Visitors to Belize might also find that it's worth
a visit to the nearby Yucatan Peninsula. Located just above Belize, the peninsula is one of the
most popular travel destinations in Mexico, being more relaxed
and tranquil than the rest of the country. The interior of the peninsula is jungle, some of which
has been set aside for parks and reserves, while the Mayan Riviera on the east coast has some of Mexico's most beautiful beaches. The exciting city of Cancun can be visited by those seeking
an upbeat holiday, while the adventurous can explore the Yucatan's spectacular Mayan sites, small, peaceful villages and pristine
wildlife reserves.
The peninsula is divided into three states: Campeche in the southwest, Quintana Roo in the east, and Yucatan in part of the north and centre. Most of the population is mestizo, people of Hispanic-Amerindian
descent, but a large percentage is Mayan. Mainly Spanish, but also Mayan and English, is spoken in major
cities.
Cancun
Located on the tip of the peninsula, the city of Cancun is Mexico's
most popular tourist destination, offering unparalleled beaches,
a variety of restaurants, exciting nightlife and beautiful year-round
weather. The
"hotel zone," where the majority of visitors stay, is a
fourteen-mile long, thin island, where several luxury hotels and resorts
line the beach overlooking the Caribbean. The mainland Cancun City has a permanent population of 500,000. It has little of the glitz of the hotel zone but is still an
interesting city and worth a visit.
Cancun is perhaps most famous for its incredibly beautiful
white sand beaches. There
are a series of 11 public beaches here, all magnificent spots for
swimming and sunbathing. The diving and snorkeling in and around Cancún are also excellent. The area's transparent waters are full with coral beds, reefs,
and a variety of sea life. The
Chilales, Bajito, and Cuervones reefs are some of the area's best
spots for diving while snorkeling is best around the nearby Mujeres
and Holbox islands, just off of the Barrier Reef. Windsurfing, sailing and fishing opportunities are plentiful
in the area as well.
There are several marinas in Cancun that offer
these sports.
Golfing is very popular in Cancun and a
number of courses and resorts offer this sport. Most hotels offer other sports such as aerobics, tennis,
volleyball, and water polo.
Cancun is also a convenient base for visiting
many of the area's Mayan ruins such as Tulum, Coba and Chichén
Itzá. Cancun has
a few ruins of its own, including the Ruinas del Rey, (Spanish-"Ruins
of the King") opposite Cancun's Delfines beach. These post-classic ruins consist of plazas surrounded by several
platforms and are named after a skeleton that was discovered here
and thought to be a former Mayan king. The two smaller sites of San Miguelito and Yamil Lu'um are
located close to Ruinas del Rey.
Isla
Mujeres
Sitting just off the coast to the northeast of Cancún, this
small laidback and relaxing island is for those who want a break from
bustling Cancun. The
island's harbor is dotted with colorful fishing boats and its
sandy lanes are lined with outdoor cafes and restaurants. Golf carts and bicycles are the main mode of transportation. The island has numerous pretty beaches with calm, aqua-jade
waters where swimming, sunbathing and water sports can be enjoyed. El Garrafon National Park, located on the southern tip
of the island, is a paradise for snorkelers while excellent diving opportunities exist at the nearby Banderas, Manchones and Cuervones
reefs.
Those
interested in Mayan ruins can walk from El Garrafon up to
a temple dedicated to Ixchel, the Mayan moon and fertility
goddess, which also has a magnificent view of the sea. On the west coast activities such as swimming with sharks and
dolphins or visiting a turtle farm can be enjoyed. The entire island is now a nature preserve and over 50 species
of birds, such as large flocks of egrets, flamingos, pelicans and
frigatebirds can be seen here.
Isla
Holbox
The Isla Holbox is situated off the northeastern point of the
Yucatan and was declared a biological reserve in 1994. It is the ideal place to enjoy such watersports as fishing,
diving, sailing and swimming as will as exploring beautiful
beaches and unadulterated wilderness. The beaches are calm and peaceful and ocelots, flamingos and
crocodiles can be seen between the mangroves and jungle. The city of Holbox is located on the northern tip of the island
and is a tiny, pleasant fishing community.
Isla
Contoy
This beautiful coral island is located between the island
of Mujeres and Holbox and can be reached by a two-hour long boat ride
from Cancún. The island
is a national park, and a popular destination for wildlife
enthusiasts who come to see its numerous exotic waterfowl. Although the island is small, over 100 bird species make their home here, including brown pelicans, snowy egrets, boobies,
frigatebirds, cormorants, flamingos and spoonbills. The beautiful beaches here are wonderful spots for
swimming and water sports. Excellent
diving opportunities can also be found.
Crocun
Located just 25 minutes from the city, this is a small ecological park where you can see crocodiles, snakes, monkeys,
coati mundi, parrots and macaws. |
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Tres
Rios nature reserve
This is located 30 minutes away from Cancun. Here you can navigate the rivers by kayak or canoe, horseback ride along the beach or through the jungle, bike,
explore jungle trails, swim in crystal-clear cenotes (natural
wells), or go diving at the nearby reef.
Playa
del Carmen
Located about 40 minutes from Cancun, Playa Del Carmen is quickly
becoming one of the largest resorts on the Yucatan's coastline. The town has a relaxed atmosphere and the main street is lined
with small shops, coffee bars and traditional restaurants. Ferries from Cancun leave from a pier close to the lively central
square. Around the town, white beaches, gentle surf and coral reefs
make an ideal base for swimming, diving, snorkeling or simply sunbathing.
Cozumel
Located on the island of Cozumel off the Yucatan's
western coast, Cozumel City was once a Mayan post-classic trading
center as well as a pilgrimage site for the worship of the moon
and fertility goddess, Ixchel. Today, the city is a popular tourist destination with a variety
of interesting sights and exciting destinations. A number of lively bars, restaurants and discos can
be found throughout the island, contributing to a vibrant nightlife.
Cozumel offers some of the best diving in Mexico,
with spectacular drop-offs, walls, caves, tunnels, beautiful coral
gardens and a number of infrequently-visited, remote reefs where you can see dolphins and other colorful marine life. Some of the best diving spots are around Columbia, Palancar,
San Francisco and Santa Rosa reefs. The Chankanaab National Park, located on the western
coast of the island, is a wonderful place for snorkelling, swimming
and seeing local wildlife. A
large botanical garden containing several varieties of tropical plants
is also located here. Other snorkelling opportunities include sites at La Ceiba and
El Presidente hotels, where you can swim without having to stay at
the hotels.
The
eastern shoreline of the island is often impressively wild, with rocky,
dramatic and impressive beaches, but the swimming here is dangerous. The western coast is where the safer, white sand beaches can
be found and is more ideal for swimming, windsurfing and sunbathing.
Another
popular activity is horseback riding. There are several ranches on the island that offer rides along
the beach and lagoons as well as guided trips into undeveloped jungle.
Those
interested in archaeology can visit several small Mayan
ruins on the island, including El Castillo in the north,
and El Cedral, Rancho Buenavista and Tumba del Caracol, an ancient
Mayan lighthouse, in the south. The main ruins of San Gervasio, situated in the central
part of the island, are connected by trails, a great place for
hiking. Visiting
these sites is also a good opportunity to see some of Cozumel's
varied birdlife in their jungle habitat. The Archaeological Park, located in the southern
part of the city, features replicas
of ancient Mesoamerican relics, demonstrations of traditional
Mayan crafts and a replica of a Mayan dwelling.
Balankanche
Caves
This impressive network of caves was once a place of worship
honoring the Mayan rain god Chac. Narrow passages within the cave lead to three chambers full
of large stalagmites and stalactites, which in one case have mysteriously
formed the shape of a ceiba, the sacred Mayan tree. Around the chambers numerous metates (corn-grinding stones),
incense burners and clay vessels can be seen, while another chamber
is filled with a glassy pool. There is also a small museum and botanic garden at the entrance to the cave.
Xcaret
Located
45 miles from Cancun, this park features Mayan ruins, a small museum,
a wild bird aviary, a zoo, a butterfly pavilion, an aquarium and a
botanical garden. Visitors
can ride around the area on horseback, swim with dolphins in a salt
water pool, swim, snorkel or float down two underground rivers which
wind through cenotes, caves and tunnels lit by natural light
shafts. Xcaret was built
around the post-classic ruins of Pole, an important coastal settlement,
and also has a re-created Maya village and, at night, a sound-and-light
show about this incredible civilization along with festive dancing
and folk activities. Buses
to Xcaret leave from Cancun's hotel zone every morning and return
late in the day. The
admission fee is US$30.
Xel-Ha
Located
70 miles from Cancun, Xel-Ha park is a series of interconnected clear
water lagoons where visitors can view several types of exotic fish
and crustaceans. Superb
snorkelling and swimming opportunities abound here and there are also
hiking trails through the surrounding jungle and to a few small Mayan
ruins with painted murals and cenotes. A small marine museum in the park displays items from off-shore
wrecks. The park's admission
fee is US$10.
attractions
Mayan
ruins
Beaches,
swimming and sunbathing
Snorkeling
and diving
Exploring the vast areas of jungle
Night
life and restaurants
Fishing
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