Yucatan Handbook - Moon Handbooks Yucatan Peninsula Author:Chicki Mallan I carried this book as my bible for my first trip to Mexico. I couldn't imagine needing any other resource, it was so complete. What I liked best was that the author consistently provided enough information and description for the traveller to make his/her own decisions on what they wanted to get out of their trip, without imparting too much of ... more »her own opinions (compared to, say, Lonely Planet books). For example, by reading the guide I was able to determine that Playa del Carmen would probably be a good "home base" for my wife and I, and after visiting most of the towns and islands along the coast I realized that we made the right decision. The author obviously has intimate knowledge of the area, as opposed to someone who may have spent a few months there. In addition, the maps were complete enough so that we did not have to buy any additional maps, and the book travelled very well due to the compact design and tough outer cover (you may find this to be a minor point until you've trashed a few books in the course of your journeying.