A Cultural Tour of the Yucatan
Visit Mayan Ruins, Swim in Cenotes, Stay in Valladolid and Tulum
Nov 23, 2008
Tour the Yucatán visiting world-famous archeological sites of the Maya. Begin in Merida, the beautiful capital of the state of Yucatán. Then spend a few days in the colonial city of Valladolid. For fun in the sun, head to the coast to Tulum.
Maya Ruins and Colonial Charm
Visit the Pre-Hispanic town of Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This well-preserved Maya ruin is said to have been built exceptionally well, leaving it in better condition than many other Maya sites. Drive to Valladolid and stay at Casa Quetzal, a lovely privately owned inn that’s located in a quiet residential area of Valladolid within walking distance of the town square. For a place closer to all of the action, the beautiful old colonial Hotel El Meson del Marques is right on the plaza.
Experience Chichén Itzá. Learn about life in Chichén Itzá and the Maya culture that has survived since. See the famous Feathered Serpent at the base of El Castillo, the pyramid that Chichén Itzá is famous for. Walk in the Great Ball Court with walls 12 meters high. After a few hours of exploring the ruins, swim in one of the thousands of cenotes that Yucatán is famous for.
A New Discovery
Visit the newly discovered Ek’ Balam. Some are saying that this could be the new Chichén Itzá, even though it’s essentially unknown to most of the world. When excavation began in 1995, it became obvious that Ek’ Balam had been an important city. By 2002, 40 buildings had been unearthed—still only 20 percent of the city. The tomb of King Ukit-Kan Lek (A.D. 790-835) resides in the 104-foot-high Acropolis, also called “La Torre.” It was found full of ceramic vessels, jade ritual objects, obsidian blades, and conch shells, evidence of extreme wealth and power. It’s one of the largest Maya buildings in the Yucatán Peninsula and just six feet shorter than the pyramid of Kukulkan in Chichén Itzá. And once again, after exploring under the hot Yucatán sun, Cenote X'keken is close by for an afternoon dip.
Pink Flamingos in Ria Lagartos
Ria Lagartos is a protected Biosphere Reserve with the world’s largest nesting grounds for pink flamingos. The 150,000 acre reserve has a mangrove-lined estuary with over 350 different species of birds, crocodiles, jaguars, and endangered marine turtles. Small boats with an English-speaking nature guide who is certified for the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve take visitors into the estuary to watch the elegant flamingos in their natural habitat. . After the expedition lunch at the Isla Contoy is always delightful with plenty of freshly caught fish. About seven miles west of Ria Lagartos, San Felipe’s Cementario Municipal is “the happiest cemetery in the world.” Behind a pink stucco wall and baby-blue gate lies a whimsically decorated graveyard, exemplifying the healthy attitude about death as celebrated with Dia de los Muertos.
Fun in the Sun along the Riviera Maya
It's impossible to tour the Yucatan without experiencing the turquoise waters of the Riviera Maya. Along the way visit Coba in the state of Quintana Roo. This large city ruin is built around two lagoons and has several pyramids, the tallest is 140 feet high. Forty-four kilometers away is Tulum, a fabulous ruin on the Caribbean. This is where the laid back fun-in-the-sun crowd hangs out, wiggling their toes in the sand while sipping a beer under a palapa.
Weeks can be spent meandering along the coast to Cancun. Playa del Carmen is a happening tourist mecca where the ferry stops between the mainland and Cozumel. Closer to Cancun is Puerto Morales, a small fishing village that is becoming home to many ex-pats.
From Merida to Cancun there's a plethora of things to do.
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