Yan’s longtime interest in archeology and the kids’ online Spanish classes were really what catalyzed this trip into existence. During the pandemic, Daphney had the opportunity to transition to Spanish immersion with a teacher in Mexico, and we kept up these classes with various teachers, all based in Cancún. So eventually we decided: we should go visit the teachers in person. While we’re there, we would tour the ruins of the Yucatán.
We landed on Monday, picked up our car, checked in at The Westin Lagunamar, and then wandered across the street to Jugo de Limón for dinner. From the restaurant deck, we watched dolphins swimming around the pool below. The kids were excited about finally meeting their teachers.
Tuesday morning, after relaxing by the pool, we headed out of Cancún. Our first stop was Mérida. This charming city became our base while we explored Cenotes Hacienda Mucuyché the next day. Jayden and I snorkeled, though the experience terrified him. Nearby Uxmal, however, was a delight for the kids; they could climb up and down the ruins.
We made a brief stop in Izamal Thursday afternoon, visiting the main yellow square and the promenade. Hacienda Sacnicte ended up being our favorite place to stay on the trip. It’s a sprawling property, and our room with a four-poster bed felt like it was fitting for royalty.
Chichén Itzá is grand, but the crowds and the heat overwhelmed us. Ek Balam, in contrast, felt more intimate and kid-friendly. Here they actually allowed us to climb the ruins, all the way to the top of the main pyramid. That night, we stayed in Valladolid, and dinner at Ix Cat Ik featured local Mayan cuisine at its best.
On Saturday we arrived at the Cobá ruins. Pressed for time, we hired bikes. After a quick but efficient visit, we stopped by the roadside Gran Cenote. This time both kids joined me. Daphney did fine, but Jayden remained half-terrified. After that we headed to the Tulum Archaeological Zone, only to find it closed, even though we arrived before closing time. So instead, we found a Chinese noodle joint, which we enjoyed while sitting on low stools under a tarp as a light rain fell around and onto us.
We devoted all of Sunday to Xcaret Park. In the park’s protected lagoon, I was finally able to get Jayden to relax and actually snorkel. The highlight for the kids, though, was the evening extravaganza show.
For our last full day, we drove back to the Tulum. The weather started out fine, but suddenly, we were caught in torrential rain. Completely drenched, we changed by our car and drove to Royalton Splash Riviera Cancún. We wanted to try an all-inclusive resort, which the kids liked. The highlight was tubing down the lazy river.
For this trip, we loved being able to connect face-to-face with their Spanish teachers and to visit so many remarkable sites along the way.
Arriving at Cancun airportFamily picture at the Royalton Splash CancunGrabbing banana and to go lunch from the lobby cafeFloating down the lazy riverWaterpark at the Royalton SplashWaterpark at the Royalton SplashWaterpark at the Royalton SplashWatching The Lion King at the Royalton SplashHotel buffetHotel buffetHotel buffetAt the Royalton Splash CancunAt the Royalton Splash CancunAt the Royalton Splash CancunTulum ruinsTulum ruinsWalking among the Tulum ruinsTulum ruinsAt Tulum, overlooking the seaTulum ruinsFeeding Myles in our hotel roomMexican cultural showMexican cultural showMexican cultural showDanza de los VoladoresDanza de los VoladoresImage of the VirginMayan fire ball gameMayan actors with torch lightMayan actors with torch lightMayan actors with torch lightBefore the Mexican regional dance showMyles eating lemon popsicleIguana at XcaretSea turtleAquarium fish at XcaretAquarium fish at XcaretAquarium fish at XcaretAquarium fish at XcaretJellyfishFloating down the underground riverFloating down the underground riverSnorkeling at XcaretSnorkeling at XcaretSnorkeling at XcaretSnorkeling at XcaretSnorkeling at XcaretSnorkeling at XcaretSnorkeling at XcaretRelaxing in the hammocksRelaxing in the hammocksRelaxing in the hammocksRelaxing in the hammocksLooking up at the coconut palmsRelaxing in the hammocksRelaxing in the hammocksRelaxing in the hammocksRelaxing in the hammocksSnorkeling at XcaretSnorkeling at XcaretVegan tacos, chips, and tres leches cakeVegan tacos, chips, and tres leches cakeLooking at the panther exhibitSwallowtail butterflyLearning about butterfly habitatLearning about butterfly habitatIn the aviaryIn the aviaryMacawFlamingoAt the entrance to XcaretMarquesita filled with cream cheese and sliced kiwi with condensed milkChile poblano relleno de zanahoria, chayote, calabaza local, granos
de elote, brócoli, chicharos y quinoa, acompañado de rebanadas de
aguacate y arroz integral, bañado con salsa de frijoles negros y chipotleCon costra de ajonjolí y pimienta, servido con papas salteadas y jitomate cherry con aderezo de yogurt y eneldo, envuelto en hoja de plátano con aceite de oliva y lima, acompañado
con ensalada de lentejas y puré de plátano macho asadoEnjoying grapefruit juiceLunch at Wang TulumNoodles and wontonsNoodles and wontonsLunch at Wang TulumNoodles and wontonsLunch at Wang TulumMeso-American slider turtles at Gran CenoteSnorkeling in Gran CenoteSnorkeling in Gran CenoteSnorkeling in Gran CenoteSnorkeling in Gran CenoteSnorkeling in Gran CenoteSnorkeling in Gran CenoteSnorkeling in Gran CenoteMeso-American slider turtle at Gran CenoteMeso-American slider turtles at Gran CenoteIguana by Gran CenoteMain Coba pyramidRiding in the tricycle at CobaObservation tower at CobaOn the Coba ruinsBall court at CobaMayan calendarOn the Coba ruinsRiding in the tricycle at CobaRooftop breakfast at Hotel AuroraPlumeria at Hotel AuroraRooftop breakfast at Hotel AuroraRooftop breakfast at Hotel AuroraTop bunk at Hotel HipilCathedral of ValladolidOutside our room at Hotel HiplCalabash tree (jícara) growing in the courtyard of Hotel HipilOutside our room at Hotel HiplCalabaza local sofrito con vegetales, tortilla gordita, crema de semilla de calabazaPescado asado, hoja santa, achiote, naranja agria, chiles, tomate, cebollaTortilla gordita con achiote, chiltomate, semilla calabaza tostadoMaking pumpkin seed salsaMaking pumpkin seed salsaDinner at Mayan restaurant Ix Cat IkClimbing the Ek Balam ruinsClimbing the Ek Balam ruinsFamily picture on the Ek Balam ruinsClimbing the Ek Balam ruinsClimbing the Ek Balam ruinsMyles looking at Yan climbing the pyramidClimbing down Ek BalamClimbing down Ek BalamView from the top of Ek BalamView from the top of Ek BalamClimbing up Ek BalamClimbing up Ek BalamMyles in front of Ek Balam pyramidChichen Itza pyramidBall court at Chichen ItzaWalking in the field at Chichen ItzaDaphney with the stone serpent of Chichen ItzaSerpent head at Chichen ItzaWalking by the main pyramidIguana at Chichen ItzaMyles looking at the iguanaChichen Itza pyramidFamily picture at Hacienda SacnicteJayden on the swingGetting ready to leave Hacienda SacnicteAvocado toastEggs, black beans, plaintains, queso frescoHacienda porchMorning photo, ready for breakfastMorning photo, ready for breakfastPlantains growing at Hacienda SacnicteSmall pyramid at Hacienda SacnicteSmall pyramid at Hacienda SacnicteEntrance to Hacienda SacnicteMyles still awake in the bedCheesecakeEnchiladaTeriyaki salmonCauliflower tacosGuacamolePlaying in Hacienda SacnicteKids on the couchRoom at Hacienda SacnicteCandles to MaryChurch facade and bellsFamily picture in the Izamal promenadeFamily picture in the Izamal promenadeUp the ramp of yellow city IzamalMerida city centerMerida city centerCathedral of MeridaTres piezas rellenas de quesillo servidos con cremoso de longaniza de ValladolidDinner at Micaela Mar y Lena RestaurantMain Uxmal pyramidCourtyard detailsCourtyard detailsUxmal courtyardUxmal courtyardUxmal courtyardFamily picture on top of the platformFamily picture on top of the platformMain Uxmal pyramidClimbing up to the platformMyles at the top of the platformMyles at the top of the platformBall court at UxmalMain Uxmal pyramidMain Uxmal pyramidLunch at Cenotes Hacienda MucuychéCenotes Hacienda MucuychéCenotes Hacienda MucuychéCenotes Hacienda MucuychéCenotes Hacienda MucuychéCenotes Hacienda MucuychéSnorkeling in a cenoteSnorkeling in a cenoteYan and Myles in the haciendaCart, with rope made from sisalProcessing sisalHacienda archesFamily picture in a haciendaWalking to our carReading the Bible and guidebookIn the courtyard of Restaurante AmaroIn the courtyard of Restaurante AmaroIn the courtyard of Restaurante AmaroIn the courtyard of Restaurante AmaroLooking out of our room in MeridaAke ruinsTrash being burned outside of Ake's ruinsJayden by the Ake ruinsSwimming in the Westin's infinity poolSwimming in the Westin's infinity poolSwimming in the Westin's infinity poolSwimming in the Westin's infinity poolOn the beach in CancunOn the beach in CancunOn the beach in CancunOn the beach in CancunOn the beach in CancunMyles on the hotel bedKids with Spanish teachers Carmen (and Kai) and AngelJayden in the Nissan
Colossians 3:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
