DK Eyewitness - DK Eyewitness Top 10 Cancún and the Yucatán (Pocket Travel Guide)

Clockwise from top: Isla Mujeres beach, Cancns Museo Subacutico de Arte, brightly painted buildings in Campeche, Chichn Itzs great pyramid, angelfish at the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve, beach at Playa del Carmen, traditional Mexican ceramics at a street stall

Stunning Caribbean beaches and epic Mayan sites. Lovely colonial cities and pristine diving reefs. Tropical islands and nature reserves rich with wildlife. Mouthwatering cuisine and vibrant nightlife. Whatever takes your fancy, this region has something for everyone. With Eyewitness Top 10 Cancn and the Yucatn, its yours to explore.

Set between the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, the Yucatn Peninsula is one of the countrys most popular tourist destinations. Its focal point is Cancn, a lively mega-resort with a dazzling array of hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, stores, and activities. South of Cancn, the Mayan Riviera stretches from mellow Puerto Morelos and hip Playa del Carmen to picturesque Tulum, with its palm-fringed beach overlooked by a clifftop Mayan temple. Beyond lie the wildlife paradise of Sian Kaan and the diving haven of Cozumel island.

Inland are some of the worlds finest archaeological sites, notably the dramatic Mayan sites of Chichn Itz and Uxmal. The region is also rich in Spanish colonial history: Mrda is one of the most delightful cities in Mexico, filled with Moorish-style townhouses, palm-shaded patios, colonnaded squares, and whitewashed churches.

Whether youre visiting for a weekend or a week, our Top 10 guide brings together the best of everything the region has to offer, from the Caribbean hideaway of Isla Mujeres to the historic walled town of Campeche on the Gulf of Mexico. The guide has useful tips throughout, from seeking out whats free to avoiding the crowds, plus six easy-to-follow itineraries designed to tie together a clutch of sights in a short space of time. Add inspiring photography and detailed maps, and youve got the essential pocket-sized travel companion. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Cancn and the Yucatn.

EXPLORING CANCN AND THE YUCATN

This diverse region has a fabulous range of attractions, and deciding where to visit and what to do can be a challenge. However long your stay, youll want to make the most of your time, and these two sightseeing itineraries will help you get the very best out of your visit to Cancn and the Yucatn.

---

Two Days in Cancn and the Yucatn

---

Day 1

Morning

Start the day on the beach in .

Afternoon

Head down the coast to .

Playa del Carmens lively and colorful street life is just one of its many attractions.

Day 2

Morning

Set off early for , where you can explore the Castillo de Kukulcn, the Great Ball Court and the Temple of the Warriors.

Afternoon

Drive to .

---

Four Days in Cancn and the Yucatn

---

Day 1

Morning

Start in head to the beach, do some shopping, look round the Museo Maya, or visit the Museo Subacutico de Arte.

Afternoon

After lunch take the ferry over to both islands are excellent for scuba diving.

Day 2

Morning

Return by ferry to the mainland, then head south along the coast to .

Afternoon

After lunch, visit the . Take a guided tour of its highlights before making your way back to Tulum.

The beach at Tulum is overlooked by the spectacular site of a great Mayan temple.

Day 3

Morning

Start early for the two-hour drive from either .

Chichn Itz, one of the most magnificent Mayan complexes, is dominated by the dramatic stepped pyramid known as the Castillo de Kukulcn.

Afternoon

Head west to .

Day 4

Morning

Set off for the evocative Mayan sites of , set just opposite the sites.

Afternoon

Head to .

The city walls of Campeche hold a preserved colonial Spanish city.

---

Top 10 Cancn and the Yucatn Highlights

The magnificent Castillo de Kukulcn pyramid at Chichn Itz

Top 10 Cancn and the Yucatn Highlights

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

CANCN

Just a dot on the map before 1970, Cancn is now the biggest resort in the Caribbean. Its Hotel Zone occupies a huge, narrow sand spit shaped like a giant 7. Over on the mainland lies the fast-growing town of Ciudad Cancn, also known as Downtown. All along Boulevard Kukulcn are hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, and visitor attractions, including some excellent museums and atmospheric Mayan sites.

Map of Cancn

NEED TO KNOW

Visitor Information: kiosks inside Town Hall; (998) 881 9000; www.cancun.travel

El Rey Site: