Favorite Things to Do on a Yucatan Peninsula Road Trip
- Naureen Chhipa
- 6 days ago
- 8 min read
After exploring the Yucatan Peninsula on several trips to Mexico, here are our favorite things to do on a Yucatan Peninsula Road Trip! Exploring the Peninsula was safe and fun. Here are the highlights of what to do to have an unforgettable time in paradise.
Mexico is just a short flight from NYC, making it perfect for a quick getaway! However, the YucatƔn Peninsula is extensive, with many exciting sights and activities and fantastic restaurants to explore! So, for those with more time, 10 days to 2 weeks is the sweet spot for an unforgettable Yucatan road trip. Click here to check out our ultimate road trip itinerary.
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Mexico is just a short flight from NYC, making it perfect for a quick getaway!
Favorite Things to Do on a Yucatan Peninsula Road Trip
Table of Contents
Rent a Car | Driving in the Yucatan Peninsula
We decided to rent a car for our nine days exploring the Yucatan, which was our best decision! While transportation is easy via Collectivos ( local buses), ADO ( the main bus line that travels between towns ), taxis, and bikes, having a rental car provides the luxury of moving at your own pace for your Mexico road trip. Therefore, you can beat the tour buses ( if you arrive early ) and have the whole place to yourself. We could pack each day with things we wanted to do, and found that driving/ navigating the Yucatan road was comfortable and safe. We landed at the Cancun International Airport and used Discover Cars (a search engine that finds the best deals for cars when traveling) to book our car rental to explore the Yucatan Peninsula. We were able to pick up our car just outside the airport. They have a shuttle that picks up/ drops you off from the airport and takes you to the car rental, making it very convenient. When searching for car rentals, you'll find low daily rates. Remember that Mexico requires third-party liability insurance and Collision Insurance ( covered by most traveling credit cards, such as Chase Sapphire & Capital One), so the total cost will be slightly higher with the add-on. Renting an Economy car, we ended up paying around $225 for nine days. Worth it! Click here to check the latest prices for car rentals in Mexico.
If you rent a car like us, I recommend bringing car accessories, such as a car charger (for your phone) and a car mount for navigation. They also have cars with GPS available for an extra charge. Here are some of my favorite car accessories from Amazon.
Favorite Car Accessories from Amazon
Visit Las Coloradas | The Pink Lakes of Mexico
Pink water is real! Yes, this is not photoshopped- the salt waters from Las Coloradas are a vivid shade of pink and one of the most stunning sights you'll find in the Yucatan. Las Coloradas is a privately owned salt factory that's open to the public as long as you don't bathe inside the water (there's a beach nearby for bathing). The pink color in the water comes from tiny marine microorganisms that contain beta carotene -- a reddish-orange pigment. The best time to visit is when the sun is at its highest. The direct sunlight will give the water its deep, colorful shade of pink. Around the area, you'll also find Orange Water, just as stunning! If planning a visit, I recommend making it a day trip as it's a long drive (2 hours from Valladolid ), and you can do plenty of activities nearby. You do not need a guide to visit Las Coloradas; it's free and open to the public. At the entrance, you'll find "guides" offering tours and saying that guides are mandatory to visit-- this is not true. You can drive past them (as long as they're not officials with the Salt Company) and head to the end of the road for white sands and pink waters. After viewing the pink lakes, I recommend taking a guided tour to the nearby Rio Largartos, where you can spot some wildlife, visit virgin beaches, and bathe in Mayan Clay. Click here for our favorite guided tour of Rio Lagartos and Las Coloradas.
Stay at an All-Inclusive Resort in the Yucatan
Nothing more is needed than drinks by the beach, sunshine, and a built-in hammock at an eco-friendly luxury hotel for the perfect mid-day siesta and some slow travel. Allow yourself to relax by the water and soak in the sun, whether by the pool at a nice resort or embracing nature at its finest and dipping your toes in some clear water beaches. Mexico is home to some of the best all-inclusive resorts in the world at different price points, making it an accessible addition to any trip! Some of our favorite all-inclusive resorts can be found in Tulum, Valladolid, Cancun, Merida, Isla Holbox, and Isla Mujeres.
Here are some of my top picks for an all-inclusive resort stay in the Yucatan Peninsula:
Secrets Akumal | Riviera Maya | All-Inclusive Adults Only
Atelier Playa Mujeres | All-Inclusive Adults Only
Hard Rock Riviera Maya | All Inclusive
Dive in a Cenote
Mexico offers more than just beautiful beaches; one of the highlights is diving into an underground sinkhole, known as a "cenote," and enjoying a refreshing swim in cold water after a hot day of exploring a new town, ancient Mayan ruins, and hiking pyramids. Visiting cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula quickly became our favorite activity. These natural sinkholes are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, diving, and relaxing. You can find cenotes scattered all over the Yucatan within a short drive. For a complete list of favorites, check out the blog post "Cenotes in the Yucatan 101." Some amazing guided tours from Cancun take you to Chichen Itza and Valladolid with a Cenote stop and lunch! Click here for tour information and the latest prices.
Explore the Mayan Ruins
The Yucatan is home to many fascinating archaeological sites that glimpse the region's rich history. Among these, Chichen Itza stands out as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, captivating visitors with its iconic pyramid and intricate Mayan architecture. The ancient ruins of Coba, which are shrouded in lush jungle, invite exploration and adventure, allowing you to climb ancient temples and wander through sprawling plazas. In Uxmal, you'll find stunning structures adorned with elaborate stone carvings that showcase the artistry of the Mayan civilization. And don't miss Tulum, perched on a cliff overlooking the turquoise Caribbean Sea, where the ruins offer breathtaking views and a unique blend of history and natural beauty. Whichever destination you choose, you're sure to be mesmerized by the wonders of the Yucatan!
Romp Through an Adventure Park
We love theme parks! From Disney to Six Flags, we are true adrenaline junkies! We've visited several parks across the U.S. and discovered that Mexico has some unique and exciting ones worth exploring. Whether you're looking for family-friendly fun or an adventure like zip-lining through the jungle and diving into underground caves, the YucatƔn has something for everyone! Visiting a theme park is fun to add to any Yucatan Itinerary.
We visited two parks, Xel-HĆ” and Xenses, and had a fantastic time! *Tip: Buying your ticket online can save up to 30%. If you plan to visit multiple parks, consider combining your visits on different days to save even more! Most of these parks are all-inclusive, so you can enjoy hourly beers, margaritas, and tacos at no additional cost!
Do some research to find the best park for youāthere are so many wonderful parks to choose from! If you're looking for a tour with pick-up from Cancun to Xel-HĆ”, we found a great package option: click here for more information and the latest prices.
7. Watch the moon rise in Tulum--
Tulum Beach has the perfect setting to watch the sunset and the moon rise while enjoying fine dining and handcrafted cocktails in a beach setting. We fell in love with the boho setting and vibes of the area.
8. Snorkel in Akumal--
Akumal is a beach town between Tulum and Playa del Carmen. Akumal beach is known for its sea turtles and clear waters for snorkeling. Snorkeling there was a fantastic experience; we saw fascinating sea life and coral reefs. If you don't have snorkeling gear, you can rent equipment there. Be sure to arrive early, wear biodegradable sunblock, and have your GoPro handy! We recommend arriving early because more people = fewer sea turtles as they hide from crowds.
Something vital is NOT to touch them! They're wild and endangered. The sea turtles here won't harm you, so please respect their privacy. Akumal beach is starting to close on some days to preserve the wildlife since tourists continue to pet and hold the turtles for that perfect shot--Not worth it! Please avoid contact so we can all continue enjoying swimming with them. Another critical topic is that this is a FREE beach and open to the public. Big resorts in this area are trying to charge the public a cover fee to get in, even Mexican residents-- Ridiculous! This beach is and should always be free to the public, and primarily to its residents.
š© To find the sea turtles, look for the red flag on the beach; that's the area marked with the most sea turtles. It's near a scuba rental shop.
š¢ Another Pro Tip: Bring your snorkeling gear to the Yucatan Peninsula. After Covid, we avoid renting snorkeling gear as much as possible. We found some fantastic, easy-to-pack equipment from Amazon that we highly recommend. You'll be using the equipment when you visit beaches, lakes, the biosphere reserve, and the cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula, so this is a good investment to add to your packing list.
Favorite Beach Gear from Amazon
Looking for outfit ideas to pack for your trip to Mexico? Click here for my top outfit picks when visiting the Yucatan Peninsula, going on a cruise, or traveling to any tropical/ Caribbean destination.
9. Indulge in some fresh ceviche--
I recommend eating ceviche whenever the opportunity arises in the Yucatan. After traveling between the Yucatan and Central Mexico and trying everything from local street taco stands to world-renowned fine-dining restaurants, we found the Yucatan to have the best ceviche! Our favorite ceviche was in the small town of Rio Lagartos at a balcony restaurant overlooking the sea called "Ria Maya." If visiting Las Coloradas, add this lunch spot to your itinerary. Ria Maya is also a wildlife lodge where you can spend the night.
10. Take in the nightlife--
The Yucatan's night scene is lively, from moon parties in Tulum to clubs in Playa del Carmen and Cancun. Despite not being party animals, we had a blast hanging out by the beach, sipping on cocktails while listening to live music. The amount of partying you do is up to you. We highly recommend "letting loose" for at least a night or two and taking on the beachy vibes of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Thanks for reading!
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