Calakmul is in the base of the Yucatán Peninsula and one of the largest protected areas that includes some of the most impressive Mayan Ruins in all of Mexico. Established in 1989, this massive Biosphere is an astonishing 7,231 square kilometers (4,493 square miles). In fact, the Biosphere Reserve is so massive, that it takes […]
Chetumal is a major city on the Mexican side of the Belize border. This major port city is home to a stunning Manatee sanctuary in the Bay of the same name, Chetumal Bay. Positioned on the west of Chetumal Bay, this city can be found near the mouth of the Rio Hondo (Hondo River). As […]
Laguna Bacalar (or Lake Bacalar) is famous for being “The Lake of 7 Colors” and located in southeast Mexico, near the Belize border in Quintana Roo. The lake is directly next to a small town that holds the same name, Bacalar. In October 2007, the Mexican government named Bacalar as one of the “Pueblo Magico” […]
The tallest pyramid that is still climbable in the Yucatán Peninsula can be found at the sprawling Archeological Site of Cobá, only 47 kilometers (29 miles) northwest of Tulum and 60 kilometers (37 miles) southwest from Valladolid. The pyramid, Ixmoja, is a part of the Nohoch Mul (meaning “large hill”) group of ruins in Cobá. […]
Chichén Itzá was one of the greatest Mayan centers and a mythical wonder of the Yucatán Peninsula. There is strong evidence that the cities influence extended throughout the Mayan empire and north into central México. This ancient city was one of the largest of Mesoamerica and likely to have been one of its great mythical […]
Valladolid is slightly off the beaten path for the average traveler and is the perfect place to experience authentic Mayan culture. This charming colonial city is in the center of the Yucatán Peninsula, 160 km (99 miles) east of Mérida, 40 km (25 miles) east of Chichen Itza, and 150 km (93 miles) west of […]
The Gran Museo del Mundo Maya (or Grand Museum of the Mayan World) is a large museum dedicated to everything involved with Mayan culture from past to present. The museum is one of the highlights to the city of Mérida, the capital of the Yucatán state in southeast México. The building is considered an architectural […]
Uxmal was a powerful Mayan city that was once considered the throne of the Yucatán Peninsula, similar to that of Chichen Itza. However, I enjoyed Uxmal much more due to less visitors throughout the course of the day. The site only allows 200 visitors at a time, which creates an enjoyable and intimate experience, especially […]
Cenotes were considered the life force of the Maya’s. They were considered an entrance to the underworld while simultaneously providing access to fresh water. The definition of a cenote, according to Merriam-Webster.com, is “a deep sinkhole in limestone with a pool at the bottom.” The most popular and well-known cenotes are generally open water pools […]
Mérida is the largest city and the capital of the southeast Mexican state that holds the same name as the peninsula, Yucatán. The city was most likely nicknamed “The White City of the Yucatán” due to the number of historical buildings that are dressed in white. The buildings around them however, are quite colorful. Mérida […]
Hey! I’m Nicholas, I was born in Anchorage, Alaska but raised in Denver, Colorado. I spent my career as a bartender, but when Covid hit I knew I’d had enough. I quit my job, sold everything I own, and decided to travel the world! Join me as I backpack around the globe, hitting up bucket list destinations while discovering the hidden gems found off the beaten track!
