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.
Arrival, Cancún, Mérida, and Uxmal
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.
Arriving at Cancun airportJayden in the NissanKids with Spanish teachers Carmen (and Kai) and AngelMyles on the hotel bedOn the beach in CancunOn the beach in CancunOn the beach in CancunOn the beach in CancunOn the beach in CancunSwimming in the Westin’s infinity poolSwimming in the Westin’s infinity poolSwimming in the Westin’s infinity poolSwimming in the Westin’s infinity poolJayden by the Ake ruinsTrash being burned outside of Ake’s ruinsAke ruinsLooking out of our room in MeridaIn the courtyard of Restaurante AmaroIn the courtyard of Restaurante AmaroIn the courtyard of Restaurante AmaroIn the courtyard of Restaurante AmaroReading the Bible and guidebookWalking to our carFamily picture in a haciendaHacienda archesProcessing sisalCart, with rope made from sisalYan and Myles in the haciendaSnorkeling in a cenoteSnorkeling in a cenoteCenotes Hacienda MucuychéCenotes Hacienda MucuychéCenotes Hacienda MucuychéCenotes Hacienda MucuychéCenotes Hacienda MucuychéLunch at Cenotes Hacienda MucuychéMain Uxmal pyramidMain Uxmal pyramidBall court at UxmalMyles at the top of the platformMyles at the top of the platformClimbing up to the platformMain Uxmal pyramidFamily picture on top of the platformFamily picture on top of the platformUxmal courtyardUxmal courtyardUxmal courtyardCourtyard detailsCourtyard detailsMain Uxmal pyramidDinner at Micaela Mar y Lena RestaurantTres piezas rellenas de quesillo servidos con cremoso de longaniza de ValladolidCathedral of MeridaMerida city centerMerida city center
Izamal, Chichén Itzá, Ek Balam, and Cobá
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.
Up the ramp of yellow city IzamalFamily picture in the Izamal promenadeFamily picture in the Izamal promenadeChurch facade and bellsCandles to MaryRoom at Hacienda SacnicteKids on the couchPlaying in Hacienda SacnicteGuacamoleCauliflower tacosTeriyaki salmonEnchiladaCheesecakeMyles still awake in the bedEntrance to Hacienda SacnicteSmall pyramid at Hacienda SacnicteSmall pyramid at Hacienda SacnictePlantains growing at Hacienda SacnicteMorning photo, ready for breakfastMorning photo, ready for breakfastHacienda porchEggs, black beans, plaintains, queso frescoAvocado toastGetting ready to leave Hacienda SacnicteJayden on the swingFamily picture at Hacienda SacnicteChichen Itza pyramidMyles looking at the iguanaIguana at Chichen ItzaWalking by the main pyramidSerpent head at Chichen ItzaDaphney with the stone serpent of Chichen ItzaWalking in the field at Chichen ItzaBall court at Chichen ItzaChichen Itza pyramidMyles in front of Ek Balam pyramidClimbing up Ek BalamClimbing up Ek BalamView from the top of Ek BalamView from the top of Ek BalamClimbing down Ek BalamClimbing down Ek BalamMyles looking at Yan climbing the pyramidClimbing the Ek Balam ruinsClimbing the Ek Balam ruinsFamily picture on the Ek Balam ruinsClimbing the Ek Balam ruinsClimbing the Ek Balam ruinsDinner at Mayan restaurant Ix Cat IkMaking pumpkin seed salsaMaking pumpkin seed salsaTortilla gordita con achiote, chiltomate, semilla calabaza tostadoPescado asado, hoja santa, achiote, naranja agria, chiles, tomate, cebollaCalabaza local sofrito con vegetales, tortilla gordita, crema de semilla de calabazaOutside our room at Hotel HiplCalabash tree (jícara) growing in the courtyard of Hotel HipilOutside our room at Hotel HiplCathedral of ValladolidTop bunk at Hotel HipilRooftop breakfast at Hotel AuroraRooftop breakfast at Hotel AuroraPlumeria at Hotel AuroraRooftop breakfast at Hotel AuroraRiding in the tricycle at CobaOn the Coba ruinsMayan calendarBall court at CobaOn the Coba ruinsObservation tower at CobaRiding in the tricycle at CobaMain Coba pyramidIguana by Gran CenoteMeso-American slider turtles at Gran CenoteMeso-American slider turtle 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 turtles at Gran CenoteLunch at Wang TulumNoodles and wontonsLunch at Wang TulumNoodles and wontonsNoodles and wontonsLunch at Wang TulumEnjoying grapefruit juiceCon 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 asadoChile 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 chipotleMarquesita filled with cream cheese and sliced kiwi with condensed milk
Xcaret Park, Tulum, and Royalton Splash
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.
At the entrance to XcaretFlamingoMacawIn the aviaryIn the aviaryLearning about butterfly habitatLearning about butterfly habitatSwallowtail butterflyLooking at the panther exhibitVegan tacos, chips, and tres leches cakeVegan tacos, chips, and tres leches cakeSnorkeling 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 XcaretSnorkeling at XcaretSnorkeling at XcaretSnorkeling at XcaretSnorkeling at XcaretSnorkeling at XcaretFloating down the underground riverFloating down the underground riverJellyfishAquarium fish at XcaretAquarium fish at XcaretAquarium fish at XcaretAquarium fish at XcaretSea turtleIguana at XcaretMyles eating lemon popsicleBefore the Mexican regional dance showMayan actors with torch lightMayan actors with torch lightMayan actors with torch lightMayan fire ball gameImage of the VirginDanza de los VoladoresDanza de los VoladoresMexican cultural showMexican cultural showMexican cultural showFeeding Myles in our hotel roomTulum ruinsAt Tulum, overlooking the seaTulum ruinsWalking among the Tulum ruinsTulum ruinsTulum ruinsAt the Royalton Splash CancunAt the Royalton Splash CancunAt the Royalton Splash CancunHotel buffetHotel buffetHotel buffetWatching The Lion King at the Royalton SplashWaterpark at the Royalton SplashWaterpark at the Royalton SplashWaterpark at the Royalton SplashFloating down the lazy riverGrabbing banana and to go lunch from the lobby cafeFamily picture at the Royalton Splash Cancun
