Hello, <BR> <BR> Is anyone familiar with the Mexico Yucatan Peninsula? I am interested in visiting the Mayan archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza , Uxmal, etc. and the general area. <BR> <BR> It appears that there are 2 main places people can go to: Merida or Cancun. It appears that Cancun is mainly a beach resort town while Merida has some places to visit? If someone is more interested in historical sites than the beach, which is the better place to stay? I don't know the distances from either city and where makes more sense overall in terms of costs, ease, etc. <BR> <BR>Also, people tell me that it's not really necessary to take a package tour; that there are many "local day tours" which go to these sites which are offered. Are they available at either city? <BR> <BR>Does it make sense (price-wise) to book a "hotel/transfers" package or to book hotels directly? <BR> <BR>Also, how is the safety in the area? Any problems such as that in Mexico City in terms of crime ? <BR> <BR>Thanks so much for any information you can provide. <BR> <BR> <BR>Jeff <BR>

The town you want is Merida. It is a fine colonial town with a lot of history and a base for Uxmal. You need at least a day or tow to explore Merida. You can also get to Chichen from there easily but I recommend staying at the place inside the ruins. Our most memorable time was at El Castillo under a full moon with nobody around. Two nights inside the ruins at Chichen is a good plan. Avoid Cancun. If you want to see some sand go to Akumal on the Mayan Riviera some 35 miles south of Cancun. Also there you can visit Tulum, a lovely ruin on the cliffs at the water's edge. Get there first when it opens before the tour buses. Driving is easy in the Yucatan and a rental car is one of the best ways to get around. However, the public buses are good and inexpensive. If you are into pre-colombian history and art. You will have years ahead from Honduras north to get your fill. You do not need a package tour and I would encourage you to avoid it. There is not too much of a language problem throughout the area. You can buy local tours if you choose that will be as good or better than you can get from a US package unless it is by a major museum with top staff going along. There are excellent books on the Yucatan and I would buy and study a few as way to plan your trip. This will be more productive and less confusing that trying to get the same info on the internet. Most there are trying to sell you something. <BR> <BR>If I were you I would head to Merida with a general plan and work from there. As you go into the fall you will not find any problems in getting rooms. I think there are less likely to be problems in the Yucatan than in other parts of Mexico. I would avoid Chiapas or other parts of the highlands in south Mexico. Mexico City has some big city problems and you need to have some care on what you do and where you go. In general I would not plan to tavel alone in a car late and night on lonely roads. I see no reason to do so anyway.

P.S. Buy the "Conquest of New Spain" by Bernal Diaz. You can order it on the Web at Barnes and Nobel at $11.95. You will never regret reading it. Diaz was one of the men in the army of Cortez. His original manuscript is housed in Guatemala.

Definitely Merida. Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and the other beach areas will put you nearer to Tulum and Coba, which are two major sites. You should be able to travel to them though by bus or car on an overnight stay from Merida. The two are less than an hour apart. For Uxmal and Chichen Itza, Merida is better (by far for Uxmal). Plus, Merida has lots of smaller sites around it. There is a great museum on this subject in Merida as well. Personally, if I were to do it again, I would take a bus to Chichen Itza and Uxmal, but stay overnight for one night near each to allow for viewing in cooler and less crowded conditions. If you are interested in photography, this will give you the chance to have great early and late day lighting conditions too. For the smaller sites around Merida, I would rent a car for a day or two and see them myself. You might want to consider Palenque too, which according to many has the most beautiful ruins on the peninsula. Palenque is supposed to be around 6 hours by bus from Merida I think (about 1 1/2 times the distance from Merida to Cancun). I will try to post again with some good book recommendations later. Don't have the titles in front of me. <BR> <BR>If you are perhaps interested in anywhere between Cancun and Merida, I would perhaps recommend the city of Valladolid. This is a major bus junction and should have more than enough Mexican culture for you. I would prefer Merida as a city in which to spend much time though.

There is also the city of Chetumal and from there you can see quite a few archeological sites that have been fairly new discoveries. We took a trip one time and spent 4 days in Merida. From there we were able to see Uxmal and some other smaller sites. Also took a trip up the Rio Esparanza to see the flamingoes out of Celestun. On the way to the Caribbean spent time at Chichen Itza and then went to Akumal which is nicely located for seeing Tulum and some other small sites that are close by, as well as enjoy the beautiful waters of the Caribbean. If I can help you at all just email me. <BR>Sharon <BR>[email protected]

Thank you Sharon. I couldn't remember the name of Chetumal in my last post. I have heard that it also has an excellent anthropological and historical museum.

This thread and others have made me very interested in touring the Yucatan. My daughter and I would like to go over her spring break this year, around March 16 I think, for 10 days or so. I had thought of flying in to Cancun, since you can usually get good fares from Chicago to there, and then starting in Merida to see the various sites. <BR> <BR>Do you think I need to have hotel reservations in advance? I would by far rather play it by ear when we get there, but don't want to have nowhere to stay either. Grateful for any advice.

Marilyn, my own feeling is that you do not need them for Merida. We were able to find vacancies very easily in Merida by just walking to some of the small hotels near the Plaza Mayor. We went in early June. These are nice, inexpensive, and convenient places to stay. None were full. For Cancun, maybe, but I haven't been there in March.

Yes, there is a wonderful museum in Chetumal. Both my husband and I and our children enjoyed it tremendously and learned alot about the Mayan people in the process.