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.

Muyil

A very old Mayan site next to the Sian Ka’an reserve, with several pyramids amid the forest.
Muyil Ruins

Location is the attraction of this old, atmospheric Mayan city: in hot, steamy jungle between the Highway and Lake Chunyaxché, in the Sian Ka’an reserve.
Neptuno, Cozumel

Top of the line in Cozumel dance clubs – the only one that’s really hi-tech. The music menu is a mix of Latin and international dance and there’s a dazzling laser and light show.
Nómadas Hostel, Mérida

Challenging the cheap hotels of Mérida for value, this AMAJ hostel has bright, airy dorm rooms and a few doubles. There’s also an open kitchen, a lounge space, and cheap Internet access.
North Beach, Tulum

The beaches at the north end of Tulum are the favorites for anyone who wants to hang out and get to know people in the bargain-basement cabañas . They also have the best view of the ruins (see Tulum Ruins).
Oscar y Lalo, Punta Solimán

Punta Solimán has a desertisland feel, and so does its only bar. Hosts Oscar and Lalo, who also run the camping site and rent kayaks, are friendly and cook great fresh seafood.
Oxcutzcab

The south of Yucatán near the Puuc hills is a fertile, fruit-producing region. Oxcutzcab has a huge market, where Mayan women in huípiles (white dresses with bright embroidery) preside over stalls stacked with succulent mangoes, papaya, oranges, watermelons, and more. Above them is the lofty tower of the town church, finished in 1645.
Oxkintok

Ancient city just west of the Puuc area. It rivalled Uxmal in size, and has a bizarre temple-labyrinth.
Oxkintok

This ancient Mayan city has a Satunsat, or “Labyrinth” pyramid, containing a strange, dark maze, possibly built as an entrance to the Underworld that only the Lord of Oxkintok could use.
Paamul

A curving white sand bay with a likable beach bar and cabañas (see Cabañas María del Mar, Isla Mujeres). With over 2 km (1 mile) of beach, the camp site doesn’t obstruct the view, and the sands are never crowded.

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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