We are going to Cancun for a wedding. After that we would like to tour the Yucatan. We can spend about 3 weeks. We would like to travel by bus , rent a car part of the time. We also might hire a guide for part of the trips. Any ideas would be great Place to stay etc
Reply to this Playa del Carmen is a great little town. Its definitely touristy but filled with more europeans than well, americans. It definitely also caters more to backpackers so its slightly more down to earth than Cancun (though thats not saying much). Playa del Carmen is also a great launch point to scuba diving/snorkelling in Cozumel.
I've heard Merida has that colonial charm though I didn't make it there. Its about 8 hours by bus from Cancun.
Chichen Itza is completely worth it and you can do it on your own despite the bus loads of tourists that swamp the place. I think you get more out of the place if you get a guide.
Exploring Cenotes is also worthwhile and there are many around the Mayan Riviera. Some I believe, you can even go scuba diving in.
Buses are plentiful, though they depart from the real cancun city and not the cancun tourist strip.
Lonely Planet has a Yucatan book, I believe and its pretty informative.
Reply to this Well, I'll let you know in November. We will fly into Cancun and rent a 4x4 to drive south past Tulum and the Sian Kaan reserve to a little town near the Belize border called Xcalak. I have heard many great things about the area - - you can rent a boat to go over to Ambergris Caye in Belize for the day, or into the jungles to many ruins. Also, its a green place with power produced and used in only natural ways.
Reply to this I posted this to another reader, but I really endorse: I just got to Yucatan if this isn't too late for you. As a going away from the USA present I received the Frommer's Cancun, Cozumel & the Yucatan 2007 travel guide. It's wonderful!
Reply to this Wow! Are you lucky! You get to be here for three weeks! Why don't you take a week of your trip to explore the STATE of Yucatan - this is where the city of Merida is located and lot's of other great places. The State of Yucatan is where you will find the "real Mexico." You can check the award winning www.yucatantoday.com a tourist guide to Merida and the state. This will certainly help you decide if this area is for you.
Reply to this Oh yes, Merida is 4 hours away from Cancun by bus - not eight as someone above mentioned....
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