Yucatan is one of the most touristic parts of Mexico, but still it is easy to avoid crowds. Specially away from the beach... The must colonial towns to experience:
VALLADOLID - small, easy to walk around, some nice boutique shops, chocolate shops with yammy tasting, colourful buildings, cenote (lake in cave) in one of the parks...
And affordable accommodation - I recommend a stay with Denis, the owner of a tempting guesthouse Casa Hamaca. I was treated as a friend, exploring town with a help of Denis, who is a really good source of information about Mexican life. He convinced me to stay one more day and see the carnival - lively local fun! Denis is also trying to help local Maya communities. Most of the staff of guesthouse are Maya people and Denis helps poor families with household necesities - you can also get involved and visit a Maya village!
Lovely guesthouse is also full of Mayan artifacts and murals - even rooms are named in Mayan language. Our room was large, with a handy hammock and a rocking chair. En suite bathroom was just perfect. We enjoyed every morning at the restaurant Xoco loco, where a huge breakfast is served - 15 offerings on the menu, all the best of Mexico! This is also a good place for lunch and dinner. Relaxing as it is set just a few steps from the jungle-like garden.
The garden is worth a visit to admire varied local flora and fauna. And to see native stingless bees, which make high quality honey. There you will find a traditional Mayan thatched-roof house in which guests can have a massage or experience of shamanic cleansing. It is also worth mentioning that the guesthouse is weelchair accessible which is not that common in Mexico.
MERIDA - biggest town on Yucatan has its charms in the old part. Especially around main square which becomes very lively every evening and on weekend. Lots of entertainment, food, people and picturesque colonial buildings all around. Unfortunately the big carnival was moved to the towns outskirts..
Beaches are probably the most attractive part of peninsual for most of the tourists. I started to relax along the water at laguna BACALAR. Not a sea but crystal clear water has got an Carribean appeal. I've found one of the most romantic spots at the manicured garden of guesthouse Casita Carolina. Sunrises there are just magical! So it is probably one of the best places to stay in Bacalar. They have got some nice rooms and two trailers for a budget option. They are not big but with a common bathroom outside and water deck with hammocs a few steps away also a temptive option. There is a free coffee served in the morning. 
Carefully build 3 room houses are situated on the sand just a few steps from the beach. Big rooms are nice decorated with wood, and unique details like bathroom sink made of small pebbles, water runing from a big shell, big beds on the ropes hanging from the ceiling... Brakfast is served on a romantic wooden terrace overlooking temptive beach and tourquoise sea. They also prepare other meals whiche can be served here or in a restaurant just across the street. Delicious big portions, everything from Mexican to Japanese cusine. There is also live music on weekends.
There is a unique option to experience Mexican food from the first hand in Tulum - cooking class with Lily. She is so entusiastic and funny teacher that a few hours at her house is a special event not to be missed! You will learn all about mezcal, tequila - testing included. And how to prepare different meals from soup, meat, salad to tortilla - a special kind of tortilla, blue one! And at the end she surprise her guests with a small culinary gift. 
Want more beaches? - There are plenty from Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos to Cancun. And some of the best on the islands, especially on Isla Mujeres. But for peace and quiet it is better to visit Holbox.
Holbox is the place to be if you would like to swim with shark whales - but only from June to September.
If you prefer other adrenaline tours, natural water holes - cenotes, are the place to go. Cenote means sacred well in Mayan language, who believed they were a portal to speak to the gods. There are houndreds of them on Yucatan peninsula. I found one of the most attractive near Cuzama. They can be reached only by a train track pulled by a horse. Each of them is unique, suitable to swim - so don't forget swimming suits!
If you want more adventure - there is a great option - tour of four cenotes near Playa del Carmen- Xenotes oasis Maya. All of them are different and you can make different adrenaline activities. From ziplining, swimming, snorkeling, caving to kayaking!
Cenotes are really magic and with all those activities combined just unforgatteble! The tour is organized proffesionaly and all of the equipments are of the latest safety standards. Transport is offerd from Cancun or Playam there are free drinks and a yammy lunch picnic. It is worth to go even if you dont want to attend all the activities. Nature is also tempting and with a little luck you spot some orchids, birds, butterflies or even a snake. We saw boa...
And one more tip if you ever have to wait overnight for the flight on the Gatwick airport:
I've found very interesting and convenient airport hotel BLOC, Unique concept, not too expensive, perfect location...
Travel was planned with a great help of the guide book Yucatan, Lonely planet
More about Cancun:
And affordable accommodation - I recommend a stay with Denis, the owner of a tempting guesthouse Casa Hamaca. I was treated as a friend, exploring town with a help of Denis, who is a really good source of information about Mexican life. He convinced me to stay one more day and see the carnival - lively local fun! Denis is also trying to help local Maya communities. Most of the staff of guesthouse are Maya people and Denis helps poor families with household necesities - you can also get involved and visit a Maya village!
MERIDA - biggest town on Yucatan has its charms in the old part. Especially around main square which becomes very lively every evening and on weekend. Lots of entertainment, food, people and picturesque colonial buildings all around. Unfortunately the big carnival was moved to the towns outskirts..
CAMPECHE - one of the most colourful towns - walled part of old city center is a real gem with not so many tourists around! Also plenty of tempting restaurants, some nice hotels, shops... Don't miss the nearby big local market with loads of local products and the cheapest small restaurants in town.
Beaches are probably the most attractive part of peninsual for most of the tourists. I started to relax along the water at laguna BACALAR. Not a sea but crystal clear water has got an Carribean appeal. I've found one of the most romantic spots at the manicured garden of guesthouse Casita Carolina. Sunrises there are just magical! So it is probably one of the best places to stay in Bacalar. They have got some nice rooms and two trailers for a budget option. They are not big but with a common bathroom outside and water deck with hammocs a few steps away also a temptive option. There is a free coffee served in the morning. 
One of the most attractive parts of the coast are found around TULUM. Long kilometers of white sand are located a few km out of town. But fortunately, there are plenty of small hotels scattered along the beach. I've found out one of the most interesting the rustic look hotel Zulum.
Carefully build 3 room houses are situated on the sand just a few steps from the beach. Big rooms are nice decorated with wood, and unique details like bathroom sink made of small pebbles, water runing from a big shell, big beds on the ropes hanging from the ceiling... Brakfast is served on a romantic wooden terrace overlooking temptive beach and tourquoise sea. They also prepare other meals whiche can be served here or in a restaurant just across the street. Delicious big portions, everything from Mexican to Japanese cusine. There is also live music on weekends.
Want more beaches? - There are plenty from Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos to Cancun. And some of the best on the islands, especially on Isla Mujeres. But for peace and quiet it is better to visit Holbox.
Holbox is the place to be if you would like to swim with shark whales - but only from June to September.
If you want more adventure - there is a great option - tour of four cenotes near Playa del Carmen- Xenotes oasis Maya. All of them are different and you can make different adrenaline activities. From ziplining, swimming, snorkeling, caving to kayaking!
Yucatan is one of the safests parts of Mexico and easy to travel around day or night. If you dont feel
renting a car, public transportation is reliable, cheap and fast. There are no special health hazards - mosquitos could be anoying during the rainy season, also transmiting some diseases from dengue to chikungunya. In any case, travel health insurance is advisible - like CORIS.And one more tip if you ever have to wait overnight for the flight on the Gatwick airport:
I've found very interesting and convenient airport hotel BLOC, Unique concept, not too expensive, perfect location...
Travel was planned with a great help of the guide book Yucatan, Lonely planet
More about Cancun:
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