With an array of new and soon-to-debut experiences and attractions, Mexico’s state of Yucatan is making it easier for travelers to connect with local traditions and appreciate the region’s natural beauty.
I found this out during an action-packed, pre-tour familiarization trip that took place just before the latest edition of Tianguis Turistico, Mexico’s annual tourism convention. Merida, the state capital, served as host for the confab in November 2021, and attendees had the opportunity to explore tourism offerings around the region.
To cast a spotlight on the state’s increasingly diverse tourism industry, the Yucatan Tourism Board last year launched a campaign called 365 Days in Yucatan, which features a roundup of 365 activities and experiences that are designed to provide inspiration for every day of the year. I was able to sample several of them during my visit.
New Tourism Experiences in Yucatan
Among the biggest news for Yucatan’s tourism segment is the pending opening of the Mayan Train, which will ultimately link five states in eastern Mexico, including multiple destinations in Yucatan. While a final completion date has not been announced, the project has already caused more discussion about the potential for tourism growth in various parts of the region.
Yucatan is also gearing up to welcome a major new attraction: Xibalba, an ecological park designed by Grupo Xcaret, the company behind multiple attractions and hotels in the neighboring state of Quintana Roo.
Open since 2020, meanwhile, is El Camino del Mayab, a hiking and biking trail that extends more than 60 miles through the state, connecting 14 communities as it passes through tiny towns, former hacienda properties and unspoiled countryside. Treks of one to five days are possible along the route, with bicycle rentals available and packages that include food and accommodation options ranging from private home stays to small hotels and camps.
Travelers who reserve a trek along El Camino del Mayab receive a “passport” that is stamped at each community visited, and the route provides ample opportunities for activities, including swimming in cenotes, touring Maya ruins and bird watching. I hiked along a small portion of the route that was graced with beautiful flora and two massive cenotes that are perfect for swimming — one in the countryside, and one set dramatically beneath the swimming pool at Hacienda Yunku, a small hotel with basic but comfortable accommodations.
There is also a new option for travelers looking for a glimpse inside the historic mansions that line Merida’s Paseo de Montejo boulevard. El Minaret, an elegant former residence that dates to 1908, began offering guided tours of its furnished quarters in 2021 — a noteworthy complement to nearby former homes, including Palacio Canton, which is the palatial home of the Museum of Anthropology and History, and Montejo 495, a home-turned-museum decorated to represent the lifestyle of the wealthy families who made their money from sisal (a plant used to make various products).
Connecting with Nature and Culture
Yucatan’s tourism offerings are broad enough to appeal to nature and adventure lovers, as well as fans of culture, history and even luxury travel. I discovered during my visit that Yucatan is an especially rewarding place to connect with local communities and authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences.
Exploring Yucatan’s fascinating culture is best done with the help of experienced guides. While there are a growing number of small, community-based tour companies, the easiest way to assure consistent service and bilingual guides throughout a visit is to work with a company like Via AlterNativa, a tour operator that focuses on sustainable tourism, authentic experiences and community connections.
We met locals and got an insider perspective at every stop during our multiday tour, thanks to Via AlterNativa’s partnership with local cooperative organizations including Yaax Tekit, which offers bird-watching tours and camping in a community called Teki, and Co’ox Mayab, a union of cooperatives that focuses on community-based tourism. Through these organizations, Via AlterNativa and other tour operators offer interesting visits to local homes, where we savored authentic, home-cooked cuisine and learned about local farming traditions and the medicinal qualities of common plants.
Our guide, Daniel Ortega, nailed not only English and Spanish but also the intricacies of Yucatan’s cultural and natural history as he led us to a variety of interesting sites, including El Camino del Mayab and the ruins of Mayapan, one of the last inhabited Maya cities and a cultural capital between the 1220s and 1440s. At the ruins of Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we were wowed by the recently revamped night show, which includes eye-catching lights, sound and narration.
The ruins of Mayapan show one of the last inhabited Maya cities.
Credit: 2022 LatinFlyer.comThe tour included several additional memorable experiences, including a conversation with a tailor who specializes in traditional guayabera shirts, a peaceful boat ride through pristine mangroves in San Crisanto and a visit to Apiturismo Sinanche, an apiary that offers educational guided tours and exhibits about the process of raising bees and producing honey.
Before this visit, I didn’t know that bees and honey are a big deal in Yucatan. The stingless, endangered Melipona bees were raised by the ancient Maya people, and honey products are now especially popular with some travelers to the area. Our educational experience at Apiturismo Sinanche included making candles from honeycomb and donning beekeeper’s suits to examine the hives. The most enjoyable activity for me, however, was the honey sampling; I didn’t realize that, like wine, there are several varietals.
You might say that I was sweet on Yucatan by the time I left.
The Details
Yucatan Tourism Board
