Yucatán's Beaches & Ruins 2001-02 (2nd departure)

The first departure sold out (seven riders), so a second one was mounted — three more riders, and the young company's first double-booking of a route.

The 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, traffic can occasionally become 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.

The Yucatan's best weather is during our winter months. From November till March the temperature hovers in the mid to high 20's with sunny clear skies. Humidity levels can be high as we head inland but a warm steady breeze and the occasional but rare tropical rainstorm will keep you feeling refreshed.

The Yucatan peninsula at the south eastern tip of Mexico is comprised of three states, Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo. The peninsula is a flat, massive 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. The scent of jungle flowers fills the air and exotic birds fly through the bush. As a result of the peninsula's isolation and lack of development, birds and animals are thriving. The "land of the turkey and deer" is home to exotic creatures such as peccaries, tapirs, manatees, iguanas, crocodiles, armadillos, snakes, and jaguars. The northern Gulf Coast's huge wetlands contain a stunning variety of aquatic birds. Migrating birds and butterflies make the wetlands their home.

The Yucatan is home to some of the friendliest people on earth. A large percentage of the population is Maya. They are small in stature with facial features that resemble the North American Indians. They speak their own native tongue as well as Spanish. The largest proportion of the peninsula's inhabitants is mestizo; descendents of both Spanish and Indigenous blood-lines.

This tour in other seasons: 2002–2003 | 2003–2004 | 2005–2006