Cancun true or false: test what you know

You have been dreaming about the Mexican Caribbean for years, you already have a favorite beach and maybe even an opinion on the best tacos in town. But how much do you really know about Cancun? Here is a simple game: read each statement, decide whether it is true or false, and then check the answer. Keep track of your score and find out at the end what kind of traveler you are.

The 10 statements

1. Cancun was born as a tourist destination planned from scratch.
True. In the late 1960s, the Mexican government chose this stretch of coast in Quintana Roo to build a brand-new resort destination. Construction began in 1970 and, within a few decades, an almost uninhabited island became one of the best-known destinations in the world.

2. The Hotel Zone is shaped like the number 7.
True. Look at a map and you will see that the strip of sand occupied by the Cancun Hotel Zone draws an almost perfect 7, with the Caribbean Sea on one side and the lagoon on the other.

3. Cancun is the capital of Quintana Roo.
False. Although it is the largest and most famous city in the state, the capital is Chetumal, in the south, very close to the border with Belize.

4. There is a museum with hundreds of sculptures under Cancun’s waters.
True. MUSA, the Underwater Museum of Art, has more than 500 submerged sculptures between Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nizuc. You can visit it snorkeling, diving or aboard a glass-bottom boat, and over the years the pieces have become an artificial reef.

5. On a clear day you can see Cuba from the beach.
False. Cuba is about 200 kilometers from the coast of Quintana Roo, far too distant to see with the naked eye. What you will see on the horizon in front of Cancun is Isla Mujeres.

6. The Nichupte Lagoon separates the Hotel Zone from the city.
True. The Nichupte Lagoon is a system of lagoons and mangroves between the Hotel Zone and downtown. It is perfect for kayaking, boat tours and spectacular sunsets.

7. There is a Mayan archaeological site right in the Hotel Zone.
True. Between hotels and beaches you will find El Rey, a Mayan site you can explore in a morning. Its famous iguanas will most likely welcome you.

8. The sea in Cancun is cold most of the year.
False. The water of the Mexican Caribbean stays warm all year round, usually between 26 and 29 °C (79 to 84 °F). That is why you can swim and snorkel in any season.

9. Getting to Isla Mujeres takes more than two hours by boat.
False. The ferry from Cancun takes around 20 minutes. It is one of the easiest and most beautiful trips you can take; here is what to do in Isla Mujeres.

10. Hurricane season runs from June to November.
True. The official Atlantic and Caribbean season runs from June 1 to November 30. That does not mean it rains nonstop: most days are sunny, but it is a good idea to check the forecast before you travel.

How many did you get right?

• 8 to 10 correct: you are a Cancun expert. You probably have your next getaway planned already.
• 5 to 7 correct: you know the destination well, but there are still corners left to discover.
• 0 to 4 correct: it is time to come and find out in person!

Whatever your score, our list of what to see in Cancun will help you plan your trip. And if you want to stay close to everything, Grand Oasis Cancun puts the sea right in front of you and the Hotel Zone within reach.