In Mexico there is a paradise where you will find beaches with waters of wonderful green, blue and pink tones, a capital full of attractions that perfectly mix modernity with antiquity, and unique security that is reflected in the tranquility and friendliness of its people, four Magical Towns, each one has an incredible history; a culture with such strong roots that it goes back to the origin of all time; In addition, connectivity that will allow you to comfortably travel distances to exceptional places, Yucatan has all of this and more.
Yucatan has 18 archaeological zones that you can visit, there are many more, but the rest are closed to the public. In each one, you will discover endless stories and legends of the first civilizations in the world, and a culture that is still alive reflected in its traditions and customs. Before planning the route, check availability on the yucatan.travel page
Chichén Itzá, the heart of the Mayan world, is an essential visit in Yucatán. Just 45 minutes from Valladolid is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. The “Boca del pozo de los Itzáes” – meaning of the name in Mayan – is a city surrounded by mysticism and history that you can explore day and night. Kukulkan nights are highly recommended.
Uxmal is another of the great beauties hidden in the Yucatecan jungle. “The three times built” is the main settlement of the architecture of the Puuc Region, as it was the seat of the peninsular Mayan political and economic power in the Puuc region. It was also named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and its majesty is characterized by having low and horizontal palaces. The Pyramid of the Fortune Teller, the Quadrangle of the Nuns, and the Governor’s Palace are some of the buildings that emerge from this area.
The Yucatecan Haciendas are a mandatory stop on your visit, as they give you the opportunity to learn about the origin of what is known as “the time of green gold”, which was characterized by the luxury and comforts with which wealthy families lived. Built between the 17th and 19th centuries, the haciendas are considered Yucatan’s architectural treasures. Undoubtedly, they are spaces that create an atmosphere to appreciate unique experiences surrounded by vegetation, fauna and mysticism.
Valladolid, the Capital of the Mayan World, is located right in the middle of the two most important cities of the Yucatan Peninsula: Mérida and Cancún, both approximately 160 km away from each other. A beautiful destination that maintains the beauty of its colonial buildings. You will be able to find a deep-rooted culture, history, legends, crafts, and exquisite gastronomy with the natural component in its cenotes.
Izamal, “The city of the three cultures”, will dazzle you upon arrival. The famous yellow town is full of history and beauty in its emblematic streets. It is one of the oldest cities in the region (older than Chichén Itzá and Uxmal). Here you will find the convent of San Antonio de Padua, with the second-largest closed atrium in the world, as well as all the secrets in the corners of its yellow facades.
Maní, “The place where everything happened” was founded in 1549. The visit must include the convent of San Miguel Arcángel, a jewel of sacred art, the Cenote Xcabach’e’en, the meliponarios where you will discover the home of the sacred bees for the Mayans and gastronomy made by traditional cooks.
In the municipality of Hunucmá there is a traditional fishing village. Sisal was the port of arrival of goods for the rest of the state during the Colony. Today it is the ideal place for lovers of nature and ecotourism. Bird watching and a walk through the mangroves are activities that you will enjoy to the fullest.
Most of the Yucatecan beaches are inhabited by local people, always friendly and helpful, ready to receive their visitors; Other beaches are paradises with no nearby houses, making them virgin places where you can enjoy nature in all its splendor.
Progreso Welcome to the emerald-green paradise. Progreso is the first high-altitude port and the most important on the Yucatecan coast. Here you can find activities such as yoga, horseback riding, windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, swimming, paddle boarding, kiteboarding, and bike rides. Its shallow waters rest on fine white sand beaches to enjoy paradise accompanied by excellent cuisine and beautiful sunsets from the boardwalk.
Celestún is the most precious ecotourism paradise in the region. It has several springs where you can carry out different activities and find more than 400 species of migratory birds and other domestic ones, including the pink flamingo, a bird that, in Mexico, you can only observe for long periods of time in Yucatan. Its landscape is exceptional, and it is part of the world heritage of the special reserve of the Celestún biosphere, officially declared a fauna refuge in 1979.
The years have passed and what began as a timber port, today is one of the most special corners of Yucatan, El Cuyo. Right at the end of the emerald coast, El Cuyo is a place for ecotourism or adventure. This place will amaze you since the sea has a very special color, thanks to the fact that the waters of the Gulf of Mexico rub against those of the Caribbean Sea, creating a gallery of green and blue tones that contrast impressively with the sunsets.
Río Lagartos is the ideal place to obtain the purest contact with nature. The area was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1979, in order to preserve the ecosystem, as well as the more than 250 species that inhabit it. Bird watching is recommended, such as the pink flamingo that when it is not in Celestún, is in Río Lagartos. You will also be able to observe crocodiles walking in the mangrove tunnels and much more. In this area, there is a unique experience, the Mayan bath, which is an ancient practice full of benefits for your skin, do not hesitate to do it.
Yucatan is a destination that has peace and rest for those looking to relax, but also fun and adrenaline for lovers of adventures and extreme sports. Some of the ideal places to do both are the cenotes, natural formations that for many years have paved the way to create paradises of clear and fresh waters, the key for anyone who wants to enjoy nature or live an adventure. Diving, snorkeling, rappelling or zip-lining, excitement or pure tranquility, with more than 3,000 cenotes to discovering.
Variety of colors smells, and flavors, Yucatecan gastronomy is one of the most important legacies that the Mayan culture could offer us, together with the contribution of the Hispanic culture that brought with it products that were not typical of the region.
The Yucatecan appetizers, dishes, and desserts made in sweet, salty, and sour combinations are a unique experience and an indescribable explosion of flavors, which is why several restaurants have dedicated themselves to rescuing and preserving these gastronomic traditions, but they have also reinvented Yucatecan cuisine bringing to the maximum the union of endemic ingredients to generate one of the most unique and exquisite flavor experiences that there can be, in order to show the world what Yucatan is made of.
