What to see, what to do Yucatán Peninsula?

Museum hours vary, but as a general rule they are open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm. The cenotes: every day from 9am to 5pm. Archaeological sites: from 8am to 5pm (ticket office closes at 4pm). It is recommended to arrive at the sites as soon as they open or at least before 10am (or after 3pm), to avoid being in the middle of the groups that disembark in tourist buses around 10 or 11am. The other advantage is that it is less hot than during the day. In any case, bring a hat, sun cream, mosquito repellent and enough water. Good shoes too, we will avoid flip-flops to climb the pyramids!

Reservations are rarely required, except for guided tours for large groups. Some sites regulate the use of drones and videos.

Fees at archaeological sites vary according to the geographic origin of visitors: a reduced price for state residents, slightly more expensive for Mexicans from other states, and higher for non-resident foreigners. Most sites have entrance fees around $80, but state taxes make the final price vary significantly. At Chichén Itzá, for example, admission in 2022 was $85 and the tax $486 for foreign adults. Younger children, up to 12 years old, and people with disabilities are usually given free or reduced rates. For the services of a guide, count between $600 and $900 for the group up to 8 people. Some of the so-called ecological parks, such as Xcaret, offer promotions for online purchases directly on their websites.

In any season, you can attend dance, music, circus shows... The most interesting cultural life is concentrated in Mérida with good festivals (Mérida Fest, Autoño Cultural...). Its carnival is not bad either, but those of Campeche and Cozumel are more atypical. As for Cancún, it is not only the spring break of the Americans, the seaside resort counts in particular a festival of wine and gastronomy, as well as a festival of quality jazz.

An official guide is highly recommended to visit the archaeological sites in order to dive deeper into the history of the fascinating Mayan civilization. The same goes for the parks and natural reserves: a guide will prevent you from getting lost and will teach you a lot about the local fauna and flora, as well as the communities living there. French-speaking guides are available, but at certain times of the year (July-August in particular), their services are in high demand and you may be forced to form a group with other visitors. If you don't have your own vehicle, it may be worthwhile to use organized tours to visit the archaeological sites and the cenotes (or often both in the same excursion). The tours offered by the hostels often offer affordable prices including transportation, guide and sometimes a meal (but not the entrance to the sites). This saves a lot of time compared to individual travel by bus or colectivos. A small tip is always expected by guides, drivers, boat captains, etc. Don't skip it, especially if you are happy with the service. In cities like Merida or Campeche, you can use the popular "Free Walking Tours". They are free, but once again remember to leave a reasonable tip, depending on the time and quality of the guide's work.

Smoking is not allowed at archaeological sites and most cenotes open to the public. If you decide to ignore the regulations, at least make the effort to take your cigarette butts with you.

On archaeological sites, prefer official guides who wait inside, rather than guides soliciting you outside, in front of the entrance. The latter often charge higher rates and their skills and knowledge are not guaranteed. Guide fees are usually posted at the entrance.

For an unusual experience, equip yourself with flippers, mask and snorkel, or even bottles, to visit the largest underwater museum in the world: the MUSA (Museo Subacuático de Arte) located off Cancún and Isla Mujeres. Hundreds of sculptures (whose purpose is to allow the reconstitution of coral reefs) await you at a few meters deep. A unique, mysterious and poetic dive!