As we settle into year #3 as residents in Mexico, it is finally time to step on the gas and enjoy the Sweet Life on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. By that we mean, check out some of the reasons that hordes of people come from all around the world just to luxuriate in our own backyard.
Enjoy every day by land, sea or air.
Once upon a time people who populated this region lived in small, cooperative villages. They spoke only Mayan dialect unless they were required to attend grade school. And they built many, many stone structures which today are found in ruins.
The place we call home has one main artery for travel–choose private vehicle, fine private van or public “colectivo.” There are people brave enough to use small motorcycles and even, spindly bicycles on our only paved connection. Bigger or smaller ride, we cannot avoid using the road we all inevitably use: Carretera Federal 307.
Ahhh!
Perhaps the population was so self sufficient that public services had not interfered. I may be using the lesser effort, and speculation should lead to research. Government had not yet provided institutions of learning across disparate communities.
Acrobatic musicians demonstrate unique skills
So recently, Peg and I decided to treat ourselves by indulging in two unique experiences nearby. On the occasion of one milestone birthday, we spent two days at a nearby Five Star hotel. We were blown away. This is not a thinly veiled promotional message for a fashionable resort but it is an endorsement for stretching one’s wings even while staying close to home.
Divine dining by the Caribbean Sea
We enjoyed lovely surroundings, dined simply and elegantly everywhere we went, while touring our own backyard. We basically never left our comfortable, familiar driveway Carretera Federal 307, which connects Cancun little more than a hour of us north to Chetumal a few hours to the south.
Here families can explore Riviera Maya by floating on an underground river.
Once politicians sought to invest, an entire society was created by outsiders. Cancun became a playground for the Mexican upper class. Nowadays, the developmental seams may be showing more from wear and tear caused by hurricanes that led to the loss of interest by the upper class. Upon that turn of natural events, developers focused their attention on tourism and the migrating snow bunny crowd.
Further down the Coast, sights were set on the durable remains of the Mayan imprint found in archeological ruins: Tulum.
Nowadays, the current political administration has rammed through a new international airport. The Mayan Train (built in lightning speed) is meant to ferry visitors by those precious ruins from the state of Campeche to Merida and eventually to include the state of Chiapas.
Much to discover on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Here Peggy examines hatching turtle eggs.
All of the country is supposed to benefit from the Golden Egg which is the Eastern Mayan Coast. And the original route which ties the capitol city of Merida to the capitol of Quintana Roo is still mostly a two lane highway called Carretera Federal 307.
But the new populations still center on this route. Cancun leads to Playa del Carmen. PdC leads to Tulum. And Tulum leads south to Chetumal.
In peak season, visiting Snowbirds tend to nest from North to South all along 307.
Pensioners come from every corner of the globe. Young couples set up dream weddings on the beach. And families take rented snorkel gear to swim with the turtles.
Visitors get friendly with Caribbean water creatures beneath the surface.
All types of marine life thrive at a local Aquarium.
So… we feel as though we have barely scratched the surface of all there is to see and do here on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. This is life on the 307.
Why don’t you drop by and see us some time?
