Mexico Guide
The Yucatán
Cancún activities
The best snorkelling in Cancún is at Punta Nizuc, at the far southern point of the peninsula. Its coral has been damaged by unchecked crowds, but the array of fish is impressive. When you visit by boat, a M$20 national-park fee is charged (though tour operators often don't include this in the price they quote). The typical outing is the so-called jungle tour, which entails riding two-passenger speedboats through lagoon mangroves, then out to the reef. Aquaworld ( 
998/848-8326 
www.aquaworld.com.mx ) is the main operator, offering trips for M$500, though you can book something similar through hotels, or directly at any of the numerous docks on the lagoon side.
Elsewhere on the water, jet skiing (M$500 for 30min) and parasailing (M$400 for 10min) are very popular, and operators are dotted at frequent intervals in front of the big hotels on the beach. For something mellower, head for the winding walkway along Canal Sigfrido, opposite the Embarcadero complex at Paseo Kukulcán Km 4. Especially nice at sunset, you can get an up-close view of the mangroves. Though you might occasionally see kids swimming here, don't be tempted: crocodiles are still plentiful in the lagoon.