Top Things to do in Yucatan
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The 10 Best Things to do Good for Adrenaline Seekers in Yucatan, Yucatan
Discover the best top things to do in Yucatan, Yucatan Peninsula including Templo de Kukulkan, Uxmal, Ruta Puuc, Homun Cenotes, Yucatan Cenote Eco-Aventuras, Zazil Tunich, Cenote Jardin del Eden, Gran Juego de Pelota, Temple of the Warriors, Zona Arqueologica de Dzibilchaltun.
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1. Templo de Kukulkan
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,178 reviews
This impressive pyramid dominates Chichén Itzá's landscape, standing an imposing 24 meters high.
Reviewed By B1714D - Belgrade, Serbia
Well, this is the main attraction of Chichen Itza and one of the most famous landmarks in the world. It's enlisted in the new seven wonders of the world. It's full name is Temple of Kukulkan - a feather divine beast adorned by Maya which had supernatural powers. On El Castillo, Kukulkan is carved twisted on both sides of the northern stairway. It's so immaculately built that only twice a year, during the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sun illuminates its entire length from top to bottom (amazing, see it on Youtube). Besides that there're more interesting facts - the pyramid has 9 levels plus the Temple on top. Each side's staircase has 91 stairs, which multiplied by 4 sides and the Temple on top makes the grand total of 365 (days in year).
2. Uxmal
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 330 reviews
Reviewed By Sarah6333851 - New Haven, United States
If you visit one Mayan site in the Yucatán, you should go to Uxmal. We had the place to ourselves. Hire a personal guide inside the gate. You can climb the Great Pyramid - an amazing experience. Large iguanas are everywhere. Eat lunch at the hacienda across the road from the entrance.
3. Ruta Puuc
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 558 reviews
Reviewed By JimP988 - Los Angeles, United States
The main site, Uxmal, is perhaps the most beautiful in all of Yucatan, though it is worth the effort to hire a guide to see Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak, and Labna, which are just down the road. You can stay at Uxmal, Ticul, or Santa Elena.
4. Homun Cenotes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By BrittanyMExplores - Winnipeg, Canada
I visited five amazing and unique lesser known cenotes in the town of Homun which is an area of the Yucatan known for its many cenotes. I didn't use a tour to go here and just figured out a DIY version on my own, which was a fun adventure in itself! I started off by taking a colectivo van from Merida to Homun, which took around an hour to arrive. The colectivos were located on Calle 67 across from the Noreste Bus Terminal. The drivers were often yelling out Homun, so just confirm with the driver that this is where they are going before getting in. The one-way ride was around 30 pesos. I had told the driver that I wanted to see cenotes, so he dropped me off on the edge of town at the corner of Calle 19 and the Restaurante El Cenote. I followed the gravel road a short ways which led to two beautiful cenotes (Cenote Pool Uinic and Cenote Tza-Ujun-Kat), which appeared to be located on a local family's property. The family came out and was eager to show me to the first cenote - Cenote Uinic - as I was their first visitor of the day. The mother of the family led me down a gravel pathway which led to the entrance of the cenote. There was a small hole in the ground with a large tree growing out of it and the entrance to the cenote was down a steep set of stairs down a second small hole. The stairs led to an open area with a few more steps leading further down to the completely closed cenote in a small cave area with a small pool of crystal clear freshwater to swim in! It was absolutely beautiful and so refreshing. The second that I visited, Cenote Tza-Ujun-Kat, was located directly across the road from the first one. The stairs led to a large circular platform in the cenote that was surrounded by water. In the centre of the platform were tropical plants and trees reaching up to the small hole above them in the rock ceiling. I once again found myself alone in this cenote and it was lovely! There were lots of stalactites hanging from the rock ceiling here. After visiting these two cenotes, I found a few moto-taxis (half motorcycle on the back and small cart with bench on the front) waiting along the main road and I hired one to take me on a tour of three more cenotes. The cost was 250 pesos for the local to drive me to the cenotes and wait while I swam, which I thought was pretty reasonable. The final three cenotes that I visited - Cenote Canchunen, Cenote Bal-Mil and Cenote Hool Kosom - were all located along the same bumpy gravel road just outside of Homun, about a 10 minute drive on the moto-taxi. My driver played fun upbeat music on his stereo as we bounced along through the jungle to these off the beaten path, hidden cenotes. All three cenotes were close to one another and they were all partially closed cenotes, with only a small hole at the top. The entrance for all of them was 35 pesos. Accessing these cenotes consisted of a steep metal staircase through a small hole in the ground to a rocky platform at the bottom. Each cenote was very quiet and there were only a couple of locals there when I visited. It was almost a completely private experience which was great! I loved how these cenotes were not built up for tourism at all and they maintained a natural, authentic, simple and rugged feel. Each of these cenotes was beautiful and unique. I loved swimming in all of them. Cenote Hool Kosom was my favourite though, as it had interesting white rock on the walls of the cenote with small holes scattered throughout. It was absolutely the most stunning! The cost to enter each cenote ranged in price from 25-35 pesos (super cheap). This was in addition to the cost of the moto-taxi guide. After my tour of these cenotes, my moto-taxi driver dropped me off at the colectivo stop in the centre of Homun (across from the main plaza on the main road through town), where there were benches for waiting. I didn't have to wait long before a van showed up and brought me back to Merida for another 30 pesos. Overall, I felt safe in Homun as a solo female traveler on this DIY adventure. Homun is a very peaceful and friendly town and the locals are proud of their cenotes and eager to show them to you. I would highly recommend visiting some of the many cenotes in and around Homun! It's an easy day trip from Merida that you can do on your own without a tour. This is a really authentic and off the beaten path adventure, as these cenotes have a more natural feel which I loved.
5. Yucatan Cenote Eco-Aventuras
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 737 reviews
Shore Excursions & Private / Off the Beaten Path Adventures while avoiding the Tourist crowds. The Best of Yucatan - Stunning Cenotes, Ancient Pyramids, Historical Haciendas, Cultural Experiences & some of the most beautiful Geocaching anywhere. Shore Excursions specifically planned for the duration the cruise ship is in Port in Progreso or Day Trips for local vacationers. Great for couples, families, adventurers etc. All our tours are Private and Flexible. This is YOUR vacation. Providing services in Progreso, coastal and Merida areas in Yucatan, Mexico.
6. Zazil Tunich
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 193 reviews
AN EXPERIENCE IN THE MAYAN UNDERWORLD Over millions of years, nature has sculpted works of art in Zazil Tunich Cave that the world can marvel at today. Twenty meters underground, a passage leads for 200 meters into the depths of the cave. Along 80 meters of the path, you’ll see stunning stalactites and stalagmites then you’ll enter XIBALBA where there is a sacred cenote with shallow, crystal-clear waters. Before you reach the pool, you’ll pass through the Crossing of the BESO MAYA (Mayan Kiss) formed by the capricious tilt of a giant stalagmite and the CUEVA DEL ALUX (Guardian of the Caves), next to the platform of the LORDS OF XIBALBA, the Mayan Underworld. You are embarking on a journey, an unforgettable experience in the Maya Underworld that is full of tranquility, mysticism and awe at nature’s creation. Caves and cenotes were holy places in Mayan mythology and considered gateways to the home of the gods.
Reviewed By Mykatravels
Our trip to Zazil Tunich was worth every penny! The tour itself provided the most historical and spiritual context I’ve encountered thus far. The cenote itself was large, with many unique formations and plenty of room to swim. Even the grounds outside of the cenote were impeccably maintained. However, the highlight was truly the staff. I was having trouble with booking online, but was able to connect with the staff through WhatsApp and they had our tour scheduled within minutes. I could’ve asked for a better all around experience, and would recommend Zazil Tunich to anyone traveling the area!
7. Cenote Jardin del Eden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 473 reviews
Beautiful, crystal-clear lagoon surrounded by lush rainforest and containing underwater caves: a great destination for snorkelers and scuba divers.
Reviewed By MVD68 - Somerset, Canada
My wife and I just returned from the Mayan We absolutely love this area of Mexico!!! We always try new Cenote’s when we are here. We just took our rental car from Playacar to Eden We find it’s much more relaxing then going with a tour It was very nice and actually not that busy. Very cheap if you just pull up on your own and explore I think it was like only 150-200 pesos per person It’s an open Cenote with a rock ledge to dive or jump off. Lots of fun I highly recommend going to Eden.
8. Gran Juego de Pelota
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,483 reviews
Reviewed By DelfinoEdward - Lucena, Brazil
The Great Ball Court of Chichen Itza is the largest ball court in Mesoamerica. The rings where players would score a goal are set 30 feet (9 meters) above the playing alley. There were actually 13 ballcourts at Chichen Itza, but this one is the biggest: it measures 551 x 230 feet (168 x 70 meters). It is also very well-preserved. The game they played was called “Pok-a-tok” or “pok-ta-pok” and was played with a solid rubber ball. There is a Temple (the Temple of the Bearded Man) that overlooks the court and royal spectators probably viewed the games from this vantage point. You can explore this area yourself or with a guide who will give you some interesting facts about the ancient structure. It is very impressive and worth seeing.
9. Temple of the Warriors
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 780 reviews
Reviewed By DelfinoEdward - Lucena, Brazil
The Temple of the Warriors is an impressive step pyramid fronted and flanked by stone columns that are carved with images of warriors. This Temple was excavated and restored in 1925-1928 by the Carnegie Institution. You can no longer climb the stairs, but at the top, there is a Chac Mool statue (a reclining figure supporting itself on its elbows with a bowl or a disk upon its stomach). Chac Mools were considered messengers of the Gods and used to hold religious offerings in the upraised flat plate area on the figure’s stomach. Some speculate this was where beating hearts of the sacrificial victims were placed, but probably was used for offerings of pulque (an alcoholic beverage).
10. Zona Arqueologica de Dzibilchaltun
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,537 reviews
Reviewed By SeekSunUsa
We had a great time climbing and viewing the lovely archeological sites and when we got sweaty, we could take a dip in the beautiful cenote in the middle of the site. It was super peaceful in the morning, and then the tour busses arrived just as we were leaving. If you want a relaxing experience, try to make it when they open.
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