¡El Tour
Budget Bicycle Tours in Mexico
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More Yucatan Backroads 2019
Season 2018–2019 · all tours that season
We start and end this regular difficulty tour in Mérida. We will visit the major Mayan ruins including Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam and Cobá as well as some of the lesser known but important sites such as Mayapan, visit many cenotes, and cycle on lesser travelled roads. Colonial cities and towns like Valladolid, Izamal and Tizimin are a pleasure to spend some time in and finally we visit the rustic gulf coast, cycling between the sea and lagoons with a prevailing tailwind at our backs.
| Dates: | Fri Jan 11, 2019 to Fri Jan 25, 2019 (2 weeks - 10 cycling days) |
| Distances: | Average/day: 73km Maximum/day: 91km Total Approx: 731km |
| Route Type: | 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. Small towns, ruins, lots of cenotes, fishing villages, quiet roads, gulf coast beaches. Mérida; bustling city, colonial architecture, art, food, market. |
The Route
Itinerary
Click any day for the full description. Itineraries were always subject to minor changes.
WhenWhereDistanceHighlights
Day 0 — Fri Jan 11, 2019Meet in Mérida-
Yucatan cuisine, Colonial Architecture, Zocalo, Market [more]
Mérida, the White City, was founded in 1542. Its architecture still shows an exquisite union of pre-Hispanic and European elements. During its Colonial era, this state capital was the most important city in the region, leaving such living monuments as the House of Montejo, Government Palace, and the main building of the University of Yucatan. Museums, theatres, handcrafts, nightclubs and beautiful parks have created a beautiful and vibrant city. Once settled into our hotel room, we will experience Méridas delicious culinary tradition at one of Mérida's numerous restaurants.Day 1 — Sat Jan 12, 2019Mérida to Tekit83km
Haciendas, small towns quiet roads, Mayapan ruins [more]
On our first day of cycling we will leave the city of Merida to the south and meander along old hacienda country. There are ex-haciendas along the way, including Dzuyaxche as well as the working henequen hacienda, Sotuta de Peon. We'll be passing through several small towns on very quiet backroads. In Tecoh we'll stop for brunch, and then onward, to the important but not often visited Mayan ruins of Mayapan. Finally we ride on to Tekit. Tekit is a small Mayan-colonial town with a 16th century church, pleasant square and small market. Our comfortable hotel will be a suitable end to the first day of our adventure.Day 2 — Sun Jan 13, 2019Tekit to Izamal85 km
Rolling hills, backroads, Cuzama cenote trip [more]
We start the day on some very quiet backroads with some rolling hills. In Cuzama we will stop for a little break and the famous Cuzama cenote trip. Continuing on more quiet backroads, at the end of the day we find ourselves in the splendid colonial yellow town of Izamal.Day 3 — Mon Jan 14, 2019Izamal-
Mayan Ruins, huge pyramid, Convent, Zocalo, Market, beautiful Izamal, the best tacos in Mexico! [more]
Known as the Yellow Town because of the colour of the colonial buildings that line the zocalo, Izamal is famous for having the largest church plaza in Mexico. It includes an enormous Franciscan convent (built with Mayan stones) and the remnants of the most voluminous Mayan pyramids in the Yucatan. You can also visit the colourful market, or just stroll around the beautiful zocalo observing the daily routines of the local inhabitants.Day 4 — Tues Jan 15, 2019Izamal to Pisté (via Stilpech, Tunkas and Dzitas)71 km
Cenotes, quiet roads, small towns [more]
We'll pass through many small Mayan towns and visit as many cenotes on the way as you want! There are literally hundreds of them along this route. In Pisté we can see the light and sound show of Chichén-Itzá, and explore the ruins early tomorrow morning.Day 5 — Wed Jan 16, 2019Pisté to Valladolid (via Dzitas, Tinum, Uayma)59 km
Chichén-Itzá ruins, caves, cenotes, colonial town [more]
In the early morning we will visit the important Mayan-Toltec ruins of Chichén-Itzá, avoiding all the crowds. After that we have a pleasant ride on quiet backroads to Valladolid which is another splendid colonial gem.Day 6 — Thurs Jan 17, 2019Valladolid to Coba77km
several cenotes, Mayan villages and towns, freshly paved backroads, remote Mayan ruins of Ixhil [more]
Today we are truly on the backroads. After getting away from Valladolid, we get on some very narrow, quiet and well shaded rolling backroads. We'll cycle through some little Mayan towns and get onto a freshly paved road taking us into the state of Quintana Roo which is where we will find the little town and huge archeaological site of Cobá.Day 7 — Fri Jan 18, 2019Coba-
Coba Mayan ruins, rest day [more]
It pays to get an early start on the Coba ruins and beat the crowds. There's lots to see here so take your time. Coba boasts the Nohoch Mul, which at 42m high is the tallest Mayan structure in the Yucatan peninsula. There are also a series of 'Sacbe' which are elevated stone roads built by the Mayans. One of these, the longest, extends for 100km all the way to Yaxuna.Day 8 — Sat Jan 19, 2019Coba to Ek Balam85 km
quiet roads, elevated lookout tower, tiny Mayan village [more]
From one set of ruins to another. We ride to the impressive Mayan ruins of Ek' Balam with its unique winged sculptures. We will stay near the ruins at a beautiful eco-hotel in the forest and rest up to enjoy the ruins in the morning.Day 9 — Sun Jan 20, 2019Ek Balam to Tizimin40 km
Ek Balam Mayan ruins, short easy ride [more]
Once again, we will visit the ruins in the morning, no crowds, and no heat. From atop the 29 meter tall acropolis you can actually see Chichén Itzá and Cobá. After the ruins, a short ride takes us north to the Yucatan's livestock capital, Tizimin.Day 10 — Mon Jan 21, 2019Tizimin to Buctzotz69 km
gently rolling, prevailing tailwind [more]
Today is all about the cycling. There's not much to see along the way, passing the only town just 16km out of Tizimin, after that it's pedaling with a nice tailwind all the way to Buctzotz. Buctzotz is a typical little Mayan town where many of the townspeople make hammocks at home. In Buctzotz they specialize in extra large 'family size' hammocks.Day 11 — Tues Jan 22, 2019Buctzotz to Telchac Puerto71 km
Gulf coast, wetlands [more]
After cycling north through more small towns, we'll hit the gulf coast. Riding along the quiet coastal road we can enjoy views of the sea on the right and lagoons on the left. This is truly a spectacular day of cycling on well paved, quiet, narrow roads through some beautiful coastal wetlands.Day 12 — Wed Jan 23, 2019Telchac Puerto-
Rest day, gulf coast beaches, seafood [more]
Rest up and prepare for our grand finale longest day of the tour. In Telchac you can enjoy the great fresh seafood, and enjoy walking along the endless beaches.Day 13 — Thurs Jan 24, 2019Telchac Puerto to Merida91 km
More gulf coast, Dzibilchaltun Mayan ruins, cenote, Colonial Center, Zocalo, Market [more]
We continue along the gulf coast before turning to the south. We'll take the backroads way into Mérida, passing through several little towns and visiting the Mayan ruins of Dzibilchaltun with its most unusual and interesting cenote, Xlacah Cenote. In MeridaDay 14 — Fri Jan 25, 2019Mérida-
Stay a bit longer or fly back home [more]
Mérida, is a state capital and commercial center. It's also the cultural focal point of the entire peninsula. Tourists are attracted to the history and beauty of this vibrant city. Its colonial center, Centro Colonial, is busy with Maya men and women in traditional dress. College students lounging at nearby cafes and businessmen and women rushing to their offices. Meridians enjoy long, leisurely promenades in the zocalo. The zocalo's clock tower chimes 4 times an hour and dawn and dusk are greeted by a flag ceremony, accompanied by the music of a military band. Nearby you will be able to visit venerable old churches like the yellow cathedral with its twin towers containing what is claimed to be the second largest crucifix in the world. There is also the Palacio de Gobierno with its stairway painting depicting the Maya belief that humanity comes from maize. Under the balcony of the Palacio Municipal concerts and classes in jarana, a Yucatan colonial dance, take place. The nearby market or Mercado is huge, noisy, colourful and crowded. Anything you might want to buy can be found there or even made for you while you wait. Of special interest are the famous Yucatan hammocks. There are numerous museums and parks to visit as well as a never-ending series of free music and dance events to attend each day of the week.Photo Album
