Traveling alone to Mexico in a couple months, looking for insight!

Hey there. I am Mexican-American and have traveled in Mexico extensively, so I hope I can help.
1) It looks like your final destination is not Cancun, so consider flying into Merida instead. It is about a 5 hr bus ride from Tulum, but you mentioned you want to see Mayan ruins and Chichen Itza is one of the stops the bus makes. So total time, you break even, and usually Merida airport is cheaper to fly into than Cancun.
2) Mexico is no more dangerous than some US cities, and most of the violence is concentrated on the border towns. There is little violence out of the ordinary (so do exercise caution) in the Yucatan peninsula.
3) Place to stay - Generally, I am a budget traveler, but on occassion have stayed in nice hotels around the world. My fondest memory still remains Cenote Encantado in Tulum. The places to book are tents with beds inside. There are a few things that make this place awesome. First, the owner is a Mexican hippie type who is all about conservation and making your time the best it can be. He has personal access to the private beach across the street which has 0 people in it. Second, the whole place is a nice community, complete with self sustainable bathrooms, yoga rooms, and a nice common area. The best thing however, is that he, together with a few other hotels, owns a Cenote out back. Cenotes are geographically unique to the Yucatan and are lakes connected by a network of underground rivers. Some of the cleanest water on earth and he lets you use his boat for free. Back in 2010 when I went, it was $20 a night.
4) Sian Kaan - This Biosphere reserve is not very well traveled, which is a shame as it is considered the Amazon of Mexico. It is right next to Tulum and actually less than a mile from Cenote Encantado. I rented a motorbike (expensive, $25 a day) and rode in, but it might actually be better with a car. Along the coast is an amazing 50km ride all the way to the town of Punta Allen where you can see dolphins, giant turtles, and crocs. On the north side (I didnt have time), there are lesser known Maya Ruins you can literally drive up to. Sian Kaan is also one of the few places where you can spot wild jaguars if you're lucky, or unlucky, depending on the jaguars hunger level.
I have a travel blog and can PM you some links of if you'd like.

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