Sometimes it feels as though I have been ALL OVER Mexico...whether it by by cruise ship port or traipsing around on press trips, I have seen a lot of Mexico over the last ten years or so. Yet, somehow I never really explored Yucatan and boy oh boy was I missing out! After a recent trip exploring Yucatan with the Department of Tourism, I am so excited to share these 4 Reasons to Visit Yucatan, Mexico with you today!

4 Reasons to Visit Yucatan, Mexico

First of all, Mexico is an amazing, lovely country. That is just plain fact. One of my favorite places to snorkel is in Cozumel, and you can even have a lovely day of snorkeling off a cruise excursion - you don't HAVE to have an entire trip to enjoy all that their crystal clear waters have to offer. BUT....drive a little deeper into Mexico, into the state of Yucatan, and you'll find something that exists only in a few places on earth.

National Park of Rio Lagartos

Located in the National Park of Rio Lagartos, Los Coloradas is series of beautiful pink lakes that will take your breath away! 

Los Coloradas is a series of bright pink lakes, and while you aren't allowed to swim in them - or even dip your toes in - it is SO worth the experience! Talk about a photo op! I wish that I had prepared a little better when packing for this trip, as I would have loved to have worn an all white ensemble to really pop against the background! 

The bright pink colors come from a combination of the red-colored algae, plankton, and brine shrimp that live in the salty lakes. When the water evaporates, the organisms become more concentrated, thus turning the water pink! It is the same concept that leads a flamingo to turn pink once it begins maturing!

This is probably one of my favorite travel photos of myself....

Also part of the National Park of Rio Lagartos is the actual Ria Lagartos River, and you can take amazing nature tours along the river.

It is a fantastic spot for bird watching! We hopped aboard a little boat and were treated to quite a few lovely birds, my favorite being this beautiful Tiger Heron, which I had never seen (or even heard of) before! 

I am sure you noticed a little pink something in that first photo...yes, there are flamingos in the wild on the Ria Lagartos!

You're actually able to get very close to them because the boats you are taken out in are flats boats and can go into very shallow water. 

4 Reasons to Visit Yucatan, Mexico

Amazing Mexican Food Abounds

I LOVE TO EAT. I love to eat all types of cuisines, but one of my favorites is Mexican food! Now, just as you will find any country, Mexico offers different types of Mexican cuisine based on the region. In Yucatan, you will find traditional Mexican fare based on that particular region. You aren't going to find your average every day food like you would in the big touristy towns - you will find authentic Yucatan food...like this! 

Yucatan is really big on fruits and vegetables, and every dish we were served was totally brimming with bright, colorful, fresh ingredients. 

Conchitas were one of my favorite thing to eat in Yucatan (pictured in the first photo), which are a sort of open faced taco. The regional dish is Pibil, which is a chicken or pork cooked beneath the earth. It is traditional Yucatan food that is full of seasoning and spices, just bursting with flavor! 

I ate tons of fresh fruit and veggies during my stay in Yucatan, which led me to realize...I really don't eat enough fruits at home! 

Many meals are 2 or 3 courses, beginning with a nice soup and then leading to some sort of grilled meat or conchitas, and ending with a delicious dessert. 

4 Reasons to Visit Yucatan, Mexico

Uxmal Archeological Site

Situated right in Yucatan lies the ancient Uxmal archaeological site, which is actually considered to be the most important archaeological sites of the Mayan culture. It is a world UNESCO site, and is also considered to be the most representative of the region's dominant architectural style. It is so incredibly well-preserved!

Many times while traveling to areas with archaeological sites, you will find half structures or just ruins, but most of the structures in Uxmal are so well preserved that they feel like you could just walk right into them and set up shop!

According to Wikipedia, Maya chronicles say that Uxmal was founded about 500 A.D. by Hun Uitzil Chac Tutul Xiu. I have always been fascinated by ancient cultures, and like many North Americans, I grew up learning so much about the Mayans. This was a thrilling day for me, being able to explore Uxmal!

You may recall my talking about my fear of heights in previous travel-related posts, but this day...well, I REALLY pushed myself on this day in Uxmal. I was presented with an enormous pyramid-style structure and I, with the help of our tourism guides, climbed all the way to the top. 

Where I promptly had a panic attack. I was able to get back down okay, though - thank goodness for kind hearted friends, or I'd have been stuck up there, just terrified. 

4 Reasons to Visit Yucatan, Mexico

Los 7 Cenotes

Have you ever seen a Cenote? I hadn't until this recent trip to Yucatan. A cenote is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater underneath.

We spent one day exploring Los 7 Cenotes, and holy smokes, what a magical day that was! I almost asked to partake in the other excursion happening that day and I am so glad that I didn't. This was easily the best part of my trip to Yucatan. We rode bikes between Cenotes, ziplined, and rappelled down into them...it was really magical, and an experience unlike any other I've ever had in all my years of traveling!

As you can see, I had an amazing time exploring Yucatan! I hope that these 4 Reasons to Visit Yucatan, Mexico inspire you to plan your own trip very soon...and if not? Check back over the next few weeks, when I expand upon these 4 reasons with dedicated blog posts to each experience, including hotel and restaurant recommendations!