mosey_on

Our family of four (2 college-aged kids) would like to make our first vacation to Mexico, primarily to see the ruins and more of the "colonial" interior. While hitting the beaches might be fun too, that is not a requirement or #1 priority. Our target date is Dec 17 - 25.

We are thinking about flying to Merida and exploring that city, and then doing a few day trips from there.
Or if we stay at another place in addition to Merida, it would be for the "second" half of the trip --- we don't want to go from hotel to hotel during such a short vacation.

Can you recommend an itinerary, flying into Merida, possibly flying back via another spot. Close enough to ruins and other cultural spots. And maybe finishing near "off the beaten path" beaches, or at least not heavily tourist-laden beaches.

Thanks for any help!

kja

Should be a great trip!

Be sure to find out how Xmas affects the schedule of "usual" festivities. Merida can be quite wonderfully lively on Friday and Saturday nights and Saturday and Sunday days, but I wouldn't make any assumptions about the schedule for days that near Christmas!

BTW, do consider a visit to the anthropology museum in Merida - it is, IMO, excellent!

IME, it is REALLY hard to see the magnificent ruins of the Ruta Puuc (including the truly spectacular Uxmal) on a day trip from Merida -- Uxmal is just a tad too far for a comfortable day trip from Merida for a visit that isn't rushed. More to the point, I don't think it is possible to do justice to Uxmal and any of the other Mayan Ruta Puuc sites on a single day trip. (And IMO, it is really worthwhile seeing some of the secondary Ruta Puuc sites!) Consider giving yourself about 2 days for Uxmal and the other Ruta Puuc sites (maybe including the Lulton caves, depending on your interests). I thought the FlyCatcher Inn (which has it's own very interesting nature walk) offered the perfect stop for exploring sites near Uxmal
http://flycatcherinn.com

With a week or so in the area, you should have time to see the highlights. Consider a day trip to Izamal and maybe another trip to wherever the breeding flamingos are most likely to be seen.

I think you will find some very helpful information in the Moon Guide and the Rough Guide (in addition to Fodor's!) -- check your library and/or local bookstore.

mosey_on

Thank you kja, good suggestions!
For a proper visit to Uxmal, do you recommend traveling there and staying in the area? What city/town is best?

kja

> For a proper visit to Uxmal, do you recommend traveling there and staying in the area? What city/town is best?

That's where I think the Flycatcher will serve you well. I think it is in / near St. Elena - but I'm not sure. I'm sure the Flycatcher's website will give you the info you need. And as I recall, the B&B's web-site had tons of info about the area.

So yes, IMO, definitely stay at least one night at the Flycatcher (if you can) to visit Uxmal and the Ruta Puuc. Study up and decide whether to stay longer. It is a lovely place!

Rohelio

I was in Merida last year and the year before that. You must make a point of being in Merida on a week end as they close off all the streets leading (all day Sunday) to the main square for cultural and folkloric dancing etc. You can also visit Progreso for a day at the beach, plenty of restaurants all along the ocean,( about 40 minutes by bus) I dont mean to contradict kja but you can EASILY visit Uxmal on a day trip, have a nice meal and a beer and be back in Merida for a beautiful evening dining out, just make sure you dress properly as the midday sun can be very strong in the jungle especially if you climb, and visit several pyramids which are allowed. Back in Merida, dont forget to visit the Paseo de Montejo on a rented bycicle (Sunday mornings), museums, bus tour, rope factory, cathedrals and more. You have chosen wisely and will without a doubt have a great time...

suze

You tagged Belize and Guatemala on the thread as well. I think those are too much to try to add to 8 days in Mexico (if that's what you meant).

kja

> you can EASILY visit Uxmal on a day trip

Perhaps, but there is MUCH more to the Ruta Puuc than Uxmal. And even if you limit your time at Uxmal, a day trip is not necessarily easy: As I recall, I spent nearly 6 hours at Uxmal and could easily have spent more time there. I didn't identify any public transportation options that would have permitted a day-trip of that length, but maybe things have changed since I was there, or maybe you would be willing to drive there and back on a single day, or maybe you wouldn't want that much time on site. It just depends on what you want to see and experience. FWIW, I was very glad to visit some of the lesser sites on the Ruta Puuc: Uxmal is magnificent, but there is something very special about having an entire Mayan ruin to oneself, as I did at Sayil and Labna. And Kabah is IMO well worth seeing even if a few parts are mobbed with others. If you spend some time behind the Kodz Poop, you might well be alone as you visit some very special sites. And the area also has the Loltun Caves, some interesting colonial cities....

> You can also visit Progreso for a day at the beach

Indeed, but check first: I think that in Dec., the flamingos would still be in Celestun, not Progresso. See if you can find out before deciding which (if either) to visit from Merida.

november_moon

We visited this area earlier this year and spend a few nights in the Uxmal/Ruta Puuc area - definitely recommend spending a little time there. We stayed at the Pickled Onion B&B, which is also in Santa Elena, not far from the Fly Catcher. I loved the Pickled Onion and would absolutely stay there again. We talked to some guests of the Fly Catcher who came to the Pickled Onion for dinner - they gave good reviews of the Fly Catcher too.

http://thepickledonionyucatan.com/

In this area, in addition to the Mayan sites, we visited a hacienda called Sotuta de Peon. This is a really good tour, definitely recommend it if you have time.

http://www.sotutadepeon.com/transportation.php

Katzgar

google a road map of the yucatan, there are limited roads so they will develop your itinerary for you.

Michael

We stayed in Merida when we visited the ruins in the area, including Uxmal and Chichen Itza.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7623026501426/

We arranged for transportation from local travel agencies once we were there.

mosey_on

Thanks for all the input. After talking it over with family members who have traveled to the Yukatan and vicinity, we're instead traveling to...... Belize!
I'm asking a new question on that topic in a separate post.

kja

Enjoy and do report back!