Tour the Beautiful Downtown Cancun
Cancun comes from the Mayan language and, according to some experts, translates to snakes nest. This name is believed to come from the fact that this place and the nearby islands (Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy, etc.) resembled the shape of snakes.
January of 1970 saw the beginning of the beautiful Cancun, developed as part of the National Plan for Tourism of the Bank of Mexico on the command of the former President of Mexico, Gustavo Díaz Ordaz. This lovely Caribbean city started with the construction of the Hotel Zone and the international airport. In 1974, the first hotels began operations and the Cancun International Airport was inaugurated.
The city was designed in two sections, downtown area or “el centro” on the west side and the Hotel Zone on the east side. On the western side of the city is where daily life happens; most of the residents live in this area, where you can find supermarkets, banks, schools, hospitals, etc.
48 years later, our city has grown to become one of the most known tourist destinations in Mexico and the world. There are over 32,000 hotel rooms in the city, 75% of the hotels have five stars distinction whereas 5 hotels have been awarded the AAA Five Diamond Distinction.
Visit the Heart of the City With Our Private City Tour!
Discover some of the traditional spots in downtown Cancun where you can buy souvenirs, handicrafts and try some delicious local recipes. Don’t worry about parking, getting lost, or not knowing a lot of Spanish. In our private tours, you will be accompanied by a driver that will guide you through Market 28 and many other places.
The first market built in Cancun was Market 23 and, although things have changed ever since, this market is still the place to go whenever we need something. This market is very traditional so you can visit it and buy all sorts of things, from food to handicrafts… at a very reasonable price!
Not so many years ago, Market 28 was still the place where residents went to buy fruits, meat, and all kind of essential articles for daily life. Nowadays, tourism and the development of the city have changed the city’s routine, and Market 28 has become a great place to look for and find souvenirs, jewelry, get your hair braided, and even a taste of Mexican cuisine.
Discover the Folklore of Cancun!
Experience the folklore of Downtown Cancun on board an air-conditioned van exclusively for you and your group! Walk along Tulum Avenue which is filled with restaurants, handicraft markets, shops, department stores, banks, and malls.
Discover Plaza Bonita, a colorful small outdoor plaza on the side of Market 28, where you can find typical clothing and many other things to shop as souvenirs. Enjoy a day in the city that never sleeps!