Reader Rankings: Top 10 Cultural Experiences for Travelers
One of the pleasures of traveling to scuba diving destinations around the world is taking the chance to experience just a morsel of the local culture at each stop. Whether it's ancient monuments, sacred ceremonies or history-rich hubs, here's what you enjoyed the most.
These rankings are part of our 2017 World's Best Platinum Awards, a readers survey. For more on the survey and method, click here.
| EXPERIENCE | RESULT |
|---|---|
| Maya Ruins, Tulum, Mexico | 29.30% |
| Chichen Itza Maya Ruins, Cancun, Mexico | 27.90% |
| Luau, Hawaii | 22.22% |
| Pyramids, Egypt | 12.31% |
| Havana, Cuba | 9.77% |
| Slave Hut Tours, Bonaire | 9.38% |
| Aboriginal Culture, Australia | 8.48% |
| Maori Culture, New Zealand | 7.92% |
| Junkanoo, The Bahamas | 7.85% |
| Nyepi, Bali, Indonesia | 4.67% |
The Top 3
Maya Ruins | Tulum, Mexico
Maya Ruins in Tulum
iStockphoto
These pre-Columbian ruins, the third most visited archaeological site in Mexico, have it all: culture and history, as well as the chance to have a beer on the beach. The ruins of Tulum, a former trading outpost, stand out for several reasons — among them that it’s the only Maya city built on the coast. The castillo, or castle, overlooks the Caribbean Sea. It stands just 25 feet tall, but it perches atop a 40-foot cliff, giving it the feel of added height. In front of the castle lies the Temple of the Frescoes, a well-preserved building with paintings of the dead in the underworld, the living and the gods above. The entirety of Tulum is walled in on three sides, and historians believe that no more than 1,600 people lived inside, which means that this was a ceremonial center and not merely a town. It survived until roughly the 15th century.
Chichen Itza Maya Ruins | Yucatan, Mexico
Chichen Itza Maya Ruins in Mexico
Serrnovik
El Castillo, the 99-foot-tall pyramid, is the No. 1 reason to explore this site built around A.D. 600. Carved stone serpents crawl up the structure, honoring the god Kukulkan. You’ll get a workout on the way up, then your camera will. This is a prime spot for photos.
Luau | Hawaii
Hawaii Luau
iStockphoto
Continually voted the best luau in Hawaii, the Old Lahaina Luau on Maui was created in 1986 with the goal of showcasing a culturally sensitive look at this dance and feast. Plus, guests now get to sample uala, a sweet potato beer, from Maui Brewing Company.