Best places to visit in the Peninsula of Yucatan in Mexico
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The blog post is about the best places to visit in the Peninsula of Yucatán in Mexico, and it is up to you to decide. Because Mexico has so much to offer, knowing something about the place is beneficial. We attempted to organize the destinations in order to provide you with a starting point for making your decisions.
So let’s begin with your goals. What do you want to do? Do you want to take a fun day trip to a town with a different atmosphere, or do you want to lay down on a beach? This list is going to help you with bullet points and later on, we are going to cut down to smaller blog posts by area.
Quintana Roo
Obviously, we have to start from Quintana Roo because you’re probably going to land in Cancún. So let’s cover this state first.
Quintana Roo is regarded as Mexico’s top vacation spot. It’s a tropical destination with a lot to offer. Quintana Roo is thought to be the nicest site to visit in Mexico. This is not the case; Mexico has some fantastic places to explore. If you enjoy the beach, this is the place to go. They have magnificent white sand beaches and going for a swim is available. However, even if you are not a beach person, you should visit Quintana Roo since it is stunning. They have lovely towns and cities, as well as plenty of things to do.
Just be aware that this state is quite dangerous nowadays, in 2021 October there were tourists who died in the shooting. Just be careful and go to more touristic parts and do not wander around, This place is owned by drug cartels that want to make money from you. Sometimes bad things can happen.
In QR we recommend visiting Bacalar, Tulum and Playa del Carmen.
Cancún
We are not going to say what we are not thinking so, please do not stay in Cancún. Cancún is for older travellers who have money to spend and likes to stay in comfort in a hotel. Otherwise, it is not fun and not interesting. But! If you are enjoying being in an all-inclusive resort that has all the amenities, then go for it!
Tulum
Tulum is a little town with a lovely beach that is highly popular due to its stunning position. It is breathtaking!! It is more like a hippie place with bungalows and on the other hand expensive hotels. You can also explore the city and visit the museum, as it is fascinating to learn about the region’s history. Nearby, there is a marine turtle reserve, and you may also go diving. But, again, it is not wow! Why? Because during these years it became over popular with influencers, and somehow it lost its sparkle. We can share with you amazing hidden places. Instagram-worthy ones! In Mexico, the good thing is that you don’t have to go with a flow, and you can still find breathtaking places. Although this, we recommend seeing the Caribbean coast and having a sip of Margarita on the beach.
Playa del Carmen
Our favourite! But still touristic, really much. If Tulum is like a hippie place, then this is Paris or something like that. The infrastructure is better developed and the hotels are also. Here you found more locals living and we think it’s more liveable. The right blend of tourists and residents may be found in Playa del Carmen. There is a good range of restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs in this area. It is more of a party city than a tourism destination. The beach is lovely, and you can admire the view of a sunset or sunrise from here.
Plus! You can access Cozumel and Isla Mujeres from here. (later we can link here this blog post)
Bacalar
Bacalar may be considered a little town, but if you’re seeking the lovely and unspoiled, we propose staying in the charming town of Bacalar. On this gorgeous island with white sand and turquoise ocean, you may feel as if you are the only one there. You may go swimming or tour the little communities and learn about the culture. You will get the finest experience because there is no touristy stuff here. 100% recommended and must-visit. There are no words for the view.
Yucatán
It is Juan’s home state, so we stayed here for a longer time. We love it! It is safer, away from the crowds. And it is the home of the Mayan ruins. Also, if you are a digital nomad then this is your place to live because Merida is for nomads. Not that touristic, but you can still access everything by ADO buses or by car.
In Yucatán we recommend visiting in a short time: Merida, Celestún, Dzibilchaltún, Valladolid, Las coloradas.
Merida
The city of Merida has a lot to offer visitors. The capital city is known as the cultural capital, with a wealth of tourism, history, and architecture to offer. The city is separated into two halves, one being the old town and the other being the modern city. The traditional centre, the old town, offers a really nice vibe. There are numerous excellent museums, including the Museum of Anthropology and the Museum of Modern Art, as well as some beautiful beaches like Celestún. Museums can be closed due to COVID restrictions, so before you would visit them, please call them. If it is open, you definitely need reservations.
You will not be disappointed if you are a nature lover. The surrounding area is not large, yet there are some interesting locations to explore.
Celestún
This is the place where you can see flamingos wild! A white-sanded island with a turquoise sea. The island’s natural splendour will undoubtedly enchant you. It’s a spot where you may relax and unwind.
Las Coloradas
It is called the pink lagoon. It is a must-visit, because when you can see pink lagoons in your life? Probably only in Mexico!
Chichen Itza
Chichén Itzá is a complex of Mayan ruins on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. A massive step pyramid, known as El Castillo or Temple of Kukulcan.
Apart from being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and being part of the seven modern wonders of the world, Chichen Itza is well-known for the famous event called ‘Equinox’ where every 20–22 march and 22–24 September, the sun of the late afternoon creates the illusion of a snake creeping slowly down the northern staircase!
Many tourists come around the world just to see this beautiful phenomenon, so if you are around, those dates are definitely a must-see!
You can go there during the day and explore all the ruins that are around there or enjoy the night exhibitions with the storytelling of the Mayas on the ruins with amazing mapping!
You can find tickets and more information right here
Valladolid
Our favourite. It is cute and it still has its charm. Vibrant. Authentic. Unique. Valladolid is the epitome of true Mexican culture. Valladolid, Mexico is a fantastic hidden treasure deep in the Yucatán rainforest of Mexico. It has everything, like ruins and cenotes and cute restaurants. And good food! Cenotes are a must:
Cenote Suytun is possibly Mexico’s most renowned cenote due to its Instagram-friendly nature! Cenote Zaci — located in the heart of town, it’s a terrific location to cool down.
Dzibilchaltún
Another hidden gem, but a must! It has its cool ruin and a cenote!! And here you can see iguanas running everywhere, so if you are up for a wild experience, this is the place!
Ch’iy Chan Ti’Ho was Dzibilchaltun’s native name. On the spring equinox, the sun shines through the entryway of the Temple of the Seven Dolls, making this a well-known location. It is easily accessible from Merida.
This is just a small list of places to visit, but it can help you when you start to travel to Mexico. This list is far from a detailed list, but you can find in our blog the detailed version for every city and destination. Like in Latin American countries, you will need a car to visit cenotes and hidden places. Read more on our blog for more tips.
Currently, there are certain restrictions if you travel to Mexico, not as many as in other places, but if you want to know more about what its like to travel to Mexico during COVID-19 you can read our post here!
