The Yucatán Peninsula extends northward from Central America and includes the Mexican states of Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo. It is bordered to the west and north by the Gulf of Mexico and to the east by the Caribbean Sea.
"The Yucatán" is part of mundo Maya or Mayan world - a vast region that includes parts of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and El Salavador. This region of Mexico is home to the Maya, descendants from one of the most important civilizations that have thrived in America and it is here where you can find the most impressive archaeological sites in the world, including the ancient Mayan cities of Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, and many more.
The Mayans' extraordinary architectural and cultural accomplishments rival those of the world's other great civilizations, and Mayan history is inseparable from that of the New World. They had a precise calendar and written language, plotted the movements of the planets, and mastered pottery and weaving.
However, the Yucatán is also a land of fun and sun. Beautiful beaches, water sports, diving, entertainment,… here you can find everything you need for your perfect holiday. Either touristy and vibrant Cancún or laid-back Isla Mujeres.
Oli and I spent two wonderful and fascinating weeks in this part of Mexico. Our cultural and archaeological odyssey took us to the finest Mayan ruins along the Yucatán, including a short side-trip to Palenque (Chiapas). However, we also enjoyed the sweet idleness to the full - especially during the last part of our journey :-)
Click on the links below to learn more about and to see my pictures of the various states on the Peninsula Yucatán, Mexico:
For those interested, here's our route around the Peninsula Yucatán:
Day 1 (Sunday)
Austrian Airlines OS 9579: Vienna - Cancún (11:10 am - 4:25 pm)
Transfer to Downtown Cancún
Day 2 (Monday)
Morning: Pick-up of our rental car at Alamo
Cancún - Ek' Balam - Valladolid - Cenote Dzitnup - Piste
Total: 279 km
Day 3 (Tuesday)
Piste - Chichén Itzá - Izamal - Mérida
Total: 146 km
Day 4 (Wednesday)
Mérida - Uxmal - Kabah - Campeche
Total: 255 km
Day 5 (Thursday)
Campeche - Palenque
Total: 352 km
Day 6 (Friday)
Palenque - Becán - Chetumal
Total: 498 km
Day 7 (Saturday)
Chetumal - Kohunlich - Laguna Bacalar - Chetumal
Total: 177 km
Day 8 (Sunday)
Chetumal - Tulum - Cobá - Tulum
Total: 351 km
Day 9 (Monday)
Tulum - Paamul - Playa del Carmen - Cancún
Total: 164 km
Day 10 (Tuesday)
Cancún Downtown - Zona Hotelera
Drop-off rental car
Total: 11 km
By bus to Puerto Juarez, by ferry to Isla Mujeres
Day 11 (Wednesday)
Isla Mujeres (with a Golf Cart around the island)
Day 12 (Thursday)
Isla Mujeres (Diving!)
Day 13 (Friday)
Isla Mujeres (Diving!)
Day 14 (Saturday)
Isla Mujeres
Day 15 (Sunday)
Isla Mujeres - Cancún - Airport
Austrian Airlines OS 9580: Cancún - ... (06:05 p.m. - ...)
Day 16 (Monday)
... - Vienna (... - 11:50 a.m.)
Yucatan Peninsula Travel Info
IslaMujeres.info
Lonely Planet - Destination Mexico
Ancient Maya
Holiday Autos
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