Chic Cancun Resort on Nichupte Lagoon

Less than 50 years ago, Cancun's 14-mile barrier island was overrun with mangrove jungles inhabited by a few indigenous coconut farmers. It wasn't until the early 1970s that Cancun began its transformation into a world-renowned tourist destination. Today, millions of visitors flock to the Caribbean city each year to take in its tropical climate and rollicking nightlife. Sunset Lagoon Resort lies in the heart of it all. Its distinctive, angular, white buildings are located in the lively Hotel Zone, just steps from Nichupte Lagoon.

In roomy executive suites, natural-wood and wicker furnishings enhance the warm, tropical vibe. From the balcony you can look out onto the lagoon and catch breezes from the Caribbean Sea. The all-inclusive stay gives you the pick of the resort's dining options, which range from Italian fare at La Vela to an international buffet at La Pergola.

Outdoors, the crystal waters of the lagoon are almost always stirring with vacationers taking advantage of yacht rentals, windsurfing lessons, and kayak tours. Beneath the surface, scuba divers busy themselves with exploring coral reefs and staging adaptations of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. For a slower pace, kick back in the lagoon-side hot tub, or take the shuttle to the hotel's sister resort, Sunset Royal. The all-inclusive plan is valid here too, allowing for limitless cocktails on cool sand beaches overlooking the sea.

Back at Sunset Lagoon, Ya'ax Che Spa offers spa treatments incorporating natural elements and traditional Mayan practices. Most evenings end in late-night dancing at one of the onsite bars or treks to the many nightclubs populating the Hotel Zone.

Cancun: Cool White Sands and Mayan Relics

Cancun is on a barrier island shaped like the number seven. It juts into the Caribbean Sea at the northeast tip of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. With the sea on one side and freshwater lagoons on the other, it's a popular spot for sailing and snorkeling. Although the beaches and barrier reefs are a major draw, the geography is equally enticing further inland, where you can dive into an underground cave or speedboat through a mangrove jungle.

Within the city's Hotel Zone, the modest stone columns of El Rey Ruins stand as a vestige of ancient Mayan culture. The archaeological site is home to scores of wild iguanas that can be seen lounging in the sun and reading Tom Clancy novels. At night, the Hotel Zone's neon-lit bars and late-night cantinas spring vibrantly to life.

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