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Land of Sun and Fun (and Romance)

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Cancun is an island located on the Carribbean side of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. It was built by the government to become the spot of a tourist mecca (after an extensive research determined that the location would have the greatest impact on tourism). The city is now 30 years old an boasts 75,000 tourists per day enter the city for vacations. Cancun was built on an island that was adjacent to an ancient city of Mayan heritage. The word Cancun comes from the Mayan words 'Can' and 'Cun', which means 'nida de viburas' (or 'snakes' nest). The island is attached to the mainland by a small bridge, and is often not noticed by the casual tourist. Here, one can find some of the Carribbean's most lovely beaches and some beautiful resorts. I have visited Cancun on at least seven different occassions, and find this spot to have a wonderful beach life, as well as a thriving night life.

Favourite spots:

Where shall I begin? Playa Caracol - a beautiful beach with calm waters that stretch far into the sea. Forum by the Sea Plaza - a wonderful mall (or plaza) containing a variety of restaurantrs and night spots. Playa MayaFair - Another beautiful mall Downtown (mainland) Cancun

What's really great:

I enjoyed waking at 8:00 and having a large buffet breakfast at one of three or four super locations (there are many around the city, but Pat O'Briens and Los Rancheros are my favorites). The on to the beaches. It really is possible to sleep and get tanned at the same time. Then, the evenings are free to party. And what a great variety of options are available.

Sights:

Day trips are available to many locations, including:
Chichen Itza
Excaret
Isla Mujeres
The Booze Cruise
Xel-Ha
Cozumel
and many others

Accommodations:

Holiday Inn Downtown - a large 4-star rated hotel
Howard Johnson Kakai Cancun - a quaint 3-star rated hotel
Imperial Las Perlas Cancun - one of the first hotels that you will see upon entering the island.
Continental Plazas Cancun - a great 5-satr rated hotel on the beach. This hotel is considered a resort destination.

Nightlife:

Christines - a classy dance club
La Boom - one of the favorite dance clubs among high school and college aged visitors
Senor Frogs - a favorite of many who visit
Pat O'Brien's - one of my favorites
Coco Bongo
Mango Tango

Hangouts:

Carlos and Charlies
Charlie O'Brian's
Pat O'Brien's
Hard Rock Cafe - located in Forum by the Sea - one of the few Hard Rock's that has a live house band that performs nightly

Restaurants:

La Habichuela
Pat O'Brien's -an awesome experience
Santa Fe Cafe - a microbrewery located in Forum by the Sea
Rainforest Cafe - located in Forum by the Sea
Bogart's - a very expensive restaurant, in the style of the movie Casablanca - located in the Hotel Krystal
El Cambalache - an Argentenian steak house - located in Forum by the Sea
Lorenzillo's
U'Mediteraneo - Italian food - located in Forum by the Sea
El Mexicano
La Rosa Mexicano - traditional Mexican food
Los Rancheros - a nice breakfast or lunch buffet
Altamar Restaurante Espanol - serves great paella

Published on Monday June 9th, 2003 by bear495

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