In the late 1960s, the Mexican government studied the best place for a new resort city and chose Cancun as the site for a grand international tourist resort. The goal of the ambitious project was to create a tourist destination larger than Acapulco was at that time.
With the spotlight on Mexico to host the 1968 Olympics, the president devised a tourism plan to stimulate the economy. It is said that a computer program actually selected the site, at a time when the world was just beginning to talk about computers and technology. The plan included a tourism zone, a residential zone and an international airport. Development began in the early 1970s and Cancun rapidly became a vibrant city. The first hotels and the new airport opened in 1974.
Cancun is surrounded by water: the lagoon, bay, and Caribbean. The city is serviced by an international airport, which recently added a new runway and receives nearly 200 arrivals per day. The airport has the capacity to accommodate 34 operations per hour. Cancun is the most prosperous city in the Yucatan peninsula, hosting 4 million visitors annually.
Growth has continued to the north, with the development of Puerto Cancun, called a City Within the City. Elegant hotels, a golf course and a marina comprise the area, along with high-end condos and world-class shopping that is also found in Cancun.
Cancun is divided into two sections of real estate, the hotel zone and downtown El Centro, offering a wide variety of options for buyers. It also offers great value, often with lower prices per square foot of construction.
Cancun is the gateway to the Riviera Maya, with 14 miles of white sand beaches and a vibrant urban center.
|