Beyond its famous beaches and picturesque landscapes, Cancun offers an unrivaled shopping experience and a unique taste of Mayan culture and traditions that is sure to delight bargain and discriminating shoppers and cultural travelers alike. From outdoor pavilions, Mexicraft shops to boutiques and state-of-the-art shopping complexes, Cancun invites travelers to get ready, set and shop.

�Already one of the leading destinations in Mexico, Cancun is the perfect place where shoppers and cultural travelers can really live it up,� says Dr. Miguel Borge Martin, executive director of the Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau. �Every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors take to the streets of Cancun in search of the perfect souvenir, bargains and authentic Mexican artifacts and handicrafts while taking in the beauty and historical significance of the Mayan experience. We�re looking forward to continuing to deliver a memorable and culturally enlightening experience for first-time and return visitors this year.�

Following are some of best shopping picks for 2004 from The Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau:

Hotel Zone Cancun�s famed hotel zone, home to some of the most popular and best hotels and inns in the Mexican Caribbean, features Plaza Caracol, one of the largest and most contemporary of the malls in the area, a shopper�s paradise complete with traditional restaurants and unique storefronts. Plaza Caracol houses about 200 shops and boutiques, including two pharmacies, art galleries, a currency exchange and a variety of folk-art and jewelry shops, as well as cafes and restaurants. Boutiques include Benetton, Bally, Gucci and Ralph Lauren, with prices lower than their U.S. counterparts.

Known as Cancun Island, a stretch of nearly 20 kilometers connected to the mainland by bridge, the Hotel Zone also features the state of Quintana Roo�s first official shopping mall � Plaza Kukulkan, which will soon boast an entirely new interior and exterior look, along with a variety of new stores and services. This multi-million dollar redesign, scheduled for completion in December of 2004, incorporates grander entrances, new marble flooring, an indoor waterfall, new restaurants and stores, a new food court, and an expanded Luxury Avenue comprised of some of the world�s top high-end brands, including Cartier, Fendi and Swarovsky.

For discriminating shoppers, the La Isla Shopping Village, the area�s most prominent shopping and entertainment complex, offers a wide-range of shops, dining and entertainment options. Located on the Nichupte Lagoon under a giant canopy and featuring a series of Venetian-style canals and small bridges, the high-end and luxurious La Isla Shopping Village, also known as Plaza la Isla, features the perfect combination of handicraft, souvenir and jewelry shops, as well as high-end boutiques including Diesel, DKNY, Moschino, Guess, Zara, Benetton and Tommy Hilfiger. La Isla also features various fine dining and fast food options including El Arca, Chilli�s, Haagen Daz, La Casa de las Margaritas and Shokunini; a state-of-the-art marina; el Acuario Interactivo, an aquarium and marine life observatory where visitors can swim with dolphins; restaurant, lounge and disco in-one Glazz; interactive and educational Mayan maze MayAventura; and the Cinemark La Isla, a multiplex movie theater.

For a more intimate feel, Plaza Flamingo, a small shopping center beautifully decorated with marble, offers designer, duty-free and sportswear shops, a high-tech entertainment center, a currency exchange booth and two boutiques selling Guatemalan imports. The mall is also an ideal spot for day- and night-time entertainment, with a fun selection of restaurants and bars that includes Planet Hollywood, Jimmy Buffet�s Margaritaville, Pat O�Brien�s and the Outback Steakhouse among others.

Downtown Cancun An outdoor marketplace located in downtown Cancun, Mercado 28 offers a wide selection of affordable Mexican handicrafts, souvenirs and traditional Mayan clothing and features Plaza Bonita, a strip of shops and storefronts where shoppers can find authentic Mexican artifacts, hand-made, elaborate tiling and pottery from the region�s best artists and craftsmen.

Also within downtown Cancun, Plaza las Americas is a haven for shoppers looking for the latest brands, newest products and good value. Among its offerings are a video arcade; a food court; a Chedraui supermarket; department stores Sanborn�s, Liverpool, JC Penney�s and Sears; a mega-movie theatre complex made up of ten standard and seven VIP theatres (the VIPs offer couches that recline, waiter service, a sushi bar and more); five restaurants; and the Mambo Caf� salsa club.

About Cancun A Mecca for travelers from all walks of life, with treasures for every taste, Cancun combines rich traditions and legends of the past with the luxury and comforts of the present � in the heart of an ancient and mysterious Mayan world. With 27,000 first-class hotel rooms, and a host of attractions from adventure, romance and golf, to spa, dining and shopping, The Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau invites visitors to experience the warm hospitality and natural wonders of Cancun. For further information, visit www.cancun.info.

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Media Contact: Ana Mari Irabien +52 998 8846531 amirabien@prodigy.net.mx