By: Cancun Tourism Board.

The world's most luxurious hotels, hundreds of superb quality restaurants, shopping centers with the most famous international brands, spas, natural attractions such as the Mangroves or Nichpte or whale shark viewing, and the wonders of the Mayan civilization can all be found in Cancun.

PREMIERE TOURISM GLOBAL CENTER Located in the state of Quintana Roo in the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun is a piece of the Caribbean in Mexico that has everything one can expect or imagine. Cancun is known not only for its turquoise waters and white sand beaches, which are also an unsurpassed level, but also for its elegant facilities, golf courses, and outstanding restaurants.

Cancun is a destination for travelers and expatriates seeking a truly rewarding experience.

Suffice it to say that it is the only city in Latin America in which 75% percent of the hotels have a 5-star category. Moreover, 20 percent of hotels are Diamond category according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). To be ranked in this prestigious category, hotels must have high levels of service, food, rooms and customer satisfaction. Only between 3 to 5 percent of hotels worldwide achieve this level. It is therefore not surprising that celebrities like Tom Cruise, the Rolling Stones and Jennifer Lopez, among others, choose to Cancun as a preferred destination.

For avid golfers, there are nine golf courses and three more under construction, designed by legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Nick Price and Greg Norman. For those seeking relaxation, Cancun offers some great spas, where therapists use the most recent methods to reduce and eliminate tension and stress.

While some relax or play golf, others can go shopping at one of Cancun’s 2,000 establishments. With its condition of a tax-free zone, Cancun is a paradise for shopping, offering boutiques and shopping malls where one can find not only the best known international brands, but also the latest trends in jewelry, gifts, accessories and fashion.

MAJESTIC NATURE With its mangrove forests, reefs, and fabulous underwater scenery and animal life, Cancun is one of the places on earth with the most natural diversity. A trip here would not be complete without exploring the wildlife diversity and the coral reefs of the Caribbean ocean.

The Mangroves of Nichupte is a special attraction for nature lovers for its beautiful scenery and its biodiversity, including red and blue crabs that migrate during full moon nights in September and October. These crabs march towards the sea and lay their eggs, many times with the help of locals and tourists who enjoy this enriching experience. There are few destinations in the world where, between May and August, one can swim alongside the world's largest fish, the whale shark. Despite measuring up to 18 meters in length and whose mouth open can have an extension of 9 feet, these sharks are completely harmless to humans. Swimming with these sharks is a once in a lifetime experience.

For the more adventurous, one can snorkel or scuba dive close to the most famous ocean reefs in the world, a truly amazing experience. One will see a variety of sea creatures, including dolphins, turtles, and thousands of fish species. In addition, only 20 minutes from downtown Cancun, there is a famous crocodile farm, where these coexist with iguanas, coatis, snakes, deer, parrots and macaws in their natural habitat.

Nature-seekers can visit the botanical garden of Puerto Morelos, home to more than 250 species of animals and the most flourishing flora of the area, among them the Ceiba, the sacred tree of the Maya. Cancun is truly a unique place in the world in that it combines luxurious hotels and world-class restaurants with incomparable natural beauty.

MAYAN ARCHITECTURAL WONDERS

The technology and architecture that characterizes Cancun is exhibited in the spectacular and nearby archeological sites that date back over 2,000 years. For example, near the Hotel Zone lie the ruins of El Rey, named after a sculpture found in the form of ornate head that is currently on display at the Anthropological Museum of Chetumal. According to archaeological studies, the site was built in 300 BC, and its sculptures are similar to those found in Tulum on the Riviera Maya. Tulum, a walled city on the edge of a cliff in front of a turquoise sea, is one of the most spectacular Mayan ruins in Mexico.

For lovers of archeology, history, or beauty, Chichen Itza is a must visit, and it is only190 km from Cancun. It is an architectural gem, and one of the main examples of the great cultural wealth of the Maya. The site was appointed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988 and elected by millions of Internet users as one of the Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Chichen Itza is home to the impressive pyramid Kukulcan, a huge stone calendar, an astronomical observatory and the largest game ball in Mesoamerica.

Twice a year, one can see a phenomenon unlike any other. During the spring and autumn equinoxes of spring and autumn, the sun projects and forms a shadow of a serpent over the stairs of the temple. The serpent represents the god Kukulcan that descends from the top of the pyramid to fertilize the soil.

Locals have great pride in their Mayan heritage and civilization that dates back to 1500 BC and can be seen in the architecture of its hotels and its typical cuisine. This, along with its natural beauty and friendly people make a Cancun one of the most popular spots in the world to either visit or purchase a second home.