Top Things to do in Yucatan Peninsula
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Things to do in Yucatan Peninsula, Yucatan Peninsula: The Best Ancient Ruins
Hidden gems of Yucatan, such as Tulum, Akumal, Chetumal, Chichen Itza and Merida, offer an authentic taste of Mexico. Akumal and more Caribbean-style Chetumal, near the Belize border, deliver delectable white-sand beaches and great snorkelling. Merida, Chichen Itza and Tulum, with their ancient ruins, offer a passage into the Yucatanâs native history. Nature lovers can jungle trek and swim in subterranean sinkholes filled with crystal-clear water. Bike around the ruins and hop between towns in colectivo vans.
Restaurants in Yucatan Peninsula
1. Dzibanche
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 213 reviews
Ancient Mayan city with impressive pyramids and buildings.
Reviewed By 679randye
I have now been to 10 Mayan ruins!! This one is breathtaking!! Two temples to climb and we could hear the monkeys fighting for territory! Well worth the trip, very few tourists!
2. 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).
3. Calakmul Archaeological Zone
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 687 reviews
Ancient Mayan city historians now believe to have been bigger than Chichén Itzá.
Reviewed By giblinVanBauzanum
Saying that Calakmul is breathtaking will not give this place enough justice. It has beautifully preserved ruins, clad in vegetation, which gives them this mysterious and adventurous look. Waliking amids the jungle and discovering all this ancient places is totally a different experience compared to any other ruin. The site is also so huge and vast , that is likely that you will see very few tourists even in crowded periods. The site is reachable by a 40km bumpy road, which will take you 1h and a half from the main road. Be prepares to stay there at least 3 hours and bring lots of water. You will need them. A bit off hand but totally worth it
4. Nohoch Mul
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
A large pyramid in the ancient Mayan city of Coba.
Reviewed By 387PaulD - Colorado, United States
Nohoch Mul is located at the Mayan ruins at Coba, about one and one-half hours from Playa Del Carmen. There are many ruins to explore here and it's located in the jungle so you are shaded much of the time, unlike Tulum or Chichen Itza. The main pyramid is about one mile from the entrance. Renting a bicycle is very inexpensive and lets you cover much more in less time. If you prefer, hire one of the pedicab drivers for a little more. Nohoch Mul is three times the height of Kukulcan at Chichen Itza and you can still climb it. Not so at Chichen Itza since they ended access in 2006. There is a refreshment stand located within the site. Wear comfortable shoes... there's a lot of walking and climbing. Guides are available, for a fee, to explain the history and culture. A zip-line across from the park entrance soars across the lake. But I skipped that and preferred to spend my time visiting the ruins.
5. Zona Arqueologica Uxmal
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,190 reviews
An ancient Mayan building thought to be a school and named by a Spanish historian who thought it looked like a European monastery.
Reviewed By TravelingLily2014 - Niskayuna, United States
With so many sites to choose from, it might be easy to skip Uxmal....but please don’t. It is a wonderful site and you can STILL climb some of the pyramids, although not the main one. It is large, with lots to see. The architecture is extraordinary. We returned for the sound and light show and although we didn’t understand the Spanish, we understood the story and loved seeing the site at night.
6. Becan Archaeological Zone
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 233 reviews
Reviewed By hansNetherlands
An amazing place, especially if you are here alone. there are more complexes in the area and they are all nice and hardly visited.....take adventage of such a privilege!!!
7. Zona Arquelogica Edzna
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 855 reviews
Reviewed By fits87 - Miami Beach, United States
Amazing place!! A hidden mayan gem, just make sure to take water and mosquito repellent as there are many. But great place to take pics
8. Zona Arqueologica Kohunlich
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By markpN8874JB - Denver, United States
This site is a bit more accessible than some of the other nearby site and more extensively restored. You can see an acropolis, several residential areas and the Building of the Figureheads. There you will see several 6' tall figureheads that are well preserved since they were entombed by a later structure.
9. Zona Arqueologica de Coba
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,221 reviews
Coba (pronounced cō-bǝ) is an ancient Maya city on the Yucatán Peninsula, located in what is now northeastern Quintana Roo, Mexico. The site is the nexus of the largest network of stone causeways of the ancient Mayan world, and it contains many engraved and sculpted stelae that document ceremonial life and important events of the Late Classic Period (AD 600-900) of Mesoamerican civilization.[1] The adjacent modern village bearing the same name, reported a population of 1,278 inhabitants in the 2010 Mexican federal census.[2]
Reviewed By Antonio251990
The coolest thing about this site it's the bicycle ride through the jungle it's a most to get on the bikes plus is only 30 pesos to rent it.. the view at the top of the main pyramid its amazing all you can see its miles of pure green in every direction it's kind of hard to climb all the way up but totally worth the effort... if you're staying in the tulum area definitely should go to coba ruins, just try to be there early because gets packed..
10. Tulum Archaeological Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29,609 reviews
Tulum (Spanish pronunciation: [tu'lum], Yucatec: Tulu'um) is the site of a Pre-Columbian Maya walled city serving as a major port for Coba.[1] The ruins are situated on 12-meter (39 ft) tall cliffs, along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico.[1] Tulum was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya; it was at its height between the 13th and 15th centuries and managed to survive about 70 years after the Spanish began occupying Mexico. Old World diseases brought by the Spanish settlers appear to have resulted in very high fatalities, disrupting the society and eventually causing the city to be abandoned.[citation needed] One of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites, Tulum is today a popular site for tourists.[1]
Reviewed By discoveringdest - Montreal, Canada
Oh yeah guys, we were in Tulum last week! We were blessed with a perfect sunny week in Riviera Maya. Our idea was to spend a week relaxing on the beach. Then we saw pictures of Tulum and found out it was 20 minutes away. So... “Why not” ?!? We never know the next time we'll be in Mexico. Tulum for a 1/2 day tour with guide was $69usd per person. Expensive we thought, but we got a nice van, with a good driver and a really knowledgeable guide Jazmin. She studied history in Mexico and was clearly passionate about that. In Tulum are ruins of an ancient Mayan port city just next to wonderful Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Some go to visit the remaining structures and others to enjoy the beach. The tour was 4 hours in total. That includes the drive to Tulum, the guided tour and 1h30 of free time to spend walking around. With this time, we could go around, take pictures, swim and shop around in one of the local shops. We decided to walk around to enjoy the astonishing views of the coastline. We were mesmerized by the turquoise green and blue water and multicolour iguanas that gaze at the sun as though they were kings of the Mayan city! According our guide and in Wikipedia, Tulum is one of the best preserved coastal Maya sites and is really famous touristic point. The important part of Tulum is its history, since the city has access land and sea trade routes, making it an important trade hub. It was really cool to hear our guide speak about the Mayan history. She described a mystical place on a beautiful sunny day just like the one we were experiencing. We took the tour from the hotel so everything was pre arranged for us. Alternatively, you can always rent a car and drive over. Our Ratings Serge: 5 Eli: 5 Recommend: Absolutely. Tulum is a very unique historical Mayan ruin, feel free to view the grounds or go for a swim. Important Tips: 1. Tulum in a sunny day is really “Hot”, so get your sunblock ready and if possible, an umbrella. 2. Please, “Do NOT forget” an insect repellent because Tulum is a mix of Beach & Jungle, we are the bite marks to prove it. 3. Bring water and if you decide to go swimming, make sure have some protection (sun block and repellent). 4. If you have a professional or semi professional camera (GoPro counts), you will need to pay a extra tax. The tax is calculated per camera.
