Did you know that Cancún was practically designed from scratch? Before the 1970s, this now-famous beach paradise was mostly jungle, mangroves, and some hills of sand with barely any population. It wasn’t originally home to any large indigenous communities and the area itself didn’t hold much historical significance in terms of ancient settlements.
The Mexican government specifically chose the location to boost tourism. And guess what?
It worked!
Not only did it work. It Worked – FABULOUSLY!
Interestingly, the word “Cancún” comes from the Maya language and translated, it means a “Nest of Serpents” (Kan Kun: kan = snake, kun = nest). So even the Maya pretty much wrote this location off because after all, who wants to live in an area where there are an abundance of about a half dozen different species of snakes hanging out.
While Cancún itself doesn’t really have a history of indigenous or colonial influence compared to other parts of the country, it’s still an important part of modern Mexican development. The city’s creation helped boost México’s economy in the 20th century and it’s now one of the country’s most well-known destinations.
So to Answer the Question – Is There More to Its Story?
The answer is . . . Nope.
Before the 1970s, it was just a coastal area filled with snakes until it became a coastal area filled with all-inclusives.
And that my friends is the story of the history of Cancún.
Here are some quick facts about the state of Quintana Roo.
