Cancún - Not Just for a Spring Break

By Jennifer Smith

For years, vacationers have been drawn to the beautiful scenery that Cancún has to offer. There is, after all, a reason why the Mexican government chose this coastal city to be its tourist flagship. Blue waters, white sands, and plenty of room for development meant that Cancún was the perfect place to draw in visitors.

Image and Reality
Cancún's popularity with American travelers - meaning English is widely spoken and popular chain stores and restaurants can be found there - and relatively low costs have helped it to become a haven for spring breakers, and has become better known as a party spot than the tropical escape that it was designed to be. Still, many vacationers looking for a resort location that is perfect for honeymoons or other peaceful getaways also consider Cancún.

How can honeymooners mix with the out-all-night lifestyle Cancún is becoming so well-known for? The simple answer is that Cancún has come to be the name used for the entire Caribbean coast of Mexico's Yucatán peninsula. The Yucatán peninsula contains the state of Quintana Roo, where Cancún resides. In fact, so do fascinating Mayan ruins and wide stretches of nearly untouched beaches. Cancún isn't the only place travelers may choose to visit in the Mexican Caribbean.

Plenty of Places to Go
Cozumel, an island off the coast of Mexico, is home to a small city and an airport. You'll also find plenty of world-class snorkeling and diving on the world's second largest reef. Mayans held this island as the sacred home of the fertility goddess Ixchel, and it now houses ruins for visitors to explore.

Those looking for something upscale and secluded, on the other hand, may want to consider the area known as the Mayan Riviera. It's called by several variations of this name, such as the Riviera Maya, and stretches along the coast from Cancún to Tulum. Areas like Playa del Carmen are a part of this beautiful coastline. Rental villas with private slices of beach, rather than sprawling hotel and resort complexes, line the shores here. Some areas of the Mayan Riviera, such as Xel Ha and Akumal, are also known for their eco-tourism opportunities.

The ruins at Tulum are some of the most famous in Mexico. Here travelers can see a holy Mayan city and visit "The Castle." This fortress is built on a bluff overlooking the ocean, offering spectacular sights for visitors willing to take the trip. Unlike the hustle and bustle of Cancún, this area is a haven for backpackers and ecologically-oriented travelers. Isla Mujeres is another popular island just miles away from Cancún in the Caribbean Sea; you'll find the ruins of many Spanish galleons sunk just off its coast.

So while it's easy to see why students may enjoy the wilder side in the city of Cancún, it's not difficult to understand how travelers can find the perfect honeymoon escape and family travel in the area as well. Mexico's Caribbean coast has much more to offer than just Cancún, though the city has become a figurehead for its tourism.

About the author:
Jennifer Smith writes for http://www.Cancun-Guide.info, http://www.DominicanRepublic-Guide.info, and other Segisys travel Web sites.