Weddingbee

Part 1
Part 2

The next leg of our honeymoon was filled with plenty of relaxation and lots of culture. We left the tourist mecca (I mean that in a good way!) of Playa del Carmen for the more serene beach community of Tulum…On the way south, we stopped at Oscar y Lalo’s, a popular restaurant along the highway. It was a nice, serene stop (though not by the beach as the guidebooks suggested… hmmm) with good Mexican/Yucatanean food.

Nearby on our way to Tulum was Aktun-Chen, one of the many cenotes the region is famous for. Definitely a worthwhile stop, we got to see the complex underground caves that weave underneath the Yucatan penninsula. We were required to wear hard-hats and the guide lectured in English & Spanish. Although it’s known as a more kid & senior-friendly stop, it should be noted that there are some narrow pathways and steep inclines.

Here’s our “Survivor” shot (it was dark down there…and there were some bats!) :

We managed to make good time down to Tulum and checked in during daylight at our hotel, Azulik. Known as an eco-resort, this hotel has no electricity so it really is important to get there during daylight hours & bring some flashlights–ours came in handy. We stayed in the honeymoon suite which is right on the ocean. The rooms have a sort-of Swiss Family Robinson chic:
By far the best part of the room is the outdoor soak tub. As you can see it’s right over the ocean. And don’t worry, you can get hot water!

The next day we took in the Tulum ruins. While not the most impressive, the location on the coast makes it among the most beautiful:

While in Tulum, we ate at the INCREDIBLE Posada Margarita. By far the best food on the trip, they make homemade pastas daily and offer fresh seafood. Instead of bread, they bring a tray of various goodies–steamed cauliflower, cured olives, foccaccia, cheeses. Great service and a beautiful spot on the beach. I can’t recommend it enough!

Our leisurely time taking in Tulum (the beautiful beaches, the outdoor tub and nights by candlelight!) was just what we needed to truly relax. Our next stop was to Chichen Itza. On our way inland we made a point of stopping at Coba, a lesser known ruin that is in the heart of the jungle and home to one of the tallest Mayan pyramids…

We climbed to the top of the pyramid. It was an amazing experience, even though the way down seemed a bit daunting…

Our next stop was the colonial town of Valladolid. It had been recommended by a few guidebooks as a good place to stop on the way to Chichen Itza. While we did enjoy the restaurant El Meson de Marques, if you’re pressed for time, this is a stop you can miss.

Here is the Cathedral in Valladolid:
We made it to Chichen Itza that evening and checked in to the wonderful Mayaland hotel. I had heard that it was a favorite of tour groups and was a bit nervous. That being said, I can see why it’s so popular! It hosts its own entrance to the ruins, well-maintained grounds with wildlife happily co-existing (including a peacock who stole a roll off Mr. Peppermint’s plate at breakfast!), a number of restaurants and well-kept rooms.

Here is the view of the ruins from the hotel:
At night we watched the evening light show which (while not entirely informative, was a fun way to get a sense of the ruins). We also scheduled for a private tour at the ruins the next day (thanks, honeyfund!). I highly recommend getting a guide because it really made the ruins come to life…

Keep watching for the last leg of the trip: Merida!

• The Horror, The Horror!
• The Weight Game… Or...