Thinking about holidaying in Mexico in 2019?
We’ve been doing a bit of research which may help you make your mind up, and encourage our friends and family to visit. We’re starting in the Yucatan in April, then heading through central and north Mexico in Aug-Sept, trekking in Copper Canyon in September, before heading down through Baja California in Oct for the whale migration season. We’ve not planned much of 2020 yet, but will be starting in south western Mexico and then exploring around Mexico city early in the new year. This blog is about the Yucatan, but I’ll post more about the other destinations over the next few months. Get planning your Mexican holiday now!
Think Yucatan and two things probably spring to mind – coral-white palm-fringed sandy beaches and Cancun, the top destination for US college students on spring break. The east coast does seem very touristy, with hotels lining the beach fronts. But the north coast and inland seem more interesting – sleepy fishing villages, mangroves & jungles, colonial cities and at least half a dozen Mayan pyramids. Merida, close to the northern coast is the state capital and has vestiges of both Mayan and Spanish colonial architecture.
There are a few protected national parks, with plenty of wildlife including armadillo, crocs and jaguar, plus flamingos, pelicans and herons. Sian Ka'an is one of most important conservation areas in the Yucatan and a natural habitat for manatees.
The Gulf of Mexico has quite turbulent, cloudy water apparently, though fine for swimming, its not the same as the east coast which has clear blue waters and the 2nd longest coral reef in the world, stretching all the way down to Belize. Along the east coast you can swim with turtles, see whale sharks, and experience some of the best snorkelling anywhere in the world. There are some interesting looking small islands just of the coast too.
Apparently, the epicentre of the massive meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago was just offshore of the Yucatan peninsula. It created an underground system of caves and tunnels or cenotes stretching 100 miles long and 12 miles deep, filled with purified crystal-clear water, perfect for cooling off in. At a place called Xel-He, these underground rivers flow out into the Caribbean, creating a natural aquarium in a stunning environment of creeks, lagoons and caves.
At the time of year we are looking to be there temperatures tend to get up to the low 30’s, with quite high humidity. Towards July/Aug there can be frequent tropical downpours in the afternoons. Hurricane season also starts around that time, though I’m reliably informed that you’d be pretty unlikely to catch one if you’re just there for a few weeks.
Here are the top 6 things I want to do in the Yucatan:
Learn Spanish
Swim loads. Snorkel, maybe scuba dive, maybe paddle board or learn to surf. Swim in the cenotes and at Xel-He
Visit the Mayan pyramids. They can be a bit touristy, so we may camp/bike and make sure we are there early before the crowds
Visit the national parks & go Jaguar spotting. I’ve never seen flamingos or pelicans in the wild, so looking forward to seeing those too. I would love to swim with manatees too – such amazing creatures – so huge!
Chill out in bars, restaurants, reading & getting used to a new pace of life!
Explore everywhere – I’m quite up for camping on the beach, going to the islands & exploring inland, with bikes/tent where its feasible.
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