Frommer's Cancun & the Yucatan 2012

* Full-color throughout* Free full-color, foldout map* Completely updated every year* Insider tips to help you experience authentic Mexico, even in Cancun-from the best palapa restaurants and food carts to the finest Maya hammocks and pottery for sale* Pointers on where to find the finest seafood straight from the sea, the hippest dance clubs right on the beach, and accommodations to suit your taste and budget-whether in the lap of luxury, a beach hut without electricity, a restored hacienda, or a cozy colonial inn* First-hand advice on the most dazzling, secluded, or liveliest beaches to suit your taste; the richest dive spots and cenotes; the busiest nesting grounds and flyways for birdwatchers; and the best times and seasons to fish for marlin, tuna, barracuda, and other Caribbean species* Useful Spanish glossary, Maya phrases, and a menu reader will have you ordering cervezas in no time* Insightful commentary on Maya architecture, from Tulum on the coast to Chichen Itza in the interior, Palenque in Chiapas, and more* In-depth coverage of nearby Tabasco & Chiapas, bordering the peninsula, with a strong indigenous identity* Opinionated reviews. No bland descriptions and lukewarm recommendations. Our expert writers are passionate about their destinations--they tell it like it is in an engaging and helpful way.* Exact prices listed for every establishment and activity--no other guides offer such detailed, candid reviews of hotels and restaurants. We include the very best, but also emphasize moderately priced choices for real people and alternatives to conventional dining and lodging options.* User-friendly features including star ratings and special icons to point readers to great finds, excellent values, insider tips, best bets for kids, special moments, and overrated experiences.