crystal clear lapis lazuli waters in the Gulf of Mexico, and impressive colonial towns all rolled into one gorgeous landscape. 

Yucatan’s 200 miles of charming coastline, known as the Costa Esmerelda or Emerald Coast, due to its jade-colored waters, flaunts quieter beaches. Puerto Progresso is the most developed beach in the state, the closest swimming area to Merida’s capital, and where cruise ships dock. Rent a palapa on the beach and watch windsurfers and kite-surfers romp the sea. 

One can only stand spellbound encountering such a prominent treasure-trove of archaeological sites. Yucatan flaunts lofty Mayan temples and pyramids of Chichen Itza, Mayapan, and Uxmal, showcasing an advanced Mayan civilization that first-hand, leaves even the most well-traveled awe-struck.

The Yucatan is one of the world’s most megadiverse chlorophyll green tropical forests. Eco-tourism abounds with plenty of biosphere reserves displaying underwater cenotes, sinkholes, and Mayan sacred places. Its blue waters surrounded by hanging vines make for unforgettable days of swimming and snorkeling. A flourishing bird watcher’s paradise uncovers hundreds of bird species. 

Visit local communities and experience everything from beekeeping to cooking classes, visit local markets and feast of Mayan cuisine, and visit Tekit, where you can witness the making of fashionable Mexican shirts known as guayaberas. 

Yucatan is rich in natural, cultural, and heritage attractions, with more than 3,000 impressive cenotes and 234 miles of beautiful white-sand beaches lapped by emerald and turquoise waters. Among its varied wildlife, the Celestun Biosphere is home to Mexico’s most exotic species of pink flamingos. 

Yucatan – A state on the rise

“Yucatan is a destination that is prepared to receive large groups, the traveler in search of adventure, romance or tranquility; Yucatan is a guarantee of good food and good travel,” mentioned Michelle Fridman, head of the state’s Ministry of Tourism, SEFOTUR. “Every day, we work to show Mexico and the world that Yucatan has it all, including security, an essential guarantee for those looking for a destination to visit,” she said.

SEFOTUR has announced some of the newest additions to Yucatan’s tourism offerings, including the Sendero Jurassic, situated near Chicxulub, the impact crater of a massive asteroid that hit Earth with tremendous force 66 million years ago. The park features replicas of many of these now-extinct animals. 

The Yucatan has also expanded its share of the destination weddings market with its variety of indoor and outdoor venues and the start of legal same-sex marriages and has developed adrenaline-fueled, outdoors activity routes across its many regions. 

Another big project is the creation of La Plancha, a great park that will provide the capital city of Merida with a “green lung” and serve as a recreational and tourist space.

SEFOTUR has launched its newest campaign, “365 Flavors of Yucatan” using the hashtag #Yucatanisflavor. The prosperous state is known for its palate-pleasing gastronomy. 

“Knowing that in Yucatan you travel safely and you feel safe while you do it is a guarantee of being able to enjoy each of the experiences the state has to offer. We have a 365-day campaign in Yucatan made up of various eco-tourism activities, archeology, relaxation, cenotes, ziplines, tours of the jungle, and visits to our privileged beaches, to mention a few,” Fridman pointed out. “This year, we have a similar project focused on enjoying 365 Flavors of Yucatan; for us, it is a priority to position the entity by enhancing its great existing attractions, and one of them is gastronomy,” points out Fridman. 

Cruise Frenzy

Yucatan has been proactively courting the cruise industry since its attendances at the 2018 iteration of the annual Florida and Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Cruise Conference.

From January to April, 48 cruise ships arrived in Yucatan, transporting 142,228 passengers. More than 100 cruises will arrive at Progreso this year, including Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines’ Enchantment of the Seas, which came on June 10 from Galveston, Texas, with 2,284 passengers and a crew of 861 people. Carnival’s Ecstasy called on the port on July 7 with 3,267 people on board. 

One area on the upswing is the Yucatan Riviera which has seen an increase in boutique hotels, Airbnb rentals, beach clubs, and event spaces. One of the most promoted projects is the expansion of the Puerto Progreso cruise port; cargo ships carrying up to 100,000 tons of freight and passenger ships with up to 8,000 passengers will be able to call at the port. There is also a letter of intent with Fincantieri, the world’s largest shipbuilding group, to build the largest shipyard in all of the Americas, utilizing an investment of more than $400 million.
https://yucatan.travel