Hidden Cancun & the Yucatan: Including Cozumel, Tulum, Chichen Itza, Uxmal, and Merida (Hidden Cancun and the Yucatan, 3rd Ed)

Rating:
Summary: Read this BEFORE you plan your trip-- not much help after.
Review: The author has some good advice, lots of knowledge, his standards of cleanliness and quality are to be trusted, and seems to really like Mexico in general.

But listen,if you're going to Cancun to drink, lie in the sun, and never leave the grounds of your resort, then you don't need a guidebook, period. Cancun is like Orlando, FL. There is an Outback Steakhouse and a Burger King, for god's sake. The price you pay for this little slice of America is that once you're already in Cancun, it's an ordeal to get away from it. Just checking into a hotel seems like you've signed a contract in blood.
Which is why the author advocates AVOIDING Cancun, renting a car, and checking out the area AROUND Cancun. For this purpose, the book is excellent. Also, it's the kind of book you should read cover to cover before you ever buy a plane ticket or plan your trip. Like i mentioned above, trying to escape Cancun once you've figured out that it sucks is really difficult.

Rating:
Summary: Great guide book for the adventure minded traveler!
Review: This book and "A Tourist in the Yucatan" (cool thriller set in the Yucatan) really made my recent Holiday in Mexico a complete success! I agree with the last reviewer, you don't need this guide book or any other if you don't plan on leaving Cancun, but if you want to see the real Yucatan this book is a great help. Good info on lodging, meals, the locals, the ruin sites. There is so much to do that you will want plane a second trip! I am going back next year!