The Top Traditional Attractions Of The Yucatan Peninsula

The Yucatan peninsula is both as aesthetically stunning as it is diverse in its attractions and destinations. Successfully blending rich archaeological landscapes, awe-inspiring coastlines and colorful, sun-lit towns, The Yucatan peninsula is perennially recommended travel destination.

In this article I will focus on presenting my recommended travel destinations based primarily on their uniqueness and accessibility. Sites which are a far-cry from our everyday lives, majestic and evocative, and yet easily accessed by travelers without resorting to undue sacrifices (both physically and financially).

We begin our Yucatan peninsula guide by looking at the sunny, eclectic destination of Tulum. Tulum is an exciting destination in that it blends three attractions in a single destination; a beautiful, white-sand beach coastline, a rich archaeological map and the unique town of Pueblo.

Boca Paila, located within the Sian Ka'an Biosphere nature reserve just south of Tulum, is your quintessential paradisaical coastline (below), offering fishing, kiting and lodging opportunities beyond leisure and relaxation.

South of Boca Paila, you could literally swim there, lies the Turum archaeological zone, that not only features some of the most suggestive Mayan ruins anywhere, but also has some of the most beautiful beaches of the entire caribbean.

For travelers who like to mix it up, the large town of Pueblo serves as a social hub, offering day-to-day services as well as restaurants and some night-life opportunities. Hotels, internet access and other important tourist resources can also be found in Pueblo, although a Tulum guide will undoubtedly help you make preparations in advance.

Chichen Itza is an amazing Mayan archaeological site showcasing a multitude of different styles and attractions.

One such site is known as El Castillo to tourists and locals (right), or structure 5B18 to archaeologists (how evocative!). El Castillo is a temple built for the God Kukulkan between the 9th and 12th centuries AD. Its 91 steps of the pyramid lead upwards to the temple, perched 30 meters off the ground, providing an evocative contrast with the surrounding landscape.

The Great ball court is another local wonder, a 68 metre wide (and 160 metre long) space between to large walls within which an ancient ballgame was played by the Mayas. The court is flanked on every side by many celebrated temples such as:

• Temple of the Bearded Man (north)
• Temples of the Jaguar (east)

Travelers will also be able to witness the astounding Temple of the Warriors (below), the observatory temple of El Caracol, the ossuary, markets, steam baths and much, much (much) more.

Located in the northeastern Mexican state of Quintana Roo, Cancun is aimed at a different stipe of traveler. For those who are looking for a vacation spearheaded by sports, luxury, relax and nightlife, A Cancun guide may be necessaru to truly delivers the goods. Bear in mind, however, that due to its proximity to both Tulum and Chichen Itza, there's no reason why you can't enjoy the best of both worlds in this case.

As a location, Cancun offers travelers the following modern attractions:

• Sports - Water-sports are a staple attraction. Snorkeling, scuba diving and sports-fishing
  are hugely popular. Golf is also a common tourist attraction.
• Nightlife - Cancun offers a wealth of different kinds of clubs and discos of every genre and taste (and for every age), as well as many restaurants and high-quality traditional cuisine outlets.
• Luxury Hotels - Luxury resorts, both local and international litter the coast. The "hotel zone" of the city is also a popular night-life hub.
• Shopping - From Cancun's Mercado 28, a local market, to its luxury stores and large shopping malls, there's ample choice for those who want to have fun spending their money.
  

Unfortunately this brings us to the end of the article, I say unfortunately because I have managed to whip myself into a traveler's frenzy (after viewing an unhealthy amount of media regarding the Yucatan).

Thank you very much for stoppig by! please leave any suggestions or comments in the comments section below and I'll get back to you as soon as humanly possible, assuming I'm not off dancing in Cancun!