This realistic List of the Best Places to Visit in Yucatan helps you plan your next adventure in Mexico.

Yucatan is a large peninsula in the southeast of Mexico. It is known for scenic beaches, ancient pyramids, and tropical rainforests.

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Yucatan Peninsula is so large that it is in three countries of Central America. Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize share its territory.

Four Mexican states are on this peninsula: Quintana Roo, Campeche, Tabasco, and Yucatan. It is also home to Cancun and Merida. Both are very popular vacation spots.

Millions of tourists visit destinations in Yucatan every year. They come to recharge, enjoy tropical weather, and learn about the history of the Mayan civilization.

You could find scenic beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Lush rainforests, natural spring pools, and Mayan sites round up the list of the top destinations in Yucatan.

A handful of these sites are well known across the world. Some have a status of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. But it is still quite challenging at times to find realistic and up-to-date information.

This List of the Best Places to Visit in Yucatan shares the first-hand experiences. It has useful tips for planning a trip to these beaches and parks.

1. Palenque

Palenque tops the List of the Best Places to Visit in Yucatan. This park is just southwest of the peninsula. You have to drive through the states of Campeche, Tabasco, and Chiapas on the way to Palenque.

• Opening Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Entrance Fees: MXN 90 ($5) per person

This trip will bring you through a few police and military checkpoints on the highways. But the beauty of this park is worth this long and thrilling trip.

Palenque is a town, an archaeological site, and a national park. It is nested on the mountain slopes, lost in the rainforest and clouds. Without a doubt, Palenque is a highlight of any trip to Mexico.

You could visit a handful of historic structures, temples, and palaces. The views of the structures and mountains from the Temple of the Cross are unforgettable.

The remote location of Palenque should not deceive you. The park is a popular tourist destination. It attracts millions of visitors a year.

As a result, it pays off to find a place to stay in the town of Palenque like Winíka Alterra. This way, you could arrive in the park as early as possible, well before the tourist crowds.

2. Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is the most well known Mayan site in Mexico. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This park is one of the most visited archaeological sites in the whole world.

• Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with tour agencies getting access from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Entrance Fees: MXN 255 ($14) per person + MXN 417 ($23) per person for foreigners

Chichen Itza is in the state of Yucatan. It is about halfway between the major tourist destinations of Cancun and Merida. This location means that the visitors from both cities go to Chichen Itza.

There are a number of good reasons why millions of tourists come to this park. El Castillo Pyramid, El Caracol, and the Hall of the Thousand Columns are the Mayan structures to see.

You would want to stay in Valladolid to have a shorter drive to the park in the morning. It is just 45 minutes from the famous site. Take a look at Hotel Posada San Juan or Casa Tia Micha.

The other option is to take a toll road. It will bring you to the park in 2.5 hours from Cancun and in 2 hours from Merida. The toll road saves you over an hour compared to a free route.

Once in the park, you should head to the main structures. Try to explore them before the tourist buses arrive. Skip the cenote, or the natural springs pool. It is not worth the time and an extra walk.

3. Uxmal

Uxmal is an amazing destination to visit on the Yucatan Peninsula. This park is a great place to learn about the Mayan architecture, history, and culture.

• Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Entrance Fees: MXN 90 ($5) per person + MXN 417 ($23) per person

Uxmal is just 75 minutes south of Merida in the state of Yucatan. It is a major tourist magnet in this part of the country.

The Pyramid of the Magician and the Governor’s Palace are stone structures of breathtaking beauty. Get ready to see lots of iguanas next to the trails and structures of this magical park.

Uxmal is a bit less popular than Chichen Itza. But you should still expect a large number of tourists when visiting this park.

Try entering the park as soon as it opens. This is the only way to explore the structures without crowds. Budget more time to pay two separate admission fees.

Merida is the closest town to Uxmal with places to stay. You should be able to find one that works with your budget and other preferences. Consider staying at Hotel Zamna Boutique.

4. Tulum

Tulum deserves its spot on the List of the Best Places to Visit in Yucatan. This park has picture perfect views of the Mayan ruins next to the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea.

• Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Entrance Fees: MXN 90 ($5) per person + about MXN 160 ($9) per car

In fact, the seashore might be the greatest attraction of Tulum. You could see high cliffs and a white sand beach right from the park viewpoints. These views alone are enough to attract visitors.

Yet, the archaeological site is quite small. Most of its structures are not as scenic as the ones in Uxmal, Chichen Itza, and Becan.

This park will be almost as busy as Chichen Itza during the day. Expect long lines and countless tourist traps. While the official entrance fee is just $5, you might have to pay additional fees up to $30.

Arrive as early as possible. This way, you could enjoy the structures and scenery before most tourist groups enter the park. It also helps to be in the park before the hustlers start harassing tourists.

There is no better way to arrive early than staying in Tulum. This town has grown into a major destination in the state of Quintana Roo. It has plenty of restaurants and places to stay like Botånica Tulum.

5. Calakmul

Calakmul is a fantastic place to visit in Yucatan. This park is much more than just a Mayan archaeological site. It is a nature reserve in the middle of a jungle.

• Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Entrance Fees: MXN 90 ($5) per person + about MXN 65 ($4) per person

A remote location of this park is both a blessing and a curse. You will likely be among the very few exploring its structures at any point of time.

But you need to budget about 7 hours for a round trip on a beaten-up road. As a result, you need a full day to visit Calakmul from the town of Xpujil. Consider staying at Hotel Cabañas Aldea Maya.

Yet, there is a good reason to take an expedition to this remote park. You will see the pyramids, monkeys, and countless other animals.

6. Becan

Becan is a scenic archaeological site in Southeastern Campeche. It is in a fairly remote part of the country. You should not go out of your way to see this park.

• Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Entrance Fees: MXN 75 ($4) per person

But there are no good reasons to skip it if you travel along Highway 186 from Escarcega to Chetumal. The park is right next to the highway. It also has a small entrance fee.

Becan is one of the best places to see Rio Bec architecture. It is fine if you have never heard of this style before. You will enjoy it as you walk through a tiny stone tunnel.

You do not need to worry about crowds when visiting Becan. But there are still no real alternatives to staying in the town of Xpujil. Check out Hotel “Casa Las Lolas”.

7. Edzna

Edzna is one of the best archaeological sites to visit in the state of Campeche. But like other parks in this state it is far less popular than Chichen Itza and Uxmal. A remote location of the park is to blame.

• Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Entrance Fees: MXN 90 ($5) per person

Edzna is less than an hour east of the capital of the state. But you need to travel for over two hours from Uxmal. Less visitors mean lower fees. You should expect to pay about $5 per person to see Edzna.

Get ready to hike a narrow path in a jungle for about ten minutes after entering the park. You will arrive at Plaza of Edzna with a handful of structures.

The best part: you could enjoy this beautiful square with magnificent Main Temple in solitude. No need to rush when visiting Edzna. Have a nice breakfast at Hotel Boutique Casa Don Gustavo, Campeche.

8. Chicanna

Chicanna is a hidden gem in Campeche. It is a great place to visit in Yucatan if you are traveling from Chetumal to Palenque.

• Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Entrance Fees: MXN 70 ($4) per person

Like Becan, this park is right off the highway. No need to take a detour to see this small archaeological site. A restored “doorway” structure with fascinating mosaics is the main thing to see at Chicanna.

The remote location of Chicanna could work to your advantage. Its admission fee is a fraction of the fees at Chichen Itza, Uxmal, and Tulum.

Unless you are comfortable taking a 2.5-hour drive from Chetumal or Escarcega, you should stay in the town of Xpujil. Take a close look at Hotel Cabañas Aldea Maya.

9. Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is the only best places to visit in Yucatan that is not an archaeological site. Instead, it is an island off the coast of Cancun. Isla Mujeres is a short ferry ride from the mainland.

• Opening Hours: 24/7; ferries run from 5:30 a.m. to 12 a.m.
• Entrance Fees: Free or MXN 540 ($30) per person for a return ferry ride

You could choose between four ports based on your preferred starting point and itinerary. Puerto Juarez has the most frequent departures.

The island is home to Playa Norte Beach, the most pristine beach in the region. Consider taking a snorkeling tour on Isla Mujeres. You will see fish, marine wildlife, and MUSA, an underwater museum.

You could choose to stay in Cancun or on the island. Check out La Villa du Golf à Cancun Hotel Boutique and Casa Azul Maya.

10. Balamku

Balamku is hardly a must-visit destination on your trip to Mexico. In fact, you might have never heard of it before this List of the Best Places to Visit in Yucatan.

• Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Entrance Fees: MXN 70 ($4) per person

Yet, Balamku is in a similar boat with Becan and Chicanna. This archaeological site is off the main route from Escarcega to Chetumal.

This park is the closest alternative to Calakmul if you cannot take a whole day to drive through the jungle. It has some of the lowest admission fees among all parks in Yucatan.

You should not miss a chance to see stunning Mayan masks. While Balamku is closer to Escarcega than its neighboring parks, you should still stay in the town of Xpujil. There are way better options in this town.

11. Coba

Coba rounds up the List of the Best Places to Visit in Yucatan, Mexico. It is a popular tourist destination thanks its favorable location. The park is about halfway between Tulum and Chichen Itza.

• Opening Hours: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Entrance Fees: MXN 90 ($5) per person

Most tourist buses make a stop at Coba after visiting the more famous parks. You need at least an hour to explore this park. Its structures are spread out over a large area.

Keep in mind that you cannot approach most of the structures since they are fenced off. You used to be able to climb a pyramid in Coba. This is no longer the case. The park decided to prioritize conservation.

Coba is a good addition to your trip if you cannot visit other Mayan sites. Otherwise, you might be better off saving a few hours of driving. Check in and relax at your place to stay like Hotel Boutique TerraNova.

Takeaways: Best Places in Yucatan, Mexico

Yucatan is one of the best regions in Mexico to visit from the United States. There are a lot of great places to see on this peninsula.

Mayan sites lost in the rainforest and pristine beaches make Yucatan worth exploring. You could choose from the world famous parks to the hidden gems on your trip.

Consider making Cancun or Merida your base camps for visiting the nearby sights. These cities have a lot of restaurants and places to stay, which helps you find the best deal.

A rental car could help you see more sights in Yucatan. It gives you flexibility to explore the sights at your own pace. You could also travel to further away parks and beaches, beating the crowd.

Driving in Mexico could be more challenging than in the US and Europe. Expect to see police and army checkpoints on the roads. And pay extra attention to the condition of the car your rent.

If you follow normal precautions, you should have a great trip to Yucatan. And you should be able to find your way around even with limited knowledge of Spanish.

Take a look at this Video List of the Best Places to Visit in Yucatan. And visit the YouTube channel for the latest videos.

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Safe realist travels!