Cancun is famous across the world for its nightlife. This is largely thanks to the many clubs, bars and world-class resorts on the Yucatán Peninsula. The party here never stops, with world famous DJs and bands performing in peak season. Beach parties are common, but even if it’s not to party, a visit to the beach is a must.

For beginner swimmers, the best resorts are around Isla Mujeres in the north. The crystal clear waters here are calm and pleasantly warm. Many locals tout their wares along the beaches, meaning there are many things to be bartered over.

For a different style of shopping, La Isla is a huge, American style shopping mall. There are literally hundreds of shops here, with many American brand names along with a number or Mexican restaurants and fast food places.

For a more traditional shopping experience, there’s Market 28 in downtown Cancun. Here, tourists can pick up some great souvenirs and every price can be bartered down, so it’s an ideal place for bargains.

The wildlife in Cancun is amazing and varied. At Punta Este Marina, it’s possible to rent a boat or take a tour of the lagoon, stopping for snorkelling and scuba diving. Cancun is also known for its bird life. Oddly enough, the airport is the best place to bird watch, as it is located on the edge of the Cancun Rainforest.

At Xcaret Eco-archaeological Park on the Riviera Maya is another amazing place to spot wildlife as well as partake in some amazing activities. It’s possible to snorkel in the underground rivers, visit the butterfly pavilion, see the fauna breeding farm and experience the traditional Mayan village here. Additionally, tourists can swim with dolphins and every evening there’s the Xcaret Mexico Espectacular Night Show, which features a variety of traditional Mayan performances, music and dancing.

Cancun has an amazing historical Mayan culture, with many ruins and historic sights to see. One of the best preserved is Tulum, a Mayan walled city. Here, there’s the Temple of the Frescoes where tourists can see figurines of the Mayan diving god. Tulum also has many freshwater underground rivers; in fact, it has the most extensive such system in the world. There’s also a stunning view of Boca Paila here.

The Mayan culture is known for its pyramids, and Chichen Itza is an amazing place to see them. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Kukulkan Pyramid can be found here. This 24 meter high pyramid is an elaborate construction with temples, a jaguar carved throne and many other things to discover. This site is one of the best places to discover the ancient Mayan culture and really appreciate the structures this civilisation created.

Cancun is also the place to find the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. This UNESCO World Heritage site has a number of different habitats, with flora, fauna and 23 Mayan archaeological sites. Some of these sites date as far back as 2,300 years ago and are amazingly well preserved. All of the profits go towards conservation programmes.

For those who want to add a touch of luxury to their holiday, a visit to Exotic Rides Mexico is a must. Here, tourists can race laps on the private racetrack in some of the most expensive cars ever made.

Off the coast of Cancun is Isla Mujeres. This tiny island, only five miles long, is a great place to get away from the crowds and there are some idyllic beaches, shops and restaurants. It’s possible to snorkel on the Manchones Reef here and the Cancun Sea Turtle Sanctuary is here, too.

Cancun provides a diverse range of activities for all tastes. Bullfighting is hugely popular in Cancun, and the Plaza de Toros bullring is one of the oldest bullrings still in operation. Bullfights are held here throughout the year, but visitors should be aware that although the atmosphere is electric, the show can sometimes be quite violent.

One thing that Cancun is renowned for is its nightlife and there are a number of clubs on the Yucatán Peninsula. Dady’O is one of the most elaborate dance clubs around. This five-level club is designed like a cave, with light beams and strobes adding to the atmosphere. It caters to all music tastes, from Latin and trance to hip-hop and techno.

Coco Bongo Club may be famous for being the main party place during the American spring break, but throughout the rest of the year it’s still a great place to visit. There are celebrity impersonators and circus acts most nights along with guest DJs.

For a slightly more sophisticated night out, there are a number of bars built into the famous Plaza de Toros bullring. Many of these bars have live music and tend to draw locals as well as tourists.

Many places in Cancun play live music. Sabor Latino in the Chinatown Plaza is a live music venue-cum-club and a great place to try Dominican salsa and other style of dancing which are popular in Mexico.

Cancun has a lively gay scene, and the Backstage Theatre-Cabaret is part of this. Fun for anyone, the cabaret includes drag queens, fashion shows and musicals.

The cinema in Cancun, Cinemark, often shows current Hollywood blockbusters in English, although with Spanish subtitles. There are a number of children’s films on during the day, although as these are sometimes dubbed so it’s best to check before going.

Cancun has a wide variety of cuisines and restaurant styles, from five-star gourmet meals to a quick bite in one of the many fast food places. Many of the luxury resorts have amazing restaurants, but it’s important to book in advance as many don’t allow non-guest diners without reservations.

The Mexican cuisine is renowned worldwide for two things: the spice and the portion sizes. The cuisine served in Cancun is big on both heat and quantity. There are many Mexican restaurants offering the best of the local food. Tacos (folded tortillas) feature heavily and are usually filled with Mexican sausage, beef, potato and some form of spicy sauce. Quesadilla, a soft tortilla stuffed with cheese and potatoes and then fried, is mouth-watering and usually garnished with spicy jalapeños.

For those not keen on spicy food, tamales (steamed cornmeal stuffed with chicken, pork or beef) tend to be sweet. Nachos (corn tortilla crisps) can be found pretty much everywhere, with a variety of toppings available. For those wanting to try something different, there’s eggs motulenos. This is egg served on a fried tortilla which is smothered in tomato sauce, peas and fried bananas. Lima soup, a chicken broth with lime juice, chicken and tortilla chips, is good to try as well.

Cancun is a great place for seafood, and there’s no end of lobster restaurants along the coast offering beautiful views alongside delicious food. There are other restaurants in Cancun offering international cuisines, too. There’re Chinese, Italian, Caribbean and French eateries along with Spanish and Greek restaurants. The standard fast food chains are all present, too.

Many traditional Mexican restaurants have a happy hour for drinks, with a flamenco show later in the evening. Customers should expect to join in with the show, and one or two shots of tequila can help visitors get into the spirit of things.