DK Travel : Cancún and the Yucatán

Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula has a special atmosphere and an immense variety of attractions, including some of the world’s best beaches and diving areas. The modern, glittering resorts of the east coast’s “Mayan Riviera” lie alongside charming old Spanish Colonial towns, sleepy Mayan villages, and the awesome remains of ancient civilizations.

Fajitas

Pan-fried meat or seafood served sizzling with bowls of onions, refried beans, chili sauce, guacamole, and tortillas.
Fan Corals

Delicately veined fronds coming up from the ocean floor, which wave graciously in the undersea currents.
Fat Tuesday, Cozumel

This relaxed, rustic-looking nights pot fe a tures a fun mixture of pop, rock, hip and salsa music.
Feast of Three Kings, Tizimín

The capital of Yucatán’s cattle country hosts one of the region’s biggest fiestas. It features a stock fair as well as bullfights, traditional music, dancing, colorful parades, and plenty of eating and drinking.
Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach, Cancún

With cascades of greenery from its many balconies, the awesomely huge Coral Beach has 602 rooms and a thick catalogue of facilities, including tennis courts and its own jogging track.
Fiesta Americana, Mérida

Mérida’s premiere hotel is modern but built in an ornate French-mansion style, with a spectacular stained-glass atrium. Rooms are spacious and well-equipped.
Fishing

Conditions for deep-sea and inshore fishing are outstanding, and the lagoons south of the Riviera by Ascension Bay are a must for fly-fishing fans. The peak deep-sea fishing season is March–June.
Flamingo Tours, Río Lagartos

The best local boatmen’s cooperative has a kiosk on the waterfront, just left of where the Tizimín road runs out. They work with the nature reserve and have good boats and experienced guides (see Río Lagartos).
Flamingos, Progreso

One of Progreso’s most enjoyable big terrace bar-restaurants, with tasty ceviches to go with the beer.
Fly, Playa del Carmen

The sleekest hip hotel in Playa, Deseo (see Deseo, Playa del Carmen) also houses the trendiest bar in town, with ultra-stylish designer décor, booming dance music, and a range of elaborate cocktails. It attracts a young, attractive, internationally style-conscious crowd to match the surrounds.

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Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under $5
- $5-$10
- $10-$20
- $20–$35
- over 35
Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under US$20
- US$20-$45
- US$45-$80
- US$80-$130
- over US$130