Cancun & the Yucatan For Dummies^®, 2nd Edition

by Lynne Bairstow; David Baird

• ISBN13: 9780764578281
• ISBN10: 0764578286
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-07-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Travel smart at www.dummies.comExplore Cancun the Yucatan the fun and easy wayIncredible beach escapes and diverse attractions abound in Cancun Cozumel, the Yucatan and Riviera Maya. Destinations range from laid-back and rustic to lively and luxurious, and this friendly guide gets you off to a sunny start!Discover: Down-to-earth trip-planning advice What you shouldn't miss - and what you can skip The best hotels and restaurants for every budget Handy Post-it Flags to mark your favorite pages

Author Biography

For Lynne Bairstow (who wrote Chapters 1 through 12, 16 through 18, and the Appendix), Mexico has become more home to her than her native United States. After exploring the country and living in Puerto Vallarta for most of the past 15 years, she has developed a true love of Mexico and its complex, colorful culture. Her local friends now claim she has patas saladas - a term translated as "salty feet," meaning she has become a true Vallarta local. Her travel articles on Mexico have been published in The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, Private Air, Luxury Living, and Alaska Airlines Magazine. In 2000, Lynne was awarded the Pluma de Plata, an honor granted by the Mexican Government to foreign writers, for her work with the Frommer's guide to Mexico. David Baird (who wrote Chapters 13, 14, and 15) is a writer, editor, and translator who feels uncomfortable writing about himself in the third person (too much like writing his own obituary). Now based in Austin, Texas, he spent years living in various parts of Mexico, Brazil, Peru, and Puerto Rico. But, whenever possible, he manages to get back to the turquoise-blue waters of the Yucatan because he thinks he looks good in that color, and because he's excessively fond of the local cooking.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(6)
About This Book	2	(1)
Conventions Used in This Book	2	(2)
Foolish Assumptions	4	(1)
How This Book Is Organized	4	(2)
Part I: Introducing Cancún and the Yucatán	4	(1)
Part II: Planning Your Trip to Cancún and the Yucatán	5	(1)
Part III: Discovering Cancún	5	(1)
Part IV: Traveling Around Isla Mujeres and Cozumel	5	(1)
Part V: Exploring the Yucatán	5	(1)
Part VI: The Part of Tens	5	(1)
Quick Concierge appendix	6	(1)
Icons Used in This Book	6	(1)
Where to Go from Here	6	(1)
Part I: Introducing Cancún and the Yucatán	7	(48)
Chapter 1: Discovering the Best of Cancún and the Yucatán	9	(8)
The Best Beach Vacations	9	(1)
The Best Luxury Resorts	10	(1)
The Best Good-Value Accommodations	11	(1)
The Most Unique Places to Get Away from It All	12	(1)
The Best Restaurants	13	(1)
The Best Activities and Attractions	14	(1)
The Best Archaeological Sites	15	(1)
The Best Shopping	15	(1)
The Best Nightlife	16	(1)
Chapter 2: Digging Deeper into the Yucatán	17	(23)
Introducing the Yucatán	17	(1)
The Land	18	(1)
History 101: The Main Events	19	(5)
Pre-Hispanic civilizations	19	(1)
The Pre-Classic Period (1500 B.C.-A.D. 300)	19	(1)
The Classic Period (A.D. 300-900)	20	(1)
The Post-Classic Period (A.D. 900-1521)	20	(1)
The Conquest	21	(1)
The Colonial Period	22	(1)
Independence	22	(1)
The Porfiriato and the Revolution	23	(1)
Modern Mexico	23	(1)
Building Blocks: Local Architecture	24	(2)
Pre-Hispanic forms	24	(1)
Spanish influence	25	(1)
Religion, Myth, and Folklore	26	(1)
Taste of the Yucatán: Local Cuisine	27	(2)
Word to the Wise: The Local Lingo	29	(9)
Background Check: Recommended Books and Movies	38	(2)
Books	38	(1)
Movies	39	(1)
Chapter 3: Choosing Where to Go	40	(10)
Introducing the Yucatán	40	(1)
Picking the Right Beach Resort	41	(8)
Choosing Cancún	41	(1)
Contemplating Isla Mujeres	42	(1)
Diving into Cozumel	43	(3)
Considering Playa del Carmen	46	(1)
Exploring the Riviera Maya	47	(2)
Visiting More Than One Resort	49	(1)
Chapter 4: Deciding When to Go	50	(5)
Forecasting the Weather	50	(1)
Unlocking the Secret of the Seasons	51	(1)
Yucatán's Calendar of Events	51	(6)
January, February, and March	51	(1)
April, May, and June	52	(1)
July, August, and September	53	(1)
October, November, and December	53	(2)
Part II: Planning Your Trip to Cancún and the Yucatán	55	(50)
Chapter 5: Managing Your Money	57	(12)
Planning Your Budget	57	(4)
Calculating your hotel cost	58	(1)
Totaling transportation costs	58	(1)
Estimating dining dollars	59	(1)
Getting tipping tips	60	(1)
Sightseeing	60	(1)
Shopping	61	(1)
Catching the nightlife	61	(1)
Cutting Costs - But Not the Fun	61	(2)
Making Sense of the Peso	63	(1)
Choosing Traveler's Checks, Credit Cards, or Cash	64	(2)
ATMs and cash	64	(1)
Credit cards	65	(1)
Traveler's checks	66	(1)
Taxing Matters	66	(1)
Dealing with a Lost or Stolen Wallet	67	(2)
Chapter 6: Getting to the Yucatán	69	(6)
Flying to Cancún and the Yucatán	69	(1)
Getting the Best Deal on Your Airfare	70	(1)
Researching and Booking Your Trip Online	71	(1)
Understanding Escorted and Package Tours	72	(3)
Chapter 7: Booking Your Accommodations	75	(6)
Getting to Know Your Options	75	(2)
Finding the Best Room at the Best Rate	77	(4)
Finding the best rate	78	(1)
Surfing the Web for hotel deals	78	(2)
Reserving the best room	80	(1)
Chapter 8: Catering to Special Needs or Interests	81	(8)
Traveling with the Brood: Advice for Families	81	(1)
Making Age Work for You: Tips for Seniors	82	(2)
Accessing the Yucatán: Advice for Travelers with Disabilities	84	(1)
Following the Rainbow: Resources for Gay and Lesbian Travelers	85	(1)
Traveling Solo	86	(1)
Planning a Wedding in Mexico	87	(2)
Chapter 9: Taking Care of the Remaining Details	89	(16)
Arriving in and Departing from Mexico	89	(1)
Getting a Passport	90	(2)
Applying for a U.S. passport	90	(1)
Applying for other passports	91	(1)
Clearing U.S. Customs	92	(1)
Playing It Safe with Travel and Medical Insurance	92	(2)
Staying Healthy When You Travel	94	(1)
Staying Safe	95	(2)
Renting a Car	97	(2)
Finding the best car-rental deal	97	(1)
Remembering that safety comes first	98	(1)
Packing for the Yucatán	99	(2)
Staying Connected by Cellphone or E-Mail	101	(1)
Accessing the Internet Away from Home	102	(1)
Keeping Up with Airline Security Measures	103	(2)
Part III: Discovering Cancún	105	(58)
Chapter 10: Settling into Cancún	107	(39)
Arriving in Cancún	108	(3)
Navigating passport control and Customs	108	(1)
Getting to your hotel	108	(3)
Getting Around Cancún	111	(3)
Taking a taxi	113	(1)
Catching a bus	113	(1)
Zipping around on a moped	113	(1)
Choosing Your Location	114	(1)
Staying in Style	115	(16)
Dining Out	131	(1)
Cancún's Best Restaurants	132	(11)
Fast Facts: Cancún	143	(3)
Chapter 11: Exploring Cancún	146	(17)
Enjoying the Sand and Surf	146	(5)
Combing the beaches	147	(1)
Playing in the surf	147	(4)
Exploring on Dry Land	151	(2)
The top attractions	151	(1)
Keeping active	152	(1)
Guided tours	153	(1)
Shopping the Local Stores	153	(2)
Living It Up After Dark	155	(3)
Partying at a club	155	(3)
Enjoying a cultural event	158	(1)
Going Beyond Cancún: Day-Trips	158	(7)
Day-trips to Isla Mujeres	159	(1)
Scenic boat trips	160	(1)
Seeing the archeological sites	160	(1)
Exploring an ecotheme park	160	(3)
Part IV: Traveling Around Isla Mujeres and Cozumel	163	(46)
Chapter 12: Isla Mujeres	165	(20)
Settling into Isla Mujeres	166	(3)
Arriving at Isla Mujeres by ferry	166	(2)
Getting from the ferry dock to your hotel	168	(1)
Getting around	168	(1)
Staying in Isla	169	(5)
Dining in Isla Mujeres	174	(2)
Fun On and Off the Beach in Isla Mujeres	176	(7)
Isla's best beaches	177	(1)
Deep blue explorations in Isla	177	(3)
Sightseeing and shopping in Isla	180	(2)
Isla Mujeres after dark	182	(1)
Fast Facts: Isla Mujeres	183	(2)
Chapter 13: Cozumel	185	(24)
Getting to Cozumel	185	(3)
By air	185	(1)
By sea	186	(2)
Getting around Cozumel	188	(3)
Fast Facts: Cozumel	191	(1)
Staying in Cozumel	192	(5)
Finding the place that's right for you	192	(1)
Checking out Cozumel's best hotels	193	(4)
Dining in Cozumel	197	(4)
Having Fun on the Beach and in the Water	201	(4)
Scoring quality beach time	201	(1)
Going deep: Scuba diving	202	(1)
Enjoying snorkeling	203	(1)
Visiting the nature parks	204	(1)
Cruising the seas	205	(1)
Catching the big one	205	(1)
Swimming with dolphins	205	(1)
Keeping Your Feet on Dry Land	205	(2)
Hitting the links	206	(1)
Seeing the sites	206	(1)
Exploring Maya ruins on Cozumel	206	(1)
Day-tripping off to the mainland	207	(1)
Looking at the island's natural history	207	(1)
Shopping in Cozumel	207	(1)
Enjoying Cozumel's Nightlife	208	(1)
Part V: Exploring the Yucatán	209	(46)
Chapter 14: Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya	211	(28)
Exploring the Riviera Maya Region	211	(3)
Playa del Carmen	214	(10)
Settling into Playa	214	(2)
Staying in Playa	216	(4)
Dining in Playa	220	(2)
Having fun on and off the beach	222	(2)
Fast Facts: Playa del Carmen	224	(1)
The Riviera Maya	224	(15)
Puerto Morelos and environs	225	(4)
Tres Rios	229	(1)
Xcaret	229	(2)
Xpu-Ha	231	(1)
Akumal	232	(2)
Xel-Ha	234	(1)
On the way to Tulum	235	(1)
Tulum	236	(3)
Chapter 15: A Taste of the Maya: Nearby Ruins	239	(16)
Deciding Which Ruins to Visit	239	(2)
Chichén Itzá	241	(8)
Getting there	242	(1)
Where to stay	242	(2)
Where to dine	244	(1)
Exploring Chichén Itzá	245	(2)
Other highlights of Chichén Itzá	247	(1)
More cool things to see and do	248	(1)
Fast Facts: Chichén Itzá	249	(1)
Tulum: Fortress City	250	(2)
Cobá ("Water Stirred by Wind")	252	(1)
Ek Balam ("Dark Jaguar")	253	(2)
Part VI: The Part of Tens	255	(12)
Chapter 16: Ten Ways to Avoid Looking Like a Gringo	257	(3)
Wake Up and Ask for the Coffee...Correctly	257	(1)
Practice Your Check Etiquette	257	(1)
Be on the Lookout for the Bus	258	(1)
Go to the Pharmacy for Advice	258	(1)
Beware the Jewelry Scams	258	(1)
Know the Truth about the "Flower Girls"	258	(1)
Say Hello Like a Local	259	(1)
Distinguish between a Catcall and a Compliment	259	(1)
Recognize the Sign of the Cross	259	(1)
Mind the Macho Manner	259	(1)
Chapter 17: Ten (or So) Top Myths and Misconceptions about Mexico	260	(4)
Don't Drink the Water	260	(1)
Mexicans Who Don't Speak English Are Hard of Hearing	261	(1)
Mexico Is the Land of Sombreros and Siestas	261	(1)
All Mexican Food Is Spicy	261	(1)
Mexico Has No Drinking or Drug Laws	262	(1)
A Jeep Rental Is Really $10 a Day	262	(1)
If in Trouble, Pay a Mordida	262	(1)
You Can Go Everywhere Wearing Just Your Swimsuit	263	(1)
Mexico Is a Desert, and It's Hot Everywhere	263	(1)
Chapter 18: Ten Most Delicious Yucatecan Dishes	264	(3)
Pescado Tikik-Chik	264	(1)
Pibil	264	(1)
Tamales	265	(1)
Panuchos	265	(1)
Salbutes	265	(1)
Huevos Motuleños	266	(1)
Ceviche	266	(1)
Puchero	266	(1)
Liquados	266	(1)
Café de Olla	266	(1)
Appendix: Quick Concierge	267	(10)
Toll-Free Numbers and Web Sites	272	(2)
Where to Get More Information	274	(3)
Health information	275	(1)
Local sources of information	275	(1)
Mexico on the Web	275	(1)
Other Internet travel resources	276	(1)
Index	277