, a new Parque Nizuc water park, and an array of new dining and shopping options.

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