Mexico en Bici
Stopping points of the tour

> Playa del Carmen

> Coba

> Chichen Itza

> Tulum

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a beach paradise found near Cancun, and proudly known as the Riviera Maya. A former idyllic fishing village with a Mayan name Xaman Ha, today has blossomed into a favorite Mexican holiday destination. In this little town, you will find no overpowering hotel towers, but the true Mayan characteristics and a relaxed way of life.

The town has been built around the main street or the famous Quinta Avenida, and all the places along the strand offer something new and special to the passersby. Here you will also find many hotels and a broad selection of restaurants.

Don't miss to experience the multicultured nightlife and relax on the long white beaches. During the day, large cruising boats offer their services, and you can explore this charming bay from the sea.

Even though Playa del Carmen has no special historical places of interest itself, it is an ideal starting point for excursions to Tulum, Chichen Itza and the island of Cozumel.   

Coba

In the northeast of the Yucatan Peninsula is Coba right on the shore of the lake. This archaeological site - Coba means ruffled water in Maya - was once the largest Mayan settlement and thus an important center from which only a fraction has been excavated. You can visit one of the highest Mayan pyramids. The core of the site are residential buildings, temples and a ball playing field. This ensemble of buildings are called the Coba Group and they are located approximately 80 m away from the entrance. The facility is open daily from 7 to 18.

Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is one of the largest and best maintained ruin sites of Yucatan and it is located about 120km further to the East of Mérida. It has been a significant economic, political and religious center for about 1000 years. One of the distinctive features, which became world's cultural heritage in 1988 and was successfully renovated, is the fusion of Maya and Toltec cultures, which is best reflected in about 30m tall pyramid of Kukulcán - also known as El Castillo.

Besides, you should visit the ball playfield Juego de Pelota, which is surrounded by 8m tall walls, the group of 1.000 pillars, Sagrado cenote where archeologists found numerous remains of sacrifices, the warrior temple Templo de los Guerreros with mask decorated pillars, El Caracol observatory and Convento de las Monjas.

Twice a year - during summer and winter solstice - you can experience a unique performance: a shadow of a snake appears on the pyramid of Kukulcan in the twilight and seems to crawl down the steps.

Tulum

All the contrasting colours which can be found in Tulum: crystal blue sea waters, grey-white wall ruins and greenery of the surrounding nature, will leave an everlasting touring impression on its visitor.

Although there isn't enough time to admire all the masterpieces of Mayan architecture which you can find in the Tulum site, you will be left breathless with many fantastic ruins overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Tulum means 'wall' or 'embankment' which served as a protection against land attacks.

The buildings found in Tulum originate from 1.000 and 1.300 and in the center you will find the complex El Castillo -  a typical mayan architectual wonder.