Chichen Itza, cenotes, and whale sharks--oh my!

Paper-pencil-pen will be on a hiatus for summer break in Mexico as my wife and I road trip around the Yucatan Peninsula for three weeks. Prompted by my copywriting career at Viator, where I've written multiple tours about swimming in cenotes (limestone sinkholes), exploring Maya archeological ruins and snorkeling with whale sharks, I was drawn to this spot between the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Ironically, I haven't booked any tours, since we're such independent travelers. But I'll be sure to take notes as I travel--and perhaps even pitch something upon return to Via or LA Times!