Despite Playa del Carmen's growing popularity, it remains relatively unknown in comparison to nearby Cancun (perhaps thankfully so). However, this obscurity makes it difficult for tourists to get reliable information as the mainstream travel guides have yet to give this area its proper due. We review five well-known guide books to see just how good they really are.

Playa del Carmen, Tulum, & the Riviera Maya, A Complete Guide

Joshua Hinsdale has written an excellent travel guide devoted to the Riviera Maya, at least for those looking for something more substantial than the nod most guide books give to the regional towns surrounding Cancun. This well-written book devotes a full 78 pages exclusively to Playa del Carmen and includes coverage of hotels, shops, ruins, nightlife. There are plenty of pictures to give you an idea of what to expect when you get there, as well as lots of gray sidebar articles full of fascinating information which will enrich your enjoyment of the region. While this is by far the best and most comprehensive print guide to Playa del Carmen, it still falls short in some areas. The hotel reviews are short and non-descript and probably won't be of much help in choosing a place to stay. The restaurants section is somewhat out-of-date (for instance, the Beer Bucket is listed as a restaurant and has the wrong address) and the guide is conspicuously missing some newer gems, such as Tango Taco. Despite these shortcomings, this is by far the best print guide to Playa you can purchase.

Let's Go Mexico on a Budget

This tomb of a book has an incredible amount of information, but sadly, only 5 pages focus on Playa del Carmen. The reviews are short and limited to only the most touristy places. Not a bad buy if you are exploring more of Mexico than just Playa del Carmen.

Frommer's Mexico 2007

The Frommers guides are perhaps the most well-known and reliable guide books available. However, the 2007 edition of their Mexico guide contains only 12 pages on Playa. There is some good, but short, general information about such topics as driving to Playa from Cancun, as well as tips that first-time visitors will definitely find helpful (including "avoid timeshare salespeople"). The reviews are good, but unfortunately there are only 8 hotel and 10 restaurant reviews. Nightlife gets a mere nod, with only three clubs. This guide is geared more towards casual tourists who are just passing through.

Fodor's - Cancun, Cozumel, Yucatan Peninsula 2007

The Fodor's series is well-known and readily available at most bookstores. However, we recommend you pass on this one. It devotes only 9 pages to Playa and as can be imagined, there is little of value to be found in so few pages. The reviews include 13 restaurants, 24 hotels, and 8 bars, most with little more than just a single sentence. Curiously, the book devotes an entire page to XCaret eco-adventure park. Can you say "paid placement"? Leave this on the shelf for the next guy.

Hidden Cancun & The Yucatan