Planning Your Trip

When to Go

The best time to visit the Yucatán Peninsula has a lot to do with why you’re going and what you hope to see and do. Weather is a major consideration for any sort of trip. Cloudless skies are a priority if you plan on spending some or most of your visit on the beach. But you can have too much of a good thing—in the interior regions of the Yucatán Peninsula, a little rain or cloud cover can keep the temperature down and be a welcome relief.

Equally important is how much money you’re willing to spend, especially on accommodations, which can vary dramatically depending on the month and day you visit. If you’re on a tight budget, you may consider coming in the low season, but you’ll be taking a gamble on the weather.

Another consideration is that some activities can only be done during certain times of the year, like bird-watching or snorkeling with whale sharks.

Finally, be mindful of holiday and vacation periods, especially Christmas, spring break, July and August (when most of Europe is on vacation), and Semana Santa (Holy Week, the week before Easter and the main vacation period in Mexico). Prices can skyrocket, along with the number of tourists, both foreign and Mexican. Of course, if partying is high on your priority list, there is no better time to visit.

For most travelers, the best time to come to the Yucatán Peninsula is from mid-January until the beginning of May. This period does include spring break and Semana Santa (the best or worst time to come, depending on your point of view), but otherwise crowds are thinner and prices are lower compared with the Christmas and summer periods. Late November and early December is another pocket of relatively reliable weather, reasonable prices, and light visitation. But expect prices to jump on December 15, like clockwork.

What to Take

Mérida [9], Campeche City [13], Cancún [2], Cozumel [14], and Playa del Carmen [5] all have modern stores, supermarkets, and malls, so you don’t have to be concerned about not being able to find the basics, and then some. However, prices on the coast can be exorbitant on items that shop owners know you can’t do without. Sunscreen, bug repellant, billed hats, and swimsuits are the most notable examples; if you think these items are pricey at home, the hotel gift shop will leave you floored (and broke!).

A few other items to remember when you’re packing: An extra set of contacts or glasses in case the ones you have get lost, broken, or washed away while swimming or snorkeling. Bring a supply of your preferred birth control, condoms, and feminine products—all are readily available in the region (and Mexico, in general), but you may have trouble finding the brand you prefer. Same goes for any prescription medications; many people, especially seniors, come to Mexico partly to take advantage of much lower prices on pharmaceuticals, but always bring enough for your whole trip in case what you’re looking for isn’t available. A travel clock is useful, too, because many hotels don’t have reliable wake-up call systems.

Finally, a good pair of shoes—or at least Teva-style sandals—are essential for visiting the archaeological zones. Never climb the ruins in flip-flops. The vast majority of accidents and injuries that occur at archaeological sites are from people slipping and falling, so you’ll want shoes that give you plenty of balance and traction.