Why visit the Yucatan Peninsula area?

There are many places to travel and explore on this great planet of ours. Every so often a new destination becomes the place to be. That destination is now the Yucatan Peninsula. Yucatan has so much to offer and can only be fully experienced by people who are willing to explore another culture , nature , history and all the other facets that make the Yucatan area the best visited area of Mexico (not only by international tourists, but also by national tourists). The Yucatan Peninsula is the hottest and most tropical part of Mexico. 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.

Cenotes and The Underworld

The Yucatan Peninsula area contains the largest number of Cenotes. These crystal clear waters are marvelous and people can swim, dive or snorkel in them. One of the most famous cenote is the Sacred Cenote and this cenote can be found at the ancient Maya ruins of Chichen Itza. People can dive in the amazing underwater cenotes. Clear water and interesting rock formations make this a special thrill for divers. Another great experience is to dive in the second largest reef of the world!

Reef types

The Yucatan Peninsula has all three reef types: firstly the Fringe reefs, located close to the shore in very shallow water. Secondly the Barrier reefs, which lie farther offshore and are separated from the land by lagoons or water generally no deeper than 10 meters. Last but not least you can find the Atolls, ring islands that form a natural lagoon in the middle. The Yucatan Peninsula offers the second biggest reef in the world!

Flora & Fauna

The Yucatan Peninsula contains also the second biggest Mayan jungle in the world. The Yucatan forests, from north to south, are called thorn/ scrub, deciduous, evergreen- seasonal and rainforest. Besides being important watersheds, rainforests hold secrets that can benefit mankind. More than 70% of the plants known to produce compounds with anti- cancerous properties are tropical. Cures for Malaria are only one of the hundreds of medicines derived from these botanical resources. People from the Maya are still using plants and home remedies medicinally with great effect! The Yucatan Peninsula has an amazing variety of ecosystems that nurture a multiplicity of plants and wildlife. Mayor tracts of wilderness are now dedicated for preservation in the Yucatan, Belize and Guatamala. The area contains also several Biosphere Reserves to protect this environment.

A huge number of animals use the region as the tourists do: visiting when it gets too cold up north. The peninsula is a prime spot for winter migrating birds and butterflies. The Yucatan Peninsula is home of globular 530 bird species and all of these species can be observed in one of the many Biosphere Reserves Yucatan has to offer, making 21% of Quintana Roo´s territory a protected reserve or national park.

In the area of Sian Ka´an houses more than 300 birdspecies and many different animals. When one is lucky a jaguar or a crocodile might be spotted. During the summer, marine turtles come to the beaches of Sian Ka'an to lay their eggs. Truly an amazing experience! The possibility to see the marine turtles in their natural environment makes anyone realize how important it is to protect and sustain the environment.

A federally-protected bird sanctuary and special biosphere reserve is the island of Isla Contoy , the permanent or seasonal home of 100 residents and migratory bird species. The island is covered with sand dunes, mangroves, shallow lagoons and beautiful beaches, and is part of the Yum Balam Reserve. Here the local communities try to establish a sustainable society, based upon traditional Maya practice but also taking advantage of new opportunities.

When looking for flamingos, Isla Holbox is recommended together with the National Park of Río Lagartos and the Natural Park of Rio Celestun, in the Northern part of the Yucatan Peninsula. Thousands of flamingos come here to escape the cold winter and their beautiful colors can be observed together with the amazing nature Isla Holbox has to offer. An example is the Ojo de Agua (eye of water: cenote) Yalahau, which is located in the mangroves on the mainland and to the Río Lagartos Reserve.

Starting from Contoy Island past the borders of Belize lies the second longest reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Reef System. All of the reef provides a place for more than 450 fishes, approximately 80 coral categories and many more shell-fishes, lobster-like, sponges, algae and a great diversity of amazing plants.

Mexican people & Mayan People

Mexico is home to some of the friendliest folks in the world. Whether in Cancun´s lively restaurants, Mérida´s fashionable Paseo de Montejo, Campeche´s old walled forts or Valladolid´s Mercado, you can be sure of a warm welcome from everyone. The Mexican culture is a mix of Pre-Colombian and Spanish lifestyles, making the entire country a diversity of colors. To this day, Mexico holds more than 50 Indian tribes that separate themselves from the current lifestyles the Mestizos (a person from Indian and Spanish blood) hold. Nowadays more than 50 Indian tribes combine their original religion with Christianity, which was laid upon them by the Spanish, French, and Italian missionaries. Every Indian tribe has their own story and each of them is worth discovering. This because most Indian tribes still hold their own lifestyle due to the fact that they lived in remote areas such as the Sierra Madre or the jungle and did not want to give up their religion.

The Mexican Quisine

The Mexican cuisine is, like Mexico itself, a mix of ingredients from all over the world. Next to the “must have” ingredients such as beans, corn, and chiles, are chicken, cheese, garlic, rice and papas (potatoes) a part of the rich Mexican cuisine.

The Yucatan cuisine is derived from the Mayas, making it spicier than the cuisine in the North. Some typical dishes are cochinita pibil, papadzulas, sopa de lima or azteca and queso relleno.

The best way to relieve your burning tongue is to drink some beer, and the Yucatan Peninsula holds the best beer, ranging from the light Montejo to the dark Negro Leon.

Children

There is something to do for everybody here. Kids are never disappointed and never want to leave Xel Ha or Xcaret, two Eco- theme parks on the Riviera. Moms can shop-'til-they-drop here and bargains galore are to be found especially if you're in the process of remodeling your home. For dad there is the food, the golfing, the swimming and most importantly that candlelit dinner by the ocean. Jewelry stores are everywhere.

Beaches

Beaches! Beaches! Beaches! Did we mention the beaches yet? Beautiful white sand beaches, with warm Blue Ocean water. Hot breezes and if you find the right spot a waiter will deliver your Margarita right to you saving you the aggravation of actually having to get up and walk, remember, you're on vacation.

Nightlife

Although, as expected, Cancún is the source of much of the Yucatán's nightlife, that resort city isn't the only place to have a good time after dark. Along the Caribbean coast, beachside dance floors with live bands and extended happy hours in seaside bars dominate the nightlife.

Being in contact with nature and the warm transparent waters of the Caribbean Sea or touring the jungle aren't the only distinctive features of this tourist destination. Riviera Maya nightlife provides its enchantment throughout the regions and different areas with their discos, bars and restaurants for those who enjoy nightlife and its pleasures.

If you're lucky to be in Riviera Maya during the full moon, don't miss the full moon celebrations. Locals and visitors alike gather on the beach, around natural wells and in the bars and Riviera Maya nightclubs to pay tribute to the heavenly body that inspired the Mayas.

The All Inclusive Resorts located along the Riviera Maya have different theme nights with dinners and shows where you will be compelled to participate in contests and collective dances. If you want a wilder time, you can always take the drive up to Playa del Carmen and experience all its nightlife has to offer.

The nightlife in Playa del Carmen is centered around 5th Avenue (Quinta Avenida), a seemingly never ending street, which in the night transforms itself and caters for every style and taste. Young or old, whether it's exquisite food and a margarita or a clubbers paradise, there is something for everyone!

The beach is also lined with bars where you can stop, relax and have a drink anytime you wish. Dance the day and night away on the warm powdery sand to music that ranges from Caribbean reggae to electronic, as good as any world-class club.

People are always in the mood to party here and 'Playa' has a very bohemian feel with a great mix of foreigners and Mexicans. Many restaurants seamlessly transform into nightclubs in the evening after the dinner hour has passed.

Merida & Yucatan nightlife offers a wide variety of options for the party lovers. Find a good selection of cafes, restaurants and bars that will keep you going to the early hours of the morning. The most popular Merida & Yucatan nightclubs will show you, this warm and traditional destination knows how to have fun. There are also some nice bars located in hotels around town.

Merida also offers theater, regional dance and music performances many free of charge in the various city parks with great ambiance. You'll find a relatively active nightlife here.

Of course there are hundreds of other reasons to visit The Yucatan Peninsula!!

For more information about tours full of adventure, the amazing attractions, travel packages etc. Please visit our website at: www.ecotravelmexico.com

We are happy to receive you and we invite you to join us on a trip into the wonderful world of the Maya!!!