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.

Hacienda Uxmal

This big hotel near the Uxmal ruins was built in the 1950s and has a gracious style extending through airy, colonial-style patios. The spacious, cool rooms have characterful wooden furniture and verandas, and the service is very charming.
Hacienda Xcanatún

Yucatecan and Caribbean traditions and ingredients are combined with sophisticated international styles by a French-trained chef: a delicate sopa de lima is a menu fixture, alongside the chef’s own creations, such as cream of poblano chili soup with roquefort.
Hacienda Xcanatún

Another seductive and comfortable hacienda restaurant in a garden. Xcanatún combines local and Caribbean cooking with a few French touches.
Hacienda Xcanatún, near Mérida

This 18th-century hacienda now offers 18 ultra-comfortable suites, each with a terrace and Jacuzzi, set in luxuriant gardens. There’s a terrace bar, two pools, a spa, and a fabulous restaurant, the Casa de Piedra (see Hacienda Xcanatún).
Hamacas Aguacate, Mérida

Only hammocks, of every size and color, and all of fine quality. The staff speak some English and take great care to find out just what you want.
Hammocks

The traditional place to sleep is so much a part of the Yucatán that local poets have even celebrated it in verse.
Handicrafts Market, Chichén Itzá

Around the Chichén visitor center there is almost a mall of handi-crafts stalls, some run by Maya selling their own embroidery, hammocks, and wood carvings.
Hard Rock Café, Cozumel

The Mayan-style architecture of the building makes this a s tunning location for the rock memorabilia chain. Occasional live music.
Hard Rock Café, Cozumel

The familiar burgers-and-rock‘n’roll format found the world over is right by the waterfront in Cozumel. Live rock bands perform every night. There’s also a big Hard Rock in Cancún, in the Forum by the Sea Mall.
Hard Rock, Cancún

Looking a bit like a giant Roman temple, Cancún’s Hard Rock is impossible to miss. The rock’n’roll bar formula is familiar worldwide, but this one is a real crowd-puller.

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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.
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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
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