Yucatán is a beautiful mystery and is little explored by Brazilians who visit the wonders of the Mexican Caribbean. It is a place full of culture and history, with an indescribable beauty formed by the union of the Caribbean Sea with the Gulf of Mexico.
It has beautiful flamingos that paint its coastline pink, many archaeological remains left by the Mayans and the beautiful blue waters of its endless cenotes.
Mother Nature has poured all her kindness into this region and we can see this in the beautiful beaches, lakes, cities and its people, always happy and ready to help.
Cancun and Riviera Maya have their own particular charm, but Yucatán is an important part of Mexican history. I could talk about many things in this article, but today I will put together a list of the best attractions of this unforgettable place.
11 unforgettable attractions in Yucatan
1 – Celestún Yucatan
Celestún is located in one of the country's main ecological reserves. A few blocks from the town's central square is the beach, which is home to lush vegetation and many migratory birds.
The only colony of American flamingos lives here and the ideal season to observe them is from January to June (a pink spectacle).
You can visit Celestún by boat on two tours; the northern one, where you will find a spring of crystal clear waters known as “olho de agua de Baldiosera”, the mangrove tunnel and the flamingos.
On the southern tour you will pass through the petrified forest of Tampetén and Punta Pelicanos, where the river meets the sea (an incredible place).
Where it is: 107 km from Mérida via federal road 281
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2 – El Palmar Yucatan
El Palmar is the ideal place for travelers who enjoy eco-tourism activities. On board a speedboat, you can admire the vegetation and the large colony of birds in the region, especially the Canadian duck that breeds here.
Another way to explore the place is through a long night hike. Here you will find the tallest lighthouse in the state of Yucatan.
Where it is: Approximately 80 km from Mérida
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3 – Sisal Yucatan
Sisal, which was once the main seaport of Yucatán, is now a peaceful and welcoming place; it is ideal for a family trip to enjoy its white sands and greenish sea.
Take the opportunity to learn about the history of the port, which during the 19th century and early 20th century functioned as a customs house and entry and exit point for various products such as henequén (a plant) that was the source of wealth for the state during the 19th century.
At that time, all the ropes and bags used throughout the world were produced in Yucatán.
Where it is: 72 km from Mérida on federal highway 281
4 – Chelem Yucatan
Chelem is a small fishing town with beautiful beaches where you can go scuba diving and take long sailboat rides. Thousands of birds have made this destination their home and it is another place where you can admire flamingos.
Where it is: 52 km from Mérida on federal highway 261
5 – Puerto Progreso
Puerto Progreso is the main commercial and fishing port in Yucatan. It has several kilometers of white sand beaches and calm waters, ideal for sailing, kayaking and even learning to swim.
Windsurfing and fishing tournaments are often held here. In the lagoon located opposite the marina, you can practice all types of water sports, especially kite surfing and water skiing.
Approximately 4 km away is Chicxulub, another fishing village with a beautiful little beach. It is worth exploring.
Where it is: 10 km from Chelem
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6 – Los Alacranes Reef
The Los Alacranes (Scorpion) Reef is named after the pincer-shaped reefs at its ends. This Ramsar biosphere reserve is made up of five islands: Isla Pérez, Desterrada, Pájaros, Blanca and Desaparecida.
The reef is a refuge for several species of birds, such as pelicans and seagulls. Here you can go scuba diving among more than 600 species of fish, as well as turtles and lobsters. You can also snorkel and fish.
To visit this incredible place, you need to book a tour in Puerto Progreso or Mérida.
Where it is: Approximately 100 km from Puerto Progresso
7 – Telchac Port
In this area, one of the most interesting tourist complexes on the Yucatan coast is emerging, also known as Nuevo Yucatan.
It has beautiful white sand beaches and a few kilometers away is an incredible pink lagoon, a refuge for thousands of flamingos.
Take advantage of your visit to visit the Xcambó archaeological site, an important Mayan ceremonial center.
Where it is: 43 km from Puerto Progreso
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8 – San Crisanto
San Crisanto is another perfect place to get in touch with nature. To explore it all, you can take a tour organized by local fishermen.
On the boat trip, you will visit a series of channels connected to cenotes and springs, where you can observe the mangroves and see the large number of fish that live in the channels.
After the tour, you can swim in one of the beautiful cenotes or relax on the beautiful Playa Santa Clara (highly recommended).
Where it is: 10 km from Telchac Puerto
9 – Dailam of Bravo Yucatan
Dailam de Bravo is a fishing port located in the Dzilam State Reserve, home to several species of flora and fauna.
I recommend two tours here, one to the Xbuya Há spring, Elepeten cenote and a beautiful lagoon; the second to appreciate the plants and animals of the region.
These are the two most interesting things to do around here.
Where it is: 30 km from San Crisanto
10 – Las Coloradas
Las Coloradas is a small port with a lake of pink waters with a fascinating visual effect. All this is due to the concentration of salt combined with microorganisms that intensify with the sun's rays.
The region was declared a sea turtle protection area, as it has several species such as the Carey, Blanca and Caguama.
The site is also one of the most important salt extraction areas in Mexico and is also home to many flamingos (they are found all over Yucatan).
Where is it: 169 km from Dzilam de Bravo
11 – El Cuyo Yucatan
El Cuyo is a fishing village within the Ría Lagartos National Reserve (incredible) and is known as the hidden treasure of the Yucatan emerald coast.
In addition to being able to observe the beautiful turquoise waters of its beaches, you can see flamingos, sea turtles and a very interesting lighthouse built on the remains of a Mayan ruin.
Where it is: 114 km from Las Coloradas.
Is Yucatan worth visiting?
If you are strolling through the Cancun beaches If you enjoy exploring beautiful cities and having contact with nature unlike anything you've ever seen, a visit to Yucatán is well worth it, whether it's its beautiful beaches and lakes, its beautiful capital Mérida and all the Mayan ruins that correspond to the Ruta Puuc.
How to get to Merida?
To get to Merida you can rent a car in Cancun and the trip takes approximately 3 hours. You can also take the ADO bus that leaves from the Cancun Bus Station.
There are also direct flights from Mexico City International Airport. You can use Interjet, Volaris or Vivaaerobus.
If you want more tips about Yucatan, leave your comment here or write directly to Mexico Guide Instagram.
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