If you want to vacation on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico but don’t want to pay the inflated prices of Cancun, there are a number of other cities to choose from. One of those cities in Chetumal, a town of around 150,000 people on the east cost of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Chetumal is the capital city of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo and borders the country of Belize. In the last century, a number of hurricanes have leveled the city. For that reason, the buildings in Chetumal are all relatively new and well-built. And while Chetumal doesn’t draw the amount of tourists as Cancun or other top tourist towns in Mexico, more and more people are coming to Chetumal each year – especially during spring break.

One of the nicest places to stay in Chetumal is Explorean Kohunlich. Explorean Kohunlich is an all-inclusive resort that utilizes bungalows for its lodging. The food at the resort is also highly rated and there are a number of unique amenities offered. Another great thing about Explorean Kohunlich is that it’s located near Mayan ruins, which attracts thousands of tourists each year.

If you want to stay in a hotel rather than a resort, consider Holiday Inn Chetumal Puerta Maya. This hotel is clean and has very good customer service. It’s located in the safest part of Chetumal and is close to the Museum of Maya Culture and the local zoo.

For those who want to spend money and be in the middle of the Chetumal nighlife, Hotel Caribe Princess is a perfect hotel. It’s relatively cheap (less than $50 per night) and there are a number of bars and clubs in the surrounding area.

Photo credit: Flickr