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About the Authors
A writer, editor, and translator, David Baird has lived several years in different parts of Mexico. Now based in Austin, Texas, he spends as much time in Mexico as possible. A former resident of Mexico City, Shane Christensen has written extensively for Frommers throughout Mexico, and is the author of Frommers Dubai and Frommers Grand Canyon . He resides in New York, and goes back to Mexico at every chance he gets. Author of Pauline Frommers Cancn & the Yucatn, Christine Delsol has been traveling to Mexico at every opportunity for 30 years. She has spent most of her career in newspapers and is the recipient of an Associated Press award and two Lowell Thomas awards. Maribeth Mellin first drove the two-lane road from Cancn to Chetumal when tires hanging on sticks marked sandy roads to secluded campgrounds. Shes kept track of the changes ever since. Shes the author of Travelers Mexico Companion which won the countrys prestigious Pluma de Plata award.
Frommers Star Ratings, Icons & Abbreviations
Every hotel, restaurant, and attraction listing in this guide has been ranked for quality, value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating system. In country, state, and regional guides, we also rate towns and regions to help you narrow down your choices and budget your time accordingly. Hotels and restaurants are rated on a scale of zero (recommended) to three stars (exceptional). Attractions, shopping, nightlife, towns, and regions are rated according to the following scale: zero stars (recommended), one star (highly recommended), two stars (very highly recommended), and three stars (must-see).
In addition to the star-rating system, we also use seven feature icons that point you to the great deals, in-the-know advice, and unique experiences that separate travelers from tourists. Throughout the book, look for:
special finds those places only insiders know about
fun facts details that make travelers more informed and their trips more fun
kids best bets for kids and advice for the whole family
special moments those experiences that memories are made of
overrated places or experiences not worth your time or money
insider tips great ways to save time and money
great values where to get the best deals
The following abbreviations are used for credit cards:
AE American Express DISC Discover V Visa
DC Diners Club MC MasterCard
The Best of the Yucatn, Tabasco & Chiapas
by David Baird, Shane Christensen & Christine Delsol
T he Yucatn Peninsula welcomes more visitors than any other part of Mexico. Its tremendous variety attracts every kind of traveler with an unrivaled mix of sophisticated resorts, rustic inns, ancient Maya culture, exquisite beaches, and exhilarating adventures. Between us, weve logged thousands of miles crisscrossing the peninsula, and these are our personal favoritesthe best places to visit, the best hotels and restaurants, plus must-see, one-of-a-kind experiences.
The best Beach Vacations
Cancn: Whether or not you believe Cancn is an unrelenting spring break party in which Americans compete with Mexicans for the citys real identityand Id say the truth lies in the timing of your visityoure likely to agree this man-made resort has some of the most spectacular beaches in the country. The powdery white sand is complemented by warm Caribbean waters the color of a Technicolor dream; its so clear that you can see through to the coral reefs below. You can come here just to relax, but this is of course also one of the worlds most popular entertainment destinations. Cancn offers Mexicos widest selection of beachfront resorts, with more restaurants, nightlife, and activities than any other resort destination in the country.
Isla Mujeres: If uninterrupted relaxation is what youre after, Isla Mujeres offers a quintessential laid-back vacation. Most accommodations are small, inexpensive inns, with a few luxury boutique hotels tempting you for at least a night. Bikeor take a golf cartaround the island to explore rocky coves and sandy beaches, or focus your tanning efforts on the wide beachfront of Playa Norte. Here youll find calm waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling as well as beachfront palapa restaurants beckoning you for a fresh fish lunch. If island fever starts to take over, youre only a ferry ride away from the action in Cancn.
Cozumel: It may not offer lots of big, sandy beaches, but Cozumel promises something the mainland doesnt: the calm, flat waters of the sheltered western shore. Its so calm that it could be mistaken for a giant swimming pool, only this pool has lots of brilliantly colored fish, so take your snorkeling mask even if you dont plan to do any diving, which, in Cozumel, is among the best in the world.
Playa del Carmen: Stylish and hip, Playa del Carmen has a beautiful beach and an eclectic assortment of small hotels, inns, and cabaas. The social scene focuses on the beach by day and the pedestrian-only Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) by night, with its assortment of restaurants, clubs, sidewalk cafes, and shops offering all the entertainment you could want. Youre also close to the coasts major attractions, including nature parks, ruins, and cenotes (sinkholes or natural wells). Fast-growing Playa is becoming homogenized (think Dairy Queen and Starbucks). Enjoy it while its still a manageable size.