Things to see and do - Yucatán Peninsula in 2024

Practical information : Sightseeing Yucatán Peninsula

Timetable

Museum opening hours vary, but are generally Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm. Cenotes: daily, 9am to 5pm. Archaeological sites: 8am to 5pm (ticket office closes at 4pm). We recommend arriving at the sites as soon as they open, or at least before 10 a.m. (or after 3 p.m.), to avoid finding yourself in the middle of groups disembarking in tour buses around 10 or 11 a.m. The other advantage is that it's cooler than during the day. In any case, bring a hat, sun cream, mosquito repellent and plenty of water. You'll also need good shoes - flip-flops are best avoided when climbing the pyramids!

To be booked

Reservations are rarely necessary, except for guided tours for large groups. Some sites regulate the use of drones and videos.

Budget & Tips

Rates at archaeological sites vary according to the geographic origin of visitors: a reduced price for state residents, slightly more expensive for Mexicans from other states, and higher for non-resident foreigners. Most sites have entrance fees of around $90, but state taxes make the final price vary considerably. At Chichén Itzá, for example, admission in 2024 was $95 and the tax $548 for foreign adults. Younger visitors, up to the age of 12, and people with disabilities generally benefit from free or reduced admission. For the services of a guide, expect to pay between $900 and $1,400 for a group of up to 8 people. Some "ecological" parks, such as Xcaret, offer promotions for online purchases directly on their websites.

Main events

All year round, you can enjoy dance, music and circus performances... The most interesting cultural life is concentrated in Mérida, with some good festivals (Mérida Fest, Otoño Cultural...). Its carnival is not bad either, but those of Campeche and Cozumel are more atypical. As for Cancún, it's not just a spring break for Americans: the seaside resort boasts a wine and gastronomy festival, as well as a quality jazz festival.

Guided tours

An official guide is highly recommended to visit the archaeological sites in order to dive deeper into the history of the fascinating Mayan civilization. The same goes for the parks and natural reserves: a guide will prevent you from getting lost and will teach you a lot about the local fauna and flora, as well as the communities living there. French-speaking guides are available, but at certain times of the year (July-August in particular), their services are in high demand and you may be forced to form a group with other visitors. If you don't have your own vehicle, it may be worthwhile to use organized tours to visit the archaeological sites and the cenotes (or often both in the same excursion). The tours offered by the hostels often offer affordable prices including transportation, guide and sometimes a meal (but not the entrance to the sites). This saves a lot of time compared to individual travel by bus or colectivos. A small tip is always expected by guides, drivers, boat captains, etc. Don't skip it, especially if you are happy with the service. In cities like Merida or Campeche, you can use the popular "Free Walking Tours". They are free, but once again remember to leave a reasonable tip, depending on the time and quality of the guide's work.

Smokers

Smoking is prohibited on archaeological sites and in most cenotes open to the public. If you decide to ignore the regulations, at least make the effort to take your cigarette butts with you.

Tourist traps

When visiting archaeological sites, it's better to have an official guide waiting inside the site, rather than one soliciting you outside at the entrance. The latter often charge higher rates, and their skills and knowledge are not guaranteed. Guide prices are usually displayed at the entrance.

What's very local

For the ultimate underwater experience, equip yourself with fins, mask and snorkel, or even a scuba tank, to visit the world's largest underwater museum: the MUSA (Museo Subacuático de Arte) located off the coast of Cancún and Isla Mujeres. Hundreds of sculptures (designed to recreate coral reefs) await you just a few metres below the surface. A unique, mysterious and poetic dive!

Things to see and do Yucatán Peninsula

CHOCO-STORY VALLADOLID

CHOCO-STORY UXMAL

CHOCO-STORY PLAYA DEL CARMEN

ZONA ARQUEOLÓGICA DE CHICHÉN ITZÁ

LOS 7 CENOTES SAN GERONIMO

ZONA ARQUEOLÓGICA DE TULUM

SAILING COLIBRÍ

VELEANDO ANDO

HACIENDA OXMÁN CENOTE

BACALAR LAGOON

CENOTES

CENTRO ECOLOGICO AKUMAL

ZONA ARQUEOLÓGICA DE UXMAL

MEXICO KAN TOURS

TIME OF WAR

BEACHES

RÍO LAGARTOS ADVENTURES

XCARET PARK

PARQUE NACIONAL ARRECIFES DE COZUMEL

CENOTE YOKDZONOT

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