Yucatan Peninsula is a separate entity, geographically split from the rest of Mexico has its own, unique atmosphere, friendly locals and pleasantly reflexive lifestyle that attracts quite a lot of North Americans and Europeans who moved here making their new home. Paseo de Montejo as the “Champs Elysees” of Mérida. Wikipedia describes that Parisian avenue as “a prestigious avenue with cinemas, cafés, luxury specialty shops and clipped chestnut trees.” If you are looking to do something different, something the whole world has not done yet, and you have already visited Mayan ruins, Mérida’s Centro Historico is a place to see. More than ever, visitors to Mérida and the surrounding Mayan ruins are leaving a day or two in their schedule to visit the colonial city of Campeche
Half way between Merida and Cancun is a lovely city Valladolid, bustling with Mayan and colonial flavors blend in one. Next to it there is CHICHEN ITZA, the famous Mayan pyramids are over 1500 years old and are located only 75 miles from Mérida.
Cenotes, underground sinkholes are the natural wonders of the state of Yucatán. The quirky but lovely temple and ex-convent of Santo Domingo is in Uayma, a small town of 2500 inhabitants about 15 km. northwest of Valladolid. CancúnKnown as one of the most popular tourist resorts in the world, Cancún was nothing but a sleepy fishing village until 1974, when the Mexican government decided on developing beautiful coast and golden beaches into a tourist paradise.
Since Chichén Itzá was named one of the Seven New Wonders of the World on July 7th, 2007, the site has been inundated with tourism from Yucatán. As their slogan says, Izamal is “so much more than a day trip.” And with that in mind, if you are looking for a little piece of paradise with the evangelist mission of the Franciscans.
Now doesn’t that sound wonderful? Magical towns? Yes, Mexico has 35 towns that are considered magical and one of them is here in the Yucatán… Every traveler to Yucatán should include a visit to one of the many haciendas in the region, most of which at one time were part of the history of “green gold. Less than 35 minutes from Mérida lies another world – La Costa Esmeralda – the Emerald Coast. In its role as the hub of Yucatán’s coastal communities, PROGRESO is something of a paradox. Its laid-back ambience is still appealing most of the year. Dzibilchaltún is the “place where there is writing on the stones,” referring to the many memorial stones found at the site. Next is the Calcehtok caves and the ruins at Oxkintoc. Tucked away in the jungle where Yucatan meets the neighboring state of Quintana Roo near the Gulf Coast, sits Punta Laguna Natural Reserve. Preserve and conserve the biodiversity of the Yucatán. Open to the public by invitation or by reservation of groups of 15 people, The Kiuic reserve is located about 2.5 hours driving time from Mérida, in the Puuc (hilly) region. The Kankirixché cenote got its name from the kankirixche tree, the tree with yellow fruit. An antique wooden buggy type of cart pulled by a horse is the mode of transportation used on the almost-famous “Cuzamá cenote trip.”
The state of Yucatán not only has many Mayan pyramids, various colonial cities and 250 km. of sandy beaches, it also has some 900,000 acres of cattle, horse and farmland. Ticul referred to as the Pearl of the South, this bustling city is located 60 miles south of Mérida in the Puuc region. It is on both the Convent and Puuc Route. Caves, colonial buildings, and Mayan pyramids are what make Tekax (tay-KAHSH) so special. Located in the southern part of the Yucatán, 78 miles below Merida.
More enticing than ever, The Convent Route is a day trip that will take you somewhat off the beaten path and into the heart of the Yucatán. Considered to be one of the most beautiful Mayan archaeological sites, Tulum is by no means the largest.
