Yucatan Peninsula

If you are looking for a great place to visit in Mexican, you might want to consider the Yucatan peninsula.  Here, you will discover an interesting combination of modern nightclubs and restaurants along with ancient ruins.  The peninsula separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea, which is comprised of three specific Mexico territories to include Blize, El Peten, and Guatemala.  The Yucatan peninsula coordinates with influence of pre-Columbian Mayan civilization, consisting of Maya and Mestizos people. 

Today, many of the people living in the Yucatan peninsula region still speak the Maya languages.  Interestingly, the name Yucatan is also the name of 31 states within the country of Mexico, which are located to the north of the peninsula.  Then, it also refers to the three states of the peninsula, which includes Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatan.  For instance, the Campeche state is located in the southwest portion of the state while Quintana Roo is to the east and southeast. 

The state of Yucatan is also comprised of other cities to include Izamal, Mani, Motul, Muna, Progreso, Tekax, Ticul, Tizimin, Uman, and Valladolid, among many smaller villages.  However, for the tourist industry, the ruins of the Mayan civilization are what make this such an exciting place to visit.  For example, you could go to ruins such as Acanceh, Ake, Chacmultun, Chichen Itza, Dzibilichaltun, Kabah, Labna, Mayapan, Sayil, Uxmal, and finally, Yaxuna. 

Prior to the Spanish coming to the Yucatan peninsula area, the Maya Indians called this region home.  Many archeologists have uncovered important finds that give us an important look into this ancient civilization.  In fact, many of the pieces are believed to be ceremonial that date back some 3,000 years.  Over the years, the Mayan civilization flourished but as the Spanish came, many of the cities collapsed.  These ruins are among those you can visit while at the peninsula. 

For centuries, the Chichen Itza lords ruled until 1221 but at that time, there was a serious revolt and the result was the start of a civil war.  Soon after, the lords established a capital within the walled city of Mayapan but the controlling Cocom family got involved with a revolt in 1441, which resulted in the city being burned down.  With that, Yucatan separated into a number of smaller states.  From that time forward, many battles broke out but when Mexico won its independence in February 1821, the Yucatan became a part of the liberated country, although that right would be retracted but eventually reinstated in 1843. 

Today, as you visit the Yucatan Peninsula, you will enjoy visiting the many museums that help piece together the rich history of the people and the struggles they endured.  At one time, many incredible museums proudly displayed artifacts from this era but heavy looting took place, bringing some of those museums to a halt.  However, the museums still there are very impressive and informative, although most of the signs and information is in Spanish. 

One such museum is in the city of Cancun called Museo de Antropologia e Historia, which will take about and hour to walk through.  Then in Merida, you can visit two different museums, as well as a wonderful zoo that features many native animals.  The museums are called Museo Regional de Antropologia and Museo Nacional de Arte Popular and the zoo, Hacienda Yaxcopoil. 

A few other locations well worth the visit include Chichen Itza, Xcaret, Dzibilchaltun, and Campeche.  In Chichen Itza, the museum is small but it does feature some very interesting artifacts.  Then when you visit Xcaret, you will find a great museum that has many different models of ruin sites.  In Xcaret, you can also find great places to swim.  Then in Dzibilchaltfun, the small museum is a great hour visit where you will find large statues and other interesting objects. 

Finally, the city of Campeche is home to two museums.  The first is in the main square of the city where there are numerous steles but without signs to advertise the location, it can be a little hard to find.  This museum is called Museo de Estelas Maya and to walk through takes about 30 minutes.  Finally, there is the Fuerte de San Miguel just south of the Plaza that features some amazing pottery pieces.