Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Early morning (6AM) to catch a taxi to Playa del Carmen to meet up with our Yukatreks guide. We were on the Mystic Chichen Itza and Valladolid tour. We started at the buffet for a quick breakfast. Taxi was smooth and cost $25 each way. We met our guide and driver Eduard and Omar. After a quick stop to get ice, coffee and some sandwiches, we started the journey ~2 hours to C.I. About an hour out, Eduard started a history lesson about the history of Mayan civilization and culture. Specifically, the importance of directions of the 3 words (over, under and human), the Quechel, the Jaguar and snakes, the belief in cycles of life and resurrection.

Upon arrival to C.I., we got our tickets and headed to the site. Eduard goal us a history of the site and explained some other symbols that we would see. The double serpent symbolized royalty, the nose of the rain god pointing up to signify water going up. We traveled the site, starting with the Temple of Kulkulkan, then across the field to the Ball Court, here Eduard told us about the theons about the ball game and its significance. We followed a path through the court to the "skull building" then continued to the temple of Venus. Followed the highway to the sacred cenote then circled back to the temple of the warrior. After a few minutes of shopping, we left and headed to another cent. It's an underground cenote in which there is a spot to swim underground. There is visible stalagmite and tree roots hanging from the ceiling. There are also lots of bats overhead and catfish in the water.

The water was billed as being crystal clear. The guide said due to earlier rain, the water wasn't clear this time. Regardless, the water was refreshing. Much colder than the ocean or pool. After ~45min of swimming and snorkeling, we headed to a nearby restaurant for lunch at 2PM. The restaurant was called Selva Maya Hacienda. Food was actually pretty good. Surprising considering most tours we go on bring us to cheap places. After lunch and a brief thunderstorm, we stopped at a nearby cenote before heading to Valladolid.

Valladolid we didn't do much, a quick 45min shopping stop while the van refueled. It was a small quaint colonial town. Lots of shopping where we stopped. Sherilyn got a headband for $4. We got back in the van and headed back to playa del carmen. Quick stop to get a dreamcatcher for a bus-mate before transferring to a taxi back to the resort. Quick dinner at buffet then bed.

Yucatreks: really enjoyed the tour. Both guides were professional and funny,while informative. Would definitely recommend - good value.

-MyronLes mer