In 1986, Chichen-Itza was extremely low-key. Now I've heard there's many tour buses and a hugh amusement-park-like visitor's center. We still want to do the Merida - Chichen-Itza - Uxmal route again this year, but wondering what to expect from Chichen. Thanks in advance.

Two years ago we found Chichen-Itza very busy, with tour buses and people everywhere. I wouldn't say the visitor centre was amusement park-like though. However we much preferred Uxmal - much quieter and less "developed". We also enjoyed the much smaller sites we found while wandering around the area.

I would echo what Ann said exactly. We liked visting Uxmal better too. For Chichen- Itza, try going early in the morning by staying in a hotel nearby.

Thanks Ann and Dan. What other sites and/or smaller towns did you enjoy? We plan on renting a car. We plan to stay in the Mayaland Hotels (Hotel Mayaland in Chichen and Hotel Hacienda Uxmal in Uxmal) again because we loved them so much before. They offer a free car (we would pay insurance) if you stay in their hotels. Did you rent a car? Thanks, again, in advance.

I have a long travelogue on my Mexico trip at www.oneeyed.homestead.com. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Hi.... <BR>We found Coba to be an interesting site....There's been very little restoration there....If I remember correctly, it's about an hour south (?) of Chitzen Itza... <BR> <BR>LIZ

i would second Liz, I liked Coba too _ we went there from Tulum (which is pretty only if you get there at 7 when it opens, before the buses get there) I think it was about an hour inland from Tulum, but I'm not sure how you would get there directly from Chichen-Itza. I am sure someone else here knows.

I think there are buses that run that route, but I am not sure. You could possibly take a taxi. We took a taxi to Coba from the Tulum Ruinas bus station. For $35, we were taken there and back, and the driver waited for two hours while we toured Coba.

Apart from the Mayan sites, we enjoyed Izamal, the yellow city, which was very picturesque and the convent interesting. We visited Celestun for a boat trip to see the flamingos and other birds. That was well worth it, though the town itself was rather shabby. We had a good meal at a beach restaurant. <BR> <BR>We hired a car. Driving was easy and it meant we were able to follow parts of the Puuc route as and when we wanted, and see what we pleased.

Haven't been there since '93 when it wasn't so crowded. Just make sure you're at Uxmal or Chichen Itza at 8am. The buses usually don't hit those places until 10am. You can have the area to yourself and enjoy the magic and mysticism of the ruins. They are Real Special!! <BR> <BR>Adios! <BR> <BR>[email protected] <BR>www.choice1.com/villamontana.htm