Beautiful beaches are one of the attractive features of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. When you’ve had some sun and sand, the region’s cultural capital, Mérida, supports you with museums, live music, nearby Mayan ruins, and some exquisite regional cuisine.
And with Mérida being designated America’s Cultural Capital in 2017, you can expect the culture boom to be louder than ever. There are plenty of accommodation options for every budget, and booking a guided tour to see the area’s sites is also easy, and there are family-friendly options.
Chichen Itza Tour
For early birds with lots of morning energy and an urge to hit the road before most travelers have had their first cup of coffee, chichen itza tours from merida would be a great fit. You will be accompanied by an official archeologist guide who will impress you with his knowledge of the archeological sites in the area.
The Maya civilization ruled for about 600 years between 600 and 1200 AD, and Chichen Itza was one of their sacred areas and remained so with the natives even after they left. It’s considered one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, so make sure you check it out if you can.
Tulum Ruins
The Cancún region is filled with archeological sites and ruins left over from the Mayan Empire. Apart from learning about the fascinating cultural history, you will have the opportunity to swim in sinkholes filled with crystal clear water and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
This tour includes round-trip transportation from your hotel or guest house and the services of a professional guide who will be with you from start to finish. It’s going to be a long day, but considering everything that’s included it’s a great value and an efficient and fun way to spend a holiday.
Tulum
While it may take days to visit all the archeological sites in the area, after a while they can start to mingle together, and if you’re not a fan of pre-Columbian history, you might be bored.
Luckily there is a half-day option that will get you close to some of the Mayan ruins without wasting all your precious vacation time.
Founded around the 6th century, Tulum was the port for the inland town of Coba and reached its peak between the 13th and 15th centuries. Situated atop a 12-meter cliff, it is the only known walled city in the Mayan civilization. This structure is up to eight meters thick and five meters high and runs continuously for 400 meters on the west side of the settlement – combine that with the cliffs and you can see that defense was a big consideration for the Mayans when they built the city. Monuments not to be missed are the Castillo (main pyramid) and the Temple of Fresco, with the paintings still visible inside and the statues of the “Descent God” in the alcove.
Best selling tour: Tulum tour from playa del Carmen 4 in 1 tour that includes visits to archeological sites, cenotes, and this tour departs from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Tulum, Coba, and Cenote Day Trip with Transfer Option.
This 4 in 1 sightseeing tour includes pick up from your Cancún, Playa del Carmen, or Riviera Maya hotel and includes transportation and a guided ruin tour of Tulum, which happens to be near one of the country’s most beautiful beaches. The historic section lasts just an hour which is great for many tourists.
