Yucatan
3
Day Itinerary •
Mexico
Three days in the Yucatan give you the full sweep of the greatest Mayan civilisation on earth. The extraordinary pyramid of Chichen Itza, the turquoise cenotes of Valladolid, the architecturally supreme site of Uxmal, the colonial streets of Merida and the cliff-top ruins of Tulum above the finest Caribbean beach in Mexico are all within reach of a single road trip across the limestone peninsula. This route moves west to east across the Yucatan, beginning at the world wonder of Chichen Itza before exploring the cultural capital of Merida and the Puuc Maya masterpiece of Uxmal, then following the Caribbean coast to Tulum, the Sian Ka'an biosphere and the last climbable pyramid at Coba. Three extraordinary days of ancient cities, sacred cenotes and Caribbean water.
Best Time To Visit
November to April
Getting There
Fly into Cancun (CUN) or Merida (MID)
Getting Around
Rental car essential, ADO bus between cities
Budget Per Day
Approx 60 to 255 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, driving and walking
DAY 1
CHICHEN ITZA
MORNING
CHICHEN ITZA, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY MAYAN CITY IN THE WORLD
Chichen Itza is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and the most extraordinary Mayan archaeological site in Mexico. The El Castillo pyramid is a precise astronomical calendar with 365 steps and the extraordinary serpent shadow on the spring equinox. The Sacred Cenote, the Temple of the Warriors and the Great Ball Court are all extraordinary. Entry approx 572 pesos. Arrive at opening time (8am) before the tour groups. Drive/Travel: 1.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
VALLADOLID, THE FINEST COLONIAL TOWN IN THE YUCATAN
Valladolid is the most extraordinary colonial town in the Yucatan, its coloured facades, 16th-century convent and the extraordinary Cenote Zaci in the centre of the city making it far more rewarding than Merida for those who have seen the colonial capitals. The extraordinary San Bernardino de Siena convent built over a Mayan temple is the finest in the peninsula. Entry to cenote approx 80 pesos. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
CENOTE IK KIL AND THE SACRED MAYAN SWIMMING HOLES
The Yucatan peninsula sits on a vast limestone shelf honeycombbed with extraordinary cenotes, sacred sinkholes of crystalline water that were the only freshwater source for the ancient Maya. Cenote Ik Kil near Chichen Itza, with its extraordinary 26-metre descent through hanging roots to turquoise water below, is the finest near the ruins. Entry approx 180 pesos.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Cenote Samula and Cenote X'Keken near Valladolid are among the most extraordinary in the Yucatan, two interconnected underground chambers with extraordinary stalactite formations and shafts of sunlight piercing the darkness to illuminate the turquoise water below. Far less visited than Ik Kil. Entry approx 120 pesos for both. The sunrise light shaft at X'Keken from 9am to 11am is extraordinary.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel or hostel breakfast, Merida Eat before departing for Chichen Itza. The drive takes 1.5 hours and the site opens at 8am. | Lunch: La Chaya Maya, Valladolid Outstanding Yucatecan food in the finest colonial town. Extraordinary poc chuc and sopa de lima. | Dinner: Merida Centro restaurant Return to Merida for the finest Yucatecan dinner. The cochinita pibil at La Chaya Maya is legendary.
DAY 2
MERIDA AND UXMAL
MORNING
MERIDA, THE WHITE CITY, AND THE GRAN MUSEO DEL MUNDO MAYA
Merida is the finest colonial city in the Yucatan, its white limestone buildings, extraordinary Sunday Zocalo market and the Paseo de Montejo boulevard of Porfirian mansions making it the cultural capital of the peninsula. The Gran Museo del Mundo Maya is the finest Mayan museum in the world, its extraordinary collection of sculpture, jade and obsidian artefacts surpassing even the Mexico City anthropology museum for Mayan material. Entry approx 150 pesos. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
UXMAL, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MAYAN CITY IN MEXICO
Uxmal is the most architecturally extraordinary Mayan site in Mexico, its Puuc style of intricate stone mosaic facades without parallel in the ancient world. The Pyramid of the Magician with its extraordinary rounded profile, the Governor's Palace considered the finest building in pre-Columbian America and the extraordinary Nunnery Quadrangle are all extraordinary. Entry approx 551 pesos. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive back
AFTERNOON
THE MERIDA SUNDAY MARKET AND THE PASEO DE MONTEJO
The Sunday Merida en Domingo market fills the Zocalo and surrounding streets with extraordinary traditional food, Yucatecan crafts, hammock sellers and live marimba music. The Paseo de Montejo boulevard lined with extraordinary Belle Epoque mansions is the finest urban promenade in the Yucatan. The extraordinary MACAY contemporary art museum in the former governor's palace is free to enter.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Hacienda Yaxcopoil 50km south of Merida is the most extraordinarily preserved 17th-century henequen hacienda in the Yucatan, its extraordinary main house, chapel, machinery house and abandoned henequen processing equipment intact in a remarkable state of decay. Still privately owned and used as a film location. Entry approx 60 pesos. The drive through the agave fields of the Puuc region is extraordinary.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Mercado Lucas de Galvez, Merida The finest market breakfast in the Yucatan. Extraordinary papadzules and sopa de lima. | Lunch: Los Almendros, Merida The restaurant that invented poc chuc. Outstanding Yucatecan cuisine since 1962. | Dinner: Kuuk, Merida The finest modern Yucatecan tasting menu. Chef Pedro Evia uses extraordinary local ingredients. Book ahead.
DAY 3
TULUM
MORNING
TULUM, THE MAYAN CITY ON THE CARIBBEAN CLIFF
Tulum is the most extraordinary Mayan coastal site in Mexico, its extraordinary walled city perched on a cliff above the Caribbean with views over turquoise water and the finest beach in the Riviera Maya directly below. The Temple of the Frescoes contains the most complete surviving Mayan murals in the Yucatan. Arrive at 8am opening. Entry approx 90 pesos. The beach below the ruins is extraordinary and free. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
SIAN KA'AN BIOSPHERE RESERVE, THE GREATEST WILDLIFE RESERVE IN THE YUCATAN
Sian Ka'an is a UNESCO World Heritage biosphere reserve covering 1.3 million acres of jungle, mangrove, coastal lagoon and coral reef south of Tulum. The extraordinary floating tour through the ancient Mayan canal system, the crocodiles in the mangrove channels and the manatees in the coastal lagoon make this the finest wildlife experience in the Yucatan. Tours from Tulum approx 1,200 pesos. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive north
AFTERNOON
COBA AND THE LAST CLIMBABLE PYRAMID IN THE YUCATAN
Coba contains the Nohoch Mul pyramid, at 42 metres the tallest in the Yucatan peninsula and the last major Mayan pyramid in Mexico where climbing is still permitted. The extraordinary view from the summit over an unbroken canopy of jungle stretching to the horizon is the finest in the Yucatan. The site is set in extraordinary lakeside jungle with extraordinary wildlife. Entry approx 90 pesos.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Gran Cenote and Cenote Dos Ojos near Tulum are the finest cave diving and snorkelling cenotes in the Yucatan, their extraordinary underwater stalactite formations, crystal-clear water and halocline layers creating the most extraordinary snorkelling experience in Mexico. Dos Ojos is the largest known underwater cave system in the world. Entry approx 350 pesos including snorkel gear. Go before 10am.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Tulum pueblo taco stand Buy extraordinary fish tacos from the morning taco stand on Avenida Tulum before the ruins open. | Lunch: El Camello Jr, Tulum Outstanding fresh seafood. The ceviche and the grilled whole fish are extraordinary. | Dinner: Hartwood, Tulum One of the finest restaurants in Mexico. Wood-fired everything, local ingredients. Book weeks ahead.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Merida Centro, Nights 1 to 2 Stay in the historic centre. Hotel Medio Mundo or Casa del Balam. Approx 60 to 150 USD. Tulum, Night 3 Papaya Playa Project or Azulik for the Tulum experience. Approx 80 to 300 USD. Budget Option Hostal Zocalo, Merida or Mayan Monkey Hostel, Tulum. Approx 15 to 35 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Chichen Itza at 8am opening before tour groups arrive. The pyramid before 9am is extraordinary.
2. Cenote swimming: bring biodegradable sunscreen only. Chemical sunscreen is banned at most cenotes.
3. Tulum ruins at 8am: arrive before the crowds and swim on the beach below after. Entry and beach both free.
4. Rental car is far superior to tours for Uxmal, Chichen Itza and the cenotes. Book before arrival.
5. Cochinita pibil is the greatest dish of the Yucatan. Order it at every opportunity from different restaurants.
6. Hartwood in Tulum requires reservations weeks ahead. Worth every effort. Arrive at opening for walk-ins.
Total Budget
60 to 250 USD/day