Pls Help with Yucatan Itinerary and Haciendas!!
Dec 29th, 2004, 08:16 AM
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Pls Help with Yucatan Itinerary and Haciendas!!
My husband and I are are planning an ambitious 8 day trip to the Yucatan area in Feb. I have many guidebooks to the area but have been having difficulty prioritizing sights and places to stay. Also, we are very interested in staying in some of the beautiful luxury haciendas in the area, but want to make sure it will be convenient to the sights. Please advise! We are flying into Cancun and crashing at one of the hotels there. The next morning, we plan to drive to Merida and stay at the Hyatt Regency for two nights-- I had initially wanted to stay at one of the nearby Haciendas-- the Santa Rosa, San Jose, or Xcanatun, which is still 8 miles away-- but other than the Xcanatun, they appear to be far from the city of Merida. Wouldn't it be better to be in the center of the city to tour and dine there? We would also like to explore nearby ruins.
For our next stop, we are planning to drive to the Hacienda Uayamon near Campeche for two nights. I am second guessing myself on this-- it seems pretty out of the way just to see the nearby Edzna ruins (which are not touted as must see). Is it worth it though to stay at this gorgeous place? Next, we were planning on staying one night at the Hacienda Uxmal-- although this looks less luxurious than the other hanciendas, this one is a must for us, as my huband's mom stayed here 30 years ago. Finally, we are planning to drive back to Cancun and stay there an additional 2 nights to recoup and golf before heading home. Can anyone who has done this route please comment? We understand there is a lot of driving involved, but we are renting a convertible and don't really mind. Thanks!
For our next stop, we are planning to drive to the Hacienda Uayamon near Campeche for two nights. I am second guessing myself on this-- it seems pretty out of the way just to see the nearby Edzna ruins (which are not touted as must see). Is it worth it though to stay at this gorgeous place? Next, we were planning on staying one night at the Hacienda Uxmal-- although this looks less luxurious than the other hanciendas, this one is a must for us, as my huband's mom stayed here 30 years ago. Finally, we are planning to drive back to Cancun and stay there an additional 2 nights to recoup and golf before heading home. Can anyone who has done this route please comment? We understand there is a lot of driving involved, but we are renting a convertible and don't really mind. Thanks!
Dec 29th, 2004, 09:26 AM
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This route is going to kill you.
Unless you are bent on spending a lot for a little (Yaxcopoil is near Merida and on the road South), stay in Merida at someplcae with some local flavor (Dolores Alba) and then get a car and do Hacienda Uxmal and the site then begin hopping the Puuc Route to Kabah, Labna, Sayil, Xlapak, and the caves at Loltun, returning to Merida via Oxkutzcab.
Forget Campeche. Savos the "Mayab," the authentic Maya "zona maizera" where the true Maya remain even today.
Ask me further questions if you wish.
The haciendas have a nice colonial ambience, but they are (as you observe) stuck way the hell in the boonies and you may find yourself questioning the big bucks when all you have to do is look at faded photographs.
Unless you are bent on spending a lot for a little (Yaxcopoil is near Merida and on the road South), stay in Merida at someplcae with some local flavor (Dolores Alba) and then get a car and do Hacienda Uxmal and the site then begin hopping the Puuc Route to Kabah, Labna, Sayil, Xlapak, and the caves at Loltun, returning to Merida via Oxkutzcab.
Forget Campeche. Savos the "Mayab," the authentic Maya "zona maizera" where the true Maya remain even today.
Ask me further questions if you wish.
The haciendas have a nice colonial ambience, but they are (as you observe) stuck way the hell in the boonies and you may find yourself questioning the big bucks when all you have to do is look at faded photographs.
Dec 29th, 2004, 09:34 AM
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Hey, I was wrong. Yaxcopoil is reasonable.
$60 US per night.
http://www.yaxcopoil.com/default.htm
It is only 20 miles south of Merda and so could be a stopover on that southern route I posted.
$60 US per night.
http://www.yaxcopoil.com/default.htm
It is only 20 miles south of Merda and so could be a stopover on that southern route I posted.
Dec 29th, 2004, 10:08 AM
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Thanks for the info. I think we will scrap the Uayamon, then and go closer to your plan. I understand the Hyatt is pretty charmless-- but my husband needs a high speed connection for at least part of the trip and we got an incredibly cheap rate of $110/night. On your suggested route back, are there any luxurious type haciendas we could stop by? Money is not really a concern if the place is special and convenient. Thanks!
Dec 29th, 2004, 02:22 PM
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http://www.locogringo.com/past_spotlights/dec2004.cfm
http://www.locogringo.com/dynamic/lo...a&type=any
The above are general. Here is Temozon, which is pricey but South of Merida close to cheaper Yaxcopoil. Any trip south on Hwy 180 brings you close to these haciendas.
I do recall another one on that route between Xlapac and Loltun but darned if I can find it.
http://www.locogringo.com/dynamic/lo...a&type=any
The above are general. Here is Temozon, which is pricey but South of Merida close to cheaper Yaxcopoil. Any trip south on Hwy 180 brings you close to these haciendas.
I do recall another one on that route between Xlapac and Loltun but darned if I can find it.
Dec 29th, 2004, 02:38 PM
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Jan 15th, 2005, 07:39 PM
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Suggested alternative to Hyatt is the Villa Mercedes located 1/2 block from the Hyatt.
I've stayed at the Hyatt in Merida many times. It is very nice and the service is excellent.
However, I prefer the Villa Mercedes to the Hyatt. It has much more character than the Hyatt. And, by character, I don't mean cockroaches. It is much smaller than the Hyatt. I think 40-60 rooms. I can't guarantee what they have for high speed internet access. But, its quite likely that they do have it. I dont go near the internet when in Mexico as a matter of principle.
The hotel is 3 or 4 years old and is 1st class. Maybe not Four Seasons first class. But, its every bit as nice as the Hyatt and is reasonabley priced as well, depending on where and when you book it. I've stayed there several times and paid anywhere from $65 to $125 per night. Rooms are nicely appointed and the service is very good as well.
Hyatt has tennis courts and large pool. However, pool is on the North side of the tower (17 stories) which shades the pool for most of the day. Villa Mercedes has a small pool.
The restaurant is quite good as well.
If you are looking for a restaurant outside the hotel, I reccommend "Los Almendros" for excellent Yucatecan food.
Its about a 20-25 minute walk or short taxi ride towards the center of town. The hotel can direct you. Its well known.
Re: Driving
Its almost 4 hours from Cancun to Merida. I highly reccommend the toll road. Once you get off the toll road and start going throug towns, the "adventure" gets to be tedious. When you go through the small towns and villages you will find that some of the roads are not marked. And, those that are marked are not "clearly marked". Its quite tedious to find the right roads in these towns. And, I'm sure you will have plenty of opportunity to experience. So, when there is the opporutunity to take advantage of the amenity of a first world road, I reccommend doing so.
I've travelled this area for many years and find the people to be very warm and friendly and generally honest.
As you mentioned golf, I believe that there is only one golf course in the Merida area. And, to the best of my knowledge, its a private course.
Re: Ruins
There is a smaller less well known ruins about 10 miles North of Merida. I think its called Dzibultichun, or something like that. I have problems with some of the Mayan names. Again, the hotel can help you. Its a short drive. And, worth the visit, I think. What I like about it is that it has a nice museum covering the more recent history of the "sisal/hennequin" culture that was the economy for a period and was responsible for the haciendas.
I just reread your message and noticed the part about this being an 8 day trip. You need to trim your schedule. YOUR IN MEXICO! Take it easy. Relax.
Do less and enjoy it more.
Have a great trip.
I've stayed at the Hyatt in Merida many times. It is very nice and the service is excellent.
However, I prefer the Villa Mercedes to the Hyatt. It has much more character than the Hyatt. And, by character, I don't mean cockroaches. It is much smaller than the Hyatt. I think 40-60 rooms. I can't guarantee what they have for high speed internet access. But, its quite likely that they do have it. I dont go near the internet when in Mexico as a matter of principle.
The hotel is 3 or 4 years old and is 1st class. Maybe not Four Seasons first class. But, its every bit as nice as the Hyatt and is reasonabley priced as well, depending on where and when you book it. I've stayed there several times and paid anywhere from $65 to $125 per night. Rooms are nicely appointed and the service is very good as well.
Hyatt has tennis courts and large pool. However, pool is on the North side of the tower (17 stories) which shades the pool for most of the day. Villa Mercedes has a small pool.
The restaurant is quite good as well.
If you are looking for a restaurant outside the hotel, I reccommend "Los Almendros" for excellent Yucatecan food.
Its about a 20-25 minute walk or short taxi ride towards the center of town. The hotel can direct you. Its well known.
Re: Driving
Its almost 4 hours from Cancun to Merida. I highly reccommend the toll road. Once you get off the toll road and start going throug towns, the "adventure" gets to be tedious. When you go through the small towns and villages you will find that some of the roads are not marked. And, those that are marked are not "clearly marked". Its quite tedious to find the right roads in these towns. And, I'm sure you will have plenty of opportunity to experience. So, when there is the opporutunity to take advantage of the amenity of a first world road, I reccommend doing so.
I've travelled this area for many years and find the people to be very warm and friendly and generally honest.
As you mentioned golf, I believe that there is only one golf course in the Merida area. And, to the best of my knowledge, its a private course.
Re: Ruins
There is a smaller less well known ruins about 10 miles North of Merida. I think its called Dzibultichun, or something like that. I have problems with some of the Mayan names. Again, the hotel can help you. Its a short drive. And, worth the visit, I think. What I like about it is that it has a nice museum covering the more recent history of the "sisal/hennequin" culture that was the economy for a period and was responsible for the haciendas.
I just reread your message and noticed the part about this being an 8 day trip. You need to trim your schedule. YOUR IN MEXICO! Take it easy. Relax.
Do less and enjoy it more.
Have a great trip.
Jan 25th, 2005, 08:17 AM
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We've just returned from a week in Yucatan and I can offer some suggestions.
We stayed at the Hacienda Xcanatun for 6 nights (first night was at the Radisson in downtown Cancun). The Hacienda is a wonderful place with a great restaurant and I cannot recommend it too highly! It's about 25 minutes by taxi from downtown and the fare is 100 pesos.
I'm sure the Hyatt is a nice hotel,but it's not really within walking distance of any of the sights in the center of town. If you wanted to be downtown, there are a number of smaller hotels such as the Dolores Alba which you might consider. We met some people who quite pleased with it.
Do visit Hacienda Yaxcopoil on your way to Uxmal, as it is most interesting. However, with 8 days, I'm not sure that an overnight there is worth the time.
We didn't stay at Uxmal, but there are several hotels at the site. The Hacienda Uxmal looks to be somewhat more basic than the other newer hotels there, but you obviously have sentimental reasons for staying there.
You might want to rethink renting a car in Cancun and driving to Merida. You really don't need a car in Merida itself, and car rentals there are less expensive than in Cancun. The drive from Cancun, if you take the toll road, is boring in the extreme, and relatively expensive. If you don't take the toll road, it is quite a bit more time consuming. We took the deluxe bus (ADO-GL) for 219 pesos per person each way.
The Puuc Route is quite interesting, and with hills and curves, a refreshing change from driving in much of the rest of the Yucatan. At most of the archeological sites along the route you'll hardly find another visitor at all. Don't miss the Loltun caves. I wouldn't try to do Uxmal and the Puuc route in one day, however.
As others have said, don't be too ambitious in what you can accomplish in a day's driving.
Enjoy your trip
We stayed at the Hacienda Xcanatun for 6 nights (first night was at the Radisson in downtown Cancun). The Hacienda is a wonderful place with a great restaurant and I cannot recommend it too highly! It's about 25 minutes by taxi from downtown and the fare is 100 pesos.
I'm sure the Hyatt is a nice hotel,but it's not really within walking distance of any of the sights in the center of town. If you wanted to be downtown, there are a number of smaller hotels such as the Dolores Alba which you might consider. We met some people who quite pleased with it.
Do visit Hacienda Yaxcopoil on your way to Uxmal, as it is most interesting. However, with 8 days, I'm not sure that an overnight there is worth the time.
We didn't stay at Uxmal, but there are several hotels at the site. The Hacienda Uxmal looks to be somewhat more basic than the other newer hotels there, but you obviously have sentimental reasons for staying there.
You might want to rethink renting a car in Cancun and driving to Merida. You really don't need a car in Merida itself, and car rentals there are less expensive than in Cancun. The drive from Cancun, if you take the toll road, is boring in the extreme, and relatively expensive. If you don't take the toll road, it is quite a bit more time consuming. We took the deluxe bus (ADO-GL) for 219 pesos per person each way.
The Puuc Route is quite interesting, and with hills and curves, a refreshing change from driving in much of the rest of the Yucatan. At most of the archeological sites along the route you'll hardly find another visitor at all. Don't miss the Loltun caves. I wouldn't try to do Uxmal and the Puuc route in one day, however.
As others have said, don't be too ambitious in what you can accomplish in a day's driving.
Enjoy your trip
Jan 25th, 2005, 12:37 PM
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We were in the Yucatan last week, and started our trip by flying into Merida. We rented the car there and drove to Chichen Itza via the non-toll Highway 180 (staying at the Hacidena Chichen Resort). Arrived at Chichen Itza with about 2 hours to spare before the park closed, which was good because crowds were light.
Hacienda Chichen is a nice hotel, with beautiful grounds, rooms and food. Very affordable too.
We woke up early the next day and had the park mostly to ourselves. Around 10:00, we drove to Coba. Coba wasn't crowded at all and was definitely worth the visit. After that, we drove from Coba to Kailuum II. We used Kailuum as a base to roam around the Playa del Carmen area, and flew out from Cancun at the end of the week.
We'd love to see the ruins in southern Yucatan and Palenque in the future. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip.
Hacienda Chichen is a nice hotel, with beautiful grounds, rooms and food. Very affordable too.
We woke up early the next day and had the park mostly to ourselves. Around 10:00, we drove to Coba. Coba wasn't crowded at all and was definitely worth the visit. After that, we drove from Coba to Kailuum II. We used Kailuum as a base to roam around the Playa del Carmen area, and flew out from Cancun at the end of the week.
We'd love to see the ruins in southern Yucatan and Palenque in the future. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip.
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