It was February 8, 1998, and I was off to Cancún on a much needed vacation with my brother, Terry. The job I had at that time was driving me nuts, and I had decided that a Caribbean getaway would be just what the doctor ordered. Having missed a trip to England and France with me in 1996, my brother was more than happy to go to Cancún with me. Cancún, which is located at the northeastern tip of México's Yucatán Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, is an island shaped like a "7", only 400 yards wide but over 12 miles long. On one side are the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, on the other the sheltered Nichupté Lagoon. Development of Cancún began in 1970, and now it is a mega-resort that attracts over two million tourists every year.

The Paseo Kukulkán runs the full length of the Hotel Zone and is the main road through the zone. Buses run up and down the boulevard constantly, and are the cheapest and best way to get around Cancún. It's easy to hop on and off the bus, go into downtown Cancún, and bar hop at night. Kilometer posts mark the distance from downtown; remember which one is closest to your hotel and you'll find it easier to know when to jump off the bus. Basically, Cancún is one long, non-stop party. The hotel zone is full of restaurants and night clubs, and the shopping is great. For the more adventurous, go into downtown Cancún to experience the outdoor markets and haggle to your heart's content with the vendors. I was fortunate in that I speak Spanish, so I made out better than your average tourist probably would.

The beaches in Cancún are spectacular, the water crystal clear and warm, and the people very friendly. Again, it helps to speak Spanish (even a "Hola" or a "gracias" to show common courtesy), but most people in Cancún speak at least some English. We had some very good meals in Cancún. One restaurant that we really enjoyed was "Los Rancheros"...a very lively place with good food and a fun staff. Of course, we tried out the local Hard Rock Café and the Planet Hollywood (passed on Hooters though), but the Mexican food was of course my favorite. A word of warning however...do NOT drink the water!!! No matter what anyone says, stick to bottled water, even to brush your teeth at the hotel. Getting a severe case of Montezuma's Revenge and ruining part of your trip is not worth it. Unfortunately, my brother got sick and was under the weather for three days. We were very careful about the water, but he believes he got food poisoning at one of the restaurants downtown. Don't eat fruit from street vendors, or even salads (the lettuce is washed in unpurified water). I think I'm the only person I know who's ever gone to México and not gotten sick. For my brother's sake, Thank God I'd packed a box of Imodium!

There is so much to see and do in Cancún and the surrounding area that it's hard to decide where to start. For people who enjoy diving, snorkeling, or other water sports, Cancún is a paradise. My brother and I spent a wonderful afternoon snorkeling at nearby Xel-Há. Mayan ruins are all around, and trips to Tulúm and Chichén-Itzá were on our itinerary as well. I plan to put up other articles on each of those places. You can lounge on the beach all day if you want, but you'll miss so much if you do. Besides, the sun in Cancún is extremely hot and you'll fry to a crisp if you aren't careful. Explore the ruins, or go shopping at Kukulkán Plaza, Plaza Caracol, or Flamingo Plaza. The Plaza La Fiesta (near Plaza Caracol) has a great selection of folk art at very reasonable prices. Alcohol was a definite bargain in Cancún---$9 bottles of Kahlúa and $6 bottles of Bacardi at the Chedraui Supermarket downtown were like a dream come true. Woodcarvings and sculptures made of black obsidian were other items that caught my eye. The night life in Cancún is practically non-stop, with clubs like La Boom and Christine's going 'til the wee hours.

Cancún even has its own Mayan ruins--a small site that's less impressive than the ruins at Tulúm, Cobá, or Chichén-Itzá, but worth a visit nonetheless. Mayan fishermen built the small ceremonial center and settlement very early in the history of Mayan culture. It was then abandoned, to be resettled again near the end of the post-Classic period, not long before the arrival of the conquistadors. The platforms of numerous small temples of the Ruinas El Rey are visible amid the banana plants, papayas, and wildflowers. The Hilton Cancún hotel golf course surrounds the ruins, which have a separate entrance for sightseers. You'll find the ruins about 21km. (13 miles) from downtown, at the southern end of the Zona Hotelera, almost to Punta Nizuc. Look for the Hilton Hotel on the left (east) and the ruins on the right (west). My brother and I walked over from our hotel and spent a relaxing morning exploring the ruins. If you visit Cancún, try not to miss seeing El Rey, especially if you aren't going out to Tulúm or Chichén-Itzá.

After consulting my travel agent, I booked our trip to Cancún through Apple Vacations (http://www.applevacations.com/). Our hotel, the Suites Brisas, was a budget accomodation, however is was clean and conveniently located on a gorgeous beach at the southern end of Cancún at Km. 19.5 on the Boulevard Kukulkán. The on-site restaurant was good, and the $1 Coronas at the Tiki Bar were a winner! The pool area was great, especially for relaxing after a day on the beach or a long day of touring. For sun, fun, and even a history lesson, Cancún can't be beat.