Yucatan Travel Blog

Apr 21, Grand Tour, Day 2: Cob

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:33:33 GMT

On the second day of our Yucatan Tour (December 1 13, click here for the full itinerary), we visit the ancient site of Cob, which is located about half an hour inland from Tulum on the Caribbean coastline. Cob retains a mysteriousness that sadly has been dispelled by crowds of tourists and hucksters from other more visited sites such as Chichen Itz. For many years its remoteness from any modern roadway kept all but the hardiest visitors away. Now though fully accessible, the site still evokes an enchanting lost city in the jungle mystique.

Apr 20, 21 Tips to Help You Pack

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:08:19 GMT

There's almost nothing worse than traveling with too much stuff...unless, of course, it's traveling without the stuff you need! Here's a great little article filled with information to help you organize all the essentials (and a few of the comforts) you'll need on the road. Happy trails!

Apr 19, New Recipe: Yucatan Recado Negro

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:19:37 GMT

Here's another great addition to your Yucatan recipe file: spicy, smokey recado negro. This essential regional spice paste can be used on grilled or roasted meats (traditionally turkey), as a seasoning for cooking stock, or a base for sauces. Enjoy!

Feb 8, Uxmal Ancient Capital of the Western Yucatan

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:02:23 GMT

Uxmal: history, site description, location and directions

Jan 13, Isla Mujeres at Dawn

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:30:21 GMT

This is where our adventure began. The Hotel Secreto on Isla Mujeres. Isla is a small slip of white sand and coral a mile wide and four miles long. It's eastern point is where the light from the rising sun first touches Mexico. There is a small quiet community here, and, it seems, they want to keep it that way. When we asked a couple at the airport who were also bound for Isla Mujeres what there was to do or see on the island, they replied "Nothing. That's why we come here." There are a number of excellent restaurants, a choice of hotels (from budget to out-of-sight) and a few good nightspots. All the activity is clustered in the center...easy to get to, easy to stay away from. Secreto is a boutique hotel on the far side of the island from the town and the ferry terminal. The deck and pool look out over the eastern horizon. The rooms are decorated in modern minimalist style, clean and smart-looking. There is no restaurant, but breakfast is served on your room, and the staff is happy to order from local eateries if you decide to stay in for the night. Next time, we will end our tour here...or some place like it. We were a bit too filled with anticipation for the month ahead to allow the charm of this serene and beautiful place to have its full effect. But we won't hesitate to return. It is the perfect spot for all those who love Mexico's perfect beaches but want to avoid the mayhem of Cancun.

If you would be interested in joining us for our 2010 Yucatan Tour, please click here for more information.

Dec 4, Mayan World Tour - 2010 Itinerary

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:49:36 GMT

Proposed itinerary for The November 2010 Mayan World Tour

Dec 1, Yucatan tour December 2010. News and updates. Reserve your place now for free.

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:59:40 GMT

Yucatan Tour 2010: Experience the wonders of the Yucatan, travel in style, safety and comfort

Nov 24, Yucatan Vacations for Seniors, from Cancun Beaches to Mayan Pyramids

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:58:05 GMT

A "seasoned" traveler's tips for discovering the wonders of Yucatan vacations. Watch the sun rise over Chichen Itza and set over Cozumel. Bienvenidos a Yucatan!

Nov 21, This is WAY Cool:

A Virtual Palenque and Yaxchilan

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:53:06 GMT

This is the coolest thing I've ever seen on a Mayan website: a virtual tour of two of the most important archaelogical sites: Palenque and Yaxchilan. Put together by INAH, the Mexican government agency in charge of the country's cultural heritage, this site gives you the chance to explore the ruins from the comfort of your own desktop. The instructions are in Spanish. If you're a little rusty in this area, click the links marked "mapa corrido Palenque" or "mapa corrido Yaxchilan." After that, it's all pretty intuitive: just use your mouse or arrow keys to find your way around. In addition to great images (and sound effects!) the tour also includes information (also in Spanish) about what you're looking at. More of us who are interested in learning about Mayan history and culture need to know about this site. Please send the link to everyone you know who might be interested. Enjoy!

Nov 20, Cancun tourist information: All the information you need...All in one place

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:25:20 GMT

Cancun tourist information: directory of helpful resources, on this website, elsewhere on the Internet, or offline

Nov 20, Cancun, beyond the beaches

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:49:19 GMT

Cancun, Beyond the Beaches

Nov 20, Yucatan Hotels and Resorts

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:33:49 GMT

Yucatan hotels and resorts to fit every budget and preference

Nov 17, Maya Calendar App for your iPhone

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:53:00 GMT

OK, here's something I just KNOW you've been looking for: a Mayan calendar application for your iPhone. I have one, and I use it at least once a winal. (If you don't know what a winal is, relax; the app's info section explains all the terminology.) As you may know, the Mayan calendrical system was complex and extremely accurate: capable of predicting events hundreds of years into the future to within a couple of days. The system the Mayans consulted most frequently comprised several interlocking calendars. These include a 260 day count, a 365 day "vague year," (I've had many of those), and a 52 year cycle. Finally, there was the "long count" a linear progression from a putative starting date, August 13, 3114 BC. These calendars are displayed on your iPhone as a set of interlocking gears which look a little like plate of calamari, but that's beside the point. Each "cog" bears its proper name within its respective cycle, and the point at which they all come together, gives the complete date reference as used by the Maya. BTW, there is scant evidence that the Mayans believed in the widely touted cataclysm scheduled for December 23, 2012. They used their calendar for the practicalities of life such as deciding when to plant to corn or murder their neighbors. I have this app on my own iPhone. I love it. It's a great conversation piece and will be a great help in consolidating your reputation as an oddball. Enjoy!

Nov 14, Inoculations for Mexico. Stay safe and healthy on the road.

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:58:18 GMT

Inoculations for Mexico. More information to help you travel safely on your next trip to the Yucatan

Nov 14, Yucatan Vacations website site-map

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:02:46 GMT

Site map for www.Yucatan-vacations-for-seniors.com

Nov 13, Write Your Name in Mayan Glyphs

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:21:20 GMT

Now here's something that I just KNOW you've always wanted to do: learn to write your name using the ancient scipt of the Maya. Well, I've got a couple of suggestions for you. The first is a little more studious, but very interesting and perhaps a bit more accurate. click here to view and download the first two chapters on a wonderful free book (in pdf format) that will get you started on Mayan name writing system. Authors Mark Pitts and Lynn Matson have put together a user-friendly, non-technical manual that's both fun and informative. If you don't have the time to start your career as an armchair Mayanist, here's a shortcut. mayancraftsyucatan.com has a little javascript program that displays the Mayan version of your name using symbols for each phoneme in a vertical column. Although this is not the only way a name can be written, the instant gratification is, well, gratifying. BTW, they are trying to sell you something on this site (silver or gold pendant name pendants), but you don't have to buy anything to use the program. Enjoy! Oh, I almost forgot. The god in the glyph above is Itzamna, the Mayan god of writing. Looks a little like my second grade homeroom teacher, Mrs. Waring.

Nov 11, Great Recipe (with video) for Yucatan Pork or "Cochinita Pibil"

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:59:37 GMT

Cochinita Pibil (aka "Yucatan Pork") is a popular Mexican dish that's delicious and easy to make. It resembles pulled pork with BBQ sauce, but the flavors and ingredients are distinctly Mexican. Click on the link below to see a short video featuring Bay area chef Alex Placencia, who was born in Morelos, Mexico and knows what he's talking about! Cochinita Pibil is perfect for those who may be a bit timid about Mexican food. It's not spicy, although it is served with an pineapple-habanero salsa which can be made WMD-hot but doesn't need to be. The video provides a demonstration of how the dish is prepared along with a nice introduction to Chef Placencia of Ristorante Specchio in San Francisco. I hope we hear more from him in the future.

Nov 10, Tamales

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:19:19 GMT

Tamales

Nov 9, Mayan Writing Workshop

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:25:32 GMT

OK, I admit. I'm a geek. But look what I found! A free detailed workbook for those interested in increasing their knowledge of the Mayan writing system. Not that you're actually going to need to read the glyphs on your next trip to Mexico. But imagine how it would feel to visit an ancient Mayan city and actually be able to pick out a few numbers of one or two words or recognize the symbol for a famous place or person. The workbook is a free 145 page manual in pdf format written by two scholars from the universities of Helsinki and Copenhagen. The text is extensively illustrated with finely done drawings and color photos. Imagine: Long vanished Maya speaking to you in their own language...How cool is that? BTW: the symbol is "kakaw" or "cocoa."

Nov 7, Breaking the Maya Code

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:57:34 GMT

I am a great fan of Michael D. Coe. Coe is professor emeritus of anthroplogy at Yale University and author of a number of wonderful books on Mayan culture and archaeology. I am also a great fan of his book Breaking the Maya Code, but even in my enthusiasm I am often unable to persuade others to read it. I guess the topic seems too daunting for many, and my retelling of the scholarly adventures, misadventures and intrigue have thusfar failed to fire their imaginations. But now NOVA has removed all excuses. This wonderful tale of the race to decifer an ancient script once thought forever indeciferable is now available in video format. It is movie length, well produced, and with just enough Indiana Jones elan to make serving popcorn (another Mesoamerican invention) not inappropriate. For anyone interested in the amazing and still largely mysterious Maya, Breaking the Maya Code is sure to be a hit.

Nov 7, The True (and Fascinating) History of Chocolate

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:44:37 GMT

Halloween is over. If, like me, you're now feeling guilty about all the leftover chocolate you've consumed, this wonderful book by Michael and Stephanie Coe will help you put things in perspective. The True History of Chocolate is scholarly and entertaining. The story is filled with exotic characters, such as the Astec emporer Montezuma and Charles V of Spain, secret recipes and trading cabals. It presents the rich history of this most favorite indulgence, which turns out to be good for us after all. Michael Coe is one of the world's top Mayanists, professor emeritus from Yale University and author of several outstanding books about the Maya. His wife Sophie is a food writer. Since chocolate comes to us from ancient Mesoamerica, the authors' backgrounds are perfect for this project: they are both entertaining and informed. So, pull out that chocolate bar you've been saving (dark chocolate if you please), and settle down for a delectable read. Enjoy!

Nov 6, Mexican folk art, finding the modern treasures of an ancient culture

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:51:16 GMT

Mexican folk art is a rich and varied tradition, Here are a tips for finding the very best.

Nov 1, Day of the Dead, Mexico's great celebration of life

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:31:38 GMT

Day of the Dead celebrations take place all over Mexico. Learn about the history and importance of the this fascinating holiday

Oct 31, Happy Days of the Dead

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:59:41 GMT

Mexico's cultural traditions are rich and varied. They are often a blend of Old World European influences combining with even-older-world indigenous customs. A case in point is the Day of the Dead, which begins each year on October 28th. The Day of the Dead is widely misunderstood outside of Mexico. First of all, it's not just a single day, but six, with each day dedicated to a different category of dearly departed. It's also not at all a morbid occasion, but, on the contrary, a celebration of the invicibility of life itself. For a detailed description of the Day of the Dead, read the excellent article cited below.

Oct 30, Paradise Like You Own the Place

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:26:10 GMT

The travel news keeps coming from Mexico, and the news is good! This month arrivals in some of Mexico's hottest destinations are down by as much as 12. No waiting for tables or waiting to pounce of the first empty beach chair. In response, hotels in Cancun, the Mayan Riviera and all Mexico are offering deeply discounted rates and amazing packages. (For more information, check out our article on all inclusive deals in Cancun. Why are the travel bargains so good right now? The media has dubiously succeeded in frightening off a good portion of the traveling public with lurid tales of drug wars and pig flu. But the truth is you're still in more danger in the taxi on the way to the airport than in your 4 star resort hotel in Cancun. Thanks to an unprecedented level of cooperation between health authorities in Mexico and the US, and thanks also to the fact that most of the gangland bad guys are thousands of miles away, you can pretty much count on your vacation being only as exciting as you plan for it to be. There's a lot that can be said for a "hot" tourist destination, but usually one unpleasant feature is the crowds. But right now, it's different and we may never again have this opportunity: a vacation in paradise and truly having the run of the place. The link below will take you to a just-published article from USA Today. The article provides more information about the promotions now on offer all over Mexico, and also about the marketplace conditions that are making this all possible. Enjoy!

Oct 29, Playa del Carmen resorts

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:24:06 GMT

Playa del Carmen resorts

Oct 27, Valladolid, Yucatan

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:02:09 GMT

Valladolid, unspoiled Mexican Colonial Charm in the heart of the Yucatan

Oct 27, Riviera Maya, the choice of discriminating Mexican sun worshippers

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:50:21 GMT

The Riviera Maya is laid back, elegant and beautiful. The place to go to escape the crazed spring break mobs in Cancun.

Oct 27, About SBI

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:14:00 GMT

About SBI, A Single Resource that Can Take Your Experience and Expertise and Turn it into a Great New Online Business

Oct 26, Salsa Verde, a homemade recipe from mo Suegra's Puebla Kitchen

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:12:29 GMT

Salsa verde. Mexico's fresh and spicy all-purpose condiment

Oct 24, Itzamna, a journal by and for educated enthusiasts of all things Mayan

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:24:12 GMT

Itzamna is an online journal featuring original articles, book reviews, photographs and travel stories.

Oct 24, Isla Mujeres, tranquil paradise just minutes from Cancun's maddening crowds

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:23:09 GMT

Isla Mujeres, just a short ferry ride from Cancun's hotel zone, offers and oasis of tranquility

Oct 24, Isla Holbox, island paradise in the Mexican Caribbean

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:22:23 GMT

Isla Holbox, a remote island paradise in the Mexican Caribbean. See it while it lasts.

Oct 24, Health and safety supplies for the road

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:21:27 GMT

Everything you need to protect your health and safety on the road

Oct 24, Hacienda Tour in the Yucatan

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:20:41 GMT

A Yucatan hacienda tour takes you back in time to Mexico's colonial and pre-revolutionary past

Oct 24, Gran Melia, the Queen of Cancun Mega Resorts

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:20:00 GMT

Gran Melia, a glittering Cancun palace on the beach

Oct 24, Getting Around in the is easy...once you know a few important things

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:19:04 GMT

Getting around the Yucatan is part of the adventure. Here's how to make it easy and fun.

Oct 24, Faves and Raves: Your Favorite Restaurants, Clubs & Shopping in the Yucatan

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:17:58 GMT

Faves and Raves is your chance to plug your favorite places in the Yucatan

Oct 24, Information about Drinking Water for Travelers to Mexico

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:17:18 GMT

Everyone asks drinking water in Mexico. Here's your answer.

Oct 24, Cozumel: Mexican diver's paradise and much more

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:16:29 GMT

Cozumel has long been known as a diver's paradise. But don't miss the island's other attractions.

Oct 24, Chichen Itza Ancient Mayan Capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:13:45 GMT

Don't miss Chichen Itza, one of the

Oct 24, Cancun Resorts List

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:11:51 GMT

Cancun Resorts List with visitor reviews and online reservation links

Oct 24, Cancun hotels located in the the city center

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:10:49 GMT

Cancun hotels located in the city center and elsewhere away from the Zona Hotelera

Oct 24, Cancun All Inclusive Resort Packages

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:09:36 GMT

Cancun all inclusive resorts offer everything from ariport transfers to swim-up rooms. Learn more here.

Oct 24, Campeche, Home of the Real Pirates of the Caribbean

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:08:24 GMT

Campeche is fast becoming the newest tourist destination in the Yucatan for those seeking romance, culture and adventure

Oct 23, 2012 Mayan Prophecies

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:32:48 GMT

2012 Mayan Prophecies

Oct 22, Birding in Mexico: top locations in the Yucatan

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:17:27 GMT

The Yucatan offers amazing opportunities for enthusiasts of birding in Mexico

Oct 22, Must See n' Do Travel in the Yucatan

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:53:07 GMT

Must see and do activities for any trip to the Yucatan peninsula

Oct 22, Xel-Ha, Nature's Theme Park on the Riviera Maya

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:50:56 GMT

Xel-Ha nature theme park, description, directions and tips

Oct 21, All Inclusive Mexico Vacation Tips and Recommendations

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:04:41 GMT

Mexico All Inclusive Mexico Vacation idea, suggestions, tips and recommendations