Cancún, a Mexican city on the Yucatán Peninsula bordering the Caribbean Sea, is known for its beaches, numerous resorts and nightlife. We wanted to visit the Mayan ruins around that area and to visit Belize. Chichen Itza and Tulum were two places we visited.

Chichen Itza was a large pre-Columbian city built by the Maya people. Most recently it become one of the seven new wonders of the world. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Pyramid of Kukulcan is the center of attraction. Each year during the spring equinox a natural phenomenon occurs at the Pyramid of Kukulcan. The sunlight creates a shadow image of a plumed serpent descending down the pyramid’s stairs. This unique experience draws hundreds of tourists from all over the world.

Tulum is a town on the Caribbean coastline of Mexico. It’s known for its beaches and well-preserved ruins of an ancient Mayan port city. It is the only walled city the Maya built and the only one by the edge of the Caribbean. It was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya; it was at its height between the 13th and 15th centuries and managed to survive about 70 years after the Spanish began occupying Mexico.

We drove to Belize and visited Lamanai which is another Mayan ruins. We had to take a long boat trip to reach the final destination. Lots of wild life could be seen during the trip. Here, we saw a range of beautifully preserved Mayan buildings the High Temple, the Jaguar Temple and: the Mask Temple.

Spent a day doing Cave tubing where we had to hike a short distance through the Belizean rainforest then tube down the refreshing Caves Branch River through spectacular cave systems and a water fall. The ancient Mayans regarded this a sacred underworld and home to many powerful Gods.The float part of the adventure lasts approximately two hours. It’s an exciting adventure you will always remember.

On our return to Cancun, we visited Caye Caulker a FIVE mile island. The split is a body of water separating North and South Caye Caulker. Cars and Trucks are forbidden on the island. Golf carts and bicycles are used for transportation.