25 bucket list things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Let me show you the bucket list things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico! I have spent six months traveling with my husband around every corner of this part of Mexico, learning about local culture and experiencing all kinds of adventures the Maya land had to offer.

The Yucatán Peninsula offers much more beyond the beaches of Cancún and the world-famous Chichén Itzá. From wild flamingos and pink lakes to a village painted in yellow, climbing Mayan pyramids, and swimming underground—there’s so much to experience!

In this blog post, you will find the best things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula with descriptions, photos, and locations on Google Maps. I hope you get to experience at least some of these things during your travels! Cheers!

Read more » 20 best Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

1. Wake up for the sunrise by the Caribbean Sea!

Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is the easternmost part of the country, so it receives the first sunrays of the day. There is something magical about the quiet early morning hours and watching the sunrise by the beach.

If you’re an early riser or jet lag wakes you up early, I highly recommend taking this opportunity to greet the sun by the Caribbean Sea! Places like Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum are all lined along the coastline, making them perfect for a sunrise mission.

We watched the sunrise by the sea many times during our travels around the Yucatán Peninsula. If you’re in Cancún, a great spot to go is Playa Delfines Beach. But in Playa del Carmen, Parque Los Fundadores is the top sunrise hotspot.

Location: Playa Delfines – Parque Los Fundadores

2. Try Yucatan’s very own Cochinita pibil tacos!

Trying traditional Mayan and Mexican foods is one of the bucket list things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula, but there is one specific dish you must try—cochinita pibil tacos. These special tacos originated right here in the Yucatán Peninsula.

Cochinita pibil is a traditional Yucatec Mayan dish in which the meat (suckling pig!) is marinated in a blend of sour orange juice and annatto seeds, then slowly roasted in a traditional Mayan way—buried in a pit underground.

We tried many taco spots in Tulum and a dozen of the top taco places in Cancun so be sure to check them out. However, the best cochinita pibil tacos we had at El Tigrillo in Valladolid, at Taqueria Honorio in Tulum, and at Taqueria La Lupita and Manjar Blanco in Merida.

3. Tour the world-famous Chichén Itzá Archaeological Zone!

The Yucatan Peninsula is the land of ancient and modern Maya civilization, and one of the bucket list things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula is touring ancient Mayan cities, or Mayan ruins, as they are today. The most famous of them all is Chichen Itzá.

Chichen Itzá is one of the most visited places in Mexico. It was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and voted among the New 7 Wonders of the World. Historically it was one of the largest Mayan cities dating back to 600 AD.

Chichén Itzá archaeological zone consists of multiple temples, pyramids, structures, and even a sacred cenote. The most famous structure is the great El Castillo pyramid (the castle) which is also known as the Temple of Kukulcan.

The pyramid, with its temple on top, stands 30 meters high and was built sometime between the 8th and 12th centuries. As you can imagine, this place gets super crowded, so I recommend arriving first thing in the morning if possible. We even stayed in a nearby hotel to get there early!

Location: Chichén Itzá

4. Swim in a cenote!

Exploring cenotes in the Yucatán Peninsula is like eating pizza in Italy—it’s a must-do experience that quickly became one of my favorite adventures here. Cenotes are natural, water-filled sinkholes typical of this region. So, a visit to at least one must be on your bucket list!

There are many beautiful cenotes to visit in the Yucatán Peninsula. You can either pick your favorite or simply check out the ones near where you’re staying. We visited over 30 cenotes during our travels and I wrote about my favorite cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Some of my personal favorites were Cenote Ik-Kil near Chichen Itza, Cenote Samaal and Cenote Xcanahaltun near Valladolid, and Cenote Atik Tulum. But we only went for a swim in Gran Cenote and Cenote Taak Bi Ha, two gorgeous cenotes near Tulum.

Cenotes have entrance fees ranging from 100 to 500 pesos. Most cost around 200 to 250 pesos when we visited, so be sure to bring enough cash. Many cenotes are in remote areas where card payments aren’t possible. There may be extra fees for life vests, rental gear, or food.

5. Go on a day trip to Isla Mujeres—the Sunrise of Mexico!

Isla Mujeres, the Island of Women, is a small island off the coast near Cancun. It is nicknamed ‘the Sunrise of Mexico’ thanks to its location as the easternmost point of the country. It is known for its white-sand beaches, including Playa Norte—the most beautiful beach in Mexico!

Isla Mujeres proudly boasts vibrant coral reefs and a unique underwater museum with sculptures so going on a snorkeling tour in Isla Mujeres is one of the most popular things to do. But many people come to simply enjoy its laid-back atmosphere.

Besides snorkeling, other popular things to do in Isla Mujeres include spending the day at some of those gorgeous beaches, especially Playa Norte, exploring the local food scene, and going on a road trip around the tiny island.

There is a special place at the South end of Isla Mujeres called Punta Sur Sculpture Park where you can wander around ancient Mayan ruins, explore coastal cliffs, and check out sculptures including that of the Mayan Goddess Ixchel.

Location: Isla Mujeres

6. Go snorkeling at the Great Maya Reef!

The Yucatan Peninsula is known as one of the best snorkeling destinations worldwide. The shallow turquoise beaches and the proximity to the second-largest barrier reef in the world—the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef—make it the perfect place for this activity!

The Mesoamerican Reef is also known as the Great Mayan Reef and a snorkeling trip to see the coral reef, the sea turtles, tropical fish, and other marine life is one of the bucket list things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula. I snorkeled here for the first time, and it was epic!

There are many snorkeling tours to choose from, depending on where you stay or travel. We went snorkeling on Cozumel Island, but you can join tours from Cancun, also near Puerto Morelos, in the beautiful Isla Mujeres, or join a snorkeling cruise from Playa del Carmen.

7. Climb ancient Mayan pyramids at Ek Balam!

Can you imagine climbing ancient Mayan pyramids? What a bucket-list experience! It turns out that it’s actually quite easy to do. While Chichen Itza and other archaeological sites have prohibited visitors from climbing any structures, there are still some places where it’s allowed.

Just a one-hour drive from Chichen Itza is another major archaeological site where you can climb Mayan pyramids: Ek Balam. The name Ek Balam translates to “black jaguar” in the Mayan language. During the 8th and 9th centuries, it was a thriving city.

The site features multiple impressive buildings and pyramids. The largest structure in Ek Balam is the Acropolis, a temple-like pyramid with a central staircase that you can climb to the top for incredible views over the jungle.

Ek Balam is located in the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula, making it a convenient destination to visit from anywhere really. The closest town to Ek Balam is Valladolid. Plus, it’s usually not as crowded as the famous Chichen Itza.

Overall, these weren’t my favorite Mayan ruins, mainly because of the inflated entrance fee, but I don’t regret visiting. It’s always fascinating to explore how the Mayan civilization lived before the Spanish conquest.

Ek Balam is one of the last large Mayan sites where climbing the pyramids is still allowed. Another major site where you can do this is the Dzibanché archaeological zone, located south of Bacalar. Smaller sites include Xcambó, locations along the Ruta Puuc, and others.

Location: Archaeological Zone of Ek Balam

8. Try the famous Yucatecan sweet treat—marquesita!

Now, here’s something you’re going to like! Marquesita is a popular street food that originated in the Yucatan Peninsula. It is a thin, rolled, crunchy waffle usually filled with sweet ingredients like caramel, jams, fruit, and Nutella. The best part? You can choose your own fillings!

During our travels, I had well over a dozen marquesitas and my go-to order is with banana and Nutella. Marquesita was created by an ice cream vendor in the 1930s in Merida. Daughters of local wealthy aristocrats (Marquesas) loved it, which is how it got its name.

Marquesitas are a true street food, so you won’t find them in restaurants or bars. Instead, look for colorful street stalls that pop up in the streets, parks, and sidewalks in the evening in every city and town across the Yucatan Peninsula!

9. See thousands of pink flamingos in the wild!

Seeing pink flamingos in the wild is one of the bucket list things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula! The main spots to see them are Río Lagartos and Celestún. We chose to visit Celestún because it was closer to us during our three-week stay in Mérida.

Flamingos live in the Yucatán Peninsula year-round, but the largest flocks can be seen from November to February during their mating season. We visited Mérida in January, so we rented a car and drove to Celestún to see them.

Flamingos live deep in the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve, so you need a boat to see them. To do this, you’ll need to drive to the Parador Turístico Celestún boat dock, where boat tours are offered to see the flamingos.

When we visited, the cost for a small boat was 3,000 pesos (~180 USD), and each boat could carry up to six people. We wanted to split the cost, so we found other tourists to share a boat with, but you can also go on your own.

I recommend arriving between 10 AM and 2 PM for the best chance to share a boat with others. The tour lasted about 1 to 1.5 hours. They take you deep into the river and stop the boat near the flamingos—we saw thousands of them!

Then, they guide you through a narrow mangrove tunnel to a beautiful cenote where you can swim. We even spotted a small crocodile near the cenote! Luckily, it was just chilling there and wasn’t hunting for food! This was a fun trip and definitely worth the price!

Location: Parador Turístico Celestún

10. Want more pink? Visit the pink lakes of Las Coloradas!

The bright pink salt lakes Las Coloradas is one of the most beautiful places in the Yucatán Peninsula! These stunning lakes offer unique photo opportunities and give you a glimpse into the region’s salt production industry.

However, visiting this place is also a bit of a gamble. Before coming here, I read all the reviews on Google Maps and felt really conflicted. It’s a long drive, and the thought of going all that way only to be disappointed worried me.

But we decided to go and, somehow, we arrived on the perfect day with the best weather conditions (we visited on February 4th). It was around midday on a sunny, cloudless day, and the lake was screaming pink color at us! And a little bit of wind made the color pop!

The lakes won’t appear pink if there has been a storm or heavy rain in the previous days, or if they harvest salt (mid-July to August). But if you time your visit right, it will be a beautiful experience so it definitely has to be on your bucket list of things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula!

Location: Las Coloradas

11. Go shopping on the Quinta Avenida in Playa del Carmen!

Playa del Carmen is a vibrant coastal city in the Yucatan Peninsula known for its stunning beaches and lively atmosphere. For many travelers, it is the place where they base themselves during their travels around the Yucatan Peninsula.

What is special about Playa del Carmen?

Playa del Carmen is home to one of the most famous streets in the Yucatan Peninsula – the Quinta Avenida, or Fifth Avenue. The famous street is lined with an array of shops, restaurants, and bars. During the night it is a busy spectacle like no other!

From morning until late at night, this famous street is bustling with activity, vibrant colors, photo spots, cafés, bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, and street vendors. Stretching for miles, it offers just about everything you could imagine!

There are also a few must-visit spots near Quinta Avenida, like Parque Los Fundadores, a seaside square featuring the towering Portal Maya sculpture (50 ft / 16 m high!). It’s a popular gathering place for both locals and tourists.

The park also features the colorful Playa del Carmen letters. We visited at sunrise and saw sunrays beaming through the gaps in the letters, with palm trees swinging above. It was a beautiful morning—and our first sunrise in Mexico!

If you are interested, other attractions in Playa del Carmen include the unique 3D Museum of Wonders, Alux – the underground restaurant in a cave, Frida Kahlo Museum, and the gorgeous turquoise beaches. I really enjoyed our time in this town!

Location: Playa del Carmen

12. Take an Insta-worthy photo at Cenote Suytun!

Cenote Suytun is one of the most famous cenotes in Mexico. Often regarded as one of the most beautiful cenotes in the Yucatan, it’s known for its unique stone pathway that leads into the center of an underground lake, with a hole in the ceiling directly above it.

However, it may not be the best one for swimming because of how popular it has become on social media. Most visitors come here to admire the view and take photos rather than swim.

If you time it right, there will be a light beam shining through the hole and illuminating the whole place. But for a crowd-free experience go there in the morning!

Tip! We visited this cenote on March 9th and the stone platform was dry. However, the water level can be higher or completely cover the platform after rainy periods. The best way to make sure how it looks is by checking recent reviews on Google Maps.

Location: Cenote Suytun

13. Experience bioluminescence in Holbox!

Can you imagine running your hand through the water and watching it glow, filled with shimmering dots like stars in the sky? It may sound like a scene from Avatar, but this is a real phenomenon called bioluminescence. The best place to experience it is on Holbox Island!

We also did a bioluminescence tour, and it was amazing! At first, I was skeptical about the whole phenomenon, but it turned out to be completely real—the water is full of tiny creatures that glow! However, the water doesn’t glow on its own—you have to move it!

Tours start after sunset (when it’s dark!), with a guide explaining the science behind this natural wonder. You need to reserve a spot in advance by booking a bioluminescence tour online, through your hotel, or through local agencies (in the streets near the beach).

The best time to witness this spectacle is during the new moon when the skies are darkest, making the bioluminescence even more striking. Trust me, it’s an unforgettable experience that you won’t want to miss.

Can you see it elsewhere? Yes, but Holbox has a major advantage. As a remote island with minimal light pollution at night, it offers the perfect conditions for experiencing bioluminescence. Plus, it’s a stunning tropical island worth visiting on its own! It is one of my favorite places in Mexico!

14. Walk the colorful Calzada de los Frailes in Valladolid!

Calzada de los Frailes (which translates to “Friars’ Causeway” in Spanish) is arguably the most beautiful street in the Yucatán Peninsula and was one of my favorite places to visit in Valladolid, Mexico.

Valladolid is one of the most charming and colorful cities in the region, and this street is a true testament to that. Built in 1801, it is lined with vibrant, photogenic houses and picturesque doorways.

Did you know? Valladolid is a colonial town, and this street is a classic example of colonial architecture. Historically, it was built to separate the Mayan communities from the Spanish settlers. I highly recommend strolling along this charming street from one end to the other.

If you have extra time in Valladolid, consider combining your visit with a stop at the iconic Convent of San Bernardino de Siena. While you’re there, don’t miss the colorful “Valladolid” letters in the park right in front of the convent.

Location: Calzada de los Frailes

15. More colors? Stop by Mexico’s Yellow City—Izamal!

There is no other place like Mexico’s Yellow City—Izamal! Visiting this Pueblo Mágico was one of my favorite memories from our trip and it is also amongst the best places to visit in the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico!

This colonial town captivates visitors with its vibrant yellow color, as all the buildings in the center are painted in shades of yellow. We arrived in Izamal in the morning and spent half a day exploring everything it had to offer.

The most famous attraction in Izamal is the Convento de San Antonio, which sits atop a hill where an ancient Maya pyramid once stood, right in the heart of town. Next to it, you’ll find the second-largest atrium in the world, surrounded by a stunning yellow arcade.

You can explore this unique convent and walk around the atrium for free. However, it does have specific opening hours, so be sure to check them before visiting! The best time to arrive is early in the morning before the tropical heat becomes unbearable.

Other must-do activities in Izamal include climbing the Mayan pyramids—Kinich Kak Moo and Itzamatul. If you only have time for one, I highly recommend Kinich Kak Moo, as it offers a panoramic view of the entire town from the top (yes, you can climb the pyramids!)!

Don’t forget to visit the local market, Mercado Municipal de Izamal, try the famous yellow corn ice cream and take a stroll around 5 de Mayo Park. For lunch, I suggest trying Mayan dishes at Restaurant Kinich. There’s no reason not to include Izamal in your Yucatán bucket list!

Location: Convento de San Antonio in Izamal

16. Take all the iconic Instagram photos in Tulum!

Tulum is a standout destination in Mexico’s Riviera Maya and one of the best places to visit in the Yucatan Peninsula. The town attracts visitors with its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and iconic ancient Mayan ruins perched on cliff tops.

Some of the top things to do in Tulum include exploring nearby cenotes, visiting the iconic Ven a la Luz sculpture park, enjoying the tropical beaches, trying street food at Parque Dos Aguas, and admiring street art.

Although opinions vary and some travelers criticize Tulum as overly touristy and expensive, I really enjoyed this vibrant town and there are some things about Tulum that you simply won’t find anywhere else around the Yucatan Peninsula.

Tulum captivates with its unique blend of natural beauty, history, and bohemian charm. A walk through the Tulum Hotel Zone is like visiting an exhibition with restaurants, hotels, and beach clubs competing for the most unique and creative entrances.

Tulum is also known for one of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites – the Tulum Archaeological Zone. The Tulum ruins are perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Did you know that the name Tulum means ‘a wall’ in Mayan?

Another advantage for Tulum is cenotes – the perfect escape when the beach is covered with sargassum sea algae! Tulum boasts many famous cenotes just a couple of minutes’ drive from the downtown.

Although Tulum has become increasingly popular among foreign expats, there are still plenty of places to eat authentic Mexican food, so don’t forget to hunt down the best tacos in Tulum along with tortas, quesabirrias, guacamole, marquesitas, and more.

One of my favorite things to do in Tulum was walking along the main road in Tulum Hotel Zone and checking out all the incredible hotel entrances and iconic spots, many of which are known as the top Instagram spots in the Yucatan Peninsula!

17. Stroll through the capital of Yucatán—Merida!

Founded in the 16th century, Mérida, also known as the White City, serves as the capital of the state of Yucatán. It was the first American Capital of Culture and is home to the oldest cathedral in mainland Americas!

Mérida is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating destinations in the Yucatán Peninsula, boasting rich architecture, deep history, and a vibrant food scene. I’d recommend staying there for two full days if possible to explore all the best places Merida has to offer!

Merida is the perfect place to immerse yourself in Mayan culture, experience local Mexican life, and explore the city’s colonial history through its archaeological sites, cuisine, markets, and diverse architecture.

The number one must-visit spot in Mérida is Plaza Grande, the city’s main square, which hosts special events, including the famous Mayan ball game, Pok Ta Pok. You can watch this exciting performance for free every Saturday around 8 PM.

Surrounding the square are some of the best places to visit in Merida, including the majestic Cathedral of Mérida, the Pasaje de la Revolución, the red Palacio Municipal de Mérida, the green Palacio de Gobierno, and Museo Casa Montejo—the residence of Mérida’s founder!

As you wander the historic center, spot some of the remaining historic arches, enjoy the smells and flavors at Mercado San Benito, and see some of Merida’s photo-perfect parks like Parque de los Hidalgos or Parque de Santa Lucia with its ‘Sillas Tu y Yo’ chairs!

If you really want to stretch your legs, go to the famous Paseo de Montejo and walk down the French-inspired Montejo Walkway with its splendor of 19th-century colonial architecture until you reach Monumento a La Patria, one of Merida’s landmarks and my favorite spot in the city!

Location: Plaza Grande of Merida

18. Try iconic dishes from Mayan cuisine!

Immersing in Mayan gastronomy is one of the bucket list things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula! There is a long list of must-try Mayan foods for everyone visiting this part of Mexico: soups, grilled meat, main dishes, sausages, street food, desserts, and more.

Some of my favorite Mayan dishes are sopa de lima (lime-chicken soup), marquesitas (rolled thin waffle with sweet fillings), longaniza de Valladolid (grilled juicy sausage), not to mention all types of tacos and my favorite Mayan drink—Agua de Chaya!

By the way, if you are visiting Merida, there are two Mayan restaurants worth visiting:  La Chaya Maya and Museum of Yucateca Gastronomy. I also loved Restaurante Kinich in Izamal and  IX CAT IK Tradicional Cocina Maya traditional restaurant in Valladolid.

19. Admire Uxmal and other Mayan ruins along Ruta Puuc!

If you decide to stay longer in the capital of Yucatan, there is a must-do day trip from Merida you have to do while there – just a 1-hour drive South of Merida is a group of five different Mayan archaeological zones called ‘the Ruta Puuc route’.

Why Ruta Puuc? Ruta Puuc is a group of special Mayan ruins in Yucatán featuring the Puuc architectural style. Puuc means ‘hills’ in the Mayan language and is also the name of the region South of Merida where all these ruins are located.

The most famous one is Uxmal, which is often said to be even more beautiful than Chichen Itza. Visiting all sites will take the whole day. We drove Ruta Puuc with our rental car starting early at 8 AM and finishing back in Merida around 3 PM.

Puuc architecture usually displays stone mosaics, geometrical elements, and elaborate sculptures, e.g. it often features masks of the long-nosed rain god Chaac. It also features stone arches in unique shapes (see the frame in the first photo).

Uxmal with its famous Pyramid of the Magician is amongst the most impressive Mayan ruins in Mexico. The whole archaeological zone is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its enormous significance.

Other archaeological zones along Ruta Puuc include the archaeological zone of Kabah, the archaeological zone of Sayil, the archaeological zone of Xlapak, and the archaeological zone of Labná (my favorite after Uxmal).

If you only have time for one place, then definitely Uxmal is a bucket list destination you should not miss. If you have to skip just one or two, I’d choose Xlapak and Sayil as my least favorite of all. There just wasn’t much to see.

Location: Uxmal – Kabah – Sayil – Xlapak – Labná

20. Explore the masterpiece AZULIK – City of Arts!

Located in the jungle, just a 30-minute drive from Tulum, AZULIK City of Arts is an out-of-this-world, handmade artisanal creation that takes you on a journey through never-before-seen spaces. In simpler terms, it is a contemporary art museum.

When I first entered this place, my immediate thoughts were of The Lord of the Rings—it felt like stepping into an elven realm with otherworldly structures nestled among the trees. It was hard to fathom how they built it or even came up with such a vision! Pure wow!

The City of Arts is a massive, interconnected structure with wooden pathways that allow you to explore the upper levels before leading you down to the ground floor. The lower level connects to various rooms and spaces, each offering something unique and creative.

Once you’ve finished exploring, you’ll get your shoes back and can step outside to discover the surrounding area. There’s a pool, a restaurant, and several hidden nooks waiting to be explored.

The whole place felt like stepping onto a different planet. The entrance fee is 400 pesos per person, and yes, it was absolutely worth it. You can take photos, listen to the sounds of nature, admire the art, and simply escape the world in this incredible space.

Did you know? There is another museum in the Tulum hotel zone: SFER IK Tulum. From what I gathered from reviews, it is a much smaller place for the same price and thus feels not as price-worthy. Check out more about all SFER IK has to offer here!

Location: AZULIK City of Arts

21. Count the shades of blue at the Lagoon of Seven Colors!

While staying in Tulum, we decided to take a weekend trip to Bacalar to visit its most prized possession—the stunning Lagoon of Seven Colors! It turned out to be one of my favorite memories from our travels around the Yucatán Peninsula!

The spectacular Lagoon of Seven Colors is often regarded as “the Maldives of Mexico” thanks to its turquoise crystal-clear shallow waters! It is said that the lagoon boasts seven different shades of blue but I didn’t count, haha!

Some of the must-do things to do in Bacalar include a boat trip to the famous Channel of the Pirates, having lunch at a waterfront restaurant (I recommend La Playita), exploring the old fort in downtown, and floating down the stream at Los Rapidos.

After a day full of adventures and swimming, I recommend stopping by the central square of Bacalar: Zócalo. It is often full of activities, including dancing, singing, and lots of street food stands. Here I got the best marquesita I have ever eaten! I loved this little town!

Location: Lagoon of Seven Colors in Bacalar

22. Take a photo at the unique Iglesia de Uayma!

The Convento de Santo Domingo, located in the town of Uayma—or simply, the Church of Uayma—is my favorite hidden gem in the Yucatán Peninsula. Have you ever seen anything this unique? I’ve seen hundreds of churches in my life, but definitely nothing like this!

The stunning, picture-perfect Convento de Santo Domingo is a former convent built by the Franciscans in the mid-17th century. It was constructed using stones from Mayan sites—yes, including the nearby Chichén Itzá!

During the second half of the 19th century, the church was burned down during a Mayan rebellion. More than 100 years later, the roofless church was finally restored and officially reopened to the public in 2004.

It stands out with its unusual design—the white roses and stars symbolize veneration of the Virgin Mary, while the red color represents sacrifice and martyrdom. There is also some green, which symbolizes hope.

We visited this church on a Saturday at 11 AM. It was open, so we were able to visit the inside in exchange for a small donation. Overall, there isn’t much to see in Uayma, so don’t plan to spend the whole day here. We spent about two hours exploring and it was worth it!

Location: Iglesia de Uayma

23. See the iconic Leaning lighthouse in Puerto Morelos!

This beautiful leaning lighthouse at the shores of the Caribbean Sea is a symbol of strength and resilience in Puerto Morelos. It is one of the most unique places to visit in the Yucatan peninsula.

The lighthouse was hit by a hurricane in 1967 that left it tilted like you see in the photo. Although a new lighthouse was built next to it, this one was left standing there as a symbol of the resilience of the small fishing town of Puerto Morelos.

Puerto Morelos is a charming fishing village on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, located midway between Cancún and Playa del Carmen. Its convenient location makes it easy to stop by during your travels around the Yucatán Peninsula. I loved this place!

Location: Leaning lighthouse in Puerto Morelos

24. Go swimming with turtles!

Yes, swimming with turtles is a thing here in the Yucatan Peninsula! The most popular place to experience swimming with turtles is in Akumal, a small town midway between Tulum and Playa del Carmen.

Akumal means the “Place of Turtles” from the Mayan language. The village boasts a small protected bay with crystal-clear waters—home to sea turtles that you can spot during a guided snorkeling tour. Make sure to respect the turtles and give them plenty of space!

But there’s another spot—the famous Gran Cenote in Tulum is also home to a family of turtles. And you actually swim in the same waters as the turtles! They do have a restricted area, but they sometimes wander into the visitor section, so I got to swim with them!

25. Escape to Cozumel, the island of the swallows!

The tropical Caribbean island of Cozumel is Mexico’s third-largest island and is known for its gorgeous white sand beaches, lush palm trees, wild nature, delicious food, and Mayan ruins hidden deep in the jungle.

Cozumel sits just off the coast of Playa del Carmen, so it is a very convenient getaway destination if you have already come to Playa del Carmen! It is a 30-minute ride by ferry.

We actually spent a full week exploring Cozumel and all its famous sights. Some of the top things to do in Cozumel include snorkeling at the Great Mayan Reef, visiting the San Gervasio archaeological zone, and spotting crocodiles in the Punta Sur Eco Park.

We also spent a lot of time in the capital city – San Miguel de Cozumel, where we ate churros and marquesitas in Benito Juarez Park, stopped by the symbol – Cozumel Clock Tower, and watched the sunset at the promenade.

A walk along the Cozumel promenade is a must – along the way you can visit some iconic spots in the city like Coral Reefs Monument, Monumento Al Mestizaje, and Monumento a la Hispanidad.

Outside the city, a must-do thing to do is renting a car (or scooter) and driving around the island while stopping by the wild East Coast and at Punta Sur Eco Park. We also did a tour in the Mayan chocolate factory and checked out some of the beaches.

For a more relaxed experience, I recommend making a weekend trip here, but also a day will be full of fun if you visit the Mayan ruins, go snorkeling, eat tacos, and watch the sunset from the promenade.

Happy exploring!

Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is one of the top travel destinations in the world. It offers a perfect mix of delicious food, a tropical climate, Mayan culture, stunning beaches, hidden cenotes, ancient ruins, and vibrant cities.

We spent two winters—six months in total—traveling around the Yucatán Peninsula, including the states of Yucatán and Quintana Roo, exploring all the beautiful places this part of Mexico had to offer.

From white-sand beaches to dark underground cenotes and ancient pyramids—there’s so much to see! I hope you enjoy your time there as much as we did and find some travel inspiration in this blog post. Happy travels!

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