Cancún is situated in the state of Quintana Roo on the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, a seal-head shaped land mass that stares longingly towards Cuba from Guatemala and Belize. Cancún is on the northeastern tip of the Peninsula and shaped by Bahía de Mujeres (Bay of Women), the Caribbean Sea and several lagoons.

Cancún is actually two places in one. On the mainland lies Ciudad Cancún, a planned city founded as the service centre of the resort. The main north-south thoroughfare is Avenida Tulum, a long tree-shaded boulevard lined with banks, shopping centres and restaurants. The smaller, low to medium-priced hotels and restaurants are within this city centre, but it's far from the beach.

The 23km (14mi) long sandy island, Isla Cancún, is known as the Zona Hotelera or Zona Turística. Boulevard Kukulcán, a four-lane divided avenue, leaves Ciudad Cancún and goes 9km (5mi) east to Punta Cancún. The boulevard then heads south for 13km (8mi) to Punta Nizuc, where it turns west, rejoins the mainland and heads inland to the airport. This is where the action is.

Cancún International Airport is 8km (5mi) south of Ciudad Cancún. Puerto Juárez, the port for passenger ferries to Isla Mujeres, is about 3km (2mi) north of the centre. The busy bus station is just west of Avenida Tulum.

There are rental car agencies at the airport and in town, and you're best off getting one for any excursion into the Yucatán. Drive on the right.

Cancún's public bus system is very dependable and a great way to get between Ciudad Cancún and the beaches of the Zona Hotelera. Taxis around town do not have meters, so agree on a fare before getting in (Cuidad Cancún to the Zona Hotelera should start around USD$ 8.00.

Puerto Juárez, the port for passenger ferries to Isla Mujeres, is about 4km (2mi) north of Cancún's city centre. Express boats leave every 30min during the day for the 25-min journey to Isla Mujeres. Slower open boats leave every hour during the day and take 45min to make the trip.