This travel guide is aimed at the active traveler in this part of the world. Not only does it cover the basics - customs, immigration, how to get around, when to go, where to stay and eat - but it also gives extensive background on the region's history, from mystical Mayan civilizations to Spanish "discovery" to modern cultures and the American influence. It looks at the plant and animal life you will encounter, as well as offering practical travel tips and pointers on the language. But adventures are the main thrust of this book, and the authors tell of anything and everything there is to do on foot (hiking, walking, trekking and sightseeing), on wheels (4WD trips, bicycle rides, driving excursions), in the air (hot-air balloon rides, flightseeing), on or below the water (windsurfing, fishing, waterskiing, scuba diving, snorkeling), and on horseback (group activities and individual itineraries). Cultural sites and eco-tours offer adventures for the mind.  less