When planning a road trip, be sure to consider the Yucatan option. This peninsula is ideal for such purposes and is guaranteed to surprise you with its natural, cultural, and architectural riches. Here, everyone will find their favorite place and enjoy an unforgettable adventure. Before you set off, we suggest you study our travel guide. It will help you have a great time and fall in love with Yucatan forever.
Features of a road trip in Yucatan
It’s not for nothing that Yucatan is called the unknown. It conceals many secrets that will only be revealed to persistent travelers. You must choose the proper transport to enjoy your trip and learn many new things. It must be reliable, economical and safe. An excellent option would be to buy it at AZ auto auctions and other similar sites where used and damaged cars are sold. In this case, you can save money and, after repairs, get the ideal transport for traveling around the Yucatan.
Although Mexico has a relatively high crime rate, it is significantly lower in the Yucatan. However, neglecting personal safety rules and leaving your vehicles unattended is unnecessary. The most significant thefts occur at night, so driving around the peninsula at this time is not recommended. You also need to be careful when using cash.
The optimal point to start your trip will be Cancun. Here, you will find everything you need, from hotels for an overnight stay before your trip to dozens of car rental services (for those who do not have their own transport). Next, it is advisable to move counterclockwise, visiting all known locations along the way.
Most popular route points
Cancun
Most travelers by car begin their adventure from this resort city. It has many places to relax, restaurants, shops, and beaches. If you’re not in a hurry, you can enjoy the sun to your heart’s content and be well prepared for a long trip deep into the peninsula. Cancun also entertains children and adults. There are various museums, parks, and places for diving, surfing, kayaking and more.
Valladolid
If you want to communicate with the descendants of the Mayans, then do not forget to stop by Valladolid. This settlement is thoroughly imbued with history, which harmoniously combines with the modern realities of famous tourist cities. If you wish, you can walk along the narrow streets, try traditional Mayan food, and enjoy the beauty and grandeur of various architectural monuments. Of course, there are also great places for photography. The photographs you take will become the pearls of your collection and will forever preserve the memories of your trip.
Ek Balam
Among the fantastic places in Yucatan is Ek Balam, which you will find if you drive north from Valladolid. It is just a few minutes’ drive from Cenote Suytun, so you won’t have to waste much of your precious time. This popular tourist site hides the secrets of the Mayan people. Here, you can see the ruins of an ancient city surrounded by robust defensive structures. Entering the territory of what was once a large settlement, you can see many temples, an acropolis, a city square, a palace and many other exciting things.
X’canche
Just a few tens of minutes from Ek Balam is Cenote X’canche. This site, still unknown to most tourists, is surrounded by wild nature on all sides. In its center is a lake with clear blue water, where swimming is allowed. Along the edges of the cenote are wooden stairs for going down and up. They were built long ago, so you need to walk on them as carefully as possible.
Chichen Itza
Once back in your car, we recommend heading to Chichen Itza. This unique architectural monument is one of the UNESCO-protected sites and is considered the most popular place in Yucatan. Chichen Itza was home to a major Mayan city. People disappeared in it 1000 years ago, but even today, it seems as cozy and comfortable as possible. The main building here is the Temple of Kukulkan. It is a 9-step pyramid, the height of which is 24 meters. Also, Chichen Itza has an observatory, cenote, many other temples, stadiums, and colonnades.
Merida
Merida is the business and cultural capital of Yucatan. You will come across it if you go deep into the peninsula. Even if you leave Valladolid, getting to Merida will only take a few hours. Having reached the city, you must leave the car and walk along its streets. You will meet hundreds of small and large shops, cafes, and restaurants on the way. Next you can go to the main square. It is surrounded by various architectural masterpieces, which are not equal in North America. After sunset, you can explore the local museums, most dedicated to Mayan history.
Tulum
You can end your fantastic adventure in Tulum. This Mexican resort is known for its beautiful sandy beaches. In addition to them, there is the Sian Ka’an Nature Reserve, which will appeal to all nature lovers. Of course, this city of Yucatan cannot do without objects left over from Mayan times. There are many stunning cenotes here, each worthy of your attention.
Travel tips
Before you go on your trip, learn some helpful tips. They will provide an opportunity to cope with various difficulties and enhance the positive impressions of the trip. You should choose the most compact transport for road trips in Yucatan. It will use less fuel and reduce the cost of travel. Also, this car will be able to better maneuver on the roads of large Mexican cities. It will not attract the attention of law-abiding lovers who hunt for various tourists’ valuables.
The best time to travel to Yucatan is from late winter to mid-spring. At this time, there is practically no precipitation on the peninsula, which can ruin any trip. If you also want to save money, try coming at the beginning of December. Currently, there are a minimum number of tourists in Yucatan, so prices for food and entertainment are significantly reduced.
There are several toll roads in Yucatan. If you are not the wealthiest traveler, then try to avoid them. This will lead to some loss of time but will provide an opportunity to save on various entertainment. Also, don’t forget to take a Spanish dictionary with you. You’ll need it to read warning messages and interpret some road signs correctly.
Yucatan is an unexplored region where only a few car travel enthusiasts have been. This place surprises you with its nature, makes you enjoy ancient architectural sights and allows you to get to know the culture of the local population better. If all this interests you, quickly gather your friends and relatives, jump into your car and hit the road. We guarantee you will have a lot of fun.
