Cancun is also the gateway to the Riviera Maya, another tourist pull in the area, where people are attracted by the numerous archaeological sites, such as Coba and Tulum, the many cenotes (water springs), charming towns like Playa del Carmen and theme parks such as Xcaret Eco Park, Xel-Ha and Xplor.
Cancun resulted from a 1967 study by Banco de Mexico to determine the feasibility of capturing more dollars and other foreign exchange through tourism development. It was actually selected after extensive research and exploration by the bank's researchers. Banco de Mexico obtained a $27 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank to install the first infrastructure. The name "Cancun" translates from the Mayan language as "Snakes Den", since the terrain was inhabited by various species of snakes. Many images and statues of snakes can be found within the city. When development was started on Jan. 23, 1970, Isla Cancun had only three resident caretakers on a plantation. and there were only 117 people living in nearby Puerto Juarez, a fishing village and military base.
Due to the reluctance of investors to bet on an unknown area, the Mexican government had to finance the first nine hotels. The first hotel financed was the Hyatt Cancun Caribe, but the first hotel actually built was the Playa Blanca, which later became a Blue Bay hotel, and is now Temptation Resort. The entire project was master-planned, with the island (soon connected to the mainland by causeways) devoted almost exclusively to tourism facilities, while workers housing and service areas were located on the mainland in what became the city of Cancun.
CANCUN CLIMATE:
The temperature of the city is warm and tropical, moderated by the marine breezes created by onshore trade winds. Cancun features a tropical wet and dry climate that borders on a tropical monsoon climate. The annual average temperature in Cancun is 26°C (79 °F) with over 3000 sunshine hours a year or almost 70% of possible, making it one of the sunniest locations in the Caribbean. Unlike inland areas of the Yucatan Peninsula, sea breezes restrict high temperatures from reaching 35 °C (95°F) most afternoons, however extremes have ranged between a record maximum of 39.5 °C (103.2 °F) to a minimum of 7.5 °C (45.4 °F) on March 3, 2009 but conditions are typically far more moderate. Annual precipitation is just over 140 cm (55"), mostly concentrated in brief, heavy rainfalls during the wet season. Extended rainy periods are very rare. More temperate conditions occur from November to February with occasional refreshing northerly breezes, it is drier and becomes hotter in March and April. It is hottest from May to September, due to proximity to the Caribbean and Gulf humidity is high the year round, especially so during Hurricane Season (averages close to 70% on rainfree days).
The dazzling white sand beaches where the sand feels relatively cool, even on hot days, attracts many thousands of tourists annually.
The crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea are full of colorful fish and other marine creatures. The reefs and islands create sheltered bays and coves where scuba diving and snorkeling are unsurpassed.
On land, trips can be arranged to nearby Mayan ruins.
CANCUN ACCOMMODATIONS:
Plan a memorable All-Inclusive Riviera Maya vacation today and enjoy the beauty of Mexico.
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