The History of Cancun

By: Aeronx Mc Mall

Only 50 years ago, Cancun was a paradise largely unknown by people throughout the world. The native people of Mexico and their descendants were able to appreciate the stoic beauty of the region undisturbed by larger human populations. The region was isolated from the rest of the country and inhabited by only a few small concentrations of Mayan people who called the area home since the early years following the Mexican rebellion against colonial Spanish rule.

The beauty of the area results from centuries of nature's work in constructing pristine white sandy beaches and coral reefs along the coastline. The area is in the Caribbean Sea, creating a perfect home for exotic fish and other sea creatures. The beaches of powdery white sand are unique and found only in very specific regions of the world, making Cancun one of the most intriguing beach locales to be found.

The sand and coral in the area is not formed from rock or silica, as they are in many other areas of the world. The glorious appearance of the sand and coral is created through the reflection of sunlight, creating not only warm and brilliant beach venues but also some of the most beautiful blue and turquoise waters to be found in the entire world.

Cancun has a rich history rooted in native culture. Added to that history are the influence of colonial Spain and that of some other short-term residents. Colonial Spanish civilians and religious and clerical populations were among the temporary residents of the region. Other transient peoples called the island a temporary home for select periods in the region's history.

While Cancun remain largely unknown to the majority of people in the world, the waters and islands in the Caribbean near Cancun were frequented by some of the most infamous of pirates, including Molas, Mundaca, and Jean Lafitte. Many of the greatest legends of pirates arose from real events in this area of the world. Treasures, maps, and weapons were hidden on Cancun and other islands in the Caribbean, while pirates ventured out to secure more loot.

In 1968, Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, then president of Mexico, required the National Bank to create a plan for formal tourism for the nation in an effort to generate the much needed monies to pay national debts. These debts were largely owed to other nations and needed to be repaid. Ordaz's plan was to fund debt repayment and establish private sector investment opportunities. He wanted to build tourism as a method of creating national economic growth and stability, thereby eliminating the nation's dependence on foreign money.

Under the direction of the president, the Bank of Mexico established INFRATUR, an agency charged with building national tourism. The agency's employees traveled the country to locate prime spots for building resorts. Cancun was determined to be among the best locations due to its beautiful sandy beaches, pristine waters and standard mild weather conditions. The island was also located close to the North American continent and fairly close to the United States, making it a perfect locale for a planned resort town.

Construction on the Cancun project began in January of 1970. The technicians involved in the project planned to build a road from mainland Mexico, opening an easy driving route to the tourist town. They also needed to construct an airport for easy flight travel. Water routes to the island were already well established and easily formalized through the building of additional docks and shipping transport businesses on the mainland and island.

The mainland development included the building of permanent homes, hospitals, schools, markets and other commercial areas. The development required the creation of public streets and other transportation routes. The development on the mainland was necessary for establishing the population and workforce that could support the planned resort town on the Island of Cancun.

The project established a tourism zone on the island that was free of permanent residential homes. In this zone, they built golf courses, shopping centers, hotels, marina facilities and water sport locations. The international airport was placed between three sub-zones within the tourism zone. The first is the Bahla de Mujeres on the coast, falling between Punta Cancun and the Bojorquez Lagoon. The second area runs along the inland coast between the Bojorquez Lagoon and Punta Nizuc. The third sub-zone stretches from Punta Nizuc on the south to the edge of the tourism zone.

The tourist town incorporates large city blocks that are separated by wide avenues. The first hotels were opened in 1974. The international airport began accepting incoming wide cabin planes in the same year, transporting the first significant groups of tourists. The territory of Quintana Roo was also granted statehood in 1974, establishing Cancun as a formal destination spot for tourists from around the world.

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