A visit to Mexico's Yucatn peninsula is like stepping into another world. In this region exists such a multitude of environments, historical legacies, ancient cities, and populations of wildlife that the imagination simply reels. Planning a vacation here, while an excellent idea, is hardly an easy task - unless you have several lifetimes available to see and do everything that the Yucatn has to offer! For those with a slightly more realistic time-frame in mind, this guide will hopefully provide an outline of some of the Yucatn's most irresistible opportunities for vacation adventure.
History lovers will be delighted to know that the Yucatn peninsula was the center of Mayan civilization. For more than a millennium, these amazing builders, farmers, warriors, and astronomers looked out over their Mesoamerican kingdom from atop massive pyramids like the El Castillo at Chichn Itz.
At only this one city, you can visit scores of temples, pyramids, ball courts, caves, and sacrificial wells that will immerse you in the deep, rich history of this incredible ancient culture. It's a massive site that requires a bit of planning on its own to see efficiently, but many guided tours are available, and the ongoing restorations inch the city's structures ever closer to the luster it once held during its heyday. One of the largest and most diverse Mayan cities, the ruins of this great capital are a fascinating sight and should be a cornerstone of any visit to the region.
Those who feel at home in nature will be very comfortable in the Yucatn. Considered by many to be one of earth's last true wildernesses. Acres and acres of lush, unspoiled tropical jungle coat the limestone plains which are ringed by majestic coastal mountains; in those same crystalline seas swims an amazing abundance of sea life, matched in diversity only by the plants and animals that inhabit the inland jungles. Vacationers with some trekking experience may want a solo hike, but many companies offer multi-day jungle treks if you'd rather go with some company. One of the best options for seeing rare and unusual species is to visit one of the bioreserves like Sian Ka'an, which act as a sanctuary and buffer between the natural world and the relentless advance of human development.
Many species of rare bird can be glimpsed on a nature hike through the jungle. The blue-crowned motmot, with a bright turquoise head and radiant green back feathers, is found in only a few locations worldwide but often makes its nests near cenotes and wells in the Yucatn. Amazing specimens like the motmot, Yucatn jay, and the rare and beautiful quetzal " a bird revered by the Mayans and Aztecs, and one which shares a name with one of their most famous gods " are exclusively available to view in the sheltered jungles of the Yucatn.
Cenote Diving
Cenotes are natural sinkholes formed by the collapse of an underground cave structure's roof. They were important sources of fresh water for ancient civilizations, as the Yucatn suffers from a general lack of streams and rivers, and the Mayans used them for everything from irrigation to ritual sacrifices. Many cenotes are interconnected, and act as gateways to underground rivers and caverns. Today, many guided tour groups stop at these remarkable natural formations, and some full-day tours will allow you to swim, explore, and even scuba-dive.
Luxury and Tradition at the Yaxkin Spa
National Geographic selected the Yaxkin Spa as one of its favorite eco-spas and wellness centers in all of North America. You'll find a truly relaxing environment here that marries the best modern conveniences with the environmentally conscious and traditional healing methods of ancient Mesoamerican cultures. The Mayan elemental blessings of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth will cleanse both your mind and your body; there are few better ways to get rid of tired limbs and jungle exhaustion. A day or two at Yaxkin and you'll be ready to hit the trail again in search of more amazing adventures in the Yucatn peninsula.
History lovers will be delighted to know that the Yucatn peninsula was the center of Mayan civilization. For more than a millennium, these amazing builders, farmers, warriors, and astronomers looked out over their Mesoamerican kingdom from atop massive pyramids like the El Castillo at Chichn Itz.
At only this one city, you can visit scores of temples, pyramids, ball courts, caves, and sacrificial wells that will immerse you in the deep, rich history of this incredible ancient culture. It's a massive site that requires a bit of planning on its own to see efficiently, but many guided tours are available, and the ongoing restorations inch the city's structures ever closer to the luster it once held during its heyday. One of the largest and most diverse Mayan cities, the ruins of this great capital are a fascinating sight and should be a cornerstone of any visit to the region.
Those who feel at home in nature will be very comfortable in the Yucatn. Considered by many to be one of earth's last true wildernesses. Acres and acres of lush, unspoiled tropical jungle coat the limestone plains which are ringed by majestic coastal mountains; in those same crystalline seas swims an amazing abundance of sea life, matched in diversity only by the plants and animals that inhabit the inland jungles. Vacationers with some trekking experience may want a solo hike, but many companies offer multi-day jungle treks if you'd rather go with some company. One of the best options for seeing rare and unusual species is to visit one of the bioreserves like Sian Ka'an, which act as a sanctuary and buffer between the natural world and the relentless advance of human development.
Many species of rare bird can be glimpsed on a nature hike through the jungle. The blue-crowned motmot, with a bright turquoise head and radiant green back feathers, is found in only a few locations worldwide but often makes its nests near cenotes and wells in the Yucatn. Amazing specimens like the motmot, Yucatn jay, and the rare and beautiful quetzal " a bird revered by the Mayans and Aztecs, and one which shares a name with one of their most famous gods " are exclusively available to view in the sheltered jungles of the Yucatn.
Cenote Diving
Cenotes are natural sinkholes formed by the collapse of an underground cave structure's roof. They were important sources of fresh water for ancient civilizations, as the Yucatn suffers from a general lack of streams and rivers, and the Mayans used them for everything from irrigation to ritual sacrifices. Many cenotes are interconnected, and act as gateways to underground rivers and caverns. Today, many guided tour groups stop at these remarkable natural formations, and some full-day tours will allow you to swim, explore, and even scuba-dive.
Luxury and Tradition at the Yaxkin Spa
National Geographic selected the Yaxkin Spa as one of its favorite eco-spas and wellness centers in all of North America. You'll find a truly relaxing environment here that marries the best modern conveniences with the environmentally conscious and traditional healing methods of ancient Mesoamerican cultures. The Mayan elemental blessings of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth will cleanse both your mind and your body; there are few better ways to get rid of tired limbs and jungle exhaustion. A day or two at Yaxkin and you'll be ready to hit the trail again in search of more amazing adventures in the Yucatn peninsula.
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More information on Yucatan Travel: Birding Sian Ka'an Reserve and Whale Sharks from Cancun. Both are in the Yucatan Peninsula.
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