Yucatan, in Mexico, was once the wealthiest place in the whole world — things may have changed a little on this front, but this destination remains rich in historical sights, stunning locales, and vibrant cultural events.
If you’re planning a trip to Yucatan, you may have trouble finding space on your itinerary for all the fantastic things to see and do in the area – but we can help! Below you’ll find our list of the seven must-experience spots in Yucatan to visit during your stay. But first…
Preparing For Your Trip
Before jetting off on your vacation, there are a few essential things that you need to know or take care of.
First, ensure total peace of mind by getting your home security systems up to par prior to your trip. A holistic solution may be ideal, allowing you to remotely access lighting, cameras, and more; a solution that will alert you to flood or fire as well as the presence of intruders, is a great idea. Have a look at Vivint for more information on one such security system.
In terms of plug sockets, Mexico mainly uses Type A and Type B sockets, as are used in the rest of the US. However, if you’ll be flying in from another country, you’ll need to bring along a universal adapter to connect your devices to the power supply.
You’ll also need to check in good time whether you’ll require a Visa for your trip to Mexico: the vast majority of travelers from the USA, Canada, Japan, and most countries in Europe won’t need one, but it’s essential to confirm this before traveling.
Visit Izamal: The Yellow Town
Izamal is built on a site formerly home to several Mayan pyramids; one remains overlooking the town that can be climbed. Plus, Mayan remains widely spoken by the townsfolk today.
Most of the building’s walls and facades were painted a golden yellow to honor a visit from the Pope in 1993, and they’ve never been returned to their former shade, so the town remains a glorious riot of warm color. And if you get footsore as you explore its street? Why not finish your tour via horse-drawn carriage?
Sample Mayan Food in Valladolid
A sleepy colonial town situated on the site of an ancient Mayan settlement, Valladolid is a must-visit for its range of food stalls and restaurants where you can sample traditional Mayan fare.
The Spanish-inspired buildings and museums also make for a fascinating day visit.
Take In Chichen Itza
Of course, no visit to Yucatan would be complete without a visit to the world-famous UNESCO heritage site Chichen Itza, including the Kukulcan Temple’s ruins. The site covers five square kilometers, and you’ll be able to take in plenty of exposed archaeology on your trip.
Booking a guided tour is likely to be a great idea if this is your first visit to Chichen Itza to ensure you get to see all of the site’s highlights.
Discover Las Colorados
Approximately a three-hour drive from Cancun, you’ll find a magical location: a biosphere reserve where the sea water turns a beautiful, vibrant shade of pink – the phenomenon is down to the huge levels of red algae, brine shrimp, and plankton present.
As well as the lakes, why not take the opportunity to visit the scenic village of the same name? And look out for the flocks of flamingos that are regular visitors to this very special habitat, too.
Swim in a Cenote
A cenote is an underground cave filled with fresh water, and Yucatan boasts plenty of them! These natural swimming spots were formed when the limestone bedrock gave way to reveal the underground rivers below, and many are very popular places to cool off on a hot Mexican day.
Experienced scuba divers that are PADI qualified may want to take their adventure to the next level when exploring these cenotes; Yucatan is one of the foremost locations in the world for cave diving.
Let Your Hair Down in Cancun!
‘Cancun’ roughly translates as ‘pot of snakes’ in Mayan – and the city’s exciting, ‘never stays still’ atmosphere is a testament to the suitability of its name!
Known for its multitude of bars and perpetual parties, Cancun has a lot going for it when it comes to adventure activities; whether you fancy swimming with whale sharks, learning to scuba dive, having a go at jet skiing, or relaxing on a sunset cruise, you’ll have the opportunity to do so in this city.
Practice Yoga in Tulum
And if you’re feeling a little tired after a week of checking out some of the most amazing sights Yucatan offers? Then why not round off your break with a trip to one of Tulum’s stunning beaches to relax and join an ocean-side yoga session to relax and recharge?
And once you’re re-energized, you could always rent a beach cruiser bicycle to explore more of the local coastline or visit the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve to check out the incredible mangrove forests and maybe hop on one of the regularly departing wildlife tours
