Top Things to do in Yucatan Peninsula
Top Hotels in Yucatan Peninsula
10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Yucatan Peninsula That You Shouldn't Miss
Hidden gems of Yucatan, such as Tulum, Akumal, Chetumal, Chichen Itza and Merida, offer an authentic taste of Mexico. Akumal and more Caribbean-style Chetumal, near the Belize border, deliver delectable white-sand beaches and great snorkelling. Merida, Chichen Itza and Tulum, with their ancient ruins, offer a passage into the Yucatanâs native history. Nature lovers can jungle trek and swim in subterranean sinkholes filled with crystal-clear water. Bike around the ruins and hop between towns in colectivo vans.
Restaurants in Yucatan Peninsula
1. Dzibanche
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 213 reviews
Ancient Mayan city with impressive pyramids and buildings.
Reviewed By 679randye
I have now been to 10 Mayan ruins!! This one is breathtaking!! Two temples to climb and we could hear the monkeys fighting for territory! Well worth the trip, very few tourists!
2. Casa de los Venados
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,054 reviews
Reviewed By lgmountford - Calgary, Canada
Instead of group tours, they are conducting private tours with your own group of cohorts. What a fascinating and fabulous place to visit and to make a donation to a very worthy cause. The owners have opened their private home and private collection of Mexican art to anybody who wants to visit and only ask for a modest donation that goes towards local charities. It is impossible to absorb everything and only one visit as there is so much of interest to look at. A big shout out to the owners for their vision and generosity.
3. Cenotes Sac Actun
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,633 reviews
Underground water paradise in the Riviera Maya, this visit will certainly be a unique experience like no other, mystical and extreme, you can snorkel or dive in the cavern full of formations.
Reviewed By StefR - Brooklyn, United States
After reading about so many cenotes, I was a bit overwhelmed as to which to choose. So we let our tour guide make this recommendation. It just so happened he had worked as a guide at this cenote for several years before becoming a tour guide so we just got lucky. This cenote is amazing! After parking and picking up lifejackets, we headed down the stairs and into the mouth of the cave. Our guide didn't really describe what we were about to do so it was a bit of a surprise to find such a huge cave system before us as we swam around. He knew his way around and we had such a great time seeing this natural wonder. We were there for 2 hours before seeing another soul. We had the whole place to ourselves for almost the entire time. There seemed to be endless tunnels and caves to explore so we were very happy to have a guide as we would have gotten lost very easily. Can't recommend this site enough! Definitely get a guide, bring a waterproof camera (or waterproof case for your phone) and enjoy!
4. Cenote Santa Cruz
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 693 reviews
Friends, if you are calling us and we don't answer your calls it is because we don't have good reception. We work only with previous reservations that can be made on our website or direct to our E-mail. We will answer you as soon as possible, we apologize for the inconvenience. Eco-friendly tours. Our excursions are groupal, private and personalized. “We invite you to live an awesome and fun adventure, enjoying the wonders that the Yucatan Peninsula has to offer, its heavenly beaches, Cenotes, Natural Reserves and archaeological sites. We are focused on sustainable, educational and recreational tourism in order to get the maximum and closest experience with the local communities, getting to know the flora, fauna and regional culture.”
Reviewed By jlwilm - Madison, United States
We were told that the Cenote Santa Cruz is a “must see” and we were not disappointed. We were 4 people picked up at our condo by Juan Pablo (JP) and it was immediately obvious that he has a passion for Mexico and the natural beauty. He made us very comfortable and alleviated any apprehensions. He explained everything and told us so much history of the surrounding area. JP kept insisting that this was “our” tour and we could take as much or as little of his time as we needed. The Cenote is breathtakingly beautiful with cool, clear water and we felt like we were in another world. This was not my first visit to a Cenote in Mexico but this was by far, the best, most informative and most beautiful one. I highly recommend Cenote Santa Cruz.
5. Maya Chan Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,739 reviews
Private beach resort for cruise ship passengers.
Reviewed By plantemar
We visited Maya Chan Beach while on a cruise. It was perfect : super friendly staff, very good homemade food, excellent bar service, nice floating chairs and paddle board, nice sandy beach and refreshing pool. We had a beach cabana with chairs, day bed and hammock for ourselves. Could not ask for better because it was THE best. Can’t go wrong with this gem!
6. EcoRanchoMayamar
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 171 reviews
Reviewed By olympiaruiz - Mexico, null
My favorite part of the experience was the amazing and truly awesome caves with cenotes inside of them, they were unique and special because are 100% natural, and located in middle of the jungle. The tour consist in 4 caves, each one has something different, and Roberto in every moment takes care of you. Also, if you want he gives you time alone inside of the place. Since de first moment you arrived Roberto gives you an exclusive treatment, he will receive you with some lunch at the house, and then he personally gives you the tour. The place it’s pet friendly, and exclusive. It’s an experience you can’t miss if you are around Playa Del Carmen or Tulum, you won’t regret it. It’s perfect to have an adventure, because you explore and swim at the same time. CAN’T WAIT TO GET BACK! PD: each tour is exclusive because you reserve and you will not find more people.
7. Zazil Tunich
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 193 reviews
AN EXPERIENCE IN THE MAYAN UNDERWORLD Over millions of years, nature has sculpted works of art in Zazil Tunich Cave that the world can marvel at today. Twenty meters underground, a passage leads for 200 meters into the depths of the cave. Along 80 meters of the path, you’ll see stunning stalactites and stalagmites then you’ll enter XIBALBA where there is a sacred cenote with shallow, crystal-clear waters. Before you reach the pool, you’ll pass through the Crossing of the BESO MAYA (Mayan Kiss) formed by the capricious tilt of a giant stalagmite and the CUEVA DEL ALUX (Guardian of the Caves), next to the platform of the LORDS OF XIBALBA, the Mayan Underworld. You are embarking on a journey, an unforgettable experience in the Maya Underworld that is full of tranquility, mysticism and awe at nature’s creation. Caves and cenotes were holy places in Mayan mythology and considered gateways to the home of the gods.
Reviewed By Mykatravels
Our trip to Zazil Tunich was worth every penny! The tour itself provided the most historical and spiritual context I’ve encountered thus far. The cenote itself was large, with many unique formations and plenty of room to swim. Even the grounds outside of the cenote were impeccably maintained. However, the highlight was truly the staff. I was having trouble with booking online, but was able to connect with the staff through WhatsApp and they had our tour scheduled within minutes. I could’ve asked for a better all around experience, and would recommend Zazil Tunich to anyone traveling the area!
8. Zona Arqueologica de Coba
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,221 reviews
Coba (pronounced cō-bǝ) is an ancient Maya city on the Yucatán Peninsula, located in what is now northeastern Quintana Roo, Mexico. The site is the nexus of the largest network of stone causeways of the ancient Mayan world, and it contains many engraved and sculpted stelae that document ceremonial life and important events of the Late Classic Period (AD 600-900) of Mesoamerican civilization.[1] The adjacent modern village bearing the same name, reported a population of 1,278 inhabitants in the 2010 Mexican federal census.[2]
Reviewed By Antonio251990
The coolest thing about this site it's the bicycle ride through the jungle it's a most to get on the bikes plus is only 30 pesos to rent it.. the view at the top of the main pyramid its amazing all you can see its miles of pure green in every direction it's kind of hard to climb all the way up but totally worth the effort... if you're staying in the tulum area definitely should go to coba ruins, just try to be there early because gets packed..
9. Yal-ku Lagoon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,044 reviews
Reviewed By MinnesotanTraveler
Yal-ku lagoon is an estuary where fresh and salt water meet, so the biodiversity in the lagoon is incredible. The water is teeming with fish. You can rent a snorkel or bring your own. The park around the lagoon features interesting art statues. There is a small snack bar, clean restrooms, and lockers.
10. Cenote Jardin del Eden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 473 reviews
Beautiful, crystal-clear lagoon surrounded by lush rainforest and containing underwater caves: a great destination for snorkelers and scuba divers.
Reviewed By MVD68 - Somerset, Canada
My wife and I just returned from the Mayan We absolutely love this area of Mexico!!! We always try new Cenote’s when we are here. We just took our rental car from Playacar to Eden We find it’s much more relaxing then going with a tour It was very nice and actually not that busy. Very cheap if you just pull up on your own and explore I think it was like only 150-200 pesos per person It’s an open Cenote with a rock ledge to dive or jump off. Lots of fun I highly recommend going to Eden.
