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Shopping in Playa del Carmen
Xel-Ha
Chichén- Itzá
Tulum
The Real Mexico |
CancúnforTourists.com for Cancún's Top Tourist Tips Day Trips from Cancún No visit to this part of the world is complete without a visit to the bedrock of ancient Mayan civilizations of Chichén-Itzá and/or Cobá. The former's famous imposing pyramid is the defining image for that part of the Yucatan. There are tours that will make the day trip there, or you could rent a car to do this 3-hour trip (6 hours total). A good option is to take just the single tour to Chichén-Itzá, and then do the rest by yourself with a car rental. For background information on the two major Mayan ruins, check: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chichen_Itza http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coba The ancient fortress of Tulum provides one of the most stunning vistas of all time. Although there is not that much to "explore" once you get there, it is a must-see. On a hot day, you can look down from your perch atop the rocks and see children running and jumping in the azure blue waters. For background information, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulum An excellent day trip would be an early start to Tulum, followed by tubing down the river at the eco park called Xel-Ha, quite a wonderful experience. You can go down the river at your own pace, stopping to take in the scenery when you feel like it. You can also pick up your lunch there. On your way back, do stop at the town of Playa del Carmen. Here, even though it still caters to tourists, you CAN get a real flavor for Mexico and a laidback, less Americanized lifestyle. Fifth Avenue is full of little stores for browsing, there are coffee shops and markets. The beach area at a certain point is lined with casual eateries, where you can get a cheap margarita, talk to the local wait staff, and sit with your feet in the sand. You could also combine Cobá with Tulum, and leave Xel-Ha for another day trip, in combination with the stop at Playa del Carmen. Two other eco-adventures are worth mentioning. One is the very unusual grotto called Aktun Chen, just an hour's drive from Cancún. The moment you drive in, you will be charmed by the monkeys bounding about, perching on the hood of your car! On the other side of the spectrum is a nature Disneyland called XCaret, some 50 miles south of Cancun. Here you can see developed limestone sights, aviaries, gardens, and different types of aquatic experiences. And, on your way back, why not stop at Playa del Carmen? 5th Avenue is full of little shops and boutiques, coffee shops, and the beach area has many eating and drinking establishments, so you can sit right on the beach, get an inexpensive margarita and relax! One popular trip is a tour to the island of Cozumel, a very targeted stop for cruise ships. HOWEVER, much closer to home (Cancun), is Isla Mujeres, where you do feel like you are far from the crazy crowds. There are boat expeditions that will take you there, with a few bells and whistles. You can also just take the bus to Port Juaréz, and from there the ferry over to the island for something like $2 for the FASt ride (15 minutes). The slow boat takes 3 times as long and is half the price! Once there, there are golfcarts to be rented, a popular mode of transportation. There really is not much traffic, and you can get around the island in short order, and then browse in the artsy shops, some of which are higher quality than others. The beach is beautiful, and you will also find laidback restaurants where you can get Yucatan specialties which you can wash down with your margarita, while sitting under a palm tree or umbrella right on the beach. If you must engage in something active here, try booking for a Dolphin Swim (reservations required in advance) at Dolphin Discovery. For more information on the Mayan Riviera and the rest of the Yucatan Peninsula, click on the link below:
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