Over the last several years, Cancun has grown into a beach city to rival the best in the world. However, many tourists never venture outside the Hotel Zone a small stretch of land jutting into the Caribbean. Just a few miles inland, permanent residents and informed travelers mingle in the downtown area known locally as El Centro. Besides offering a peak at authentic Mexican culture, this area is teeming with excellent restaurants and shopping opportunities.
Though Cancun is a very young city major growth began only 40 years ago the downtown area resembles a more rustic Mexican community in many ways. Throughout the streets, you will see mariachi bands and other types of traditional performers. If you want to witness a popular sport of yesteryear, visit the Cancun Centro Bullring for a bullfight. Even the restaurants and markets maintain the flavor of Mexican tradition, offering a nice counterpoint to the glitz and glamor of Cancuns Hotel Zone.
Tulum Avenue is the main thoroughfare of downtown Cancun and a good place to start exploring the area. Along the 20 blocks of this street, you will find everything from bars and restaurants to outdoor markets and...