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The Yucatán Peninsula is one of the most remarkable places in all of North America. It is a large peninsula full of pristine beaches, cenotes (stunning sinkholes that can be great for swimming), ancient Maya ruins, lush rainforests, rich biodiversity, and much more. The Peninsula is not only in Mexico but also parts of Belize and Guatemala — although in this article will only discuss visiting the Mexican part of the Yucatán.
The Yucatán Peninsula is a place where the Caribbean Sea, ancient history, and mother nature all come together. The Yucatán is a great place to go for a road trip — one can discover much of the Yucatan in a week on the road. Start planning one's trip and have the ultimate trip to Mexico's fabled Yucatán Peninsula.
What To Know When Visiting The Yucatán Peninsula
The Yucatán is perhaps the most popular place in Mexico to visit. It is a place that dazzles visitors from around the world.
In Mexico, the Yucatán Peninsula is part of three Mexican states (Yucatán, Quintana Roo, and Campeche). Of the states, Quintana Roo is the most popular as it is home to the world-famous destinations of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen.
- Visa: Visa-Free 180 Days
The Yucatán Peninsula is located in Mexico (mostly). Mexico is visa-free for American passport holders as well as all other Western passports. It is visa-free for up to 180 days (so there shouldn't be any risk of overstaying).
But as it is in Mexico, remember to pack one's passport.
Best Time To Visit The Yucatán
The Yucatán enjoys a tropical climate, so it will be warm or hot at any time of year. Temperatures rarely dip below 25 °C during the daytime.
- Best Time To Visit: December To April
The best time to visit is during the winter months and early spring (not that there really is winter and spring there). December to April is when it is dry, and the weather is calm.
This also makes it a better time for snorkeling as well as fishing and diving.
- Rainy Season: June to October (Also Cheaper)
The flip side to visiting at this time is that it is also the high tourist season, so one can expect accommodation and other expenses to also be higher.
Making matters worse is that during March are early April, the Yucatán can be flooded with American college students during Spring Break.
So in June through September, go swimming with whale sharks who come to mate and feed in the waters off the coast.
Where To Stay In The Yucatán
The three main touristic destinations in the Yucatán Peninsula are Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen. These cities are full of excellent resorts where visitors can flop out on the breach cocktail in hand while turning the color of a lobster.
It is impossible to do justice to the many places to stay in the Yucatán here, but there is a full range of options — all manner of resorts, hotels, Airbnbs, homestays, apartments, and more.
Cancun is a fairly new city (it has only been built in the last 30 or so years). It is home to an international airport and has some of the most luxurious and largest hotels on the peninsula. Here visitors enjoy some of the best sandy beaches along with plenty of vibrant nightlife.
Top Resorts To Stay At In The Yucatán Peninsula:
To the south are the cities of Playa del Carmen and Tulum (the archeological sites of Coba and Tulum Ruins are located near Tulum). These cities are also some of the most popular destinations and offer pristine beaches.
Another city to consider staying in (or at least visiting) is the city of Merida, the capital of the state of Yucatán.
Where To Eat In The Yucatán Peninsula
Naturally, the Yucatán Peninsula is a great place to enjoy some of the most authentic Mexican food. The peninsula is a large area that has far too many places to eat and drink to list out fully here.
But visitors are guaranteed to find plenty of excellent places to dine. With masses of American tourists; there are plenty of restaurants to suit the American taste.
According To TripAdvisor, the top five restaurants in Cancun are:
- Divina Carne
- Restaurante Careyes
- Aboloengo Cancun
- Nicoletta l Modern Italian Kitchen Cancun
- Umami
Best Yucatán Beaches To Visit
The bulk of the beaches to visit on the Yucatán Peninsula are on the East Coast — where Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum are located. The north coast largely lacks picture-perfect beaches (only the small island of Holbox is of any note).
The West Coast is largely denuded of white sandy beaches and even palm trees.
According to TripAdvisor, the top beaches to visit in Yucatán are:
- Playa Delfines
- Playa Norte
- Akumal Beach
- Maya Chan Beach
- Playa Mahahual
- Playa Norte Celestun
- Punta Sur Eco Beach Park
- Playa El Cielo
- Playa Paraiso
- Pez Quadro Beach Club
There are plenty more to explore up and down the coast.
Must-See Yucatán Sights
The Yucatán is busting with must-see sights (besides the ubiquitous beaches). There is everything from stunning Cenotes to ancient Maya ritual caves. Some Cenotes like Ik-Kil are an oasis of paradise with hanging vines and waterfalls.
- Recommended Tour: Visit to Chichen Itza, Ik Kil Cenote and Valladolid with Lunch from Cancun
- Duration: 12 hours
- Cost: From $95 USD per adult
There are scores of ancient Maya ruins to be discovered over the landscapes and tucked away in the jungle. Of course, the most famous Maya city is Chichen Itza (one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World).
Others include the Maya sites of Coba, Tulum, Uxmal, Edzna, and Kohunlich.
But there are lesser-known Maya attractions underground, too — for the Maya, caves were the underground passages to the underworld.
The peninsula enjoys some of the world's richest biodiversity. So enjoy eco-tours of the coastlines and jungles as well.
Conversion/Money & Other Tips
The currency of Mexico is the Mexican Pesos. America Dollars are widely accepted in parts of the tourist parts of Mexico like Cancun.
Generally, there will be no problem using one's credit card, but it is also a good idea to have some cash on hand. In some situations, US Dollars may actually be better than Pesos.
- Conversion Rate: 20 Pesos To $1 USD
Perhaps the best thing to do is to have a few hundred or so US Dollars on hand in Cancun and exchange a small amount in Pesos as needed.
FAQ
Q: Is The Yucatan Safe For Tourists?
Unfortunately, Mexico is known for its relatively high crime rates when compared to the United States. Merida, the capital city of the state, and fortunately, is one of the safest cities in Mexico.
Mexico in general can be a safe destination if visitors follow safety tips and stick to the safe parts of Mexico. The touristic parts of the Yucatán Peninsula are among the safer parts of Mexico.
Q: Why Do People Go to The Yucatan
There are plenty of reasons why people go to the Yucatán Peninsula. Its stunning biodiversity, tropical sandy beaches, picturesque cenotes, ancient Maya ruins, and bewildering biodiversity all rank high among the reasons to visit the area.
Additionally, it is a comparatively safe, cheap, and easy-to-reach destination with excellent Mexican food.
Q: How Many Days Are Needed For The Yucatan?
The short answer for how much time is needed to discover the Yucatán is one's full vacation. While some main highlands of the stunning peninsula can be seen in just a few days, to really experience the peninsula, consider spending two to three weeks there.
That will allow visitors to explore at a more leisurely pace and take lazy "days off" from exploring the Maya ruins and other attractions. If one has less time, it is possible to have a road trip around Yucatán in a week.