| The resort is one of
the most popular in the world and it is in the process of recovering
from the impact of Hurricane Wilma. Public
and private investment for the rebuilding has totaled $1.5 billion.
CITY PROFILE
Government officials and investors created the city less than
30 years ago to attract the growing market of sun-seekers from
abroad.
Cancún boasts terrific infrastructure for receiving
and transporting environmental travelers to less congested areas,
such as the Sian
Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, Ría Lagartos and Celestún.
It is also home to regional environmental groups.
The city currently receives 3 million visitors a year. Vendors
at tourism kiosks generally receive a commission, so they rarely
have information on community-based or eco-friendly projects.
DIVING AND SNORKELING
The most popular area for snorkeling and diving in Cancún
is Punta Nizuc, a national marine park. It became a protected
area in July 1996 along with the west coast of Isla Mujeres
and Punta Cancún. A portion of every tourist dollar supports
park monitoring and conservation efforts.
Biologists call this a "sacrificial reef," because
it is visited by thousands each year. Although snorkelers are
given instructions on exploring the reef in a way that does
not harm them, they often disregard them. On my trip here a
tourist wanted "just a souvenir. Just a little piece of
coral? Please?" The boat guide managed to discourage him,
but imagine this happening not once but tens of thousands of
times. It's amazing the reef is in as good a condition as it
is.
WHEN TO GO
High season begins in mid-December and lasts until about May,
which is the dry season. During the summer and fall rates are
less expensive, but travelers also risk hurricanes and tropical
storms.
SPORTS
Baseball fans, check out the Tigres.
The season runs March-July.
Soccer team Atlante won Mexico's Torneo Apertura title in December
2007. Originaly based in Mexico City, Atlante moved to Cancún
to improve its fan support.
ISLA MUJERES
One of the natural highlights of the Cancún area is
Isla Mujeres (Island of Women), also a case study in the dangers
of excessive tourism. Millions of people visit Cancún
each year, and many take a day trip to the island.
EL GARAFFON
El Garrafón lagoon is slowly dying, a victim of its
own appeal. Snorkeling amongst the minions of tourists, it's
more common to see someone else's fins than the local tropical
fish, which have swum elsewhere to avoid the churning waters.
In addition, too many tourists came and destroy the coral, snatching
a piece of it for a souvenir. Efforts are underway to beef up
vigilance and improve environmental education.
ISLA CONTOY
Long, narrow Isla Contoy, established in 1961 as a special
biosphere reserve, is one of the most important bird refugees
in the Mexican Caribbean. The lack of freshwater supplies have
kept the island free of human settlements and have encouraged
the survival of the wilderness.
The island has extensive coastline, interior lagoons, and mangrove
swamps that are home to 70 species of birds including frigate
birds, brown pelicans, and double-crested cormorants. Visitors
are charged an entry fee that supports the management of the
reserve. The island is just an hour's boat ride from Cancún.
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