The Beaches of Cancun and the Mayan Riviera

From Kelly McLaughlin

The island of Cancun, the "hotel zone," is shaped like a giant number seven, with the top of the seven being the north side facing the Bay of Mujeres and the long part of the seven running down the eastern shore. The ocean on the east side of Cancun is what you see on billboards and in travel magazines, the infinite shades of blue in the crystal clear water. These beaches were damaged by Hurricane Wilma in 2005, but a beach reconstruction project which took place in 2009 and early 2010 has restored the grand stretches of cool white sand that Cancun became famous for.

The surf on the east side can be moderate to heavy. Take caution while swimming, heed the flags and the lifeguards and don't swim alone or while intoxicated. Enjoy long walks down the nearly 20 kilometers of beach, get up early to watch the sun rise over the Caribbean Sea, or rent a jet ski for some fast fun in the waves. The hotels on the east side are mostly grand all-inclusive resorts, no cabañas or tents on this stretch.

Next: Cancun Island, North Side Beaches