Lonely planet cancun cozumel the yucatan lonely planet

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Lonely Planet Cancún Cozumel the Yucatán Lonely Planet

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Cancún, Cozumel & the Yucatán

Contents

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Welcome to Cancún, Cozumel & the Yucatán

Cancún, Cozumel & the Yucatán’s Top 16

Need to Know

First Time

If You Like…

Month by Month

Itineraries

Diving & Snorkeling

Exploring Maya Ruins

Eat & Drink Like a Local

Travel with Children

Regions at a Glance

ON THE ROAD

CANCÚN
Cancún
& AROUND

History

Sights

Beaches

Activities

Tours

Sleeping

Eating

Drinking & Nightlife

Entertainment

Shopping

North of Cancún

Isla Contoy

Isla Holbox

ISLA MUJERES

History

Sights

Beaches

Activities

Sleeping

Eating

Drinking & Nightlife

Shopping

ISLA COZUMEL

History

Sights

Activities

Festivals & Events

Sleeping

Eating

Drinking & Nightlife

Entertainment

Shopping

RIVIERA MAYA

Puerto Morelos

Playa del Carmen

Akumal

Tulum

Around Tulum

Punta Allen

COSTA MAYA & SOUTHERN

Felipe Carrillo Puerto

Mahahual

Xcalak

Laguna Bacalar

Chetumal

Corredor Arqueológico

Corozal Town

CARIBBEAN COAST

YUCATÁN STATE & THE MAYA HEARTLAND

Mérida

South of Mérida

Oxkintok

Grutas de Calcehtok

Uxmal

Santa Elena Kabah

Ruta Puuc

Ruinas de Mayapán

Cenotes de Cuzamá

Ticul

Oxkutzcab

Tekax

West & North of Mérida

Celestún

Dzibilchaltún

Progreso

East of Progreso

Eastern Yucatán State

Izamal

Chichén Itzá

Valladolid

Ek’ Balam

Tizimín

Río Lagartos

El Cuyo

San Felipe

Yucatán Peninsula Cenotes

CAMPECHE STATE

Campeche

Northern Campeche

Pomuch

Hecelchakán

Bécal

Hopelchén

Chenes Sites

Edzná

Southwestern Coast

Champotón

Sabancuy

Isla Aguada

Ciudad del Carmen

Southeastern Campeche

Balamkú

Calakmul

Chicanná & Becán

Xpujil

Zoh-Laguna

Río Bec

Hormiguero

CHIAPAS & TABASCO

Chiapas

San Cristóbal de las Casas

Around San Cristóbal de las Casas

Palenque

Bonampak, Yaxchilán & the Carretera Fronteriza

Tabasco

Villahermosa

Comalcalco

UNDERSTAND

Understand Cancún, Cozumel & the Yucatán

Cancún, Cozumel & the Yucatán Today

History

Yucatecan Way of Life

The Ancient Maya

Land & Wildlife

SURVIVAL GUIDE

Directory A–Z

Accessible Travel

Accommodations

Activities

Courses

Discount Cards

Electricity

Embassies & Consulates

Food

Health

Insurance

Internet Access

Legal Matters

LGBTIQ+ Travelers

Maps

Money

Opening Hours

Photography & Video

Post

Public Holidays

Safe Travel

Telephone

Time

Toilets

Tourist Information

Visas

Volunteering

Women Travelers

Transportation

Getting There & Away

Getting Around

Language

Behind the Scenes

Our Writers

Welcome to Cancún, Cozumel & the Yucatán

Few Mexican destinations can dazzle you with ancient Maya ruins, azure Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico waters and colonial cities all in one fell swoop. Actually, there’s only one – the Yucatán.

Life’s a Beach

Without a doubt, this corner of Mexico boasts some of the most beautiful stretches of coastline you’ll ever see. On the east coast you have the famous coral-crushed white sands and turquoise waters of the Mexican Caribbean, while up north are sleepy fishing villages with sandy streets and wildliferich surroundings rimming the southern edge of the Gulf of Mexico. For the ultimate beach-bumming experience you can hit one of several low-key islands off the Caribbean coast, where life moves at a refreshingly slow pace.

Maya Ruins Galore

You can’t help but feel awestruck when standing before the pyramids, temples and ball courts of one of the most brilliant pre-Hispanic civilizations of all time. Yes, those Maya certainly knew a thing or two about architecture and they were no slouches when it came to astronomy, science and mathematics either. Witnessing their remarkable achievements firsthand leaves a lasting impression on even the most jaded traveler. The peninsula is chock-full of these Maya archaeological sites, a few of which were built right on the coast.

Nature’s Playground

The Yucatán always keeps nature enthusiasts thoroughly entertained. With colorful underwater scenery like no other, it offers some of the best diving and snorkeling sites in the world. Then you have the many biosphere reserves and national parks that are home to a wide array of animal and plant life. Just to give you an idea of what’s in store: you can swim with whale sharks, observe crocodiles and monkeys, help liberate newborn sea turtles, and spy hundreds upon hundreds of bird species in mangroves and jungles.

Culture & Fun

For those who need more than just pretty beaches and ancient ruins, you’ll be glad to know that cultural and recreational activities are plentiful in the Yucatán. On any given day you may come across soulful dance performances, free concerts, interesting museums and art shows –especially in Mérida, the peninsula’s cultural capital. For some fun in the sun, the Yucatán is one big splash fest after another, with thousands of underground natural pools (cenotes), parks with subterranean rivers and all kinds of thrilling boat tours.

Becán | CHRISONTOUR84/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Why We Love Cancún, Cozumel & the Yucatán

So you think you know what to expect in the Yucatán? Sure, there are oceans that are many shades of blue, long stretches of pearly white sand and chlorophyll green jungles Plus outdoor fun: swimming in a limestone sinkhole, diving in coral reefs, exploring ancient ruins But the one thing hard to imagine is the hospitality. Yucatecans are among the friendliest and warmest people around. They welcome visitors and proudly show off their regional cuisine and culture. While you might come for history and a beach, you’ll leave with a lot more.

For more about, see Our Writers

Cancún, Cozumel & the Yucatán’s

Top 16

Cenotes

The Maya considered them sacred gateways to the underworld. Once you visit your first cenote (limestone sinkhole) you’ll better understand where the Maya were coming from. More than 7000 cenotes dot the peninsula; some, like the spectacular triumvirate of caverns at Cenotes de Cuzamá, make for refreshing, fun-filled swimming holes, while others, such as the underground cave system at Parque Dos Ojos, draw divers from far and wide.

Cenote Zací | DIEGOGRANDI/GETTY IMAGES ©

Top Experiences

Savoring the Flavors

If you’ve never tried regional Yucatecan cuisine, you’re in for a treat. Even by Mexican standards, with its strong culinary tradition, the Yucatán is a foodie’s haven. Yucatecans are famous for their fiery habanero salsas and marinated pollo (chicken) and cochinita (pork) pibiles. Wrapped in banana leaves and cooked underground for an eternity, this meaty traditional dish is a classic on the peninsula. And a visit isn’t complete without a delicious home-style sopa de lima (brothy lime soup) or salbutes (handmade tortillas stuffed with beans and topped with shredded turkey or chicken). Buen provecho!

LINDSAY LAUCKNER GUNDLOCK/LONELY PLANET ©

Top Experiences

Tulum’s Scenic Ruins

Talk about your prime beachfront real estate. The dramatically situated Tulum Ruins sit pretty atop a high cliff overlooking a spectacular white-sand beach. After marveling at the sun-baked Maya ruins, and dodging iguanas and distracted tourists, you can cap off your history lesson with a refreshing dip in the azure waters of the Mexican Caribbean. Come nighttime, join soulful fiestas at bars in Tulum Pueblo or escape to the Zona Hotelera for a quiet oceanfront dinner.

PATRYK KOSMIDER/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Top Experiences

Isla Holbox

Granted, golf carts hum incessantly up and down the sandy streets of Holbox and some of the locals have a dim view of tourist hordes, but snorkeling with 15-ton whale sharks is about as cool as it gets, and it’s all the rage in Holbox nowadays. Even if you miss whaleshark season, boat tours go to a freshwater spring and nearby islands if you want to enjoy some excellent bird-watching.

RICH CAREY/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Top Experiences

Mérida

Everyone who visits Cancún or Playa del Carmen should save a couple of days for Mérida, a city with awesome Spanish colonial architecture unlike anything you’ll find by the sea. The weekends see great parties in steamy Caribbean cantinas. On Sunday morning one of the main boulevards and the center close to cars – munch on Yucatecan street eats as you watch all sorts of spirited song and dance performances around the city’s main square, Plaza Grande. And Mérida lives up to its fame as the peninsula’s cultural capital with many museums and art galleries.

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