With 2,000,000 yearly visitors, Cancún is the top destination for visitors of Mexico. The most obvious attractions are the beaches, with their silky smooth and sugary white sand lapped by the turquoise blue and emerald green waters of the Caribbean.
For many travelers, Cancún serves as a port of entry, a gateway into the Yucatan to be passed through as quickly as possible. But for millions of others it is a full-blown destination in itself.

Ek' Balam, which means black jaguar, is a place that is never overwhelmed with tourists. It also is not fully excavated yet but excavations and restoration continue to add to the sights. The Acropolis is the largest restored building; from the top of the pyramid you have a great view across the flat terrain.

Valladolid is a small, quaint city-town that still preserves a special colonial flavor. It's a fine place for observing the "real life" and you'll also see colonial architecture surrounding the Main Plaza and many historical buildings.
Cenote Dzitnup, located southeast of Valladolid, is underground with a hole in the ceiling. Its deep, refreshing, crystal clear water awaits you. Moreover, it's probably one of the most photographed cenotes in the Yucatán. (Cenote is derived from the Mayan word "dzonot" and refers to any subterranean chamber that contains permanent water.)

This site is one of the most impressive testimonies to the Maya-Toltec civilization of the Yucatán. Chichén Itzá, which means "mouth of the well", is a magical place with the massive Pyramid of Kukulcan ("El Castillo") being the centerpiece.
Chichén Itzá is the most visited archaeological site in the peninsula of Yucatán, due to its extraordinary architecture beauty and its geographical location. Start early to avoid the masses that flock the place by 11 a.m. It's definitely worth it!

Izamal, nicknamed La Ciudad Amarilla (The Yellow City) is a charming, colonial town. The most important thing to see here is the Franciscan convent, which dominates the center of the town.

Mérida is the biggest and most important city in the Yucatán peninsula, and it is the entrance to an immense prehispanic and colonial legacy. It's a city of narrow streets, colonial buildings and shady park. The Plaza Grande in the center adds charm to the vibrating ambience.

Uxmal (OOSH-mahl), meaning "built three times" in the Mayan language, is one of the best restored and maintained ruins in the Yucatán, and certainly one of the most magnificent. The most impressive structure and the tallest, is the House of the Magician - unfortunately it's not allowed to climb up.

Kabah was connected by a stone causeway or "sacbe" with Uxmal. It's a fine example of the Puuc style architecture in which each stone element is part of a total, linking men with its universe. The most interesting structure at Kabah is the so-called Palace of the Masks with its lavishly sculptured façade.

Campeche's location on the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the colonial buildings, churches and brightly colored buildings add to its charm. The broad waterfront boulevard provides the perfect place for sunset-watching. It's a great city for strolling around and soaking in the relaxed atmosphere.

Palenque, set in the foothills of the Tumbalá mountains of Chiapas, is situated on a ledge overlooking the plains that stretch northward all the way to the Gulf coast. Perhaps it is this positioning between two worlds, that gives Palenque a mystical charm that enchants scientist and tourist alike.
Palenque is a ruin city that is part of the Maya civilization that dates back to 100 BC to its fall around 800 BC. The ruins left behind are very well preserved; most impressive are the Palace and the Temple of Inscriptions.
Start early to experience the blanket of fog that covers the ruins at this time of the day. The fog, combined with the sun and trees produces a unique mystical atmosphere.

Palenque was definitely the highlight for me during this trip!

In Mayan language Becán means "The Road of the Serpent". What makes Becán so interesting is that is an excellent example of Mayan fortification; it represented an important political and military control place, and is the only one that was walled. Although not usually included in the top ranking Mayan sites, Becán is the largest and most impressive in this area.

Chetumal is a fascinating little city in the southeast corner of Mexico and also the capital of Quintana Roo. The Chetumal area offers a wide diversity, from diving and shopping to ecotourism trips to nearby Mayan archaeological sites. And best of all, it is not only a traveller's bargain, but you can enjoy a relaxed vacation without that wall-to-wall tourist feeling.

Kohunlich, 60 km from Chetumal is best reached by car. It's one of the most interesting sites in this area, Kohunlich is perhaps most famous for its fantastic stone god masks, which, surrounded by huge trees and the growl of howler monkeys, create a somewhat creepy atmosphere. There are other features of interest too such as the recently restored Complex of the Twenty-Seven Steps.

Laguna Bacalar, also called "Lake of the seven colors" by the ancient Maya and the pueblo of Bacalar, a lakeside town are still well-kept secrets. The turquoise water is incredible, believe me! The small, sleepy town of Bacalar is noted mostly for its old Spanish fortress.

Cobá’s name means "ruffled waters", derived from the five lakes in the vicinity, and it is one of the oldest Mayan settlements on the peninsular. Cobá boasts the second tallest pyramid of the Mayan world. 42 meters high with 120 steps, Nohoch Mul, is worth the climb - the view from up there is breath-taking!

Tulum is the one of most visited of the Maya sites in the Yucatán and not only because of its proximity to Cancún. Although the ruins are structurally less impressive than Chichén Itzá or Uxmal and much less extensive, they have the azure Caribbean as a backdrop - so it's all about the perfect picturesque location!

Though only a few kilometers from Cancún's glamour, Isla Mujeres keeps its laid back and peaceful character without becoming a boring place because of that. Framed by Caribbean waters with their typical shades of green and blue, this magical place is perfect for recharging the batteries.
Today it is one of the favorite destinations for people seeking relaxation, for professional divers and - unfortunately - for the ever growing flow of tourists coming from Cancun to spend a day. However, Isla Mujeres has more to discover if you decide to spend more than a day. Exploring the relatively small island by renting a golf cart, for certified divers there is Punta Norte and the Manchones reef, as well as Navy Boat shipwrecks and many others. Just relax and enjoy yourself!