Yucatan travel adventures!
My first trip with my backpack travel adventure was here around 1988. I was inspired to travel, wanted to learn, had never done this before and was slightly terrified. I was perfectly clear on one thing though…if I wanted to learn how to do this, there was one essential thing I HAD to do!
START…if I never started, I would never have had so many awesome experiences, met so many people from around the world, eaten new foods, had cooking classes in new countries, experienced Christmas in different cultures and had my life enriched so much!
It was here in the Yucatan that my backpack travel experiences really began!
There are distinctly different areas of Mexico so I’m lumping locations together by area. This page will link you to information on the Yucatan. Directly South, down the coast South, is the country of Belize. I’ve had many wonderful experiences there. Just West of there is Guatemala. My first trip to Mexico, I did this loop continuing out of Guatemala on into Chiapas Mexico and back to Cancun. It was not the most wise decision I’ve ever made, traveling 2 1/2 months for my first backpacking trip. I survived, had a great time, learned a lot, have amazing experiences and now…I just keep going!
Merida
I loved Merida! The first time I was there was 1989. Old colonial historical district, walking down cobblestone streets, sitting and relaxing at the Zocolo. Perfect!
I was there at Christmas. All the local pueblo’s come to shop. The Mayan people were about a foot and a half shorter than me. They looked up curious…I smiled, they smiled back. Some patted my shoulder. I got lost in the huge market there, turned completely around, and to this day, that’s one of my favorite market experiences.
Today, Merida is recognized as one of the safest cities in Mexico. Close to small traditinoal pueblo’s, near the yellow town of Izamal, close to ruins and home to wonderful food. Sunday, part of the central part of town is closed, open only to bicycles, joggers, walkers, families strolling and is a bit like a moving party. Check that out here: bici ruta. The map they’ve show can be translated into English. Go visit!
Remember if you are going there in May, you definitely want good air conditioning. It’s hot! Go shop for hammocks at Hammocks Rada local Pueblo’s provide their hammocks! They have a huge variety available and are walking distance from the Zocolo.
Go visit!
Merida
Yucatan Photo Editing
This is not normally what people think of first about the Yucatan. More tha likely, people think of beaches. However, this is the precise reason I came here, to the village of Valladolid. When I returned from Costa Rica, I felt a little disappointed and disconnected. Once home, I realized
Finally warm!
Days are now dwindling! In one week, I fly home. Yesterday was a full day. Several hours of cycling around Merida followed by coffee at Cafe Riqueza. Then loading packs and walking over a mile to the bus station. Scoring on a great restaurant right across from the bus station.
Valladolid
I can often find very inexpensive flights from Denver direct to Cancun. Perfect for a getaway! I fly to Cancun, get money from an airport ATM after clearing customs and immigration, and as I’m leaving the airport, I buy an ADO ticket to Valladolid. I am not a fan of Cancun so prefer to leave. The route: off the the central bus station, wait about an hour, travel approximately 2 hours, exit the bus station in Valladolid! Immediately, I feel like I’m in the real Mexico! People selling things on the sidewalk, cobblestone streets, lovely Zocolo, a short walk to my hostel, and I’m ready to settle in for a while! This is one of the closest villages to Chichen Itza. You can travel North to Rio Lagartos and see the flamingos. Or go North early in the morning to see the ruins of Ek Balam. With a cenote in the center of town and lots near, there is no shortage of experiences to have! Some great typical food here as well chochinita pibil, poc chuc and local Yucatecan cuisine.
It’s a favorite!
Valladolid
Yucatan Photo Editing
This is not normally what people think of first about the Yucatan. More tha likely, people think of beaches. However, this is the precise reason I came here, to the village of Valladolid. When I returned from Costa Rica, I felt a little disappointed and disconnected. Once home, I realized
VERY Fast week!
Tomorrow will be one week since leaving home. It’s been an amazing, full, perfectly paced time. The second day included a massage from Rodrigo which was great. Walking, bicycle riding, collectivo to ruins, bus to Rio Lagartos, more walking, evening marquesita ritual, new friends, people from all over the world.
Perfectly long days!
It’s been almost 24 hours since arriving in the Yucatan. It feels like at least 3 or 4 days! Now it’s the weekend, Friday evening. Soon, I’m heading to the Zocolo to graze and get a marquesita! So far, I’ve met people from Paris, Cambridge, London, Brussels, New Orleans, Pennsylvania,
Tulum
I was here in 1988 when it was a quiet and remote playa. At that time, locals were concerned about people coming in and buying land. Today, it’s very different. I haven’t been back for several years. Friends I knew there who had moved there from Mexico City for the quiet were leaving because of the development. From April to August, they often have a seaweed problem! However, I love going in January or February to warm up. Similar to going to Valladolid, I can get a bus to Playa del Carmen, switch to a collectivo and be in Tulum in short order. Perhaps you have already guesses, I like local travel! It’s cheaper and the experience is great!
My favorite hostel is no longer open but there are plenty of others. My routine often included renting a bicycle and picking up supplies on my way out of town. Heading North, I know where my favorite juice lady is, where the bakery is, I stock up on Chaya Juice, Mango Orange Juice, water, snacks and head to the beach. One spot for me: I ride the main highway/bicycle path to the turn off to the ruins. Then I ride through the ruin parking lot and continue South exiting the park. A few hundred meters down the road, I can ride over the knoll to the beach and chill out all day! The other option is continuing farther North to Caleta Tankah. I rent a spot for the day, relax and swim. At the edge of the ocean is a fresh water cenote so I can rinse the sea water off before returning to my spot!
There is a lot to do here as well! You can take a bus or taxi to the Coba Ruins. There, you can rent bicycles if you like to get around. Outside town are cenote’s for jungle exploration and swimming. Many people love going to Sian Ka’an Reserve. And farther South is a quieter area in the village of Bacalar. Here’s a link to a blog I found full of information for that area: Bacalar.’
Tulum
Yucatan Photo Editing
This is not normally what people think of first about the Yucatan. More tha likely, people think of beaches. However, this is the precise reason I came here, to the village of Valladolid. When I returned from Costa Rica, I felt a little disappointed and disconnected. Once home, I realized
Travel primer……how to travel from Cancun to Bacalar to Belize to Flores to Rio Dulce.
Wandering for my birthday! I got the urge to take a birthday trip. And then witnessed it unfold. I checked flights and found good affordable direct flight . Then I cleared my calendar. Suddenly, I was busy with only 10 days to plan my trip and pack! Several people made
VERY Fast week!
Tomorrow will be one week since leaving home. It’s been an amazing, full, perfectly paced time. The second day included a massage from Rodrigo which was great. Walking, bicycle riding, collectivo to ruins, bus to Rio Lagartos, more walking, evening marquesita ritual, new friends, people from all over the world.
Perfectly long days!
It’s been almost 24 hours since arriving in the Yucatan. It feels like at least 3 or 4 days! Now it’s the weekend, Friday evening. Soon, I’m heading to the Zocolo to graze and get a marquesita! So far, I’ve met people from Paris, Cambridge, London, Brussels, New Orleans, Pennsylvania,
The map below shoes some of the places I've visited in the Yucatan.
