Guide to the Yucatan and Campeche

Chichen Itza

The ruins of Chichen Itza lie about midway between Cancun and Merida, so that the journey from each city takes around two to three hours via the toll highway. It is possible to see the main structures on a day trip from Cancun, and many tour buses do just this resulting in a large influx of visitors around 10-11am.

Uxmal

Uxmal is one of the most well known of the Maya cities, and rated by many archaeologists as the finest. In area the site is fairly compact, though you should allow at least half a day for a first visit, after which you’ll probably want to return to go over the site in more detail.

There has been much renovation work and the grounds are well tended, but wear good shoes if you intend to do any climbing. It is permitted to climb the largest structure, the Pyramid of the Magician, and the view from the top is well worth the effort, though the steps are extremely steep.

The Ruta Puuc

The "Ruta Puuc" is an itinerary around the area of Mayan cities named after nearby hills (notable since most of the Yucatan is completely flat). Common features of Puuc style are buildings with a plain lower section and ornate upper section, decorated cornices, rows of half and full columns, Chac masks and roof combs. Sites include Uxmal, Kabah, Labna and Sayil.

Dzibilchaltun

This interesting site lies just nine miles north of Merida, just off the road to Progresso. The most important monument is the "Temple of the Seven Dolls", through which a stream of light passes at dawn on the equinox days. There is also a noteworthy museum "the Museum of the Mayan People" and a picturesque cenote.

Ek Balam

Just twenty minutes by road from Valladolid, Ek Balam is a Mayan site that has attracted a lot of attention in the last few years. It's a fairly large site and is still relatively quiet (there may not be any guides at the site, but there are some signs in English).

Edzna

Edzna lies 37 miles from the city of Campeche. The impressive Building of the Five Levels is the dominant structure here, and it is also possible to observe evidence of the system of aqueducts and ancient stone tanks used to store water.

The Rio Bec sites

The Rio Bec archaeological sites have unique features including steep ornamental staircases and parallel towers. Many of the sites, such as Calakmul, Hormiguero and Rio Bec, are quite remote and access can be difficult in the rainy season.

Merida

Merida is not only a vibrant colonial city, but it is also in the heart of the ancient land of the Mayas. Visitors to the city can tour a number of world famous archaeological sites in the area, including Uxmal, Chichen Itza, Mayapan and the Puuc cities of Kabah and Sayil.

Campeche

The walled city of Campeche has a romantic history of pirates, conquistadors and shipwrecks. Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1999, the historic center of Campeche has been restored to reveal cobbled streets lined with pastel-colored houses, some fine colonial architecture and a pleasant waterfront.

more...

Holbox Island

This quiet island is not easy to reach (the journey from Cancun takes about 2 and a half hours) but visitors will be rewarded with miles of empty beaches and little in the way of commercialization. This is the Gulf coast, not the Caribbean, so snorkeling and diving are not recommended here, but you can swim with the whale sharks (see below), go kite surfing, watch for dolphins, or just relax away from the crowds.

Flamingos

Visit quiet Celestun, on the Gulf coast near to Merida, for boat trips to see hundreds of vivid pink flamingos in their nesting grounds. The flamingos can also be seen at Rio Lagartos, north of Valladolid.

Cenotes and Caves

The Yucatan peninsula consists of a limestone plateau with no visible rivers. Underneath is a system of underground streams which are exposed when holes form in the crust. These roughly circular sinkholes are called "cenotes" and can be observed across the peninsula.

Larger cenotes are ideal for snorkeling, swimming and diving as the subterranean water can be very clear and often offers access to underwater caverns. Cave enthusiasts can also explore some incredibly impressive and easily accessible systems at Balankanche and Loltun.

Whale Sharks

Whale sharks are found off the coast of Holbox Island between the months of June and September. It's possible to snorkel or dive with the sharks (they are harmless to humans) on specialized tours from the island.

Sundays in Merida

Take part in a fiesta every weekend in the lively colonial city of Merida. Each Sunday the city celebrates its cultural heritage with a day of music and dancing. Free performances take place in and around the main square - you may see traditional dancing, salsa bands, mariachis or other live entertainers. There are often performances along Calle 60 on Saturday evening too, so the weekend is a great time to stay in town.

Haciendas

The Yucatan haciendas were vast estates controlling the production of sisal or henequen. The estates thrived during the centuries of colonial rule, and beautiful mansion houses were built with the henequen riches. Many haciendas were destroyed during the 1910 revolution, but some have been lovingly restored as luxury hotels with large swimming pools and beautiful gardens. These hacienda hotels make a perfect base for a vacation, combining sightseeing with relaxation.