From mystical Maya ruins to sun-soaked cenotes, our 4-day itinerary covers the very best issues to do in Yucatán State
We started our month-long journey via Central America within the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. It was my first go to to this a part of the world and I used to be eager to go to the traditional Maya ruins of Chichén Itzá – my seventh world surprise – and to discover the area’s famed cenotes (freshwater sinkholes).
The Yucatán Peninsula includes the Mexican states of Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo in addition to elements of Guatemala and most of Belize. The Mexican portion is without doubt one of the most visited locations on the planet, however Yucatán State offers a refreshing change of tempo from the extra in style stops on the peninsula.
In fact, there are dazzling seashores, magnificent Maya ruins and loads of cenotes, however the state additionally presents wealthy wildlife, charming colonial cities and a wide selection of eating places.
Issues to do in Yucatán State
We spent three nights and 4 days exploring Yucatán State and have put collectively an itinerary of the quintessestial sights.
Contents
Day 1: Arrive & drive to Valladolid
Our flight from London landed at Cancún Airport within the afternoon. We picked up a rental automotive from Avis on the airport and drove 2.5 hours from the airport to Valladolid. Driving within the area in all fairness simple with site visitors manageable outdoors of the town centres.
Quiet, intimate and pastel-hued Valladolid is the proper hub for visiting Río Lagartos (1.5 hours away by automotive) in addition to Chichén Itzá (45 minutes) and several other cenotes together with Suytun and Oxmán.
We stayed on the Resort Mesón del Marqués in Valladolid. Set within the grounds of a beautiful colonial-era Seventeenth-century home, the lodge is positioned proper on the principle sq. with views of Iglesia de San Servacio, the imposing Catholic church on the coronary heart of Valladolid. The lodge has massive, cool rooms with an on-site restaurant and rooftop bar, however its predominant promoting level is the gorgeous central backyard the place meals are served.
Day 2: Río Lagartos & Valladolid
After a gradual breakfast on the lodge, we spent our first morning in Yucatán State exploring the mangrove-lined estuary of Río Lagartos, the ‘river of the lizards’. The UNESCO biosphere reserve is dwelling to plentiful birdlife and a visual inhabitants of crocodiles that offers the area its identify.
We took a ship tour of the wetlands with Río Lagartos Adventures, run by native Diego Nuñez and his household. We noticed a number of saltwater crocodiles, flocks of flamingos, a pod of dolphins, iguanas and several other different fowl species together with herons, pelicans, storks and ibis. We additionally visited a pink lake, took a mud bathtub and dropped by a sandy seaside for a dip. You’ll be able to learn extra concerning the go to in our information on find out how to go to Río Lagartos.
We used the remainder of the day to wander round Valladolid which presents a slower tempo of life in comparison with different cities within the area. The historic city centre is known for its colonial structure and colourfully-painted façades. The city’s centrepiece is the hanging Sixteenth-century Spanish church Iglesia de San Servacio.
The church overlooks the bustling Parque Francisco, by far the city’s hottest hangout. At night time, the park actually comes alive with Mayan avenue dancers and conventional music. We suggest grabbing an elote con mayo (corn with mayo) from one of many park’s distributors and a few gelato from Wabi Gelato. We additionally dropped in for a cocktail and a few nachos on the Mezcalería Don Trejo.
Day 3: Chichén Itzá & Cenote Suytun
On day 3, we checked out of our lodge in Valladolid and drove to Chichén Itzá, one of many New 7 Wonders of the World. The UNESCO-listed web site is essentially the most well-known and finest restored Maya websites within the Yucatán Peninsula.
At its peak, from round 550 to 1200 AD, the town of Chichén Itzá, which means ‘on the mouth of the effectively of the Itza’, was dwelling to as many as 50,000 individuals. The Itza have been an ethnic group of Maya who had risen to energy within the northern a part of the Yucatán Peninsula. Occupying an space of almost 10km2, the town was the centre of political and financial energy within the area and one of many largest cities within the Maya world. You’ll find out extra about what to see and do on the web site in our weblog put up on visiting Chichén Itzá.
Within the afternoon, we drove round 50 minutes and checked into Suytun Cenotes y Cabañas, a small family-run hacienda with a bar, swimming pool and motley assortment of vibrant cabins set amid lush gardens.
We popped down for a dip within the cenote which is without doubt one of the most photogenic within the Yucatán. Daylight streams in from a gap within the ceiling and illuminates a round platform on the finish of a stone walkway. Within the night, we went into Valladolid for a meal at Condesa Cocina.
Day 4: Cenote Suytun & Cenote Oxmán
On account of its apparent Instagramability, Cenote Suytun can get busy with lengthy queues for images on the platform. Throughout the day, lifeguards police how lengthy guests can spend having their images taken. Every customer will get round a minute to pose earlier than a whistle is blown to sign that the subsequent individual can step up. Whereas it makes for an incredible picture, it isn’t a very magical expertise.
Atlas & Boots
Our personal tour of Cenote Suytun
As such, we organised a non-public go to to the cenote for very first thing the subsequent morning. We have been let in by a employee on the hacienda who left us alone within the cenote for round half-hour. Now, this was magical! We spent our time splashing round and exploring the waters and, in fact, posing for the compulsory images.
After breakfast, we had time to squeeze in one other cenote so drove quarter-hour to Hacienda Cenote Oxmán. Right here, we swung on the rope swings, crashed into the turquoise pool and floated on our backs whereas wanting up on the jungle-framed sky as daylight tumbled into the sinkhole. It was an idyllic finish to our 4-day tour of the Yucatán.
Shifting on
We have been transferring on to Belize so we drove to Tulum to drop off our automotive and catch a bus to Chetumal. Nevertheless, there may be far more to discover on the broader Yucatán Peninsula so it’s simple to increase your journey.
For those who would moderately not drive, buses run between the most important cities, cities and hubs in Yucatán, together with Chichén Itzá, Valladolid and Cancún. E book tickets at Ado.com.mx.
Greatest eSIM for journey in Mexico
There are a number of suppliers to select from, however based mostly on our private expertise, the very best eSIM for journey to Mexico is Holafly eSIM.
The Holafly eSIM comes with limitless knowledge plans in Mexico. Whereas it didn’t permit for hotspot sharing, it did show to be quick and dependable throughout our time in Mexico. There may be, nevertheless, a regional eSIM for North America which does embody the hotspot characteristic and lets you join in the USA, Canada and Mexico ranging from €29 for 5 days of limitless knowledge.
The Holafly eSIM is available in varied packages based mostly on the size of time you can be spending in Mexico and has twin SIM functionality so you’ll be able to proceed utilizing your bodily SIM if you want. Getting on-line is straightforward however in case you do have a difficulty, they provide 24/7 chat assist in addition to a lot of different eSIM assist.
All packages embody limitless knowledge. We will supply our readers 5% off on Holafly purchases with this coupon: ATLASANDBOOTS
- Limitless knowledge, 5 days: €19
- Limitless knowledge, 7 days: €27
- Limitless knowledge, 10 days: €34
- Limitless knowledge, 15 days: €47
- Limitless knowledge, 20 days: €57
- Limitless knowledge, 30 days: €69
- Limitless knowledge, 60 days: €87
- Limitless knowledge, 90 days: €99
Primarily based on Trustpilot evaluations (4.7 stars out of 5 stars), hundreds of different travellers have had a optimistic expertise with Holafly too.
When to go to the Yucatán
The very best time to go to Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is from November to April when the climate is at its finest. Nevertheless, this additionally corresponds with peak season so count on crowds on the massive websites similar to Chichén Itzá. Lodging may also be costlier. The wet season begins in June and lasts till October. Could or October are the shoulder durations and will likely be much less busy.
Is Yucatán secure?
With regards to security, Mexico suffers from unhealthy press with headlines typically specializing in the worst of the nation’s violent crime, which is sort of all the time associated to organised felony gangs. Whereas it could be remiss to gloss over the troubles the nation faces, it’s price noting that Yucatán is the most secure state in Mexico.
As with most main vacationer locations, petty crime and journey scams will be a difficulty in vacationer hotspots similar to Cancun and Playa del Carmen, however the overwhelming majority of holiday makers to Yucatán received’t expertise any bother in any respect.
Loved this put up? pin it for later…
Lead picture: Simon Dannhauer/Shutterstock
