Customer Reviews

Moon Cancun and Cozumel: Including the Riviera Maya (Moon Handbooks)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I ordered several books while planning a trip to the Riviera Maya, and I must say this was my least favorite. On its face it looked like it had everything I'd need - sections on each area (Cancun, Cozumel, Tulum, etc), helpful hints, activities and even bus schedules. Once I started really getting into it, however, I realized a lot of the information was outdated - not that helpful! The author has provided detailed information about bus schedules and some rough price estimates, but they are no longer remotely accurate - I wish Moon travel guides had bothered either with an update for this version, or had simply removed that bad information.
Further, the author's spin on the locations made me want to vacation elsewhere. Yes, Mexico travel can make anyone apprehensive, but as an example there are warnings every few pages to keep your car locked and even then be prepared to be burglarized in every hotel and ferry parking lot.
I would have instead enjoyed more color pictures, more information on excursions, more updated information about routes and getting around, and not as many scare tactics.
Lonely Planet is a better choice, in my opinion.

I just got back from a trip to Mexico and this book was great. We stayed part of the trip in Valladolid and saw Chichen Itza and Ek Balam, and spent the other part of our trip in Isla Mujeres. This was the only guidebook we used and it was perfect. The prices can be be a little out of date (mostly the bus prices; also restaurants vary too much for the prices in the book to be useful) but the descriptions were exactly on target and it really helped us pick out where to go and eat and what to do and how to get there. If I had it to do over again I probably would have picked up a more detailed history guide book for Ek Balam and Chichen Itza, but that's more than the scope of this book and it had simple overviews of the history as well as maps and instructions on how to get to the places.

I found this book to be very helpful and up to date. The details provided were first rate. It even listed the ferry schedule to Isla Mujeres - something that other guides only glossed over. The maps were useful too. There were a lot of information on cenotes, and where they are located.

I liked it so much that I have just bought the Moon travel guide to the Four Corners.

We returned from a trip near Tulum two months ago. Had a great time and have another trip in the works. We used the Lonely Planet book with great results and thought to get more info with another book. I bought this one because of its recent update. I hoped to get more info. Well, skip this book. It's use is very limited.

When the book first arrived, I took a look at the area we stayed (Soliman Bay). The info is at least 5 years - pre-hurricane - old. And the info the book offers is vague at best. As I scan thru other areas I get the same feeling. This book isn't written to give you clear suggestions. It's more like a general overview. You can find better than this. I can't imagine how it's gotten such good reviews. Find something better for sure.

This is a very good guide, with tons of information on everything in the area. Its very well written also, and with a very good history section (the Maya civilization and their warrior-ways are very interesting and not generally known by most travellers).
We used it on our 1-week trip to the Tulum area with its eco-rustic 1-story oceanfront cabins(which range from $20 to $300 per night).
The only section that I would reccommend including is a CENOTE section (Cenotes are the unique caves and tunnels filled with water, which only exist in the Yucatan peninsula). The way the authors arranged the Cenote information in the book is just by mentioning the Cenotes in each region.
But in my opinion, the spectacular nature of the Cenotes deserve a stand-alone chapter with individual descriptions and pictures.
However, I put up 5 stars because I also think that just driving along the jungle and finding that surprising hidden Cenote that you hadn't heard about, signalled just by a tiny hand-made sign on the road, is one of the greatest adventure-feelings you can still experience in the Yucatan.

This book was perfect for our one week trip to Cancun. We did a few day trips based on tips from this book. Just enough information to feel confident with no language. Really enjoyed our trip!

this guide was extremely helpful and informative during our trip, it had lots of info not only on cancun and cozumel but also on the mayan ruins and other great places to see like playa del carmen and tulum

Really well put together, had alot of information that i didnt read about in the other Cancun books i've read. It got me ready to head back to Cancun and farther south then we ventured last time. Only thing i didnt like, where i had a different opinion was there take on all inclusive resorts. Maybe none of them have ever stayed at a Palace Resort down there. Other then that i really enjoyed it. When i head back it will be going with me for sure.

Great book, read it before going to Cancun and it had some great tips, and good ideas for planning while on our trip

Liza Prado was a well-respected attorney that felt an inner desire to travel to Yucatan Peninsula and photograph the region in unprecedented detail. She has since gone on to coauthor eleven books, blogs, and articles, while becoming one of the most recognized professions on Latin America. Even more amazing, while researching Moon Yucatan Peninsula and Moon Cancun, she dived along coral reefs, snorkeled through cenotes, clambered on Maya ruins, paddled through mangroves, spied monkeys and tropical birds, and explored colonial cities and cobblestone towns all with a new born daughter.

Gary Chandler, Liza's husband, is no less an authority on the area. After graduating from UC Berkeley, Gary backpacked through much of Mexico and Central America, and later through Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean, exploring the highlands of Guatemala, followed by assignments in El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and elsewhere. Their co collaboration, Moon Yucatan Peninsula has received a number of awards, including a Journey Award for Best Guide Book. Within its bindings, the dedicated traveler will discover well-informed and detailed information on the best way to explore Mexico. For the budget travel to the seasoned explorer, Moon Yucatan Peninsula is a guide everyone should take with them.