Yucatan Peninsula
Akumal, Tulum, Yal-ku, Xcaret, Coba, Chichen Itza
Day 1: Arrive in Cancún and drive an hour or so down to Akumal beach. Drop off your belongings at your hotel and then take the rest of your day to swim and snorkel here and enjoy the less-crowded shore.
Day 2: In the morning, drive to and tour Tulum. This Mayan site set dramatically above the ocean and is very popular with tour groups, so get there early. Next, drive back towards Akumal for some relaxation at beautiful Yal-ku Lagoon, a quiet site away from the tourist hordes where an underground river meets the ocean, making the water a mix of fresh and salt water. The lagoon is perfectly picturesque, and its calm waters make it ideal for snorkeling and swimming. Spend as much time here as daylight allows before returning to your lodgings.
Day 3: Today we visit another underground river that meets the ocean in a beautiful lagoon; however, this one is at Xcaret Park—a natural theme park. Xcaret's attractions include snorkeling through mangroves, observing local wildlife, and relaxing in conveniently placed hammocks. After being pampered at Xacaret, head over to Coba, another site for ancient Mayan ruins exploration. The ruins may not be as well restored as those at Chicen Itza, but you have the luxury of exploring them on your own without so many other tourists around.
Day 4: Prepare for an all day trip to Chichen Itza. The drive is a few hours each way, but it is worth it as this is perhaps the most famous Mayan site in all of Mexico. Unfortunately visitors are no longer allowed to climb the largest pyramid located in the center of the complex; however, the complex still offers some of the most well preserved Mayan ruins in the world. Take your time here wandering through the complex, trying to imagine what life was like for the ancient peoples in this tropical environment.
Day 5: Return to Cancún for flight home.
Day 1: Arrive in Cancún and drive an hour or so down to Akumal beach. Drop off your belongings at your hotel and then take the rest of your day to swim and snorkel here and enjoy the less-crowded shore.
Day 2: In the morning, drive to and tour Tulum. This Mayan site set dramatically above the ocean and is very popular with tour groups, so get there early. Next, drive back towards Akumal for some relaxation at beautiful Yal-ku Lagoon, a quiet site away from the tourist hordes where an underground river meets the ocean, making the water a mix of fresh and salt water. The lagoon is perfectly picturesque, and its calm waters make it ideal for snorkeling and swimming. Spend as much time here as daylight allows before returning to your lodgings.
Day 3: Today we visit another underground river that meets the ocean in a beautiful lagoon; however, this one is at Xcaret Park—a natural theme park. Xcaret's attractions include snorkeling through mangroves, observing local wildlife, and relaxing in conveniently placed hammocks. After being pampered at Xacaret, head over to Coba, another site for ancient Mayan ruins exploration. The ruins may not be as well restored as those at Chicen Itza, but you have the luxury of exploring them on your own without so many other tourists around.
Day 4: Prepare for an all day trip to Chichen Itza. The drive is a few hours each way, but it is worth it as this is perhaps the most famous Mayan site in all of Mexico. Unfortunately visitors are no longer allowed to climb the largest pyramid located in the center of the complex; however, the complex still offers some of the most well preserved Mayan ruins in the world. Take your time here wandering through the complex, trying to imagine what life was like for the ancient peoples in this tropical environment.
Day 5: Return to Cancún for flight home.