Merida /area-Yucatan
Aug 20th, 2001, 11:09 AM
#2
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I would either rent a car or use the first class buses. The first class buses are better air conditioned and faster than second class, although they stick to the much less interesting main roads. The bus is easy for Chichen-Itza, Uxmal, and Tulum. You can easily take a cab inexpensively to Coba (agree on a price for the driver to give you the transportation and wait for 2-3 hours for you to return to the car - we did this from Tulum Ruinas bus station, which is just across from the Tulum ruins). A car would really be useful for visiting the smaller sites near Merida. I think there are also tours, but I am not sure. Cancun to Merida is about 4 hours by first class bus. Merida is obviously a better base for Uxmal and the smaller sites nearby. Either Cancun or Merida works for Chichen-Itza. I would imagine Coba are Tulum are ok from either (Tulum is about 2 hours from Cancun, and Coba is around 30-40 minutes inland from Tulum). Really the ideal way to see Uxmal and Chichen-Itza is to either stay somewhere even closer than Merida or Cancun (or drive yourself) so that you can get there very early to avoid the heat and crowds. You can stay in some comfort, but not in luxury, in Merida for as little as $25-30 a night. You might be interested in my Web site at www.oneeyed.homestead.com, which includes sections on Merida, Uxmal, Chichen-Itza, Coba, and Tulum.
Aug 21st, 2001, 03:24 AM
#3
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If you like to travel with some comfort try renting a car in Cancun and driving to the ruins. The roads are good all over the Yucatan and I believe that it is the best way to see the ruins. <BR>In Merida check out the Hotel El Conquistador on Paseo Montejo. Great place with few Americans. From there you can drive to Dzbilchaltun ruins and Progresso. A day trip to Mayapan is also easy from there. <BR>In Uxmal check out the Mayaland Resort (more upscale) or the Club Med Villas Arqueologica. <BR>You can see Uxmal and all of the ruins on the "Puuc" route. <BR>Head over to Chichen Itza and again stay at Mayaland or the Club Med Villas. Spend a couple of days here. See the "luz y sonido", sound and light show one night. <BR>Drive to Coba. Best bet here is the Club Med Villas. Head over to Tulum early in the day to avoid all of the tour busses, and stop for a couple of days at Akumal and lay around on a fantastic beach. <BR>If I can help, eme.
Aug 21st, 2001, 11:08 AM
#5
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I would base myself in Merida area for a few days or even Valladolid at Hotel El Meson del Marques on the square close enought to Chichen Itza and other places of interest in that area. You can then drive down to Coba on your way to Tulum. Base yourself in Tankah/Tulum area for exploring the Tulum ruins, cenotes and Sian Ka'an Biosphere reserve. Some web sites of interest below. <BR> <BR> http://CasaTropical.com <BR> Casa Tropical Tankah, Romantic, beachfront villa, located on private,1/2 acre 82' ocean frontage, Tankah, Mexico, a 1 hour drive south of Cancun airport, 3 miles north of the Tulum ruins, with other major archaeological sites within driving distance. Great views with barrier reef just offshore, and a cenote up the beach for diving, snorkeling or swimming, jungle style. summer/fall special start at $525/wk for 2 <BR> <BR>Weather http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/76590.html <BR> <BR>Bookstore & recommended reading about Maya culture and archaeological sites <BR>http://sites.netscape.net/tankah3g/almalibrelibros <BR> <BR>Hidden Worlds snorkel & dive tours of cenotes <BR>http://hiddenworlds.com.mx/ <BR> <BR>Xel-Ha <BR>http://www.xelha.com.mx/ <BR> <BR>Aktun Chen <BR>www.aktunchen.com <BR> <BR> Check out this web site for tours lead by the Friends of Sian Ka'an group. It is a non-profit organization and tour guides are usually biologists. Very informative tours lead by a very worthwhile organization. <BR>Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve <BR>http://www.cancun.com/siankaan/ <BR> <BR>
