Where to go from Cancun for 1 day on your own – route, photo, description, map
Coming to rest in Mexico, tourists often choose Cancun. The largest resort in the country is invariably hospitable. And although the favorite activities of many guests are to lie on the beach, swim in the sea, eat exotic fruits and go shopping, one should not forget about cultural leisure. The surroundings of Cancun are rich in attractions. Everyone can choose according to their taste.
Chichen Itza
One of the main cultural attractions of the Yucatan Peninsula, the remains of the sacred city. Chichen Itza is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The most ancient buildings that can be seen here were erected by the Maya Indians around the 7th century BC. At 10, the Toltecs captured the city, and a century later, it became the capital of their state. The extraction of gold and obsidian, trade, the development of crafts – all this determined the important economic role of this center.
Then the troops of neighboring city-states ravaged Chichen Itza, killed or captured its defenders. When the Spanish conquerors came here at 16, the city was empty, but the Maya Indians settled not far from it, as they considered this place sacred. The Spaniards treated the Mayans barbarously – they destroyed cultural monuments, dealt with the clergy. But something survived.
Today, tourists can see here several temples, an observatory, ball courts, the ruins of colonnades, a sacred well for sacrifices, statues of deities, ornaments made by the skillful hands of ancient artists. All this is very picturesque and makes a great impression.
Valladolid
Here, too, everything breathes history. The city was founded in the middle of the 16th century, it received its name in honor of the Spanish city, which was the capital in those years. Francisco de Montejo, who founded Valladolid, set himself the goal of securing Spanish rule over these lands.
At first, the city was located closer to the coast, but there the Spaniards were bothered by mosquitoes, which carried dangerous diseases in these places. Therefore, Valladolid was moved further. The Spaniards dismantled the ancient buildings, once erected by the Maya Indians (here was their city Zasi, which means “white hawk”) and built houses in their national style. The Indians rebelled more than once, but the Spanish troops crushed their resistance.
The Maya did not have civil rights – their lands were seized by new owners – Europeans. In the middle of the 19th century, a riot broke out here, which turned into an uprising. The colonialists had to temporarily leave the city, later the Mayan rebels were expelled by government troops. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was in Valladolid that the revolutionary movement was born. It will be interesting for guests of the city to see the old cathedral, museums, and sit in local cafes.
Koba
This trip can be recommended to those who love outdoor activities. There is a bus from Cancun, the journey takes about three hours. You can give some advice. It is better to set off early – it is worth remembering the local heat, and there will be much fewer tourists in the early hours. Clothes and shoes should be comfortable – you will have to walk a lot. Don't forget mosquito repellent – the area is full of blood-sucking insects. Food and especially water will not be superfluous either – you may not be able to buy them on the spot, there are very few outlets here.
Upon arrival, it is better to rent a bicycle or use the services of a cycle rickshaw. So you can get from one cultural site to another without getting too tired. But on the territory where the historical monuments are located, you have to walk. In total, such a walk will take four hours. It is most convenient to book a tour in Russian. An experienced guide will not let you get lost in the jungle and warn against swimming in the lakes – they are inhabited by crocodiles.
The oldest city of Koba was probably formed in the 4th century BC. It was a religious and cultural center, which could accommodate up to 50 thousand people. There are many mysteries associated with the city. For example, a network of roads was laid here, although the Indians did not have carts on wheels. Perhaps these roads, the length of which is very large, were used by an even more ancient people. You can visit the Koba complex from 8 am to 7 pm, but in the evening the entrance is more expensive (the ruins look more impressive at sunset).
For those who come by their own transport, parking is available. Climb the Nooch Mul pyramid. Its height is 42 m. The steps – and there are 120 of them – were restored, but the climb is still difficult. But you will see a beautiful panorama – the endless jungle and archaeological sites. Of interest is the ball court, and ancient steles, and other pyramids, the height of which is lower than that of Nooch Mul. You can only look at them from the side, since the restoration of the steps was not carried out here, and the ascent is very dangerous.
Tulum
A very interesting place is a city that was founded by the Maya Indians. By all indications, he was of great importance. Previously, it bore the poetic name of Sama – “City of Dawn”. Tulum means “wall”. In the documents of Europeans, the city begins to be mentioned from the 16th century. Historians have come to the conclusion that Tulum was abandoned when the Spaniards came to these lands. The architecture here is typical of the Maya. Steps lead to residential buildings. Narrow doors, columns, stucco, altars at the rear walls – this is how houses were built in Chechen Itza. The Indians attached great importance to the fortification of the city.
On the one hand, there was natural protection – the sea and steep cliffs, on the other, the Mayans erected a stunning wall – its length is 400 m, the height reaches 5 m, and the thickness of the walls is 8 m. There were also watchtowers. A natural well – a cenote – supplied the inhabitants with drinking water. Arriving in Tulum, you should visit the Temple of Frescoes, look at the statues and paintings, visit the Castillo fortress, which served not only as a sanctuary, but also as a lighthouse, admire the numerous artifacts that testify to the exceptional importance of this city.
Merida
This is the first city built by the Spaniards on the Yucatan Peninsula. The ruins of an ancient Mayan settlement that once stood on this site reminded the colonialists of the remains of a Roman fortress in Merida. Therefore, they named the new settlement after the Spanish city. Going here, you need to consider that Merida lies in the valley, and it is almost always very hot here. Therefore, take care of a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
It's nice to play here. Narrow colorful streets, green parks, houses painted white – Merida is even called the “white city”. Enough and old buildings built in the 16-18 centuries. Worthy of attention are the cathedral and churches, the monastery and the museum, where many exhibits are stored that tell about the life of the Indians. Merida is surrounded by plantations of coarse-fibered agave, naturally, the textile industry is developed in the city. There is also a university here. It's hard to get lost here. The rectangular network of streets will allow you to navigate without difficulty.
Tourists should come to Merida on Sundays. Roads are closed for traffic, the holiday begins. Here and there you can meet local folklore groups, whose members sing and dance wonderfully. And at the Government building there is a ceremony that makes you remember the Maya Indians. Merida is also interesting because here in 2003 the UN Convention against corruption was signed.
Akumal
A real paradise for those who love nature. In translation, the name sounds like “Place of the Turtles.” The purest water and sand, the rich world of the deep sea, the opportunity to swim next to the turtles – that's what awaits you here. There used to be a coconut plantation here. Then Pablo Busch Romero bought these lands, and actually created a resort here. Tourists from different countries began to visit Akumel, although at that time it was possible to get here only by sea.
There are almost never storms here, and the sand here is silky and white. Therefore, many tourists prefer to come here, and not to the resorts of Cuba. You will also see a statue of Gonzalo Guerrero here. In the 16th century, this Spaniard became a prisoner of the Indians, but found a common language with them, adopted the Mayan faith, married the leader's daughter and began to rule the tribe's warriors. There are really a lot of turtles in the vicinity. From April to October, they come out onto land to lay their eggs. But, of course, the most exciting thing is to watch them in the water.
Diving here is very interesting. The coral reef, the second largest in the world, a huge number of colorful fish, rays and turtles – all this makes a huge impression. You can buy a diving tour, book a fishing trip. Solitude lovers will be able to relax in one of the lagoons, where the water is crystal clear, and there are practically no people around. If you want to stay here for a few days – there are many hotels around, from modest to luxurious.
Xel Ha Park
Another place where you can enjoy nature and have fun. It is customary to come here with the whole family, as children will not be bored here either. Once in this lagoon there was a Mayan city. According to scientists, the leaders liked to spend their free time here. Indeed, it is a beautiful place. The park is located at a distance of just over 100 km. You can come here by bus or taxi, or you can buy a sightseeing tour, during which the guide will tell you a lot of interesting things.
What to do in the park? First of all, admire this amazing place. There are magnificent beaches with white clean sand, the water is warm and clear. There are no big waves. You can sunbathe or just take an air bath under a canopy. Diving enthusiasts will appreciate the rich underwater world. There are also picturesque caves with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. You can swim and dive in karst lakes – here, by the way, rare representatives of the animal world are found.
The most daring tourists can jump off the rocks. By the way, lifeguards monitor the safety of vacationers. But there are other entertainments as well. For example, there is a dolphinarium here. You can not only watch the show, but also feed the dolphins and swim with them. There are a huge number of attractions, excursions to the jungle are organized. For little vacationers, there is a special area where it will be fun to play with new friends. There are cafes and restaurants on site. If you plan to spend the whole day in the park, it will be most convenient to buy an all-inclusive ticket.
Xcaret Park
This park is a large cultural and entertainment center. It includes a nature reserve, a tropical zone, a coral reef, underground tunnels and much more. There is simply a lot of entertainment here, and the excellent work of the organizers should be noted. Each tourist quickly finds what is interesting for him, no one interferes with each other. The easiest way to get here is by booking a tour. You will be picked up from the hotel and brought back in the evening, in addition, a buffet is included in the ticket price.
You can also get to the park by bus or taxi and buy the entrance ticket yourself. Although the park is a creation of human hands, everything here is arranged in such a way that you will feel in a natural environment. Numerous backwaters with turquoise water are just tempting to take a dip; in the tropical vegetation, you can find the remains of ancient buildings. And what an exciting adventure will be a trip on a raft along an underground river.
In the park you can meet a variety of animals – from jaguars and crocodiles to graceful tropical butterflies. It is best to come here in the morning and stay until the evening to watch vibrant concert programs. Children will be captivated by numerous attractions. You can see the show of dolphins, swim with them and take pictures. Very trusting and pink flamingos – they take food from their hands.
Multi-colored macaws sit on the shoulders. And for diving into the water you will be given special oxygen helmets. Corals and beautiful fish will be very close. Usually tourists spend the day like this – they swim and sunbathe, visit cafes, ride attractions, admire animals, visit the Mayan village and get acquainted with the life of the Indians. And in the evening, guests are waiting for a variety of performances, including dances with fire.
Rio Lagartos
One of the best reserves in Mexico is located at a fairly large distance from Cancun – about 250 km. You can get there by bus or taxi, but it is most convenient to buy a Russian-language tour, as you may encounter language problems on the spot – most of the local population speaks only Spanish. In addition, the guide will take care of renting a motorboat in advance, and without it you will not see even half of the beauties of the reserve.
After all, its very name translates as “River of Crocodiles.” It is these huge reptiles that make up, first of all, the glory of Rio Lagartos. If you still set off on a journey without a guide, hire one of the local fishermen to take you along the river. They know the places where you can always see crocodiles. Under the guidance of an experienced mentor, they are also allowed to feed – it is not recommended to do this on your own. The reserve is also famous for flamingos.
These birds here are not as trusting as in the parks, so they will not let people close to them. But you can admire them and take pictures. Other species of rare birds also live here. Pelicans and eagles, storks and cormorants – many of the birds are not at all shy, and you can get close to them. The Pink Lakes are also very beautiful, having such a color due to the numerous microorganisms that live here.
You can't swim, but the photos are amazing. The salt plant is also impressive, which is used not only for cooking, but also for treatment. By the way, the Maya Indians began to mine salt in these places.
Ek Balam
The city, which once belonged to the Maya Indians, is located near Valladolid. It was founded in the 3rd century BC, and emptied after the arrival of the conquistadors. Its original name is Talol. To date, 45 buildings have been preserved. A large acropolis – its length reaches 146 m. You can admire the plaster frieze – here is the entrance, designed in the form of a beast's mouth.
Tourists admire the Oval Palace, inspect the ball game stadium, pyramids, stele, arch, wall painting – it is a real work of art. The Maya depicted people and animals with amazingly realistic images. Of particular interest are the images of gods and mystical creatures.
Island of Women
This little trip will bring you a lot of pleasure. The island is located at a distance of 10 km from Cancun. You can get to it in different ways. The most popular is the ferry. An option is to order a motorboat or a trip on a yacht. The island itself is small. Its length is approximately 8 km, and its width is 3 km. The most suitable part for recreation is the northwestern part. There are excellent beaches here. And on the opposite side there are picturesque rocks, but the bottom is rocky. The island has hotels and modest hostels, shops and cafes serving mainly seafood dishes.
The Maya once lived on the island. Many statues remained from that era, and religious buildings can be seen. The Spanish conquerors met here people with a high level of culture. They called this place the Island of Women, seeing many female statues here – for example, the goddess of Fertility. Rich in the area of the island and the underwater world. Nearby is a coral reef, which means that during diving you can see its many inhabitants.
Cozumel
One of the largest islands in Mexico – 16 km wide and 3 times longer, separated from the mainland by a narrow strait. The distance from Cancun to Cozumel is approximately 60 km. The island has many rare plants and animals that are found only here. To learn more about them, it is advisable to purchase a tour right on the spot. The guide will draw your attention to the endemics. Once upon a time, only Maya Indians lived here. When the Spanish conquerors arrived here in the 16th century, they began to overthrow the Indian idols and tried to convert the locals to Christianity.
Today Cozumel is a popular resort. It is especially appreciated by diving enthusiasts. There is a rich underwater world, clean and warm water. Diving equipment can always be rented on site. Also, it will not be a problem to order sea fishing. Of course, service is developed on the big island. Everything is at your service – from hotels and shops – to cafes and entertainment centers.
Ushmal
If you are interested in the culture of the Mayan Indians, you should definitely visit Uxmal. This city is located near Merida. Scientists say that “ushmal” in the language of the Indians means “thrice”. Perhaps this is due to the fact that just so many times this city fell into disrepair, and then was restored from ruins. According to the most common version, Uxmal was founded in the 11th century.
The city quickly became a major political and cultural center. About 25 thousand people lived here. In the future, the Indians constantly waged internecine wars, Uxmal was captured by representatives of different tribes. And when the Spaniards came here, the city was practically already destroyed. But still, a lot has come down to our days. The beautiful building of the Palace of the Ruler, where you can see sculptures and mosaics, has been preserved.
The oval pyramid rises to a height of 38 m, here, at the top, there is a temple. You can see other pyramids, a complex called the “nunnery” and much more. Unfortunately, the bacteria colonies inhabiting the ancient buildings have started the process of erosion.
Celestun
Celestun is a small town founded in the early 18th century on the site of an Indian fishing village. Later, reservoirs appeared here, intended for the extraction of sea salt. But the locals have not given up on traditional crafts either – they fish and raise poultry. But the main thing this place is famous for is the reserve, which is located about a quarter of an hour drive from Celestun. It was here that eco-tourism began to develop.
In order to look at the inhabitants of the reserve, numerous tourists come here. Beautiful virgin forests and reservoirs are home to thousands of representatives of the animal world. Here you can see pelicans, rare species of storks, crocodiles. But the pride of the reserve is flamingos. Guests watch how they fly, how they catch fish, walk “in formation”, and capture other moments from the life of these beautiful birds in their pictures.
Playa del Carmen
Once there was a transit point for the Indians heading to the island of Cozumel. Then – a small fishing village. And, finally, a resort with a population of more than 100 thousand people. The city is located nearby – so it is worth a trip here, perhaps you will like it just as much here. Excellent beaches, rich blue water, ferry service to the island of Cozumel, an abundance of hotels and shops – all this will only please tourists.
So, it has its own Fifth Avenue, which is nice to walk along, sit in local cafes, buy souvenirs. Nearby are a biosphere reserve and a system of underground rivers. In a word, while relaxing in Cancun, you can afford to make interesting one-day trips.