The Yucatan
Top Tips
Check out our hot tips in the Yucatán:
back to topThe Caribbean Beaches
Mexico's best beaches stretch for miles along the Yucatán's
eastern Caribbean coast. With fine white sand and warm turquoise
waters, they're breathtaking. If you're looking for vibrant
nightlife and buzzing beaches, head for Playa del Carmen (70km/1
hour south of Cancún), where the streets are packed with
trendy restaurants and young Euro-hipsters party in the beach bars
'til the early hours. Industrial-chic boutique hotel
Basico and sexy minimalist Deseo are in the
heart of the action, while Mosquito Blue provides a cool
refuge from the crowds.
If you prefer a less developed location, head further south to
Tulum (120km/1.5-2 hours south of Cancún) where you'll find
7km of wild beach and a growing number of laid-back places to stay.
Zamas has great food and chic cabanas, while our
carefully selected Tulum Beach Houses offer a choice of
beautiful houses sleeping 4-8 set right by the sea. Simple but
stylish hotel Villa Las Estrellas also has a stunning
beachside setting, as does Thai-inspired resort Shambala
Petit and the handful of eco cabins at Cabanas La Luna,
where you can live the castaway dream.
For sheer luxury head for the exclusive Maroma Resort,
with its own mile-long stretch of beach, ultra-stylish retreat and
spa Viceroy Riviera Maya, or pampering Hotel
Esencia, with white-on-white rooms and an organic spa set by
dazzling sands. For the last unspoiled island refuge venture to
Isla Holbox, a spit of white sand and mangrove swamps off the
north-eastern tip of the peninsula, and stay at languid and
luscious CasaSandra.
back to topMayan Ruins
The main attraction of this area is without doubt the ancient sites
of the Mayan civilisation which flourished here between 300 and
900AD, giving rise to a multitude of towering pyramids and temples
in the jungle and along the cliffs above the Caribbean.
Chichen Itza
This is arguably the most impressive ruin with its magnificent
pyramid, but also the most visited. Arrive as early as possible (it
opens at 8am) to avoid the hordes of daytrippers from
Cancún; better still stay at Hacienda Chichen
within the site.
180km/1.5 hours' drive west of Cancún, 120km/2.5 hours'
drive east of Mérida
Uxmal
Smaller than Chichen but architecturally more beautiful, this site
is less crowded than many others in the region.
80km SW of Mérida
Tulum
The ruins at Tulum have a spectacular setting on a clifftop above
the Caribbean.
Coba
The largest Classical Mayan city (80 sq miles), Coba is home to the
tallest pyramid in the Yucatán (with great views from the
top). Set deep in the jungle, it's far less touristy than
Chichen.
168km south of Cancún, 50km northwest of Tulum
Other Sites
To lose the crowds, try some of the hundreds of lesser known ruins,
which are often just as spectacular but remain virtually unknown to
tourists. Some of the best include Dzibilchaltún (15km north
of Mérida), which also has a lovely freshwater cenote, the
temple at Aké and the Muyil ruins 20 minutes south of Tulum.
Also worth visiting are the Puuc sites surrounding Uxmal:
Kabáh, Labná, Sayil and Loltún Cave (the
largest cave in the Yucatán), which make up what is known as
La Ruta Puuc (near Hacienda Santa Rosa). Archaeological
sites have free entry on Sundays.
Colonial Haciendas
The countryside around the Yucatán's colonial capital Mérida is dotted with some of Mexico's most impressive haciendas - stay in the town itself at The Villa at Merida or Hotel Hacienda Merida. Originally cattle ranches or sugar plantations, these massive estates turned to the lucrative production of sisal in the late 19th century. When the sisal market collapsed in the 1950s, most fell into ruin and were abandoned, but in recent years some have been restored as exquisite small country-house hotels such as Hacienda Xcanatun, the beautiful Hacienda Santa Rosa and Hacienda Chichen, which lies within the Chichen Itza site. Spending a few days at one of these colourful countryside hotels makes an ideal break after the beach and a good base for exploring the Yucatán's interior.
back to topDiving, Snorkelling & Fishing
The world's second longest barrier reef runs along the
Yucatán's east coast, from Cancún all the way to
Ambergis Cay in Belize. The best-known place to dive is the island
of Cozumel, famous for drift dives, but don't expect to have the
place to yourself - it's a major tourist destination and a stop-off
point for cruise ships. For unspoilt reefs without the crowds, we
recommend you head off the beaten track further south towards
Belize.
The smaller resorts of Akumal and Tankah, between Playa del Carmen
and Tulum, both offer ideal diving for the inexperienced. If you're
based in Tulum, consider a trip to Xel-Ha - a lagoon/aquatic theme
park. The sheltered waters and colourful fish make it ideal for
children and beginners, but make sure you get there before 11am
when the tourist buses arrive. Yal-Ku Lagoon at Akumal is a
smaller, non-touristy version of Xel-Ha.
The adventurous can try diving or snorkelling in one of the
Yucatán's limestone caves, or cenotes - spring-fed pools
created inland by the area's extensive underground water system.
And in the undeveloped southeast corner of the peninsula lies the
beautiful Laguna Bacalar, Mexico's second largest lake, with
crystal-clear turquoise water. On its shores lies Rancho
Encantado, a lovely budget eco-resort offering boat trips, jungle
hikes and birdwatching.
back to topBird-Watching
The 1.3 million-acre Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve just south of
Tulum is one of the largest protected areas in Mexico and a nature
lover’s paradise. Its lush tropical forest, savannas,
mangroves, lagoons and coral reefs are home to hundreds of species
of birds and animals. Biologist-escorted boat tours inland are
offered by a non-profit group called
Friends of Sian Ka'an. The excellent
day and sunset trips offer an introduction to the Yucatán's
ecosystems, an opportunity to go snorkelling in the canals and
cenotes, and the chance to see hidden Mayan ruins and maybe spot
crocodiles, flamingos, spoonbills, storks and herons (the area
provides nesting sites for thousands of water birds). Endangered
sea turtles nest along the beaches, and flyfishing for bonefish,
tarpon, permit and jack in the saltwater lagoons can also be
arranged.
Other top birding spots include the protected grounds near
Celestún or Rio Lagartos on the Yucatán's Gulf coast,
where pink flamingos can be seen by the thousands building their
nests; Isla Holbox, where the Gulf meets the Caribbean, with its
magnificent frigatebirds, flamingos, herons, egrets and spoonbills;
and Laguna Bacalar.