Designed especially by the government as a tourist city, Cancun rests on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, making it one of Mexico’s hidden paradises. Its Caribbean coastline offers miles of sandy beaches and turquoise blue waters, while the city is also within easy driving distance of some of Mexico’s most fascinating historical sights.

As a hugely popular tourist resort, it is no surprise that there is a comprehensive tourist infrastructure here, with internationally known hotels stretching the length of the beach and the Bahía de Mujeres (Bay of Women) as well as the Nichupte and Bojorquez lagoons.

While most visitors choose to stay by the water, the downtown commercial centre (Cancún City) also offers some accommodation options, while also being the heart of the city’s shopping. It offers broad avenues lined with whitewashed shops, restaurants and hotels. It is here where you will find budget choices as well as respectable international chains such as Hilton Cancún Golf and Spa Resort, Best Western Plaza Caribe and the Oasis Hotel.

The area most frequented by visitors is the ‘hotel zone’, which is full of exclusive lodging options (many of which are all-inclusive resort hotels), upmarket restaurants, bars and entertainment. Its exclusivity means there is very little in the way of mid-priced hotels, and is dominated with top end of luxury. Those looking for less expensive choices should head downtown, where room rates are more reasonable.

The busiest time of year is March, when students across the US have spring break and June, which also sees a lot of high school seniors arriving here. If you plan to travel to Cancun at either of these times, it is essential you book your accommodation well in advance, with special deals being available at some of the all-inclusive establishments.

A modern city, Cancun was built as a tourist centre and therefore does not have an extensive history. Formerly an insignificant island, home to coconut plantations and some pre-Columbian ruins, it was not until the 1950s that the potential of this paradise was discovered and utilised.

The site was chosen by the Mexican government as being the ideal place for a tourist resort and an initial US$27 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank put these plans into action. The development entailed the construction of a causeway linking Cancún to the mainland and an international airport was built.

Major development in Cancun didn’t really get underway until the 1970s, with the city mushrooming in the ‘80s. While the initial hotel developments were financed by the Mexican government, the city soon attracted international investors. However, despite international chains donning their names, the majority of establishments are Mexican-owned even to this day.

Now home to about 750,000 residents, this city not only encompasses the entire island, but it also spreads to the mainland. In 2005, the city underwent much damage from Hurricane Wilma, with restoration work taking the best part of a year. By spring 2006, almost all hotel businesses were up and running again

Cancun experiences excellent weather most of the year, with temperatures reaching a peak in June and storms frequently arriving in the summer and fall. The off-season makes for the perfect time to visit, with temperatures a comfortable 26°C and cool sea breezes ensuring things don’t get too stifling. Towards the summer months, the temperature escalates to 36°C, but those with beachside accommodation and access to the cooling waters of the Caribbean Sea will not suffer too much from the humidity, which is usually low.

Hurricanes are a major threat in the summer and early autumn. Hurricane Wilma struck in 2005, causing millions of dollars of damage and taking the resort nearly a year to rebuild itself. If you visit during hurricane season, come prepared for tropical storms, which could mean you find yourself locked up indoors if the winds reach dangerous speeds.