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Cancún’s pulsating night-life is most concentrated in the “Corazone” but extends all the way to Ciudad Cancún. A non-stop party atmosphere is maintained in clubs varying from Mexican traditional to modern cool.

Cancún’s greatest glory is made up of fine white silicate sand that’s soft and somehow always cool despite the warmth of the sun. There are several public access points from Boulevard Kukulcán. The north side of the “7” is best for swimming; the eastern beaches have more crashing waves.

The placid lagoon enclosed by Cancún Island offers more tranquillity than the ocean, and is a favorite place for water sports. To the west are man-groves and jungle.

The heart of the action on the Hotel Zone strip is around the bend in the “7.” Here are vast shopping and entertainment malls, such as Plaza Caracol and Forum by the Sea, and the biggest nightclubs, Dady’O and the Coco Bongo

The star exhibit is a 15th-century stucco head known as The King (El Rey). The deliberately misshapen human skulls show the Mayan ideals of beauty.

Cancún is a shopaholic’s heaven. You have everything from international fashion in the vast, gleaming malls of the Hotel Zone to Mexican souvenirs in the markets of Downtown.

The hub of the more Mexican town of Ciudad Cancún is tree-lined Avenida Tulum. It’s a good spot for strolling and souvenir-shopping, and its cafés and restaurants are more tranquil than those by the beach.

Near the Isla Mujeres ferry ports, the ruined city of El Meco dates back to AD 300. An impressive pyramid and the remains of an opulent Mayan palace can be seen.

These ruins were part of a city that was prominent in the last centuries of Mayan civilization, just before the Spanish Conquest. By the ruins is a mock Mayan village, presenting a reconstruction of ancient Mayan life, including traditional cooking.

The giant theme park combines slides and rides of all sizes at the Wet’n’ Wild water park; a snorkeling pool with stingrays and (harmless) sharks; an interactive dolphin pool; and bungee-jumping from the Sky Coaster (see Attractions for Children).