What to do and see in Yucatan Peninsula, Yucatan Peninsula: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks

June 16, 2021 Kiesha Cripe

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. Templo de Kukulkan

Piste Yucatan, Chichen Itza 97751 Mexico +52 998 283 0423
Excellent
84%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4,178 reviews

Templo de Kukulkan

This impressive pyramid dominates Chichén Itzá's landscape, standing an imposing 24 meters high.

Reviewed By B1714D - Belgrade, Serbia

Well, this is the main attraction of Chichen Itza and one of the most famous landmarks in the world. It's enlisted in the new seven wonders of the world. It's full name is Temple of Kukulkan - a feather divine beast adorned by Maya which had supernatural powers. On El Castillo, Kukulkan is carved twisted on both sides of the northern stairway. It's so immaculately built that only twice a year, during the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sun illuminates its entire length from top to bottom (amazing, see it on Youtube). Besides that there're more interesting facts - the pyramid has 9 levels plus the Temple on top. Each side's staircase has 91 stairs, which multiplied by 4 sides and the Temple on top makes the grand total of 365 (days in year).

2. Zona Arqueologica Uxmal

Carretera Federal No. 261, Uxmal 97899 Mexico +52 999 944 0033 [email protected] http://www.inah.gob.mx/es/zonas/110-zona-arqueologica-de-uxmal
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4,190 reviews

Zona Arqueologica Uxmal

An ancient Mayan building thought to be a school and named by a Spanish historian who thought it looked like a European monastery.

Reviewed By TravelingLily2014 - Niskayuna, United States

With so many sites to choose from, it might be easy to skip Uxmal....but please don’t. It is a wonderful site and you can STILL climb some of the pyramids, although not the main one. It is large, with lots to see. The architecture is extraordinary. We returned for the sound and light show and although we didn’t understand the Spanish, we understood the story and loved seeing the site at night.

3. Solferino Village

Mexico
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
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5.0 based on 8 reviews

Solferino Village

4. Ruta Puuc

Merida Mexico
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 558 reviews

Ruta Puuc

Reviewed By JimP988 - Los Angeles, United States

The main site, Uxmal, is perhaps the most beautiful in all of Yucatan, though it is worth the effort to hire a guide to see Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak, and Labna, which are just down the road. You can stay at Uxmal, Ticul, or Santa Elena.

5. Tulum Tower

Highway Cancun - Tulum Archeological area, Tulum 77760 Mexico +52 998 197 5771 [email protected] http://tulumtower.com/
Excellent
90%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 251 reviews

Tulum Tower

You will arrive at our lobby bar where we get ready, store your personal belongings in our lockers, register and enjoy a delicious margarita or piña colada. After a few minutes we went to sit in our revolving gondola where 16 people can fit, we fasten our seatbelts and fly! We climb 35 meters high very slowly, slowly turning 360 degrees, so that everyone can enjoy a moving and unique view. Being upstairs my clients receive very important and interesting information about the Mayan civilization and the region. Then we will take some spectacular photographs, after (30) thirty minutes we go down very slowly. Finally, we went through our souvenir and photography shop. The duration of the experience is (30) thirty minutes, and it is offered in Spanish.

Reviewed By LuisLQ - Monterrey, Mexico

First time getting on this tower; it goes 118 ft up and you spend about 10 minutes up top, taking in the view of the whole area; definitely worth the price, about 8 USD per person; the view is excellent; great service from Salvador, the tower operator; will definitely come again.

6. Paseo de Montejo

Merida Mexico +52 999 926 0048 [email protected] http://www.paseodemontejo.com
Excellent
64%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
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1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,418 reviews

Paseo de Montejo

This wide avenue, modeled after Paris' Champs Elysees, is lined with the mansions of Merida's old aristocracy.

Reviewed By laBostoniana - Boston, United States

Historic Merida has narrow sidewalks and the main street, Calle 60, is not a pleasant walk because busses and trucks practically brush up against you as they dominate the road and you must walk single file. A bit north of historic district Paseo de Montejo has wide sidewalks, interesting old mansions, and actually allows for pleasant ambling.

7. Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza Mexico +52 985 851 0137 [email protected] http://www.chichenitza.inah.gob.mx/
Excellent
70%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 25,325 reviews

Chichen Itza

Reviewed By LegiaW67 - Massapequa Park, United States

Amazing and historical place Our Tour guide Sergio was fantastic explain all the history of Mayan culture One of seven wonders of the world Must see

8. Avenida Kukulkan

Cancun Mexico
Excellent
58%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
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4.5 based on 6,093 reviews

Avenida Kukulkan

Reviewed By BeatrizA464 - Cancun, Mexico

This is THE street or avenue in Cacun hotel zone... it goes all over the island and in one side you have the Nichupte Lagoon and in the other the wonderful hotels by the sea. If you like to walk or jog this is the perfect place to do it.

9. Tulum Avenue

Avenida Tulum, Cancun 77500 Mexico http://www.tulum.com
Excellent
56%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 994 reviews

Tulum Avenue

Reviewed By cancuncastaway

This is a major road that cuts through the center of Cancun. You can find just about anything you are looking for on this Avenue. The ADO bus station, pretty much every available bank in Mexico, money exchanges, local bus stops, restaurants, shopping malls, bars and clubs can all be found on this strip of Cancun. Av. Tulum between Calles Coba and Chichen Itza is pretty much the heart. It is flanked by "Las Palapas" on the West and "Palacio Municipal" and Av. Nader on the East. I like to think of this area as the true "Cancun Centro".

10. Ek Balam

20-minute drive from Valladolid on highway 295, direction Tizimin, Ek Balam Village Mexico
Excellent
74%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
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Terrible
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4.5 based on 4,004 reviews

Ek Balam

Recently excavated and restored Mayan ruins.

Reviewed By jodyp790

Ek Balam was a great trip. Well worth the time and money. Marko from alltournative tours was a great tour guide. He was knowledgeable, interesting and took good care of our group. He seemed to really enjoy his job. He was able to talk about Mayan culture and the villages we were passing through. You can still climb the pyramid at Ek Balam and my sister took advantage of this while my mom and I watched from below! We then went on to Cenote Maya where we had a lovely lunch and a swim in the cenote. The cenote is as big as a football field and quite deep. I am a bit scared of deep water and heights so I didn't rappel down into the water, but my sister did and she loved the experience. There were lifejackets available and inner tubes as well as a kayak. Two zip lines run over the water and my sister took advantage of both and loved them. I didn't swim but I did sit on the stairs in the water. The only part I didn't like was the exit, where you walk up a ramp - it was very slippery and quite long and I was afraid of falling. If you have concerns about falling then you may be able to request to go back up the stairs. There was a photographer that took photos of the Mayan ceremony and time in the cenote. I think the CD was $50 US and a data stick was $65. Well worth the cost as you can't take a camera into the cenote. The cenote provides much needed employment for people in the local community.

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