Cancun evolved after Mexico's ambitious Tourism planners chose to compete with Acapulco as a World-Class resort in the Caribbean Sea. They chose a deserted sand spit offshore from the little fishing village of Puerto Juarez. Its name was Cancun.
In the last two decades Cancun has derived from a tiny jungle village into one of the world's best-known holiday resorts. The Mexican government has invested vast sums into landscaping and infrastructure, yielding straight, well-paved roads, drinkable tap water and great swathes of sandy beach.
Cancun is situated in the state of Quintana Roo on the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, a seal-head shaped land mass that stares longingly towards Cuba. Cancun is on the northeastern tip of the Peninsula, fronted by Bahia de Mujeres (Bay of Women), the Caribbean Sea and two lagoons.
Cancun is actually two places in one. On the mainland lies Ciudade Cancun, a planned city founded as the service centre of the resort. The main north-south thoroughfare is Avenida Tulum, a long tree-shaded boulevard lined with banks, shopping centres and restaurants. The smaller, low to medium-priced hotels and restaurants is within the city centre.
