Individual Rental Car Tour through Mexico on Yucatán - INTI Tours

It takes less than an hour to reach Tulum via the coastal road of the Riviera Maya. The small but beautiful Mayan site of Tulum is certainly one of the most beautiful in the country - not least because of its extremely romantic location directly on the sea. The fortress proudly presents itself on rocks above the turquoise-blue Caribbean Sea. It was from here that Spaniards saw the "castle" and town of Tulum in 1518, which - unlike many other Mayan sites in Yucatán - was still inhabited and full of life. Tulum was and is protected on three sides by a thick wall, the fourth "wall" being the sea with the Maya coral reef near the coast. The bay below the excavation is a great place for a swim with a magnificent backdrop. The beach at Tulum is particularly beautiful and wide and not heavily populated. The hotel zone is formed over a length of a good ten kilometres by a few dozen smaller, mainly cabaña-style hotels. Tulum is thus the quietest and perhaps most romantic option of the three more important beach resorts - Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Even unique nature experiences such as watching a sea turtle lay its eggs at night can be experienced here in the appropriate months. The actual town of Tulum is connected to the hotel zone on the beach about five km away by an asphalted road and can be reached by shuttle bus, taxi or rental bicycle. On your remaining day, enjoy the sun and relax on the beach.

Passing Felipe Carrillo Puerto, you will drive in less than three hours to Bacalar, which is located 40 km north of the border with the dwarf state of Belize. Those zigzag carvings of some trees along the way were made by the "chicleros" (rubber sap collectors). The picturesque lagoon of Bacalar is located about 40 kilometres north of Chetumal on the border to Belize and is considered an insider tip away from the masses. The turquoise-blue, warm, calm and shallow water of the lagoon invites you to swim. Many locals refer to the lake as the "lagoon of seven colours" because on a clear day you can distinguish seven different shades of blue. These seven hues are created by the seven cenotes (breakthroughs in the limestone cover to underground water systems) that form the lake. A fort in the village - now a museum - commemorates the attacks by English pirates and Mayan rebels.

At the southern end of Bacalar (in the direction of Chetumal), right next to the main road, is the Cenote Azul. (There is another cenote of the same name near Tulum.) This natural pool measures about 200 metres in diameter and is thus at least one of the largest cenotes ever. Divers want to dive down more than 90 metres to its bottom. The cenote is only separated from the lake by a piece of earth or limestone about 100 metres wide. The Cenote Azul offers a refreshing swim in fresh water. Access to this "pool" is via the restaurant at its edge, which also serves passable food and drinks. A diving tower is built on the roof of the restaurant. The small fishing village of Majahual with only about 200 inhabitants is located a little over 100 km northwest of Bacalar on the Costa Maya. The sunny white sandy beaches of Majahual are ideal for relaxing, the crystal clear water is always warm and a paradise for snorkellers. The Caribbean Sea off Majahual is home to sea turtles, dolphins, seahorses, manta rays and countless reef fish, among others. Diving tours are also offered to the famous Banco Chinchorro reef. The cruise terminal "Puerto Costa Maya", one kilometre away, is to blame for the fact that the image of the tranquil village changes considerably at times when it is flooded with cruise tourists. Kohunlich, a Mayan site that can be attributed primarily to the Early Classical period (250 - 600 AD), is worth a visit of at least an hour for several reasons: Firstly, there are the buildings and their decoration, especially the famous almost two-metre-high stucco masks at the building of the masks named after them, which probably represent sun god faces. The stucco faces are in excellent condition because this building had been built over so that the decoration was protected. On the other hand, it is also the nature experience that attracts people here, because Kohunlich is surrounded by copal, rubber and gum trees as well as mighty kapok trees, which provide a habitat for toucans, parrots, the pheasant-like chachalacas and many other birds as well as howler monkeys.

You will cross the Yucatan Peninsula in the south towards Calakmul, where you will travel for about three hours. The archaeological site of Calakmul is one of the largest in the country, but is usually not visited - not least because of its remote location. You will drive a good 60 kilometres on the narrow country road into the rainforest towards the border with Guatemala, where it ends. The temple complex is still in a very natural state and thus stands in stark contrast to the completely renovated towns of Palenque, Uxmal or Chichén Itzá. In Calakmul, most of the building structures are still occupied by lush rainforest vegetation, and only the tops of the highest temples that can be climbed look out of the forest. Expect to spend a good two hours visiting Calakmul. At the entrance to the Calakmul Biosphere (60 kilometres before the actual excavation) is the jungle doge Calakmul, where you will spend tonight. Although you are "in the middle of nowhere", you will find all the amenities here - even if some of them are somewhat improvised.

You leave Calakmul heading west and reach Escarcega after a good hour's drive. From there, you continue parallel to the Gulf Coast to Palenque, where you arrive after another four hours. The drive is varied and mostly goes through areas dominated by agriculture. Palenque was strategically located at the transition between the foothills of the Chiapas highlands and the wide plain towards the Gulf coast. Certainly influenced by this location, the city-state experienced its heyday under King Pakal and his successor and son Na Balom in the 7th century AD. Most of the magnificently renovated buildings today, such as the Temple of the Inscriptions, where Pakal found his resting place, as well as the palace complex and the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Cross, date to this glorious time, when Palenque dominated large regions of what is now Chiapas. A two to three hour visit begins at the central plaza and continues through the ball court along the jungle trail to the regional museum.

The waterfalls of Agua Azul, located 60 kilometres from Palenque, can be reached in about an hour via the winding road. Over a distance of several kilometres, the terrace falls make their way through the rainforest. You can take a refreshing dip at marked spots. The picture-book cascades of Agua Azul - "Blue Water" - are one of Mexico's absolute nature highlights that you should see, despite the "tourist hype" on Sundays and holidays. Over a stretch of several kilometres, the Tulijá River, which flows over several limestone terraces, finds its way through the rainforest. The water is only a beautiful green-blue when it has not rained heavily for a long time, otherwise the river is a churning brown - but with all the more water mass, which has its charm. You can take a refreshing dip at marked spots. From Agua Azul, the ride becomes winding. In about three hours you overcome almost 2,000 metres in altitude. The stage goes from the tropical humid rainforest with lush jungle vegetation to much more temperate areas of the highlands of Chiapas, where coniferous forests dominate the landscape. Probably the most beautiful city in Chiapas - San Cristobal - is located at an altitude of over 2,000 metres above sea level, and in winter it can get quite chilly here at night. The city and its sphere of influence is one of the most culturally interesting regions in Mexico - dozens of ethnic groups can be found here. Visitors get a nice insight into the colourful mix at San Cristobal's central market. On the way there from the main square is the Santo Domingo Church, decorated with magnificent stucco. In the evening, events are usually held in the Casa de las Culturas; or you can take advantage of the pedestrian zone, where there are excellent restaurants, for a stroll.

The indigenous villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan, located 8 and 15 kilometres from San Cristobal respectively, offer an insight into the life of the Tzotzil indigenous people. In Zinacantan, you are often approached in the church square by children who invite visitors to their homes. When visiting the family, you can buy handicrafts and try posch, a local high-proof speciality. San Juan Chamula is "mystical": men and women wear smocks made of fur. The village elders and sage council members are recognisable by their white coats. In the village church, chickens are sacrificed to heal the sick and drive out evil spirits. Photography is strictly forbidden in the church, but the experience is sure to remain etched in your mind for a long time. The caves of Rancho Nuevo are located 8 kilometres from San Cristobal (in the direction of Palenque or Montebello). The cave system, which is several kilometres long, can be entered up to about 1.5 kilometres into the mountain.

From the climatically temperate highlands of Chiapas, you will drive in about an hour to Sumidero Canyon, located just outside Tuxtla. The Sumidero Canyon is certainly one of the most important natural spectacles of the Mexican southeast. On an approx. 1.5-hour boat tour along the Grivalva River, you will explore the canyon system, which can be up to 1,000 metres deep and is home to many animal species. You will see fish vultures, vultures, monkeys and with luck also a crocodile warming up on the sand banks. After the boat tour through the canyon, the journey continues to Chiapa de Corzo, which is located 7 kilometres upstream. This idyllic place is ideal for lunch. Afterwards, you can stroll around the lively marketplace. The colonial town of Chiapa de Corzo on the Rio Grijalva is one of the oldest Spanish towns of the former Capitanía General de Guatemala. The town with about 70,000 inhabitants is located in the centre of the federal state of Chiapas and about 16 kilometres from the state capital Tuxtla Gutiérrez and 80 kilometres from San Cristóbal de las Casas. It is a good hour's drive on the motorway from the warmer areas around the capital into the highlands of Chiapas to San Cristobal.

From the highlands of Chiapas, it takes a good four hours to drive along the winding main road to Palenque. About 15 kilometres west of Palenque, the 35-metre-high waterfall of Mishol Ha, which was the setting for several Holywood films (including Predator), offers a nice photo stop. You can also take a short swim in the huge natural pool. The dreamlike Roberto Barrios waterfalls are located about 14 km outside of Palenque and are an excellent place for a short excursion. The place is not very well known among travellers (e.g. compared to Agua Azul), which makes for a very special charm, as you can often swim completely alone in the crystal-clear waters.

The stage Palenque - Campeche (about 5 hours) takes you from the foothills of the rainforest in Chiapas through agriculture-dominated areas back to the Yucatán Peninsula. At Sabancuy you reach the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and continue the journey via Champoton to Campeche. Campeche was one of the first cities founded by the Spanish on the Yucatán Peninsula. The conquistador Francisco Montejo founded the city, which quickly developed into the most important trading centre in the New World and was thus also of interest to pirates. The mighty city wall that houses the historic centre - now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site - bears witness to this time. To protect the city from pirates, two forts were built on a hill outside the city. There is a small, interesting museum in one of them. From the fort, where you can stay for about an hour, there is a very nice photo opportunity.

The smaller archaeological site of Edzná is located about 60 km from Campeche. Edzná most likely means "House of the Itzáes" and thus refers to this Maya group that built up a trading empire in the west of the Yucatán Peninsula from 900 to 1,200 AD. The heyday of Edzná, however, was between 600 and 900 AD. Most of the monumental buildings that cluster around the extensive central courtyard and the small and large acropolis were erected during this period. Edzná was not built uniformly in one, but in several of the Maya architectural styles. Among others, Petén, Chenes, Río Bec and Puuc are represented. Edzná's most famous building, which is also depicted on the licence plates of the state of Campeche, is the 60-metre-high "building of five storeys" - an impressive stepped pyramid, which, of course, you are no longer allowed to climb. Edzná also boasts other climbable pyramids, a ball court, preserved stucco masks and stelae (on display in the small museum). Seybaplaya is a small harbour town (fishing, industry and trade) about 30 km southeast of the capital. Another 8 km further south, on the toll-free old national road Mex 180, is Siho Playa, where the hotel "Tucán Siho Playa" was opened in 1970 in a former hacienda from the end of the 19th century. The 70-room house directly on the beach with its many amenities makes for a comfortable stay on the Gulf of Mexico.

Passing several Mayan villages, you will drive in about 90 minutes to the so-called Puuc region, the only region of the Yucatán peninsula formed by hills (Puuc means hill in Mayan). The Mayan site of Uxmal, which means "three times built", is the largest of the cult sites in the Puuc region. The beautiful excavation is dominated by the Temple of the Fortune Teller and the Nun's Quadrangle. In addition, the ball court, as well as the turtle house and the governor's palace are other important points. Uxmal dominated the region of the northern Yucatán in the Classic Maya period (5th to 8th centuries) and cultivated far-reaching trade relations with other Maya sites via a good road network. The caves of Loltun consist of a several-kilometre-long, accessible cave system and offer a fantastic insight into the Mayan underworld. Once, a small town was located here underground, where a good 3,000 people lived. Loltun lived from pottery products that were exported far beyond the region. The 1.5-hour visit to Loltun is an unforgettable experience of your trip.

You leave the Puuc region for the capital of Yucatán - Merida. On the way, you will pass a former sisal hacienda, where you can make a photo stop. Merida - the white city - impresses with its beautiful, lively historic centre. The main square, which here is not called Zocalo as is usually the case in Mexico, but Plaza, houses the cathedral, the Montejo House and the government palace of the state government, which is decorated with paintings by Fernando Castro Pacheco. Santa Lucia Park is one of the most romantic in the city, and the boulevard Paseo de Montejo hints at the city's former wealth, when Yucatán was in the throes of sisal fever and Merida could boast more millionaires than Paris or New York.

From Merida you continue your journey and reach Izamal in about 1.5 hours. The huge convent in the small town of Izamal, which is almost entirely in yellow, is certainly one of the most impressive and beautiful on the Yucatán peninsula. The mighty fortress walls still bear witness to the inquisition of the early colonial era. The notorious missionary Fray Diego de Landa, who had hundreds of Mayans burned to death, converted the Mayan population from here. On the other side of the beautifully designed main square is a Mayan excavation that is also worth seeing. From Izamal it is only a stone's throw on the motorway to Chichén Itzá. Valladolid, 40 km away, is only a short drive on the main road. The small district capital of Valladolid is not far from Chichén Itzá, but is usually spared the large crowds and thus offers a welcome alternative. The recently redesigned main square is home to the cathedral, the most important building in the historic centre. In the middle of Valladolid, close to the centre, there is the opportunity to cool off on a hot day in a "pool" created by nature: in the Cenote Zaci. This cenote is half open and half vaulted by limestone. Stalactites hang down from this limestone ceiling. The refreshing turquoise water is shared with peaceful little black catfish. There is enough space for everyone, because Cenote Zaci has a diameter of about 50 metres and is about 80 metres deep.

Drive through the nice little town of Tizimin to the Caribbean coast, about 100 km away. The small Mayan site of Ek Balam is located about 10 kilometres north of Valladolid (in the direction of Rio Lagartos) and offers an interesting side trip. Among experts, the cult site is known for its unique angel-like statues, which still bear many mysteries. Near the Ek Balam excavation is a large, little-visited cenote. Either on a 40-minute walk or by mountain bike, which can be rented, you can reach the water pool, whose fresh water invites you to take a refreshing bath. Hammocks under a palapa offer the opportunity to relax and enjoy. In the Rio Lagartos National Park, dozens of bird species can be observed, which stay here all year round. Above all, hundreds of flamingos can be observed here, searching for food in the shallow water of the lagoon surrounded by mangrove forests. During the two-hour boat trip, you will also have the opportunity to float weightlessly in the high-salinity water like in the Dead Sea.

Not far from Valladolid, on the route from Valladolid to Chichén Itzá, is the small town of Dzitnup. Two wonderful cenotes attract visitors there: X'Kekén and Samulá. Both are open to tourists and have a certain infrastructure. The fact that you are not the first and not completely alone to discover these natural wonders does not detract from the refreshing experience. You can swim a few laps with small black fish in the pleasantly cool turquoise-blue water. The flawless toll motorway makes it possible for you to get from Valladolid to Cancún in only about one and a half hours. Continue on the coastal highway in about an hour from Cancún to Playa del Carmen to your beach hotel for the next few days.

Enjoy the sun today and relax on the beach.

You can get from Playa del Carmen to Cancún in about an hour via the coastal motorway and drive directly to the airport. There you will return your rental car. Please adhere to the time guidelines in the rental contract to avoid additional costs. Also check the fuel level so that no additional costs are incurred. A wonderful trip is now coming to an end. Viva Mexico!