Yucatan, Mexico - 2019

During our late October to early November road trip through the Yucatán, one of the highlights was visiting the legendary Chichén-Itzá—one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. We stayed at a hotel right on the property, allowing us to walk through the grounds in the early morning darkness to witness the breathtaking sunrise behind the iconic pyramid. The site’s Mayan architecture is deeply aligned with...

We visited Mérida during Día de los Muertos—a time when the city comes alive with color, candlelight, and reverence. Our home base was the elegant Mansión Mérida Hotel Boutique, a meticulously restored French-style mansion tucked in the heart of the historic center. The moment we stepped inside, it felt like a blend of museum and sanctuary. Our suite overlooked the serene courtyard pool, with another view...

During our Day of the Dead celebration in Mérida, we stayed at the exquisite Mansión Mérida Hotel Boutique—a beautifully restored 19th-century French-style mansion nestled in the heart of the city’s historic center. This luxurious boutique hotel offers 14 elegantly appointed suites, each designed to evoke the grandeur of the Belle Époque era. The hotel’s amenities include an outdoor pool, spa services, and...

While staying in Mérida, we took a scenic drive to Mayapán, one of the lesser-known but historically significant Mayan archaeological sites in the Yucatán Peninsula. Unlike the crowded ruins of Chichén-Itzá, Mayapán was refreshingly quiet, with very few visitors—allowing us to explore at our own pace and truly take in the atmosphere. Dating back to the Postclassic period, Mayapán was once a powerful...

A short drive from Mérida brought us to Uxmal, a stunning ancient Maya city and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Yucatán state, Mexico. Visiting in late October, we found the site pleasantly uncrowded, allowing us to take in the majestic ruins at our own pace. The weather was hot and sunny, with lizards darting across stone pathways as we explored the impressive Pyramid of the Magician, the Governor’s...

After soaking in the vibrant culture of Mérida and a refreshing stop at a cenote en route, we made our way to the coast and settled into a beachside stay in Tulum. Our hotel sat just steps from the sand, where each morning the horizon greeted us with breathtaking sunrises — fiery orange and pink hues casting reflections on the Caribbean Sea. From our spot on the beach, we watched local fishermen work the surf...

While staying in Tulum, we made the short, easy trip to the Tulum Ruins — one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico, and with good reason. Perched dramatically on a bluff overlooking the turquoise Caribbean Sea, the ruins offered a breathtaking contrast of ancient stone structures against a vibrant ocean backdrop. Unlike our quieter experiences at Uxmal and Mayapán, where we wandered largely alone...

Our adventure through Yucatán, Mexico was bursting with color, history, flavor, and unforgettable moments. Over the course of our trip, we packed in 21 incredible experiences, each one adding a layer of richness to our journey. We started with awe-inspiring moments at Chichén Itzá — watching the sunrise over the ancient ruins, and returning at night for the laser light show that brought the pyramid to life. At...