From the resort beaches of Cancun, with all the excitement and noise that comes with rapid urbanization, to the quiet, little-changing solitude of the remote fishing village of Xcalak, the Yucatan’s Caribbean coast presents a tropical backdrop to vacationers and expats alike. While on its opposite coast, the colonial cities of Campeche and Merida provide a modern Mexico sophistication. And the land in between, the land of the ancient and modern Maya, with its jungles and cenotes and awe inspiring ruins, retains much of its mystery and beckons to be explored.
Akumal
Akumal - The place of the turtle in Mayan - earns its name from the yearly return of the majestic and endangered sea turtles to its shores each summer to lay their eggs. This former coconut plantation is the oldest resort town on the coast. First accessible only by boat from Cozumel, Akumal retains much of its original relaxed, unhurried atmosphere synonymous with Mexico itself.
Playa del carmen & Puerto aventuras
Twenty-five years ago it was a tiny fishing village with a resort development next door. Today Playa del Carmen is the second city of Quintana Roo, home to an amazing array of resort communities, not to mention about 300,000 people. Just down Highway 307 from Playa is Puerto Aventuras, a planned resort town, complete with hotels, condos restaurants, canals and a large marina, celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Tulum
The essence of Tulum is one of magical mystery intertwined with an urbanizing collection of Maya, Mexican, as well as foreigners from across the globe. Originally an ancient Maya city, the modern-day version of this town, Tulum Centro, is a charming hodge-podge of restaurants, boutiques, hotels, internet cafes, hostels, etc. The beaches of Tulum are known worldwide for their immense width and depth of powdery white sand.
General Information
Here you will find articles that don’t apply to one particular destination. If you plan to get and see some of the Riviera Maya or Costa Maya, or travel inland to Chichen Itza or across the peninsula to Merida, you’ll find items of interest. We encourage all visitors to break free of their “all inclusive” shackles and see some of what the Yucatan has to offer.
Costa Maya
At the very southern tip of Quintana Roo’s golden coastline lies the up-and-coming vacation destination of Xcalak and Mahahual. Part of the market brand “Costa Maya,” these towns are a place to kick your shoes off, flop into a hammock strung between two palms, and lose all sense of time. Known as a diver’s destination, the local diving, as well as the snorkeling in the expansive bay, is among the best around.
El Cuyo & the North Coast
From Holbox to Telchac, the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula offers pristine beaches, Mayan fishing villages and vibes of what the resort areas further south on the Caribbean coast must have been like thirty years ago. El Cuyo especially has that throwback feel and is defiiitely worth a visit.
Yucatan
The peninsula is large and diverse and is home to 3 Mexican states: Quintana Roo, Yucatan and part of Campeche. Comprised mostly of low jungle atop limestone (ancient coral), rimmed with sand, the Yucatan is the ancient and modern home of Mexico’s Maya. Its also home to the driving beat of Cancun, the human explosion of Playa del Carmen and the wealth of old Merida.