¡El Tour
Budget Bicycle Tours in Mexico
www.BikeMexico.com
The Complete Archive · 2000–2020
Beyond the Mayan Riviera 2006
Season 2005–2006 · all tours that season
Cancun to colonial Mérida with lots of beaches, night life, Mayan ruins and past and present culture along the way. This is LITE - REGULAR difficulty tour starts off the same as our classic "Yucatan's Beaches & Ruins" (see below), but the second week is a little more challenging and focuses on the many Mayan ruins of the Puuc Hills region.
Archive note: NEW tour.
| Dates: | Mon Jan 9, 2006 to Sun Jan 22, 2006 (2 weeks - 10 cycling days) |
| Distances: | Average/day: 67km Maximum/day: 118km Total Approx: 670km |
| Route Type: | LITELite DifficultyYou must have a basic level of fitness and at least aspire to be able to complete the distances in this tour (we know you can!). Distances average around 60 km, and are always less the 100 km per day. Roads are flat and generally not demanding.REGULARRegular DifficultyA good level of fitness is required. Distances average around 50 - 80 km per day (depending on hills), and are always less than 120 km. Roads range from flat to very hilly. We may climb up to 1500 metres on a hard day.WeatherThe Weather: Yucatan PeninsulaThe Yucatan's best weather is during our winter months. From November till March the temperature hovers in the mid 20's to the mid 30's (celcius) with sunny clear skies. Humidity levels can be high as we head inland but a warm steady breeze and the occasional but rare tropical thunderstorm will keep you feeling refreshed.RoadThe Road: Yucatan PeninsulaThe Yucatan's roads are considered the finest in Mexico. They are generally in excellent condition with even, paved surfaces. Some stretches of our route also include a paved shoulder. The route meanders along flat terrain with the occasional rolling section. In most places traffic is light to non-existent. Depending on the time of day, roads may be busy near towns such as Cancun, Valladolid and Merida, however drivers are generally respectful of cyclists and will give you as much room as possible.LandThe Land: Yucatan PeninsulaThe Yucatan peninsula at the south eastern tip of Mexico is comprised of three states, Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo. The peninsula is a massive, flat carbonate - limestone shelf formed by prehistoric high sea levels. Too porous to support a river system, fresh water accumulates underground forming an extensive subterranean river network. Where the erosive process has broken through the earth's surface, cenotes (se-no-tes; limestone sinkholes or pools) have formed. Erosion has also formed numerous caves, some of them enormous and accessible to tourists. The peninsula's landscape is covered by thorn forest in the north and rain jungle in the south. |
| Highlights: | Real Mexican-Yucatecan culture. 'Mayan Riviera' on the Caribbean coast. Small towns, ruins, cenotes, fishing villages, quiet roads, beaches. Mérida; bustling city, colonial architecture, haciendas, art, food, market. |
The Route
Itinerary
Itineraries were always subject to minor changes.
WhenWhereDistanceHighlights
Day 0Meet in Cancun-Hotel Zone (Beaches, Bars, Discos, Clubs), Mainland Town
Day 1Cancun to Puerto Morelos53 kmSnorkeling, Scuba-Diving, Beach, Camping Possible
Day 2Puerto Morelos to Playa del Carmen37 kmBeach, Scuba-Diving, Snorkeling
Day 3Playa del Carmen to Tulum61-74 kmCenotes, caves, beach, camping possible
Day 4Tulum-Beach, snorkel, Scuba-Diving, Tulum ruins, camping possible
Day 5Tulum to Cobá55 kmMayan Ruins, Cenotes, Quiet Small Town
Day 6Cobá to Valladolid62 kmCenote Zací, Zocalo, Churches, Parks, Market
Day 7Valladolid to Izamal105 kmCenotes, small towns, quiet roads
Day 8Izamal-Mayan Ruins, Convent, Zocalo, Market
Day 9Izamal to Oxcutzcab118 kmQuiet roads, no tourists, cenotes
Day 10Oxcutzcab to Santa Elena (Ruta Puuc)52 kmLoltún caves, Ruta Puuc Mayan ruins, quiet road
Day 11Santa Elena to Ticul44 kmFamous Uxmal Mayan ruins.
Day 12Ticul to Mérida83 kmMayan villages, Cenotes, Haciendas.
Day 13Mérida-Colonial Center, Zocalo, Market. Stay a bit longer or bus back to Cancun to fly back home
What it cost that season
| Guides' Fee | + Accommodations | + Food & Drink | + Misc. | = Approx. Total Land Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | $185 | $170 | $180 | $1,035 |
All figures in US dollars, as published at the time. Riders paid their own accommodation, food and entrance fees on the road — the Guides' Fee was the only charge from ¡El Tour. Full history: price of Beyond the Mayan Riviera through the years.
Photo Album
