If you are dreaming of sunny days and blue skies in Mexico, I get it!! This seductive destination for a long time has been a top choice for a getaway to paradise. From the pure white sand beaches of the Caribbean to the quiet colonial streets of pastel-colored magical towns, there is something deeply luscious about life in Mexico. The Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico in particular has an incredibly rich history and is much more diverse than parties, sun and ice chilled margaritas on the beach. It is a mix of lush, sweeping jungles with little to no development for kilometers, and stunning white sand beaches that give way to the Caribbean Sea.
I had been wanting to explore this paradise for a long time and finally, we packed our suitcases, put on our summer clothes and said goodbye to the freezing cold weather of New England for 10 days. I will take you through some of the most picturesque towns of Mexico in my blog and don't blame me if you find yourself looking for flight tickets to Mexico.😉😊
Renting A Car In Cancun
The best way to see Mexico, especially Yucatan is by renting a car. Your rental vehicle gives you the freedom to explore the offbeat places at your own pace without getting rushed. Without a car, you will be limited to overpriced, basic package tours with hordes of people. We picked up the rental car from Enterprise in Cancun. It's quite easy but a bit tricky to rent a car in Mexico. Check my detailed blog on "How to rent a car in Mexico?".
Is it safe to drive in Mexico??
This is a burning question I have been asked by so many people since we started planning our trip to Mexico till the time we came back from our trip. Although, many of you may have heard stories of people getting robbed in small towns of Mexico out of their rental car or people getting kidnapped by drug cartels or carjacking or other crazy stuff, none of it is true and it is nowhere near as dangerous as you might have heard of it especially in the southern states of Yucatan and Quintana Roo.
Traveling in the Yucatan by car is way easier and absolutely safe to drive than you would ever imagine. The roads and highways are in very good condition. We never felt unsafe or threatened even for a moment while we were on the road. However, you should always exercise common safety practices like driving within the speed limits and never leaving any valuables in the car and you are good to go!! So, I would highly recommend renting a rental car in the Yucatan Peninsula.
What to do on the road trip in Yucatan's Peninsula??
Day 1-2 Cancun/Isla Mujeres, Mexico
We landed at Cancun International Airport, picked up our rental car and drove straight to our hotel- The Westin Resorts & Spa, Cancun. Although, Cancun has become more of a touristic hub and it's quite overrated( totally my opinion) but we decided to stay here for two days- the first day when we arrived after a long haul flight and the second day to explore the nearby island of Isla Mujeres. If this island is not on your to do list(I think it should be), I would highly recommend to get out of Cancun as soon as you land and head to Playa Del Carmen, Tulum or Valladolid.
Our days here were spent unwinding in our hotel and walking along the palm-fringed beaches of Isla Mujeres. Isla Mujeres is an island in the Gulf of Mexico, located a few miles off the Caribbean coast, accessible via a short ferry ride from Cancun. It is a relaxing getaway if you’re looking to explore somewhere where life moves at a slower pace.
The island itself is quite small, some 7 km (4.3 mi) long and 650 m (2,130 ft) wide and has a laid back feel with colorful houses lining up the street, sugary soft white-sand beaches, sweeping coastlines and fewer people than the busy shores of Cancun's hotel zone. The major means of travel here is by golf carts or scooters. You may find a few cars but the golf carts outnumber the cars. We skipped renting a golf cart and rather chose to walk the streets and did I say the streets here smell like Tacos'?😋 Also, it's nice to be able to walk around the street with your beer/liquor, yes that's the kind of vibe this island has.😍
After few minutes of walk we were at the Playa Norte(North Beach) beach, one of the nicest beaches we have ever been to- cool crowd, good vibes, amazing beach clubs and clear aquamarine water. It’s one of those beaches where you can just sit and look out at the ocean for hours, without the desire to do anything. We spent the afternoon hanging at the Green Demon beach club and hands down, it's the best in Playa Norte to chill- Good food, great selection of cocktails, nice music (some nights they have live music too) and all of this in a beautiful beach setting!! We literally felt like staying there forever!!😍🏖
How to reach Isla Mujeres?
You can catch a ferry in Cancun at Puerto Juarez, Gran Puerto Cancun, or Playa Tortugas. If the weather is poor, the ride may be a bit rough, but generally you make good time. The Ultramar ferry from Puerto Juarez is the most popular one and more frequent(every half hour). It costs around 300 pesos($16) for a round trip and takes about 20 min. If you are coming by a rental car, there is a car parking on the opposite side of the port and they charge 100 pesos.
Other things to do in Isla Mujeres-
1. Swim with Dolphins- Yes, you can do that!! Book it here.
2. Visit the Underwater Museum by Scuba Diving, snorkeling or glass bottomed boat.
3. Rent a golf cart(around $40/day) and explore the complete island from south to the north.
4. Sit, relax and enjoy the crystal clear water while enjoying your drinks(JUST LIKE US).
Day 3-4 Rio Lagartos, Mexico
After Isla Mujeres we drove to the most exciting destination on my bucket list for Mexico, THE PINK LAKES of Rio Lagartos. I remember being super excited knowing that we were finally going to make it to the pink lakes. This little known part of Yucatán is a surreal place with picturesque and unordinary landscapes, a giant salt factory and amazing pink lagoons surrounded by salt dunes. And, did I say that the pink lakes come with a side of pink flamingos?🙂😍 Read my detailed blog about How To Find The Pink Lakes Of Mexico.
Extremely and obviously pleased after checking the pink lakes of Mexico off our bucket list, we headed to the next destination of our road trip- the yellow town of Izamal. Izamal could easily be done as a day trip from Valladolid(where we had booked our next stay) but we decided to do it as a half day trip(which is enough for Izamal) on our way from Rio Lagartos to Valladolid. Two hours outside of Rio Lagartos, we turned off the main highway and into this small town of Izamal.
It is a charming little pueblo in the middle of the Yucatan peninsula. It ( and 100 other towns in other Mexican states) has been designated a “Pueblo Magico” (magical town) by Mexico’s government due to it's rich history and unique culture. And if there’s one thing you can say about Izamal, it’s this: It is yellow and an authentic Mexican colonial city. Every single building in this town, houses after houses, walls after walls are painted in the exact same shade of bright yellow. It is truly a magical place and I haven’t really been able to stop thinking about it since we left.😍
What to do??
There is not really much to do in this town. Just walk around and discover the hidden artisan shops, greet the lovely old ladies resting in the shade outside of their houses, buy a snack from the occasional street vendor and get lost in the quaint alleyways of this pretty and peaceful town. You can also take a horse-drawn carriage ride from the main square and feel the magical vibes of this sunshine city. They charge around 200-300 pesos for a 45 min ride.
One thing you can't really miss in Izamal is the large convent, Convento de San Antonio de Padua located at the central plaza and no prize for guessing what color is it!!😃 Yellow, of course. The entry is free and it's open from 6 a.m. till 8 p.m. Even if you are not interested in the convent, just spend some time in its beautiful courtyard and relax. You can also visit the archaeological site Kinich-Kakmó which is free and at walking distance from the main square.
All I can say is we were very happy people while wandering around in this town. There is something unique about such isolated locations where life is so simple and peaceful and yet so cheerful.
Where to Eat??
There are not really many options to eat but there is one restaurant- Kinich on calle 27 which is without a doubt the most popular one in town and it's huge and busy. The food is not the best but it is good enough.
Tip- There is no bank in Izamal, and only one ATM which apparently often runs out of service or cash. Most of the local shops and restaurants don't accept credit cards so stock up on pesos before coming. This holds true for every other small town or village or a remote island in Mexico. In fact you would also need pesos for tolls whenever you are going from one city to another.
Day 5-7 Valladolid, Mexico
Hypnotized by the magical town of Izamal, it was now time to explore the more colorful town of Valladolid- a hidden gem in the heart of Yucatan. Its convenient location makes it a perfect base to explore the nearby ancient Mayan ruins, thousands of cenotes, the enchanting cities of Izamal and Merida or for making a day trip to Tulum. But apart from all of this, Valladolid has a treasure of its own and is euphorically still untouched by the worst ravages of tourism. It is historically quite rich and one of the best places in Yucatan to experience the authentic Mexican culture. Believe me it's a great place if you love being one of the few tourists around.
"What's the best thing to do in Valladolid", you ask?
Just wander around on it's narrow streets. Yes, the best way to explore its pretty cobble-stone streets is on foot but you can always rent a bicycle too if you wish. We strolled around for hours and any street we walked down, we ended up somewhere beautiful; that's the thing about this town. This bustling city due to its tranquility and sleepy, small town charm can easily make anyone fall in love with it and we were no exception. One of the most fascinating things about Valladolid is its Spanish colonial architecture of the buildings which is truly admirable and unmistakable. The streets are buzzing with local people and the Mayan culture is quite provident; Mayan men and women can be seen in their traditional clothing, speaking their native language and selling traditional handicrafts.
Things to do in Valladolid-
1. Calle de los Frailes, the cutest street in Mexico - It's a quaint and the prettiest little street in Valladolid. The strip is lined up with bright pastel-colored single-storey buildings, quirky cafes, restaurants, fancy boutiques & shops selling locally crafted specialties. All the buildings are painted in a different color or shade and don't even get me started on the exceptionally unique designs of doors and windows and all of these can only be discovered by just wandering around the street.
We were totally taken aback by the aesthetics of this colonial style street; in fact this street was the only reason in the first place that I wanted to check out the city of Valladolid. If you are in the city even for a day, Calle de los Frailes is a must do.
2. The Cathedral & Central Plaza - As you walk down towards the end of Calle de los Frailes, you eventually arrive at the Convent de San Bernardino de Siena. It's a beautiful convent filled with history and though not exactly eye catching from outside, it's beautiful from inside specially the altar. There is also a light show almost every other night between 9-10 p.m. about the history of Valladolid- first done in Spanish and then in English. We didn't see the show but if your are hanging around that late this really cool show could be on your agenda!
Right in front of the cathedral is a big park with lots of street vendors selling varieties of snacks & sweets. What I really liked about every Mexican city, town or village we visited on our trip is this kind of a central place where the locals gather for fun activities or to mingle. Just like any other town or city in Mexico, Valladolid too has the same layout- a park in the center of the town famously known as Central Plaza, which is the prime place for locals to gather and socialize in the evenings and on holidays.
It's very quiet and peaceful during the day and merry and full of activities in the evenings and at night. You can even chance upon the Mayan people putting up a traditional dance show or a colorful troupe showing off Jarana(a traditional dance in the Yucatan) at the central square in the evenings(mainly just before dusk). Although, it's a little tad touristy to stand and watch the show(they put up the shows for tips which is obvious) but believe me it was quite fun to watch them and it is safe to say that it was worth our time.🙂 Another thing you should definitely not miss around the central plaza is Marquesitas- a 100% delicious street-food dessert in the Yucatan Peninsula that is a favorite local treat. Marquesitas are kind of crepe but crispier and flakier that are rolled up and traditionally filled with melted shredded cheese and a sweet filling of your choice. This is a must try in Yucatan and you can easily find vendors in Valladolid , Merida or even Playa Del Carmen. This tasty treat costs only about 20-30 pesos and you would find many street vendors lined up along the edges in or around the Central Plaza, just look for the one with the longest queue!!🙂😋
3. Visit Chichen Itza, one of the new seven wonders of the world - How can you be in Yucatan and not do a quintessential trip to the Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site? This archaeological site, the second most visited in Mexico has the most preserved ruins and dates back to the time of Mayan civilization. Go and marvel at the impressive El Castillo pyramid of Chichen Itza and much more. While we typically skip guided tours, I would highly recommend getting one of the local tour guides for this site at the entrance. They share an incredible wealth of knowledge about its history and importance in Mayan culture which you cannot discover on your own!! The entrance fee is 242 pesos ($13) and it's best to be at the site as early as possible in the morning to beat the tourist buses bringing an army of people. There are even some pre- opening tours that you can take very early in the morning. Avoid Sundays as the entry is free for Mexicans on a Sunday and it's insanely crowded!! Plus, don't forget to carry enough cash.
4. Cool off in the Cenotes- For the uninitiated, a cenote is a natural sinkhole that forms when a limestone bedrock collapses and leaves a hole exposing the groundwater underneath(many times with gorgeous turquoise water). These cenotes are stunningly beautiful and it's an absolute must do since there are thousands of these(around 6000 to be precise) scattered throughout the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and some of the best cenotes are in the area around Valladolid. Plus, their history runs deep- ancient Mayans used cenotes as a source of water back in the day and some were even considered to be the gateway to God and used for sacrificial offerings(obviously no such offerings are made today🙂).
Some of the cenotes are perfect for people who love to swim, snorkel, hang in from a rope like Tarzan or even dive. For me, I was quite intrigued just by the beauty of these cenotes and how so many of them exist deep in the Yucatan jungle. There is Cenote Zaci within walking distance from the main square of Valladolid! It is a great place to take a dip and cool off for just 30 pesos though we skipped it and visited the Ik Kil and Suytun cenotes. Ik Kil is a popular pick because of it's proximity to Chichen Itza but that's not the only reason for it's popularity!! It's a heavenly cenote; 130 feet deep, open to sky and draped in hanging vines offering such a surreal swimming experience in its blue water. The entrance fee is 80 pesos and did I say that it comes with a restaurant, store and changing rooms. You can also rent a life jacket for a few pesos. Just don't forget to carry your bathing suit.🏊♀️
Pro Tip- Ik Kil is like a Disneyland of cenotes, so to beat the crowds try to be there as soon as it opens( opens at 9a.m.).
Suytun is another interesting cenote which is completely underground in a cave with stalactites hanging from the ceiling and a small hole in the ceiling illuminating the turquoise water. There's this mystical feeling when you enter this cenote that you don't find anywhere else. The entrance fee is 120 pesos per person. Just go early and enjoy the vibe.
If you have an extra day or two at hand you can also make a day trip to the lively town of Merida and visit the nearby ruins of Ik Balam.
Where to stay in Valladolid??
There are a lot of options ranging from luxury, boutique hotels to budget friendly options right in the heart of the city. To my surprise, I found the budget friendly hotels to be quite impressive in Valladolid and many of them are located in colonial style haciendas with charming ambiance and vibes. You can find most of the hotels on Booking.com or on Airbnb if you are a member. TimelessDiaries readers get a $32 Airbnb credit here to give it a go. We stayed in Hotel 41 which is located on a small but gorgeous property. The plus for us was that they have a huge kitchen and dining area open 24*7 and the guests can go and make their own meals.
Luxury & Boutique Hotels
Budget Hotel
Day 8-10 Riviera Maya(Playa Del Carmen & Tulum), Mexico
Riviera Maya is a dream vacation spot. Home to Mexico's best known, sprawling and glamorous resorts, this 90 mile stretch of pristine beaches stretching from Playa Del Carmen to Tulum is popular for a reason- the beaches are gorgeous and the tourism infrastructure is really good. Here, in Riviera Maya you’ll find the younger and more rambunctious party scene. We based our stay in Playa Del Carmen, however Tulum is the popular choice for tourists. I would recommend staying in Tulum Pueblo(downtown) rather than on the very touristy beach strip if you consider staying in Tulum.
Our days here were spent lazing at the pristine white sand beaches and eating too many delicious tacos and tortas from the local eateries. Things to do around Riviera Maya-
Do a DIY trip to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
Ferry over to Cozumel and dive at the best dive spots in the country
Swim with sea turtles at Akumal
Visit one of the Eco theme parks near Playa Del Carmen(Xcaret or Xel-ha are the popular ones)
Visit the Tulum's iconic Mayan ruins located on the sea side.
Visit the Coba ruins where you can climb to the top to have sweeping views of the jungle.
Laze around on the white sand beaches of Playa or Tulum.
If you love wilderness and nature more than the hippie chic vibe of Tulum just like us, consider driving down or taking a tour to Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. It is the most impressive natural wonders of Mexico. You can drive partly into the biosphere and enjoy views of the rugged ocean and mangrove swamps. Much further down is Punta Allen, where motor boat tours are available for crocodile viewing, dolphins, manatees, bird watching, fishing, and snorkeling. We drove down the road to Sian Ka'an and spent our time exploring some of the most secluded beaches. It is quite adventurous too as the road takes you through a jungle and most of the hidden beaches can be accessed through a path covered in bushes and trees. The road though, is not in a very good condition and it only gets narrower and bumpier as you get closer to Punta Allen. Its a long and interesting day, especially if you like nature. The entry to the reserve is 50 pesos.
Tip- Mosquito repellent is a must if you plan on exploring the estuaries or the Sian Ka'an Reserve . Let's just say that the insects here are a little over friendly and do not know how to respect personal space. Carry it with you if you want to avoid a strawberry body by mosquito bites. Lesson learned the hard way!!
Where to eat??
There are infinite quirky cafes on the beach strip of Tulum. La Eufemia is a popular one on the strip. Great music, fun atmosphere!! The tacos and quesadillas were very delicious and they have a great choice for Margaritas too!! Just loved the overall vibe of this place.
Playa Del Carmen also has some of the best restaurants close to the beach and in downtown. El Fogon is without a doubt the best restaurant in Playa. This is a must try if you are in Playa and believe me you'll only thank me later.😃 This is so famous that people generally have to wait more than 30 min to be seated(even we had to wait for a while) but it was totally worth it. Do try their Guacamole, it's finger licking good!! And, for the meat lovers this place is a paradise- try their Taco Al Pastor which is what it's most famous for.
Holbox
The next stop on our road trip was another stunning island. We picked some day snacks from a supermarket in Playa Del Carmen and left for a day trip to Holbox. Isla Holbox (pronounced as "holebosh") is a hidden paradise in the Yucatan. It is part of the Yum Balam Nature Reserve located north of the Yucatán Peninsula between the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. While a part of me doesn't want to speak about this best kept secret ever to anyone, the other half of me is dying to write about it. Have you ever heard of this island before? No?? Well, imagine a happy island with no cars, sandy unpaved roads, white beaches fringed by palms, breathtaking sunsets and colorful cocktails sipped on an ocean hammock. It is the only island we visited in Mexico which still has an untouched vibe and where the tourism has not exploded yet. The only means of transport here is bicycles or golf buggies which are easy to rent from any of the local shops.
This is the best place in Yucatan to go and get lost in a peaceful and remote atmosphere. LAZE IN THE OCEAN HAMMOCKS while sipping on your cocktail, wander around the streets looking for bright colored murals, stop by one of its many tranquil and breathtakingly beautiful beaches such as the Punta Cocos, kayak through the mangroves or simply do nothing but just lay on the beach and soak up the sun. This island absolutely deserves to be on one's itinerary and we were quite pleased about the fact that we could make it to Holbox. The only thing I regret about this trip is that we didn't spend a night or two in Holbox but it's never too late. I am definitely going back to this island someday.💙💙
How To Get To Isla Holbox
The best way to reach Isla Holbox is by first driving up to the ferry port in the village of Chiquila and then taking a ferry to the island. The drive from Cancun or Playa Del Carmen to Chiquila takes almost 2 hrs and make sure to have the gas tank full as there is no gas station in between.
After you enter Chiquila, you'll find many locals directing you towards their parking space. There are quite a few parking spaces run by individual locals and they charge some money in return. All of this doesn't look very official but most of them are safe. We were looking for something more reliable and ended up at a parking space very close to the ferry port. Take a left turn from the port and you'll see cars parked in a distance. It is run by a local lady and she charged us 50 pesos for the day. Ferries go to and come back from Holbox every 30 minutes and costs 150 pesos (8 USD) each side. The journey takes about 20-25 minutes.
Where to Eat??
Surprisingly, we found that were so many vegan/vegetarian restaurants in Holbox than we could have imagined. It was effortless to find vegetarian restaurants here compared to our experience in other parts of the Yucatan. This is definitely the place for Vegans.
Arte Sano- We had our lunch at this charming restaurant and it is without a doubt the best place to have vegans/vegetarian food in Holbox. Tantalizingly tasty and wholesome dishes, and a great option for those looking for something a little bit different. The meals are so full of flavor and most importantly the food here feels real fresh and healthy. Do try their scrumptious Chilaquiles. Add to this the heavenly smoothies and fresh juices that are prepared right in front of you. Nom Nom 😋😋😋
I would any day go back to Holbox just to eat at this restaurant, believe me it's that amazing if you are a vegan or vegetarian. The restaurant is located in the center of the village on one of the side streets just off the main square. Pay close attention otherwise this restaurant is easy to miss.
Know before you go-
Water - Tap water is not drinkable in Mexico, so make sure you buy a pack of bottles when you start your journey. You can easily get it at any supermarket(there are a few Walmart too). Stay hydrated!!
Local SIM - Highly recommended for GPS and navigating. Telcel is likely your best option. If you have a U.S. T-Mobile account, it will do the trick too. Just go to any T- Mobile outlet and they will get your current plan working in Mexico too for just about 5$.
Drive within Speed limits - Drive carefully and always within speed limits. There are police patrols on the highway and they may get you for over-speeding and charge a heavy fine. Be cautious of the corrupt ones too (yes there are a few in Mexico). If you find yourself being stopped by a corrupt officer, just pretend to have no cash or only the amount you are willing to pay. I wish somebody had told me about this- we were stopped by one and ended up paying 1500 pesos(75$).
Be cautious at the petrol pumps - At many of the gas stations, the guy filling up the car petrol tank for you will try to fool you by saying they only accept cash and don't have any credit card machine to save the credit card fees. Just tell them you don't have cash and pretend to leave and they will instantly accept the card. It's funny though 😃
Currency - The conversion rate is worst at the Cancun airport, try getting the local currency in your country of residence or you can even buy Mexican pesos at one of the many local shops in Cancun/Isla Mujeres/ Valladolid/Playa for a better rate as compared to the ATM or airport.
Mexico definitely exceeded all our expectations and it is definitely a trip that we will cherish for years. If you have any questions to ask, just comment below !! Stay tuned for more stories and subscribe to the website or follow TimelessDiaries on social media (Instagram, Facebook) to get updated information including Instagram stories.
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