The Yucatan Peninsula juts out into the ocean, separating the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea. With over 250 days of sunshine a year and an average temperature of eighty degrees Fahrenheit, the Yucatan Peninsula is a sunny paradise.
The weather is matched only by the peninsula's activities: You can explore Mayan archeology surrounded by lush jungle, go scuba diving in crystal clear waters, or shop for Mexican crafts in open air markets. There's a reason the area is also known as the Mayan Riviera. The region boasts pristine beaches, lush jungle, and numerous Mayan ruins. A drive down the Riviera is well worth the trip.
Cancun really developed only in the 1970s, but in that short time frame it has become one of the most popular destinations on the Yucatan Peninsula. Cancun boasts vividly turquoise water that's perfect for scuba diving and snorkeling. The resort's location serves as a great home base for exploring the entire peninsula: From Cancun you can take a day trip into the jungle, down the coast to explore the Mayan Riviera, or across the inlet to Isla Mujeres.
Cancun offers a thriving nightlife: The beach bars and nightclubs stay open until dawn. And then, of course, there is the beach: Miles of white powder sand. The Cancun sand is composed of coral and shell fragments, allowing the sand to stay cool, even on hot days.
Just across the inlet from Cancun lies Isla Mujeres, the Island of Women. Popular legend suggests the island got its name because pirates once left their lady friends there when they went on their violent versions of Caribbean cruises. In fact, the name may be traced even further back in history. The island may have been sacred to the Mayan goddess of fertility, Ixchel. One of her temples still stands on Isla Mujeres.
The island itself offers a break from the hectic pace of Cancun. Here you can relax in charming (and inexpensive) alfresco cafés, or go snorkeling in the clear waters.
The Mayan Riviera is a popular port of call for Caribbean cruises. Why not spend a few days exploring the peninsula and then hop on a cruise ship to tour Bermuda and the Caribbean islands?
Cozumel Island is the largest island in Mexico. It is less developed than surrounding resorts of the Mayan Riviera, and the island's jungle is home to foxes, deer, iguana and bird life. While the island is indeed beautiful, the true attraction is the surrounding water. In the clear waters of Cozumel visibility can sometimes reach 250 feet, making it one of the world's best locations for scuba diving and snorkeling.
The coastal colonial city of Merida is built on the remains of an older Mayan settlement. The city offers a unique blend of European and Mexican cultures, in part because its location left it relatively isolated form the rest of Mexico for years. One of the main attractions in Merida is its open-air market, where you can purchase lovely Mexican crafts. In addition to its crafts, Merida is close to important archeology sites, including Uxmal and Chichen Itza.
The Yucatan Peninsula offers a number of Mayan archeology sites. Walking through these ancient cities gives you a glimpse into the complex culture that dominated the peninsula centuries ago. Some of the most striking sites include:
Tulum: Tulum was a combination royal city, fortress and center of commerce. The site has the distinction of being the largest ancient Mayan center ever found.
Uxmal: Uxmal is most famous for the Pyramid of the Magician. The pyramid is five levels high, with each level displaying intricate and ornate decoration.
Chichen Itza: Chichen Itza was once the capital of the Mayan civilization. The Chichen Itza Observatory is shaped much like a modern observatory. What makes it most amazing however, is the Mayans, did not have the advantage of telescopes when they made their incredibly detailed astronomic observations.
Kohunlich: The Kohunlich archeology site is best known for its Temple of the Faces. Built sometime around the sixth century, the temple features enormous sculpted faces on the sides of the stairway leading to the top of the structure.