Cancun: Mexico Hotspot
by Paris Permenter & John Bigley

Water as clear as tequila, history as old as the Mayas, and an atmosphere as hot as the temperature all add up to one spectacular honeymoon destination: Cancun. This Mexican resort island tempts couples with Caribbean delights and a pace that can range from fiesta to siesta, whatever the two of you are seeking. Couples feel the pulse of life beat strongly here, dancing in crowded discos or arm-in-arm on moonlight beaches.

Selected as the ideal resort location by a computer over two decades ago, Cancun is a cosmopolitan city with an array of worldly pleasures. Luxury hotels tower high above the palms. Fine restaurants offer cuisine from around the world. Shops tempt travelers with treasures ranging from French perfumes to Italian leathers.

The island of Cancun is shaped like the number "7," and the entire length of the island is outlined with powdery beach. That white sand is the perfect complement to the azure waters that invite the two of you to take a dip in the gentle waves and feel the delicious glow of shared love beneath a tropical sun. If you're looking for something a little more active, watersports operators all along the coast cater to sun worshippers. Couples can rent jet skis, take a boat tour of the neighboring mangrove jungle, learn to scuba dive together, or book an excursion on a romantic sailboat. Those who don't scuba but are curious about what lies beneath that blue sea can feel like Jacques Cousteau aboard an Atlantis submarine, a great way to view the spectacular marine life. Golfers and tennis buffs find plenty of action as well.

Along the chalk white beach lie Cancun's other top assets: its luxurious resorts. The Hotel Zone is an elegant strip named Kukulcan Boulevard, a 12-mile drive that stretches the entire length of the island. Here the two of you will find five-star resorts to pamper you with fine food, late night fun, plenty of activities, and luxurious rooms that become your home away from home for a few glorious days.

Cancun offers honeymooners all the comforts of home so a trip here is easy and carefree. Cancun's water is purified by a modern filtration system, and restaurants also serve bottled water. Most shopkeepers, taxi drivers and waiters speak excellent English, so getting around town is easy. The US dollar is accepted as easily as the Mexican peso.

SIGHTSEEING

Around Cancun lie historic and ecological wonders, great places to spend a day and experience the real magic of the Yucatan peninsula. One of the most popular side trips is to Tulum, located 97 miles south of Cancun. Tulum was once a ceremonial center where ninth century Mayan rulers and priests worshipped. The Mayan culture once dominated the region, their cities dotting the sea level jungle. This culture is considered as important to the New World as the Greek and Roman civilizations were to the Old. Today, most of these ancient Mayan cities are still hidden in the lowland jungle but Tulum is enjoyed by many travelers. Here temples stand high on the cliffs overlooking the sea, a scenic spot that's one of the most photographed attractions in Mexico.

Just minutes from Tulum awaits Xel-Ha (pronounced "shell-ha"), a natural aquarium. Xel-Ha means "where the water is born," an appropriate name for one of the best snorkeling areas anywhere. Couples can float hand-in-hand in calm, clear waters, enjoying a look at the colorful reef just yards from shore. After a swim, you can snuggle in a hammock beneath a tall palm or share a cool cerveza in a thatched palapa.

Up the road from Xel-Ha lies Xcaret, an eco-archaeological park where visitors can swim with dolphins, tour a botanical garden, or just enjoy a lazy day together. Xcaret ("esh carett") is a Mayan word meaning "little inlet." Over 500 years ago the Mayas came to this magical spot to bathe in the clear waters and purify their bodies and souls before traveling to the neighboring island of Cozumel to worship Ixchel, Goddess of Fertility.

Xcaret's most unique feature is its underground river. Lovers swim through the dark, cool water, snorkeling along an subterranean stream that carved its way to the edge of the Yucatan. Although it may sound like an Indiana Jones adventure, all levels of swimmers enjoy the lazy float downriver through the dark limestone passageways. Occasionally a ray of sunshine illuminates the trip thanks to a cenote, a collapsed sinkhole. Above, the canopy of the jungle is visible, if only for a few moments before floating further downstream and finally out into the clear, warm waters of the inlet filled with fish as colorful as a candy store window.

After dark, the fun continues at Xcaret with an elaborate show. Sunset tours lead visitors along the jungle pathways, heavy with smell of burning incense and lit with glowing luminarias, to view ancient Mayan rituals and pre-Colombian dances. Later in the amphitheater, a show begins with Mexican New Age music then the air fills with the sounds of mariachi bands. Dancers in traditional dress twirl across the stage in a majestic demonstration of dances from across the country.

AWAY FROM THE BEACH

When the two of you have had enough fun in the sun, you'll find plenty of diversions right in the city. Cancun is a duty-free zone so keep an eye out for bargains that range from fine leather goods to perfumes to jewelry. Silver jewelry is a popular purchase, as are locally made goods such as hammocks. Couples can enjoy some good natured "negociacion" or bargaining at the smaller shops in the Hotel Zone or at the traditional markets in Old Cancun. Fixed prices are generally found at the modern malls such as the luxurious Plaza Kukulcan, the large Plaza Caracol, and Flamingo Plaza, home of Planet Hollywood.

All that shopping can build an appetite and Cancun is filled with restaurants where the two of you can share long, leisurely meals. Start with a frosty margarita, enjoyed while you listen to "your song" requested from a band of strolling mariachis. From there, move on to dishes that capture the flavor of the Yucatan: sopa de lima (a lime-flavored chicken soup), cochinita (suckling pig roasted in a barbecue pit), caracol (conch) and langosta (lobster). Fine restaurants such as La Habichuela specialize in local cuisine while many American-based restaurant chains like TGI Friday's, Tony Roma's, and Ruth's Chris Steak House serve favorites from home. Meals in Cancun, like all of Mexico, are begun late and enjoyed for several hours, the perfect time to plan your late night fun.

When the sun goes down, Cancun really comes to life with the sounds of pulsating discos. Vacationers don evening wear and head out to the high tech discos or authentic salsa clubs for a night on the town. Couples looking for a south-of-the-border beat will find it at Azucar, popular for its energetic salsa band. Christine's is known for its music videos and the night kicks off with a pulsating sounds and laser light show while La Boom caters to a young crowd with action that goes on through the night. If you're seeking something a little more like home, the Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood pulsate with partying. Be sure the two of you enjoy a siesta before a night on the town: in Cancun the dancing usually starts around 11:30 and continues until 3 a.m. -- or later!

WHERE TO STAY

Cancun is home to many luxurious beachfront accommodations that boast fine restaurants, swim-up bars, and a full menu of amenities. For general information on the many hotels and activities in Cancun, call 800-CANCUN-8. Here are some favorites:

The Ritz-Carlton Cancun is one of the island's most elegant accommodations, from its antique-filled lobby to its large balconies, perfect for a sunset cocktail together. Diversions include massages on the beach, private candlelight dinners for two served anywhere on the resort including the moonlit beach, fine dining, and watersports. Call (800) 241-3333.

Located on the widest stretch of Cancun's beach, the Presidente Inter-Continental Cancun is a favorite with water lovers. Scuba diving, waterskiing, sailing, and deep-sea fishing keep guests busy; other couples choose to laze the day away at the pool area featuring a swim-up bar under a replica of a Mayan pyramid with a cascading waterfall. Call (800) 327-0200.

Marriott CasaMagna Cancun is rich with the atmosphere of Mexico, from its sunny courtyards to its fine restaurants. Set on a wide swath of powdery white sand, a massive swimming pool competes with the clear Caribbean waters for guests' attention. For information, call (800) 223-6388.

For elegance, the Mexican-style mansion Casa Turquesa is a luxurious choice. A member of one of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the beachside hotel offers just 33 rooms. Guests can enjoy fine dining, a fitness center, tennis, or just a relaxing walk on the beach. Call (800) 525-4800.