Mexico is a beautiful country with monumental monuments of Mayan and Aztec culture, beautiful sandy coastlines and warm seas. The very name of this American state reveals adventure, hot sunshine, but also snow-capped mountain ranges, chilli, tequila, margaritas, sangrita, colonial history and Indian tradition. Mexico is the most important country in Latin America, with a history of more than 6,000 years, whose traditional myths and rituals of the indigenous Aztec, Mayan and Toltec Indian tribes have merged with Christianity in fascinating ways.
Today you arrive in Cancun, where you'll have your first introduction to Mexican culture and cuisine.
Pick up your rental car at the airport and head to your accommodation. If you have enough time, go to the beach.
Flight to Cancun, the beach capital of Mexico.
Cancún is a bustling, touristy city (population 57,000), with a beautiful adjacent island full of sandy beaches. At first glance, Cancún is a conventional metropolis with a large city centre and a hotel zone. However, you could say that Cancún is two - the city and the beautiful beaches, two places with the same name.
You can visit more today, but don't worry, it can be done at a leisurely pace. Famous and lesser-known, but equally beautiful, places in the southern tip of Mexico await you.
A morning stroll along 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen.
Originally a small fishing village, it has grown over the years into a full-fledged seaside resort full of shops, bars and nightlife. One block from the sea, the pedestrianised Avenida 5 (or Quinta) is the centrepiece of the town and is always crowded.
Short stop in the town of Puerto Aventuras. This town is famous for swimming with the definas.
Akumal Beach is very popular among locals and tourists. Turtles lay their eggs here, especially on weekends and during spring and summer. The water is clear and the sea itself is sloping, shallow and calm, but in this part of the Caribbean coast, marine flora is developing, so there may be green algae in the water and on the shore.
Transfer to Dos Ojos, Dos Ojos is a cave system. In other words, it is a network of caves, flooded underground tunnels and cenotes, which are interconnected and offer endless possibilities for diving. Dos Ojos is one of the most popular diving spots on the Yucatán Peninsula. The water in the cenotes is crystal clear and visibility can reach up to 100 meters. Cenotes are also characterized by diverse cave formations, which make them a fascinating place to explore.
The Bat Cave is the larger of the two cenotes and is home to a colony of bats. Barbie Line is smaller and shallower than the Bat Cave and is a good place for beginners who want to learn to dive.
Opening hours: every day from 8:00 to 17:00.
Entrance fee: 200 pesos or approximately 14 USD. Snorkeling equipment can be rented for an additional 100 pesos.
Each Mayan city had a specific purpose, and Tulum was no exception. It was a seaport, trading mainly in turquoise and nephrite.
Besides that, Tulum was the only Mayan city built on the coast and also one of the few protected by walls.
A 784-meter-long wall, built of limestone, surrounds the site on three sides, is seven meters thick, and its height ranges from three to five meters. This fortification undoubtedly helped preserve the seaport.
Just like the questions concerning the decline of the Mayan world, there are several theories about why Tulum is surrounded by a wall. One states that inside the walls lived 600 Mayan inhabitants, protected from attackers. Another suggests that only priests and nobility were housed within the walls, while the peasants were kept outside.
You'll continue your journey. Has Tulum enticed you to explore the history of Mayan culture? Then you're in for a treat! Today's leg of your trip will take you to the ruins of another Mayan city – Coba.
Archaeologists believe that the ruins of the Mayan city of Coba were extremely important to the Maya themselves, but due to their location deeper inland, they don't get as many tourist buses. With an entrance fee of only 120 MXN (7 USD), Coba is one of the most accessible Mayan ruins to explore in Mexico. If you arrive by car, you will have to pay 50 MXN (3 USD) for parking.
Archaeologists believe that the ruins of the Mayan city of Coba were extremely important to the Mayans themselves, but due to its location further inland, not as many tourist buses come here.
Grand Cenote is one of the most visited cenotes in the area due to its beautiful white stalactite decoration with both cave and cavern diving. Its beautiful and spacious entrance pond full of small fish is also ideal for snorkelling and swimming.
Our Mexican road trip continues. You'll see more archaeological sites and discover two deserted beaches.
Stop at the Muyil archaeological zone. In the pre-Hispanic era, Muyil was a densely populated settlement. Buildings were mainly of a civic-religious and residential nature and represent the Petén architectural style. The proximity of the site to the Muyil lagoon made it an important maritime trade route with well-documented connections to Cobá. Visitors can travel through the Muyil and Chunyaxche lagoons, including the ancient Mayan-dug canal system that leads to the Caribbean Sea via Laguna Campechen and Boca Paila.
Muyil appears to have been settled around 300 BC, centuries before Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, and Tulum. It remained a settlement until the Spanish invasion in the 16th century, when people either fled the Spanish out of fear or were killed by diseases spread by the Spanish. There is an entrance fee to the Sian Ka’an area. From this area, you can get to the observation tower and the lagoon. The price is 50 pesos, and you will receive a ticket after payment. You can pay either at a small palapa at the entrance to the boardwalk, or a caretaker may ask you for it while walking along the boardwalk.
This place is completely isolated from all civilization, electricity, and mobile internet. This is where the most beautiful memories are made.
Stop in a small town with a tourist promenade. Mahahual is located on the east coast so it is worth to sit up in the morning and watch the sunrise over the horizon of the Caribbean Sea.
Today you'll travel to Bacalar, a seaside town where you can relax on the beach or get some exercise. Today is all about doing what you feel like doing.
Bacalar is the administrative center and largest city in the Bacalar region of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, about 40 km north of Chetumal. It has a population of approximately 13,000. Bacalar is also the name of the lagoon on the east side of the city. Possibility of a boat trip on the lagoon. Visit of the pirate fortress in Bacalar.
Bacalar is not directly by the sea – it's a freshwater lagoon. But its color will fully replace the sea for you.
Beaches (rather entrances to the lagoon) are either public or private (restaurants, balnearios). You can arrange trips on the spot – boats and kayaks right by the lagoon.
- Balneario Municipal – cheap entrance, local atmosphere, pier.
- Balneario Ejidal – larger, more places for swimming and picnics.
- Los Rapidos – a narrow channel with a current – let yourself drift like in a natural lazy river, entrance around 150 MXP.
Kayak / paddleboard – the absolute best way to get to know the lagoon. Trips to stromatolites (ancient bacterial formations), or to the "Canal de los Piratas".
Catamaran cruises – no engine, peaceful romance.
A tour of the forgotten ancient Calakmul awaits you. You can look forward to ancient ruins and wild, untamed nature.
Calakmul is an ancient Mayan city located in the middle of an impenetrable jungle in the heart of the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula. Only a handful of tourists and adventurers venture here, making the experience all the more rewarding. The city lies in a UNESCO-protected biosphere, and Calakmul itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Calakmul is a fascinating ancient Mayan city hidden deep in the rainforest of the state of Campeche – a vast and remote archaeological zone with an authentic jungle atmosphere. It used to be a powerful rival of Tikal, and today you can freely climb its impressive pyramids, up to 50 meters high, from where there is a breathtaking view of the endless rainforest. A visit is like an Indiana Jones experience – few tourists, lots of animals (monkeys, toucans, sometimes even jaguars), and only the sounds of the rainforest around.
The reserve protects a vast area with enormous biodiversity, and the city is also known for its beautiful paintings that depict Mayan everyday life. Prepare for a slightly more challenging journey – you have to count on a long journey. It is precisely thanks to its remoteness that Calakmul remains incredibly authentic and is ideal for those who really want to experience history and nature without the crowds.
Remember to fill up with gas in advance, have water and food for the whole day, and download offline maps.
Hey. We're here. The most beautiful Mexican waterfalls, in one day. (Definitely not all of them, but you can manage the ones in the surrounding area)
Crossing to the magical Agua Azul rapids in Chiapas - walking, taking photos, swimming.
Agua Azul (translated as "Blue Water"), located about 60 km from Palenque. A set of cascades of varying heights and widths, Agua Azul gets its name from the colour of the water, which has a bright blue hue when it accumulates. The blue colour is due to the high proportion of minerals in the water.
Stop at the rainforest waterfall, where scenes for the movie Predator were filmed.
Today you'll stay in one place at least for the morning. You will explore the archaeological zone of Palenque, one of the most significant in all of Mexico.
Palenque was a Mayan city-state in southern Mexico that flourished in the 7th century. Its history dates back to 226 BC until its fall in 1123 AD. After that, the city declined and became overgrown with jungle, but today it is a famous archaeological site attracting thousands of visitors.
Evening tour of Campeche. It is one of the few cities on the North American continent that have preserved urban fortifications dating back to the colonial period.
Today's journey takes you to more of Mexico's historical landmarks. Look forward to a famous route through Mayan cities connected by sakbeob – the original Mayan roads.
A tour of the very well-preserved ruins of a great Mayan city.
Uxmal means "thrice built" in the Mayan language. This is probably a reference to the fact that the main pyramid was rebuilt several times and today we find five smaller pyramids inside the great pyramid.
The second most important city of Puuc after Uxmal. The most famous is the "Palace of Masks" (Codz Pop) - a facade covered with dozens of stone masks of the god Chac. A magnificent example of Puuc architecture with precise stone carving and monumental staircases. Kabah was connected to Uxmal by an old Mayan road and is wonderfully photogenic.
Known for its three-story "Great Palaces" with hundreds of rooms and elegant columns, Sayil showcases the peak of Puuc-style urban planning. The surroundings are tranquil and less touristy – ideal for an atmospheric stroll among the ruins and jungle, where lizards and birds often dart about.
The smallest and least visited site on this route, yet magical in its intimacy. The temple in Xlapak boasts a richly decorated facade featuring motifs of the rain god Chaac. The small, wooded area feels abandoned, authentic, and allows you to experience some "Indiana Jones" moments without the crowds.
Perla Puuc style. Most famous is the iconic arched arch with rich ornamentation - one of the most photographed motifs of Mayan architecture. You will also find beautiful palaces, reliefs and remains of sacbé, which connected individual complexes. Labná is beautifully preserved and offers the feeling of returning to the heyday of Mayan civilization.
Discover the contrast of Yucatán: morning, the colonial charm of Mérida with its lively squares, afternoon, the silence of the mangroves and pink flamingos in the wild nature of Celestún.
Mérida is the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán. The most important city in southeastern Mexico, it is considered one of the cities with the best quality of life in Mexico. Mérida is known for its green spaces. It is located slightly north of the center of the state, less than 50 km from the Gulf of Mexico.
Lunch and swimming in Celestún. Celestún is a town on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. The population is approximately 6,000. Celestún is a fishing town. Around the town is the National Park del Plamenco Mexicano(often called the Celestún Biosphere Reserve), which is home to flamingos, herons and other species of birds in the winter.
Boat trip on the lagoon, observing flamingos in the wild. Boat ride through the mangrove forests. Then return to Merida. You can arrange the experience either directly at the port or online.
Morning visit to the Mayan ruins of Mayapán – a compact site with a pyramid and reliefs, free from crowds. Then Cuzamá with a cenote trip on old railway tracks, where a horse-drawn carriage will take you. Finally, a stop at Hacienda Teya (founded 1683), an ideal place for lunch with classic Yucatecan cuisine in a beautiful historical setting.
Mayapan Ruins. Mayapan was the political and cultural capital of the Maya on the Yucatán Peninsula during the Late Postclassic period, from the 12th to the 14th centuries. Here you will find a preserved circular observatory, pyramids, reliefs, and walls that once protected one of the last great Maya cities.
A full-day trip on a horse-drawn cart along the tracks between cenotes. Each cenote offers the opportunity to swim in crystal-clear water. Arrange your experience directly in the city or online.
Tour of the Teya hacienda, during the seventeenth century it was one of the largest and most profitable cattle ranches in Yucatán.
Return to Merida for dinner and an evening stroll.
Morning visit to Hacienda Aké with its original henequen equipment and the ruins of an old Mayan city located within the grounds. Then transfer to Izamal, the "yellow city", with the San Antonio de Padua convent built on a Mayan pyramid and quiet streets ideal for a stroll and lunch.
Hacienda Aké, tour of the sisal fiber factory. The tour also includes a walk around Hacienda Aké with a projection of how the whole factory worked in the past.
The so-called Yellow Town, also known for its pre-Columbian ruins, tour of the local market.
Dominated by the Convento de San António de Padua, one of the most impressive Franciscan monasteries in the southern hemisphere.
Morning visit to the famous Mayan city you've surely been waiting for, with the iconic El Castillo pyramid, ball court, and observatory. Then travel to Valladolid – a colonial city with colorful facades, a central square, and the possibility of a stop at cenotes for refreshment and lunch.
Chichen Itza is a fairly extensive archaeological area with various Mayan ruins. Once you arrive at the ancient Mayan city, you will see the main building, which is the Pyramid of Kukulcán. In its surroundings, you will be able to see all the Mayan ruins that made up Chichen Itza, a wonder of the world. Chichen Itza, one of the seven wonders of the world, charges an entrance fee to enter the most impressive archaeological site on the Yucatán Peninsula. https://www.chichenitza.com/tickets
Chichén Itzá, sometimes also Chitzén Itzá, is a Mayan ruin on the Mexican Yucatán Peninsula in the state of Yucatán of the same name. It dates from the Late Classic to Late Postclassic period (ca. 600-1500). The name Chichen Itzá comes from the Mayan Chich'en Itza, meaning At the edge of the well of Itza. Itza was the name of an ethnic group that gained political and economic dominance in northern Yucatán.
A beautiful colonial town in the heart of Yucatán, known for its colorful houses, peaceful main square, and impressive San Servacio church. A great place to stop between ruins – it offers an authentic atmosphere, markets with local products, and nearby cenotes like Zací in the town itself or the famous Suytun cenote just outside.
Morning boat trip in Río Lagartos to observe flamingos, crocodiles and mangroves, including a stop at natural "mud baths". Afternoon relaxation at Rancho W – a tranquil rural establishment ideal for lunch and relaxation, with the possibility of swimming in the pool and contact with local nature and ranch life.
Río Lagartos is a former Mayan salt port and today a small fishing village with excellent seafood restaurants.
Pink flocks of flamingos (over 20,000), ibises, and inconspicuous crocodiles, which live in this protected landscape, can be observed up close on a two-hour boat trip among rare mangrove forests and islets of lush vegetation. Book your experience here online.
Crocodile farm, possibility to feed crocodiles and take photos from close distance. For the adventurous there is also the possibility of petting a crocodile. Guides say that when the crocodile is fed it has no reason to attack humans.
Plan your activities today according to your flight time. If your flight is later, enjoy the first part of the day in Cancun.
In Cancún, you can enjoy a combination of city atmosphere and seaside relaxation in a single day – start with a walk through the historic center, where you'll find the colorful Mercado 28 market full of local souvenirs and authentic Mexican food, then continue to the impressive Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Cathedral, which offers a glimpse into the local culture and history, and finally head to Playa Delfines beach, which is public, beautiful and ideal for swimming and observing the turquoise Caribbean.
Traveling through Mexico has a magical atmosphere you won't experience anywhere else.
Mexico is a beautiful country with monumental monuments of Mayan and Aztec culture, beautiful sandy coastlines and warm seas. The very name of this American state reveals adventure, hot sunshine, but also snow-capped mountain ranges, chilli, tequila, margaritas, sangrita, colonial history and Indian tradition. Mexico is the most important country in Latin America, with a history of more than 6,000 years, whose traditional myths and rituals of the indigenous Aztec, Mayan and Toltec Indian tribes have merged with Christianity in fascinating ways.
Today you arrive in Cancun, where you'll have your first introduction to Mexican culture and cuisine.
Pick up your rental car at the airport and head to your accommodation. If you have enough time, go to the beach.
Flight to Cancun, the beach capital of Mexico.
Cancún is a bustling, touristy city (population 57,000), with a beautiful adjacent island full of sandy beaches. At first glance, Cancún is a conventional metropolis with a large city centre and a hotel zone. However, you could say that Cancún is two - the city and the beautiful beaches, two places with the same name.
You can visit more today, but don't worry, it can be done at a leisurely pace. Famous and lesser-known, but equally beautiful, places in the southern tip of Mexico await you.
A morning stroll along 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen.
Originally a small fishing village, it has grown over the years into a full-fledged seaside resort full of shops, bars and nightlife. One block from the sea, the pedestrianised Avenida 5 (or Quinta) is the centrepiece of the town and is always crowded.
Short stop in the town of Puerto Aventuras. This town is famous for swimming with the definas.
Akumal Beach is very popular among locals and tourists. Turtles lay their eggs here, especially on weekends and during spring and summer. The water is clear and the sea itself is sloping, shallow and calm, but in this part of the Caribbean coast, marine flora is developing, so there may be green algae in the water and on the shore.
Transfer to Dos Ojos, Dos Ojos is a cave system. In other words, it is a network of caves, flooded underground tunnels and cenotes, which are interconnected and offer endless possibilities for diving. Dos Ojos is one of the most popular diving spots on the Yucatán Peninsula. The water in the cenotes is crystal clear and visibility can reach up to 100 meters. Cenotes are also characterized by diverse cave formations, which make them a fascinating place to explore.
The Bat Cave is the larger of the two cenotes and is home to a colony of bats. Barbie Line is smaller and shallower than the Bat Cave and is a good place for beginners who want to learn to dive.
Opening hours: every day from 8:00 to 17:00.
Entrance fee: 200 pesos or approximately 14 USD. Snorkeling equipment can be rented for an additional 100 pesos.
Each Mayan city had a specific purpose, and Tulum was no exception. It was a seaport, trading mainly in turquoise and nephrite.
Besides that, Tulum was the only Mayan city built on the coast and also one of the few protected by walls.
A 784-meter-long wall, built of limestone, surrounds the site on three sides, is seven meters thick, and its height ranges from three to five meters. This fortification undoubtedly helped preserve the seaport.
Just like the questions concerning the decline of the Mayan world, there are several theories about why Tulum is surrounded by a wall. One states that inside the walls lived 600 Mayan inhabitants, protected from attackers. Another suggests that only priests and nobility were housed within the walls, while the peasants were kept outside.
You'll continue your journey. Has Tulum enticed you to explore the history of Mayan culture? Then you're in for a treat! Today's leg of your trip will take you to the ruins of another Mayan city – Coba.
Archaeologists believe that the ruins of the Mayan city of Coba were extremely important to the Maya themselves, but due to their location deeper inland, they don't get as many tourist buses. With an entrance fee of only 120 MXN (7 USD), Coba is one of the most accessible Mayan ruins to explore in Mexico. If you arrive by car, you will have to pay 50 MXN (3 USD) for parking.
Archaeologists believe that the ruins of the Mayan city of Coba were extremely important to the Mayans themselves, but due to its location further inland, not as many tourist buses come here.
Grand Cenote is one of the most visited cenotes in the area due to its beautiful white stalactite decoration with both cave and cavern diving. Its beautiful and spacious entrance pond full of small fish is also ideal for snorkelling and swimming.
Our Mexican road trip continues. You'll see more archaeological sites and discover two deserted beaches.
Stop at the Muyil archaeological zone. In the pre-Hispanic era, Muyil was a densely populated settlement. Buildings were mainly of a civic-religious and residential nature and represent the Petén architectural style. The proximity of the site to the Muyil lagoon made it an important maritime trade route with well-documented connections to Cobá. Visitors can travel through the Muyil and Chunyaxche lagoons, including the ancient Mayan-dug canal system that leads to the Caribbean Sea via Laguna Campechen and Boca Paila.
Muyil appears to have been settled around 300 BC, centuries before Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, and Tulum. It remained a settlement until the Spanish invasion in the 16th century, when people either fled the Spanish out of fear or were killed by diseases spread by the Spanish. There is an entrance fee to the Sian Ka’an area. From this area, you can get to the observation tower and the lagoon. The price is 50 pesos, and you will receive a ticket after payment. You can pay either at a small palapa at the entrance to the boardwalk, or a caretaker may ask you for it while walking along the boardwalk.
This place is completely isolated from all civilization, electricity, and mobile internet. This is where the most beautiful memories are made.
Stop in a small town with a tourist promenade. Mahahual is located on the east coast so it is worth to sit up in the morning and watch the sunrise over the horizon of the Caribbean Sea.
Today you'll travel to Bacalar, a seaside town where you can relax on the beach or get some exercise. Today is all about doing what you feel like doing.
Bacalar is the administrative center and largest city in the Bacalar region of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, about 40 km north of Chetumal. It has a population of approximately 13,000. Bacalar is also the name of the lagoon on the east side of the city. Possibility of a boat trip on the lagoon. Visit of the pirate fortress in Bacalar.
Bacalar is not directly by the sea – it's a freshwater lagoon. But its color will fully replace the sea for you.
Beaches (rather entrances to the lagoon) are either public or private (restaurants, balnearios). You can arrange trips on the spot – boats and kayaks right by the lagoon.
- Balneario Municipal – cheap entrance, local atmosphere, pier.
- Balneario Ejidal – larger, more places for swimming and picnics.
- Los Rapidos – a narrow channel with a current – let yourself drift like in a natural lazy river, entrance around 150 MXP.
Kayak / paddleboard – the absolute best way to get to know the lagoon. Trips to stromatolites (ancient bacterial formations), or to the "Canal de los Piratas".
Catamaran cruises – no engine, peaceful romance.
A tour of the forgotten ancient Calakmul awaits you. You can look forward to ancient ruins and wild, untamed nature.
Calakmul is an ancient Mayan city located in the middle of an impenetrable jungle in the heart of the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula. Only a handful of tourists and adventurers venture here, making the experience all the more rewarding. The city lies in a UNESCO-protected biosphere, and Calakmul itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Calakmul is a fascinating ancient Mayan city hidden deep in the rainforest of the state of Campeche – a vast and remote archaeological zone with an authentic jungle atmosphere. It used to be a powerful rival of Tikal, and today you can freely climb its impressive pyramids, up to 50 meters high, from where there is a breathtaking view of the endless rainforest. A visit is like an Indiana Jones experience – few tourists, lots of animals (monkeys, toucans, sometimes even jaguars), and only the sounds of the rainforest around.
The reserve protects a vast area with enormous biodiversity, and the city is also known for its beautiful paintings that depict Mayan everyday life. Prepare for a slightly more challenging journey – you have to count on a long journey. It is precisely thanks to its remoteness that Calakmul remains incredibly authentic and is ideal for those who really want to experience history and nature without the crowds.
Remember to fill up with gas in advance, have water and food for the whole day, and download offline maps.
Hey. We're here. The most beautiful Mexican waterfalls, in one day. (Definitely not all of them, but you can manage the ones in the surrounding area)
Crossing to the magical Agua Azul rapids in Chiapas - walking, taking photos, swimming.
Agua Azul (translated as "Blue Water"), located about 60 km from Palenque. A set of cascades of varying heights and widths, Agua Azul gets its name from the colour of the water, which has a bright blue hue when it accumulates. The blue colour is due to the high proportion of minerals in the water.
Stop at the rainforest waterfall, where scenes for the movie Predator were filmed.
Today you'll stay in one place at least for the morning. You will explore the archaeological zone of Palenque, one of the most significant in all of Mexico.
Palenque was a Mayan city-state in southern Mexico that flourished in the 7th century. Its history dates back to 226 BC until its fall in 1123 AD. After that, the city declined and became overgrown with jungle, but today it is a famous archaeological site attracting thousands of visitors.
Evening tour of Campeche. It is one of the few cities on the North American continent that have preserved urban fortifications dating back to the colonial period.
Today's journey takes you to more of Mexico's historical landmarks. Look forward to a famous route through Mayan cities connected by sakbeob – the original Mayan roads.
A tour of the very well-preserved ruins of a great Mayan city.
Uxmal means "thrice built" in the Mayan language. This is probably a reference to the fact that the main pyramid was rebuilt several times and today we find five smaller pyramids inside the great pyramid.
The second most important city of Puuc after Uxmal. The most famous is the "Palace of Masks" (Codz Pop) - a facade covered with dozens of stone masks of the god Chac. A magnificent example of Puuc architecture with precise stone carving and monumental staircases. Kabah was connected to Uxmal by an old Mayan road and is wonderfully photogenic.
Known for its three-story "Great Palaces" with hundreds of rooms and elegant columns, Sayil showcases the peak of Puuc-style urban planning. The surroundings are tranquil and less touristy – ideal for an atmospheric stroll among the ruins and jungle, where lizards and birds often dart about.
The smallest and least visited site on this route, yet magical in its intimacy. The temple in Xlapak boasts a richly decorated facade featuring motifs of the rain god Chaac. The small, wooded area feels abandoned, authentic, and allows you to experience some "Indiana Jones" moments without the crowds.
Perla Puuc style. Most famous is the iconic arched arch with rich ornamentation - one of the most photographed motifs of Mayan architecture. You will also find beautiful palaces, reliefs and remains of sacbé, which connected individual complexes. Labná is beautifully preserved and offers the feeling of returning to the heyday of Mayan civilization.
Discover the contrast of Yucatán: morning, the colonial charm of Mérida with its lively squares, afternoon, the silence of the mangroves and pink flamingos in the wild nature of Celestún.
Mérida is the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán. The most important city in southeastern Mexico, it is considered one of the cities with the best quality of life in Mexico. Mérida is known for its green spaces. It is located slightly north of the center of the state, less than 50 km from the Gulf of Mexico.
Lunch and swimming in Celestún. Celestún is a town on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. The population is approximately 6,000. Celestún is a fishing town. Around the town is the National Park del Plamenco Mexicano(often called the Celestún Biosphere Reserve), which is home to flamingos, herons and other species of birds in the winter.
Boat trip on the lagoon, observing flamingos in the wild. Boat ride through the mangrove forests. Then return to Merida. You can arrange the experience either directly at the port or online.
Morning visit to the Mayan ruins of Mayapán – a compact site with a pyramid and reliefs, free from crowds. Then Cuzamá with a cenote trip on old railway tracks, where a horse-drawn carriage will take you. Finally, a stop at Hacienda Teya (founded 1683), an ideal place for lunch with classic Yucatecan cuisine in a beautiful historical setting.
Mayapan Ruins. Mayapan was the political and cultural capital of the Maya on the Yucatán Peninsula during the Late Postclassic period, from the 12th to the 14th centuries. Here you will find a preserved circular observatory, pyramids, reliefs, and walls that once protected one of the last great Maya cities.
A full-day trip on a horse-drawn cart along the tracks between cenotes. Each cenote offers the opportunity to swim in crystal-clear water. Arrange your experience directly in the city or online.
Tour of the Teya hacienda, during the seventeenth century it was one of the largest and most profitable cattle ranches in Yucatán.
Return to Merida for dinner and an evening stroll.
Morning visit to Hacienda Aké with its original henequen equipment and the ruins of an old Mayan city located within the grounds. Then transfer to Izamal, the "yellow city", with the San Antonio de Padua convent built on a Mayan pyramid and quiet streets ideal for a stroll and lunch.
Hacienda Aké, tour of the sisal fiber factory. The tour also includes a walk around Hacienda Aké with a projection of how the whole factory worked in the past.
The so-called Yellow Town, also known for its pre-Columbian ruins, tour of the local market.
Dominated by the Convento de San António de Padua, one of the most impressive Franciscan monasteries in the southern hemisphere.
Morning visit to the famous Mayan city you've surely been waiting for, with the iconic El Castillo pyramid, ball court, and observatory. Then travel to Valladolid – a colonial city with colorful facades, a central square, and the possibility of a stop at cenotes for refreshment and lunch.
Chichen Itza is a fairly extensive archaeological area with various Mayan ruins. Once you arrive at the ancient Mayan city, you will see the main building, which is the Pyramid of Kukulcán. In its surroundings, you will be able to see all the Mayan ruins that made up Chichen Itza, a wonder of the world. Chichen Itza, one of the seven wonders of the world, charges an entrance fee to enter the most impressive archaeological site on the Yucatán Peninsula. https://www.chichenitza.com/tickets
Chichén Itzá, sometimes also Chitzén Itzá, is a Mayan ruin on the Mexican Yucatán Peninsula in the state of Yucatán of the same name. It dates from the Late Classic to Late Postclassic period (ca. 600-1500). The name Chichen Itzá comes from the Mayan Chich'en Itza, meaning At the edge of the well of Itza. Itza was the name of an ethnic group that gained political and economic dominance in northern Yucatán.
A beautiful colonial town in the heart of Yucatán, known for its colorful houses, peaceful main square, and impressive San Servacio church. A great place to stop between ruins – it offers an authentic atmosphere, markets with local products, and nearby cenotes like Zací in the town itself or the famous Suytun cenote just outside.
Morning boat trip in Río Lagartos to observe flamingos, crocodiles and mangroves, including a stop at natural "mud baths". Afternoon relaxation at Rancho W – a tranquil rural establishment ideal for lunch and relaxation, with the possibility of swimming in the pool and contact with local nature and ranch life.
Río Lagartos is a former Mayan salt port and today a small fishing village with excellent seafood restaurants.
Pink flocks of flamingos (over 20,000), ibises, and inconspicuous crocodiles, which live in this protected landscape, can be observed up close on a two-hour boat trip among rare mangrove forests and islets of lush vegetation. Book your experience here online.
Crocodile farm, possibility to feed crocodiles and take photos from close distance. For the adventurous there is also the possibility of petting a crocodile. Guides say that when the crocodile is fed it has no reason to attack humans.
Plan your activities today according to your flight time. If your flight is later, enjoy the first part of the day in Cancun.
In Cancún, you can enjoy a combination of city atmosphere and seaside relaxation in a single day – start with a walk through the historic center, where you'll find the colorful Mercado 28 market full of local souvenirs and authentic Mexican food, then continue to the impressive Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Cathedral, which offers a glimpse into the local culture and history, and finally head to Playa Delfines beach, which is public, beautiful and ideal for swimming and observing the turquoise Caribbean.
Traveling through Mexico has a magical atmosphere you won't experience anywhere else.
itinerary by Jarda
Mexico is a beautiful country with monumental monuments of Mayan and Aztec culture, beautiful sandy coastlines and warm seas. The very name of this American state reveals adventure, hot sunshine, but also snow-capped mountain ranges, chilli, tequila, margaritas, sangrita, colonial history and Indian tradition. Mexico is the most important country in Latin America, with a history of more than 6,000 years, whose traditional myths and rituals of the indigenous Aztec, Mayan and Toltec Indian tribes have merged with Christianity in fascinating ways.
Today you arrive in Cancun, where you'll have your first introduction to Mexican culture and cuisine.
Pick up your rental car at the airport and head to your accommodation. If you have enough time, go to the beach.
Flight to Cancun, the beach capital of Mexico.
Cancún is a bustling, touristy city (population 57,000), with a beautiful adjacent island full of sandy beaches. At first glance, Cancún is a conventional metropolis with a large city centre and a hotel zone. However, you could say that Cancún is two - the city and the beautiful beaches, two places with the same name.
You can visit more today, but don't worry, it can be done at a leisurely pace. Famous and lesser-known, but equally beautiful, places in the southern tip of Mexico await you.
A morning stroll along 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen.
Originally a small fishing village, it has grown over the years into a full-fledged seaside resort full of shops, bars and nightlife. One block from the sea, the pedestrianised Avenida 5 (or Quinta) is the centrepiece of the town and is always crowded.
Short stop in the town of Puerto Aventuras. This town is famous for swimming with the definas.
Akumal Beach is very popular among locals and tourists. Turtles lay their eggs here, especially on weekends and during spring and summer. The water is clear and the sea itself is sloping, shallow and calm, but in this part of the Caribbean coast, marine flora is developing, so there may be green algae in the water and on the shore.
Transfer to Dos Ojos, Dos Ojos is a cave system. In other words, it is a network of caves, flooded underground tunnels and cenotes, which are interconnected and offer endless possibilities for diving. Dos Ojos is one of the most popular diving spots on the Yucatán Peninsula. The water in the cenotes is crystal clear and visibility can reach up to 100 meters. Cenotes are also characterized by diverse cave formations, which make them a fascinating place to explore.
The Bat Cave is the larger of the two cenotes and is home to a colony of bats. Barbie Line is smaller and shallower than the Bat Cave and is a good place for beginners who want to learn to dive.
Opening hours: every day from 8:00 to 17:00.
Entrance fee: 200 pesos or approximately 14 USD. Snorkeling equipment can be rented for an additional 100 pesos.
Each Mayan city had a specific purpose, and Tulum was no exception. It was a seaport, trading mainly in turquoise and nephrite.
Besides that, Tulum was the only Mayan city built on the coast and also one of the few protected by walls.
A 784-meter-long wall, built of limestone, surrounds the site on three sides, is seven meters thick, and its height ranges from three to five meters. This fortification undoubtedly helped preserve the seaport.
Just like the questions concerning the decline of the Mayan world, there are several theories about why Tulum is surrounded by a wall. One states that inside the walls lived 600 Mayan inhabitants, protected from attackers. Another suggests that only priests and nobility were housed within the walls, while the peasants were kept outside.
You'll continue your journey. Has Tulum enticed you to explore the history of Mayan culture? Then you're in for a treat! Today's leg of your trip will take you to the ruins of another Mayan city – Coba.
Archaeologists believe that the ruins of the Mayan city of Coba were extremely important to the Maya themselves, but due to their location deeper inland, they don't get as many tourist buses. With an entrance fee of only 120 MXN (7 USD), Coba is one of the most accessible Mayan ruins to explore in Mexico. If you arrive by car, you will have to pay 50 MXN (3 USD) for parking.
Archaeologists believe that the ruins of the Mayan city of Coba were extremely important to the Mayans themselves, but due to its location further inland, not as many tourist buses come here.
Grand Cenote is one of the most visited cenotes in the area due to its beautiful white stalactite decoration with both cave and cavern diving. Its beautiful and spacious entrance pond full of small fish is also ideal for snorkelling and swimming.
Our Mexican road trip continues. You'll see more archaeological sites and discover two deserted beaches.
Stop at the Muyil archaeological zone. In the pre-Hispanic era, Muyil was a densely populated settlement. Buildings were mainly of a civic-religious and residential nature and represent the Petén architectural style. The proximity of the site to the Muyil lagoon made it an important maritime trade route with well-documented connections to Cobá. Visitors can travel through the Muyil and Chunyaxche lagoons, including the ancient Mayan-dug canal system that leads to the Caribbean Sea via Laguna Campechen and Boca Paila.
Muyil appears to have been settled around 300 BC, centuries before Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, and Tulum. It remained a settlement until the Spanish invasion in the 16th century, when people either fled the Spanish out of fear or were killed by diseases spread by the Spanish. There is an entrance fee to the Sian Ka’an area. From this area, you can get to the observation tower and the lagoon. The price is 50 pesos, and you will receive a ticket after payment. You can pay either at a small palapa at the entrance to the boardwalk, or a caretaker may ask you for it while walking along the boardwalk.
This place is completely isolated from all civilization, electricity, and mobile internet. This is where the most beautiful memories are made.
Stop in a small town with a tourist promenade. Mahahual is located on the east coast so it is worth to sit up in the morning and watch the sunrise over the horizon of the Caribbean Sea.
Today you'll travel to Bacalar, a seaside town where you can relax on the beach or get some exercise. Today is all about doing what you feel like doing.
Bacalar is the administrative center and largest city in the Bacalar region of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, about 40 km north of Chetumal. It has a population of approximately 13,000. Bacalar is also the name of the lagoon on the east side of the city. Possibility of a boat trip on the lagoon. Visit of the pirate fortress in Bacalar.
Bacalar is not directly by the sea – it's a freshwater lagoon. But its color will fully replace the sea for you.
Beaches (rather entrances to the lagoon) are either public or private (restaurants, balnearios). You can arrange trips on the spot – boats and kayaks right by the lagoon.
- Balneario Municipal – cheap entrance, local atmosphere, pier.
- Balneario Ejidal – larger, more places for swimming and picnics.
- Los Rapidos – a narrow channel with a current – let yourself drift like in a natural lazy river, entrance around 150 MXP.
Kayak / paddleboard – the absolute best way to get to know the lagoon. Trips to stromatolites (ancient bacterial formations), or to the "Canal de los Piratas".
Catamaran cruises – no engine, peaceful romance.
A tour of the forgotten ancient Calakmul awaits you. You can look forward to ancient ruins and wild, untamed nature.
Calakmul is an ancient Mayan city located in the middle of an impenetrable jungle in the heart of the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula. Only a handful of tourists and adventurers venture here, making the experience all the more rewarding. The city lies in a UNESCO-protected biosphere, and Calakmul itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Calakmul is a fascinating ancient Mayan city hidden deep in the rainforest of the state of Campeche – a vast and remote archaeological zone with an authentic jungle atmosphere. It used to be a powerful rival of Tikal, and today you can freely climb its impressive pyramids, up to 50 meters high, from where there is a breathtaking view of the endless rainforest. A visit is like an Indiana Jones experience – few tourists, lots of animals (monkeys, toucans, sometimes even jaguars), and only the sounds of the rainforest around.
The reserve protects a vast area with enormous biodiversity, and the city is also known for its beautiful paintings that depict Mayan everyday life. Prepare for a slightly more challenging journey – you have to count on a long journey. It is precisely thanks to its remoteness that Calakmul remains incredibly authentic and is ideal for those who really want to experience history and nature without the crowds.
Remember to fill up with gas in advance, have water and food for the whole day, and download offline maps.
Hey. We're here. The most beautiful Mexican waterfalls, in one day. (Definitely not all of them, but you can manage the ones in the surrounding area)
Crossing to the magical Agua Azul rapids in Chiapas - walking, taking photos, swimming.
Agua Azul (translated as "Blue Water"), located about 60 km from Palenque. A set of cascades of varying heights and widths, Agua Azul gets its name from the colour of the water, which has a bright blue hue when it accumulates. The blue colour is due to the high proportion of minerals in the water.
Stop at the rainforest waterfall, where scenes for the movie Predator were filmed.
Today you'll stay in one place at least for the morning. You will explore the archaeological zone of Palenque, one of the most significant in all of Mexico.
Palenque was a Mayan city-state in southern Mexico that flourished in the 7th century. Its history dates back to 226 BC until its fall in 1123 AD. After that, the city declined and became overgrown with jungle, but today it is a famous archaeological site attracting thousands of visitors.
Evening tour of Campeche. It is one of the few cities on the North American continent that have preserved urban fortifications dating back to the colonial period.
Today's journey takes you to more of Mexico's historical landmarks. Look forward to a famous route through Mayan cities connected by sakbeob – the original Mayan roads.
A tour of the very well-preserved ruins of a great Mayan city.
Uxmal means "thrice built" in the Mayan language. This is probably a reference to the fact that the main pyramid was rebuilt several times and today we find five smaller pyramids inside the great pyramid.
The second most important city of Puuc after Uxmal. The most famous is the "Palace of Masks" (Codz Pop) - a facade covered with dozens of stone masks of the god Chac. A magnificent example of Puuc architecture with precise stone carving and monumental staircases. Kabah was connected to Uxmal by an old Mayan road and is wonderfully photogenic.
Known for its three-story "Great Palaces" with hundreds of rooms and elegant columns, Sayil showcases the peak of Puuc-style urban planning. The surroundings are tranquil and less touristy – ideal for an atmospheric stroll among the ruins and jungle, where lizards and birds often dart about.
The smallest and least visited site on this route, yet magical in its intimacy. The temple in Xlapak boasts a richly decorated facade featuring motifs of the rain god Chaac. The small, wooded area feels abandoned, authentic, and allows you to experience some "Indiana Jones" moments without the crowds.
Perla Puuc style. Most famous is the iconic arched arch with rich ornamentation - one of the most photographed motifs of Mayan architecture. You will also find beautiful palaces, reliefs and remains of sacbé, which connected individual complexes. Labná is beautifully preserved and offers the feeling of returning to the heyday of Mayan civilization.
Discover the contrast of Yucatán: morning, the colonial charm of Mérida with its lively squares, afternoon, the silence of the mangroves and pink flamingos in the wild nature of Celestún.
Mérida is the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán. The most important city in southeastern Mexico, it is considered one of the cities with the best quality of life in Mexico. Mérida is known for its green spaces. It is located slightly north of the center of the state, less than 50 km from the Gulf of Mexico.
Lunch and swimming in Celestún. Celestún is a town on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. The population is approximately 6,000. Celestún is a fishing town. Around the town is the National Park del Plamenco Mexicano(often called the Celestún Biosphere Reserve), which is home to flamingos, herons and other species of birds in the winter.
Boat trip on the lagoon, observing flamingos in the wild. Boat ride through the mangrove forests. Then return to Merida. You can arrange the experience either directly at the port or online.
Morning visit to the Mayan ruins of Mayapán – a compact site with a pyramid and reliefs, free from crowds. Then Cuzamá with a cenote trip on old railway tracks, where a horse-drawn carriage will take you. Finally, a stop at Hacienda Teya (founded 1683), an ideal place for lunch with classic Yucatecan cuisine in a beautiful historical setting.
Mayapan Ruins. Mayapan was the political and cultural capital of the Maya on the Yucatán Peninsula during the Late Postclassic period, from the 12th to the 14th centuries. Here you will find a preserved circular observatory, pyramids, reliefs, and walls that once protected one of the last great Maya cities.
A full-day trip on a horse-drawn cart along the tracks between cenotes. Each cenote offers the opportunity to swim in crystal-clear water. Arrange your experience directly in the city or online.
Tour of the Teya hacienda, during the seventeenth century it was one of the largest and most profitable cattle ranches in Yucatán.
Return to Merida for dinner and an evening stroll.
Morning visit to Hacienda Aké with its original henequen equipment and the ruins of an old Mayan city located within the grounds. Then transfer to Izamal, the "yellow city", with the San Antonio de Padua convent built on a Mayan pyramid and quiet streets ideal for a stroll and lunch.
Hacienda Aké, tour of the sisal fiber factory. The tour also includes a walk around Hacienda Aké with a projection of how the whole factory worked in the past.
The so-called Yellow Town, also known for its pre-Columbian ruins, tour of the local market.
Dominated by the Convento de San António de Padua, one of the most impressive Franciscan monasteries in the southern hemisphere.
Morning visit to the famous Mayan city you've surely been waiting for, with the iconic El Castillo pyramid, ball court, and observatory. Then travel to Valladolid – a colonial city with colorful facades, a central square, and the possibility of a stop at cenotes for refreshment and lunch.
Chichen Itza is a fairly extensive archaeological area with various Mayan ruins. Once you arrive at the ancient Mayan city, you will see the main building, which is the Pyramid of Kukulcán. In its surroundings, you will be able to see all the Mayan ruins that made up Chichen Itza, a wonder of the world. Chichen Itza, one of the seven wonders of the world, charges an entrance fee to enter the most impressive archaeological site on the Yucatán Peninsula. https://www.chichenitza.com/tickets
Chichén Itzá, sometimes also Chitzén Itzá, is a Mayan ruin on the Mexican Yucatán Peninsula in the state of Yucatán of the same name. It dates from the Late Classic to Late Postclassic period (ca. 600-1500). The name Chichen Itzá comes from the Mayan Chich'en Itza, meaning At the edge of the well of Itza. Itza was the name of an ethnic group that gained political and economic dominance in northern Yucatán.
A beautiful colonial town in the heart of Yucatán, known for its colorful houses, peaceful main square, and impressive San Servacio church. A great place to stop between ruins – it offers an authentic atmosphere, markets with local products, and nearby cenotes like Zací in the town itself or the famous Suytun cenote just outside.
Morning boat trip in Río Lagartos to observe flamingos, crocodiles and mangroves, including a stop at natural "mud baths". Afternoon relaxation at Rancho W – a tranquil rural establishment ideal for lunch and relaxation, with the possibility of swimming in the pool and contact with local nature and ranch life.
Río Lagartos is a former Mayan salt port and today a small fishing village with excellent seafood restaurants.
Pink flocks of flamingos (over 20,000), ibises, and inconspicuous crocodiles, which live in this protected landscape, can be observed up close on a two-hour boat trip among rare mangrove forests and islets of lush vegetation. Book your experience here online.
Crocodile farm, possibility to feed crocodiles and take photos from close distance. For the adventurous there is also the possibility of petting a crocodile. Guides say that when the crocodile is fed it has no reason to attack humans.
Plan your activities today according to your flight time. If your flight is later, enjoy the first part of the day in Cancun.
In Cancún, you can enjoy a combination of city atmosphere and seaside relaxation in a single day – start with a walk through the historic center, where you'll find the colorful Mercado 28 market full of local souvenirs and authentic Mexican food, then continue to the impressive Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Cathedral, which offers a glimpse into the local culture and history, and finally head to Playa Delfines beach, which is public, beautiful and ideal for swimming and observing the turquoise Caribbean.
Traveling through Mexico has a magical atmosphere you won't experience anywhere else.
Mexico is a beautiful country with monumental monuments of Mayan and Aztec culture, beautiful sandy coastlines and warm seas. The very name of this American state reveals adventure, hot sunshine, but also snow-capped mountain ranges, chilli, tequila, margaritas, sangrita, colonial history and Indian tradition. Mexico is the most important country in Latin America, with a history of more than 6,000 years, whose traditional myths and rituals of the indigenous Aztec, Mayan and Toltec Indian tribes have merged with Christianity in fascinating ways.
Today you arrive in Cancun, where you'll have your first introduction to Mexican culture and cuisine.
Pick up your rental car at the airport and head to your accommodation. If you have enough time, go to the beach.
Flight to Cancun, the beach capital of Mexico.
Cancún is a bustling, touristy city (population 57,000), with a beautiful adjacent island full of sandy beaches. At first glance, Cancún is a conventional metropolis with a large city centre and a hotel zone. However, you could say that Cancún is two - the city and the beautiful beaches, two places with the same name.
You can visit more today, but don't worry, it can be done at a leisurely pace. Famous and lesser-known, but equally beautiful, places in the southern tip of Mexico await you.
A morning stroll along 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen.
Originally a small fishing village, it has grown over the years into a full-fledged seaside resort full of shops, bars and nightlife. One block from the sea, the pedestrianised Avenida 5 (or Quinta) is the centrepiece of the town and is always crowded.
Short stop in the town of Puerto Aventuras. This town is famous for swimming with the definas.
Akumal Beach is very popular among locals and tourists. Turtles lay their eggs here, especially on weekends and during spring and summer. The water is clear and the sea itself is sloping, shallow and calm, but in this part of the Caribbean coast, marine flora is developing, so there may be green algae in the water and on the shore.
Transfer to Dos Ojos, Dos Ojos is a cave system. In other words, it is a network of caves, flooded underground tunnels and cenotes, which are interconnected and offer endless possibilities for diving. Dos Ojos is one of the most popular diving spots on the Yucatán Peninsula. The water in the cenotes is crystal clear and visibility can reach up to 100 meters. Cenotes are also characterized by diverse cave formations, which make them a fascinating place to explore.
The Bat Cave is the larger of the two cenotes and is home to a colony of bats. Barbie Line is smaller and shallower than the Bat Cave and is a good place for beginners who want to learn to dive.
Opening hours: every day from 8:00 to 17:00.
Entrance fee: 200 pesos or approximately 14 USD. Snorkeling equipment can be rented for an additional 100 pesos.
Each Mayan city had a specific purpose, and Tulum was no exception. It was a seaport, trading mainly in turquoise and nephrite.
Besides that, Tulum was the only Mayan city built on the coast and also one of the few protected by walls.
A 784-meter-long wall, built of limestone, surrounds the site on three sides, is seven meters thick, and its height ranges from three to five meters. This fortification undoubtedly helped preserve the seaport.
Just like the questions concerning the decline of the Mayan world, there are several theories about why Tulum is surrounded by a wall. One states that inside the walls lived 600 Mayan inhabitants, protected from attackers. Another suggests that only priests and nobility were housed within the walls, while the peasants were kept outside.
You'll continue your journey. Has Tulum enticed you to explore the history of Mayan culture? Then you're in for a treat! Today's leg of your trip will take you to the ruins of another Mayan city – Coba.
Archaeologists believe that the ruins of the Mayan city of Coba were extremely important to the Maya themselves, but due to their location deeper inland, they don't get as many tourist buses. With an entrance fee of only 120 MXN (7 USD), Coba is one of the most accessible Mayan ruins to explore in Mexico. If you arrive by car, you will have to pay 50 MXN (3 USD) for parking.
Archaeologists believe that the ruins of the Mayan city of Coba were extremely important to the Mayans themselves, but due to its location further inland, not as many tourist buses come here.
Grand Cenote is one of the most visited cenotes in the area due to its beautiful white stalactite decoration with both cave and cavern diving. Its beautiful and spacious entrance pond full of small fish is also ideal for snorkelling and swimming.
Our Mexican road trip continues. You'll see more archaeological sites and discover two deserted beaches.
Stop at the Muyil archaeological zone. In the pre-Hispanic era, Muyil was a densely populated settlement. Buildings were mainly of a civic-religious and residential nature and represent the Petén architectural style. The proximity of the site to the Muyil lagoon made it an important maritime trade route with well-documented connections to Cobá. Visitors can travel through the Muyil and Chunyaxche lagoons, including the ancient Mayan-dug canal system that leads to the Caribbean Sea via Laguna Campechen and Boca Paila.
Muyil appears to have been settled around 300 BC, centuries before Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, and Tulum. It remained a settlement until the Spanish invasion in the 16th century, when people either fled the Spanish out of fear or were killed by diseases spread by the Spanish. There is an entrance fee to the Sian Ka’an area. From this area, you can get to the observation tower and the lagoon. The price is 50 pesos, and you will receive a ticket after payment. You can pay either at a small palapa at the entrance to the boardwalk, or a caretaker may ask you for it while walking along the boardwalk.
This place is completely isolated from all civilization, electricity, and mobile internet. This is where the most beautiful memories are made.
Stop in a small town with a tourist promenade. Mahahual is located on the east coast so it is worth to sit up in the morning and watch the sunrise over the horizon of the Caribbean Sea.
Today you'll travel to Bacalar, a seaside town where you can relax on the beach or get some exercise. Today is all about doing what you feel like doing.
Bacalar is the administrative center and largest city in the Bacalar region of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, about 40 km north of Chetumal. It has a population of approximately 13,000. Bacalar is also the name of the lagoon on the east side of the city. Possibility of a boat trip on the lagoon. Visit of the pirate fortress in Bacalar.
Bacalar is not directly by the sea – it's a freshwater lagoon. But its color will fully replace the sea for you.
Beaches (rather entrances to the lagoon) are either public or private (restaurants, balnearios). You can arrange trips on the spot – boats and kayaks right by the lagoon.
- Balneario Municipal – cheap entrance, local atmosphere, pier.
- Balneario Ejidal – larger, more places for swimming and picnics.
- Los Rapidos – a narrow channel with a current – let yourself drift like in a natural lazy river, entrance around 150 MXP.
Kayak / paddleboard – the absolute best way to get to know the lagoon. Trips to stromatolites (ancient bacterial formations), or to the "Canal de los Piratas".
Catamaran cruises – no engine, peaceful romance.
A tour of the forgotten ancient Calakmul awaits you. You can look forward to ancient ruins and wild, untamed nature.
Calakmul is an ancient Mayan city located in the middle of an impenetrable jungle in the heart of the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula. Only a handful of tourists and adventurers venture here, making the experience all the more rewarding. The city lies in a UNESCO-protected biosphere, and Calakmul itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Calakmul is a fascinating ancient Mayan city hidden deep in the rainforest of the state of Campeche – a vast and remote archaeological zone with an authentic jungle atmosphere. It used to be a powerful rival of Tikal, and today you can freely climb its impressive pyramids, up to 50 meters high, from where there is a breathtaking view of the endless rainforest. A visit is like an Indiana Jones experience – few tourists, lots of animals (monkeys, toucans, sometimes even jaguars), and only the sounds of the rainforest around.
The reserve protects a vast area with enormous biodiversity, and the city is also known for its beautiful paintings that depict Mayan everyday life. Prepare for a slightly more challenging journey – you have to count on a long journey. It is precisely thanks to its remoteness that Calakmul remains incredibly authentic and is ideal for those who really want to experience history and nature without the crowds.
Remember to fill up with gas in advance, have water and food for the whole day, and download offline maps.
Hey. We're here. The most beautiful Mexican waterfalls, in one day. (Definitely not all of them, but you can manage the ones in the surrounding area)
Crossing to the magical Agua Azul rapids in Chiapas - walking, taking photos, swimming.
Agua Azul (translated as "Blue Water"), located about 60 km from Palenque. A set of cascades of varying heights and widths, Agua Azul gets its name from the colour of the water, which has a bright blue hue when it accumulates. The blue colour is due to the high proportion of minerals in the water.
Stop at the rainforest waterfall, where scenes for the movie Predator were filmed.
Today you'll stay in one place at least for the morning. You will explore the archaeological zone of Palenque, one of the most significant in all of Mexico.
Palenque was a Mayan city-state in southern Mexico that flourished in the 7th century. Its history dates back to 226 BC until its fall in 1123 AD. After that, the city declined and became overgrown with jungle, but today it is a famous archaeological site attracting thousands of visitors.
Evening tour of Campeche. It is one of the few cities on the North American continent that have preserved urban fortifications dating back to the colonial period.
Today's journey takes you to more of Mexico's historical landmarks. Look forward to a famous route through Mayan cities connected by sakbeob – the original Mayan roads.
A tour of the very well-preserved ruins of a great Mayan city.
Uxmal means "thrice built" in the Mayan language. This is probably a reference to the fact that the main pyramid was rebuilt several times and today we find five smaller pyramids inside the great pyramid.
The second most important city of Puuc after Uxmal. The most famous is the "Palace of Masks" (Codz Pop) - a facade covered with dozens of stone masks of the god Chac. A magnificent example of Puuc architecture with precise stone carving and monumental staircases. Kabah was connected to Uxmal by an old Mayan road and is wonderfully photogenic.
Known for its three-story "Great Palaces" with hundreds of rooms and elegant columns, Sayil showcases the peak of Puuc-style urban planning. The surroundings are tranquil and less touristy – ideal for an atmospheric stroll among the ruins and jungle, where lizards and birds often dart about.
The smallest and least visited site on this route, yet magical in its intimacy. The temple in Xlapak boasts a richly decorated facade featuring motifs of the rain god Chaac. The small, wooded area feels abandoned, authentic, and allows you to experience some "Indiana Jones" moments without the crowds.
Perla Puuc style. Most famous is the iconic arched arch with rich ornamentation - one of the most photographed motifs of Mayan architecture. You will also find beautiful palaces, reliefs and remains of sacbé, which connected individual complexes. Labná is beautifully preserved and offers the feeling of returning to the heyday of Mayan civilization.
Discover the contrast of Yucatán: morning, the colonial charm of Mérida with its lively squares, afternoon, the silence of the mangroves and pink flamingos in the wild nature of Celestún.
Mérida is the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán. The most important city in southeastern Mexico, it is considered one of the cities with the best quality of life in Mexico. Mérida is known for its green spaces. It is located slightly north of the center of the state, less than 50 km from the Gulf of Mexico.
Lunch and swimming in Celestún. Celestún is a town on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. The population is approximately 6,000. Celestún is a fishing town. Around the town is the National Park del Plamenco Mexicano(often called the Celestún Biosphere Reserve), which is home to flamingos, herons and other species of birds in the winter.
Boat trip on the lagoon, observing flamingos in the wild. Boat ride through the mangrove forests. Then return to Merida. You can arrange the experience either directly at the port or online.
Morning visit to the Mayan ruins of Mayapán – a compact site with a pyramid and reliefs, free from crowds. Then Cuzamá with a cenote trip on old railway tracks, where a horse-drawn carriage will take you. Finally, a stop at Hacienda Teya (founded 1683), an ideal place for lunch with classic Yucatecan cuisine in a beautiful historical setting.
Mayapan Ruins. Mayapan was the political and cultural capital of the Maya on the Yucatán Peninsula during the Late Postclassic period, from the 12th to the 14th centuries. Here you will find a preserved circular observatory, pyramids, reliefs, and walls that once protected one of the last great Maya cities.
A full-day trip on a horse-drawn cart along the tracks between cenotes. Each cenote offers the opportunity to swim in crystal-clear water. Arrange your experience directly in the city or online.
Tour of the Teya hacienda, during the seventeenth century it was one of the largest and most profitable cattle ranches in Yucatán.
Return to Merida for dinner and an evening stroll.
Morning visit to Hacienda Aké with its original henequen equipment and the ruins of an old Mayan city located within the grounds. Then transfer to Izamal, the "yellow city", with the San Antonio de Padua convent built on a Mayan pyramid and quiet streets ideal for a stroll and lunch.
Hacienda Aké, tour of the sisal fiber factory. The tour also includes a walk around Hacienda Aké with a projection of how the whole factory worked in the past.
The so-called Yellow Town, also known for its pre-Columbian ruins, tour of the local market.
Dominated by the Convento de San António de Padua, one of the most impressive Franciscan monasteries in the southern hemisphere.
Morning visit to the famous Mayan city you've surely been waiting for, with the iconic El Castillo pyramid, ball court, and observatory. Then travel to Valladolid – a colonial city with colorful facades, a central square, and the possibility of a stop at cenotes for refreshment and lunch.
Chichen Itza is a fairly extensive archaeological area with various Mayan ruins. Once you arrive at the ancient Mayan city, you will see the main building, which is the Pyramid of Kukulcán. In its surroundings, you will be able to see all the Mayan ruins that made up Chichen Itza, a wonder of the world. Chichen Itza, one of the seven wonders of the world, charges an entrance fee to enter the most impressive archaeological site on the Yucatán Peninsula. https://www.chichenitza.com/tickets
Chichén Itzá, sometimes also Chitzén Itzá, is a Mayan ruin on the Mexican Yucatán Peninsula in the state of Yucatán of the same name. It dates from the Late Classic to Late Postclassic period (ca. 600-1500). The name Chichen Itzá comes from the Mayan Chich'en Itza, meaning At the edge of the well of Itza. Itza was the name of an ethnic group that gained political and economic dominance in northern Yucatán.
A beautiful colonial town in the heart of Yucatán, known for its colorful houses, peaceful main square, and impressive San Servacio church. A great place to stop between ruins – it offers an authentic atmosphere, markets with local products, and nearby cenotes like Zací in the town itself or the famous Suytun cenote just outside.
Morning boat trip in Río Lagartos to observe flamingos, crocodiles and mangroves, including a stop at natural "mud baths". Afternoon relaxation at Rancho W – a tranquil rural establishment ideal for lunch and relaxation, with the possibility of swimming in the pool and contact with local nature and ranch life.
Río Lagartos is a former Mayan salt port and today a small fishing village with excellent seafood restaurants.
Pink flocks of flamingos (over 20,000), ibises, and inconspicuous crocodiles, which live in this protected landscape, can be observed up close on a two-hour boat trip among rare mangrove forests and islets of lush vegetation. Book your experience here online.
Crocodile farm, possibility to feed crocodiles and take photos from close distance. For the adventurous there is also the possibility of petting a crocodile. Guides say that when the crocodile is fed it has no reason to attack humans.
Plan your activities today according to your flight time. If your flight is later, enjoy the first part of the day in Cancun.
In Cancún, you can enjoy a combination of city atmosphere and seaside relaxation in a single day – start with a walk through the historic center, where you'll find the colorful Mercado 28 market full of local souvenirs and authentic Mexican food, then continue to the impressive Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Cathedral, which offers a glimpse into the local culture and history, and finally head to Playa Delfines beach, which is public, beautiful and ideal for swimming and observing the turquoise Caribbean.
Traveling through Mexico has a magical atmosphere you won't experience anywhere else.
