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.

Sandals

Huge racks of traditional leather huarache sandals can be found in all Yucatán markets.
Sayil

Of all the Puuc Cities, Sayil is the one that gives the strong-est sense of the wealth of its ancient inhabitants. Its hub is the magnificent Palacio, an opulent complex sweeping up through three levels and over 90 chambers, with an architectural refinement that recalls the buildings of Ancient Greece. It housed over 350 people, from lords to servants, and had its own exclusive water supply.
Sayil

Among the wealthiest of the Puuc towns, with around 17,000 inhabitants in AD 850. Its magnificent Palacio has been likened to ancient Greek buildings. The Mirador pyramid was the center of the town’s market area (see Uxmal).
Sea Cucumbers

Tube-like creatures with a tough, spiny skin that can be seen lying motionless on the seabed or in clefts in the coral.
Señor Frog’s, Cancún

Beside Laguna Nichupté, this is one of the most popular Cancún outlets of the Anderson group (see Carlos‘n’Charlie’s, Cozumel). Party atmosphere, often with rock bands, guaranteed.
Serenatas Campechanas, Campeche

Campeche showcases its traditional music and dances with free concerts in the charming setting of the Colonial patio of the Casa Seis and, with a more eclectic program, from the bandstand of the Parque Principal.
Serenatas Yucatecas, Mérida

The very best introduction you can have to the Yucatán’s distinctive music and folklore – the gentle, romantic music of guitar trios, the graceful jarana dance – is to go to one of these free concerts in the lovely setting of Mérida’s Parque Santa Lucía. Held every Thursday for nearly 40 years, they are loved by locals still more than by tourists.
Sergeant Majors

Bright, darting, little fish, recognizable by their black and yellow vertical stripes.
Shangri-La, Playa del Carmen

The ultimate in cabaña luxury: palm-roofed beach lodges with traditional Mexican fittings and five-star comforts. The penthouses, in particular, are totally fabulous.
Sian Ka’an

Mexico’s largest wetland nature reserve, Sian Ka’an brings the Riviera to an end just south of Tulum. Its vast area of nearly-untouched mangroves, jungle, and beaches contains an extraordinary range of birds and wild-life, and the one-day tours run by local organizations give a glimpse of the intricate, constantly surprising interplay of nature in this rare environment. The few inhabited spots along the coast are wonderful for fishing, and have a feel of tranquil isolation (see Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve).

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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
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