Cancun Turns 38 Years Old

Cancun -- On April 20, the resort town of Cancun will turn only 38 years since established, but is currently the most important tourist destination in Mexico and one of the most important in the world.

It is a successful reality that no one would have ever imagined when the island of Cancun – Kaank’uun in the Mayan language – was inhabited by only a small group of Mayan fisherman. Back then, no one dreamed that in just 38 years it would offer international tourism 146 hotels with over 28,000 rooms, approximately 453 restaurants, 12 shopping centers and 13 golf courses.

Cancun’s story began in 1968 when Bank of Mexico was looking for new ways to bring foreign currency into the country. It commissioned a group of economists to explore 11,000 miles of the nation’s coasts to find the most attractive location in which to develop tourism, based on climate, water temperature and beautiful scenery. The computer picked Cancun as one of those special places.
During the 70s, there was hardly any international tourism in Mexico. With Cancun came freeways, airports, ports and the entire country’s tourist attractions moved to the next level. International investors and tour operators set their sights on the new territory and transformed it into the phenomenon that it is today, making it the favorite destination of more than three million national and international tourists each year.

Cancun annually brings a considerable amount of foreign currency into the country and it is a direct or indirect source of employment for approximately 800,000 people. It has the second largest airport in Mexico with 54,729 annual flights and it has become one of the hubs with the highest number of direct international flights in Latin America.

Cancun aims to continue elevating the quality and diversity of its tourist attractions, by adding sports, ecological and adventure attractions to its white sand beaches, archaeological attractions and famous 15-mile boulevard.

More:
Official Site
Cancun Hotels
Riviera Maya Hotels
Airport Transportation
Tours & Activities
Riviera Maya Guidebook

Resort Report: Grand Oasis Cancun

The Grand Oasis Cancun is a luxury all-inclusive resort in the heart of the Cancun hotel zone. The main attraction is the picture-perfect beach, ideal for sunbathing, strolling, site-seeing, building sandcastles and playing in the water. The hotel is less than 30 minutes from the Cancun International airport and half that from the main nightlife, shopping and entertainment district of the city.

A large pyramid-shaped main building rises above the green grass of the golf course and gardens that front the hotel. Once inside, guests are surrounded by hanging plants and tropical flowers, which ring the interior atrium and help create an exotic and faraway ambiance.

Guest rooms feature contemporary styling with aspects of Mexican design, including earth-tone walls, native print linens and decorative headboards. All rooms feature shower/tub combo, cable TV, direct-dial phone, hairdryer, minibar and private terrace or balcony with views of the Caribbean or lagoon (perfect for watching the sunset). Suites have separate sitting areas and spacious bathrooms with jetted tubs.

The Grand Oasis Cancun has more food and beverage options than nearly any other hotel in the Cancun area, giving guests plenty of choices at mealtime. There are bounteous buffets served at a couple of different restaurants, plus specialty a la carte restaurants serving Italian, Asian, Tex-Mex, gourmet Mexican, sushi, Mediterranean, Brazilian barbecue, seafood and more. Between meals, guests can hit up the poolside snack bar or a casual restaurant next to the beach.

Nightlife options are nearly as numerous. There is a lively lobby bar serving exotic cocktails, a sports bar with several TVs and the UP & Down Nightclub, home to the Thursday night Foam Party, draws revelers from all across Cancun. There are also theme parties and live music each evening to keep guests entertained.

The hotel pool is famous throughout the Caribbean. It is more than a quarter of a mile long, with waterfalls, tropical gardens, several swim-up bars and plenty of room to lounge in the sun. The beach in back of the hotel is huge, also, with lounge chairs and umbrellas for guest use. Most days, the water is fairly calm and clear, making it a great place to play in the water. The sand is powdery white and is so fine that it doesn’t get hot, even in the middle of the day.

Active guests can enjoy a wide variety of activities and recreational opportunities without leaving the resort. There are two lighted tennis courts, a soccer field, basketball court and fitness center with workout stations, free weights and treadmills. Guests can also visit the hotel’s water sports center, which offers free kayaks, paddleboats and surfboards. They also offer a variety of local fee-based tours, including scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, adventure tours and visits to Mayan ruins.

Guests can play golf for free at the resort’s own 9-hole course, located just in front of the property. The holes are short, but still present a fun challenge for all levels of play. There are sand traps, water hazards and palm trees aplenty. The hotel maintains a corporate membership at Cancun’s Pok-Ta-Pok Country Club, located about 20 minutes away. Guests get great discounts on fees and can make reservations through the hotel concierge desk.

You can’t keep going at high-speed your whole vacation, though. When it’s time to relax, guests head to the on-site day spa and salon. Popular treatments include massages, sunburn relief, body wraps, facials, waxings and visits to the Temazcal, which is a Mayan-style sweat lodge.

The Grand Oasis Cancun is popular with young vacationers, active couples and families. It is known as one of the most lively and fun resorts in Cancun.

Key Facts:
Hotel Grand Oasis Cancun
Blvd. Kukulkán, Km.16,5.
Phone from USA: (52) 998-881-7000

More:
Grand Oasis Cancun Official Site
Riviera Maya Hotels
Airport Transportation
Tours & Activities
Riviera Maya Guidebook