Covering the three states of Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo and jutting out into the Caribbean, the Yucatan Peninsula’s endless allure lies in its incredible natural beauty and topographical diversity with lush rain forests, limestone cenotes (underground caverns), powder white beaches (see the Riviera Maya highlight), offshore islands and Nature Reserves, which are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.
Yucatan Peninsula
Why visit Yucatan Peninsula ?
- Snorkel with Turtles at Akumal
- Visit the amazing Pink Lakes of Las Coloradas
- Set out for an early morning bird-watching mission to Xcalak
- Take the ferry to Isla Cozumel for a snorkel and swim
From a cultural and historical perspective, the peninsula is equally fascinating being inextricably linked with its neighbours Belize and Guatemala as part of the vast Mayan empire that stretched throughout the region and some of the most famous and impressive of all the ancient Mayan sites such as Chichen Itza, Uxmal and Edzna.
The Spanish empire then took over and developed some of the cities such the vibrant Merida, the yellow city of Izamal and the delightful port town of Campeche into important trading hubs and the Spanish influence lives on today in the wonderfully rich and ornate architecture, shady plazas and cobbled streets.
Over the last couple of centuries the peninsula became renowned and rich on account of its farming, not only of cattle and logging, but most importantly due to the crop henequen which was grown to make rope. Eventually synthetic rope substitutes were produced, but the legacy is a number of beautiful haciendas(farms) dotted throughout the area and which have recently been completely refurbished and offer some of the most enchanting and luxurious accommodation on the peninsula.
LOCATION
MEXICO INFO
Visa
No visa is required for UK passport holders.
Health Requirements
No mandatory vaccinations are required.
Time Difference
GMT - 6 Hours
Flight Time
11.5 hours Direct
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