What is there to do in the Yucatan?
The area of Mexico which comprises the Yucatan is actually three different states of Mexico. The states of Yucatan, Campeche and Quintana Roo lie
south and somewhat west of Florida. Chetumal is the capital city of the state of Quintana Roo (pronounced keen-TAH-nah roe) which extends from
the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula to the Belize border. Cancun is probably its most well-known tourist attraction. Cancún is about 5 hours
by road north of Chetumal. Traveling south from Cancun you pass by Playa del Carmen and the access point to Cozumel and Isla Mujeres which have
been enjoyed by millions of tourists arriving by air or on a cruise ship.
Continuing south you pass the incredible beaches and the ruins of Tulum where lots of twenty- and thirty-somethings hang out during the high season
playing their drums until it becomes your heartbeat.
A newly developing area is Majahual along the Carribean where several times a week cruise ships dock and disgorge their passengers in search of a
couple of hours of distraction. When the ships come in, the restaurants open, the ski doo rental shops open and there is a T-shirt to suit everyone's
taste. Hurricane Dean in August 2007 severely damaged Majahual but it is well along in its reconstruction and the cruise ships are slated to return in
late 2008.
South of Majahual is the southeasternmost village in Mexico. Xcalak is a small fishing village with a large expatriate community developing north of
the town. From there you can access outstanding snorkeling and diving by contacting Costa de Cocos or XTC Dive Center. Fly fishing for Permit,
Bonefish and Tarpon attracts people from all over the world to the flats to the west of Xcalak.
Throughout the Yucatan Peninsula there are innumerable Mayan archaeological sites. Some of them have many temples and are well-developed tourist
attractions. Others are smaller and less well-known. Just north of Calderitas about 2 miles from Maricasa is the Oxtankah archaeological site.
Another feature of the area is the cenotes (say-NO-tace) that form when the underground rivers show up at the surface because the limestone
shelf, which lies under the Yucatan, caves in and creates lakes, lagunas and underground cave-diving opportunities.
If you prefer your diving in salt water, there is a barrier reef that runs the length of the Yucatan Peninsula from north to south. This is the same
barrier reef that continues south along the coast of Belize and then turns east along the northern coast of Honduras. Snorkeling and scuba diving
schools offer trips for beginners to experts.
As you approach the southern tip of Quintana Roo and the town of Chetumal, you see fewer and fewer tourists. Passing through Chetumal to Calderitas
you see the occasional caravan of motorhomes making its way to the local RV park for a stopover on its way to Belize.
Nearby is the Rio Hondo which is the geographical border between Mexico and the countries of Belize and Guatemala. You can cross the border by
driving across the bridge over the Rio Hondo and visit the English speaking towns of Belize.
If you prefer visiting cities and the cultural offerings there, the colonial city of Merida is the largest city in the Yucatan and you could spend days
there exploring its environs. To the west of Quintana Roo lies the state of Chiapas with its wonderful mountainous terrain and the fabulous city of
San Cristobal de las Casas at 8000' elevation, the ruins of Palenque, and the amazing cascades of Agua Azul.
If you prefer to not do much of anything there are lots of hammocks to swing in after you pedal down the road to visit the local seafood restaurants
in Calderitas. There is so much to do, that no one will be able to see and do everything in the Yucatan and neighboring states in a lifetime.
south and somewhat west of Florida. Chetumal is the capital city of the state of Quintana Roo (pronounced keen-TAH-nah roe) which extends from
the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula to the Belize border. Cancun is probably its most well-known tourist attraction. Cancún is about 5 hours
by road north of Chetumal. Traveling south from Cancun you pass by Playa del Carmen and the access point to Cozumel and Isla Mujeres which have
been enjoyed by millions of tourists arriving by air or on a cruise ship.
Continuing south you pass the incredible beaches and the ruins of Tulum where lots of twenty- and thirty-somethings hang out during the high season
playing their drums until it becomes your heartbeat.
A newly developing area is Majahual along the Carribean where several times a week cruise ships dock and disgorge their passengers in search of a
couple of hours of distraction. When the ships come in, the restaurants open, the ski doo rental shops open and there is a T-shirt to suit everyone's
taste. Hurricane Dean in August 2007 severely damaged Majahual but it is well along in its reconstruction and the cruise ships are slated to return in
late 2008.
South of Majahual is the southeasternmost village in Mexico. Xcalak is a small fishing village with a large expatriate community developing north of
the town. From there you can access outstanding snorkeling and diving by contacting Costa de Cocos or XTC Dive Center. Fly fishing for Permit,
Bonefish and Tarpon attracts people from all over the world to the flats to the west of Xcalak.
Throughout the Yucatan Peninsula there are innumerable Mayan archaeological sites. Some of them have many temples and are well-developed tourist
attractions. Others are smaller and less well-known. Just north of Calderitas about 2 miles from Maricasa is the Oxtankah archaeological site.
Another feature of the area is the cenotes (say-NO-tace) that form when the underground rivers show up at the surface because the limestone
shelf, which lies under the Yucatan, caves in and creates lakes, lagunas and underground cave-diving opportunities.
If you prefer your diving in salt water, there is a barrier reef that runs the length of the Yucatan Peninsula from north to south. This is the same
barrier reef that continues south along the coast of Belize and then turns east along the northern coast of Honduras. Snorkeling and scuba diving
schools offer trips for beginners to experts.
As you approach the southern tip of Quintana Roo and the town of Chetumal, you see fewer and fewer tourists. Passing through Chetumal to Calderitas
you see the occasional caravan of motorhomes making its way to the local RV park for a stopover on its way to Belize.
Nearby is the Rio Hondo which is the geographical border between Mexico and the countries of Belize and Guatemala. You can cross the border by
driving across the bridge over the Rio Hondo and visit the English speaking towns of Belize.
If you prefer visiting cities and the cultural offerings there, the colonial city of Merida is the largest city in the Yucatan and you could spend days
there exploring its environs. To the west of Quintana Roo lies the state of Chiapas with its wonderful mountainous terrain and the fabulous city of
San Cristobal de las Casas at 8000' elevation, the ruins of Palenque, and the amazing cascades of Agua Azul.
If you prefer to not do much of anything there are lots of hammocks to swing in after you pedal down the road to visit the local seafood restaurants
in Calderitas. There is so much to do, that no one will be able to see and do everything in the Yucatan and neighboring states in a lifetime.
You won't get bored. You can be as busy or as laid back as you want to be.
