What Mexican states make up the Yucatán Peninsula?

Yucatan peninsula

North America showing the location of the Yucatan peninsula in the Caribbean Sea

Yucatan is derived from the Aztec word ‘Yokatlan’, meaning ‘place of richness’. The Yucatan peninsula is located along Mexico’s southeastern coast and juts out into the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. It is comprised of three coastal states in Mexico – Yucatan, Campeche, and Quintana Roo – as well as the countries of Belize and Guatemala. Geographically, the area is very flat and has little change in surface topography. Geologically, though, this area has been active in terms of sea level changes, cave formation, and their combined influence on native culture and wildlife.

Yucatan peninsula; Sistema Camilo is located along the eastern coast

At the end of the Cretaceous period around 65 million years ago, this area was the site of an asteroid impact that some scientists believe is associated with one of earth’s mass extinctions – the loss of the dinosaurs. For thousands of years, the Mayan people called this land home, and they still make up the largest concentration of indigenous people in the Yucatan peninsula today. The Spanish began exploring Yucatan in the 1500s, and after years of fighting, eventually claimed this region under the Spanish flag. In 1821, Mexico declared its independence from Spain, and this period was followed by several turbulent attempts at secession by the Mayan people who were reluctant to unite with Mexico. Although they repeatedly sought independence, the loss of commercial ties with Mexico rendered this region the victim of economic hardship. In the 1950s and 1960s, modern infrastructure joined Yucatan to the rest of Mexico, and today, tourism has become the basis for the economy in Yucatan. Booms in real estate sales, development, and construction, combined with cruise ships capitalizing on this tourist destination mean that this area is now referred to as the “Mayan Riviera.”

Source: Images, courtesy NASA and visibleearth.nasa.gov

The Yucatán Peninsula is a region of southeastern Mexico, consisting of the Mexican states of Yucatán, Campeche, and Quintana Roo. The Yucatán was the home of the Maya civilization before it was conquered by the Spanish Conquistadors in the 16th century. Much of the population is part or all of Maya descent, and in many places the Maya language is still spoken, usually in addition to Spanish, the main language of business.

Until the mid 20th century, most of the Peninsula's trade with the rest of Mexico was by sea, and the culture, cuisine, and traditions developed different flavors from other parts of Mexico. Starting in the late 20th century the Yucatan has become more integrated into Mexico, especially such areas on the Caribbean coast as Cancun and Chetumal, where many people from other parts of the nation have moved to take advantage of the economic opportunities of development. The Mayan Riviera stretching south from Cancun has seen the most growth related to tourism.

States[edit]

El Castillo at Chichen Itza

• Yucatán
• Campeche
• Quintana Roo
• Tabasco

Cities[edit]

• Campeche - moderately sized city with Spanish ruins
• Cancun - beach, modern tourist resort
• Chetumal - capital of Quintana Roo, located on the Caribbean coast, close to the Belizean Border with a nice Mayan Cultural museum
• Izamal - small mostly Maya city with large colonial convent and remains of large Maya pyramids
• Mahahual - small coastal town, recently a Cruise ship destination called the Costa Maya
• Mérida - colonial city, the metropolis of the Yucatan
• Playa del Carmen - was a nice fishermen's town, now has lots of resorts
• Progreso - port city with beaches and seafood north of Mérida
• Valladolid - small colonial city

Other destinations[edit]

• Cenotes of the Yucatán - unique underground cave systems with unique snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities
  • Lol-Tun - an underground cave system, two hours south of Merida

• Cozumel - an island with beaches and ruins
• Mahahual - laid back beach area
• Mesoamerican Barrier Reef
• Reserva de la Biósfera Calakmul
• Riviera Maya - the stretch of coastline between Cancun and Tulum (which includes Playa del Carmen), it is a quickly-developing resort area that still maintains a relaxed atmosphere in contrast to the city of Cancun
• Xpujil - a remote inland village, with unique Mayan cultural sites

Extensive Maya ruins are scattered all over this region, most of which are easily accessible by bus or car. Some of the more important include:

• Becan - large ruin in the lower center of the Peninsula, little restored
• Bonampak - large ruin in Chiapas, famous for its murals
• Calakmul - large ruin in jungle preserve, off the tourist trail
• Chichen Itza - the largest, most restored, and most visited of Yucatan's Maya ruins
• Coba - large ruin that has undergone little restoration
• Cuzamá - home of three beautiful cenotes
• Dzibilchaltún - moderately sized ruin with only a few buildings restored, worth a look on the road between Mérida and Progresso
• Edzna - discovered in the 1950s, the well preserved site an hour's drive from Campeche
• Kabah - medium-sized ruin south of Uxmal
• Mayapan - historically important, but less interesting to see than Yucatan's other famous ruins
• Mahahual - laid back beach area
• Tulum - the tropical beach backdrop is the main attraction of this picturesque, much-visited small ruin on the shore of the Caribbean Sea
• Uxmal - one of the most beautiful of all Maya ruins, a large, well-preserved site with fine architecture

Understand[edit]

The Maya civilization flourished in the Yucatán Peninsula for more than a thousand years before the Yucatán was conquered by the Spanish in the 1500s. The Maya and Spanish heritage combined to create the new culture of Yucatán. Until the mid-20th century there were no railways or highways linking the Peninsula to the rest of Mexico so most commerce was by sea. The long-term comparative isolation of the Yucatán helped make it one of the most culturally distinctive regions in Mexico.

Yucatán is famous for ancient Maya ruins such as Chichén Itzá. Contrary to the strange misconception, the Maya people never "disappeared". Most of Yucatan is still predominantly Maya. Maya culture, identity, traditions and language are very much alive, especially outside of main cities. Referring to locals as Mexican rather than Maya risks offending them.

Away from beaches and tourist hotels, walking round in a bathing suit or short shorts is considered improper. At the very least, for a woman, scanty attire will invite stares and unwelcome comments. If you plan to enter churches, be sure to have something to cover your shoulders at the very least.

Talk[edit]

Spanish is the main language. English will be understood at the more expensive resorts and tourist locations. Knowing a few phrases of basic Spanish will help away from the main tourist resorts and can often help you find better deals. Yucatecos are generally tolerant of visitors who do not speak Spanish fluently and appreciate the effort.

In much of the Yucatan some Maya is spoken. Except in a few small villages, almost everyone will have at least a working knowledge of basic Spanish.

Maya place names are usually accented on the last syllable, otherwise generally pronounced the same as in Spanish. The letter "X" in Yucatán is used for the sound in the Maya language that's the same as "Sh" in English. For example, "Uxmal" is pronounced "Oosh-MAL".

Get in[edit]

By plane[edit]

Fly in through Cancún, Cozumel, or Mérida. For the best deals, look for charter flight consolidation seats - spare capacity on flights run by package tour operators to Cancún

By bus[edit]

From the west through the Chiapas or Villahermosa states. Buy tickets for long journeys in advance, particularly at busy times such as weekends and public or religious holidays.

Grupo ADO/OCC is the major company at near monopoly status operating first and second class buses to/from the area and within the area. Check Ticketbus (their online booking site) for times and prices. Only rule out overnight buses for what you would miss en route.

By train[edit]

There is no remaining passenger train service in the Yucatan Peninsula. After the federal government privatized the railways, most passenger services across the entire nation were discontinued.

Get around[edit]

By bus[edit]

Many different class buses are available to/from all the major and many of the minor cities. Mexican first class buses are excellent value and remarkably comfortable - comparable to European train services. Many cheaper services are also available - from second class (little noticeable difference really) to very basic minibus and truck services. Safety seems to decrease with price, however - second class and below may lack seatbelts. Beware of the excessive air conditioning that seems to be a feature on most services - the bus may be many degrees colder than the outside air, and being stuck on a twelve hour journey without adequate clothing can make a journey singularly unpleasant. Travelling second class is not recommended for taller people (5'10" feet or above). As second class busses hold more seats than first class ones do, there is almost no leg room. The major first class bus line is Autobuses del Oriente (ADO). Most of the smaller second class lines (Mayab, Oriente for example), are owned by ADO.

Major difference between second class buses and first is the distance traveled and number of stops. First class buses run on comparable or longer routes and make limited or not stops en route on the toll highways (wherever available), second class bus use the localized libre road making stops anywhere along the route to pick up and drop off people on request.

By combi[edit]

Are collective-taxis that offer both inter and intra-city services. Cheaper than a taxi and usually faster than a bus since it makes less stops.

By taxi[edit]

Available for hire even in small towns. For long distances however, like the caves at Lol-tun, be sure to agree on a price before boarding, or you might get ripped off.

By rented car[edit]

In general, driving in Yucatan is very safe. The roads throughout the Yucatan Peninsula are constantly being improved, and there are many well-paved highways to take you to major attractions, such as Uxmal, Chichen Itza, Merida, Izamal, etc. Parking on the street can sometimes be difficult in downtown Merida, but there are parking lots on almost every street (look for the big "E" signs, for "estacionamiento"). Parking is safe, as long as you follow the usual precautions: don't leave valuables in full view, lock your car, etc.

There are various car rental agencies in Cancun and along the Mayan Riviera, as well as in Merida and Campeche. Along with the leaders (Avis, Hertz, etc.), there are local companies (Kimbila, Mexico Rental, etc.) that rent cars that might be less new. Be sure that your car rental includes insurance!

See[edit][add listing]

• Mayan archeological sites. Yucatán is home of several famous Mayan archaeological zones. The best known and most widely visited by tourists is Chichén Itzá, the site of the Kukulcan Pyramid, the Maya Observatory, and the Sacred Cenote. A contrasting cultural style, more ornamental, can be observed at Mayan sites along the Ruta Puuc. The most famous Mayan sites in Quintana Roo are located at Coba and Tulum.
  

  Temple of the Warriors at Chichen Itza

• Equinox: the period when the sun is right above the equator, about 20 March 20 & 21 September of each year. Mayans are very dependent on astronomy, as reflected in their art and Temples. At Chichen Itza, during sunset at the Equinox, the shadows of the serpent-god Kukulcan move down along the pyramid, a very impressive sight! Other structures have Equinox-related events on those days also, such asTulum.

• Ecological Parks: The Yucatan Peninsula is site of several ecological parks, such as Xcaret, Xel-Há and Garrafón; aimed for the conservation of the flora and fauna of the region, which serve as well as tourist attractions. At these parks you can learn about Mexican culture and also enjoy activities such as swimming with dolphins and snorkelling.

Itineraries[edit]

• Cenotes of the Yucatán are complexes of sinkholes and caves in the karst geological landscape of the Yucatan. Some cenotes contain spectacular cave formations whilst others are important archeological sites, and several were considered sacred by the Mayans. A few are open to the public for swimming and diving. The states of Yucatán and Quintana Roo have established a 'tourist corridor' known as La Ruta de los Cenotes linking many of the most spectacular and famous cenotes.

Do[edit][add listing]

• Reef diving and snorkeling. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest coral reef system in the world, lies offshore in the Caribbean east of the Yucatan. It extends all the way to the Bay Islands of Honduras.

• Scuba diving, [1]. Cancun Scuba Diving:Cancun and the Mayan Riviera are simply legendary in diving circles, conjuring images of millions of technicolored reef fish, swirling school of barracudas and jacks and above all, sea turtles swimming peacefully everywhere.

Food[edit]

Yucatecan food has its own culinary traditions developed from the long mix of native Maya and Spanish traditions. While some dishes can be very spicy, many others are not.

Common meats are turkey, chicken, pork, and deer. Yucatecan venison is quite good and not "gamey" tasting.

Typical dishes include:

• Pibil dishes, most commonly "pollo pibil", the chicken version, slow cooked in a banana leaf, very tender and tasty. "Cochinita pibil," the young pig version, is a Yucatecan classic. Both dishes are seasoned with a red-colored, mild spice called achiote. "Pib" is Yucatec-maya for the cooking technique of wrapping in banana leaves and cooking in a pit.
• Poc chuc pork marinaded with salt, onion, lime juice, and spices.
• Huevos Motuleños are eggs on tortillas with black beans and cheese, with ham, peas, and tomato sauce.
• Pollo Motuleño, a chicken dish cooked with orange juice, achiote and plantains.
• Sopa de lima, tasty lime-based chicken soup with bits of corn tortilla.
• Panuchos - corn tortillas with black beans inside, with turkey, lettuce and pickled onions.

Seafood is also very important, especially in Campeche. Pulpo (octopus), cazon (shark), camaron (shrimp) are popular. A very popular dish is ceviche, raw fish (shrimp, white fish, etc., depending on the type of ceviche) cooked in lime juice, with diced onions, tomatoes and sometimes, habanero chiles.

Contrary to the advice of many guides, the food served in all-inclusive resorts may have been prepared in far less safe conditions than that available in local establishments away from the major tourist zones. Poor refrigeration, retaining food beyond safe time limits and poor hygiene have been reported from many resorts - whereas street vendors patronised by locals have little choice but to maintain high standards, as everything is on view and their business is dependent on their reputation, not passing foreign visitors.

A good approach for regular restaurants is to note those with a lot of locals and to patronize them.

Drink[edit][add listing]

Tap water is not generally advised for drinking in Mexico, particularly for visitors. In many places (particularly backpacker-friendly resorts) water containers can be filled with drinking water for a few pesos - so a reusable container is both an environmentally and financially better option.

The water system in Mérida is unusually good for Mexico; for some visitors it is the only Mexican city where they will drink the tap water. Outside of this city the situation is different. In small towns the local water can be very bad, and bottled water is recommended.

It would be difficult for anyone visiting this area not to sample the Tequila, which should be used in moderation. For those more adventurous souls, Absinthe is legal in Mexico and also, moderation is suggested. Fresh fruit juice (called jugo or agua when juice is mixed with water) is very popular in the Yucatan. Freshly squeezed OJ can be found in most markets. Other fresh juices can include limón or lima (lemonade or limeade), naranjada (orange juice with water), mango, piña (pineapple), melón (canteloupe), sandía (watermelon) and more.

Stay safe[edit]

Strict drug possession policy exists in Mexico. Be very careful even with "greens". Local police are hopelessly corrupt and love to catch unwary tourists with small quantities of marijuana. Threatening long prison terms, whether this is a likely outcome is a moot point, their main aim seems, unsurprisingly, to exact bribes: in some areas a fairly standard 50% of all the traveller's money.

Caution is also advised on long bus journeys, particularly across state lines, as police or military checkpoints exist and passengers may be asked for identification or searched. In general, however, these checks seem to be aimed at locals, particularly in the Zapatista homeland in Chiapas.

Get out[edit]

The Yucatán is a good launching point for going to Chiapas, Belize, Cuba and Guatemala.

What borders the Yucatán Peninsula?

Is Yucatán considered Mexican?

What are the 2 Mexican peninsulas?

What is now the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico?