DK Travel : Cancún and the Yucatán

Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula has a special atmosphere and an immense variety of attractions, including some of the world’s best beaches and diving areas. The modern, glittering resorts of the east coast’s “Mayan Riviera” lie alongside charming old Spanish Colonial towns, sleepy Mayan villages, and the awesome remains of ancient civilizations.

Vision Serpents

Conduits between men and the gods, they were summoned up by Mayan lords and shamans during rituals.
Viva Mexico, Cozumel

Very popular with locals, this bar-restaurant and dance floor also draws in visitors with its combination of a great, buzzy atmosphere, delicious Mexican snacks, and Latin sounds.
Wood carving

Many Mayan villagers carve wooden figures based on ancient images.
Xcambó

A tiny site, probably an offshoot of Dzibilchaltún, with a Catholic chapel built onto one of its pyramids.
Xcambó

The atmospheric ruins of a small Mayan town on the coast, probably an outlying settlement of Dzibilchaltún. There are great sea views from the top of its main pyramid.
Xcaret

The largest of the Riviera’s eco-parks, just south of Playa del Carmen, provides a wonderful introduction to the tropical environment of the Yucatán and a full day’s worth of things to do – from snorkeling and swimming with dolphins to eye-popping animal and butterfly collections (see Playa del Carmen: Xcaret).

Xcaret Mayan Village
Xcaret

The first and most famous of the eco-parks provides lots for kids to enjoy, in an easy, family-centered environment. The snorkeling river and dolphin pool are the biggest hits, but children are also fascinated by the zoo, butterfly garden, and forest paths (see Playa del Carmen: Xcaret).
Xcaret

The live show at the end of each day in Xcaret (included in the park ticket) presents many sides of Mexican traditions in colorful fashion, beginning with an impressive display of cowboy skills, going on to imagined versions of pre-Conquest Mayan rituals and dances, and ending with folk dances and music from around the country, from mariachis to the soft, dulcet tones of Yucatán boleros (see Playa del Carmen: Xcaret).
Xcaret

The Riviera’s original eco-park provides a spectacular introduction to the richness and variety of a tropical environment, all in one space (see Playa del Carmen: Xcaret).

Puma, Xcaret eco-park
Xcaret Park

It is an eco-archaeological park that has so many wonderful activities including swimming with dolphins or in underground rivers, an amazing butterfly pavilion and Mayan ruins. My family spent a magical day there and hope to return very soon!