Almost the entire Yucatán peninsula is a flat, sun drenched lime stone shelf only slightly above sea level. The Ruta Puuc takes us through the few rolling hills in the Yucatán. January through March the weather is hot but comfortably dry.

21 days in México, Yucatán:
390 kms/9 days traveling by bicycle along the Ruta Maya, visit 10 Mayan archeological sites, a cave with prehistoric remains, two haciendas, six cenotes, the oldest cathedral on the continent, as well as many beautiful towns and churches, finishing with seven days by the Caribbean Sea.

Tours leaving the 18th of January, and 15th of February, 2001

The tour includes 21 days accommodation in hostels, camping and hammocks, 19 breakfasts, 9 meals, and water and refreshments during the days on bicycle. A car or truck as support vehicle will be with us for the days cycling along with an english/spanish speaking cyclist/tour conductor who is very familiar with the routes...

65 dollars US per day
 
NOTE: We recommend you bring your own bicycle. If you need to rent a bicycle it can be arranged for $140 extra for the duration of the ride.

Day 1: Mérida
Arrive in Mérida. Enjoy a warm welcome at Nomadas Youth Hostel. Take a walk in the colonial city of Merida where you can admire the many beautiful buildings and cultural centres: museums, theatres, churches, etc. Here we will take some time to get to know each other, go over the maps of the route and share information about the region.

Day 2: Mérida
To get warmed up - and it will be warm - we take a trip to the ruins of Dzibilchaltún 15 Km from Mérida. Here we can visit the Museo Maya, swim in the Cenote de Xlacab explore the ruins and the Observatorio de Dzibilchaltun.

Day 3: Ochil
We set off early for Hacienda Temozón and later Ochil another beautiful Hacienda from the 18th century. We will camp on the grounds and enjoy the food in the dining room of Hacienda Ochil.

Hacienda Temozón

Day 4: Ochil-Uxmal-Sacbé (60 kms)
After breakfast we ride to one of most impressive archeological site in the Maya world Uxmal, along the road we will stop briefly at colourful towns like Muna and stop for a swim at a cenote. We will spend the night at Camping Sacbé, a hotel/camp ground run by a French and Mexican couple who serve excellent vegetarian or regional food.

Day 5: Sacbé-Kabah/Sayil-Sacbé (34 kms)
We travel part of the Ruta Puuc: Kabah y Sayil just a few kilometers apart, are some of the most magnificent examples of the Puuc Mayan archetectural style. In the afternoon we return to Camping Sacbé.

Day 6: Sacbé-Labná-Loltún- (54 kms)
Continuing along the Ruta Puuc we visit the ruins of Labná and the caves of Loltún. Here we take a guided tour through caverns stretching 1000 metres underground where evidence of prehistoric Mayan ceremonies can be seen. In the afternoon we arrive in Oxcutzcab, a town with a distinctive mix of modern and traditional culture. The large market is a main distribution point for the produce of the region. Here we will have dinner at the Swiss Chalet (no relation to the big corporate chain) and spend the night in a hotel.

Day 7: Oxcutzcab-Sotuta (68 kms)
Now we are riding rural country roads, passing many colonial cathedrals and small towns in the heart of the Yucatec Mayan region. Sotuta is a large friendly town unaccustomed to visits from travelers.

Day 8: Sotuta-Chichén Itzá (63 Kms)
Another day of quiet roads on the way to Chichén Itzá. We visit the beautiful cathedral at Yaxcabá, the ruined convent at Mopilá and we can swim at the cenote de X'tojil. We arrive in the afternoon at the Pirámide Inn near Chichén Itzá where we can camp or sling a hammock in the large back garden by the pool.

Pirámide de Kukulkán, Chichén Itzá

Day 9: Chichén Itzá
Spend the day exploring the most important ruins of the Mundo Maya where two architectural styles converge: the Puuc and Tolteca are brilliantly conjoined in the Pirámide de Kukulkán, one of the most beautiful pyramids of the ancient world. In the evening you can attend the sound and light show.

Day 10: Chichén Itzá-Valladolid (44 kms)
6 kms. from Chichén Itzá we reach the caves of Balancanché Here are preserved many pottery and sculpture left over the centuries of ceremonies performed in the caves. Near Valladolid we can swim in the underground Cenote Dzinup, beautifully illuminated by a window in the cave ceiling. We pass two nights in a comfortable old house in the second colonial city of the Yucatán.

Chemax

Day 11:Valladolid
Visit Ek-Balam a very interesting archeological site only recently excavated 19 kms. from Valladolid. You can go by bus or bicycle. In the evening we can enjow the ambiance around the main square where there are some good restaurants to have dinner.

Day 12:Valladolid-Cobá (58 kms)
Out of Valladolid we come to Chemax, a typical Yucatecan town with an imposing cathedral that can been seen many kilometres away. Here there is a good restaurant serving tasty lunch specials. A new road cut through the remote eastern part of the Yucatan takes us to Cobá. The town of Cobá, is a small quiet place overlooking a lake.

la playa, Tulúm

Days 13, 14 y 15: Cobá-Tulúm (42 kms)
The ruins of Cobá are surrounded by tropical forest through which many paths connect the various buildings. From the highest temple you can see the lake and the vast flat Yucatán Península stretching far off into the distance. Late in the morning we leave for Tulúm where we end our bicycle tour. Here we spend three days in cabañas next to long stretches of white sand and turquoise sea. Visit the ruins of Tulúm beautifully situated on the beach, enormous cenotes, go snorkeling or diving and enjoy the sun on the Riviera Maya. Pass the nights to the sound of the waves...

Days 16 y 17 Playa Del Carmen
Playa Del Carmen is a fast growing tourist town on the beach with a very festive atmosphere. The hostel is right on the beach and offers beds under a big cool palm roof.

Days 18 y 19: Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is an island off the east coast of the Yucatan with some of the nicest beaches in the Caribbean. It is possible to go snorkeling or diving for very reasonable prices. Enjoy the great sea food.

Days 20 y 21: Cancún
Cancún is one of the most popular tourist resorts on the Caribbean. Here we can celebrate and say farewell to our traveling companions. Connections can be conveniently made for departures from either Cancun or Merida airports.

NOTA: The support vehicle accompanies us form the 2nd to the 13th day.