Despite its well known reputation for being a party town, Cancun can actually be a place to relax and unwind over a long weekend. That is if you go during the off season when pesky college students are nowhere in sight. Of course there are the hurricanes and heat to worry about, but if you luck out and mother nature is on your side, you will actually find Cancun highly enjoyable.
Cancun is like an American outpost. Here you can see restaurants like Outback Steakhouse and Bubba Gump Shrimp. Dining is quite an expensive activity here. Restaurants in Cancun, especially those charge American prices and some seafood restaurants even charge prices that are similar to those at a 5-star restaurants in NY. Besides the familiar restaurant brands located on the hotel strip, you can find a long list of hotels that Americans are familiar with, such as the JW Marriott and the Omni Hotels. I highly recommend the Le Meridien Resort and Spa. It features three great pools overlooking the blue Caribbean Sea. The rooms are also quite sizable and the spa/gym facilities are top notch.
For sightseeing, I recommend visiting the ancient Mayan sites such as Tulum and Chichen Itza. An all inclusive day trip to these destinations will cost you about USD$60-$90. The tour to Chichen Itza actually includes a lunch buffet near the Mayan site. But the food is nothing to write home about, and the traditional Yutacan dance performed by the locals as your chow down your tortillas and refried beans is just an attempt to get more tips from the tourists.
In short, Thomas and I really had a relaxing time there. Aside from visiting the ancient Mayan sites, we spent most of our time at the gym/spa and in the pool. Choosing the right resort, and having some luck on your side (as far as weather is concerned) are key to enjoying your stay in Cancun.
