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.

Sian Ka’an

Biggest by far of the Yucatán’s nature reserves, this vast expanse of empty forest, mangroves, and lagoons gives an extraordinary glimpse of nature almost untouched by human habitation, and in all its complexity. Tulum is the starting point for trips into the reserve (see Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve).
Sian Ka’an Reserve

This almost uninhabited expanse of lakes, reefs, lagoon, man-groves, and forest is home to jaguars, monkeys, and millions of birds and rare plants.
Silverwork and Jewelry

Fine silverware from Taxco in central Mexico is found in Yucatán stores, as well as amber from Chiapas.
Skydiving

Sky Dive Playa will give you the long-distance view of the Riviera as you plummet as a “tandem,” on the back of an experienced instructor, or on your own if you have skydiving experience.
Snappers

Among the commonest fish here, yellowtail, blackfin, and other snappers move in huge, gleaming shoals.
Sopa de Lima

One of the most popular classics of Yucatecan cooking, “lime soup” is actually made with chicken, boned, chopped in strips, and then slow-cooked with coriander, onions, herbs, spices, and masses of local sweet limes. It’s then served with strips of dry tortillas for added crunch.
Sound and Light Show, Campeche

The Puerta de Tierra, or “Land Gate,” in the old city walls of Campeche provides the backdrop for a spectacular audio-visual show that uses the architecture well to evoke tales of pirates, sea battles, and other events in the city’s maritime past (see Puerta de Tierra).
Sound and Light Shows at Mayan Ruins

The great Mayan cities of Chichén Itzá and Uxmal are used as venues for daily shows in which their giant temples are dramatically lit in changing colors (included in the site ticket). Some parts of the commentary, “imagining” the cities’ ancient history, are pretty far-fetched, but the visual effects are certainly spectacular (see also Sound and Light Show& Sound and Light Show).
South Beach, Tulum

The place for people who want to find some seclusion in Tulum, with longer, broader, whiter beaches, acres of space, and quite luxurious comforts in some cabañas .
Spasso’s, Mérida

The smarter side of Mérida – this sleek modern space in the Hyatt hotel is an Italian restaurant early evening, but becomes a dance bar later.

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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