Mexico's Beach Resorts For Dummies^®, 2nd Edition

by David Baird; Lynne Bairstow

• ISBN13: 9780764557811
• ISBN10: 0764557815
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-07-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Your insider' s guide to the best places and prices Plan your dream beach vacation without the hassle! Mexico boasts so many beautiful beach destinations that choosing one isn' t easy. How do you sort through all the options without throwing in the beach towel? Don' t worry! This friendly guide makes it easy to arrange an exciting, relaxing trip to Mexico' s most popular beach resorts. Discover: Down-to-earth trip-planning advice What you shouldn' t miss - and what you can skip The best restaurants and hotels for every budget Lots of detailed maps

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(8)
About This Book	2	(1)
Conventions Used in This Book	2	(1)
Foolish Assumptions	3	(1)
How This Book Is Organized	4	(2)
Part I: Getting Started	4	(1)
Part II: Ironing Out the Details	4	(1)
Part III: Cancun	4	(1)
Part IV: Cozumel and the Riviera Maya	5	(1)
Part V: Puerto Vallarta and the Central Pacific Coast	5	(1)
Part VI: Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	5	(1)
Part VII: Acapulco	5	(1)
Part VIII: Huatulco and the Southern Pacific Coast	6	(1)
Part IX: Los Cabos and Southern Baja	6	(1)
Part X: The Part of Tens	6	(1)
Part XI: Appendixes	6	(1)
Icons Used in This Book	6	(1)
Where to Go from Here	7	(2)
Part I: Getting Started	9	(40)
Chapter 1: Discovering Mexico's Beach Resorts	11	(16)
Understanding the Lay of the Land	12	(1)
Picking the Right Beach Resort	12	(15)
Choosing Cancún	13	(3)
Diving into Cozumel	16	(1)
Exploring the Riviera Maya	17	(1)
Playing in Puerto Vallarta	18	(1)
Introducing Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	19	(2)
Getting acquainted with Acapulco	21	(1)
Hanging out in Huatulco	22	(1)
Kicking back in Puerto Escondido	23	(1)
Lazing in Los Cabos	24	(3)
Chapter 2: Deciding When to Go	27	(6)
Forecasting the Weather	27	(1)
Considering Mexico's Travel Seasons	28	(1)
Mexico's Calendar of Events	28	(5)
January/February/March	29	(1)
April/May/June	30	(1)
July/August/September	30	(1)
October/November/December	31	(2)
Chapter 3: Planning Your Budget	33	(8)
Calculating Your Hotel Cost	34	(1)
Totaling Transportation Costs	35	(1)
Estimating Dining Dollars	36	(1)
Tipping Tips	37	(1)
Spending Wisely on Activities, Attractions, and Shopping	37	(1)
Taxing Issues	38	(1)
Cutting Costs	39	(2)
Chapter 4: Tips for Travelers with Special Interests	41	(8)
Vacationing with Children	41	(1)
Seeking Specials for Seniors	42	(2)
Ensuring Access for Travelers with Disabilities	44	(1)
Gathering Advice for Gays and Lesbians	45	(1)
Traveling Solo	46	(1)
Planning a Wedding in Mexico	47	(2)
Part II: Ironing Out the Details	49	(40)
Chapter 5: Making Your Travel Arrangements	51	(16)
Using a Travel Agent versus Planning on Your Own	51	(2)
Going with a travel agent	52	(1)
Opting to plan on your own	53	(1)
Getting the Most from a Travel Agent	53	(1)
Considering an Escorted Tour or a Package Tour	54	(5)
Evaluating escorted tours	55	(1)
Picking a package tour	55	(4)
Finding the Best Airline and Airfare	59	(2)
Choosing the Room That's Right for You	61	(2)
Researching and Booking Your Trip Online	63	(4)
Finding the best airfare online	64	(1)
Browsing for your lodging	65	(2)
Chapter 6: Money Matters	67	(6)
Making Sense of the Peso	67	(1)
Traveler's Checks, Credit Cards, or Cash?	68	(2)
Relying on ATMs and cash	68	(1)
Using a credit card	69	(1)
Relying on debit cards	70	(1)
Traveling with traveler's checks	70	(1)
Knowing What to Do If Your Wallet Gets Stolen	70	(3)
Chapter 7: Tying Up the Loose Ends	73	(16)
Arriving In and Departing From Mexico	73	(1)
Obtaining a Passport	74	(4)
Applying for a U.S. passport	75	(1)
Renewing a U.S. passport by mail	76	(1)
Getting your passport in a hurry	76	(1)
Applying for passports from other countries	77	(1)
Dealing with lost passports	78	(1)
Clearing U.S. Customs	78	(1)
Considering Travel Insurance	79	(1)
Getting Sick Away from Home	79	(3)
Avoiding turista!	80	(1)
Keeping the kids healthy	81	(1)
Staying Safe and Healthy: Cautionary Words for the Wise	82	(1)
Renting a Car	82	(3)
Finding the best car-rental deal	83	(1)
Driving safely	84	(1)
Packing for Mexico's Beaches	85	(4)
Part III: Cancún	89	(64)
Chapter 8: The Lowdown on Cancún's Hotel Scene	91	(16)
Choosing a Location	91	(2)
Cancún's Best Accommodations	93	(14)
Chapter 9: Settling into Cancún	107	(8)
Arriving in Cancún	107	(3)
Navigating passport control and customs	107	(1)
Getting to your hotel	108	(2)
Getting Around Cancún	110	(2)
Taking a taxi	111	(1)
Catching a bus	112	(1)
Zipping around on a moped	112	(1)
Fast Facts: Cancún	112	(3)
Chapter 10: Dining in Cancún	115	(12)
Cancún's Best Restaurants	116	(11)
Chapter 11: Having Fun on and off the Beach in Cancún	127	(26)
Finding Water Fun for Everyone	128	(5)
Basking on a Cancún beach	128	(2)
Skiing and surfing	130	(1)
Exploring the deep blue	131	(2)
Reeling in the big one	133	(1)
Swimming with dolphins	133	(1)
Enjoying Land Sports	133	(2)
Teeing off	134	(1)
Making time for tennis	134	(1)
Galloping along	134	(1)
Trailing away	135	(1)
Traveling to the Island of Women	135	(3)
Touring Ruins or an Eco-Theme Park	138	(7)
Seeing the archeological sites	138	(3)
Exploring an eco-theme park	141	(4)
Sightseeing in Cancún	145	(2)
Shopping in Cancún	147	(2)
Discovering Cancún after Dark	149	(6)
Partying at a club	149	(1)
Hanging out after dinner	150	(1)
Enjoying a cultural event	151	(2)
Part IV: Cozumel and the Riviera Maya	153	(44)
Chapter 12: Cozumel	155	(22)
Choosing a Location	156	(1)
Evaluating the Top Accommodations	156	(7)
Settling into Cozumel	163	(2)
Knowing your way around town	164	(1)
Getting around town	165	(1)
Fast Facts: Cozumel	165	(2)
Dining in Cozumel	167	(2)
Having Fun on and off the Island	169	(8)
Combing the beaches	170	(1)
Exploring the depths	171	(1)
Sailing away	172	(1)
Catching a big one	173	(1)
Hitting the links	173	(1)
Seeing the sights	173	(2)
Taking in the shops	175	(1)
Enjoying the nightlife	176	(1)
Chapter 13: Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya	177	(20)
Deciding Where to Stay	178	(2)
Evaluating the Top Accommodations	180	(6)
Settling into the Riviera Maya	186	(3)
Knowing where to go	186	(3)
Getting around the area	189	(1)
Fast Facts: Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen	189	(1)
Dining along the Riviera Maya	190	(3)
Having Fun on and off the Beach	193	(6)
Scuba and snorkeling	193	(1)
Swimming with dolphins	194	(1)
Gone fishing	194	(1)
Getting in touch with nature	195	(1)
Teeing off and playing tennis	195	(1)
Going shopping	196	(1)
Enjoying the nightlife	196	(1)
Part V: Puerto Vallarta and the Central Pacific Coast	197	(70)
Chapter 14: The Lowdown on Puerto Vallarta's Hotel Scene	199	(16)
Choosing a Location	199	(4)
Nuevo Vallarta and the northern coast	200	(1)
Marina Vallarta	200	(1)
Hotel Zone	201	(1)
El Centro Vallarta	201	(1)
The southern shore	202	(1)
Puerto Vallarta's Best Accommodations	203	(12)
Chapter 15: Settling into Puerto Vallarta	215	(8)
Arriving in Puerto Vallarta	215	(2)
Navigating passport control and customs	215	(1)
Getting to your hotel	216	(1)
Getting Around Puerto Vallarta	217	(2)
Taking a taxi	217	(1)
Catching a bus	218	(1)
Renting a car	218	(1)
Cruising around	219	(1)
Fast Facts: Puerto Vallarta	219	(4)
Chapter 16: Dining in Puerto Vallarta	223	(14)
Puerto Vallarta's Best Restaurants	224	(13)
Chapter 17: Having Fun on and off the Beach in Puerto Vallarta	237	(30)
Hitting the Beaches	237	(5)
Northern beaches	238	(3)
Central and town beaches	241	(1)
South-shore beaches	242	(1)
Finding Water Fun for Everyone	242	(4)
Cruising Puerto Vallarta	243	(1)
Skiing and surfing	244	(1)
Exploring the deep blue	244	(1)
Sailing away	245	(1)
Reeling in the big one	245	(1)
Swimming with dolphins	246	(1)
Enjoying Land Sports	246	(4)
Teeing off	246	(2)
Taking time for tennis	248	(1)
Trailing away	248	(1)
Saddling up	248	(1)
Enjoying an eco-tour	249	(1)
Sightseeing in Puerto Vallarta	250	(2)
Shopping Puerto Vallarta	252	(5)
Clothing	253	(2)
Contemporary art	255	(1)
Crafts and gifts	255	(1)
Decorative and folk art	256	(1)
Jewelry and accessories	257	(1)
Tequila and cigars	257	(1)
Embarking on a Side Trip	257	(4)
Mining historic San Sebastian	258	(1)
Relaxing in Yelapa	259	(2)
Discovering Puerto Vallarta after Dark	261	(8)
Taking in a cultural event	261	(1)
Celebrating a fiesta	261	(1)
Enjoying the club and music scene	262	(5)
Part VI: Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	267	(40)
Chapter 18: The Lowdown on the Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo Hotel Scenes	269	(12)
Choosing Your Location	270	(1)
Ixtapa's and Zihuatanejo's Best Accommodations	271	(10)
Chapter 19: Settling into Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	281	(6)
Arriving in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	281	(2)
Navigating passport control and customs	282	(1)
Getting to your hotel	282	(1)
Getting Around Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	283	(1)
Fast Facts: Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	284	(3)
Chapter 20: Dining in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	287	(8)
Finding Fast and Cheap Eats	287	(1)
Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo's Best Restaurants	288	(7)
Chapter 21: Having Fun on and off the Beach in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	295	(12)
Hitting the Beaches	296	(3)
Finding Water Fun for Everyone	299	(2)
Skiing and surfing	299	(1)
Exploring the deep blue	299	(1)
Reeling in the big one	300	(1)
Cruising Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	301	(1)
Enjoying Land Sports	301	(2)
Teeing off	302	(1)
Taking time for tennis	302	(1)
Galloping along	302	(1)
Sightseeing in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	303	(1)
Shopping in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	303	(1)
Taking a Side Trip	304	(1)
Discovering Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo after Dark	305	(2)
Part VII: Acapulco	307	(48)
Chapter 22: The Lowdown on Acapulco's Hotel Scene	309	(12)
Choosing a Location	309	(2)
Acapulco's Best Accommodations	311	(10)
Chapter 23: Settling into Acapulco	321	(6)
Arriving in Acapulco	321	(1)
Navigating passport control and customs	321	(1)
Getting to your hotel	322	(1)
Getting Around Acapulco	322	(2)
Taking a taxi	323	(1)
Catching a bus	323	(1)
Renting a car	324	(1)
Fast Facts: Acapulco	324	(3)
Chapter 24: Dining in Acapulco	327	(8)
Acapulco's Best Restaurants	328	(7)
Chapter 25: Having Fun on and off the Beach in Acapulco	335	(20)
Hitting the Beaches	338	(2)
Finding Water Fun for Everyone	340	(2)
Skiing and surfing	340	(1)
Exploring the deep blue	341	(1)
Reeling in the big one	341	(1)
Finding family fun	342	(1)
Cruising Acapulco's shores	342	(1)
Enjoying Land Sports	342	(2)
Teeing off	343	(1)
Taking time for tennis	343	(1)
Galloping along	344	(1)
Experiencing Acapulco's Front Row Attractions	344	(1)
Sightseeing in Acapulco	344	(2)
Shopping in Acapulco	346	(1)
Taking a Side Trip to Taxco	347	(5)
Getting to Taxco	348	(1)
Exploring Taxco	348	(1)
Staying a night	349	(1)
Dining in Taxco	350	(1)
Discovering Taxco after dark	351	(1)
Discovering Acapulco after Dark	352	(3)
Part VIII: Huatutco and the Southern Pacific Coast	355	(36)
Chapter 26: Bahias de Huatulco	357	(16)
Choosing a Location	358	(1)
Evaluating the Top Accommodations	358	(4)
Settling into Huatulco	362	(3)
Arriving in Huatulco by air	362	(1)
Getting from the airport to your hotel	363	(1)
Knowing your way around town	364	(1)
Fast Facts: Huatulco	365	(1)
Dining in Huatulco	366	(2)
Having Fun on and off the Beach	368	(5)
Hitting Huatulco's best beaches	368	(1)
Cruising Huatulco	369	(1)
Taking time for tennis or golf	369	(1)
Sightseeing and shopping	369	(2)
Enjoying the nightlife	371	(2)
Chapter 27: Puerto Escondido	373	(18)
Evaluating the Top Accommodations	373	(5)
Settling into Puerto Escondido	378	(2)
Knowing your way around town	378	(1)
Getting around Puerto Escondido	379	(1)
Fast Facts: Puerto Escondido	380	(1)
Dining in Puerto Escondido	381	(3)
Having Fun on and off the Beach	384	(9)
An unusual spa experience	384	(1)
Embarking on an excursion	385	(1)
Planning a side trip to Puerto Angel and Playa Zipolite	386	(2)
Shopping in Puerto Escondido	388	(1)
Enjoying the nightlife	388	(3)
Part IX: Los Cabos and Southern Baja	391	(58)
Chapter 28: The Lowdown on the Hotel Scene in Los Cabos	393	(14)
Choosing a Location	394	(1)
Best Accommodations in Los Cabos	395	(12)
Chapter 29: Settling into Los Cabos	407	(8)
Arriving in Los Cabos by Air	407	(3)
Navigating passport control and customs	408	(1)
Getting to your hotel	409	(1)
Getting Around Los Cabos	410	(2)
Touring around town	411	(1)
Taking a taxi	411	(1)
Considering a car rental	411	(1)
Fast Facts: Los Cabos	412	(3)
Chapter 30: Dining in Los Cabos	415	(12)
The Best Restaurants in Los Cabos	416	(11)
Chapter 31: Having Fun on and off the Beach in Los Cabos	427	(22)
Hitting the Beaches	427	(3)
Cabo's northern beaches	428	(1)
Corridor beaches	428	(2)
Cabo's southern beaches	430	(1)
Finding Water Fun for Everyone	430	(5)
Cruising Los Cabos	431	(1)
Preferring a paddleboat	432	(1)
Catching a wave	432	(1)
Exploring the deep blue	433	(1)
Reeling in the big one	434	(1)
Enjoying Land Sports	435	(3)
Teeing off	436	(2)
Making time for tennis	438	(1)
Taking Adventure and Nature Tours	438	(1)
Sightseeing in Los Cabos	439	(1)
Shopping in Los Cabos	440	(2)
Clothing	440	(1)
Contemporary art	440	(1)
Crafts, gifts, and jewelry	441	(1)
Decorative and folk art	441	(1)
Other stores	442	(1)
Embarking on a Side Trip	442	(2)
Discovering Los Cabos after Dark	444	(7)
Enjoying a theme night	445	(1)
Watching a sunset	445	(1)
Hanging out and happy hours	445	(1)
Going dancing	446	(3)
Part X: The Part of Tens	449	(14)
Chapter 32: Ten Top Mexican Moments	451	(4)
Enjoying a Mexican Fiesta	451	(1)
Setting Sail at Sunset	451	(1)
Mixing It Up with Mariachi Music	452	(1)
Sipping on Margaritas at Sunset	452	(1)
Strolling the Malecon	452	(1)
Feasting on Fresh Fish under a Palapa	452	(1)
Looking for Whales in Baja or Puerto Vallarta	453	(1)
Watching Cliff Divers in Acapulco	453	(1)
Visiting Tulum	453	(1)
Shopping - While Sunbathing	453	(2)
Chapter 33: Ten (Or So) Myths and Misconceptions about Mexico	455	(4)
Mexico Is a Desert, and It's Hot Everywhere	455	(1)
Mexico Is the Land of Sombreros and Siestas	456	(1)
Mexico's Beaches Are All the Same	456	(1)
Mexico Has No Drinking or Drug Laws	456	(1)
If in Trouble, Pay a Mordida	457	(1)
All Mexican Food Is Spicy	457	(1)
Don't Drink the Water	457	(1)
Tequila Is Best with a Pinch of Salt and Lime	457	(1)
A Jeep Rental Is Really $10 a Day	458	(1)
Going Anywhere in Just Your Swimsuit Is Okay	458	(1)
Mexicans Who Don't Speak English Are Hard of Hearing	458	(1)
Chapter 34: Ten Most Deliciously Mexican Dishes	459	(4)
Café de Olla	459	(1)
Ceviche	459	(1)
Chilaquiles	460	(1)
Liquados	460	(1)
Mole	460	(1)
Pescadillas	460	(1)
Pescado Sarandeado or Pescado en Talla	460	(1)
Pozole	461	(1)
Tacos al Pastor	461	(1)
Tamales	461	(2)
Part XI: Appendikes	463	(30)
Appendix A: Quick Concierge	465	(14)
Fast Facts	465	(6)
Toll-Free Numbers and Web Sites	471	(2)
Major car-rental agencies	472	(1)
Major and select local hotel and motel chains	472	(1)
Where to Get More Information	473	(6)
Appendix B: Glossary of Spanish Words and Phrases	479	(6)
Appendix C: Authentic Mexican Cuisine	485	(8)
Knowing the Basic Dishes	485	(2)
Dishes made with tortillas	485	(1)
All about beans	486	(1)
Getting to know tamales	486	(1)
Understanding the chile pepper	487	(1)
Eating Out: Restaurants, Taquerias, and Tipping	487	(1)
Drinking in Mexico	488	(1)
Glossary of Spanish Menu Terms	489	(4)
Worksheets	493	(8)
Index	501