
If you already have seen the known hightlights of
the Yucatan Peninsula, or just want to enjoy a holiday "off the
beaten track" here is our favorite itenary. All recomended hotels
are small, personal, "owner managed" hotels. Once there they can
advise you on a lot of things and help you plan your activities.
See
this trip in Google Maps
Arriving in Cancun you might want to stay overnight there
if your plane arrives after sunset (hotel: Xbalamque, in the center of Cancun)
Ek Balam
Your first destination can be Ek Balam, a small mayan village. Main attraction:
the mayan temples of Ek Balam, they recently discovered a well conserved facade
with original colors.
Other things to do: Visit old colonial town of Valladolid,
Cenote Dzitnup, admire flamingos at Rio Lagartos.
Recomended hotel: Genesis
Retreat.
Izamal
Beautiful "magical town" also know as the "Yellow city".
Originally a Mayan Village, after conquering it the Spanish built a colonial
city on top of it, including a large Franciscan Monastery. In 1992 the Pope
Juan Paul II visited Izamal. Among the many interesting places to visit we
recomend a swim in the Cenotes Chihuan and Yokdzodnot and not to be missed:
Hacienda Sotuta de Peon. Recomended hotel : Macan
ché
Santa Elena
Sweet town, excelent starting point to visit one of the many archeological
sites in Puuc style (Labna, Kabah, Sayil)
Other things to do: Take a tour throught the Loltun Caverns,
visit old haciendas. Visit Uxmal (in my top 3 of favorite archeological sites),
shop for ceramics in Ticul
Recomended hotel: Fly
catcher Inn
Xpujil
The small town itself has very little to offer to tourists, but its a paradise
for those who want to be in the center of some archeological highlights. Please
reserve a full day to visit Calakmul (my number 1 favorite) and 1 or more
days to visit the nearby like Chicanna, Becan, Dzibanche or one of the many
others in the region.
Recomended hotel: Rio
Bec Dreams (the owners, Rick and Diane are both very knowledgable guides)
Yaxchilán and Bonampak
Continue to the south for a unique experience in the Lacandon jungle. You
will discover two very little known archeological sites situated near the
border with Guatemala. You can visit Yaxchilán only after a beautiful
boat ride on the Usumacinta River. Bonampak’s ruins are situated nearby
in the Lacandon Forest Reserve.
Recomended hotel: Valle Escondida
(no website, email: busil_h@hotmail.com)
Bacalar
Another Magical Village is Bacalar, also nicknamed "Lake of the seven
colors"for its incredible variety of blue shadows. Visit the Cenote Azul
or take a Mayan Zipline Canopy Tour. You can visit Bacalar as a daytrip from
Maya Luna, but you can also stay a few days at Villas
Ecotucan (recomended)
Mahahual
End of your trip and enjoy a well deserved relaxing time, reading in a hammock
at our beautiful quiet, relaxing beach and tell us all about your experiences.
Recomended hotel: Maya Luna :-)
If necesary stay your last night in Puerto Morelos, some 18 kilometers south of the airport of Cancun. A growing town, but the plaze still gives you a feeling as if the "forgot" to develop this part of the coastline. Our Travel agency, Maya Moon Tours, can make a reservation for your in good quality hotel for a reasonable price.
Please note that depending on how much time you have, you can include Palenque and San Christobal or leave them for a next vacation.