Custom dive trips to the places you think you have been

Mayan Ruin Sites

(Chichen Itza, Tulum, Coba, Cozumel, Mayapan, Uxmal, Ruta Puuc, Labna)

The Mayan culture dominated the landscape of the Yucatan from approximately 1500 BC to 600-900 AD when massive cities were built throughout the peninsula, the neighboring states of Chiapas and Tabasco as well as Belize, Guatamala, and El Salvador.  “Considered the most outstanding intellects of ancient Mexico, the Maya devised a complex style of hieroglyphic writing that has yet to be fully deciphered. They refined the exact sciences learned from other prehispanic civilizations. Through their knowledge of astronomy and mathematics they calculated the lunar cycle, predicted eclipses and other heavenly events with great precision and formulated a unique calendar system more exact than the one we use today.”  (Dale Hoyt Palfrey) More about the Mayan Culture

What remains today is a scattering of impressive ruin sites open to visitors.  As you stroll through the playing field of their ancient balls games or climb to the top of a 200 foot castle, you begin to understand the depth of this culture.  Some of the more popular (and more impressive) ruin sites in the Yucatan are Chichen Itza, Tulum, and Uxmal.  However, there exist many many more that are sites of great significance and yet rarely visited.  Some of these less-visited sites (such as Labna, Coba, and Mayapan amoung others) give you the opportunity to really absorb the energy of these amazing places without throngs of tourists surrounding you.  

We would like to take you to both the popular and less-visited sites to provide you with the opportunity to experience as much of the ancient culture as possible.   

More photos of ruin sites.  

Shopping

Shopping in Mexico can be a cultural experience in itself.  You can immerse yourself in traditional markets and purchase anything: from clothing, fresh meat and vegetables, local crafts, music, toys or even traditional herbal remedies.  Nearly every town has a market, but the size and diversity of the wares differs greatly from place to place.  Many locations also have shopping areas catering to the tourists.  Some of the best products made within the region are sold at the shopping areas just outside the ruin sites or even alongside the road to a popular tourist site such as Chichen Itza – artesian wares commonly made in the Yucatan region are hammocks, traditional clothing with embroidered edging, wood sculptures and masks, and clay or stone carvings of Mayan Gods . To find artesian products and unique gifts from other parts of Mexico or even other parts of the world, the larger or tourist towns are the best place to look.  Playa del Carmen is well known for its pedestrian shopping area providing you the opportunity to buy clothing from Europe, sarongs from Indonesia, jeans from the US and everything from Mexico.  Merida is a big city with a range of different options – including a very extensive traditional market and a modern shopping mall just a few minutes apart by car.

Our favorite places for shopping depends on what you are looking for:

            Artesian Products from Mexico (Valladolid, Merida, ruin sites)

            Housewares (pottery, furniture – Merida)

            Clothing (Playa del Carmen)

            Unique gifts from outside Mexico (Playa del Carmen)

Museums

Merida is the cultural center of the region when it comes to museums, however, several of the smaller towns and many of the major ruin sites may have a museum as well.  Small art and history museums can be found in numerous locations and should be checked out at every chance.  Sometimes these museums have artifacts that are normally only seen in very large European or American museums – and for once these pieces are actually from the site you stand at. 

Local Events

There is no better way to experience the culture of a region than to take part in the local events.  We like to plan our trips around cultural events.  Even something as simple as being in a certain town for a Sunday evening can give you the opportunity to experience the local culture.  Merida, for instance, closes off several downtown streets every Sunday night for locals and tourists alike to stroll through the streets, eat and buy crafts from the vendors set up on the plaza, and perhaps even ride through town in the back of a horse-drawn buggy.  Cozumel has its own Sunday night fiesta – with live music and crowds of locals in the main plaza.  One of the best local events is Carnival.  Each February (think Mardi Gras) parades are staged and residents dance in some of the best floats and costumes you have ever seen.  

Dining

Cuisine in Mexico can be as simple as huevos rancheros or as complex as one can imagine.  The Yucatan has its own specialties, most of which have been overshadowed by the omnipresent taco and thus have not made international fame lists.  Taste some of the Yucatan, and other regions of Mexico’s best foods with us.  We will make sure you find what you are craving – whether it is a unique taste you have never encountered, or fresh seafood, or even a simple pizza.            

Ballet Folklorico

Traditional dance in Mexico is an amazing display of this rich culture.  A Ballet Folklorico show displays the long-established dances of many regions of Mexico, each with its own unique rhythm and costumes.  Typically, professional Ballet Folklorico are only performed in large cities with the type of facilities necessary for such a show, however because of the area’s tourism, several other places offer the opportunity to view Ballet Folklorico.  Xcaret, a tourist park designed around excellent snorkeling, beautiful vistas, and restaurants is crowded with foreign visitors, but does offer an excellent Ballet Folklorico show, among other cultural shows.

 Caves

Under the Yucatan peninsula is one of the most extensive cave systems in the world.  Most of these cave openings are cenotes and the rest of the impressive caverns are also filled with water – which is great for those interested in cave diving but leave the non-divers unable to view these impressive sights.  A few of the caves in the area are dry for a large portion, which allows you to explore.  Many of these caves were sacred sites for the Mayan people and each has a history of its own.

 Caves we enjoy:  Loltun and Dzitnub