So, what’s it like vacationing or living in the Yucatan part of Mexico? For one thing, while it is very welcoming to tourists, it is not touristy like Cancun or Playa del Carmen on the eastern side of the Yucatan peninsula. The shores of the Gulf Coast in and around Chelem are lined with traditional beach homes and some elaborate beach homes. There are no resorts, but there are some small hotels and condominium communities.
The beaches are lovely, but are narrow in some areas. The area between Progreso and Chuburna, including Chelem, has a beach restoration project underway which will help to rectify the erosion that has occurred and to secure beachfront homes for the future.
Driving throughout the Yucatan state of Mexico is easy. The periferico (or beltway) around Merida is three to four lanes each way. The road to Progreso and the beach communities from Merida is also four lanes each way and well lighted. A short cut bridge was recently built allowing residents and visitors of Chelem and Chuburna to bypass Progreso.
There is a growing expat community in Merida, Chelem and Churburna. Visit the Yolisto community site if you are interested in reading more about what it’s like to live full-time and part-time in the area. Another favorite site for all kinds of information is Yucatan Today. And, if like us, you visit and fall in love with the area please consider our friends at Mayan Living Real Estate.
We have found the Moon Guide to the Yucatan to be helpful. You will find a copy on the bookshelf at Casa Kaana that you are welcome to use. Also, we have linked to the Merida travel site from the Mexican government.
There are also plenty of cities and towns in and around the area of Chelem, Merida and Progreso. Learn more about the area around Chelem.
Mayan Ruins / Sights to See
If you are interested in the Mayan culture, there is a lot to see. The Anthropology and History Museum in Merida (Paseo de Montejo and Calle 43) has many artifacts from ruin sites. These photos give you a taste of the collection housed there.
Chichen Itza is the most well known of all Mayan ruin sites. View our photos of this site.
Ek Balam If you decide to explore the Central part of Yucatan, definitely include a visit to Ek Balam or “Black Jaguar.” It is a short drive north of Valladolid. View our photos of this site.
Uxmal (oosh-mal) Located about 80 kilometers south of Merida, this ruin site is less visited than Chichen Itza but in our minds, equally as impressive. At this time, visitors are still permitted to climb the largest structure, the Pyramid of the Magician. View our photos of this site.
Ruta Puuc This area named for the Puuc Hills represents one of the most dominant areas in ancient Mayan world and is the site of several amazing ruins, starting with Uxmal. Others include Kabah, Labna, Sayil, and X’lapak. View our pictures of 3 of the 4 of these sites.
Cenotes & Caves There are no above ground rivers or lakes in the Yucatan as it exists on a limestone shelf. Water is accessed through cenotes or drilled wells. When driving through small villages, you will often see small signs directing you to the nearest cenote. There is also a proliferation of caves. One of the largest, the Loltun Caves is near one end of the Ruta Puuc (Puuc Route). We have pictures from our visit to Loltun.
Xcambo (Ish-cam-bo) is about 35 kilometers east of Progreso. It served as an important salt trading site as early as 100 BC . The site is not completely excavated, but is interesting to visit. There is also a Catholic chapel that was added to the site. View our photos of this site.
Dzibilchaltun (zee-bil-chal-TUN) One of the closest ruin sites to Progreso, this site sits just off the main road to Merida, about half way there. Home to a great cenote and a diverse set of structures, this is a must visit site. View our photos of this site.
Mayapan This site was one of the most important Mayan cities and the last great city. More recently excavated, Mayapan is a perfect site given its relatively low attendance, close proximity to Merida and a miniture version of Chichen Itza. View our photos of this site
As you can see, we’ve been able to visit a good number of Mayan ruin sites. However there are hundreds more. A few of the more interesting that we’ve not yet visited include: Ake and Edzna. View more sites at Yucatan Today. All are located within easy reach of Casa Kaana.