Mexico’s most popular vacation destination situated between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, Yucatan Peninsula is a place to be. Blending the pre-Columbian, Colonial and modern day culture and a variety of unique and diverse natural wonders, it makes for a great hotspot, with numerous fabulous beaches, wonderful archaeological sites, interesting museums, and enchanting colonial cities.
People flock to this piece of haven to explore the mysterious underground river systems accessing them through cenotes, marvel at and swim with the largest fish in the world, the Whaleshark and sample the varied and tasty Yucatan cuisine from typical Mayan dishes to modern day Mexican favorite. If you a traveler with plenty of energy and a hankering to see it all, then the awe-inspiring Yucatan Peninsula is a place right for you!
Beaches
The Yucatan Peninsula is a haven for beach lovers. This is because the tourist resort towns of Cancun and Playa Del Carmen offer some of the best beaches in the world, drawing millions of travelers from the US and all over the world. People enjoy simply lying on the golden sandy beaches and enjoying breathtaking views of the warm crystal-clear blue seas. More adventurers indulge in a variety of watersports from diving, to kayaking to sailing and more. Yucatan’s beaches are filled with stylish, luxury beachfront resorts and cabanas, with more restaurants, nightlife and activities than any other resort destination in the country. Fantastic beaches are also found in the Isla de Mujeres, a small island located a short ferry ride northeast of Cancun, Mayan Riviera, Cozumel and Costa Maya.
The best season to enjoy the beach in Yucatan is from January to April, when the weather is warm, with lots of sunshine and generally dry. The only minus is that at this season beaches can get rather crowded. However, if you want to enjoy the Yucatan Beaches when they are less crowded but still want to experience the good weather, then the month of September is a good choice.
Mayan Ruins
Apart from beaches for many travelers, the peninsula’s Maya ruins are the biggest draw. They simply abound on the peninsula and have become one of the most photographed attractions Yucatan has on offer. Noteworthy are the magnificent archaeological site of Ek’Balam in Merida – Yucatan’s capital city; the Chichen Itza with the pyramid Kukulcan being the tallest of the eighteen structures restored over the years; Uxmal ruins, which are the best on the peninsula; and the Yaxchilan archaeological site found deep in jungle of Chiapas.
Nature Reserves
The Yucatan Peninsula is home to several nature reserves and ecological sites, ideal for those wishing to experience the many varieties of flora and fauna in their natural environment. Rio Lagartos is definitely one of the most popular, famous for its thousands of flamingos that nest here from April to August, building their odd mud mounds in the shallows, each containing its one egg. A bout tour is a perfect way to enjoy a splendid view of these exotic pink birds wading in their salty habitat. Isla Contoy is another well-known nature reserve in Yucatan Peninsula, where visitors can indulge in bird watching, snorkel or else laze out on the beach.
Do not miss out the many ecotours available on Yucatan Peninsula from biking and wildlife watching to kayaking and archeology, and even more!
