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davedonohue | December 30, 2008 10:08 PM | in Mexico

Is it possible to see Mayan ruins and other cultural activities as day trips if you're staying in Cancun?

We're planning a trip and could stay in Cancun's hotel district for free. However, we don't want to do that if it precludes seeing historic and cultural sites. Is it possible to do it without spending hours per day in a van or rental car each way? Are there nearby must-sees?

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BEST ANSWER chosen by asker | girldrummernw | December 30, 2008 11:09 PM

Chichen Itza is the must see attraction in the area and yes you can do it in one day easily. You can rent a car or there are many bus tours that will take you there with guides and stops for lunch. You will want a tour guide at Chichen Itza and one that speaks English well (unless you are bilingual). The area is large full of walking. Climbing to the top of pyramid, El Castillo, at Chichen Itza was by far the highlight of our trip to Cancun. We expected it to be fun, but never did we expect it to be more fun than the beach and the ocean... but it was no contest.

http://www.yucatantoday.com/destinations/eng-chichen-itza.php

http://cancun.travel/en/things-to-do/mayan-culture/chichen-itza/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjOyi2IQKSI

When travelling to Chichen Itza make sure to stop through Valladolid to see a wonderful Colonial style Mexican town, much different than Cancun.

http://www.yucatantoday.com/destinations/eng-valladolid.htm

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/Valladolid_Mexico_Cathedral.jpg

source(s):
Personal trip and experience
Yucatan today
www.Cancun.travel
Youtube

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Thanks so much!

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seyonwerdna | December 30, 2008 10:44 PM

You can always go to Chichen Itza. It's a beautiful mayan ruin about three hours from Cancun. You can get a tour with an english-speaking guide at http://www.entertainment-plus.net/tour_chichen.cfm?aff=ancu2.

http://travel.resourcesforattorneys.com/mexico/images/chichen-itza.jpg

Another option is Tulum, http://www.entertainment-plus.net/tour_tulum_xelha.cfm?aff=ancu2, which is a 2 hour drive, but it's not as nice.

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weatherman | December 30, 2008 11:05 PM

Regarding the ruins: yes! I once took a cruise that moored in Playa Del Carmen, right outside of Cancun. We hopped on a tour bus and saw what looked like pyrimids. SPECTACULAR! Lots of spider monkeys and iguanas too. I also went snorkeling, quite fun, but not entirely of Mexican or Mayan culture though.

Check this site for specfic info:

http://cancun.travel/en/things-to-do/

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albanian | December 31, 2008 12:10 AM

You absolutely want to see the ruins. However, I don't think that there is a way to avoid the longish trip back and forth. The sites are in the middle of nowhere and you would have to be quite adventurous and used to European style traveling to stay anywhere closer to them. There are comfortable buses and somewhat interesting scenery along the road. But it is flat and pretty much the same after a while. Read up on the Mayans in advance; the tour guides are pretty elementary.

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