Destination Fly4free: Yucatan
Top things to do in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula
Mexico is a very diverse country with ancient pyramids, colonial cities, tropical nature and beautiful beaches. There are tons and tons of things to do in the mystic Yucatan.
The Yucatan Peninsula is made up of three Mexican states (Yucatan, Campeche and Quintana Roo), located between the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Here are the top things you will not want to miss when visiting the Southeastern region of the country.
Some of the most important and unusual natural wonders of Yucatan are the “cenotes” - underwater sinkholes formed by the collapse of porous limestone bedrock. Those who wish to cool off from the sun can swim in the great wells where Mayans communicated with their gods. At hidden locations, there are over 6000 groundwater pools, with only 2400 actually studied and registered.
Cenote Ik-Kil, near Chichén Itzá, is a perfectly round pool with incredible hanging vines and waterfalls. Access is safe and easy - a grand stairway will lead you down the steps into the water. Sac Actun is an underwater cave system situated near the village of Tulum. The closest cenote to Mérida is Xlacah, situated at the Maya site of Dzibichaltún. Cenote Zaci is located in the centre of Valladolid. A third of it is covered with stalactites and stalagmites. Southeast of Valladolid, there are two more cenotes: X’Quequén and Samula. In Playa del Carmen there is Cenote Chaak Tun. The town of Cuzamá is also known for the large number of cenotes.
How to get there:
Take a look at the flight deals to Yucatan:
- Flights from Cologne to Cancun for €250! >>
- Flights from the UK to Cancun for £319!>>
- Flights from Chicago to Cancun for $201 >>
- Flights from New York to Cancun for $156 >>
- Flights from Philadelphia to Cancun for $260 >>
- Flights from Chicago or Dallas to Cancun from $175 >>
- Flights from Boston to Cancun for $238 >>
- Flights from Las Vegas to Cancun from $189 >>
- Flights from Houston to Cancun or Cozumel from $142 >>
- Flights from several US cities to Merida from $203 >>
- Flights from Minneapolis to Merida for $244 >>
- Flights from Washington to Merida for $209 >>
Where to stay:
While in Cancun, we encourage you to stay at very well rated 4-star hotel Oasis America hotel. The prices start at only $47/€44 for a night in a double room! The hotel is located within a 20-minute stroll of Cancun Bus Station, which allows for convenient access in and around Cancun.
You can also book a 3* Hotel Margaritas Cancun with very good reviews for just $41/€38 per night!
In Merida we encourage you to stay at 4* Hotel Dolores Alba Merida for$37/night with free cancellation, included breakfast and good reviews!
What to do:
Many activities like water sports, hiking and caving make Yucatan an ideal holiday destination. Bike rides, boat rides and fishing can all be enjoyed in this expanse of land. For snorkelling there are a large number of coral reefs along the Maya Riviera coastline. You may encounter dolphins, squids, sea turtles, lots of stingrays and hundreds of other fish and undersea life.
If you like scuba diving, you should definitely explore the reefs of Cozumel (e.g. Palancar Reef, Santa Rosa Wall).
One of the most impressive attractions of Yucatan is the ecological reserves that protect the immense treasure of flora and fauna. Visit the Biosphere Reserve of Celestun, famous worldwide for being a sanctuary for pink flamingos, blue crabs and various pelican species. Take the boat tour in the Celestun River, through the tunnels naturally formed in the mangroves, ending in a petrified forest. Furthermore, Mexico is rich of history, so don’t miss the chance to visit ancient Mayan ruins. The Yucatan peninsula’s rocky subsoil shelters innumerable underground caverns and caves. In Yucatan, the most famous are Balankanche, San Ignacio, Calcehtok, Tzabna y Loltun. Don’t forget to swim in a cenote – a refreshing natural pool with crystal-clear mineral-rich water, under a jungle-framed sky. It’s a great place to cool off after climbing pyramids!
At Riviera Maya you can have some fun in Xplor Park, Xcaret Eco Theme Park or Xel-Há Park. Admire the myriad geological formations while floating in stunning underground river Rio Secreto (Playa del Carmen).
For 15 Best Rated Tree Climbing Gear Items click here >>
For more Destinations Fly4free click here >>>
Start planning your next trip with Lonely Planet’s travel guide >>
Yucatan from AkiDemi Photography on Vimeo.
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