El Parque de las Palapas

Address:10 Margaritas, 22, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico

From the sandy beach Cancun’s Hotel Zone are typical Mexican city were locals are on their daily work. Once in a while, these people find some little fun. Plaza Principal or Zocalo in Spanish is an important place in most of Mexican towns as it’s a place of social life, church and even work. In Cancun, its represented by Parque de las Palapas, or Palapas Park. Originally, it had a large stage and small restaurants with palanas- thatched roofs made from dried woven palm leaves.

Recently, Parque de las Palapas was modernized were the ancient palanas replaced with sleek white tarps and pavements redone. Electric lines are underground with complete redoing of the whole place; new benches, nice wooden carts for selling handicrafts around the stage, while facing the stage are food carts selling lots of Mexican foods. At economical rates also, the restaurants also sell Mexican foods for the visitors of the place.

The town square in Cancun cannot miss a church, just like most of other towns. The first Catholic Church here, Iglesia de Cristo Rey still stands and the park has lots of entertaining activities to watch and do- enclosed playing area, kids electric cars, a small carousel and even weekend traditional dancing plus lots of events. This is not the only park, there are other two smaller ones Parque Los Artesanos and Jardín Del Arte. Over the weekends, Parque Los Artesanos hosts young bohemian artists were they sell their wares and craft that serve as perfect souvenirs and even participate in bongo drum jams while Jardín Del Arte is used for art exhibitions.