Cancun located on the northeast coast of the state of Quintana Roo in southeastern Mexico, is the country's foremost tourist destination and one of the most visited worldwide. Its beaches, world-renowned for their beauty, offer visitors a myriad of recreational and leisure activities.

The nearby Riviera Maya offers attractions such as Playa del Carmen, Xcaret, Xel-Ha and the archaeological site of Tulum. The islands of Isla de Mujeres and Cozumel are both ideal destinations for snorkeling and scuba diving.

COP16/CMP6 Venue

The COP16/CMP6 will be held at the Moon Palace Hotel and the Cancunmesse, a new international conference and exhibition center. Both locations are in and around Cancun, on the Cancun-Chetumal road approximately 7 km (4.3 miles) apart.

Side Events will be held at the Cancunmesse.

Weather

Cancun is generally warm and humid. The average annual temperature is 27°C (81°F) and the days are sunny most of the year. In December, the average temperature is 24°C (75°F) and the nights may be cool.

Language

The official language in Mexico is Spanish, but English is widely spoken especially at tourist destinations.

Food

Both in Cancun's hotel area and downtown, you will find a large selection of restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, including Mexican and international cuisine, as well as fast food.

Currency

The official currency in Mexico is the Mexican peso ($ or MXN). The exchange rate fluctuates and is quoted daily. To learn more about the exchange rate:

In Mexico, banknotes are issued in the following denominations: $20.00, $50.00, $100.00, $200.00, $500.00 and $1,000.00. Coins are issued in: 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, and 50¢, $1 MXN, $2 MXN, $5 MXN and $10 MXN.

In Cancun, most shops and establishments accept the U.S. dollar. Other currencies such as the Euro are accepted in airports, banks or currency exchange offices.

International credit cards are accepted throughout the country. ATMs are located in all local bank branches and are linked to all major international banks. You can also find banking services at the COP16/CMP6 venue. For more information on the location of currency exchange sites in Cancun.

Tipping

It is customary to tip between 10% and 15% in restaurants. It is also customary to tip hotel staff, but there is no set rate for this.

Electricity

Voltage in Mexico is 110 volts. The plugs have two parallel flat prongs. In some places, three-pronged grounded plugs are used.

Time Zone

Most of Mexico, including Cancun, is in the GMT-6 time zone.

Making telephone calls To make international phone calls from Cancun, dial: 00 + country code + area code + local number.The country code for Mexico is 52, and the area code for Cancun is 998.

Emergency

Emergency services in Cancun include civil protection agencies, police and fire stations, as well as public and private hospitals.

(cc2010.mx November 22, 2010)