Cancun Hotel Zone

Cancun actually consists of two places: Cancun city and the Cancun Hotel Zone (Cancun Island). Both places are located in the province of Quintana Roo in Mexico with Cancun city consisting mainly of the industrial operations, businesses as well as local houses, whereas the Hotel Zone consists of resorts, restaurants and nightclubs.

The hotel zone is located mainly on a sandbar that is 15 miles long, but only ¼ mile wide! Entering and exiting the hotel zone takes place from only two entrances, which are located on either side of the sandbar. Finding this entrances from the airport or from the city can be a bit tricky as there is only a small turnoff from the highway and missing the turn will likely add 20 minutes to your travel time.

Between the mainland and the Hotel Zone sits the calm waters of the Laguna, Laguna de Nichupte. There are mostly nightclubs and restaurants located on this side of the sandbar, as well as some undeveloped areas. The laguna is much more calm but not many people will enter the waters here due to the presence of crocodiles! On the other side of the sandbar sits the Caribbean Sea. Most major resorts and shops sit on the side that faces the Sea, due to the much better view caused by the crashing waves as well as the beautiful sandy beaches. Due to space limitations some resorts have begun construction on the laguna side, simply due tot he fact that that is the only area that is available fro development.

For a list of resorts and restaurants along the hotel zone, visit the Cancun Hotels page and the Cancun Restaurants page.

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