Yucatan is quite a region and there is a lot to do and see. It is almost impossible to name all the sights and activities. If you want to discover the entire region, you need at least three weeks here.

We have listed the best things to do.

1 Explore the most beautiful Mayan sites

There’s plenty to do and see here, but it’s the Mayan ruins and beautiful beaches that captivate thousands of travelers each year. This region is home to several Mayan sites, the most famous of which is of course  Chichén Itzá , but you also have Uxmal, Calakmul, Coba and Ek Balam. While you’re here, make sure you visit at least the following Mayan sites.

Chichen Itza

What Bagan is to Myanmar, or Machu Picchu is to Peru, Chichen Itza is to Mexico. It is the Maya city to visit. This pyramid is very well preserved and gives you a good insight into how the population lived thousands of years ago.

You will certainly not be the only tourist, but even in the extreme crowds, this ancient Mayan city is impressive. It is not for nothing that this place is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and that it was declared in 2006 as one of the ‘ 7 Wonders of the World ‘. An absolute must to visit.

Ek Balam

Ek Balam, also known as the ‘Black Jaguar’, was built around 800 AD. Ek Balam consists of several structures, or structures as they call it here. Two palaces and a huge pyramid called El Torre, which is located in the center of the city. The main reason it is so well known is because of its detailed construction.

Ek Balam is smaller than other complexes and you can get there fairly quickly. It is close to Mérida , Valladolid and Chichen Itzá.

Near Ek Balam is a cenote (cave) called X’Canche. This cave is about a mile away and you can swim here in beautiful clear blue water. Very nice on a hot summer day.

Try

This is perhaps the most beautiful Mayan ruin in the region. This was once the most important city in the region. The Nohoch Mul Pyramid is the tallest Mayan structure on the peninsula. Via 130 steps you climb to the top where you have an impressive view of jungles and lakes.

One of the biggest reasons that tourists come to Coba is that you can climb the 130 steps and go all the way to the top. This in contrast to other Mayan structures such as Chichén Itzá, where you are not allowed to climb.

Uxmal

Another ruin that is on the UNESCO World Heritage List is Uxmal. Once an important city and home to possibly 20,000 people. The name means ‘thrice built’ in Mayan. That doesn’t mean they weren’t good builders.

The name refers to the main structure called the ‘Pyramid of the Magician’. It is built on top of existing pyramids and has several floors. Since Uxmal is further away from other attractions in Yucatan, it is much quieter here than at other Mayan sites.

Tulum

The ruins of Tulum are without a doubt the most beautiful location of all the ruins. These defenses are all built on cliffs right along the coast, overlooking some of the Yucatan’s most beautiful white sand beaches and renowned turquoise waters.

The ruins are breathtakingly beautiful. They are not the largest, nor the best preserved, but of all the Mayan sites in Mexico, these are the most beautifully located. The ruins of Tulum are perched on 40-meter cliffs and it was one of the last cities settled by the Maya, probably as a trading port for the larger city of Coba.

Even more remarkable is that the city was still ‘in use’ for about 70 years after the Spaniards started to occupy Mexico.

2 Explore the nicest cities

Yucatan is bursting with cities and you can easily visit the nicest cities. Yucatan is also a very good region for a city trip. With a rental car you can drive from city to city and discover the special character of each city.

Merida

Merida is the capital of Yucatan and has a colonial history which naturally leads to beautiful architecture. The beautiful, pedestrian-friendly center of the city is like an open-air museum and the use of white limestone has earned Merida the nickname ‘ White City’ .

The entire city steeped in colonial history. It’s a great place to explore and to use as a base while traveling through the Yucatan. You will find atmospheric streets, nice squares and some of the best museums in the region everywhere.

Tulum Pueblo

The ruins of Tulum and the city of Tulum are often seen as one and the same. That’s not quite right. The region is known for its beautifully situated ancient Mayan sites, but Tulum also refers to a wide, white-sand beach dotted with palm trees, quaint cottages, and beach bars. Which, by the way, we found terrible .

But then you also have the city of Tulum. It is often referred to as Tulum Pueblo to distinguish it from the beach. Tulum Pueblo is a lovely beach town with cozy streets, hip restaurants and a real beach vibe.

Cancun

You’ve probably heard of Cancun. It is one of the most famous holiday destinations in the world. Cancun is to Central America what Bali is to Asia. You can actually divide it into two cities. You have a holiday resort, where thousands of tourists come every year to party, drink, chill and relax and you have a ‘real’ city.

The resort area should be your thing. It is certainly not our thing, but it remains a beautiful region. If you want to discover the real Cancun you have to go to the city, where the pace is still nice and slow, it is not so busy and the beaches are pristine.

Valladolid

Valladolid is a sleepy colonial town. It is located between Merida and Cancun and is therefore often visited by travelers. The central square is full of colonial Spanish buildings, museums and lively bars, restaurants and food stalls!

Valladolid is a good base for exploring the Yucatan as it is much smaller and quieter. In addition, it is only a 45-minute drive from Chichen Itza. You will also find Ek Balam about a 30-minute drive away.

We found Valladolid a lot more relaxed than Merida.

Izamal

It’s starting to get a bit boring, but Izamal is also an old city with a cozy, and especially colorful, center. It is one of the smaller cities in Yucatan. This used to be the place for the Mayans to honor the Mayan supreme god Itzamná and the sun god Kinich-Kakmó. There are also a number of ruins nearby.

The most famous building of Izamal, however, is the impressive monastery, which is still located in the heart of this city.

3 Chilling out on the most beautiful beaches

Since Yucatan is a peninsula, there is also plenty of coast to be found. In Mexico coast means the same as vast white beaches on beautiful blue seas. Every reason to make good use of it. These are the best beaches.

Tulum

Yes Yes! There it is again! In addition to beautiful ruins and a nice center, Tulum also has some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico . In Tulum you will find miles of white sandy beaches dotted with beach bars and accommodation.

It is not an unspoilt region and it can get quite busy, especially in high season, but that should not spoil the fun. Certainly not when you see how stunningly beautiful the beaches are here (see photos below). We could write about it for hours, but Tulum is a must-see when you’re in the Yucatan.

Holbox

Yucatán is quite touristy, especially if you only go to Cancun. Even Tulum is already quite overdeveloped. Fortunately, there is a new Tulum; Isla Holbox . Isla Holbox is an elongated island about 25 minutes by boat from the port of Chiquila.

It is a world of difference from the rest of Yucatan. It’s quiet, nice and chill. Kind of the same as Tulum only as Tulum used to be. You will experience the real relaxed island life here. Much of the island is a protected area. The Yum Balam Reserve. Here you will find sea turtles and occasionally whale sharks, among others.

There are no large hotel chains or resorts (yet), there is a small city center with a few restaurants, art boutiques and beach bars with reggae music. Oh yes… cars are not allowed here; you do everything on foot or with a golf cart.

Carmen beach

Playa del Carmen is one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. It was once a small fishing village where travelers camped on their way to Cozumel, but those days are gone. Today it is one of the most popular destinations in Yucatan.

It is sometimes called the Miami Beach of Mexico. More and more people choose Playa del Carmen instead of Cancun. Although more and more people are coming, it is not as much of a party town as other beach destinations here. It still feels nice and chill. The main point of Playa del Carmen is the street La Quinta Avenida, where you will find shops, beach bars and restaurants.

Cozumel and Akumal

If you want to experience Mexico in a special way, go to one of the most special places the country has to offer. Cozumel is an island that is actually slightly detached from the country itself. It is close to Playa del Carmen, but feels like a completely different world. It is one of the best places in Mexico for diving and snorkeling.

Akumal is located off the island of Cozumel and is known for the many turtles you can find there. It is a regular stop for many travelers traveling in the Yucatan.

Bacalar Lagoon

Laguna Bacalar is perhaps the most beautiful stretch of beach in the Yucatan and fairly unspoilt. It is quite green here compared to other parts of the peninsula. Here you will find more than 60 kilometers of beautiful sandy beaches where you can camp, swim, kayak and of course just relax.

The white sands, the turquoise water and the green forests around the beach seem fake, but it is indeed real. It is still a quiet area, especially compared to powerhouses such as Tulum and Playa del Carmen. In addition to beautiful beaches, you will also find old Spanish forts.

4 Explore the underwater world of Yucatan

Not only on the beach, but also in the sea there is plenty to do. You probably know the images of the beautiful underwater world in the Caribbean. So you can get to know that world here. You can actually dive into the sea everywhere in Yucatan armed with your mask and snorkel, because the underwater world is beautiful everywhere.

Swim with whale sharks in Isla Holbox

One of the most popular places for scuba diving is Isla Holbox, a narrow island just off the north coast of Cancun. This is home to a beautiful marine life. Not only that, you can also spot whale sharks here (with a bit of luck). You can book different tours to swim with these giants.

Spotting turtles in Akumal and Cozumel

Akumal means something like ‘the place of turtles’ . It is therefore no wonder that you will find many turtles here. The advantage is that it is free here. Pack your goggles and snorkel, dive into the water and turtles will automatically come into view. Snorkeling equipment is often available for rent on beaches.

Cozumel, which is nearby, has one of the most diverse coral reefs in the Yucatan, so diving is also very good here.

5 Visit Las Coloradas

Las Coloradas is one of the most special places in Yucatan to visit. It is about 3 hours from Cancun. Los Coloradas is a magical place where sea water turns bright pink. And then really bright pink.

We are not biologists, but it seems to be due to salt production. The pink lakes of Las Coloradas are used for the production of sea salt. The water to the lake evaporates, which leads to the growth of red algae and plankton, which turns the water red-pink. Very special to see.

The best way to visit the lakes is by rental car. It is 3 hours from Cancun, 2 hours from Valladolid. Alternatively, you can book a tour in one of the cities, but this is more expensive and you can easily get there yourself.

6 Take a boat trip

If you don’t want to go into the water yourself, but you do want to get a few things with you, then there is of course a solution for that too. It can also be nice to book a nice boat trip on the same waters in which you can dive.

Especially because the water is very clear and the same can be seen up to a considerable height when sailing.

7 Swimming in a cenote

In Yucatan you will find many cenotes where you can swim in clear blue water. A cenote is an underground cave with cool water. They are scattered throughout the Yucatan and you will not find clearer water than in one of such cenotes here.

Cenotes are the perfect way to cool off from a day at the beach. Most of these underground caves are open to the public and you can hang out there all day. They were created when the limestone soil collapsed, exposing the underground rivers.

You don’t have to look long, because there are about 8,000 scattered throughout the Yucatan. The best known are Ik Kil, Dzitnip, Azul, Dos Ojos and La Noria. You can even dive in some caves because they are so deep!

8 Drive the Puuc Route (Ruta Puuc)

The Puuc Route is one of the fun things to do in the Yucatan. This route takes you past five ancient Mayan sites about 85 kilometers south of Merida. Its collection of well-preserved towering pyramids and grand palaces has made it a must-visit for culture-loving travelers.

From the moment you leave Mérida and begin your journey along narrow country roads, you feel transported to another time and place. A winding road of hills, valleys and rivers leads to ancient Mayan cities .

The big advantage is that it is much quieter here than well-known Mayan sites. With your own rental car, this is the perfect trip. It takes you past these sites:

• uxmal
• Kabah
• Saul
• Xlapak
• Labna

9 Visit the Hacienda Yaxcopoil

Hacienda Yaxcopoil is a restored colonial-era plantation  in Mexico. Built in the 18th century, the hacienda was originally used to produce henequen , a type of agave plant used to make rope and other products.

The hacienda also had a chapel, a main house and several other buildings. Today the hacienda has been restored and turned into a museum , giving you a glimpse into the region’s history and way of life

You can visit the main building, the chapel and other buildings of the hacienda.

10 Discover the Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve

When you have seen enough cities and architecture, visit the Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve. This is a protected area on the west coast of the peninsula. The reserve is home to a wide variety of bird species, including the pink flamingo , the best-known species of bird in the reserve.

The reserve also protects mangrove forests, swamps and beaches and is an important stopover for migratory birds. You will also find crocodiles, manatees and a variety of fish and other marine life here. You can take tours of the reserve, including boat trips through the mangrove forests and bird watching excursions.

Yucatán route

Here you can chill under palm trees on bounty beaches while enjoying a Corona, swim with whale sharks and turtles and get lost in ancient Mayan ruins. We visited the peninsula for 2.5 weeks, but should have taken longer for this.

Plan at least a week in your itinerary for this peninsula. Our route took us from Cancun to Holbox, Valladolid, Chichen Itza, Coba, Tulum and Bacalar .

Where to stay in Yucatan

The time when all Yucatan travelers stayed in Cancun is (fortunately) over. There are so many more beautiful places to stay on this peninsula. Whether you are looking for a beachfront bungalow, a small hostel or a mega resort. Yucatan has it all.

The best places to spend the night are;

In one of the cities

In most cases, a trip to the Yucatan region means as much as a stay in Merida. The capital of Yucatán. However, there are also other cities such as Tulum, Valladolid and Izamal. Booking in time is generally a guarantee of getting a good room in a good hotel.

Moreover, you can also experience everything here and it is an easy base.

Prefer the sea?

No matter how beautiful the cities are; if you are in Yucatan, spending the night on the beach is so nice. The best places to stay on the beach are Playa del Carmen (a longstanding favorite), Tulum, Holbox, Cozumel, Akumel and Bacalar.

Transportation in Yucatan

There are a few ways to get from A to B in the Yucatan. The best known are the bus and your own rental car. You can also rent scooters, but that’s better if you don’t want to travel too far.

With the bus

If you do not want or cannot rent a car, you can also travel by bus. Bus transport is well organized here so it’s not that bad. The most famous buses are those of the ADO bus network . You can buy your tickets online so you don’t necessarily have to go to the bus station.

Buses run very regularly between all the famous places. Buses run very regularly between all the famous places.

You can also travel with colectivos, just like the locals. However, it is a bit tighter, so not so convenient with a lot of luggage.

Best travel time

The best months to travel to the Yucatan are November through April. It is then the high season and therefore a bit busier. If you want to travel to Yucatan in our summer months, you can do that too. It is a bit warmer and there is a little more rain.

Peak season

The high season runs from December to April. The most popular tourist destinations such as Cancun and Cozumel are filled with vacationers and it can get very crowded on beaches and at Mayan sites. It is the nicest period with many activities.

Low season

While high season is fun, it can also get very busy. Therefore, the low season can also be fun. It is less busy and chaotic and you experience more the typical Caribbean way of life. The only exception to this is Cancún which is actually busy all year round.

During the low season, the afternoon temperature can rise above 35 degrees. Traveling into the interior of the Yucatan can get quite hot because you don’t have any sea breeze there either.