Cancún, once a tranquil fishing village, has transformed over the past five decades into one of the most sought-after and glamorous destinations in the world. Known for its luxury, entertainment, and fun, the place also preserves strong traditions and a rich ancestral heritage.

Cancún’s story as a major resort began half a century ago. Since then, it has evolved far beyond the common perception of sun, sand, and parties. Despite its reputation as a luxury destination, Cancún offers a wide variety of experiences that go well beyond the obvious.

From thrilling “lucha libre” wrestling matches to ancient Mayan ruins and the lush beauty of surrounding jungles, Cancún presents a cultural and natural diversity that captivates visitors. Behind the luxury resorts and bustling beaches lies a wealth of local traditions and a deep connection to the history and heritage of the region.

Thus, Cancún stands out not only as a typical holiday destination but as a place where luxury meets authenticity, offering a truly memorable experience for travelers seeking something beyond the ordinary.

Visiting Cancún today is particularly special, as it marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the region’s first hotel. Five decades ago, in the early 1970s, this stretch of paradise was practically uninhabited, except for a small fishing village. The subsequent boom wasn’t spontaneous but part of an ambitious plan devised by the Mexican government, dubbed the “Cancún Project.”

Launched in 1969 and initiated the following year, the Cancún Project aimed to create a city almost from scratch. It included the design of the Hotel Zone, still recognized as such today, dedicated to tourism, along with residential and commercial areas for locals. An airport was also built to facilitate access for tourists seeking pleasant weather and entertainment.

Quintana Roo, elevated to the status of a Mexican state in 1974, coinciding with the inauguration of the first hotel, is now home to a series of resorts, with Cancún as the pioneer and most renowned. Over the decades, this region has become an icon of international tourism, preserving its natural beauty while developing as a world-class destination.

Fast forward, Cancún has emerged as a roaring success, welcoming approximately 21 million visitors in 2023, exceeding the Ministry of Tourism’s projections and reaffirming its status as Mexico’s must-visit destination.

Despite its lively reputation, a night in Cancún doesn’t necessarily involve gunfights, balloon battles, or street dancing, although these activities have their place. For a truly authentic experience, dive into the local sports scene with a night of “lucha libre,” the legendary Mexican wrestling.

With a fervent fan base, the wrestlers, known as “luchadores,” face off wearing masks that are far more than simple accessories—they are symbols of identity and honor. This form of entertainment combines vibrant colors with theatrical brutality, offering a unique and unforgettable experience. Don’t forget to savor delicious tamales before the show, adding to a night full of adrenaline and culture.

While Cancún offers visitors a glimpse into local culture dating back to 1900, there’s something even older to marvel at. Thousands of years before the region became a tourist destination, the Mayan Empire built temples and cities here, whose ruins are still visible among the pyramid-shaped hotels that mimic their original design.

To truly immerse yourself in history, venture into the dense jungle towards Puerto Morelos and its iconic cenotes. These deep wells, found throughout this region of Mexico, were formed during the last Ice Age when weakened limestone collapsed, creating the only source of fresh water in the forest.

The word “cenote” derives from the Mayan language, whose people regarded them as sacred spaces, a gateway to the underworld.

“They call it Xibalba,” explains Roberto Rojo, a biologist and founder of Cenotes Urbanos, a non-profit conservation organization. “Xibalba, that’s the Mayan word for the underworld… it’s not like hell. It’s just another place in their universe.

“Many of the pyramids or temples are built over a cenote or a cave, or very close to these sites, because they were very important to them,” Roberto Rojo explains.

These sites were so crucial that entire cities and temples, such as Chichen Itza, designated one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2000, were built around them. Additionally, sacrifices were performed, with animals thrown into the deep waters to appease the Mayan gods.

At Cenote Zapote in Puerto Morelos, you can even dive and see something over 10,000 years old. “This is a very special cenote because down there [is] a complete skeleton of a giant ground sloth that lived here during the Ice Age,” reveals Rojo.

The peninsula’s jungle holds other secrets as well. Two hours from Cancún, in Tulum, lies a hidden, unusual art museum and center that is both upside-down and utterly fascinating. Opened in 2019, SFER IK is part museum, part gallery, and part jungle, harmoniously blending with its surroundings, with no flat floors or ceilings, built using local wood, vines, and even live trees.

Conceived by architect and philanthropist Eduardo Neira Sterkel, also known simply as Roth, it was designed to bring visitors closer to nature and the beauty of the Yucatán forest. This is achieved in a truly unique style, from its winding paths to the way vines intertwine along walkways, and trees rise majestically.

Roth explains that with the 200 trees making up SFER IK, it’s a way to bring nature into daily life. “I think nature is the last resource we have; we have to take care of it,” he says when asked why creating this incredible space was so important to him. It’s undoubtedly a place where you can feel calm and happy, in perfect harmony with the world around you. Far from Cancún’s bustling party scene.

Similarly, the healing powers of a Tamazcal Ceremony set it apart from the stereotypes associated with the region. This ancient Mayan tradition is still practiced in the jungle surrounding Cancún, offering an opportunity to relax, detoxify, and purify amidst the lush greenery.

Local shamans are available to lead the ceremony in the Temazcal, a stone igloo where a fire is lit to generate heat. It can be thought of as a jungle sauna. The darkness of the space aims to break down barriers between people, with ceremonies lasting up to eight hours and involving the sharing of deep thoughts and feelings.

“This is very beneficial for our body; we are healing, detoxifying,” explains the shaman inside the Temazcal. It’s believed that the Mayans participated in such ceremonies after a battle or judicial competition. Thousands of years ago, they, like so many ancient civilizations around the world, understood the power of mindfulness.

While natural wonders draw tourists to Cancún, rain, more frequent than one might expect, often leads them indoors to the city’s many shopping centers. This may be modern Mexico, but the souvenirs here carry a distinct Mayan touch, from local crafts to fridge magnets adorned with temple images.

Thankfully, the sun is never far away, allowing moments to marvel at the turquoise waters, boats gliding smoothly across the surface, and birds dotting the sky. There’s simply no denying that this is an incredibly beautiful corner of the world.

Just like the Mayans, the visionaries behind modern Cancún knew what they were doing when creating this tourist delight. Today, it is a fascinating blend of old and new, a remarkable place worth exploring—from beaches to bars, cenotes to jungle wonders.