15 facts about Cancun and the Riviera Maya

cenote-azul-bacalar-riviera-maya

Facts about Cancun and the Riviera Maya you didn’t know

The Riviera Maya and Cancun are on top of everyone’s destination list. These are the places to go to have fun and experience the Mexican-Caribbean culture. And for all those curious people, the best part is that there’s always more than what meets the eye! Keep on reading and find out 15 Facts about Cancun and the Riviera Maya that you didn’t know!

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Gran Cenote in Tulum, Riviera Maya

1. Before Cancun was Cancún, it used to be called Ekab, which means Black Earth. The word Cancún is actually Mayan, and it means “nest of serpents”.

2. In 1970, Cancun was home to only three residents. Today over half a million people live in Cancun! Without counting tourists.

3. Cancun’s international airport is the second busiest airport in Mexico. It’s also the busiest in terms of international traffic of all airports in Latin America.

4. I bet you love the white, soft and clean sand of the beaches in Cancun. That’s due to the crushed coral that is bountiful in the Yucatan Peninsula, creating the white sand beaches of the city. 

5. Cancun, Puerto Morelos, and Cozumel are not part of the Riviera Maya. It is mistakenly believed that these destinations are part of the Riviera Maya. The truth is that the Riviera Maya begins south of Puerto Morelos in Punta Brava to Punta Allen, within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

Sian-Kaan-Reserve
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

6. Parallel to the coast, the Riviera Maya is home to the second largest reef system in the world, home to many marine species and bull sharks that visit us every year between November and March when the temperature of the Caribbean waters drops a few degrees.

7. The Riviera Maya and Cancun are home to over 60 cenotes. The Yucatan Peninsula itself holds over 7,000.

8. Of the 132 Magical Towns in Mexico, one is located in the Riviera Maya and it is Tulum. Two others are found in the State of Quintana Roo, which are Bacalar, and Isla Mujeres.

9. The INAH has more than 37,000 archeological sites on its registry. Among the best known in the Riviera Maya is Tulum.

10. Spanish is clearly the official language in the region, and because of tourism English is the second most common. But they’re more than 20 indigenous languages spoken in the Riviera Maya, among them the Mayan language.

Playa del Carmen Carnival
Playa del Carmen Carnival

11. The Playa del Carmen Carnival is one of the most joyful and colorful events in the area. The festivity is organized between the months of January and February and is one of the most awaited festivities in the Riviera Maya.

12.  Cancun’s famous Hotel Zone is actually an island connected by bridges, we know that at first glance it does not seem so, but it is, in fact, Cancun was sold as an island at the beginning, connected to the national territory by bridges, today no one calls it an island due to the growth of the Hotel Zone and the city itself.

13. Curious enough, less than 50 years ago most of the region was not even part of a state. As a result of many years of investment, the Riviera Maya is the most visited tourist destination in the country

14. It is the most visited gay-friendly destination in Mexico and the 6th most visited wedding destination in the world.

15. Cancun has many festivities throughout the year for you to enjoy. From the Jazz Festival, Independence day, Equinox in Chichen Itza, and much more.

Did you know any of these 15 Facts about Cancun and the Riviera Maya? Check out our blog and find out more interesting facts and things to do in Cancun and other destinations.