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.

Media Luna, Playa del Carmen

A trendy, popular terrace café with a fashionably global menu – pasta and Thai salads side by side with chilies and tropical fruit. A great range for vegetarians.
Medio Mundo, Mérida

Located in the heart of town, this colonial house is uniquely decorated. The ten rooms are simply furnished and face the central patio. Every room is en suite.
Mercado 28 Restaurants, Cancún

The courtyard of the town market is packed with canopied tables spilling out from restaurants. The traditional food served, such as pollo con mole (see Pollo con Mole) is fun and cheap.
Mercado 28, Cancún

The town market is the place for old-style shopping – giant stands of huarache sandals and panama hats, and tables full of fresh vegetables and fruit – plus a great food court (see Mercado 28 Restaurants, Cancún).
Mérida

The Yucatán’s capital, founded by the Spaniards in 1542 on the site of the Mayan city of Ti’ho, has a seductive appeal. Whitewashed Spanish houses with shaded patios provide delightful places to stay. Despite the bustle of its market (and traffic), amid the city’s old squares life still proceeds at a leisurely, friendly pace.

Tiled icon at Santa Lucia, Mérida
Mérida

Perhaps the most seductive of all the colonial cities in Mexico. Elegant architecture, shady patios, great markets, a distinct friendliness, the soft music of boleros and the jarana heard in free concerts in 16th-century squares, and fiestas enjoyed by all ages every Sunday – the town’s appeal is plentiful and varied.

Cafés, Mérida
Mérida

Charming squares, shady patios, whitewashed façades, and wonderful markets make this one of the most romantic of all Mexico’s historic Colonial cities.
Mérida Cathedral

The first cathedral completed in mainland America was built by local conquistadores in a style that the church leaders considered far too extravagant. The design is, in fact, quite simple, with few decorative flourishes, and the church’s soaring white stone interior has great solemnity. The figures that you pass on the way in, flanking the imposing main entrance, represent saints Peter and Paul (see Cathedral).
Mérida en Domingo

Mérida hosts a free fiesta every week, “Mérida on Sunday,” when the Plaza Mayor and Calle 60 are closed to traffic to make way for strolling crowds and a range of events. There are displays of jarana dancing in front of the City Hall and concerts up and down the street, and anyone can dance, too.
Mérida Market

One of the world’s greatest markets, a labyrinth of alleys and stalls selling everything imaginable – fish, fruit, a dazzling variety of chilies, rows of huípil dresses, sandals, and hats.

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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
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- 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
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- over US$130