Route of the Maya

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $150 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

In this 14-day cycling tour, we cycle the Yucatan Peninsula from the Caribbean to the Gulf of Mexico.  On the way, we discover fascinating, thatched-roof villages that are clustered around 16th and 17th Spanish churches built of the stones of fallen Maya temples.  We cycle into the jungle to tour archeological sites hidden in Mexico’s second largest federal park—the 1.8 million acre Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.  We will get to see several examples of  amazing architectural and engineering feats in the once great Mayan city-states.  In addition to cycling, we have snorkeling or kayaking options in less-travelled areas, including the world’s second largest coral reef.  We will stay in four-star hotels, and sample the delicious regional cuisine of Yucatan, which is known for fragrant and tangy flavors.

The tour will be fully supported by EcoColors, an experienced company that has conducted a version of this tour in the Yucatan Peninsula for BAC five times. Currently, EcoColors also conducts tours in the Yucatan about 15 times per year.  This is a customized tour which is an extended version of their shorter Yucatan tours.

WEATHER
December is the dry season in Yucatan. The average low is 69 degrees and the average high will be 84 degrees Fahrenheit.  We suggest bringing a light rain jacket in case of rain.

RIDE RATING
The tour is rated as 1A.  All the roads are flat except for a few hills outside Merida (on Day 4).  The average distance per riding day is 34 miles. Three days exceed the A rating of a distance of 35 miles; Days 4 and 5 are each 50 miles; and Day 7 is 38 miles. The roads are paved except the last few miles to the beach hotel on Day 10. The roads have little traffic, but we go through towns whose roads have speed bumps, which can be higher than those in the United States, and may require dismounting from your bike to stay safe..  

ITINERARY

• Day 1- (12/2/2016): If you arrive on the first day of the tour, EcoColors will pick you up from the International Airport in Cancun, and transfer you to the Cancun hotel.  We have our first group dinner there.
• Day 2-Cancun to Isla Mujeres and return to Cancun (17.6 miles): We cycle to Puerto Juarez, take a ferry to Isla Mujeres, and cycle around the island. We snorkel to explore the island’s reefs.
• Day 3-Cancun to Izamal (No cycling today):For the first 3-4 hours, we travel by van from Cancun to Izamal, and check into our hotel. There will be no scheduled cycling today.  Izamal is an important archaeological site of the Pre-Columbian Maya civilization and the largest city of the Northern Ucatec Plains.  Five formidable Pre-Columbian structures are visible here, one of which is the great pyramid to the Mayan sun.  Izamel is also a colonial city, with the Spanish having built a church and monastery on top of Mayan structures.
• Day 4-Izamal to Merida (50 miles):We will stop at Hacienda San Jose, with lunch at your option.  Hacienda San Jose, a Starwood luxury five-star hotel, features delicious gourmet cuisine. After lunch, we cycle to Merida, our destination for the evening.  If you prefer not to cycle into the busy city of Merida, you may ride in the van for the last few miles into the city.
• Day 5-Rest Day in Merida:  In Merida, you may take one or more of many local tours, or just opt to see the city on your own.  Merida is known for Casa de Montejo, the city’s finest colonial plasteresque architecture characterized by ornate decorative facades; Cathedral de San Ildefonso that is the oldest cathedral on the American continent; and many other colonial buildings. Our hotel is either the Del Gobernador or Castellano, both close to the main plaza.  We have our second group dinner this evening.
• Day 6-Merida to Uxmal (50 miles): Our destination of Uxmal is a World Heritage Site, and considered one of the most important archeological sites of the Maya culture. We have a rest stop at Yaxcopoli Hacienda, a plantation dating to the 17th Century.  That evening, we stay at the Villas Arquelogicas Uxmal, formerly managed by Club Med.
• Day 7-Uxmal to Chichen Itza (No cycling today): We visit the Uxmal Ruins and then travel via van to Chichen Itza, passing through several small towns, and then check into our hotel at the Villas Arquelogicas Chichen, formerly managed by Club Med.
• Day 8- Chichen Itza to Valladolid (39 miles): In the morning, we visit the World Heritage Site of Chichen Itza, an ancient Mayan City.  Our cycling route will take us through many small towns.  Our destination, Valladolid is a city founded in the mid-1500’s.  You may explore the main plaza and museum which features over 3000 pieces of museum quality folk art.  Our hotel, the Meson del Marques, is located across the street from the main plaza.
• Day 9-Valladolid to Ek Balam and return to Valladolid (34 miles): We cycle to Ek Balam, and then return to Valladolid.  Ek Balam was the seat of the Mayan Empire in 700 AD, and is an archeological delight with its 45 structures still in place.  Tonight, we stay at the Meson del Marques.
• Day 10- Valladolid to Coba to Tulum (31 miles):  From Valladolid, we take the van to Coba, an archeological site, which was a large agricultural community in the first century, and whose buildings were constructed primarily between 500-900 AD.  Coba’s pyramid, at 138 feet, is the tallest in the Yucatan Peninsula, and will be worth the climb for the surrounding views. We rest at Gran Cenote, a huge underwater cavern, for swimming or snorkeling.  Our hotel this evening and the next is the Los Linios Hotel, facing the Tulum Coast. 
• Day 11-Tulum to Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve and return to Tulum (15 miles): We cycle to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site and the largest protected area of the Mexican –Caribbean. We return to Tulum after our visit to the biosphere.
• Day 12-Xcaret Eco-Park:  We travel via van to Xcaret Eco-Park, a 250-acre ecological theme park.  Highlights are the Butterfly Pavilion, a raft tour through the jungle, and a visit to an ocean-fed aquarium.  We will stay at Playa del Carmen
• Day 13-Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, and then return to Playa del Carmen  (38 miles):  We bike to the ferry terminal, and take a 45 minute trip by ferry to Cozumel, and then ride the island roads.  We stop to rest at Playa Uvas. We return to Playa del Carmen in the afternoon for our farewell group dinner.
• Day 14- 12/15/2016  Playa Del Carmen Tour over after breakfast: EcoColors will take participants to the Cancun airport within a short time after breakfast.  For those staying longer, you may need to find other transportation, which would be an extra charge.

LODGING  
We stay at four-star hotels, with some located on the beach.  The hotels are listed in the itinerary above.

LOGISTICS
We fly in and out of the International Airport in Cancun.  Eco-Colors will provide van transport to and from the airport.  You will need your passport, visa and customs declaration form. If you bring your own bike, the bike boxes will be stored in the first hotel. Bike rentals will be available, and the estimated price is $124 for the tour.  If you intend to rent a bike, please contact Kenneth Johnson of EcoColors directly by email (info@ecotravelmexico.com) The bikes are a Trek Hybrid 7.1, which were purchased in January 2015.  Newer bikes may be available at the time of the tour. You should carefully read the specs on this bike on the Trek website, and reviews of this bike, and determine if this bike would be a good fit for you.

We recommend that you leave your best bike at home.  Our bikes are placed regularly on a bicycle trailer for transport.  Although bikes are not in contact with each other in the bicycle trailer, the frequent loading and unloading of the bikes could cause frames to be scratched.   Based on previous tours and because many of the roads are rough, we recommend bikes with tires that are 1.5 inches in width.

COSTS AND ADMINSTRATION  
The cost of $2,500 covers hotels, all breakfasts, three group dinners, daily snacks and water, and the social hours. It also includes the van; professional bilingual guides; local guides; and entrance fees for the group activities. It also includes the tip that we will provide our van drivers.  Since the hotels have bars and prohibit us from bringing our own drinks into the hotels, you are responsible for your own drinks at the hotels.  The tour cost does not include the cost of airfare, bike rental, lunches and dinners (except for three group dinners), personal expenses and tips to the local guides. 

SINGLES  
We welcome single participants, whether you share a room with another single or you choose to pay a single supplement.  If you wish to share a room with another single, please notify the Ride Leader of your intended roommate.  If you do not have a roommate in mind, the Ride Leader will assist you by providing names of other singles looking for roommates. We encourage singles, and if you wish, we will try to pair you up with a roommate of the same sex.   If you have a room to yourself, you will need to pay a single room supplement of $640.00.  

CANCELLATION POLICY 
The $100 BAC International registration fee is non-refundable.  If a tour participant cancels, the amount of the tour payment that will be refunded is determined on the traditional basis used by the Bicycle Adventure Club, which requires that the remaining participants will not incur additional costs due to the cancellation. If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at the time of the request. If the canceling participant cannot be replaced, any refund will be determined after the tour, when the final expense report is completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, the cancelling roommate may be liable for the single supplement.  After October 10, 2016, two months before the tour, there may not be any refund unless we can fill your place. 

SIGN-UP  
To submit a request to join the tour, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description.  After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list, and you will receive an email message requesting that you return to the BAC site to digitally sign the Release of Liability (ROL).  After you have carefully read and agreed to the Release of Liability, digitally sign the ROL. I will notify you by e-mail and request the $1300.00 deposit be sent via check made out to "Albert Balingit", and not the “Bicycle Adventure Club.”  Upon the receipt of your deposit, your name will be added to the list of participants.  The balance will be due on September 1, 2016. To contact me (the Ride Director), click on the name at the top of this Ride Description.