Backroads to the Beach 2011

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.

We'll pass through many small Mayan villages and ex-haciendas. There are also some cenotes to be discovered along the way.

We have a short day of cycling today to give us ample time to explore the deservedly famous Uxmal Mayan ruin. Of course the get there we have to get over the ridge of the Puuc hills, and it's a good little climb. We end the day in a beautiful eco-hotel in Santa Elena.

Take a walk around the beautiful eco-paradise that we're staying in. Learn about the native trees and other flora. Spot some exotic birds if you can. Relax. Take a walk into town, climb up to the church and watch the sun set into a sea of green forests.

Today we will ride the Puuc route along a winding road through rolling terrain, stopping along the way to visit a number of different Mayan ruins, including Kabah, Labna and Sayil. We will then visit the beautiful restored ex-hacienda Tabi and then continue on to Oxcutzcab.

Today we ride long the backroads through ever more hilly terrain to Tekax, a colonial Mayan town with 16th and 17th century churches.

We will meaner along some beautiful narrow, quiet backroads today on our longest day of cycling, taking us to the small Mayan town of Tekit.

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.

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.

There are many cenotes and caves to visit along the way. An option detour will take us to the town of Cenotillo where there are even more cenotes and caves. In Pisté we can see the light and sound show of Chichén-Itzá, and explore the ruins early tomorrow morning.

More backroads take us to the little visited village of Ek Balam where we'll stay at a community run eco-hotel. No rush to visit the Mayan ruins - there's a rest day tomorrow.

Explore the impressive Mayan ruins of Ek' Balam with its unique winged sculptures and visit the nearby cenote. Enjoy living within nature at our community run eco-hotel in the forest and check out the lookout tower.

Another day, another bunch of backroads. Today we end up in the little village of Coba, rest up, the ruins are first thing tomorrow morning!

We'll visit Coba Mayan ruins first thing in the morning, and then cycle on to Tulum. Deep in the jungle, Cobá is the site of an ancient Mayan city whose ruins (an estimated 6500 buildings) are for the most part still covered by dense jungle vegetation. Covering over 10 square kilometers, unexcavated remnants are beginning to emerge from countless hill-like mounds. To reach the only recently uncovered ruins, you will make your way along tunnel-like trails, through the dense jungle. Beautiful birds, spider monkeys rustling the tops of trees, lizards slithering out of your way, as well as fragrant plants and flowers will make your stay here unforgettable.

Bus back to Mérida or Cancun to fly back home or stick around for a bit. It's best to tour the ruins first thing in the morning before the tourists and the heat overwhelm. Its graying temples and watchtower rise above wind-bent palm trees clinging to a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

After the ruins, why not go for a scuba dive or a snorkel, or perhaps you'd like to learn how to dive?