Yucatán Peninsula
The Yucatan Peninsula, located in south-eastern Mexico between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, has a year-round hot and humid climate, which is ideal for enjoying its Beach Resorts and natural paradises. Offshore, underwater reef gardens thrive with vibrant coral and tropical fish. Inland, vast nature reserves protect population of rare mammals, reptiles, birds, plants and crystalline-blue cenotes accent the land. The region, which comprises the states of Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo, is also well known for its numerous Mayan archaeological sites. Amongst the most popular archaeological sites of the region are Calakmul, Chichén Itza, Uxmal, Sayil, Kabah, Labna, Edzná, Tulúm, Xel-Ha and Cobá.
The greatest appeal of the Yucatán Peninsula is its deep cultural heritage. Many of the ancient traditions of the Mayas persist, for example women wear a traditional blouse called a huipil and some homes are still built with straw rooftops. There are also the regional henequen haciendas, many of which have been converted into posh hotels. And then there are the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea that wash onto white-sand beaches, where you'll find world-class hotels.
Mérida
The charming and magical city of Mérida is the capital of the state of Yucatán. Founded upon the ruins of the Mayan city T'ho, which was constructed with white limestone and means "Face of Infinity" Mérida is known today as the "White City". It has beautiful and solidly built colonial buildings that house the city's history, art, traditions and culture. In the downtown Historic Centre, you can visit the city cathedral, an impressive 16th century construction. Or you can go to interesting museums, such as the Yucatan Museum of Archaeology, which you'll find in Palacio Canton, an elegant building dating back to the Porfirian era. You can also take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage down the city's main avenue, Paseo Montejo, which is lined with 19th century mansions and well-known hotels. It's a pleasant tour blending sights of old and new.
Ruta Puuc y Ruta de los Conventos
Just 5km south of Kabah on Hwy 261, a road branches off to the east and winds past the ruins of a Sayil, Xlapak, and Labná, ending at the Grutas de Loltún. This is the Ruta Puuc and its offer some marvellous architectural detail and a deeper acquaintance with the Puuc Maya civilization, which flourished between about AD 750 and 950. Also the old Henequen (Sisal) Haciendas like Yaxcopoil, Hacienda Temozón Sur or Hacienda Ochil are very interesting. The most convenient way to visit the Ruta Puuc sites is by car.
You can combine this route perfectly with the Ruta de los Conventos. Here you will encounter magnificent monasteries build up by the Franciscan, ancient churches, markets and cenotes. Until you will reach Mayapán, the last inhabited capital of the Maya.
Uxmal
The Mayan Town of Uxmal, in Yucatán, was founded circa A.D. 700 and had some 25,000 inhabitants. The layout of the buildings, which date from between A.D. 700 and 1000, reveals knowledge of astronomy. The Pyramid of the Soothsayer or Magician, as the Spanish called it, dominates the ceremonial centre, which has well-designed buildings decorated with a profusion of symbolic motifs and sculptures depicting Chaac, the god of rain. The ceremonial sites of Uxmal, Kabah, Labna and Sayil are considered the high points of Mayan art and the Puuc architecture style. Uxmal is located only 70 km from Merida. What makes this site notable is the parallel piped shape of the buildings, of which the most outstanding are the Pirámide del Adivino (The Soothsayer's Pyramid), El Cuadrángulo de las Monjas (The Nun's Quadrangle) and the Palacio del Gobernador (Government Palace).
Kabáh
Kabah is a Maya archaeological site in the south-east of the Mexican state of Yucatán, closed to Uxmal. It's the second largest ruin of the Puuc region after Uxmal.
The area was inhabited by the mid 3rd century BC. Most of the architecture now visible was built between the 7th century and the 11th century. A sculpted date on a doorjamb of one of the buildings gives the date 879, probably around the city's height. Another inscribed date is one of the latest carved in the Maya Classic style, in 987.
Sayil
The ruins of Sayil are 4,5 km from the junction of the Ruta Puuc with Hwy 261. Sayil is best known for El Palacio, the huge three-tiered building with a facade some 85 m long, reminiscent of the Minoan place on Crete. The distinctive columns of Puuc architecture are used here over and over - alternating with huge stylized Chac-Mool masks and descending gods.
Labná
Archaeologists believe that, at one point in the 9th century, some 3000 Maya lived at Labná. El Palacio, the first building you come to at Labná, is one of the longest in the Puuc region, and much of its interesting decorative carving is in good shape. On the west corner of the main structure's façade, is a serpent's head with a human face peering out from between its jaws, the symbol of the planet Venus. From the palace a limestone-paved sacbé (ceremonial road) leads to El Arco Labná, which is best known for its magnificent arch, once part of a building that separated two courtyards.
Mayapán
According to legend, Mayapán was supposedly founded by Kukulcán in AD 1007. His dynasty, the Cocom, organized a confederation of city-states that included Uxmal, Chichén Itzá and many other notable cities. Despite their alliance, animosity arose between the Cocom of Mayapán and Itzaés of Chichén Itzá during the late 12th century, and the Cocom stormed Chichén Itzá, forcing the Itzá rulers into exile. The Cocom dynasty emerged supreme in all of northern Yucatán. This walled city has 4,000 mounds and several sinkholes. It's the same size than Chichén Itzá and you will find the buildings are replicas of the ones in Chichén. Some outstanding buildings are: Templo Redondo (is vaguely reminiscent of El Caracol at Chichén Itzá) and El Castillo Kukulcán.
Progreso, Dzibilchaltún, Celestún, Izamal
The port of Progreso, just 35 km south from Mérida, was founded in mid 19th of Century. Progreso was a major port of entry for trade with the rest of the world an for agave export. Enjoy its beautiful white sand beaches where you can find a great variety of restaurants, bars, small palm huts, where you can enjoy delicious food.
Izamal is also known as the "hill city" because of its 123 pyramids spread throughout the town, or the "Three culture city". It is a fascinating mix of Mayan elements and colonial and modern buildings. The yellow city is toured on a wagon or carriage decorated so that you may enjoy in full detail the beauty of this colonial city.
Dzibilchaltún, one of the most important ceremonial centres in the Maya world, is located very close to Mérida. It's one of the oldest one in the North of Yucatan and has a size of 16qkm with approx. 8400 structures, most of them haven't been excavated y restored. Its small museum houses objects of extraordinary beauty. The site is famous fort he Temple of the Seven Dolls and its precise relationship with astronomical events. A catholic church with an open chapel or "Indian Chapel" still stands within this ancient Maya city.
Celestun, situated 95 km from Mérida, makes a good daytrip. This beautiful spot offers visitors an exceptional experience; they can watch the hundreds of birds that gather her before migrating.
After discovering unusual landscapes and travelling through intricate mangroves, you can stop to admire the colonies of migrating birds that arrive year after year to spend the winter months at the different islets. The best months to see flamingos are from March to September.
Chichén Itzá
Chichén Itzá is perhaps the most well preserved archaeological site in Mexico and also one of the most visited. This sacred site was one of the greatest Mayan centres of the Yucatan peninsula. Throughout its nearly 1,000-year history, different peoples have left their mark on the city. The Maya, Toltec and Iztec vision of the world and the universe is revealed in their stone monuments and artistic works. The fusion of Mayan construction techniques with new elements from central Mexico makes Chichen Itza one of the most important examples of the Mayan-Toltec civilization in Yucatan.
The archaeological zone is divided into three sections; the North Group, with its most famous landmark El Castillo (the castle) pyramid and the Sacred Cenote or natural well; the Central Group, whose most famous structure is El Caracol, so-called because it resembles a giant conch shell; and the South Group containing the Temple of the Three Lintels. The Castle or El Castillo has Maya and Toltec influences and has a prominent and symbolic role. It is located on the Great Square and stands out from the other buildings due to its perfect dimensions and its height of more than 30 meters. The pyramid itself was built around 650 and 800 AD. Its four stairs are made of 91 steps and when multiplying the stairs by the steps plus the upper level of the pyramid it adds to 365, the days of a year. Due to its dimensions and its relationship with the sun calendar, it is believed that the pyramid worships the Sun. During the equinoxes, light and shadow form a series of triangles on the side of the north staircase that creates the illusion of a serpent gliding down the pyramid.
Chichen Itza has the largest and most impressive ball court in Mesoamerica. The court is flanked by temples at either end and bounded by towering parallel walls with stone rings cemented up high.
Cancún
The posh hotels, modern facilities, dense vegetation and the warmth of the Mexican Caribbean make the cosmopolitan island of Cancun, in the northern region of Quintana Roo, one of the most important tourist destinations in the world. More than 2 million people visit Cancun annually, where they can bask in the sun on white-sand beaches and marvel at the turquoise-blue and emerald-green waters. It's no wonder that this spot has become Mexico's most preferred destination for foreign travellers. Many visitors here also use Cancun as a base to explore the Mayan Riviera, the neighbouring state of Yucatan and the Nichupte Lagoon. The region's coral reefs, jungles, golf courses and archaeological zones serve as added incentives to visit this tourist resort. What's more, you'll find a wide array of shopping centres, gourmet restaurants and nightclubs that stay open all night.
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is one of the most attractive destinations in the Mexican Caribbean. Located in the heart of the Mayan Riviera, 68 km (42 mi) south of Cancun, it has an ideal subtropical climate with an average temperature of 25º C (77º F) and sunny days throughout most of the year. During the summer, the maximum temperature can reach 35º C (95º F).
At Playa del Carmen you'll find beautiful beaches looking out onto the Caribbean Sea, which are ideal places to relax or do all kinds of water sports: snorkelling, windsurfing and even kite surfing- a new and exhilarating extreme sport that combines surfing and parasailing. For those who like scuba diving, there are boats departing from the docks which offer exciting outings to the Great Mayan Reef, the second largest coral reef (system) in the world. There you can dive at depths of more than 10 meters (33 feet) among multicolored fish and coral that has existed for more than 500 years. Near Playa del Carmen you can discover Playa Paamul and Playa Paraiso, two beautiful beaches with calm waters and gorgeous ecological parks: Xcaret and Xel-Ha. Also nearby are numerous sinkholes where you can do rappelling and cave diving while exploring the amazing depths of underground river systems.
Come nightfall, we recommend that you take a stroll along Quinta Avenida, one of Playa del Carmen's most happening areas. The avenue is lined with restaurants, bars, cosmopolitan nightclubs and a shopping mall with exclusive boutiques, clothing stores and jewelry shops.
Tulúm
Tulúm is one of the oldest sites in the Yucatan Peninsula and probably one of the most known in the west. Archaeologists believe that the edifications in Tulúm where built during the late postclassic period (AD 1200 - 1550) and it was an important port during its most important phase. Tulúm used to be a walled city due to its political and ceremonial status in the region. Its location on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea makes it one of the most spectacular in the Mayan World. The main buildings are located in the centre of the site and used to be surrounded by a second wall, which remains can still be seen. Amongst the main buildings the Castle "El Castillo" stands out due to its size, location and beautiful facade. Finally, Tulum?s beach was probably used by traders of the region and currently makes a perfect setting for relaxing and enjoying the views.
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