Mexico's Beach Resorts For Dummies^®, 3rd Edition

by Lynne Bairstow; David Baird

• ISBN13: 9780471787426
• ISBN10: 0471787426
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-08-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Want to relax and bask on sun-drenched beaches or dive in and enjoy great water sports? Drink in Mexico's rich history and heritage or drink up margaritas? Shop for Huichol art, Oaxacan textiles, Taxco silver, or precious gemstones or explore an eco-park? Explore the pyramids and ancient ruins or tee up for world-class golf? Stay in an incredible luxury resort or a handcrafted casa in a remote village? With information on the top beach resorts in Cancun, Cozumel and the Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Los Cabos and Southern Baja, and more, this friendly guide gives you all kinds of ideas and options, plus information on: The best beaches, most romantic getaways, best bets for families, and hottest night life The desert caves of Los Cabos, the Caribbean reefs off Cancun and Cozumel, and more Sea kayaking, sportfishing, surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and more Ixtapa with its high-class hotels and Zihuatanejo with its small-town charm Where to enjoy authentic Mexican foods such as beef filet tacos, pozole, mango eclairs, poc chuc, and more Like every For Dummies travel guide, Mexico's Beach Resorts For Dummies, 3rd Edition includes: Down-to-earth trip-planning advice What you shouldn't miss - and what you can skip The best accommodations and restaurants for every budget Handy Post-it Flags to mark your favorite pages

Author Biography

Each Frommer's guide is personally researched and thoroughly updated by a single author or a small team. Our guides have a fun, intensely personal voice and a real person's judgments you can trust. David Baird is a writer, editor, and translator based in Austin, Texas. He spent part of his childhood in Morelia, Mexico, and later lived for 2 years among the Mazatec Indians in Oaxaca, while he was doing graduate fieldwork. Lynne Bairstow has lived in Puerto Vallarta for most of the past 11 years. Her travel articles on Mexico have appeared in the New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Los Angeles Times, Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel magazine, and Alaska Airlines Magazine. In 2000, Lynne was awarded the Pluma de Plata, a top honor granted by the Mexican government to foreign writers, for her work in the Frommer’s guidebook to Puerto Vallarta. Lynne is also the authors of Frommer's Portable Los Cabos and Baja and Frommer's Portable Acapulco, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo; and Lynne & David are the co-authors of Frommer's Mexico, Frommer's Cancún, Cozumel the Yucatán, Frommer's Portable Cancún, Frommer's Portable Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and Guadalajara, and Cancún and the Yucatán for Dummies.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(1)
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: Mexico's Beach Resorts	4	(1)
Part II: Planning Your Trip to Mexico's Beach Resorts	4	(1)
Part III: Cancun	5	(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 1: Mexico's Beach Resorts	9	(44)
Discovering the Best of Mexico's Beach Resorts	11	(11)
The Best Beach Vacations	11	(4)
The Best Luxury Resorts	15	(1)
The Best Good-Value Accommodations	16	(1)
The Most Unique Places to Get Away from It All	17	(1)
The Best Active Vacations	17	(2)
The Best Dining Experiences	19	(1)
The Best Shopping	20	(1)
The Best Nightlife	21	(1)
Digging Deeper into Mexico	22	(13)
Introducing Mexico	22	(1)
History 101: The Main Events	23	(6)
Pre-Hispanic Civilizations	23	(3)
The Conquest	26	(1)
The Colonial Period	27	(1)
Independence	27	(1)
The Porfiriato and the Revolution	27	(1)
Modern Mexico	28	(1)
Building Blocks: Local Architecture	29	(1)
Pre-Hispanic Forms	29	(1)
Spanish Influence	30	(1)
Religion, Myth, and Folklore	30	(1)
Taste of the Yucatan: Local Cuisine	31	(2)
Background Check: Recommended Books and Movies	33	(2)
Books	33	(1)
Movies	34	(1)
Choosing Where to Go in Mexico's Beach Resorts	35	(13)
Understanding the Lay of the Land	36	(1)
Picking the Right Beach Resort	36	(12)
Choosing Cancun	36	(2)
Diving into Cozumel	38	(1)
Exploring the Riviera Maya	39	(1)
Playing in Puerto Vallarta	40	(1)
Introducing Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	41	(1)
Getting acquainted with Acapulco	42	(1)
Hanging out in Huatulco	43	(1)
Kicking back in Puerto Escondido	44	(1)
Lazing in Los Cabos	45	(3)
Deciding When to Go	48	(5)
Forecasting the Weather	48	(1)
Considering Mexico's Travel Seasons	49	(1)
Mexico's Calendar of Events	49	(4)
January/February/March	50	(1)
April/May/June	51	(1)
July/August/September	51	(1)
October/November/December	51	(2)
Part II: Planning Your Trip to Mexico's Beach Resorts	53	(54)
Managing Your Money	55	(11)
Planning Your Budget	55	(4)
Calculating your hotel cost	56	(1)
Totaling transportation costs	56	(1)
Estimating dining dollars	57	(1)
Tipping tips	58	(1)
Sightseeing	58	(1)
Shopping	59	(1)
Nightlife	59	(1)
Cutting Costs --- But Not the Fun	59	(2)
Making Sense of the Peso	61	(1)
Choosing Traveler's Checks, Credit Cards, or Cash	62	(2)
ATMs and cash	62	(1)
Credit cards	63	(1)
Traveler's checks	63	(1)
Taxing Matters	64	(1)
Dealing with a Lost or Stolen Wallet	64	(2)
Getting to Mexico's Beach Resorts	66	(8)
Flying to Mexico's Beach Resorts	66	(3)
Researching and Booking Your Trip Online	69	(1)
Understanding Escorted and Package Tours	70	(4)
Booking Your Accommodations	74	(6)
Getting to Know Your Options	74	(2)
Finding the Best Room at the Best Rate	76	(4)
Surfing the Web for hotel deals	77	(2)
Reserving the best room	79	(1)
Tips for Travelers with Special Needs or Interests	80	(9)
Traveling with the Brood: Advice for Families	80	(2)
Making Age Work for You: Tips for Seniors	82	(1)
Accessing Mexico's Beaches: Advice for Travelers with Disabilities	83	(2)
Following the Rainbow: Resources for Gay and Lesbian Travelers	85	(1)
Traveling Solo	86	(1)
Planning a Wedding in Mexico	87	(2)
Taking Care of the Remaining Details	89	(18)
Arriving In and Departing From Mexico	89	(1)
Getting a Passport	90	(2)
Applying for a U.S. passport	91	(1)
Applying for other passports	91	(1)
Clearing U.S. Customs	92	(1)
Playing It Safe with Travel and Medical Insurance	93	(1)
Staying Healthy When You Travel	94	(3)
Keeping the kids healthy	96	(1)
Staying Safe	97	(1)
Renting a Car	97	(3)
Finding the best car-rental deal	98	(1)
Remembering safety comes first	99	(1)
Staying Connected by Cellphone or E-mail	100	(1)
Accessing the Internet Away from Home	101	(2)
Keeping Up with Airline Security Measures	103	(1)
Packing for Mexico's Beaches	104	(3)
Part III: Cancun	107	(62)
The Lowdown on Cancun's Hotel Scene	109	(15)
Choosing a Location	110	(1)
Cancun's Best Accommodations	111	(13)
Settling into Cancun	124	(8)
Arriving in Cancun	124	(3)
Navigating passport control and Customs	124	(1)
Getting to your hotel	125	(1)
Hiring a taxi	125	(1)
Renting a car	126	(1)
Getting Around Cancun	127	(2)
Taking a taxi	128	(1)
Catching a bus	128	(1)
Zipping around on a moped	129	(1)
Fast Facts: Cancun	129	(3)
Dining in Cancun	132	(11)
Cancun's Best Restaurants	133	(10)
Having Fun on and off the Beach in Cancun	143	(26)
Finding Water Fun for Everyone	144	(5)
Basking on a Cancun beach	144	(2)
Skiing and surfing	146	(1)
Exploring the deep blue	147	(1)
Reeling in the big one	148	(1)
Swimming with dolphins	149	(1)
Enjoying Land Sports	149	(2)
Teeing off	150	(1)
Making time for tennis	150	(1)
Galloping along	150	(1)
Trailing away	151	(1)
Traveling to the Island of Women	151	(3)
Touring Ruins or an Eco-Theme Park	154	(7)
Seeing the archaeological sites	154	(3)
Exploring an eco-theme park	157	(4)
Sightseeing in Cancun	161	(1)
Shopping in Cancun	162	(3)
Discovering Cancun after Dark	165	(4)
Partying at a club	165	(2)
Hanging out after dinner	167	(1)
Enjoying a cultural event	167	(2)
Part IV: Cozumel and the Riviera Maya	169	(42)
Cozumel	171	(21)
Choosing a Location	172	(1)
Evaluating the Top Accommodations	172	(6)
Settling into Cozumel	178	(3)
Knowing your way around town	179	(1)
Getting around town	180	(1)
Fast Facts: Cozumel	181	(1)
Dining in Cozumel	182	(3)
Having Fun on and off the Island	185	(7)
Combing the beaches	185	(1)
Exploring the depths	186	(2)
Sailing away	188	(1)
Catching a big one	188	(1)
Hitting the links	188	(1)
Seeing the sights	188	(2)
Taking in the shops	190	(1)
Enjoying the nightlife	191	(1)
Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya	192	(19)
Deciding Where to Stay	193	(2)
Evaluating the Top Accommodations	195	(5)
Settling into the Riviera Maya	200	(4)
Knowing where to go	202	(1)
Getting around the area	203	(1)
Fast Facts: Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen	204	(1)
Dining along the Riviera Maya	205	(2)
Having Fun on and off the Beach	207	(4)
Scuba and snorkeling	207	(1)
Swimming with dolphins	208	(1)
Gone fishing	209	(1)
Getting in touch with nature	209	(1)
Teeing off and playing tennis	209	(1)
Going shopping	210	(1)
Enjoying the nightlife	210	(1)
Part V: Puerto Vallarta and the Central Pacific Coast	211	(70)
The Lowdown on Puerto Vallarta's Hotel Scene	213	(15)
Choosing a Location	213	(4)
Nuevo Vallarta and the northern coast	214	(1)
Marina Vallarta	214	(1)
Hotel Zone	215	(1)
El Centro Vallarta	215	(1)
The southern shore	216	(1)
Puerto Vallarta's Best Accommodations	217	(11)
Settling into Puerto Vallarta	228	(8)
Arriving in Puerto Vallarta	228	(1)
Navigating passport control and Customs	228	(1)
Getting to your hotel	229	(1)
Getting Around Puerto Vallarta	229	(3)
Taking a taxi	230	(1)
Catching a bus	231	(1)
Renting a car	231	(1)
Cruising around	231	(1)
Fast Facts: Puerto Vallarta	232	(4)
Dining in Puerto Vallarta	236	(14)
Puerto Vallarta's Best Restaurants	237	(13)
Having Fun on and off the Beach in Puerto Vallarta	250	(31)
Hitting the Beaches	250	(5)
Northern beaches	252	(1)
Central and town beaches	253	(1)
South-shore beaches	254	(1)
Finding Water Fun for Everyone	255	(4)
Cruising Puerto Vallarta	255	(2)
Skiing and surfing	257	(1)
Exploring the deep blue	257	(1)
Sailing away	257	(1)
Reeling in the big one	258	(1)
Swimming with dolphins	258	(1)
Enjoying Land Sports	259	(4)
Teeing off	260	(1)
Taking time for tennis	261	(1)
Trailing away	261	(1)
Saddling up	261	(1)
Enjoying an ecotour	262	(1)
Sightseeing in Puerto Vallarta	263	(2)
Shopping Puerto Vallarta	265	(6)
Clothing	268	(1)
Contemporary art	268	(1)
Crafts and gifts	269	(1)
Decorative and folk art	270	(1)
Jewelry and accessories	270	(1)
Tequila and cigars	271	(1)
Embarking on a Side Trip	271	(3)
Mining historic San Sebastian	272	(1)
Relaxing in Yelapa	273	(1)
Discovering Puerto Vallarta after Dark	274	(7)
Taking in a cultural event	275	(1)
Celebrating a fiesta	275	(1)
Enjoying the club and music scene	276	(5)
Part VI: Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	281	(36)
The Lowdown on the Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo Hotel Scenes	283	(11)
Choosing Your Location	284	(1)
Ixtapa's and Zihuatanejo's Best Accommodations	285	(9)
Settling into Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	294	(6)
Arriving in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	294	(2)
Navigating passport control and Customs	295	(1)
Getting to your hotel	295	(1)
Getting Around Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	296	(1)
Fast Facts: Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	297	(3)
Dining in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	300	(6)
Finding Fast and Cheap Eats	300	(1)
Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo's Best Restaurants	301	(5)
Having Fun on and off the Beach in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	306	(11)
Hitting the Beaches	306	(4)
Finding Water Fun for Everyone	310	(2)
Skiing and surfing	310	(1)
Exploring the deep blue	310	(1)
Reeling in the big one	311	(1)
Cruising Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	311	(1)
Enjoying Land Sports	312	(1)
Teeing off	312	(1)
Taking time for tennis	312	(1)
Galloping along	313	(1)
Sightseeing in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	313	(1)
Shopping in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	313	(1)
Taking a Side Trip	314	(1)
Discovering Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo after Dark	315	(2)
Part VII: Acapulco	317	(46)
The Lowdown on Acapulco's Hotel Scene	319	(11)
Choosing a Location	319	(2)
Acapulco's Best Accommodations	321	(9)
Settling into Acapulco	330	(6)
Arriving in Acapulco	330	(1)
Navigating passport control and Customs	330	(1)
Getting to your hotel	331	(1)
Getting Around Acapulco	331	(2)
Taking a taxi	332	(1)
Catching a bus	332	(1)
Renting a car	333	(1)
Fast Facts: Acapulco	333	(3)
Dining in Acapulco	336	(8)
Acapulco's Best Restaurants	337	(7)
Having Fun on and off the Beach in Acapulco	344	(19)
Hitting the Beaches	344	(5)
Finding Water Fun for Everyone	349	(2)
Skiing and surfing	349	(1)
Exploring the deep blue	350	(1)
Reeling in the big one	350	(1)
Finding family fun	350	(1)
Cruising Acapulco's shores	351	(1)
Enjoying Land Sports	351	(1)
Teeing off	351	(1)
Taking time for tennis	352	(1)
Galloping along	352	(1)
Experiencing Acapulco's Front Row Attractions	352	(1)
Sightseeing in Acapulco	353	(1)
Shopping in Acapulco	354	(1)
Taking a Side Trip to Taxco	355	(4)
Getting to Taxco	356	(1)
Exploring Taxco	356	(1)
Staying a night	357	(1)
Dining in Taxco	358	(1)
Discovering Taxco after dark	359	(1)
Discovering Acapulco after Dark	359	(4)
Part VIII: Huatulco and the Southern Pacific Coast	363	(34)
Bahias de Huatulco	365	(14)
Choosing a Location	366	(1)
Evaluating the Top Accommodations	366	(4)
Settling into Huatulco	370	(2)
Arriving in Huatulco by air	370	(1)
Getting from the airport to your hotel	371	(1)
Knowing your way around town	371	(1)
Fast Facts: Huatulco	372	(2)
Dining in Huatulco	374	(2)
Having Fun on and off the Beach	376	(3)
Hitting Huatulco's best beaches	376	(1)
Cruising Huatulco	376	(1)
Taking time for tennis or golf	377	(1)
Sightseeing and shopping	377	(1)
Enjoying the nightlife	378	(1)
Puerto Escondido	379	(18)
Evaluating the Top Accommodations	379	(5)
Settling into Puerto Escondido	384	(1)
Knowing your way around town	384	(1)
Getting around Puerto Escondido	385	(1)
Fast Facts: Puerto Escondido	385	(2)
Dining in Puerto Escondido	387	(3)
Having Fun on and off the Beach	390	(7)
An unusual spa experience	391	(1)
Embarking on an excursion	391	(1)
Planning a side trip to Puerto Angel and Playa Zipolite	392	(2)
Shopping in Puerto Escondido	394	(1)
Enjoying the nightlife	395	(2)
Part IX: Los Cabos and Southern Baja	397	(58)
The Lowdown on the Hotel Scene in Los Cabos	399	(14)
Choosing a Location	400	(1)
Best Accommodations in Los Cabos	401	(12)
Settling into Los Cabos	413	(8)
Arriving in Los Cabos by Air	413	(3)
Navigating passport control and Customs	413	(1)
Getting to your hotel	414	(1)
Renting a car	415	(1)
Hiring transportation	415	(1)
Getting Around Los Cabos	416	(1)
Touring around town	417	(1)
Taking a taxi	417	(1)
Considering a car rental	417	(1)
Fast Facts: Los Cabos	417	(4)
Dining in Los Cabos	421	(11)
The Best Restaurants in Los Cabos	422	(10)
Having Fun on and off the Beach in Los Cabos	432	(23)
Hitting the Beaches	432	(3)
Cabo's northern beaches	434	(1)
Corridor beaches	434	(1)
Cabo's southern beaches	435	(1)
Finding Water Fun for Everyone	435	(5)
Cruising Los Cabos	436	(1)
Preferring a paddleboat	437	(1)
Catching a wave	437	(1)
Exploring the deep blue	438	(1)
Reeling in the big one	438	(2)
Enjoying Land Sports	440	(4)
Teeing off	440	(1)
Making time for tennis	441	(3)
Taking Adventure and Nature Tours	444	(1)
Driving Tours	444	(1)
Sightseeing in Los Cabos	445	(1)
Shopping in Los Cabos	445	(3)
Clothing	446	(1)
Contemporary art	446	(1)
Crafts, gifts, and jewelry	447	(1)
Decorative and folk art	447	(1)
Other stores	447	(1)
Embarking on a Side Trip	448	(2)
Discovering Los Cabos after Dark	450	(5)
Enjoying a theme night	450	(1)
Watching a sunset	451	(1)
Hanging out and happy hours	451	(1)
Going dancing	452	(1)
Mens' clubs	453	(2)
Part X: The Part of Tens	455	(12)
Ten Top Mexican Moments	457	(3)
Enjoying a Mexican Fiesta	457	(1)
Setting Sail at Sunset	457	(1)
Mixing It Up with Mariachi Music	458	(1)
Sipping on Margaritas at Sunset	458	(1)
Strolling the Malecon	458	(1)
Feasting on Fresh Fish under a Palapa	458	(1)
Looking for Whales in Baja or Puerto Vallarta	458	(1)
Watching Cliff Divers in Acapulco	458	(1)
Visiting Tulum	459	(1)
Shopping --- While Sunbathing	459	(1)
Ten Myths and Misconceptions about Mexico	460	(4)
Mexico Is a Desert, and It's Hot Everywhere	460	(1)
Mexico Is the Land of Sombreros and Siestas	461	(1)
Mexico Has No Drinking or Drug Laws	461	(1)
If in Trouble, Pay a Mordida	461	(1)
All Mexican Food Is Spicy	461	(1)
Don't Drink the Water	462	(1)
Tequila Is Best with a Pinch of Salt and Lime	462	(1)
A Jeep Rental Is Really $10 a Day	462	(1)
Going Anywhere in Just Your Swimsuit Is Okay	462	(1)
Mexicans Who Don't Speak English Are Hard of Hearing	462	(2)
Ten Most Deliciously Mexican Dishes	464	(3)
Cafe de Olla	464	(1)
Ceviche	464	(1)
Chilaquiles	465	(1)
Licuados	465	(1)
Mole	465	(1)
Pescadillas	465	(1)
Pescado Sarandeado or Pescado en Talla	465	(1)
Pozole	466	(1)
Tacos al Pastor	466	(1)
Tamales	466	(1)
Part XI: Appendixes	467	(2)
Appendix A: Quick Concierge	469	(13)
Fast Facts	469	(6)
Toll-Free Numbers and Web Sites	475	(3)
Major car-rental agencies	476	(1)
Major and select local hotel and motel chains	477	(1)
Where to Get More Information	478	(4)
Appendix B: Glossary of Spanish Words and Phrases	482	(6)
Appendix C: Authentic Mexican Cuisine	488	(6)
Knowing the Basic Dishes	488	(2)
Dishes made with tortillas	488	(1)
All about beans	489	(1)
Getting to know tamales	489	(1)
Understanding the chile pepper	490	(1)
Eating Out: Restaurants, Taquerias, and Tipping	490	(1)
Drinking in Mexico	491	(1)
Glossary of Spanish Menu Terms	491	(3)
Index	494