Outdoor Adventures on the Yucatan Peninsula

Outdoor Adventures on the Yucatan Peninsula: 12 Amazing Experiences

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The Yucatan peninsula of Mexico is a place of amazing outdoor beauty.  These twelve can’t-miss outdoor adventures in the Yucatan will have you in awe of the natural wonders of Mexico.  

I have featured carefully curated experiences in nature that are different from the thrill-seeking activities that abound in Mexico. These adventures are suitable for anyone in average condition who wants to sample a unique outdoor area.  I’ve included some of the hotels we stayed in because I found them to be representative of the local vibe of the area.  I think our stays in local hotels definitely enhanced our enjoyment of the place. I hope you will find them as charming as I did.

Some of these adventures can be booked as a tour, however, a car is the easiest way to get to the more remote places. Driving in Mexico is quite reasonable. Mexican drivers are predictable, careful, and polite (are you listening Italian drivers?). I use Discover Cars for booking a car in the Yucatan. They work with reputable rental agencies and offer reasonable rates.

1. Visit a Less Popular Cenote

The Yucatan peninsula is packed with over 6000 cenotes, limestone sinkholes with crystal-clear water.  For the Mayan people, cenotes were vital water sources and also their entrance to the spirits of the underworld.  Today, cenotes are favored for swimming, snorkeling, and SCUBA diving.  The popular ones, Dos Ojos and Grand Cenotes near Tulum and Suytun Cenote near Valladolid, may be crawling with people on a hot day.

I opted to visit lesser-known but fabulous cenotes across the peninsula. My favorite was Cenote Kinkirixche near Abala, south of Merida.  It still maintained its cave-like appearance with stalactites seeming to drip from the ceiling.  Sunlight streamed in through a small opening, causing the water reflections to dance on the cave ceiling.  When I peered down through my mask and snorkel at the submerged ancient cave formations I understood why cenotes were windows to the underworld for the Mayans.

Cenote Kinkirixche is located down a dirt road about 20 minutes off the main road from Merida to Uxmal.  The entrance fee is $60 pesos ($3 USD) and includes a changing area and showers.

We had hoped to visit a hacienda after our time at Cenote Kinkirixche but we ran out of time. These colonial plantations were the site of the production of rope from the fibers of henequen or sisal, a lucrative and robust industry. The preserved beauty of these estates with their rich history is a compelling draw. I’ll definitely fit a visit into my outdoor adventures of the Yucatan next time.

You may enjoy any of these tours if you are interested in combining a cenote trip with a visit to a hacienda.

2. Swim with the Turtles at Akumal

I love to carefully enter the homes of marine wildlife. Snorkeling with wild dolphins in New Zealand, manatees in Florida, nurse sharks in Belize, and sea lions in the Galapagos are my highlights.  Therefore, when I heard about the turtles of Akumal, I was excited to see them.  Encounters with wildlife based on respect and ethical guidelines can lead to more understanding of these unique creatures and greater preservation of their habitats.

The rules enforced by companies taking swimmers to see the turtles as they feast on seagrass are critical to reducing stress on the animals.  We went with a guide who constantly reminded swimmers not to touch the turtles. He made sure that there was enough space for them to come up when they surfaced to breathe. Additionally, it is important to use reef-safe sunscreen.

I originally intended to just swim for free off the beach to see the turtles but ropes designate only 150 feet of shallows for snorkeling without a guide. Since there is no seagrass in that zone there are no turtles.  I paid $500 pesos (about $27 USD) for the guided tour.  It’s also $5 USD to enter the beach through any of the companies on the beach.
Updated information on access to the beach and swimming with the turtles can be found here.

Some thoughts about the turtles of Akumal

The situation at Akumal is complicated by privatizing the beach, insistence on guided tours, and questions about the authenticity of environmentally friendly rules. Therefore, I was glad I took a tour that was regulated to protect the turtles and their habitat.  These huge green turtles need protection in their natural habitat. While tourism dollars could help support them, sadly that often doesn’t happen.  Fortunately, research organizations such as Centro Ecological Akumal are working on sea turtle conservation and coral reef protection.  

I was delighted to see 4 magnificent turtles in their seagrass habitat. I only hope that tourism management can continue to evolve to support the sea turtles of Akumal. Swimming with them is one of the amazing outdoor adventures of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Akumal turtle tour you might enjoy:

Related post -> The Best Outdoor Adventures near Arecibo, Puerto Rico

3. Visit a Cave

Due to the limestone foundation rock of the Yucatan, caves are common on the peninsula.  Acid groundwater or an underground river dissolves the limestone to create the cave.  Cave formations such as stalagmites, stalactites, and flowstone grow when the water carrying the dissolved limestone drips through the cave roof and hardens through a chemical reaction.  These beautiful formations can take thousands to millions of years to develop. That’s why it’s so important not to touch anything in a cave.  Can you imagine accidentally breaking off a million-year-old piece of artwork? 

Aktun Chen Natural Park

Aktun Chen Natural Park has a dry cavern, an underground river for snorkeling, a zipline canopy tour, and a wildlife park. We decided on the cave exploration. The National Geographic Society rates the Aktun Chen cave as having the third most impressive underground walking path in the world. And I have to agree. It’s a huge cave with different stunning formations around every corner. Our knowledgeable guide Rodrigo showed the fossilized conch shell in the ceiling from when the ocean occupied this land. It was also cool to see bats throughout the different cave rooms. But the grand finale was the last cavern room with an underground cenote of the clearest blue. Words can’t describe it properly, so look at the photo I took of it.

Aktun Chen Natural Park was easily one of the most outstanding outdoor adventures on the Yucatan peninsula. I’d go back again to swim in the underground river and spend more time with the spider monkeys and collared peccaries in the wildlife park. I bought tickets online–they were $550 pesos each ($29 USD). The location is easier to get to by car but they do have a shuttle at the gate to take you on the long drive in if you use public transport to arrive. There are tours that combine Aktun Chen with the Tulum ruins. I visited the Tulum ruins independently the next day. I found them fascinating with a gorgeous beach as a bonus.

4. Swim with a Crocodile

Are you kidding!?  That was my first thought when I read about the crocodile in Casa Cenote.  I certainly wasn’t keen to be the tasty morsel of an uncaged reptile.  But being up for an adventure I decided to give it a try.  I was reminded of the old joke about outrunning a bear.  You don’t need to swim faster than a crocodile; you just need to swim faster than your friends.  Therefore, when we arrived at the cenote, the weakest swimmers in our group urged us to hire a guide.  Entry for swimmers was $120 pesos, we hired a guide for $450 pesos each (about $25 USD) It included entry, locker, and wetsuit; we had our own snorkel gear.  It was worth it because the guide took us to several places that were off-limits to unaccompanied snorkelers. And he could fend off the infamous Panchito, the croc. 

The guide led us in a dive under a cave-like section with a roof of mangrove roots. It was a blast to dive down and come up at the end of the channel.  Because the cenote has a connection with the ocean, there was also more variety and bigger fish than at other cenotes we visited.

Panchito hangs out near the end of the cenote.  We swam around the corner and there he was, lounging in the sun.  I wanted a picture so the guide said he’d take me closer to get a good one.  We very slowly inched closer with the guide holding my arm to assist me.  Then it dawned on me that the guide was a much better swimmer than I am.  Right then, it was “see you later, alligator” for me.  Better no photo than no arm I always say.

5. Snorkel with Tropical Fish on the Reef

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System off the coast of the Mayan Riviera is part of the second-largest coral reef in the world, stretching 700 miles from the Yucatan to Honduras.  I have snorkeled this reef many times in Belize on sea kayak trips but it takes a power boat ride of a couple of miles to reach it.  In Akumal and Tulum I was able to snorkel around the reef right from shore.  I saw colorful sea fans, brain corals, and fire corals.  Sea turtles, rays, barracuda, and an endless variety of tropical fish are also present.

Yal Ku Lagoon is a great place for underwater outdoor adventures on the Yucatan peninsula.  Yal Ku Lagoon is a protected lagoon where freshwater meets the saltwater of the open ocean.  It’s a great introduction to snorkeling due to the calm water and shallow places.  Lots of tropical fish cruise around the underwater channels and the mangrove roots.  It’s big enough place to get away from other swimmers too.

A local company offers entry for $280 pesos ($14 USD).  They have beautiful grounds, changing areas, showers, and lockers.  You get a wristband that allows entry all day so we snorkeled there early in the morning for maximum visibility and then returned an hour before closing after the tour groups were gone. 

Yal Ku is about 3 kilometers out of Akumal so you can hire a taxi or bicycle in Akumal to reach it. Tours from Playa del Carmen or Cancun are also available.

6. Watch a Sunrise and a Sunset on Opposite Coasts

The Yucatan is blessed with east and west coasts that are less than a day’s drive from each other.  Therefore, we were able to catch an over-the-ocean sunrise and sunset during our 2-week trip. 

East coast sunrise

Even though sleeping in on vacation is part of the experience, make sure you get up early for at least one amazing sunrise on the Mayan Riviera. We stayed in a lovely beachfront hotel on the beach in Tulum that allowed us to wake up to the majestic show each morning. Posada Lamar is a charming reasonably priced hotel with a stunning beach. The cute bungalows were nestled around a gorgeous pool. The hotel is not a beach club so there is a sense of privacy when enjoying the beach. They also brought us a delightful continental breakfast every morning to enjoy with a view of the beach in front of our cottage. There is an on-site massage service we totally enjoyed too!

Xpu Ha is another beach to catch a sunrise. The picturesque turquoise water and white sandy beach make this beach one of the most beautiful in the Yucatan. It’s located off the main highway running from Cancun south. We loved staying in the nearby ecological glamping resort. Serenity Authentic Glamping has exquisitely luxurious “camping”. Tucked in the jungle a short walk from Xpu Ha beach, Serenity Glamping is a beautiful oasis full of charm. They have an inviting pool and a restaurant with limited food choices, but the best steak I’ve had in Mexico. And sunrises that will have your social media buzzing.

West coast sunset

The west coast sunset views were on the white sand beach of Celestun.  The hot orange orb squeezed itself into the horizon each evening while I watched sitting on the swings at our hotel.  Each night, riders on horseback galloped along the beach.  Their dark silhouettes against the orange sky further endeared the sleepy town of Celestun to me.

The hotel we stayed at was called Hotel San Julio.  It was a very clean, simple hotel located right on the beach in the center of town.  I loved jumping in the ocean out front and then lounging under a palapa for shade on my own patch of paradise.  I also couldn’t believe you can get a nice beachfront hotel for around $35 USD a night.

While many flock to the beaches of the Maya Riviera, try visiting any of these beaches on the Yucatan west coast to see an incredible sunset.

7. Take a Boat to See Flamingos

The flamingos of Celestun were the reason I wanted to visit the west coast of the Yucatan.  The Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve wetlands are home to diverse wildlife, including many migrating species of birds.  Besides flamingos, I saw different types of pelicans, gulls, ospreys, egrets, and herons.  I also watched dolphins play in the surf right in front of our hotel, Hotel San Julio.

The boat trip to see the flamingos can be accessed from two places.  The first is after the bridge on the left when you drive into Celestun—you can’t miss it, lots of signs.  We opted to join our tour from the beach near our hotel.  The boat drivers hang out in one spot on the beach a short walk from the main plaza of Celestun.  The tour costs $1800 pesos ($92 USD) per boat so we waited in the shaded shelter they have set up until more people arrived so we could split the cost.  I really enjoyed taking the boat from the beach rather than the bridge because it meant more time on the water. I had the chance to see the whole peninsula, many other birds, and the turquoise water of the bay.

Flamingo boat trip

The boat trip provided close-up views of several different flocks of flamingos feeding.  The flamingos feed by stirring the mud up with their feet and scooping up algae, larvae, brine shrimp, and other crustaceans in their unusually shaped bills. Because flamingos are filter feeders, they expel the water out of the sides of their bills to end up with yummy morals to eat. The carotenoids in their food create the pink or orange color of their feathers.  Baby flamingos are born white so they need to eat their way into their pink feather outfits.

The boat tour continued into the mangroves.  Winding through mangrove tunnels, I was reminded how important mangrove ecosystems are to supporting plants and wildlife of the tropics.  The boat stopped for us to exit onto a boardwalk and stroll through the mangroves and by a small cenote.  Since a recent storm had muddied up the cenote, I opted not to swim there, though it is touted as a swimming spot on the tours.  Probably a good idea for me to pass on a swim because as we left the mangroves, there were several crocodiles in the murky water.  

I seem to have many crocodile outdoor adventures in the Yucatan but still have all my limbs so life is good.

Flamingo tour options

The flamingo tour was a wonderful outdoor adventure of the Yucatan for me.  It’s easy as a do-it-yourself trip from Merida making the 1.5-hour drive by rental car or bus and arranging your tour from the bridge or the beach when you get there.  It’s also nice to stay over because the early morning is the best time for the flamingo tour. Plus, I saw many flamingos feeding in the shallow sloughs right near town—no boat needed.

If you prefer a tour, there are also some good flamingo tours to Celestun from Merida.

Related post -> Best Kayaking Trip to See the Flamingos of Celestun 

8. Bird Watch at an EcoLodge

The magnificent color of tropical birds can make a bird watcher out of anyone.  It’s especially true if you are lounging with a pair of binoculars in a hammock strung over the pool of an ecolodge in the jungle.  Hummingbirds visiting the many flowers, a white-winged dove cooing in the trees, and the orange flash of an oriole surrounding you.

The Pickled Onion was the ecolodge we stayed in near Uxmal.  With thatched Mayan casitas, beautiful gardens, and a delicious breakfast on the patio with the birds, I was totally enchanted by this off-the-beaten-track ecolodge B & B. The owner Valerie was super helpful with outdoor activity suggestions including recommending Cenote Kinkirixche and our Uxmal guide. If you are feeling super indulgent, get a massage from the very competent Mayan woman who offers them at the Pickled Onion.

While the beaches and cenotes of the Yucatan are great outdoor adventures, pausing to watch a brilliant blue Yucatan jay hop through the underbrush will remind you of the fascinating beauty of the jungle.

9. Climb up Mayan Ruins

In keeping with the theme of less-visited places, I choose Uxmal as the ruins to visit for an outdoor adventure in the Yucatan.  Whispers on the web said it was better than the more well-known Mayan ruins in the Yucatan such as Chichen Itza and Tulum.   So right they were!  I’ve previously visited several Mayan ruins in Belize and Guatemala, and the Tulum ruins on this trip.  I thought Uxmal stood out for its amazing carved stonework and Mayan art that told ancient stories about Chau, the rain god.  Plus, you can climb up the ruins at Uxmal.  I enjoyed ascending the stairs to The Governor’s Palace to look out over the whole magnificent site of Uxmal.  The huge Pyramid of the Magician dominated the horizon with its immensity.

Guided tour

We hired a guide onsite to interpret the stories and the spiritual character of Uxmal.  Jorge was recommended by Valerie, the owner of the ecolodge Pickled Onion.  Jorge, a brilliant 71-year-old man, speaks six languages fluently and proudly shared the lessons of his Mayan heritage with us. Our 1.5-hour tour turned into 3 hours because Jorge was so excited that we were interested. We paid $800 pesos ($41 USD) total for the 4 of us which is the posted price for an onsite tour guide.

The entry fee was $413 pesos ($21 USD) per person which was much more expensive than the $80 peso ($4 USD) entry fee at Tulum ruins.  The dramatic price increase in 2019 for the state of Yucatan ruins’ entry fees has not yet been seen in the state of Quintana Roo, the location of the Tulum and Coba ruins. However, when compared with visiting outstanding natural areas in the US, the cost to visit Uxmal is reasonable for such amazing outdoor adventures in this part of the Yucatan peninsula. 

Chocolate museum 

Also, after you visit the ruins, don’t miss the chocolate museum across the road.  It’s a hidden gem with fascinating exhibits, animals, and a chance to sample pure Mexican hot chocolate while learning the story of chocolate production in Mexico.

I rented a car to get to Uxmal, but for easy tours from Merida, check out Viator offerings here.

10. Swim in the Middle of a Colonial City

As an outdoor adventurer, I’m not much of a fan of cities.  But if you challenged me to make a list of cities I like, Valladolid would definitely be on it.  Many people see Valladolid as a midway stop between Cancun and Merida or a jumping-off place to visit the ruins of Chichen Itza.  But, in fact, this sweet colonial city in the middle of the Yucatan peninsula is a fabulous destination all on its own. Traditional Yucatan dancers twirling on the plaza, historical facades on palaces and churches, and bustling open-air markets all make it special.

Cenote Zaci

My top reason to like Valladolid is the beautiful cenote right in the middle of town. Cenote Zaci was a pleasant 5-minute walk from our hotel.  After our bus ride from Merida, we arrived at the cenote in the late afternoon.  We paid our $30 peso ($1.50 USD) entrance fee and climbed stairs through a cave down to the cenote.  At first glance, Zaci was an immense bowl of aqua blue nestled into the high walls of an open cave.  As I swam in the sparkling clear water, I tried to take in all the exquisiteness around me.  And I had to keep reminding myself that I was in the middle of a city.  One with a gorgeous swimming hole.  Who says you can’t find awesome outdoor adventures in a city in the Yucatan?

Lastly, the hotel at Valladolid was my favorite of our 2-week trip.  Hotel Palacio Canton is a simple 4-star hotel of outstanding value located two blocks from the main square. Collections of artifacts and portraits of Frida Kahlo add to the historic charm.  A multicolor garden and a small pool were right outside our room.  The hotel felt like an extension of the colonial magnificence of Valladolid.  

If you are staying in Valladolid for a while, try out some of these 40 best things to do in Valladolid.

11. Camp with Mexican Bees

One of the most unique campgrounds you will find in Mexico is at Xkopek Parque Apicola. This family bee farm in Valladolid is dedicated to saving threatened Mexican bees. Mexican bees are stingless, smaller, and produce less honey than European bees. They are an important source of medicinal products in the Mayan culture.

The beautiful grounds of Xkopek Parque Apicola have a camping area when you can pitch your own tent or use their camping equipment. It’s 150 MXN (7.50 USD) with your tent or 200 MXN (10 USD) using their tent. There are also bungalows and traditional Mayan houses for rent. A wonderful swimming pool, an on-site restaurant, and hammocks add to the appeal of the bee farm.

Make sure you get a tour of the fascinating bee park. On the 1.5-hour tour, a knowledgeable guide used stories and iPad videos to tell about the different kinds of bees you see. You visit a dry cenote and learn about native and medicinal plants as well as see the active hives of ancient bees. An emphasis on the traditions and legends of the Mayan culture is stressed.

A tasting at the end of the tour offers a sampling of many kinds of honey, bee pollen, and medicinal propolis. Xkopek sells bee products to support its conservation mission to save the ancient Mexican bees. The tour/tasting costs 150 MXN (7.50 USD). Add in breakfast or lunch and access to the beautiful grounds and swimming pool for another 100 MXN (5 USD).

12. Sea Kayak in a UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere

It is no wonder why Sian Ka’an, the Biosphere Reserve near Tulum, means “the place where heaven begins”. This ecologically diverse UNESCO World Heritage site is home to lagoons and mangrove islands packed with flora and fauna native to the Yucatan peninsula. The best way to explore the vast wetlands is by sea kayak. Glide through mangrove channels to find colorful birds or even a crocodile or two. Watch the sunset over the horizon as you paddle in this vast waterway.

Related post -> Amazing Sea Kayaking in Sian Ka’an on the Yucatan Peninsula

Yucatan Outdoors is the only adventure travel company to offer trips exploring Sian Ka’an by sea kayak. This Mexican-owned sea kayaking outfitter has enthusiastic guides dedicated to interpreting the biodiversity of the area to their clients. Their stunning sunset trip is appropriate for all abilities of kayakers. Expect to see colonies of birds such as frigates, roseate spoonbills, egrets, herons perched on a mangrove island. It’s also possible to see a manatee or crocodile.

Related post -> Best Natural Areas for Kayaking on the Yucatan Peninsula

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Outdoor Adventures of the Yucatan Peninsula Wrap Up

These dozen can’t-miss outdoor adventures are just the beginning for ideas about how to see the natural world of the land and sea of the Yucatan, Mexico. Make sure you get out of Cancun and head out to the off-the-beaten-track areas of the beautiful Yucatan peninsula. Ask the locals where to find the best natural areas. Finally, take the time to fully immerse yourself in the jungle, cenotes, and ocean to make your travels in the Yucatan magical.

Related post -> The Ultimate Guide to Kayaking on Lake Bacalar