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.

Ixchel

The goddess of fertility, childbirth, and weaving.
Izamal

Known as La Ciudad Dorada, the Golden City, because of the ocher wash of its buildings, this is the most complete and unchanging of Yucatán colonial towns. At its heart is the largest of the Yucatán’s Franciscan monasteries (see Maní Monastery), and a short distance from this are the glowering pyramids of a much older Mayan city. Horse-drawn carriages, victorias , are a favorite way of getting around.
Izamal

The most unaltered Spanish colonial city in the Yucatán, known as the ciudad dorada or “Golden City” because of the color of its buildings, is centered on the huge monastery of San Antonio, begun in 1549 as the headquarters of the Franciscan friars in Yucatán and the shrine of Our Lady of Izamal, the region’s patron. A short walk away are the remains of three pyramids, traces of a much older Mayan city (see also Izamal, San Antonio de Padua, Izamal).
Jane’s Sports and Sorts, Puerto Aventuras

Big and comfortable bar with a convivial, boisterous feel where you can keep up with U.S. sports and party on into the night.
Jícaras – Gourds

Dried natural gourd bowls, brightly painted, are a specialty of Chiapas, but are often seen in the Yucatán.
Jugos California, Mérida

Fresh-juice stands are a wonderful local institution, and California wins the prize as the best in town. Watermelon, pineapples, papaya, and more are all waiting to be juiced.
Jungle Tours

Playa-based ATV Explorer lets you race through the woods on four-wheel ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles). Alltournative offers group trips by truck, jeep, and kayak.
JW Marriott, Cancún

The newest big hotel in Cancún is next door to the same company’s slightly older Casa Magna. Expect state-of-the-art facilities, from the lavish health spa to the multitude of electronic accessories in the rooms.
Kabah

This site was the second most important of the Puuc Cities after Uxmal, and an imposing arch on its west side marks the start of the sacbé road (see Cozumel and the South) that linked it to its larger ally. Its Codz Poop or “Palace of Masks” is the most extravagant example of Mayan carving: the extraordinary façade is covered with 250 faces of the long-nosed rain-god Chac. The Palacio and Temple of the Columns are other classics of refined Puuc architecture.
Kabah

Second in importance among the Puuc cities (seeThe Puuc Cities) after Uxmal, to which it was linked by a sacbé or Mayan road. A grand arch over the end of this path forms a pair with the arch at Uxmal (seeTemple of the Centipede and the Arch). The great highlight is the Codz-Poop or “Palace of Masks,” with a façade that has over 250 long-nosed Chac faces.

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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