East Mexico
Bright, beautiful and a conjurer of dreams – the eastern side of Mexico is a yacht destination that seems to bridge the gap between ancient civilisation and new...
Luxury Yacht Charter Guide to West Yucatan
Bright, beautiful and a conjurer of dreams – West Yucatan is a yacht destination that seems to bridge the gap between ancient civilization and new explorer. The world has spoken in wonder of deep cut cenotes, crumbling Mayan civilizations, and palm fringed beaches that seem to be plucked from the imagination. There are steamy jungles to trek through, wild waters to sail, and elegant coastal resorts where hand woven hammocks and fiery mezcal are the name of the game. From the beloved well-trodden paths of Tulum to the lesser known corners, West Yucatan is yacht charter magic.
Reasons to Charter a Yacht in West Yucatan
Ancient Mayan Ruins
One of the major draws of a yacht charter to West Yucatan is the chance to witness the wonder of Mayan ruins. Tulum is hailed as the spot where the Maya and Spanish conquistadors first met, and the area flourished beside the turquoise sea. Fabulous frescoes, grand temples and sun observatories all offer an illuminating glimpse back into the past. Coba is another spot to see the sculpted pyramids, intricate roads and thousands of ruins that are still being excavated.
Cenote Dips
The natural sinkholes of West Yucatan are another wonder worth discovering. The whole of the Mayan Riviera is littered with these shimmering turquoise cenotes. Once upon a time these underground water caverns would have been used as sacrificial alters but now they take on a different celebratory feel. Often boasting crystal clear visibility and cool temperatures, they make a wonderful retreat from the scorching afternoon sun.
Marine Magic
The warm waters that ebb and flow around West Yucatan brim with playful bottle nosed dolphins. For yacht charter guests looking for close encounters with pods of dolphins and plenty of sea turtles, this side of the gulf is glorious. Even beyond the usual suspects, you can witness scores of marine birds and even manatees.
Where to Visit in West Yucatan
Mayan Riviera
For yacht charter guests who dream of unravelling the mysterious side of East Mexico, the Mayan Riviera brims with exotic appeal. Sketched in white sand beaches, crumbling ruins, and turquoise cenotes for underground plunging, there is something bucket list worthy about taking to the waters of ancient Tulum. 135 km of coastline makes chartering a breeze. You can snorkel the Great Maya Reef, raft the underground rivers in the Xcaret Park and shoot as much tequila as you can handle in the party town of Playa del Carmen.
Merida
The cultural capital of this shimmering and sandy stretch of coastline, Merida is rich in Mayan history and laced with colonial corners. It’s an excellent break from the endless hues of blue that weave around the coast and offers charter guests the chance to step ashore and indulge in decadent dinners, explore thronging markets, and kick back in beautifully cobbled plazas. Also known as The White City, Merida also has a strong artistic draw, with the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya de Merida being a must, and the historic haciendas also make for glorious spa locales.
When to Charter a Yacht in West Yucatan
Yacht charter guests looking for blazing sun and rewarding cenote dips can sail into West Yucatan between December and April when there is little rain to flood the sky. The wet season starts to sweep across the south and move upwards from May until October.
