Cancun is the second most visited destination in the world. Located on the northeastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, it is famous for its turquoise beaches and lush natural scenery. This Mexican site is filled with surprises for tourists, promising them a wholesome time of their lives.
The fun part? There are a lot of hidden stories and landmarks in this tropical paradise. Behind every wave and every coconut stand, there’s something unexpected waiting to be discovered.
So if you thought you already knew everything about this vacation hotspot, get ready to have your beach brain shaken up. This blog will share some amazing facts about this Caribbean coastline that you must not miss.
Top Amazing Facts About Cancun
When it comes to blowing away the mind, Cancun is the perfect vacation getaway. Boasting sugary sandy shores and crazy nightlife, this site is a dream come true for every adventure seeker. Moreover, this city welcomes water lovers from all over the globe. You can enjoy activities like snorkelling, diving, rafting, and much more. Feeling curious to learn more? This section will highlight the amazing, lesser-known facts about Cancun that you must know before travelling. Let’s have a look:
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Underwater Museum
Ever heard of an art gallery where you have to wear a swimsuit to enter? Welcome to Cancun’s famous Underwater Museum, also known as MUSA. It is one of the most unique attractions in the world. This museum is actually under the sea, located between Cancun and Isla Mujeres. Tourists need to dive, snorkel, or ride in a glass-bottom boat to visit it.
There are more than 500 life-size sculptures resting on the ocean floor. This makes it the largest underwater artificial attraction in the world. The artifacts are not just random statues; rather, they were created by eco-sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor and placed underwater on purpose. Why? To protect the coral reefs. The sculptures help new coral grow and provide shelter for fish. It is art with a mission.
The best part? Visitors can snorkel or dive deep through the museum. They can explore marvels such as The Silent Evolution, Man On Fire, The Gardener of Hope, and more. Fish swim around them like they are part of the show. It is like nature and creativity had a meeting and made something unforgettable.
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Burn-Free Sandy Shores
Have you ever walked on the beach only to find your feet burning like marshmallows? This won’t happen with you on your Cancun holidays. Stretching over 14 miles, the breathtaking sandy shores of the island are created from coral rocks. What is the interesting part?
Traditionally, the shores are created from regular rocks on the beaches. However, the Cancun beaches are a true exception. Coral reflects sunlight instead of soaking it up. This means you can walk around barefoot without doing the hot sand dance.
While walking on the sand feels like stepping on flour, with immense fine particles, visitors can lie lazily on the beach or build sandcastles to revive their childhood memories. The fun part? It does not stick to you like glue, and a little shake would dust it off easily.
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Time Zone Difference
Have you ever taken a nap on your holiday break and woken up wondering what century this is? Time zones can be quite confusing, but you won’t have to face a time difference in Cancun. This island city is set in the Eastern Time Zone, meaning that the time differs by an hour every six months.
Tourists coming from New York or Miami don’t need to set their watches, as they are already in line with the Cancun timezone. However, if you are coming from Europe, then it’s possible to miss a few hours.
No matter what country you fly from, Cancun is worth the jet lag. The warm sun, clear water, and tacos help you forget what time it is anyway. One interesting aspect about Cancun is that it does not follow daylight saving.
This involves moving the clock forward by one hour in the spring to get more daylight in the evening, and then flipping it back one hour in the fall to go back to regular time. Daylight saving is about saving sunlight after work or school for more time. Cancun separates itself from other countries by staying the same throughout the year. It’s like freezing time in the moment.
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Maya Barrier Reef
Ever wished to do a cannonball in the sea? Cancun can fulfill this dream for you. This city is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. Known as the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Maya Barrier Reef, or the Great Maya Reef, this spot stretches for over 1000 miles. It passes through the Caribbean coastlines of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize. Consider it as the giant real estate empire of marine life.
Having more than 500 species of fish, 400 species of mollusks, and 60 stony corals. Are you the daredevil to take a plunge into the depths? Then this reef is for you, as it is filled with the largest number of whale sharks and saltwater crocodiles. Just don’t forget to keep a distance, it’s better to be safe than sorry after all!
Moreover, the reef plays a key role in protecting the coast from strong waves, helping the sea creatures survive for a long time. Apart from being a mere oceanic reef, this place includes lagoons, mangrove forests, dunes, and coastal wetlands. Moreover, a variety of protected wildlife areas, like parks, are a part of this stunning reef.
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2 Zoned- Destination
Cancun suffers from a split personality as it is divided into two different zones- the Hotel Zone and Downtown Cancun. The Hotel Zone is popular for tourism, filled with restaurants, beachfront resorts, party spots, and people wearing too much sunscreen.
This wild side of Cancun is what you see in the travel brochures, and every inch of it invites travellers to turn on their vacation mode. On the other hand, Downtown Cancun is an area for the locals.
Consider it as a shy introvert sister of the Hotel Zone. This is where the locals live, work, eat, and do everyday stuff. You will find street food, colorful markets, parks, and a more authentic vibe. More importantly, this zone is less about Instagrammable posts and more about a real depiction of life.
While visitors stick to the Hotel Zone, you can experience the best of both worlds. Just grab a taxi to head towards the magical part of the city.
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Busiest Airport
If you think Dubai airport is the world’s busiest airport, then think again. Because Cancun International Airport is not far behind. Opened in 1974, it is considered to second busiest airport in Latin America.
While this may surprise you, once you see the long line at the immigration counter, it starts to make sense. This airport welcomes millions of travelers from across the globe each year. People flock to the city from Europe, Canada, the United States, and just about everywhere else.
Cancun is a favorite choice for visitors to have a break from their dull corporate life. Moreover, it is easy to access from all the major countries with no complicated layovers. Just land, grab your bag, and head straight to the beach.
Having 4 terminals in total and 5 being under construction, the airport has duty-free shops to grab something at the last minute for your loved ones. Moreover, food lovers can satisfy their hunger calls by heading to restaurants like Baskin Robbins, Guacamole Grill, Burger King, Domino’s Pizza, Sushi Tequila by Mera, and many others.
Conclusion
This blog has shared some of the amazing facts about Cancun you never knew before. From having the busiest airport and being divided into 2 zones, to housing underwater museums and the world’s second-largest coral reef- Maya Reef, this island is a perfect spot to tick off your bucket list. Are you looking for a way to have fun on your Cancun holidays? Contact Virikson Holidays to get customised travel packages.
