I have always loved Mexico. The people are so friendly, the food is great and there is so much history and culture to please everyone! The perfect blend of explore, eat and relax! This latest mini stop is my 4th visit and I have to say that it never gets old. Mexico is one of my top destinations in the world (so far!) ....
Here are my top must-dos when visiting the Yucátan peninsula.
1. Coba
If you can only do one thing during your visit to Costa Maya, then I would say forget Chichen Itza and head straight to Coba (...or Tulum). Coba remains a good 1h30 drive from Playa del Carmen but it is definitely worth a visit. I know that given the opportunity I would go back there each time I visit Mexico. The site itself is vast and you can hire some bicycles at the entrance to cycle to the pyramid through the rainforest. As it is such a large site, you are unlikely to get stuck among throngs of other tourists along the road. If you don't fancy the exercise then you can opt to be taken there with someone else pedalling you as part of a tour. It is a bit too far to walk, unless you plan to spend the whole day there...the main pyramid remains around 2 km from the entrance!
A trip up the top of the main pyramid is vital - you will find yourself well above the treeline with nothing but the odd Mayan ruin popping up out of the trees as far as the eye can see. It is one of the last remaining Mayan pyramids in the Yucátan that you can still climb to the top, as well as being the tallest. Do not forget those sturdy shoes! And hang onto the rope on the way up and down. It is not for those who suffer from vertigo or fear of heights, unless like me you like to challenge your fears.
The whole site takes about 2-3 hours to explore, as it is quite spread out compared to other sites. A visit to the ballcourt is good and worth a trip to explore what can only be described as an ancestor of modern day basketball. It is not as large as the one at Chichen Itza, but is still in good condition. The great thing is that it is thought that only 5% of the ruins have been discovered as in its peak it is thought that 50,000 people were living in the 80 square km area, so imagine how much more exploring you will be able to do in future!
2. Tulum
Tulum is one of those places that should really be on everyone's bucket list. It is an incredible place overlooking the sea. I have been there twice and each time I have imagined the ancient Mayans looking out at the stunning blue Caribbean ocean as they worshipped their Gods. It is no wonder that it was a sacred site.
This site is great to explore on foot and you can spend about 1h30 around the ruins. It is thought that Tulum was a major trading point for both land and sea, and was also an important sacred site. There are three principle buildings to view with some beautifully preserved frescoes, and if you want to take some extra time you can enjoy the crystal waters and white sandy beaches beneath the cliffs.
3. Cozumel
The island of Cozumel remains about 40 minutes by ferry from Playa del Carmen. If you are coming in by cruise ship, then it is likely that the ship will dock in Cozumel directly. Cozumel is great for the relaxation element of a holiday and a great day out if you are holidaying on mainland Mexico. If you like the idea of relaxing by the crystal clear waters before taking a dip and snorkelling or scuba diving amongst beautiful fish, then Cozumel is the location for you. Like most islands and locations in the Caribbean, the coastline Cozumel is made up of miles of beach. Not necessarily the seven-mile beach of Grand Cayman but enough for everyone nonetheless.
One particular beach that I enjoy a trip to for the tranquillity and good snorkelling is Money Bar, which remains between San Miguel de Cozumel and Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park. There are plenty of taxis that can take you there and back for a fixed rate, though there is always some battering involved if you are up for it. You can rent an umbrella and sun lounger directly from the bar, or you can laze underneath the palm trees and watch the iguanas sunning themselves. There are plenty of facilities there to be able to spend all day in this location.
Next time I visit though, I will be hiring a bike to go around the island as there are a couple of lighthouses (Faro Celarain), one at each point of the island, as well as a small Mayan ruin in the centre of the island called San Gervasio that all look worthy of an exploration.
4. Akumal and Yal-ku
Not far from Akumal is the beautiful Yal-ku lagoon, a perfect spot for snorkelling and observing the plethora of fish. It is protected from the rough seas and therefore the lagoon is used as a fish nursery by many different species. An underwater camera is a good addition to your day-pack for this location.
It is also great for those who are not confident in swimming in the open water as there are very little currents unless you get to the mouth where the freshwater and saltwater mix. The shallow water is accessible from wooden ladders from the shore in a number of locations. The path from the entrance winds through the undergrowth and there are a number of huts that have been erected to provide some shade for visitors.
As it is a natural reserve there is an entrance fee as well as some rules on etiquette when swimming in the lagoon. For example, you cannot wear sunscreen unless it is biodegradable and oil-free. While at the time it can be quite frustrating, please remember that the locals are simply trying to preserve the area for other tourists as well as not wanting to poison the local flora and fauna. It is also not a request and has actually been passed as a federal regulation. You can buy some there, but it would be better (and cheaper) if you bring some with you from home. This extends across the whole Cozumel Marine Park and the neighbouring adventure parks of Xel-Ha and Xcaret.
If you don't fancy Yal-ku, then Akumal beach is also worthy of a visit though the water clarity is not as good. I admit that I am slightly jumpy in the water (one of our family jokes is that I jump at my own shadow), and as the visibility was not particularly good I was quite apprehensive when I saw this giant black shadow moving towards me. Imagine my delight when a beautiful turtle came into view! Unfortunately I didn't have my underwater camera at the time but the experience itself was priceless, even without a photo!
What are your favourite spots in the Yucatan peninsula? Let me know in the comments below, I would love to read them.