Agnostic asked:
I’m planning a trip to mexico in the yucatan peninsula. I want to go somewhere that has great beaches, and fun activities at night, most of all I want to explore mayan ruins. What would be the best city to do this in?
Abby
I’m planning a trip to mexico in the yucatan peninsula. I want to go somewhere that has great beaches, and fun activities at night, most of all I want to explore mayan ruins. What would be the best city to do this in?
Abby
Cancun is the place to go for beaches and Mayan ruins.
Comment by airbob61@verizon.net — June 30, 2008 @ 12:58 am
I live in Oxkutzcab Mexico formerly from Portland Oregon and we are right in the middle of ten to twelve ruins. They have a designated route that starts ten minutes from my home and ends just short of Marida. I have taken this route twice and at the end there is a evening light show at the last ruin that is highly recommended a show not to miss. The beaches are fabulous I have been to both coast and the sea shells that are on the beach are over abundant I am only less than two hours from either coast celestun, progress, are couple of my favorites and of course you have Cancun witch is a little further like four hour drive.
Comment by David C — July 1, 2008 @ 9:59 pm
Playa Del Carmen is probably you best bet. Its got a pretty good night life, awesome shopping low and high end. And it is near the Mayan Ruins in Tulum which are amazing, its also close to allot of other ruins too, you just have to ask around. If you want to stay near there but want the peace and quite of a small town I would highly suggest Porto Adventuras. Its about 20 minutes from Playa Del Carmen and is also close to Xelha, which is a resort that you can go hiking and snorkeling at.
Comment by polkafrog2004 — July 2, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
You should travel to Cancun or Playa del Carmen and stay there. Tulum and Chichen Itza are very close by, and you can easily find tours.
If you really like mayan ruins you should consider flying to Tikal, Guatemala (from Cancun). It’s the largest uncovered mayan city in the Americas. Until 2 decades ago it was the largest mayan city until El Mirador / Rio Azul was discovered and its still being explored (having the largest pyramid in the world).
Tikal is about a 45 minute flight from Cancun. Its in the middle of the Guatemalan jungle, in Peten. You can climb to most of the ruins. Check this website with tikal pictures and convince yourself…
Have a nice trip!
Comment by Jose P — July 4, 2008 @ 8:43 am
HELLO I AM MEXICAN AND ALIVE IN THE CITY OF MEXICO.
CANCUN IS THE BEST OPTION THAN YOU HAVE I HAVE KNOWN THE RUINS MAYAN AND AZTEC AND THE 2 ARE PRETTY.
IN CANCUN THERE ARE MANY MAYAN RUINS, TROPICAL FORESTS, THE BEACHES WITH BLUE WATER, WHITE SUGAR, BUT IN THE STATE DE CHIAPAS THERE ARE MORE RUINS THAN CANCUN, THEY ARE ALSO THE TUBE OF THE DRAIN, FOREST LACANDONA, AND LAGOONS OF THE MONTEBELLO.
CANCUN IS PRETTY BUT ALSO IT IS THE CITY OF MEXICO THE AZTEC EARTH WHERE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF AZTEC ZONES
Comment by VIVA MÉXICO — July 4, 2008 @ 10:12 am
It depends on what type of person you are. If you are into the huge all inclusive resort type thing with abnoxious teenyboppers getting drunk then Cancun is the place to go. If you are into a slightly older/european(22-30) crowd but still very commercial(resorts) then playa del carmen is what you want. If you want a smaller quieter place on the beach with a young european crowd(20-25), tulum is the place to go. Personally, I never liked cancun. The city is big, dirty and expensive. The conversations that you’ll find with people there tend to be lacking. Ten years ago Playa del Carmen was awesome. The night life was great and the beach was gorgeous. Today it is overbuilt. They put a McDonalds on the corner of 5th and avenida juarez about 5 years ago. You’ll get hassled walking down the street by people trying to sell you stuff. Once I saw the Mc Donalds, I bought a vacation home in Tulum. You will find the best food in Playa. The night life in Tulum kind of sucks but the beaches are pristine and if ruins are what youre into, there are plenty. Tulum ruin is about 3km from the city. You are at the turnoff point for coba and chichen itza. There are cenotes(springs) all over the place and it lacks the plastic feeling of cancun and unfortunately playa. You can stay at very nice hotels/cabanas on the beach with full service or you can stay in a hostel on the beach or even in town. I always preferred hostels bc of the great people you meet. Even now that I have a place on the beach, I miss the old days of the backpack and chicken bus. Flores(Tikal) is worth the trip if you have time. It is also very very very worth it to go to Palenque and san cristobal. Get a lonely planet and read up on the region. It is usually pretty current and it will give you great tips on where to stay and how to get there. Overall, if you want a fun night, good food and ruins close by, I would say Playa is still it. But Tulum is great too. Don’t overplan, never reserve a place before you get there. Feel it out and see what fits you. Stay in Playa the first night and visit tulum the next day. Tulum city isn’t so nice but go out to the beach on boca paila and you will see what I mean. Go ahead and email me if you have more questions or want tips.
Comment by James P — July 7, 2008 @ 6:20 pm
Playa del Carmen, probably. About 1.5 to 2 hours west are the ruins of Chichen Itza. They’re in the jungle, inland, and have been restored. About 30 minutes south are the ruins of Tulum. They haven’t been restored, but they’re right on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Gorgeous! And there’s a great swimming place there, too.
And further to the south and west are the ruins of Coba. They are by far the largest, but they’re still being excavated. You can get great travel packages that will take you to Tulum and Coba.
Or, you can stay in Tulum. From here, you can take a bike to the ruins of Tulum. But there isn’t much night life here.
Comment by pinkdenial — July 10, 2008 @ 11:58 am
Mmm… Mayan ruins? Tulum, Chichen Itza, in Quintana Roo State:
But there are other mayan ruins as well in Chiapas:
Although in Chiapas there are not tourist beaches, I you can find several Mayan Ruins, somewhat close to Cancun and Mayan Riviera:
Comment by gerardo — July 11, 2008 @ 4:34 pm
Cancun has everything you said but if you wnt more to see the ruins go to merida
Comment by carlos o — July 13, 2008 @ 8:13 pm