Fodor's Expert Review The Pickled Onion B&B

Owner Valerie Pickles has carved out a lovely little paradise with six bungalows, beautifully maintained gardens, and a wonderful restaurant on the outskirts of Santa Elena. Decorated with her own paintings and topped with palapa roofs, the simply furnished Maya-style rooms are remarkably comfortable. They don’t have air-conditioning, but powerful fans, tile floors, and domed ceilings help keep them cool. A delicious breakfast of fruit, bread, mango yogurt, and coffee is included in the rate, which is hard to imagine considering how little Valerie charges. This is also the best place to stop for authentic Yucatecan cuisine en route to the ruins.