Things to do in Yucatán Peninsula
-
Restaurante Natura
Styled after the successful 100% Natural chain, this little bistro offers up a good mix of natural and vegetarian Mexican cuisine.
reviewed
-
Xcaret
Xcaret is 10km south of Playa del Carmen. It has Disney-esque activities, high price tags and questionable environmental records that include allegedly importing the beach and using explosives to clear debris when creating Xcaret.
reviewed
-
A
La Casa del Cheesecake
This veritable institution offers cheesecakes, whole or by the slice, in an array of funky flavors that may include peach or even Kahlua.
reviewed
-
B
Aluxes Coffee House
Aluxes serves bagels with cream cheese, sandwiches, muffins, and hot and iced coffee. Between Guerrero and Hidalgo.
reviewed
-
Chichen Itza Day Trip from Cancun
12 hours (Departs Cancun, Mexico)
by Viator
Spectacular Chichen Itza holds both mystery and magic. Explore the most important archaeological zone and ancient capital of the Mayan Empire on a full day guid…
Not LP reviewed
-
El Cedral
This Mayan ruin, which functioned as a jail in the 19th century, is the oldest on the island, dating way, way back to AD 800. It's not obviously alluring, but it is the most accessible of Cozumel's ruins. The ancient structure is the size of a small house, so keep your eyes peeled. El Cedral is thought to have been an important ceremonial site. Today a small stucco church sits next to the ruin.
reviewed
-
C
Playa Delfines
Delfines is about the only beach with a public car park; unfortunately, its sand is coarser and darker than the exquisite fine sand of the more northerly beaches. On the upside, the beach has great views, there are some nearby Maya Ruins to check out and, as the last beach along the boulevard, it is rarely crowded. Heed the signs regarding swimming conditions as undertows are common here.
reviewed
-
Mama’s Bakery
At Mama’s try the kiwi-raisin muffins, great carrot cake or the signature sticky buns. Yum! It also offers egg dishes and wonderful smoothies. This intimate, friendly place is a bit hard to find, but don’t give up. Heading north along Gómez, go about four blocks and look on your left for the bamboo wind chimes under the palapa. The small sign is easy to overlook.
reviewed
-
Diego Núñez Martínez
A licensed guide with formal training as naturalist, he speaks English, Spanish and Italian and is up to date on the area's fauna and flora, including the staggering number of bird species. Diego offers catch-and-release fly-fishing trips for tarpon and snook, and can help with lodgings reservations.
reviewed
-
Restaurante-Bar Isla Contoy
The best tours are given by the licensed guides operating from Restaurante-Bar Isla Contoy at the waterfront. They offer extensive day tours as well as night excursions. Crocodiles are a common nocturnal sight, and from May through September sea turtles are easily spotted.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Restaurant el Cordobes
This locals’ joint, near Hotel Miralmar, is on the north side of the plaza in a 100-year-old building. Weak ‘American’ coffee is served quickly, with a warm smile, and it’s a perfect place to relax for a bit, sluice down a cerveza (beer) and look out on the main plaza.
reviewed
-
D
Pizza Rolandi
Below the Hotel Belmar, between Abasolo and Madero, it bakes very good thin-crust pizzas and calzones in a wood-fired oven. The menu also includes pasta, fresh salads, fish, good coffee and some Italian specialties – definitely don’t come here looking for Mexican.
reviewed
-
E
Irori
Enjoy the show as the chef slices and dices the night away at this Japanese-run restaurant serving sushi and many other Japanese favorites in an intimate and nicely decorated setting. There’s even a kids menu if you’ve got sushi-scoffing rugrats in tow.
reviewed
-
F
Walking Tours
The city tourist office offers free daily guided Walking Tours of the historic center (sometimes in English), focusing on Plaza Grande. Tours depart at 09:30 from in front of the Palacio Municipal.
reviewed
-
Antojitos Mimi
Try Antojitos Mimi, opposite Hotel Calakmul, for some pretty fine salbutes (tortillas fried until they puff up) and an ice-cold agua de jamaica (hibiscus tea).
reviewed
-
Ismael Navarro
A licensed guide and naturalist worth seeking out for a tour of the local flora and fauna. Besides the flamingo expeditions, Ismael takes four-hour shorebird tours along the mudflats in winter.
reviewed
-
G
Pane e Vino
This Italian-run joint serves tasty antipasti and salads (with olive oil and balsamic vinegar if you wish), lasagna, fish, meat and a selection of respectable wines by the glass or bottle.
reviewed
-
H
K Sadillas del Jalisco
For a cheap lunch on this side of town, head over to the palapa-shaded K Sadillas, where the friendly owner, Javier, serves up super-cheap lunches and, you guessed it…quesadillas.
reviewed
-
Alux
About three blocks west of Hwy 307, the Alux is an amazing must-visit. It’s a restaurant-lounge situated in a cavern: stalactites, stalagmites, pools and all.
reviewed
-
Restaurant Mary Doly
Near Hotel Miralmar, this is a homey place with good, cheap seafood and meat dishes and breakfasts. The freshly squeezed orange juice is very refreshing.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Boca del Puma
For chilling cenote action, check out the ‘ecopark’ Boca del Puma, 16km west of Puerto Morelos, near the village of Vallarta.
reviewed
-
Zoh-Laguna Museum
Zoh-Laguna's interesting history is illustrated photographically in the small Zoh-Laguna Museum, opposite Hotel Bosque Modelo.
reviewed
-
Siete Bocas
For chilling cenote action, check out the Siete Bocas, 13km west of Puerto Morelos.
reviewed
-
Park Las Palapas
Park Las Palapas is quiet and safe, a great place for an afternoon picnic or an evening stroll.
reviewed
-
Los Pelícanos
This friendly eatery is lauded by locals as the best restaurant in town.
reviewed
