Introduction
We did only a small part of Mexico at the end of our Ruta Maya trip. The sites in Mexico like Chichen Itza, Palenque and Uxmal are fabulous. Merida is a nice city, especially on Sundays. However, it's much more expensive than Guatemala, and it also lacks the atmosphere of Guatemala. The Caribbean coast (Playa Del Carmen, Tulum) could definitely not seduce us: it's hypertouristic and quite expensive also.
Still, we went back to Mexico in 12/99 to finish the trip we had stopped in 1993. From Tikal we went to Bethel, crossed the Usumacinta river into Mexico, and then visited Yaxchilan, one of the highlights of our second trip (don't miss it). From there onwards to Palenque with side trip to Agua Azul. Then San Cristobal, Oaxaca and finally Mexico City. I think we"ll need a third trip to visit the Nothern part of the country.
Travel guides
Lonely Planet
Edition April 1998
I've bought the Mexico LP to prepare my latest trip. It is as usual easy to read, with good info and detailed maps. Some of the info is outdated, but most is usefull (although I heard other travellers complaining).
Order the Lonely Planet Mexico now for only 15.96 US$!
Or maybe you prefer their Central America Book
Order the Lonely Planet Central America on a shoestring for 15.96 US$!
They also have a Mexico City Book
Order the Lonely Planet Mexico City 11.99 US$! (Edition 11/2000)
Footprint Handbook Central America-Mexico
This book had a lot of practical info and was definitely the best on accommodation and restaurant info. Their info seemed also more up to date. I recommend it especially if you need middle class accomodation. It's definitely a much better choice the the LP Central America. Latest edition is from 11/2000, new edition each year in December.
Order the Footprint Central America Handbook for 20.75 US$!
Rough Guide to Mexico Edition December 1998
I didn't read this book yet, but if they're as good as the others I read in the series, this one will also be recommended, especially if you're on a budget. And at least you'll have another book then 90% of the travellers you meet.
Order the Rough Guide Mexico now for only 15.96 US$!
The Rough Guide series now have a competitor of LP's Ruta Maya (June 1999), called "Maya World". They have here info on Guatemala, Belize, and Yucatan, but also El Salvador and Honduras. I read parts of this book and it's excellent value for money, better than LP in my point of view.
Order the Rough Guide Maya World now for only 15.96 US$!
Let's Go
Popular series in the US and yearly updated.
Order the Let's Go Mexico now for only 17.59 US$!
Other books If you can't make up your mind, click on the Amazon.com logo and search for more books
Wegwijzer
For those of you speaking dutch, it is definitely worth considering becoming member of "Wegwijzer". This is a non-commercial organisation based in Bruges, Belgium. They have an incredible amount of info coming from guidebooks, leaflets but also reports from members. Since 2001 you can now get a lot of these reports online!! Membership is only 25 Euro a year, and this includes a good magazine they publish every 2 months. Have a look at http://www.wegwijzer.be/default.htm. I myself am a member since almost 20 years now.
Go to General info 1
