Yucatan Peninsula, last week of May
 

My wife and I are planning a trip to the Yucatan Peninsula the last week of May on our first attempt of out-of-country exploration. We've definetly decided on Chichen Itza and Sian Khan as sites to see, does anyone else recommend anything else to view/visit on the road (on the Peninsula, to get there is going to be a bee-line)? We'd like to stick to Quintana Roo and Yucatan Provinces if possible and would like to avoid Cancun (city) as much as possible. She's a bit nervous about journeying too far off the beaten path so I'm going to try to stay near major transportation arteries if possible. . .Assuming this goes well, we might try to foray into Central Mexico in October.

Thanks,
Alex

How long are you planning for this trip ?

Ruins, bush jungle, ruins, beaches, ruins, diving, ruins, cenotes, ruins, haciendas, ruins, forts, ruins, islands...and more ruins.

How much of each do you want?
Like Ace said, how much time?

I apologize for not being more specific. I have a week (24th-31st). I've picked up a few books, they all seem geared towards the typical gringo tourist, I'm looking to get off of the beaten path, and being that I'll have my own wheels, I won't be dependent on tourist transportation. The cenotes I figured I'd find at Sian Khan or Xcaret (assuming we get there), and as far as ruins, I've been to Tulum, and definetly want to get to Chichen Itza. I'm not sure about other ruins, LR, I know you've been to MX for an extended period, I followed your RR religiously over on ADVrider. Unfortunately, I'll only have a week so I won't be able to stray far from Quintana Roo/Yuacatan provinces, and being that my wife is beyond a nervous wreck about this whole thing, I'm kind of kept on a short leash about how "adventurous" we can be about exploration. At this point in time, it has to be tame without being overly touristy. Does that seem to make sense? I'm praying this goes well, as I REALLY want to get to Copper Canyon and central MX later this year. . .
Alex

Given that you only have a week and you're in New Jersey, I think you don't really understand distance. From NJ to Brownsville TX is 1962 miles (29 hours) and from Brownsville to Merida Mexico is 1250(23 hours) miles. That just gets you to the edge of where you want to be.

I think the Yucatan is too far given your location and time constraints.

drips and drabs
 

We're doing a fly and rent out of cancun, sorry for getting info out a little at a time, working under tight time constraints at the computer. I'll have half of the 24th and a little of the morning on the 31st. My second trip is going to be approximately 3 weeks, being that I'll have to ride out there, I am giving myself 5 days each way to travel to build a decent cushion for unforeseen circumstance.
Again, I apologize for this being like pulling teeth, just working a tight schedule here at the computer. Looking at a realistic time frame, I give myself a solid 4-5 days of decent road time, Saturday could be a road day, it depends on her, the 31st is out as we have an early flight back.

What are you going to rent ?

send me a pm and I will give you my phone # in NY. I know the area well and can help you with places to go and stay at.
brian

Let's find some knobbies
 

Motorcycle Rental in Cancun, Mexico - Harley-Davidson, Honda - AdMo-Tours


Unfortunately not a dual sporter, it will be a shadow, so true off-road isn't an option. . .

Brian, will do

This would be a good loop. I am assuming you are renting car at airport.

Day 1 Isla Holbox about 2 1/2 hour north west of Cancun airport. Very cool place as yet un ruined by the enchroaching masses. They gov. is building new improved roads into the area and it will experience explosive growth due to its beauty. See it while you still can!

Day 2&3 Vallalodid Take afternoon ferry and leave about 2 hours to get to Valladolid. Very nice colonial town. Use as a base to visit nearby Chitza Nitza and fabulous Cenote Dzitnip.

Day 4 Bacalar Lake Must see, might take about 4 hours to drive from Valladolid but you will be glad you did.

Day 5 Punta Allen I was told last week that the road from Tulum to Punta Allen is in great shape and you can wiz right thru there by car with no problem.

Day 6 Puerto Morelos Nice beach town and only 20 minutes from airport. On the way from Punta Allen to Puerto Morelos stop in the northern part of Playa del Carmen "Little Italy" for lunch. E mail me and I'll give you restaurant, hotel recommendations.

This loop will give you a good tour of the Yucatan without having to drive the whole vacation.
Brian

You can easily make a lot of miles in the Yucatan.
You can literally hit 3-4 nice attractions per day.
Even Cancun to Palenque is a day's run.
I don't know how you like to ride or power out.
Forget the toll roads; you don't need them.

To me, the small cities away from the beaches are interesting.
For whatever reasons, Bacalar didn't give me wood.