Winning tip: jumping into one of the seven mouths
Get up early and be the first to arrive at Siete Bocas ($15pp), one of the many underground lakes or cenotes in Yucatán. These are off the tour-group trail, leaving you alone in the jungle to plunge through the limestone holes into the clear freshwater pools and the chance to take a slightly daunting but amazing underground swim. The best way to get there is to cycle the flat 10 miles from Puerto Morelos, the first town south of Cancún. Bikes and scooters can be rented in Puerto Morelos or Cancún (intercity buses carry bikes for a small fee).
john_clayton
Cycle Tulum
I’d recommend renting a bicycle in Tulum as the local cenotes, the beach and the town itself are set apart from one other. Cenote Calavera is the nearest to the town but less frequented than others in the area with the exception of the occasional cave-diver. It is a perfect stop for a fresh water soak after pushing the pedals in the Yucatán heat.
johnkennedy
Ek Balam archaeological site, Valladolid
For a less touristic Mayan experience, head to the Ek Balam complex an hour north of Valladolid. The ruins are set deep in the jungle and have a more authentic feel than the famous, but crowded, Chichen Itza. After a few hours exploring the ruins, cool off in the nearby Cenote Xcan Ché, which boasts crystal-clear water.
jbridge90
Hidden pyramids of Coba by bike
Photograph: Getty Images
As spectacular as Chichen Itza is, you can’t avoid the crowds. Unlike Coba hidden in the jungle two to three hours on the bus from Cancún. There were only a handful of visitors the morning we went – it felt like a hidden treasure. You can hire a bike and meander along the paths in search of the climbable pyramids with breathtaking views from the top above the tree canopy … as long as you’re not afraid of heights.
swinny00
Bacalar, lagoon of seven colours
Bacalar, in the south of the peninsula about 1½ hours south of Tulum, was one of the first towns in the Yucatán conquered by the Spanish conquistadores in the 16th century, and by the 17th century it was a popular port for pirates to loot, stock up on food and to steal women. Bacalar is known as the lagoon of seven colours and is absolutely breathtaking. Depending on your vantage point and the time of day, the lagoon appears to have many different colours. The water is warm, clear and perfectly calm to swim, snorkel and kayak in.
Sexico Disco
Colourful Valladolid
Though well located for a trip to Chichen Itza, this town is a fab place in its own right. Its grid of pastel-coloured houses reminded me of cobbled streets in Trinidad, Cuba. There is a buzzing zócalo with great shopping, a chocolate factory and a stunning cenote in the town with other cenotes a few kilometres away by bike. For those on a budget, Hostel La Candelaria (doubles from £19) is lovely, with yummy breakfasts included and bike rental. Don’t miss the food at Yerbabuena, which is especially good for veggies.
Fabia Lewis
Swim through Xcarat’s underground rivers
The ecological and archaeology park at Xcaret is a day trip from Cancún, and seems expensive (£72 a day adult) but you can swim through the network of underground rivers, and watch dolphins in the lagoon. There are monkeys, birdlife and butterflies to enjoy as you walk through the park. You need to use the park’s own creams, which are designed not to damage the beautiful environment.
• xcaret.com
Doug Bishop
Blissful Isla Holbox
For a Mexican island adventure, swap Isla Mujeres for the quieter Isla Holbox. A £4 ferry ride from the north coast of the Yucatán peninsula lies this sun-strewn island with abundant wildlife. Stay at Hostel Tribu for backpacker-style but hotel-standard accommodation, with en suite rooms from £30 a night. Walk with flamingos on white sand lagoons; snorkel with rays and turtles in turquoise waters; and plunge into the deep to swim in the majesty of whale sharks and manta rays. Bliss.
skwilkinson
Sound and light show, Chichen Itza
Don’t miss out on the free light and sound show at Chichen Itza. It isn’t well-advertised – you have to apply through the website for tickets but it runs every night and is the most breathtaking show. Try to time it when there’s a full moon rising. Unmissable!
• nochesdekukulkan.com
H Sullivan
Feel at home in Tulum
I visited Tulum for about five days after travelling around the country for three weeks. I had a lovely stay in chilled out, colourful Hotelito (doubles from about £45). I can only recommend popping by Batey for a watermelon mojito and live music in the evening. And during the day head to the beach near the ruins: it’s actually less touristy than the big resorts closer to the main road.
Sonia Carrera
Back road to Mayapán
Instead of the more direct route from Merida to Mayapán, we took the scenic route heading south towards Muna and turning east at Abala. The road narrowed and directed us mostly straight through a bright tunnel of trees and vines that seemed endless. Sensing we were nearing the end we came upon X-kan cha a kan, a small village with a lovely old church and a fine well-maintained hacienda. We lingered here a while enjoying the quiet cool beneath the ceiba trees enjoying the magnificent hacienda with its unique clock tower. Then on to the stunning Mayapán a short drive further, which we had to ourselves.
peter roth
La Perla: authenticity in a tourist town
Playa del Carmen, south of Cancún on the road to Tulum, is a really touristy spot but La Perla restaurant has an extraordinary, authentic Pixan menu and an array of mezcals unlike anything we’d ever seen anywhere else. Delicious and adventurous.
steviezim
Beer oasis in Playa del Carmen
In Mexico it is very difficult for a bar to have its own beer menu independent of the big conglomerates (bar licenses are expensive but paid for by the big brewers – if the bar owner agrees to stock only their beers) but the Club de la Cerveza in Playa Del Carmen is a notable exception. It has carved out a niche serving Mexican craft beers thanks to a brave self-funding initiative by the owner Miquel. So head up 5th Ave and celebrate his courage with a artisanal IPA or stout.
• clubdelacerveza.mx
CTombu
Flamingos in their thousands in Celestun
On arrival, Celestun looks like many other sleepy Yucután towns. But take a boat out to one of its surrounding lagoons and you’ll find yourself in a dream: thousands of flamingos gather in the area to feed and court as you float among them. Other local wildlife includes rainbow-hued hummingbirds, rare herons and a portly crocodile sunning itself on the bank. Also worth a mention is Nicte Ha - a restaurant on Calle 10 in town that served the best ceviche we had on our trip and continued the birding theme with its beautiful flamingo mural.
Selene Pearson
Uxmal rather than Chichen Itza
When deciding which Mayan ruins to visit, note that Chichen Itza is crowded, access to the ruins is restricted by barriers and every shady spot is full of souvenir vendors. For us, Uxmal was equally impressive but with only a fraction of the visitors, much better access to the ruins themselves and without the annoying sound of souvenir vendors blowing their animal noise whistles.
Peter Newbold
Eco retreat near Ek Balam
We stayed in Ek Balam pueblo at Genesis Eco Oasis, where the owner promotes mutually beneficial interaction with local people, such as a visit to her farm to see how they cope with draught and hurricanes, and to her Maya friend to make tortillas and chocolate as her ancestors did. We felt this experience helps prevent the devastating cultural and environmental impact of mass tourism.
• Doubles from $45 a night, genesisretreat.com
Nanda Whiles
Isla Mujeres underwater sculpture park
Isla Mujeres is a beautiful little island that had two problems: its fishing industry was no longer profitable and the local coral reef was dying. Its solution was to create an underwater sculpture park that acted as both an artificial reef but also ensured visitors kept coming. The 400 statues were made from moulds of local residents as well as the odd curious sculpture (like the VW car). It’s roughly eight metres deep and the visibility is very good, so even if you’re not a diver, slip on a snorkel and have a look from the surface.
• Carey Dive Center has visits for $70pp
hecticplanet
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