Playa del Carmen is the most centrally located place to stay and there is plenty of fun and wonderful food to be had there. Our top pick for a home base when you're touring the Yucatan Peninsula or Cancun area, particularly if you're planning to visit the best Mayan ruins, is Playa del Carmen.
How touristy is the Yucatan?
Just echoing what others have said, most of the Yucatan Peninsula is non-touristy . For ruins, Tulum and Chichen Itza are crowded, but many other ruins arent.
How many days do you need in Yucatan?
We recommend budgeting two to three weeks to explore Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula at a leisurely pace. This will allow you enough time to visit all the major sights, from Chichen Itza to the cenotes and the islands.
What is the most popular destination in the Yucatan Peninsula?
- Tulum. Formerly a sleepy fishing village, Tulum is currently one of the hottest travel destinations in the world. ...
- Playa del Carmen. ...
- Bacalar. ...
- Isla Mujeres. ...
- Puerto Morelos. ...
- Isla Holbox. ...
- Merida. ...
- Akumal.
Is Tulum close to Mayan ruins?
Tulum Town (often called Tulum Pueblo, or just Tulum) is a beautiful beach town near the famous Mayan Ruins of Tulum .
Which is the best Mayan ruin to visit?
- Chichén Itzá El Castillo, Chichen Itza. ...
- Tulum. Tulum ruins on the beach. ...
- Coba. The Mayan Nohoch Mul pyramid in Coba. ...
- Palenque. Temple of the Inscriptions, Palenque. ...
- Calakmul. Calakmul. ...
- Bonampak. Painted walls in Bonampak. ...
- Ek' Balam. Jaguar mouth on the Acropolis, Ek' Balam. ...
- Uxmal.
Is Yucatan Safe for Tourists?
The Yucatan Peninsula is one of the safest places for travelers in Mexico , while petty crime can be found in most places, it has one of the lowest rates of homicide in Mexico (10 times lower than the rest of the country) and safer than major cities such as New York, Cairo and London.
What food is Yucatan known for?
- Huevos Motuleños. Start your morning off right with some tasty huevos motuleños. ...
- Cochinita Pibil. Cochinita Pibil is one of the quintessential Yucatán dishes. ...
- Papadzules. If you like enchiladas, you'll love papadzules. ...
- Sopa de Lima. ...
- Queso Relleno. ...
- Panuchos and Salbutes. ...
- Dulce de Papaya.
What does Yucatan mean in English?
One story of the origin of the name Yucatan is that the name is derived from the Nahuatl word “Yokatlān,” meaning “ place of richness .” The two words are markedly similar, but since Nahuatl is an Aztec language and the first Spanish to land in Yucatan only encountered Maya, the chance the Maya used an Aztec term to ...
How do people spend a week in Yucatan?
- Swing in a hammock over the ocean on Isla Holbox.
- Go swimming with whale sharks in Isla Holbox.
- Hang out in beachy Isla Holbox.
- Explore beautiful Valladolid.
- Chichen Itza ruins.
- There are so many amazing cenotes in Yucatan.
- Visit the Ek Balam ruins on your Yucatan trip.
- Lake Bacalar is a must visit on your Yucatan Itinerary.
How do you spend 10 days in Yucatan?
- Day 1: Arrive in Cancun and head to Valladolid.
- Day 2: Explore Valladolid and check out nearby cenotes.
- Day 3: Visit Chichen Itza and Cenote Ik Kil.
- Day 4: Visit Ek Balam and Cenote X'canche.
- Day 5: Make your way to Tulum.
How do I plan a trip to the Yucatan?
- Pick your season wisely. When planning a trip to the Yucatán Peninsula, timing is key. ...
- Jump into a cenote. ...
- Use a local OTA. ...
- Get around by bus. ...
- Visit lesser-known Mayan archaeological sites.
What place is better than Cancun?
1. Mazatlan . Mazatlan is a perfect beach city for those that want to experience more than a beach. The beautiful city located in the state of Sinaloa boasts beaches, culture, and a rich history.
Is Yucatán beautiful?
The Yucatán Peninsula is the ancient heartland of the Maya in Mexico. Lining the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, coastal destinations such as Tulum Beach and Playa del Carmen are well-trodden but indubitably beautiful .
How long is the ride from Cancun to Tulum?
How far is Tulum from Cancun? The distance from Cancun to Tulum is about 131 kilometers (81 miles). The journey by road takes between 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic and climatic conditions.
Is Cancun better than Tulum?
To sum it up, both Cancun and Tulum have great white sand beaches and turquoise water. However, Cancun has undoubtedly the bluest water of the entire Riviera Maya and for that reason, if you want to swim in incredibly blue water, the hotel zone in Cancun has the better beaches .
Which is better to visit Tulum or Chichen Itza?
If you are okay with crowds, then you should be fine at Chichen Itza . By virtue of being a UNESCO site and a World Wonder, Chichen Itza is pretty crowded throughout the year. Especially more so during the equinoxes. If you wish to explore Mayan ruins in some peace, then Tulum is a better option.
How far is Cancun from Mayan pyramids?
These majestic Mayan ruins are around five hours driving distance from Cancun.
Are there any Mayans left?
The Maya today number about six million people , making them the largest single block of indigenous peoples north of Peru. Some of the largest Maya groups are found in Mexico, the most important of these being the Yucatecs (300,000), the Tzotzil (120,000) and the Tzeltal (80,000).
Can you go inside Mayan temples?
No, unfortunately you can't enter the pyramids . over a year ago. only outside, they are actually fenced in.
How much is a trip to the Mayan ruins?
The access fee is $35-40 pesos (video cameras extra $30 pesos) and the visit timetable is 8 am to 5 pm, everyday. It is important to mention that it is necessary to park the your car at the shopping center's parking lot (an extra $30 pesos fee) when arriving through the main ruins entrance.
Is the Yucatan Safe 2022?
Located in the Yucatan Peninsula, you'll be venturing out into this part of Mexico if you're traveling around Merida — So you may want to know if it's also safe for visitors. In short, yes . Yucatan state, of which Merida is the capital city, is among the safest states in Mexico.
What is the best month to visit Mérida Mexico?
The best time to visit Mérida is between December and March if you're looking for dry weather and lots of things to do. Opt for a January trip to experience Mérida Fest, a huge annual celebration that honors the founding of the city.
Is Tulum Mexico safe?
According to OSAC (Overseas Security Advisory Council), Tulum is moderately safe to visit and travelers should exercise increased caution in the area. Their advisories include concerns such as cartel activity, Covid-19, contaminated water, and natural disasters.
Why is it called cochinita pibil?
The word cochinita, meaning “little pork,” comes from cochi, meaning “the one who sleeps,” because indigenous people observed that pigs went to sleep after eating . “It's a very Mayan technique updated with pork, a European ingredient,” said Cetina.
Did the Mayans eat guacamole?
Avocados and Guacamole
The Maya enjoyed many different avocado varieties and they made the first form of guacamole by combining avocados with onion, lime juice and spicy chilis ; many versions today also incorporate ingredients such as tomato, cilantro and garlic.
Is Yucatan food spicy?
Yucatan food is rarely hot , but is almost always accompanied by a salsa with a chile base. If the queen of Yucatan spices is anatto, the king is definitely Habanero chile.
