Yucatán

• 🌍 Mérida — the state capital and largest city, and the cultural center of southern Mexico
• 🌍 Celestún — fishing and beach community famous for the flamingos in the Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve
• 🌍 Cuzamá - home of three beautiful cenotes
• 🌍 Izamal — a small city with a rich ancient Maya and Spanish Colonial past
• 🌍 Maní — 4,000 year old Mayan community with a checkered past
• 🌍 Maxcanú — Colonial town built over an existing Maya community, near several Maya archaeological sites
• 🌍 Motul — a pueblito, origin of the "Huevos Motuleños"
• 🌍 Progreso — a port city on Gulf of Mexico with seafood and beaches.
• 🌍 Sisal — historic port and colonial fortress, a Pueblo Mágico
• 🌍 Valladolid — Spanish Colonial era architecture dominates this small city.

Yucatan is a place of peace and friendly people, a place to explore the Maya culture, enjoy beautiful sandy beaches, underground rivers and cenotes (sinkholes or caves originating from limestone erosion in a Karst area), delight in sightseeing many ancient Maya archaeological sites or enjoy a great meal. Bird lovers will find Yucatan a great place for bird-watching, those that enjoy romantic places will find many in the Colonial cities of this lovely state; where people gather early at night in parks and plazas to enjoy a free concert or to dance some salsa.

Spanish is the official language. Knowing at least a few simple phrases of basic Spanish is helpful, but locals are very forgiving of visitors who are not fluent as long as you make an effort to be polite. In much of Yucatan some Maya is spoken. Except in a few small villages, almost everyone will have at least a working knowledge of basic Spanish. The younger people are now learning English and will try to practice on you. A translation dictionary may not be as helpful as in other areas. English, at least simple English, is widely understood with merchants and guides at major tourist destinations and in more upscale hotels.

Renting a car is highly recommended. Main roads are in good condition and state maps are easily available at any "tourist information kiosk." There is a good coach and bus network in the state. First class coaches are normally available between tourist-destinations (e.g. Merida and Valladolid) and these are fast and comfortable. However, to explore smaller towns and villages and to get out of the cities, local buses and collectivos are often the only public transport available, and can be slow, hot and uncomfortable. No train service to this state. There is limited air service to outlying communities from Merida.

The fastest route across the region (Cancun-Valladolid-Chichen Itza-Merida) is the divided four-lane toll road, the cuota (Highway 180). The toll between Cancun and Chichen Itza is approximately US$30 each way. The road is well-maintained but does not have nighttime lighting; occasional bicyclists and pedestrians create some road hazards, but fewer than on most other Mexican roads. There are few services available along the road, very few gas stations, few vendors or services, etc. so plan accordingly. Restrooms are available at some toll booth areas.

• "Yucatan Today" has lot of info and tips online. Pick up a copy of their monthly periodical when in Yucatan for maps, information, and lots of articles.

Museums. Many cities and towns in Yucatan offer visitors the joy of a good museum exhibit. Chichen Itza has a small exhibit at the main entrance of the site, within the Cultur complex; but don't miss the Merle Greene Gallery and museum at Hacienda Chichen, where you will find an exquisite private collection of Dr. Greene's original rubbings display with utmost care and elegance.

• Merida by night. Each night the City Hall sponsors many cultural events and regional dances through out the Historic District in downtown; most events are free and scheduled to start after 19:00 Carnival at Merida has evolved from a Maya/Catholic indigenous celebration to what they describe as The party of the year, every year in Yucatan. Lodging reservations suggested.
• Swimming in cenotes. These natural underground lake and cave formations, found throughout the peninsula, are especially concentrated in the state of Yucatán. The highest concentration is to be found in what was once an ancient meteor crater. Many that can be toured are located along La Ruta de los Cenotes, an official network of secondary roads that is promoted by regional governments and tourist authorities.
• Mayan sacred ceremonies. The Mayan Priests and Elder Healers' civil association: Kuch Kaab Yeetel J-Men Maya'ob A.C. offers a variety of sacred Mayan rituals and mystical ceremonies throughout the year at their Sacred Mayan Ceremonial Center within the Maya Jungle Reserve at Hacienda Chichen.
• Birdwatching. Yucatan is a great place to visit for those that enjoy birdwatching. Places to visit are: Celestun, Rio Lagartos, El Cuyo, Chichen Itza, and Uxmal.
• Buy souvenirs. The "guayabera" shirts for men and the "huipil" blouses and dresses for women are attractive and great for the climate and can be purchased all over.

Yucatan is well known for its exquisite and embroider "huipiles," silver "filigrana" jewelry, traditional "hammocks,", fine replicas of ancient Maya ceramic vessels and masks. One of the most sensational fine arts boutique is found in Valladolid's main square, Yalat it specializes in Mexican fine arts and unique Maya art-crafts; the store itself is a joy to visit. Merida also offers some good shopping, try its traditional main market or the open-market on many streets all week long.

Yucatan makes excellent summer hats of the "Panama" or "Jipijapa" style. Even the highest quality fine mesh hand woven hats are fairly reasonably priced compared to what similar hats go for in most other countries.

Yucatan cuisine is well known throughout Mexico. Try the traditional "Pollo Pibil" (tender chicken) and "Sopa de Lima" (chicken soup with lime juice). "Poc chuc" is a tender slow cooked pork dish. Chilmole is turkey in a dark spicy sauce. Venison is no longer as common in Yucatan as it was a generation ago, but still sometimes appears on menus and is usually of good quality.

If you are lucky enough to be discovering Yucatan by automobile or even bus, a travel cooler of decent size comes in very handy in this climate. You will have opportunities to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables along the road. Pass up any that have already been peeled. Honey is usually sold along the road in used whiskey bottles. It should be considered safe and will be quite tasty.

Some consider the water in Merida safe to drink (including people who don't drink the tap water elsewhere in Yucatan), but bottled water is available most places and is the safest choice, especially in the countryside the water can have microbes that can cause digestive problems.

Yucatan has some decent bottled beers. "Montejo" is a light pilsner; "Leon" is a Munich style dark. Some places you may see "Michelada" offered, which is cold beer with lime juice and spices. Especially for liquors you are not used to, be sure to drink in moderation. Yucatan makes a several brands of rum. Tequila is popular at tourist heavy places, it is not really a big Yucatan thing; most comes from other parts of Mexico. There's Absinthe. Yucatan also has unusual local products such as "X'tabentun" made with anis and honey, and "Crema de nance", a tasty distinctive liquor made from a local fruit.

Fresh fruit juice is very popular in Yucatan and freshly squeezed orange juice can be found in most markets. Dairy products, including cheese, should be avoided, unless you are positive they have been made with pasteurized milk.

The lodging in the Yucatan varies widely.

On the cheap range are places where you bring your own hammock (good quality inexpensive hammocks can be easily purchased at markets in Merida or larger towns). Sleeping in your own hammock is common for budget accommodation, often in rather primitive lodging with three walls, a ceiling and an open air front. Only a wash bowl and stool will be provided. Even some higher priced hotels in the cities have a floor of rooms that only accommodate hammocks. Other more conventional sleeping choices are also available.

In the moderate range, unless there is a big event in town it is usually pretty easy to find decent hotels or pensions with basic but clean rooms with the simple luxuries of bed, air conditioning and private bath, often only a short distance from historic sights or beaches which support high end hotels charging tens of times as much.

Larger cities and most popular attractions have luxury hotels with amenities and attentive staff who understand English and other major languages.

For a different type of Yucatan experience consider the numerous haciendas that are scattered throughout the State, offering outstanding amenities at reasonable cost. This will help you understand the rich history of Yucatan.

Yucatan should be considered a safe place to visit. It is common for locals to approach you to practice their English, although most are quite reserved and shy. Always keep your vehicle locked and valuables out of sight. In the larger cities, parking is somewhat limited and it may be best to find secured parking. Never photograph military installations, Police, Federales or children without permission. The biggest danger to visitors may be on the roads. If not on toll roads, you are likely to encounter large buses, trucks, pedestrians, animals and such. Driving after dark can be dangerous and risky. In the tourist areas you may encounter some "machismo". It is best dealt with by pretending not to notice or humbleness.

• To the south of Yucatan is the state of Campeche, with more Maya ruins and the charming namesake capital city Campeche.
• East of Yucatan is the state of Quintana Roo, home to the popular tourist destination of Cancún, the ancient ruins of Tulum and Coba, beautiful beaches, and other attractions.