¡El Tour
Budget Bicycle Tours in Mexico
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The Complete Archive · 2000–2020
Backroads to the Beach 2018
Season 2017–2018 · all tours that season
This is a light - regular difficulty tour with 10 days of cycling averaging 70km per day. We will meet in Mérida and cycle from that beautiful colonial city, to Mayan ruins, crystaline cenotes, flamingo and wetland bird sanctuaries and finally end up at the Mexican jewel of the Caribbean, Tulum. Of course we will cycle on the beautiful quiet backroads of the Yucatan.
Archive note: Final run of Backroads to the Beach.
| Dates: | Tue Jan 16, 2018 to Tue Jan 30, 2018 (2 weeks - 10 cycling days) |
| Distances: | Average/day: 71km Maximum/day: 100km Total Approx: 706km |
| Route Type: | LITE-REGULARRegular DifficultyA good level of fitness is required. Distances average around 50 - 80 km per day (depending on hills), and are always less than 120 km. Roads range from flat to very hilly. We may climb up to 1500 metres on a hard day.WeatherThe Weather: Yucatan PeninsulaThe Yucatan's best weather is during our winter months. From November till March the temperature hovers in the mid 20's to the mid 30's (celcius) with sunny clear skies. Humidity levels can be high as we head inland but a warm steady breeze and the occasional but rare tropical thunderstorm will keep you feeling refreshed.RoadThe Road: Yucatan PeninsulaThe Yucatan's roads are considered the finest in Mexico. They are generally in excellent condition with even, paved surfaces. Some stretches of our route also include a paved shoulder. The route meanders along flat terrain with the occasional rolling section. In most places traffic is light to non-existent. Depending on the time of day, roads may be busy near towns such as Cancun, Valladolid and Merida, however drivers are generally respectful of cyclists and will give you as much room as possible.LandThe Land: Yucatan PeninsulaThe Yucatan peninsula at the south eastern tip of Mexico is comprised of three states, Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo. The peninsula is a massive, flat carbonate - limestone shelf formed by prehistoric high sea levels. Too porous to support a river system, fresh water accumulates underground forming an extensive subterranean river network. Where the erosive process has broken through the earth's surface, cenotes (se-no-tes; limestone sinkholes or pools) have formed. Erosion has also formed numerous caves, some of them enormous and accessible to tourists. The peninsula's landscape is covered by thorn forest in the north and rain jungle in the south. |
| Highlights: | Real Mexican-Yucatecan culture. Small towns, ruins, lots of cenotes, quiet roads. Mérida; bustling city, colonial architecture, art, food, market. Staying in eco-hotels in the forest.Tulum - the beach! |
The Route
Itinerary
Click any day for the full description. Itineraries were always subject to minor changes.
WhenWhereDistanceHighlights
Day 0 — Tues Jan 16, 2018Meet in Mérida-
Yucatan cuisine, Colonial Architecture, Zocalo, Market [more]
Mérida, the White City, was founded in 1542. Its architecture still shows an exquisite union of pre-Hispanic and European elements. During its Colonial era, this state capital was the most important city in the region, leaving such living monuments as the House of Montejo, Government Palace, and the main building of the University of Yucatan. Museums, theatres, handcrafts, nightclubs and beautiful parks have created a beautiful and vibrant city. Once settled into our hotel room, we will experience Méridas delicious culinary tradition at one of Mérida's numerous restaurants.Day 1 — Wed Jan 17, 2018Mérida to Ticul77 km
Picturesque Towns, Mayan villages, quiet roads, ex-haciendas, cenotes [more]
We'll pass through many small Mayan villages and ex-haciendas. There are also some cenotes to be discovered along the way.Day 2 — Thurs Jan 18, 2018Ticul to Sta. Elena (via Muna)53 km
Uxmal Mayan ruins, some hills [more]
We have a short day of cycling today to give us ample time to explore the deservedly famous Uxmal Mayan ruin. Of course the get there we have to get over the ridge of the Puuc hills, and it's a good little climb. We end the day in a beautiful eco-hotel in Santa Elena.Day 3 — Fri Jan 19, 2018Sta. Elena-
rest day. Enjoy the nature. Climb up to the town church for sunset. [more]
Take a walk around the beautiful eco-paradise that we're staying in. Learn about the native trees and other flora. Spot some exotic birds if you can. Relax. Take a walk into town, climb up to the church and watch the sun set into a sea of green forests.Day 4 — Sat Jan 20, 2018Sta Elena to Oxcutzcab52 km
Puuc route Mayan ruins, Hacienda Tabi, quiet hilly backroads [more]
Today we will ride the Puuc route along a winding road through rolling terrain, stopping along the way to visit a number of different Mayan ruins, including Kabah, Labna and Sayil. We will then visit the beautiful restored ex-hacienda Tabi and then continue on to Oxcutzcab.Day 5 — Sun Jan 21, 2018Oxcutzcab to Tekax40 km (hilly)
hills and backroads, colonial town, classic Yucatecan cuisine [more]
Today we ride long the backroads through ever more hilly terrain to Tekax, a colonial Mayan town with 16th and 17th century churches.Day 6 — Mon Jan 22, 2018Tekax to Tekit (via Cantamayec)100 km
Longest day, scenic backroads [more]
We will meaner along some beautiful narrow, quiet backroads today on our longest day of cycling, taking us to the small Mayan town of Tekit.Day 7 — Tues Jan 23, 2018Tekit to Izamal85 km
Rolling hills, backroads, cenotes [more]
We start the day on some very quiet backroads with some rolling hills. In Cuzama we will stop for a little break and the famous Cuzama cenote trip. Continuing on more quiet backroads, at the end of the day we find ourselves in the splendid colonial yellow town of Izamal.Day 8 — Wed Jan 24, 2018Izamal-
Mayan Ruins, huge pyramid, Convent, Zocalo, Market, beautiful Izamal, the best tacos in Mexico! [more]
Known as the Yellow Town because of the colour of the colonial buildings that line the zocalo, Izamal is famous for having the largest church plaza in Mexico. It includes an enormous Franciscan convent (built with Mayan stones) and the remnants of the most voluminous Mayan pyramids in the Yucatan. You can also visit the colourful market, or just stroll around the beautiful zocalo observing the daily routines of the local inhabitants.Day 9 — Thurs Jan 25, 2018Izamal to Pisté (via Stilpech, Tunkas and Dzitas)71 km
Cenotes, quiet roads, small towns [more]
There are many cenotes and caves to visit along the way. An option detour will take us to the town of Cenotillo where there are even more cenotes and caves. In Pisté we can see the light and sound show of Chichén-Itzá, and explore the ruins early tomorrow morning.Day 10 — Fri Jan 26, 2018Piste to Ek Balam village (via Valladolid or via Espita)88-90 km
quiet roads, tiny Mayan village [more]
More backroads take us to the little visited village of Ek Balam where we'll stay at a community run eco-hotel. No rush to visit the Mayan ruins - there's a rest day tomorrow.Day 11 — Sat Jan 27, 2018Ek Balam-
Ek Balam Mayan ruins. Rest day. Nature. Cenote. Authentic Mayan food. [more]
Explore the impressive Mayan ruins of Ek' Balam with its unique winged sculptures and visit the nearby cenote. Enjoy living within nature at our community run eco-hotel in the forest and check out the lookout tower.Day 12 — Sun Jan 28, 2018Ek Balam to Coba85 km
backroads, small villages [more]
Another day, another bunch of backroads. Today we end up in the little village of Coba, rest up, the ruins are first thing tomorrow morning!Day 13 — Mon Jan 29, 2018Cobá to Tulum55 km
Coba Mayan Ruins, Cenotes, Beach, snorkel, Scuba-Diving, Tulum ruins, beach camping possible [more]
We'll visit Coba Mayan ruins first thing in the morning, and then cycle on to Tulum. Deep in the jungle, Cobá is the site of an ancient Mayan city whose ruins (an estimated 6500 buildings) are for the most part still covered by dense jungle vegetation. Covering over 10 square kilometers, unexcavated remnants are beginning to emerge from countless hill-like mounds. To reach the only recently uncovered ruins, you will make your way along tunnel-like trails, through the dense jungle. Beautiful birds, spider monkeys rustling the tops of trees, lizards slithering out of your way, as well as fragrant plants and flowers will make your stay here unforgettable.Day 14 — Tues Jan 30, 2018Tulum-
After the ruins, why not go for a scuba dive or a snorkel, or perhaps you'd like to learn how to dive?
Tulum ruins, beach. Bus to Cancun or Mérida to fly back home or stay a while longer [more]
Bus back to Mérida or Cancun to fly back home or stick around for a bit. It's best to tour the ruins first thing in the morning before the tourists and the heat overwhelm. Its graying temples and watchtower rise above wind-bent palm trees clinging to a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea.After the ruins, why not go for a scuba dive or a snorkel, or perhaps you'd like to learn how to dive?
What it cost that season
| Guides' Fee | + Accommodations | + Food & Drink | + Misc. | = Approx. Total Land Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $950 | $250 | $230 | $155 | $1,585 |
All figures in US dollars, as published at the time. Riders paid their own accommodation, food and entrance fees on the road — the Guides' Fee was the only charge from ¡El Tour. Full history: price of Backroads to the Beach through the years.
Photo Album
