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3 weeks round trip - February 2017

We set off from Cancún in a rental car and first explore the Yucatán Peninsula: Mayan sights and colonial towns. Having our own car is a good decision, as we can always stop at the cenotes and refresh ourselves. At the end of the trip, we enjoy a week of Caribbean serenity in Belize.

Mexico and Belize as travel destinations

Mexico and Belize are generally easy to travel to - even with your own rental car. No special vaccinations are required.

However, crime is an issue in Mexico. The problem is concentrated in other parts of the country. But the frequent military roadblocks show that the situation on the Yucatán is not entirely without danger. In Belize, there are problems mainly in the larger cities. We experienced a very relaxed atmosphere. The official language, English, is of course an advantage.

Flag of Mexico
Flag of Belize
Temple pyramid of Kukulcán in Chichén Itzá
Mayan mask temple Lamanai
Mayan temple in Tulum
Mask temple Lamanai in Belize
Pyramid in Uxmal Mexico
Mayan pyramid in Uxmal Palenque

Mayan sites

On the Yucatán Peninsula and in Belize, there are numerous ruins of the Mayan culture, which disappeared in the 10th century. The temple pyramid of Kukulcán in the ruined city of Chichén Itzá is one of the most famous. It is very inspiring to stroll through the remains of this ancient civilization.

Cenote with blue water
Roots growing in cenote
Cenote on the Yucatán Peninsula
Cenote with roots

Cenotes

There are over six thousand cenotes on the Yucatán Peninsula. These are underground watercourses that have formed in limestone holes and are filled with crystal-clear fresh water. An entrance is created by the collapse of cave ceilings. Jumping into a cenote is super refreshing.

Black iguana in Mexico
Howler monkey in Belize
Colorful bird green jay
Black iguana at Chichén Itzá

Exotic animals

Of course, there are also exotic animals in this corner of the world. The innocent-looking howler monkeys in particular made a big impression with their noise.

Mural in Orange Walk Belize
Small store in Belize
Tree with perching plants
Beautiful house in Belize
Mural in Caye Caulker
Street scene on Caye Caulker

Belize

Things are much more relaxed in Belize than in Mexico. We visited Orange Walk with the Mayan site of Lamanai and the island of Caye Caulker, which welcomes visitors with the motto “go slow”.

Merida in capital letters
Main square in Merida
Colonial building in Campeche
Historic center of Campeche

Colonial towns on the Yucatán

There are beautiful colonial cities on the peninsula, such as Mérida, Valladolid and Campeche. The architecture of the Spanish colonial rulers is well preserved and bears witness to the wealth of days gone by.