The Yucatan, Cancun & Cozumel

(From Planeta.com Journal) - Second edition of a highly-recommended guidebook to this fascinating corner of Mexico, a region which the authors describe as "a big hitch-hiking thumb." Their interest and hard work has paid off in both editions. The book is loaded with hotel and transportation info, great maps and interesting art work. Eco travelers will love this guidebook. The Conords provide full details on kayaking, hiking, rappelling, and camping in the region. They also feature more out-of-the-way attractions such as natural cenotes, ancient ruins and colonial towns. Of special note -- this is the first guidebook to feature a section on colonial era hacienda hotels , including both luxurious hotels and working haciendas where readers can experience authentic Yucatecan living in fine accommodations that are also economically priced. Indigenous artists in Maya villages are also profiled. As if all this weren't enough, the second edition includes a "Top 20" feature of things to do and see in the Yucatan. By far, this is the most comprehensive guidebook to the region.

We have just returned from a trip through the Yucatan. The people, places, food, history and arts of this part of the world are magnificent. Without this book we think we would have surely missed most of the great things we experienced. These authors' evaluations of lodging cites (locations, quality, how to contact and faults) and travel in the Yucatan was 'right on'. This book helped us to pick the best Mayan historical cites to visit so that we didn't have to rush from site to cite in an attempt to find the best. In talking with other travelers worn out from trying to see all Mayan cities, they assured us we were in fact seeing the most amgnificent ones. These authors led us to all the special natural cites and to the countries' best 'local' artists. Many of the best 'things' in the Yucatan (and in all of Mexico) are not at all well marked and do not look so inviting from the outside (by US standards), however this book never led us astray and having learned to trust it we experienced the best of the Yucatan. Don't plan a trip or attempt to visit the Yucatan without this book.

This is a great all around tour book of the Yucatan but I would not call it an adventure book. It has the usual tour information of the Fodor's and Frommer's style with only a few actual "adventures" mentioned. The biggest flaw to this book is that sites and museums opening/closing times as well as prices are sometimes omitted or out-of-date. However, the helpful hints, humor, and narative qualities do make an enjoyable read and worth buying if you plan to visit the area. Not many pictures are included and they are all black & white.

In all of my travels over the past 20 years, this is among the most useful guides I've found. It is detailed, accurate, honest and fun. We have just returned from a 10-day visit to the Yucatan and found Bruce and June Conord's guide indispensable throughout.

THIS IS PERHAPS THE MOST THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED BOOK ON THE SUBJECT, A MUST FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN TRAVELLING TO MEXICO.BRAVO!