Articles with the theme Chichen Itza
Cancun – The Pleasure’s All Mayan
by Sharon Drechsler
CEO and president of Cancun-based tour and excursion-providers, Yucatán Holidays, Erika Garcia is pretty excited: “We just learned that Orbitz has listed Cancun as the number one, top global destination!” she exclaims.
“Earlier in May, Cancun had already been listed in the Orbitz Index as second of ‘Top 10 Summer Travel Destinations for 2010,” adds Jesus Almaguer, director of the city’s visitors bureau. This comes as no surprise to Cancun’s Secretariat of Tourism Dario Flota. “We survey the 6 million visitors per year here all the time who say they’ve had unforgettable vacations,” he says. “Visitors from all over the world return to Cancun year after year. And they tell us they feel 100 percent confident about security throughout their stay.”
I know Flota feels the need to mention security due to recent negative press concerning border unrest. But with the tender care afforded us by a special security unit assigned solely to assist tourists, I felt more comfortable than at home! Plus, where else in the world can you find such perfect ingredients for an ideal holiday? Unspoiled, white-sand beaches; warm, Caribbean climate; exceptional hospitality…. Check. But wait. There’s more! “Sure, most of Yucatán Holidays’ guests are coming for a beach vacation,” says Garcia. “But with our vacations, they have so many additional options! You should see a kid snorkeling over the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the longest reef on the continent. Or talk to a couple after they’ve gotten out into the community, learned about the history of the Mayan people and viewed how we live today.”
“I can’t tell you how many people have told me this trip has changed their lives! One couple called me the other day and said, ‘Erika, we can’t go home yet!’” laughs Garcia. “I told them to relax; we can help them.” “Yucatán Holidays makes it easy to add on days to their stay. We do what it takes to protect our resort clients’ interests. With us, their special guests never need to go online, call another resort provider or a travel agent.” The Yucatán Peninsula has supported a sophisticated level of civilization since as early as 1,000 B.C. “We’ve found that visitors want to explore the local history, culture and heritage,” she adds. “Yucatán Holidays is the first local tour provider to incorporate our rich heritage into a sustainable tourism portfolio.”
One of their steps in meeting this commitment is to partner with an alternative tourism agency called Kanché. “Visitors interested in science and nature can take a Kanché tour through protected jungles and mangrove forests and learn about the fascinating history and culture of the region,” adds Garcia. “We are a major supporter of this non-profit, non-governmental group.”
But this is just one layer of the Yucatán Holidays onion I peeled back on a recent trip there. Fresh off the plane, my first stop is to Ocean Spa Hotel in the heart of Cancun.
Day 1: Sensations massage, sensational meal
After checking in, I am treated to an 80-minute-long Sensations massage that turns me into pliable puddles of joy. Lia at Ocean Spa Hotel’s Ya’ax Ché spa uses four different techniques including acupressure, reflexology, lymphatic drainage and body stretching – decidedly therapeutic – to send me to a different plane. Soon I’m humming a restful “Om.”
The next morning I visit the buffet table of the all-inclusive Ocean Spa Hotel’s indoor/outdoor restaurant, where I make the day’s toughest decision: Should I go native with Mexican-styled refried beans, huevos rancheros and tortillas or stick to a made-to-order omelet? Instead, I opt to sample one of the Ocean Spa’s juice therapy concoctions. Wellness is a common theme at Ocean Spa, from activities promoting exercise to restorative spa treatments and healthy food choices. The menu promises that my choice, the ‘Purify,’ an elixir of pineapple, lime, pear, kiwi and even a touch of cactus and parsley leaves, will rid me of unwanted toxins. It sounds perfect.
Thus detoxed, I believe I’m ready for the resort’s morning Latin dance class. Along with several other women and one brave fellow, we all cha-cha, hip-swivel and shimmy through an hour of salsa, bachata, merengue and mambo. (Relax. It isn’t as hard as it sounds.)
Later in the evening, my Yucatán Holidays pals and I attend an impressive evening show at the Hacienda Andalucía. An old-time hacienda that’s been converted into an equestrian venue is a weekly draw for locals and tourists alike. While we enjoy a truly sumptuous buffet, we are entertained by Mexican folk singers and dancers. After we’re suitably fortified, we watch the show as horseback riders demonstrate their skills, balancing precariously on their galloping steeds while performing intricately choreographed feats.
Hacienda Tres Ríos, Riviera Maya, Mexico 
“What is your favorite resort in Mexico?” the couple from Pennsylvania asks when they hear how much I travel. There is no hesitation on my part, “This one!” By my second day, I am checked into the five-star Hacienda Tres Ríos, an all-inclusive, luxury hotel located on the edge of 326 acres of jungle and mangrove forest and bordering a strand of beach on the Gulf of Mexico in the Riviera Maya.
I dare any top-rated hotel, anywhere, to beat Tres Ríos for luxury. It would be tough. Plush bedding, tastefully decorated suites, fine amenities, extraordinary service and haute cuisine – Tres Ríos is ready for royalty, Mayan or simply mine. Not to mention, the property was the first-ever purpose-built green resort in all of Mexico and is held to be the model of sustainability, earning top awards from Green Globe, the World Travel Awards and others. (Based in Los Angeles, Green Globe sponsors independently-audited certification that supports Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria, an agreed upon international standard for the sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses.)
Maybe Hacienda Tres Ríos means endless luxury in Mayan?
On a tour of the hotel’s kitchen, award-winning Chef Oscar Orbe shows us how he keeps his seven operations (plus room service) running at top efficiency. We tour through a sparklingly clean, climate-controlled, glass paneled facility as Orbe points out the prodigious division of pastry, salads, sides, meat, poultry and fish. Preparation of each of these is compartmentalized in rooms that surround and pump completed masterpieces into a final plating area that fairly hums with activity. (And, speaking of humming, Norah Jones’ gentle tones are piping throughout the hundreds of square feet of kitchen. Happy people/happy food.)
As in all things ‘Tres Ríos,’ careful planning has contributed to a health-oriented kitchen that’s won notice from the likes of Travel Weekly and Travel Age West. The resulting menus and buffets present diners with an endless variety of healthy choices. Guests are encouraged to experiment with their food selections, much like early hunters and gatherers – ‘molecular gourmet’ cuisine, if you will. Endless luxury is taking time to relish each bite. My friend and I are seated in the kitchen, Italian style, for our reserved private service at the Chef’s Table. While the eating establishments throughout Hacienda Tres Ríos are part of an all-inclusive system, you can reserve a special VIP seating here through the concierge.
Mentally, we gird our loins as three elegantly-dressed starters to a nine-course spread begin to appear in rapid-fire succession. First is a crispy shrimp cake, followed by tender filets of venison and tuna sashimi. Main courses follow: lobster, lamb and beef tenderloin carbonara. Like we could handle it by this time, the piece de resistance is a molten chocolate, phyllo dough basket filled with mamey (similar to passion fruit) sorbet and topped with caramel and chocolate-covered raspberries.
A Mayan view of nature
The next day finds me on the eco-friendly Jaguar Tour exploring the philosophy of Tres Ríos Nature Park – an immense nature preserve supporting 90 species of animals and 120 plant species. The resort has made ecological history by successfully reforesting mangroves, palms and other flora. We get a close-up look at how it’s done at the property’s own nursery where they plant palm trees, mangroves, herbs for the kitchen and other plants and flowers to repopulate the grounds. During planting season, a personal concierge can schedule an opportunity for you to learn how to replant one of these incredible trees and earn a certificate for your contribution.
There are 10 cenotes, or sinkholes, and three rivers. (Oh, as in tres ríos, do you think?) After being assured this one is crocodile-free, we take a plunge in its brackish water and later kayak down one of the rivers. Next, Yucatán Holidays has me signed up for the Sub See Explorer & Snorkel adventure at Aquaworld. Located on the main drag in Cancun, the venue offers everything from scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing, to swimming in Isla Mujeres. I am dutifully garbed in a bathing suit with a light pair of shorts and t-shirt, plus plenty of sun block. First from a glass-bottomed boat and later while snorkeling, we feel truly privileged to spend a day exploring the massive Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. We pass coral garden after garden and see schools of angelfish, damsels, parrotfish, rabbitfish, wrasse and the occasional sea turtle. After swimming, sun and surf, the next day’s itinerary is distinctly inland…I mean, truly “in” land. Four years ago, a landowner was chasing an armadillo, which led him to unearth a rocky entrance to an underground cavern. His discovery, Río Secreto, turned out to be the longest partially flooded cave in the Yucatan Peninsula. While most caves in the region are completely submerged and only accessible by scuba diving, this one is only partially filled by water.
Garbed in ‘shorty’ wetsuits, helmets and reef shoes, we follow as our guide Pablo explains how ancient Mayan priests and leaders would take hallucinogens, enter the darkest parts of the cavern and meditate in the watery dark. As we haltingly tread its Stygian depths, it’s like a mausoleum of those ancients. You can visualize a warrior donning the skin of a jaguar to become invisible, over here. Over there, a priest with a headdress of Quetzal feathers is placing offerings before a shrine.
The spiritual side of Mexico
Our trip west from the state of Quintana Roo to Yucatán’s capital city, Mérida, over featureless jungle-filled flatlands, induces us to snooze in the back seat. We apparently pass through a time warp and awaken several hundred years in the past to find ourselves in the region’s colonial period; only three hours later and we’re in the early 1900s! As we drive down the main boulevard, Avenida Montejo, we ogle dozens of elaborate turn-of-the-century mansions. We visit the city hall – Mérida Palacio Municipal – to view impressive murals relating the Mayan struggle for freedom.
Finally, it’s time for dinner at La Chaya Maya, just before being famished turns into really being famished. Fortunately, we arrive on the early side – 8 o’clock. Very soon waiters are scrambling to bring us lime soup, roast chicken-topped tostados called panuchos and the Mayan version of a corndog, joroches. By the time we finish, the line is almost out the door.
We’re pretty proud of ourselves for having beaten the crowd and head back to our abode for the night – a contemporary, boutique hotel housed in a beautifully renovated hacienda, the Hacienda Sacnicte just outside Mérida. Hipsters of the ilk of Sting, The Police and others have rented this exclusive hideaway. Owned by an Italian architect and his wife, the two have remodeled the 17th century stone manse into an unforgettably serene vacation home to which Yucatan Holidays has access.
Here, they have restored the massive, centuries-old stone remnants of the home and outbuildings of landed Spanish gentry, reverently intermixing antiquities with the contemporary. We ogled all six of the boutique hotel’s suites with their 20-plus-foot-high ceilings, admiring the eclectic décor and noting the designer’s acute attention to detail. Bathrooms are enormous caverns with stonecrafted spigots and huge, sunken stone tubs under open sky. Bedrooms are quiet temples of muted colors with beds swathed in fine linen and walls adorned with unique contemporary art.
A continuous theme of spirituality threads throughout my visit to this part of Paradise and is tied into a bow (or maybe a love knot) in Izamal. Pope John Paul II paid a visit here in 1993 to beg forgiveness for the Church’s wrong doings throughout Latin America. In his honor, Izamal’s buildings are painted Vatican-yellow. Bicycle driven pedicabs and horse-drawn buggies trace streets encircling the Convent de San Antonio de Padua, the first church to have been completed in Mexico in 1549.
Yucatán Holidays’ slogan, “The Power of Paradise,” is appropriate in a multitude of ways, not the least of which is signified by hundreds of ancient Mayan ruins dating from the years 300 to 900 AD. We decide to save the most famous, Chichen Itza, for another day. Instead, we visit Tulum, a collection of lofty stone remains cresting a craggy, 39-foot-high cliff that has shot up out of the Caribbean Sea. Looking down at turquoise and azure waters from this promontory puts me in a worshipful mood.
I’m reminded of all the ways my Yucatán Holidays adventure has touched me. Yes, they’ve all been powerful…uplifting spiritually, engaging experientially. But visitors may need to hurry! According to experts, the Mayan calendar ends in 2012. I pay a parting visit to the ever-gracious Erika Garcia who embraces me and tells me, “Mi casa es su casa. Bring your husband next time and stay longer!”
Original Article: Perspective Magazine
____________________
About the Author
Sharon Drechsler (DrechslerCommunications.com), lives aboard a Catalina 470 sailboat, S/V Last Resort, which is currently moored in Los Angeles, California. In addition to operating a public relations firm, Drechsler has recently co-launched SocialMediaServicing.com, content-providers for clients engaged in online networking.
Cenotes: The Yucatan’s Natural Attraction
Just saying the word cenote conjures immediate excitement, right? Well, maybe for some but for the majority, it is literally and figuratively a foreign word. Cenote, pronounced, /sɛˈnoʊteɪ/, is a collapsed caved filled with stalagmites, stalactites and an array of natural life. Well, that doesn’t sound special, does it? Wrong! Cenotes are distinctive and here is why:
Divers and Snorkelers, Welcome to paradise.
Cenotes, found primarily in the Yucatan Peninsula and surrounding Caribbean islands, are filled with crystal clear ground water with a tinge of blue and stunning marine life. One could spend hours swimming with the fish or simply staring at the uniquely formed underwater rock formations.
They are as rich in history as they are in color.
Cenote, is a word derived from the Mayan word 
D’zonot and it is widely believe that the ancient Maya used cenotoes for ritualistic purposes. Nobody seems to agree on exactly how the cenotes were utilized by the Maya. Regardless, when the sacred cenote at the archeological site Chichen Itza was dredged, over 100 human skulls were found. But, don’t let this deter you from swimming in one. The discovery was over 100 years ago and the skulls were found in only one cenote out of many. The connection between the Mayas and the cenotes is not the only link to ancient history. Cenotes are thought to be formed during a meteorite impact on earth, the same meteorite that led to the distinction of dinosaurs.
They are simply captivating.
With their uniqueness alone, they are enchanting. Used by locals and tourists alike to cool off, think of them as the old fashion swim hole but 100 times better. No muddy water, they are clear, crisp and unbelievably refreshing. After a long day touring the Yucatan Peninsula, cenotes are the perfect place to cool off while enjoying natural beauty.
The Yucatan Peninsula’s Most Popular Cenotes:
· Dos Ojos Cenote, located in the Riviera Maya is well known amongst divers.
· The Sacred Cenote of Chichen Itza, made famous by the archeological findings in 1904.
· Dzitnup Cenote, located near Valladolid, Yucatan is known mostly for its unique blue color and cylindrical shape, is one of my most photographed cenotes in the world.
Kristin McCollum is a travel writer that has spent the past year traveling and working throughout Europe and Mexico. Now settled on the Yucatan Peninsula, she finds inspiration in every person she meets and in the natural beauty which surrounds her. Follow Kristin on Twitter.
Theories of a Mayan Prediction: 2012
A plunge into societal doom resulting in mass chaos, nuclear war, natural disasters, a change in Earth’s magnetic pulls, encounters with the third kind, a crash between Earth and the planet Nibiru, the end of existence and reality as we know it; all theories of the upcoming date, December 21, 2012. As this day inches closer and closer into reality, people across the globe debate what is in store for humankind. All theories stem from the Mayan prediction of an end of an era in 2012, though nobody seems to agree on what awaits us in the future or if there will even be one.
An impeccable ability to predict eclipses and equinoxes, the Mayas created one of the most accurate calendars known to date. No wonder their prophecy of 2012 has caused such a widespread panic. Their advanced knowledge of mathematics, celestial bodies and architecture is reflected in the archeological ruins they left behind. The pyramid of Kukulcan at Chichen Itza, located in the Yucatan Peninsula, is the perfect example. The pyramid is broken up into eighteen segments, one for each month in the Mayan calendar and, as a whole, consists of 365 steps; 365 steps and 365 days in the year and this is no coincidence. Each spring and autumn equinox, visitors make the journey to this particular pyramid to watch the sun cast an animated shadow of the Mayan God, Kukulcan onto the pyramid steps. Kukulcan comes in the form of a feathered serpent that slithers his way down the pyramid step by step only to mysteriously vanish into the underground.
Everyone has a conviction. Some are preparing for the end, others for natural disasters and some appear to be undisturbed. Interestingly enough, the ones that appear to be the most vocal and the most concerned are those of European descent with varying faiths and nationalities. Not the direct descendants of the ancient Mayas. Modern-day Mayas living in the Yucatan and Guatemala are peaceful as ever. The words and predictions of their predecessors are causing no panic among them. It is the writers, the directors and the theorists that are striking fear into the general public’s heart. Charles Berlitz caused panic with his book, Doomsday 1999. According to Berlitz, floods and famine would occur with the ending of the century but 1999 passed peacefully. Now, with the movie 2012, and the amazing accuracy of the Mayan calendar, doomsday dread is once again among us.
Time is as equally reliable as death and taxes. Pick a cliché, ¨time tells ¨ or ¨time will tell¨ and wait it out. Regardless of what someone thinks, in the end, someone else is going to be wrong. Only two years to go and the countdown has begun. Will it be the end of the world as we know it or will the end result be a misinterpretation of indigenous wisdom? If you ask me, I say while in the land of the Mayas, do as the Mayas do and don’t panic.
About the Author
Kristin McCollum is a travel writer that has spent the past year traveling and working throughout Europe and Mexico. Now settled on the Yucatan Peninsula, she finds inspiration in every person she meets and in the natural beauty which surrounds her
Take Me To Yucatan | by Sharon Drechsler
The Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico calls me. I long to swim in one of those subterranean, water-filled caves known as cenotes (“say-note-ays”); gaze up at the famous pyramid of Chichen Itzá; try my hand (or should I say foot?) at dancing the salsa all night, followed by hours and hours beneath a palapa on the sands of Cancun the next day.
Five years ago, my husband narrowly survived cancer, but lost the ability to eat. Despite surviving on a liquid diet, he persuaded me to sell or store most of our worldly goods and begin a life of cruising on a sailboat. Can you blame us if our bucket list is long? And this part of the world is right up at the top of it.
So, give me the Riviera Maya! Send me to a working hacienda where I can pick up a strand of sisal to twist into rope. Take me to the ruins at Tulum. (Just the name gives me a chill!) Show me how the Spanish conquistadors carried on their opulent lifestyles in 16th century Uxmal. Even now, I picture their rich finery – the men’s capes billowing behind them like liquid; the ladies’ gowns made rich by the tedious lace-and-beadwork of hundreds of needles.
Once I’m sated with culture and I’ve absorbed my fill of sunshine-rich beaches, I want one more thing… the biopreserve of Celestún. Put me in a panga and glide me down the river past its famous pelicans. One thing is for sure: throughout my sojourn, I’ll be richly pampered by the hospitality for which Mexicans are so famous.
The sailing vessel Last Resort is currently transiting the Sea of California as the author, PR maven, freelance writer and lover of all things Mexican, Sharon Drechsler ,works onboard.
About the Author:
Sharon performs PR and writes about travel, boating and the timeshare resort industry. She is Yachting Examiner for Examiner.com, Contributing Editor for Resort Trades and CEO of Drechsler Communications.
Travel Writers’ Quest | Vote for your favorite.
The second phase of the Yucatan Holidays Travel Writers’ Quest has begun and now that we have chosen the 20 finalists it’s YOUR turn to help these superb writers and bloggers win a 5-day / 4-night Cancun vacation. What do you have to do? It’s very easy:
A) Go to the Yucatan Holidays Facebook Page. If you are not a “LIKER” (formerly, a FAN), please, go ahead and LIKE our page 
B) Then, take a look at our wall and scroll down to the 20 notes from the finalists OR go to the NOTES tab on the upper part of the Facebook page and read the travel articles.
C) Click the “LIKE” button on the bottom of the selected note and feel free to leave a comment.
There are some amazing articles and stories! Don’t hesitate to take a look at some of them! Remember, the number of "LIKES" will determine the winners and also the three lucky travel writers that will be published in our GUIDEBOOK.
Here are the names and titles of the 20 finalist entries:
1. The Passion of the Art in Playa del Carmen by Kirsten Alana
2. The Oldest Mexican Fishing Village by Martin Christopher
3. ‘Twas the Night Before Mexico by Tonya Mitchell
4. A Confined Lane to Secret Beaches by Kay Walten
5. Snorkeling in Playa del Carmen with My Mom by Angelines Villarreal
6. Nothing Can Compare to When You Visit by David Vance
7. Mexico: Beauty, Magic, Hospitality by Nicki Laycoax
8. Dreams Come True in Yucatan by Paola Sofia Quast
9. Yucatan Enchantment by Matthew Long
10. Finding Love in Mexico by Stacey Marcus
11. The Magnificence of the Pyramid of the Magician by Samantha Morley
12. Quinta Avenida, Playa del Carmen: A favorite in the Riviera Maya by Joshua Hinsdale
13. Hidden treasure in the Riviera Maya: Paamul by Susie Albin-Najera
14. World-Class Meets World Heritage by John C. Jack Tyler
15. Adventures are Awaitin’ by Sarah Dowdy
16. The Quest for the Riviera Maya by Isabelle Kenis
17. In Search of Yucatan’s Heavenly Hammocks by Nancy Birnbaum
18. Merida: A dream of Paradise by Dianne Avery
19. You Can Do It All or Nothing At All by Stephanie Diehl
20. Uxmal and The Ruta Puuc by Jillian R. Bedell
The Yucatan Peninsula: Beyond Cancun | Part One
Although the white sand beaches and blue turquoise oceans of Cancun draw thousands of visitors each year, this corner of the world has a few more hidden treasures in the depth of the luscious, tropical jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula.
The mysticism of the Mayan culture is combined with the architectural beauty and cultural history left behind by the Spanish conquistadores, making these colonial cities in the Yucatan Peninsula a jewel worth discovering.
We must visit the enchanting city of Merida, Yucatan. This architectural and cultural gem only 4 hours away from Cancun was built on the remains of a Mayan town called T’ho—“city of the five hills,” which refers to five pyramids. It is now the capitol of the state of Yucatan, Mexico. The stunning richness of its architecture makes it the second largest historic center of any city in the Americas, surpassed only by Mexico City. For a brief period of time, the city of Merida was said to house more millionaires than any city in the world. This wealth left its mark in the city where large, gorgeous colonial homes line the city streets. The elaborate, detailed homes form the Paseos de Montejo, a long avenue that has been transformed in a major tourist attraction with restaurants and bars along its corridors. Merida is also a cultural magnet where art and culture play an important role in the day to day life of citizens and tourists alike. The White City, as it is often referred, combines a rich historical background with a vivid cultural life, which is only made better by the praiseworthy hospitality and warmth of the Yucatecos.
Before we reach Merida, first we need to stop in Valladolid, Yucatan. This small, beautiful colonial town was built with the same stones of a Mayan town called Zaci after it was dismantled to build this 16th Century city. This historical quality bares significant symbolism because approximately 300 years after its foundation, the city was the battle ground for the Caste War of Yucatan. The war was ignited with the revolt of native Mayans of Yucatan against the population of European descent who had political and economical control at the time. Valladolid also houses two large cenotes Zaci and Dzitnup. Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, is also located 28 miles from Valladolid. About 20 minutes north of the city, is another impressive Mayan archeological site called Ek Balam. Another must-see is the 16th century San Bernadino Convent. The historical ties that bind ancient Mayan civilizations, to modern Mayans, to the Spanish and Mexican history become truly alive in Valladolid with the brightly colored colonial buildings, the Mayan women who sell their crafts in front of the cathedral downtown, and the Mayan ruins sitting in the abundant, tropical jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula.
A brief stop must be made in the small city of Izamal, Yucatan, which was declared a “Pueblo Magico”—or “Magic Town” in 2002. Located in the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula, about 3 hours from Cancun, the city is also called “The Yellow City” for most of its buildings are painted in yellow. It is also known as “The City of Hills” for its landscape. The cobblestone streets and colonial architecture of the city once formed part of the Pre-Columbian Maya civilization where more than 163 important Mayan ruins have been found. One of the most important attractions in the city of Izamal is the large Franciscan Monastery that sits on top of a mayor Mayan pyramid. Completed in 1561, the atrium of the Monastery was second in size only to that at the Vatican. Despite its strong ties to the Mayan civilization, Izamal is now a major pilgrimage within Yucatan for the veneration of Roman Catholic saints. However, the Mayan culture continues to have a strong influence in the town as the majority of people consider Maya their first language and most signs are both in Spanish and Mayan. A third name is given to Izamal—“City of Three Cultures”—as a combination of pre-Hispanic, colonial, and modern architecture, religion, art, and customs make Izamal truly unique and picturesque.
Our next stop—but certainly not the last—is the state of Campeche, lying just south-east of the Mexican Republic next to the state of Yucatan. Besides the city of Campeche—which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO—the state is also the home to several other small, important cities and many Mayan ruins. Campeche as a whole is distinctly painted with the rich and vivid colors of a constant celebration of tradition, history, and the love of the arts. Several cultural festivals—including the annual Carnival of Campeche—enrich the streets of this important state where art and tradition collide. In a celebration of life, Campechanos and their guests participate in parades, activities, and attractions that breathe happiness and ease into city life. Like many colonial historic centers in Mexico, Campeche’s streets are surrounded by the strong historical influence of the Spanish while at the same time preserving the strong ties to the Mayan civilization. The brightly-colored homes rich in architectural detail make it seem as if the walls of museums and art galleries have spilled unto the streets.
Mexico is a country that is alive with a strong sense of tradition and history drawing from both the indigenous civilizations that first arrived to the territory and the Spanish influence that governs much of the culture today. These colonial cities in the Yucatan Peninsula are a true testament to the strong bonds that make Mexico so colorful, unique, and a pleasure to explore. Discover what is waiting for you in the Mexico Caribbean with Yucatan Holidays.
Stay tuned for the second part of our series as we explore the Yucatan Peninsula.
Chichen Itza and the Spring Equinox | Yucatan Holidays
Visit Chichen Itza next March 21st to witness the magic of the Spring Equinox.
Seen in different indigenous cultures throughout Mesoamerica as a feathered snake, Kukulkan, will make its descend on the luscious, tropical jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula this March 21st during the spring equinox at Chichen Itza.
Kukulkan–or Quetzalcoatl in the Aztec tradition–represents a mystical deity surrounded by a number of legends and stories. In the Yucatan Peninsula, Kukulkan ruled over Chichen Itza during the 10th Century.
One of the many legends that surround the feathered snake is that of Quetzalcoatl of the Aztecs who arrived to the Yucatan Peninsula after he was exiled from the Toltec capitol of Tula. After promising the Aztecs to return, he arrived on a bed of snakes to rule the Mayans of the Gulf of Mexico.
Every year, thousands of people travel to Chichen Itza—one of the New Seven Wonders of the World—to witness the symbolic descent of the deity. This incredible example of the Mayan’s architectural intelligence is created when the sunlight bathes the western part of the pyramid’s main stairway. Seven isosceles triangles are formed and compose the body of the 37 yard-long serpent that creeps downwards until it joins the serpent’s head carved in stone at the bottom of the stairway. Kukulkan—the feathered snake—descends twice a year during the spring and autumn equinox.
An equinox occurs when the sun, in its orbit around the earth, passes directly over the Earth’s equator making the length of daylight and evening hours equal. The word equinox is derived from the Latin word for equal “aequus” and “nox” meaning night. The fall equinox happens on September 22. The snake descends from around March 19th to the 23rd, but its effects are most dramatic on the actual day of the equinox.
The Mayan archeological zone, Chichen Itza (on April 3rd, Elton John will be performing live from there.) is composed of a number of Mayan ruins, the most prominent and famous being El Castillo or the grand pyramid.
Kukulkan’s pyramid was built for astronomical purposes. The staircase on all four sides is made of 91 steps on each side totaled with the last step on top equal the 365 days in a solar year. The event is the most dramatic display of Mayan astronomical knowledge encoded into architecture.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience only has a 72-year time window—from 1976 to 2048—so book your vacation with Yucatan Holidays to witness the spring equinox in Chichen Itza.
A quick guide to Playa del Carmen | Yucatan Holidays
The always busy Playa del Carmen is the perfect vacation spot for visitors looking for a relaxing and trendy atmosphere.
LOCATION: Playa del Carmen is about an hour south of Cancun in the state of Quintana Roo in the Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean coast of Mexico.
ABOUT: The name “Playa del Carmen” was given by the Spaniards in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, patron saint of Cancun. The Mayan name of Playa is Xaman Ha, which means “waters of the north.” Most locals just call it “Playa.” It has a population of about 100,383 and it has become one of the fastest growing cities in Mexico.
TOURISM & TRADITION: It wasn’t until the late 1990s that Playa Del Carmen began to place itself among the ranks of Cancun and Cozumel as an important tourist destination. There are more than 70 hotels, small cabins, and luxury resorts throughout Playa. The city has an ordinance stating no building can exceed the 3-floors-limit, ensuring Playa conserves the sleepy fishing village and small town atmosphere that differs from Cancun’s busy lifestyle.
ARRIVING: There are two ways to arrive to Playa del Carmen: Cozumel International Airport and Cancun International Airport. In Cozumel, the ferry to Playa leaves every hour and will arrive to Playa in about 30 minutes. From Cancun, visitors have several different options to travel to Playa—taxis, colectivos—or communal vans, or charter buses. It takes about 30 minutes from the airport to get to Playa.
HOTEL ZONE: The tourist zone is considered 5th Avenue—La Quinta Avenida or La Quinta. The white sand beaches and blue, turquoise oceans of the Caribbean are just 500 meters from 5th Avenue. This cobbled stone pedestrian walkway is lined with shops, art, crafts, cafes, restaurants, and bars that fulfill a call for a diverse and international atmosphere.
TRANSPORTATION: Playa del Carmen is ideally built to walk just about anywhere with interesting, beautiful, or unique sight-seeing opportunities from your point of departure to your destination. Playa also offers all the comforts of a mayor city with taxis, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles to move around the city. For excursions to the archeological sites, Cozumel, Cancun, and other attractions, visitors and locals travel in colectivos, car rentals, ferries, and buses.
ATTRACTIONS: Shops, restaurants, and beaches are Playa’s most attractive attributes. This once-small fishing village offers the delights of a small town and pristine beaches with modern, cosmopolitan shops and restaurants. Located in the middle of the Riviera Maya, Playa is also close to the Mayan ruins of the region such as Tulum, Coba, and Chichen Itza. It is also a ferry away from Cozumel and 45 minutes away from Cancun.
LANGUAGE: The official language in Mexico is Spanish. Most of the people who work in tourism in the Yucatan Peninsula speak English. Playa del Carmen is visited mostly by Europeans while Cancun draws more visitors from the United States.
MONEY: The Mexican Peso is the official currency in Playa del Carmen. Exchange rates can vary, but has been steady at 13 USD. Some stores and restaurants accept US dollars, but offer a lower exchange rate. Exchange houses, banks, and even some hotels will offer the best exchange rates.
CLIMATE: With a sub-tropical climate, Playa del Carmen is almost always warm. The average temperature year round is about 27 C or 80F. This tropical climate offers great beach days and warm oceans. There is more rain during September and October and temperatures drops slightly during the winter months.
A quick guide to Cancun | Yucatan Holidays
LOCATION: Cancun is located in the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico. Its name means “Nest of Serpents” in Mayan. It is the entrance to Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya.
NUMBERS: There are about 150 hotels, 24,000 hotel rooms, 380 restaurants, 120 attractions, 14 miles of white sand beaches, and 600,000 inhabitants in Cancun.
ARRIVING: The Cancun International Airport is the busiest airport of the Caribbean with 12 million passengers per year. In high season, the airport receives up to 800,000 passengers per month from all mayor airlines in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. A valid passport is required to enter Mexico.
HOTEL ZONE: Most beachfront hotels in Cancun are located in the narrow 7-shaped island called Boulevard Kukulcan better known as the hotel zone. The trendiest, most popular discos, finest international restaurants, and largest entertainment venues are located along the 21 kilometers of hotel zone strip.
DOWNTOWN: Downtown Cancun, or “El Centro,” is connected to the hotel zone by two major bridges. The city’s main streets and avenues are named after Mayan cities. Additional restaurants, hotels and hostels, shopping centers, and supermarkets are located in downtown Cancun.
TRANSPORATION: There are four buses that connect the hotel zone and downtown Cancun. R1 will travel down Tulum Ave. R2 and R15 will go to Wal-Mart and Market 28, a mayor flea market in downtown. R27 will go to Plaza Las Americas, one of the major shopping centers in downtown Cancun. Cancun buses are frequent, safe, and clean. The rate per person is $7.50 Mexican pesos. Taxis are also available in the hotel zone and downtown Cancun. For day trips to Chichen Itza, Tulum, and surrounding cities, charter buses depart from the ADO bus station in downtown Cancun, but many tour packages will provide everything you need for your trip, including transportation. Take a look at our How to move around Cancun post.
ATTRACTIONS: Mayan ruins, Caribbean beaches, and Cancun nightlife are just a few of the things to do in Cancun. Chichen Itza, Tulum, and Coba are the most visited and famous Mayan ruins nearby. Other activities to enjoy are swimming with dolphins and whale sharks, exploring luscious Yucatan jungles, horseback riding, and snorkeling among other attractions.
CRIME: Tourist areas are generally safe all day and late at night. General precautions should be taken. For emergencies, 060 is the equivalent to the 911 emergency services in the United States.
LANGUAGE: The official language in Mexico is Spanish, although the majority of people who work in tourism speak English.
MONEY: The official currency is the Mexican Peso. Exchange houses or “casas de cambio” are located all throughout Cancun. Most banks, located on Tulum Ave. in downtown Cancun, will exchange dollars into pesos.
CLIMATE: The climate is tropical, hot and humid all year round. The annual average temperature is 26 C (79 F). There are over 3,000 sunshine hours a year, making it one of the sunniest places in the Caribbean. The hurricane season is from June to November. The state of Quintana Roo is recognized worldwide for its leadership in hurricane emergency assistance.
Chichen Itza to Bacalar in 10 pictures|Yucatan Holidays
“An image is worth a thousand words” and that’s why we collected 10 of the most beautiful pictures from around the Yucatan Peninsula and the Riviera Maya area to give you an idea of what you can enjoy: Chichen Itza, Holbox, Cancun, Nichupté Lagoon, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Bacalar. Some are ours, some are from other passionate travelers, but all are worth seeing and sharing.
The Kukulkan Pyramid in Chichen Itza – the Mayan culture at its best
Holbox in the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula: peaceful and unspoiled.
Cancun, an aerial view of the all-time travelers paradise in the Mexican Caribbean.
Colorful sunset at the busy Hotel Zone in Cancun.
Besides the amazing beaches, the Nichupté Lagoon in Cancun is worth visiting.
Isla Mujeres, few kms from Cancun is a paradise for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Playa del Carmen, with beautiful landscapes and an exquisite relaxed atmosphere.
A magical sunrise at Hacienda Tres Rios Resort in the Riviera Maya. Breathtaking
Tulum, the magic of the Mayan ruins and the beauty of the Caribbean Sea
The Bacalar Lagoon, the “Lagoon of the 7 Colors” is amazingly romantic.
Do you need any more reasons to come down here? Take a look at our brand new beaches in Cancun:
Recovered Beaches in Cancun
Visit our Yucatan Holidays website and start planning the vacation of a lifetime in Mexico.
Search
Social Media Connections
