go to Cancun, Mexico

Gland to see there is someone also interested in Maya culture. The best way for a tourist to see Maya ruins is go to Cancun, Mexico. It is a well-developed tourism place. We went there last summer, and it was fantastic.

Once you get there, you can find local travel agents who can get you to those Maya ruins, or you can rent a car to do it by yourself like we did. Rent a car through US major rental agents and buy a insurance. There are three major Maya ruins you may access from Cancun: Chichen Itza, Coba, and Tulum.

Chichen Itza is the largest complex, and is one and half hours drive from Cancun. Take the toll way. It is bit expensive but worth it. Going to Tulum is much easier. It is about one hour drive from Cancun. It is bit small, but is on the coast, so the view is beautiful. Coba is little bit difficult to reach. There are two routes to get there. One is a major high way (the same high way to Tulum), and the other is a local short cut. The short cut is cool since it go through some little tiny Maya villages, but it might not very safe after dark. Not many tour groups visit Coba, but we like it. It has the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula. There are also some smaller ruins scattering the Cancun area, such as Cancun hotel zone, and Isla Mujeres. Isla Mujeres is a tiny island, but it is the most east point of Mexico.

We went there for a 6-days vacation. You need one full day in Chichen, one day for Coba and Tulum since they are on the same route, and half day for Isla Mujeres.

Other famous places to see Maya ruins are Uxmal in the state of Yucatan, and Palenque in the state of Chiapas.

Suggest you read this book: “Yucatan Peninsula” by Moon Handbooks. If you also interest in other ancient culture in Mexico, this book might help: “Mexico” by DK Eyewitness Travel Guides.

We found a good package on Hotwire. It was about usd$625 per person, including airfare and 5 star beachfront hotel. A beachfront hotel is necessary unless you are on a tight budget. If you will not stay in the hotel all the time, do not go with all-inclusive. All-inclusive means the package includes all meals and beverages. Food there is not expensive except the Hotel zone. However, they do not have good Chinese restaurant in town. They do not accept Discover credit card in Mexico. You will find better currency exchange rate at small banks in downtown. If you drive, they only have one state-run gas company, Pemex in Mexico, so the gas price is the same everywhere. Driving in Mexico could be bit challenging. Watch out those “toppets.”

Visa is not required prior arrival for US citizens (US passport) and permanent residents (US green card), but it is required for Chinese citizens (Chinese passport).

Good luck, and have fun.

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• 回复：Thanks -soso_z- ♀ (0 bytes) () 05/12/2005 postreply 17:30:51