Cancun sits on white beaches between green jungles in Yucatan and blue seas on the Gulf side. The region is caught between two eras, with Mayan ruins and modern, internationally renowned tourist resorts. In 1967 the Mexican government selected Cancun for development, at which time it was a sleepy little fishing village. Now Cancun gets 20% of Mexicos tourism.

Cancun has around twenty all-inclusive resorts. Most all-inclusive resorts provide transport from the airport or other transportation used to arrive, all meals and snacks, alcoholic beverages, taxes and tips, water sports, resort entertainment and offer packages intended for families, honeymoons, adult only, adult oriented, couples and even scuba diving. Cancun tourism is more interested in adult clientele, though it is still family friendly and isnt adult oriented as in rated for adult themes, but instead is simply adult oriented in terms of being more interested in catering to people of the age of majority. Parents may need to deal with less extensive facilities for small children or facilities to entertain teenagers across the street from the hotel.

The Club Med Cancun Yucatan is an all-inclusive resort from a worldwide chain. This organization stresses social interaction between guests and workers, and there are special efforts to entertain children with activities, rather than video games. There are classes for windsurfing, diving and sailing, basic and advanced lessons on water skiing, wakeboarding, tennis and the trapeze, with other subjects and activities available, some for an extra charge such as scuba diving or horseback riding. Group lessons for families can be arranged. There are childrens programs to aid parents dealing with infants on up to teens and tweens. These range from baby-sitting or high chairs on up to little theaters and jewelry making lessons. This is a discovery resort and encourages residents to explore the area. The resorts Discovery Center offers excursions to many attractions in the area. This resort is open in Fall and Winter, and the rooms are designed for two adults, a child and an infant. Larger families may need to book more than one room.

The Grand Oasis Cancun is an all-inclusive resort. This is a large, pyramid tower with 288 rooms and 32 acres of gardens, a kilometer of beach and a quarter mile of interlocking pools. There are nine restaurants. There are daily activities, weekly shows, a golf course, watersports, miniature golf and other childrens activities and a childrens program for those aged 4-12.

The Riu Cancun is an all-inclusive resort belonging to a company with three properties in Cancun, and allows guests to visit the other facilities. The Riu Cancun has 569 rooms and includes a variety of daily events, excursions about the area, three swimming pools and a childrens pool, non-motorized sports, a kids program for 4-12, and classes ranging from Spanish to air rifle marksmanship.

The Avalon Grand Cancun is an all-inclusive resort with 116 guestrooms. There are swimming pools, a spa, fitness center and three restaurants. There are volleyball, aerobics, bingo, Spanish lessons, dance lessons, beach parties and excursions about the area. The Childrens club has activities aimed at the 4-10 age group. There are area excursions and residents can use facilities in other Avalon properties in the area.

The Blue Bay Resort and Spa is an all-inclusive resort with 160 rooms. These are divided into senior rooms and junior rooms, the latter being single rooms with divided areas. There is an 800ft beachfront, excursions about the area and a large swimming pool. There are non-motorized sports, daily activities, nightly entertainment and weekly live shows, sports fields, buffet meals and two specialty restaurants. Guests can upgrade to include room service, a premier menu at the restaurants, discounts for the spa and tours. The Kids club provides supervised activities for ages 5-12, and the first two children under six are free. Any others must pay the normal childrens fee. There have been complaints that the cribs available are not suitable for infants small enough to require them, but old enough to begin efforts to escape.

The Crown Paradise Club is an all-inclusive resort with 364 rooms. There is a water-park, 4 pools, miniature golf, sports, and up to three children under 12 can share their parents room. The Childrens programs are intended to provide for children 18 months of age up to 12, and the resort does not allow spring break style guests.

For lots of information on All Inclusive Resorts in Cancun and other related topics, visit Mexico Explored at www.mexicoexplored.com

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