Estado de Yucatán Travel Forum

Hola,
I will be traveling to the Yucatan next summer with a 17 year old gal. I am in search of suggestions for good vacation spots that are:
a) a bit off the most beaten path
b)at or close to nice beaches
c) within a day-trip distance of spots of cultural interest-art/architecture/ruins...
d) safe for two women traveling alone.
We are interested in doing some serious lounging-this trip in a High School graduation present-but we'll also want to do some exploring. We are not of the club-going-tequila-drinking persuasion.Our diversions tend to be more of the hiking or art shopping kind.
Anyone have any favorite places to suggest? I appreciate your help.
-Jennifer

Tulum is the ideal spot - miles of beaches, mostly under-developed, with low-rise hotels ranging from laid-back hostels through to fairly luxurious (but simple) hotels and anything in between. To the south is the Biosphere Reserve - a great day trip out on boats: to the north is the Mayan ruins of Tulum - maybe not the most spectacular of sites but certainly the best re location. If you need a bit more life, you can always nip up to Playa del Carmen (closest ATM!) for a day of local crafts shopping and a bit more of an active scene.
Chichen Itza is not so far away if you fancy another Mayan ruin (and this is spectacular) and if you want to immerse yourself in a bit of Mexican way of life away fromt eh coast, Merida is a delightful little colonnial city - if you go there, make sure you're there on a Sunday as the whole city comes to life, with lots of live music and dancing in the parks and city squares.

Enjoy - its a wonderful part of Mexico.

Be well
Keith

Hi, i stayed at Bahia Principe Tulum, an All Inclusive Resort. It's near the Tulum ruins and the aquatic park Xel-ha. From there we visited those 2 spots i mentioned and Coba (mayan ruins) as well as a mayan community called Pac-Chen. We had a great time. The hotel is nice, although in some places the beach is rocky. There were a lot of americans, canadians and spanish at he hotel. And a few portuguese, ... :-) Hope you have a great time.

If you are going to the Yucatan you have to go to Progreso. It is a small port town located close enough to many attractions. Perfect for two women alone. Cheap to. They have good shopping, internet cafes, awesome beach lined with restaurants, bus routes, plenty of taxis. Progreso is about 30 minutes from Merida which is the shopping capital of Yucatan. Also close to Mayan Ruins. You will need to know some spanish because not too many people there speak english.