WESTJET FLYFREE CONTEST: Cancun and Cozumel

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This article was published 15/10/2011 (5235 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CANCUN, Mexico — The basics of a great beach vacation seem simple enough.

There should be sun, sand and surf, along with good food, plenty of optional activities and ample opportunity to sit back and relax.

Delivering the right mix of those elements isn’t an easy job, but Cancun is one destination that gets it right.

Because the city was designed to be a tourism mecca, plenty of planning took place to ensure the needs and desires of visitors could be met. It works so well, other destinations often use Cancun as a model to see if they’ve got the tourism basics in place.

So what are the ABCs of giving visitors what they want? Just scan down the alphabet for a peek into what makes Cancun and the nearby island of Cozumel top choices for sun-starved Canadians each winter.

A is f or adventure

Cancun serves up dozens of opportunities to enjoy everything from zip-lining and swimming with dolphins to sailing, snorkelling, scuba diving, jet skiing and fishing. Billionaire Sir Richard Branson can attest to the adventure opportunities here; earlier this year, he swam into the mouth of a whale shark while diving with these gentle giants.

B is for the birds

It’s easy to get to know a few feathered friends, with 546 bird species found on the Yucatan Peninsula, along with 125-plus species of mammals and hundreds more marine animals.

C is for caves and cenotes (natural sinkholes), which add a unique dimension to a visit here

Swimming in these underground pools is wonderfully refreshing; taking in three of the longest underwater cave systems in the world — all near Cancun — is unforgettable.

D is for dance, specifically the Mexican hat dance

It’s become a source of national pride and many Cancun resorts feature the dance as part of nightly shows.

E is for Ekab

There’s a story behind this city’s name. Cancun is the Mayan word for a nest or pot of snakes, but the centre was first called Ekab, which means black earth. Cozumel means land or island of swallows.

F is for festivals

There are dozens of such celebrations throughout the year, including Cozumel’s famous festival of El Cedral. It was first held to honour the power of the crucifix, but today it has morphed into a five-day celebration of music, fairs and feasts.

G stands for guacamole

This avocado dip just tastes better when you’re in Mexico, as do a variety of other tempting treats, including enchiladas, tamales and the fresh salsa pico de gallo.

H is for the hotel zone, a 27-kilometre stretch of beach edged by the Caribbean Sea on one side and a gentle lagoon on the other

More than 32,000 hotel rooms grace the city and some of the hotels, like the Ritz-Carlton, are downright heavenly. No wonder Tom Cruise and Jennifer Lopez love it here.

I is for Isla Mujeres, a smaller island about 20 minutes away from the hotel zone

Zip around the island on a scooter or enjoy turtle spotting.

J is for Jacques Cousteau

The famed marine biologist discovered the Palancar coral reefs, just off the island of Cozumel, in 1961. He later said the area was one of the world’s top locations for scuba divers.

K stands for Kukulcan Plaza

With its approximately 300 stores, it’s the ideal place to shop for crafts, silver and beach wear. There’s a bowling alley, too.

L is for lobster and a vast array of other fresh seafood dishes served up in dozens of local restaurants

M is for the Mayan people

The mysteries of this indigenous group make the area come alive with history, stories and myth. Experts say there could be as many as 2,700 ruin sites in the area; several of the restored areas, such as Chichen Itza, are true world treasures.

N stands for nightclubs

Cancun has a thriving club scene, including the wild Coco Bongo, Señor Frog’s and Dady’O. Go. You’ll feel young again, especially after a tequila slammer.

O is for “off the beaten path”

There’s no shortage of ways to create your own journey here, including visits to Cancun’s lush jungle or the near-deserted beaches on Cozumel.

P stands for pool

The hotels of Cancun boast some of the world’s most mesmerizing infinity pools. When you’re here, you’ll definitely want to spend time near the ocean, but an icy beverage at the pool is a good way to switch up the day.

Q is for Quintana Roo, where Cozumel and Cancun are located

Granted statehood in 1974, it is the youngest of Mexico’s 31 states and features four separate ecosystems: tropical jungle forests, savannah, mangrove forests and coral reefs.

R stands for rebuilding

Cancun needed to rebuild its beach after Hurricane Wilma struck in 2005. About 95 million cubic metres of sand were hauled in to complete the task.

S is for sun and sand

There are more than 240 sunny days each year and the white sand is flour-soft.

T is for three

That’s how many people lived in Isla Cancun when the Mexican government began developing it as a tourist destination in 1970. An additional 117 people lived in a nearby fishing village. Today, more than 700,000 make their home here.

U stands for the world’s largest underwater museum

A series of 400 life-size sculptures have been installed on the ocean floor here and are awe-inspiring. They’re good for the environment, too, since they act as an artificial reef and help sustain the ecosystem.

V represents the city of Valladolid

Many of the buildings here were constructed in the style of Spanish colonial architecture, which is a change of pace from the modern structures of Cancun. It’s a great stop on the road to Chichen Itza, especially if you’re looking for authentic Mexican cuisine.

W is for weddings

More than 46,000 couples tie the knot here each year and thousands more honeymoon, as country stars Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton did earlier this year.

X marks the spot of two great eco-adventure water parks in the area — Xcaret and Xel-Ha

Various water sports, animal encounters and entertainment are available at both, making them two of the most popular attractions.

Y is for the Yucatan Peninsula, where Cancun and Cozumel are located

The peninsula divides the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea, giving the area a beautiful range of beaches with dancing turquoise waters.

Z stands for Zzzzs

Take a siesta. Relax in a hammock or on a beach chair. After all, you’re on holidays in Cancun and Cozumel — the consummate destinations for doing whatever you want.

— Postmedia News

IF YOU GO

For more information on Cancun and Cozumel, go to www.visitmexico.com. For information on vacation packages, check out westjetvacations.com; if you purchase a vacation package this month, you’ll get 50 per cent off your next WestJet flight.

ENTER TO WIN

This fall, you can win one of six $10,000 travel prizes from WestJet and WestJet vacations.
To win, find the Fly Free game board in the newspaper each week from now until Oct. 28, and then collect daily game pieces from the paper. More
information is at winnipegfreepress.com/flyfree.

Week one: Hawaii
Week two: Jamaica
Week three: Caribbean
Week four: Cancun & Cozumel
Week five: Cuba
Week six: Florida