By Jed Hauck and Jacqueline Zea

Wonders abound on the Yucatán Peninsula with pristine beaches, enchanting sights, and cultural discoveries. Enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Cancun, the pristine beaches of Riviera Maya, the enchanting beauty of Cozumel, and the fantastic history of Chichén Itzá and Uxmal. 

 

Cancun

Spectacular world-class resorts, 14 miles of crystalline waters and talcum-soft sands, genuine hospitality, and exciting nightclubs are just a few reasons why Cancun has become one of vacationer’s favorite destinations!

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Sporty Ventures

When the sun is out, so are outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy golf,  horseback rides, ATV jungle tours, scuba diving, snorkeling, jet-skiing, kayaking, sport fishing, and sailing!

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Laid-Back Sunbathing

Isla Mujeres’ balmy and secluded setting is only a short boat ride away. For an even more remote ambiance, rest your towel on the sands of Playa Tortugas.

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Natural Wonders

Venture out to Xel-Ha eco-park’s gigantic natural aquarium, Xcaret’s fascinating underground river, and Chichén Itzá’s Mayan empire and spiritual temples.

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Cancun After Dusk

Get your drink and dance on at Cancun’s Hotel Zone and Boulevard Kukulkán with nightclubs like Coco Bongo and Mandala featuring acrobats, laser shows, and more!

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Approximate Flight Times

New York/Newark – 4 ½ Hours
Philadelphia – 4 Hours
Boston – 4½ Hours
Miami – 2 Hours
Los Angeles –4 ½ Hours

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Climate
Tropical climate with hot weather year-round.
Average high temperature is 86°F

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Cancun Experiences

– Plunge into the extraordinary Cancun Underwater Museum and marvel at the sculptural installations.

– Swim with dolphins in Xel-Ha eco-park’s gigantic natural aquarium.

– Immerse in spirituality as you visit Chichén Itzá’s sacred temples.

– Rent a jet-ski from one of the marinas along beautiful Nichupté Lagoon.

– Challenge yourself to a round of golf in one of Cancun’s scenic golf courses.

Related Story: Discover Mexico!

 

 

Riviera Maya

A palm-fringed paradise stimulates the senses with uninterrupted relaxation, archaeological wonders, championship golf, unspoiled shores, gourmet dining, and million-dollar vistas from some of the world’s most stunning resorts. Riviera Maya’s epic beaches, stretching along the Caribbean Coast, were simply born to be discovered…

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Yucatán’s Underground Rivers

Plunge into the majestic waters of a cenote (sinkhole in a jungle). Snorkel and marvel at the remarkable stalactites and stalagmite formations.

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Ancient Marvels

Tour Tulum’s stunning temples and palaces that the Maya left behind. Unveil hidden secrets as you traverse through sacred temples overlooking crashing waves against rocky cliffs, and witness one of the world’s most dramatic sunrises.

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La Quinta

Locals and tourists meander along 5^th Avenue, Playa del Carmen’s cobblestone street, dotted with chic galleries, artisan boutiques, bustling cantinas and nightclubs, and eclectic restaurants.

 

Approximate Flight Times

New York/Newark – 4 ½ Hours
Philadelphia – 4 Hours
Boston – 4½ Hours
Miami – 2 Hours
Los Angeles –4 ½ Hours

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Climate

Tropical climate with hot weather year-round.
Average high temperature is 88°F

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Riviera Experiences

– Shop for souvenirs at local handicraft shops in the charming fishing village of Puerto Morelos.

– Climb the 120 steps of Cobá’s Ancient Pyramid, the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula.

– Go after white and blue marlin, blackfin, skipjack, and other sport fish on a charter out of Puerto Aventuras.

– Drive the fairways on golf courses created by Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Greg Norman, Robert von Hagge, and Robert Trent Jones, Jr.

– Perfect your sun-kissed tan on Akumal’s silky white sands.

Related Story: North or South of the Border – 8 Unique Resorts in Canada and Mexico

 

 

Cozumel

The Eastern side of Mexico is a diver’s wonderland with exotic marine life and crystal-clear waters. And of course, Cozumel is home to the second largest coral reef in the world. In other words, an underwater sanctuary!

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Lucky Inhabitants

Look out for colorful corals, some of the most unique sponge formations, and fascinating sea creatures. Swim along angelfish, parrot fish, white and blue marlin, sailfish, dorados, gray snappers, yellowtails, and many more!

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Hidden Treasures

Enter a cave at 50 feet to explore the Garganta del Diablo, snorkel at Chankanaab National Park (see video!), explore the San Gerzaio Ruins, check out the canyons of Palancar Reef, and marvel at the stunning coral pinnacles of Columbia Reef.

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Land & Sea

Aside from scuba diving here, there are plenty of aquatic activities to keep you occupied like deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, and water-skiing. If you’re planning to mix it up with land adventures, try hiking, horseback riding, and duty-free shopping.

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Approximate Flight Times

New York/Newark (to CUN) – 4 ½ Hours
Philadelphia – 4 Hours
Boston – 4½ Hours
Miami – 2 Hours
Los Angeles –4 ½ Hours

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Climate

Tropical climate with hot weather year-round.
Average high temperature is 85°F

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Cozumel Experiences

– For striking views, climb the narrow winding stairs of the Punta Celerain Lighthouse.

– Trek through the rainforest to San Gervasio, a small but distinctive group of well-preserved Mayan ruins.

– Pull up a chair at a local restaurant and savor traditional Cozumel chocolomo.

– Hit a nightclub along San Miguel’s Avenida Rafael Melgar to sway your hips to Caribbean rhythms.

– Hop on a 4×4 adventure and take in the panorama of beaches, mangroves, and sand dunes.

 Related Story: Unforgettable Experiences at Fiesta Americana Cozumel

 

Chichén Itzá & Uxmal

Donning honorable titles like one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, this UNESCO World Heritage Site invokes your spirit on a higher dimension—The Mayan’s left its future generations with a true engineering masterpiece…Chichén Itzá.

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Pyramid of Kulukán
Also referred to as “El Castillo”, this ceremonial site stands 100 feet tall and houses 365 steps for each day of the year. Witness the twice-a-year equinox to observe when the shadows cast by the sun “crawl” down the pyramid’s north face, resembling a sacred serpent descending the steps.

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Uxmal’s Ancient Structures
Also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this archaeological find, roughly an hour south of Mérida, is home to the most well preserved ancient Mayan sites.

Climb the steps of Casa del Gobernador for a peek at the Pyramid of the Magician. Take in panoramic views of unique architecture and understand how Uxmal impresses with elegance and grace.

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Approximate Flight Times

New York/Newark – 4 ½ Hours
Philadelphia – 4 Hours
Boston – 4½ Hours
Miami – 2 Hours
Los Angeles –4 ½ Hours

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Climate

Tropical climate with hot weather year-round.
Average high temperature is 90°F

–

Chichén Itzá & Uxmal Experiences

– Visit the Great Ballcourt, where warriors played the Mesoamerican ballgame on seven courts.

– Watch the spellbinding Chichén Itzá Light & Sound Show.

– Immerse in historic art at the Nun’s Quadrangle in Uxmal for an extravagant display of stonemasonry.

– Spend an afternoon shopping in Ticul and bring back locally made shoes, pottery, and hammocks.

– Take a break from the heat, and dip into a nearby crystalline cenote.

Related Story: Conspiracy Sights – Chichén Itzá

 

 

About Our Writers
Jed Hauck is a writer for Flight Centre USA. A New Yorker to the core, he has written extensively inside the travel and entertainment fields (winning Emmy Award honors for the latter), and has traveled widely throughout Europe and North America. He would love to live in London but can’t quite master the accent. He does, however, speak French like Marcel Marceau.

 

 

 

Jacqueline Zea is a Copywriter for Flight Centre, USA. She’s a self-published poet (Inner Happenings) and is fluent in Spanish.  She’s been to Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Canouan Island in the Grenadines, Barbados, Turks & Caicos, St. Thomas, Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and several others!

When she’s not traveling and writing, she’s immersing in mindfulness, enjoying Zumba, and thinking about her next Halloween costume!