Join me on a mesmerising journey through Mexico's Quintana Roo and Yucatan regions. Explore Cancun, Chichen-Itza, Valladolid, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, and Bacalar, unveiling a rich history and some architectural marvels. Marta's Planet brings you the vibrant colours and landscapes, offering a brief yet immersive adventure filled with history, culture, and natural wonders in Mexico.
Mexico is a country steeped in history and culture. The easiest and cheapest way to experience these regions is to rent a car to allow for an independent travel plan. Marta's Planet takes you on a journey through some of the most iconic areas in Mexico, starting with Cancun:
Cancún is famous for its night-life. Especially along the 23km strip of road called "Zona Hotelera" which is full of hotels, bars, clubs and beaches. I spent four nights at the “Hotel Cyan" and two nights at “Hotel Kristal”. I preferred Cyan as it was further away from the centre of the hotel zone making it quieter and cheaper. They supplied a huge super-comfy bed in the room, and a gorgeous pool looking out to the ocean so perfect for couples or a family. For dinner I chose the near-by Navios restaurant where you get fantastic outdoor dining on a dock and can see crocodiles swimming underneath you! Cancun is very touristic and not a typically authentic Mexican city, I would suggest just 3 days and nights here. You cannot miss the infamous COCO-BONGO club, you will not regret it. Also, take a local bus to go see the busy centre of town, they drive quite fast and play loud reggaeton so don’t forget to hold onto your seat! Ask anyone on the bus which is the closest stop to PLAZA DE LAS PALAPAS where you can find narrow streets with small bars for great Tequila and Mezcal and many good street food vendors and local people. Finally take a boat trip to ISLA MUJERES for a day of beautiful snorkelling, open-bar and buffet lunch and visiting the local island for a few hours.
Chichen-Itza. After renting our car from Autosel in Cancun we set off for the Yucatan, reaching it about three hours later. We arrived at CHITCHÈN-ITZÁ. One of the Modern Seven World wonders and a famous Mayan archaeological site. We met many vendors en route as we came closer to the Mayan ruins offering you ticket packages for the entrance, skipping the queue and also a guided tour. We just drove to the site and bought tickets without any hassle or needing to queue. I suggest you wait until you are very close to the site, so they offer cheaper packages. Once you are there, you should spend a minimum of 2 hours admiring the amazing pyramids and the surrounding area.
Valladolid is located just 40km away from the UNESCO site and is the third biggest city in Yucatan. Filled with many quiet streets and pastel coloured walls, a beautiful city centre, an amazing park where you can enjoy the local music and the beautiful SAN SERVACIO Church. We just spent half a day there but would have liked to stay longer. On our way back to Cancun we enjoyed buying fresh fruit from local villages whilst seeing the colourful houses and cemeteries , typical of Mexican culture.
PLAYA DEL CARMEN has Cancun's vibes but it's smaller. I found it very consumer driven with an emphasis on tourists spending money on generic souvenirs. I spent three nights there. It has many nice restaurants and bars however, I think it is more appropriate for single people or just for those who want to have a party. Although all the beaches in Mexico were great, this was my least favourite. It was very crowded and the water wasn't as stunning as the others I had visited. The second day we decided to explore outside the city and that's how we found XPU HÁ; a well-kept wild paradise just about half an hour driving from P. Del Carmen and it was really worth it. Breath-taking white sand, Palms and almost no sign of human intervention. One of the best beaches I've been to and perfect for those who want a very authentic, calm Caribbean paradise.
TULUM was definitely my favourite place in the region, a bona fide, wild small town center , surrounded by jungle and vegetation all around, but also full of stunning restaurants, bar and parties. We stayed two nights at the "Serena Tulum" hotel, a proper “Jungle Hotel Experience”; The ceilings were bamboo and outside you could just see trees, big leafy plants and wood. With a Full immersion in the jungle you can also enjoy the very unique "Jungle Gym'' with all the “Flintstones” style equipment made from wood and rocks. Just a short walk from the very famous PARADISE BEACH you can admire the stunning Mayan Ruins, a hugely important archaeological site overlooking the “ruins beach” and the Caribbean sea. With a cheap entry ticket you will have a tour among one of the last cities built by The Mayans. Just outside Tulum we spent a beautiful day at the cenote "CASA TORTUGA", where you can enjoy many different cenotes, see wild animals, walk through mangrove forests and you can also get a crazy zip-line which flies you tight over the top of the jungle and you can see just how huge the Sian Ka’an really is!
BACALAR. The last stop of this epic road trip. Situated at almost 3 hours driving from Tulum, you will drive through the Sian Ka'an jungle almost to the Belize border. You will find this one-of-a-kind Lagoon, also known as “The 7 colours lagoon”, a very Mexican small town. You can enjoy the relaxing natural enviroment with activities such as kayaking in the lagoon. The calm and bright shades of turquoise of the water were mesmerising. We stayed two nights just outside the town, in a simple, nice and very cheap hotel "EL ROBLE Nature" , owned by a very freindly family. You can find many local restaurants and bars facing the lagoon, with music, fantastic Mexican food and many Coronas and Margaritas. Don't forget to eat the Ceviche, you will love it! Also, just on the back of all the bars you will see long docks and swings to take unforgettable photographs.
Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or simply seeking adventure, Mexico has something to offer everyone. Marta's Planet provides a unique fusion of travel, nature, fashion, and art, allowing readers to experience the wonders of Mexico through a different lens. With Marta's extensive travel experiences and valuable insights, her blog is a must-read for anyone planning a trip to Mexico.
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