International Destinations

Yucatán features historic ruins and balmy beaches

By John Butler

Yucatán – the very name evokes ancient ruins barely discernible amid the tangled jungle foliage.

Visiting world-famous archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza and Uxmal, remnants of the Maya civilization that once dominated the region, is a highlight for many travelers to the Yucatán peninsula.

But these days the delights of beach resorts such as Cancun, Cozumel and the Mayan Riviera are also a major attraction.

At the southeastern extremity of Mexico, the peninsula divides the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea and borders on Belize and Guatemala.

It comprises three Mexican states: Campeche in the West, Yucatán in the centre and Quintana Roo in the East.

The Yucatán Peninsula is a mostly flat expanse of limestone, thought to be the result of the Chicxulub meteor that struck the earth 65 million years ago. Not a single river runs above ground; the water runs many feet below the surface in a vast network of underground rivers and caves. When the water is exposed to the surface, it is called a cenote. These pools have brought relief from hot jungle temperatures for ancient Mayans and modern visitors alike.

For much of its history Yucatán was largely isolated from the rest of Mexico as a result of its difficult terrain, and was actually independent for brief periods in the 19th century. The result is that it has a unique flavour, to which the Maya Indians, who still make up a large proportion of the population, also contribute.

The region is known for its distinctive cuisine, some of the best food in Mexico, which includes: sopa de lima, chicken soup with lime and tortilla strips; cochininta pibil, pork baked in banana leaves; papadzules, chopped hard-boiled eggs wrapped in corn tortillas with pumpkin; and huevos motuleños, refried beans, fried egg, chopped ham and cheese on a tortilla, garnished with tomato,sauce, peas and fried banana.

Most visitors arrive in Yucatán at Cancun, which with neighbouring Cozumel is a destination city for tourists coming to enjoy some of the world's most beautiful Caribbean beaches and best scuba diving.

Merida, the capital city of Yucatán, which is a couple of hours drive north of Cancun, is a much more typical Mexican city. Founded in 1542, Merida is known as the White City because of the extensive use of white limestone for its buildings.

As with most Mexican cities set out by the Spanish, the heart of the historic city is a central plaza, bordered by the cathedral, the government palace and other major structures.

Chichen Itza, probably the most famous archaeological site in Mexico, lies between Cancun and Merida. There are excursions from the two cities, but it is also possible to go from Cancun to Chichen Itza, and then on to Merida.

On the west coast of the Yucatán Peninsula is the Celestún wildlife preserve, a haven for flamingos and many other bird species. All along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, beach towns from Progreso to Chiquila provide access to lovely beaches and the wildlife that lives along the coast.