Lonely Planet Cancun, Cozumel & the Yucatan

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• Publisher: Lonely Planet
• Year: 2019
• eBook ISBN:
  9781788685122
• Print ISBN:
  9781786574879

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 State & the Maya Heartland

POP 2 MILLION

Why Go?

Sitting regally on the northern tip of the peninsula, Yucatán state sees less mass tourism than its flashy-and-trashy neighbor, Quintana Roo. It is sophisticated and savvy, and the perfect spot for travelers more interested in cultural exploration than beach life. While there are a few nice beaches in Celestún and Progreso, most people come to this area to explore the ancient Maya sites peppered throughout the region, like the Ruta Puuc, which will take you to four or five ruins in just a day.

Visitors also come to experience the past and present in the cloistered corners of colonial cities, to experience henequén haciendas (vast estates that produced agave plant fibers, used to make rope) lost to time or restored by caring hands to old glory, and to discover the energy, spirit and subtle contrasts of this authentic corner of southeastern Mexico.

For planning, a useful website is www.yucatan.travel.

When to Go

• Jan Merida hosts a month-long festival; the climate is at its coolest.
• Mar & Sep Every equinox, Chichén Itzá visitors see the shadow serpent at El Castillo pyramid.
• Nov-Mar Beat the heat while visiting inland cities or flamingo-watching in Celestún.

Best Places to Eat

A Ku’uk

A Apoala

A Oliva Enoteca

A La Terraza Amarilla de San Fernando

Best Places to Stay

A Luz en Yucatán

A Hostel La Candelaria

A Hotel del Peregrino

A Flycatcher Inn

Yucatán State & the Maya Heartland Highlights

1 Mérida Marveling at colonial architecture, feasting at one of the excellent restaurants, or enjoying a free concert in the cultural capital.

2 Chichén Itzá Spending a full day wandering through this extraordinary Maya complex and finding out why they named this ruin one of the ‘new seven wonders of the world.’

3 Reserva...

Table of contents

• Table of Contents
• 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
• Cancún & Around
• Isla Mujeres
• Isla Cozumel
• Riviera Maya
• Costa Maya & Southern Caribbean Coast
• Yucatán State & the Maya Heartland
• Campeche State
• Chiapas & Tabasco
• Understand Cancún, Cozumel & the Yucatán
• Cancún, Cozumel & the Yucatán Today
• History
• Yucatecan Way of Life
• The Ancient Maya
• Land & Wildlife
• Directory A–Z
• Transportation
• Language
• Behind the Scenes
• Our Writers