In fact, Cancún consists of two parts: the Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera) and the downtown city centre. The Hotel Zone is, as the name implies, the area where most of the resorts are situated. It is a narrow island of more than 22 km long, and most visitors stay in this zone along the beach. Boulevard Kukulcan is the main street in this area. The lagoon 'Laguna Nichupté' is connected to the ocean and seperates the city and the Hotel Zone. Nichupté is more than 3000 hectares big and has a great variety of animals living in there. Therefore, please do not enter the lagoon when walking next to the path. There are alligators in there and they do not appreciate uninvited guests.

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Cancún has around 450.000 inhabitants and most of them live downtown the city centre, which is called 'Centro'. This area is less popular for tourists, but definitely just as interesting. It offers great eating and shopping facilities, but cheaper than the Hotel Zone. Moreover, this is the place where you will get to know the Mexican culture.