Planning a vacation to the Yucatn can be a slightly overwhelming task, simply because there is so much available to see and do in this part of the world. Its environments run the gamut between giant five-star resorts and pristine, untouched wilderness, with nearly unlimited opportunities for every type of activity from sunbathing to eco-trekking. This guide will highlight some of the region's unique and truly amazing features, so that you can plan a trip that takes in the most unforgettable experiences within whatever time you have available.
Of course, one of the Yucatn's most famous attributes is that is was the ancestral home of the Mayans, and their legacy can be found throughout the jungles that cover the peninsula. The Mayans were masters of this land for well over a thousand years, and proved to one of the most ingenious and intelligent early civilizations, producing amazing innovations in the fields of architecture, construction, farming, and astronomy. Many of their mighty cities still stand as proud testament to their once-insurmountable might, such as the magnificent ruins of Chichn Itz .
If you only have the chance to visit one city of the Maya, Chichn Itz is an excellent choice. It's sheer size, long history, and unusual diversity allow visitors to sample a large cross-section of Mayan culture and history. A wide variety of structures are present at the site, including ball courts, giant pyramids, many temples, an even one of the earliest astronomical observatories. Guided tours of the site are available, and ongoing restorations aim to preserve this historical treasure for many generations to come; any visit to the region should at least consider making a stop at this one-of-a-kind example of human achievement.
Those who feel at home in nature will be very comfortable in the Yucatn. Considered by many to be one of earth's last true wildernesses. Acres and acres of lush, unspoiled tropical jungle coat the limestone plains which are ringed by majestic coastal mountains; in those same crystalline seas swims an amazing abundance of sea life, matched in diversity only by the plants and animals that inhabit the inland jungles. Vacationers with some trekking experience may want a solo hike, but many companies offer multi-day jungle treks if you'd rather go with some company. One of the best options for seeing rare and unusual species is to visit one of the bioreserves like Sian Ka'an, which act as a sanctuary and buffer between the natural world and the relentless advance of human development.
Many species of rare bird can be glimpsed on a nature hike through the jungle. The blue-crowned motmot, with a bright turquoise head and radiant green back feathers, is found in only a few locations worldwide but often makes its nests near cenotes and wells in the Yucatn. Amazing specimens like the motmot, Yucatn jay, and the rare and beautiful quetzal " a bird revered by the Mayans and Aztecs, and one which shares a name with one of their most famous gods " are exclusively available to view in the sheltered jungles of the Yucatn.
Dive into a Cenote
A cenote is a sinkhole, formed naturally when collected water or pressure wears down and collapses the roof of an underground cave structure. The depression now open to the sky often fills with rain or ground water; these formations were important to ancient peoples like the Maya, because above-ground sources of potable water like rivers and streams are quite rare in the Yucatn. Cenotes may be interconnected where they open down into the same underground cave system, and today many nature walks and cave-tubing tours will take you down into a cenote, and give you the opportunity to swim, float, or even dive in their clear fresh water, exploring the caves used hundreds of years ago by this land's oldest inhabitants.
Relax and Enjoy the Yaxkin Spa
After all this hiking and trekking around, you might feel the need for a trip to a spa, and there again the Yucatn has got you covered. Yaxkin Spa is one of the National Geographic Society's top selections for eco-spas and wellness centers in North America, and has grown famous for mingling ancient Mayan healing traditions with modern convenience and comfort. At Yaxkin, you'll receive the ancient elemental blessings of Water, Fire, Earth, and Air, leaving your body and soul refreshed and reinvigorated " ready, in other words, for a new day full of extraordinary adventures in the Yucatn.
Of course, one of the Yucatn's most famous attributes is that is was the ancestral home of the Mayans, and their legacy can be found throughout the jungles that cover the peninsula. The Mayans were masters of this land for well over a thousand years, and proved to one of the most ingenious and intelligent early civilizations, producing amazing innovations in the fields of architecture, construction, farming, and astronomy. Many of their mighty cities still stand as proud testament to their once-insurmountable might, such as the magnificent ruins of Chichn Itz .
If you only have the chance to visit one city of the Maya, Chichn Itz is an excellent choice. It's sheer size, long history, and unusual diversity allow visitors to sample a large cross-section of Mayan culture and history. A wide variety of structures are present at the site, including ball courts, giant pyramids, many temples, an even one of the earliest astronomical observatories. Guided tours of the site are available, and ongoing restorations aim to preserve this historical treasure for many generations to come; any visit to the region should at least consider making a stop at this one-of-a-kind example of human achievement.
Those who feel at home in nature will be very comfortable in the Yucatn. Considered by many to be one of earth's last true wildernesses. Acres and acres of lush, unspoiled tropical jungle coat the limestone plains which are ringed by majestic coastal mountains; in those same crystalline seas swims an amazing abundance of sea life, matched in diversity only by the plants and animals that inhabit the inland jungles. Vacationers with some trekking experience may want a solo hike, but many companies offer multi-day jungle treks if you'd rather go with some company. One of the best options for seeing rare and unusual species is to visit one of the bioreserves like Sian Ka'an, which act as a sanctuary and buffer between the natural world and the relentless advance of human development.
Many species of rare bird can be glimpsed on a nature hike through the jungle. The blue-crowned motmot, with a bright turquoise head and radiant green back feathers, is found in only a few locations worldwide but often makes its nests near cenotes and wells in the Yucatn. Amazing specimens like the motmot, Yucatn jay, and the rare and beautiful quetzal " a bird revered by the Mayans and Aztecs, and one which shares a name with one of their most famous gods " are exclusively available to view in the sheltered jungles of the Yucatn.
Dive into a Cenote
A cenote is a sinkhole, formed naturally when collected water or pressure wears down and collapses the roof of an underground cave structure. The depression now open to the sky often fills with rain or ground water; these formations were important to ancient peoples like the Maya, because above-ground sources of potable water like rivers and streams are quite rare in the Yucatn. Cenotes may be interconnected where they open down into the same underground cave system, and today many nature walks and cave-tubing tours will take you down into a cenote, and give you the opportunity to swim, float, or even dive in their clear fresh water, exploring the caves used hundreds of years ago by this land's oldest inhabitants.
Relax and Enjoy the Yaxkin Spa
After all this hiking and trekking around, you might feel the need for a trip to a spa, and there again the Yucatn has got you covered. Yaxkin Spa is one of the National Geographic Society's top selections for eco-spas and wellness centers in North America, and has grown famous for mingling ancient Mayan healing traditions with modern convenience and comfort. At Yaxkin, you'll receive the ancient elemental blessings of Water, Fire, Earth, and Air, leaving your body and soul refreshed and reinvigorated " ready, in other words, for a new day full of extraordinary adventures in the Yucatn.
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