Cycling in México: Why Yucatán is the Perfect Destination

Post author by Ruben Encalada
Estimated reading time 5 mins
Post Date December 22, 2019
Last Modified Updated: November 11, 2024

For those who love to travel the world by bike, cycling in México better be on your bucket list! Especially if you prefer to take it slow and easy instead of speeding for miles and miles.

For your next cycling tour, consider the state of Yucatán in eastern México. Culture, history, nature, lots of smiles from locals, and amazing food are some of the highlights that make every bike ride around this region unique. 

Here are the reasons why you should choose Yucatán, the perfect destination for road cycling in México.

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A group of cyclists rides down a quiet, rural road lined with greenery under a clear blue sky. The foreground shows a woman wearing a yellow tank top and a helmet, following the group ahead. The open road and natural surroundings suggest a scenic, leisurely biking experience.
© Rubén Encalada

4 Reasons Why Yucatán is the Best Place For Cycling in México

1. Easy Access!

The state of Yucatán is situated in the northern part of the Yucatán Peninsula in México. Its eastern/southern neighbor is Quintana Roo, where popular tourist spots like Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen are located. This makes it a fabulous location for quick and easy access through the airport in Cancun, but far enough from the buzz and “touristy-ness” of the Riviera Maya.

Yucatán offers a vast range of terrain for cycling. It is mostly flat, with some hills in the southern parts, but nothing too demanding. The coast is flat and faces north towards the Gulf of México. Around this region, the ocean water is emerald green and quite beautiful all year long.

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Two cyclists ride down a peaceful, tree-lined road with vibrant red-flowering trees arching overhead, creating a natural canopy. The sunny, serene scene highlights the beauty of the surrounding landscape, with the cyclists enjoying a leisurely ride beneath the colorful foliage.
The “Flamboyan” trees outside of Aké in Yucatán. © Rubén Encalada

For beginner cyclists, flat terrain provides the ability to adjust distances according to appropriate levels of comfort/physical fitness without compromising the trip experience. It provides an opportunity to tackle distances that otherwise might be too much to attempt in a hilly or mountainous area for more skilled riders. 

Cycling through this region of México brings you through quaint Mayan villages, colonial towns, haciendas, and cenotes (see below).

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A group of cyclists rides through a small village, passing a modest building with a red roof and a tricycle cart parked nearby. The riders appear relaxed, enjoying the sunny day and rural surroundings as they pedal along the quiet street. The casual, scenic ride highlights the charm of village life.
© Rubén Encalada

2. Come for the Cycling, Stay for the Food

Mérida, Yucatán’s state capital, is one of the prettiest colonial cities in all of México. It’s also a foodie paradise that boasts some of the most famous dishes in the country, like Cochinita Pibil, Salbutes, and Panuchos. Mexicans actually travel to Mérida just for the food!

Mérida is a city that closes its main avenue, Paseo de Montejo, every Sunday for a family event called “La Bicirruta” (the bike route). This is the perfect day to hop on a bike and ride along with hundreds of locals. You’re sure to get a comprehensive city tour on two wheels.

Travel Planning Tip: Order a prepaid SIM card before you travel!

Two cyclists sit beside a local elderly man, smiling and relaxed, taking a break outside a small shop. The shop wall displays a Coca-Cola poster advertising drinks and snacks, along with red-painted Spanish text listing items like "refrescos," "botanas," and "galletas." This casual moment captures the friendly interaction between travelers and locals.
© Rubén Encalada

3. Immerse Yourself in Mayan Culture + History

Yucatán is on the northern edge of the Mayan world and features 17 archeological sites open to the public. Some of the most famous ancient cities in all of México are in Yucatán, such as Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, and Ek Balam.

With Tulum and Coba right next door in Quintana Roo, you can create a wonderful itinerary of culture and history through this entire region.

Related: How to Visit Tulum on a Budget

So far, I have visited 15 out of the 17 archeological sites while on cycling tours. My favorite ride is along the Puuc Route. The beauty of this ride is that you can customize its length without compromising the experience. It has 5 archeological sites and 1 incredible cave system called Loltun, which served as a ceremonial ground and refuge for the ancient Mayans.

A cyclist rides down a rural road while a local woman walks on the roadside, shielding herself from the sun with a bright red umbrella. In the background, a modest building with a faded yellow and red facade displays the words "Doris Millet." The scene captures a peaceful, sunlit day in a quiet village setting.
The little village of San Antonio Millet near Mérida. © Rubén Encalada

4. Cycle to Cenotes + Visit Mayan Villages

A cenote is a sinkhole full of fresh, cool water. Visiting and swimming in cenotes is a popular activity for tourists and locals alike. There are around 2,300 recorded cenotes just in the state of Yucatán alone. 

There are some true gems out there, some of which are actually easier to reach by bike than a car. Of those thousands of cenotes, there are about 100 that tourists can visit, so the options are many!

The fun part about visiting cenotes by bike is the cultural experience you gain by passing through all the little Mayan villages along the way. In most of these places, people speak the native Mayan language.

I recommend stopping in these villages to buy water or a popsicle to cool off. Most of the time, locals will approach and start chatting, or if you happen to ride by a school, kids will come out and yell hello and goodbye! 

The villages are generally about 6 miles apart from each other, so if you are doing a 25-mile ride towards a cenote, you could visit 3 authentic Mayan villages on the way while looking forward to a fresh dip in an incredible cenote at the end.

Related: How to Pack for Adventure Travel in Mexico

The Best Beach Routes For Cycling Yucatán

Here are two major stretches of land along the coast that can be explored by bike: 

El Cuyo to San Felipe

A simple map shows two locations marked with red flags along the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, near the Gulf of Mexico. The flagged points represent the towns of Río Lagartos and El Cuyo, with notable landmarks such as Parque Natural Río Lagartos nearby. The map highlights the coastal route between these towns, with surrounding smaller towns and natural areas visible.

This route crosses 40 miles (62 km) of dirt paths and paved roads between the villages of El Cuyo and San Felipe.

On this ride, you will find the famous pink ponds of las Coloradas; several secluded beaches, beautiful boat rides to flamingo grounds in Rio Lagartos.

Dzilam de Bravo to Chuburná

A map of the northern Yucatán Peninsula shows two coastal locations marked with red flags: Chelem and Dzilam de Bravo Municipality. Mérida, the region's largest city, is visible to the south, with various smaller towns and roads connecting the marked locations. This map emphasizes the coastal area and the main routes between these points along the Gulf of Mexico.

On the route from Dzilam de Bravo to Chuburná, you will ride right along the Gulf of México, visiting traditional fisherman’s villages such as Chabihau, Telchac, and San Crisanto.

While en route, you can take a boat ride through the mangrove forest to a beautiful cenote, rest on a secluded beach covered in palm trees, and explore several miles of sand paths along a stretch of beach houses. 

At a little over 61 miles (about 99 km), one could complete this round trip ride in a day.

A cyclist rides along a sandy road beside striking pink salt flats under a bright, sunny sky. The vivid pink water contrasts with the pale surroundings, creating a surreal landscape against the backdrop of clouds and open horizon. This scene captures the unique beauty of the salt flats, highlighting the cyclist's adventure through this distinctive environment.
Arriving at the pink ponds in las Coloradas. © Rubén Encalada

Best Time to Go Cycling in México + Yucatán

The best time to cycle in Yucatán is in the fall and winter in the Northern Hemisphere, from November through March. The weather will be accommodating during this time, with less rain and lower temperatures than spring and summer.

However, keep in mind that it could still be hot and humid. I’ve heard feedback from many travelers who compare the weather in Yucatán to that of Southeast Asia, so pack accordingly!

Buen Viaje! Enjoy your cycle tour, and feel free to share more route ideas in the comments!

Related: A Bike Tour Packing List For Any Weather

By Rubén Encalada

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