Essential: Il Meglio dello Yucatan

Cancun stretches along the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, where dazzling white sands and turquoise waters have turned a once-remote sandbar into Mexico's most famous beach destination. The downtown area, on the mainland, keeps its Mexican soul of markets, taquerías and lively squares, while the Hotel Zone — a slender seven-shaped strip of land between the Caribbean Sea and the Nichupté Lagoon — lines up resorts, clubs and postcard beaches such as Playa Delfines for more than twenty kilometres. Cancun is above all a gateway to an extraordinary region: nearby lie the cenotes, the spectacular freshwater sinkholes in the limestone that were sacred to the Maya, along with the great nature and theme parks of the Riviera Maya. From here travellers reach the seaside ruins of Tulum and Chichén Itzá, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, crowned by the pyramid of Kukulcán. Ferries link the island of Mujeres and the larger Cozumel, a diving paradise along the world's second-longest coral reef. Local cuisine invites you to taste cochinita pibil, Veracruz-style fish and fresh ceviche, paired with a mezcal at sunset. Between glittering nightlife and pockets of pure tropical calm, Cancun blends modern comfort with Caribbean charm in a single sun-drenched holiday.

Chetumal overlooks a calm Caribbean bay at the southern tip of Quintana Roo state, a stone’s throw from the Belize border. The state capital, it keeps the relaxed feel of a waterfront frontier town, far from the mass tourism of the Riviera Maya. Its seafront, the Boulevard Bahía, invites sunset strolls, while the Museo de la Cultura Maya evocatively tells the story of the civilisation that flourished in these lands. Nearby lie uncrowded archaeological sites such as Kohunlich and Dzibanché, and the spectacular Laguna de Bacalar, known as “the lagoon of seven colours” for its waters with endless shades of turquoise. Chetumal is the quiet gateway to a more authentic Mexico and the nature of the south.

Chicanná rises in the heart of the Río Bec region, in the interior of Campeche, where dense jungle guards one of the most evocative Maya sites on the Yucatán Peninsula. The name means “house of the serpent’s mouth,” revealed in the famous doorway of Structure II, carved into the gaping jaws of a monster that seem to swallow whoever crosses the threshold: a masterpiece of the Río Bec style, with ornamental towers and finely carved stone decoration. Far from the main tourist trails, Chicanná is explored in peace, to the call of howler monkeys and the flight of toucans through the foliage. It pairs naturally with nearby Calakmul, an immense Maya city set within the biosphere reserve, for a journey into Mexico’s most authentic and untamed side.

Palenque guards some of Mexico's most evocative Maya ruins, set deep in the rainforest of Chiapas where birdsong accompanies every discovery. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the archaeological zone reveals the Templo de las Inscripciones — which conceals the tomb of King Pakal — the Palacio with its tower, and the refined stucco reliefs recounting the classic Maya civilisation. All around, the jungle hides crystalline waterfalls such as Agua Azul and Misol-Ha, perfect for an excursion between nature and water. Palenque shows its magic in the early-morning mist, when the temples seem to rise from the green like an ancient dream.

The route from Palenque to Campeche crosses a region of great natural beauty and rich history in the state of Chiapas and the Yucatán Peninsula. From Palenque, famous for its jungle-immersed Maya ruins, the journey proceeds northwest through breathtaking tropical landscapes and picturesque rural villages. Continuing northwest, the landscape opens up to the plains of the Yucatán, with its stretches of tropical vegetation and coastal marshes. Along the way, one can stop in cities like Campeche, known for its charming historic center, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, visitors can stroll along the ancient city walls, admire the colonial architecture, and savor the local cuisine in the traditional restaurants of the main square. Campeche guards, behind its walls overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, one of the most charming and best-preserved fortified cities in the Yucatán Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Its historic centre is a mosaic of pastel-coloured houses, cobbled lanes and ramparts that once defended the city from pirate attacks. The walls, bastions and land and sea gates recount its past as a prosperous colonial port, while the seafront Malecón accompanies long sunset strolls. The museums housed in the forts display Maya artefacts from nearby sites such as Edzná and Calakmul, the latter deep in the jungle. With its seafood cuisine, tranquil atmosphere and colours that glow at night, Campeche is one of Mexico’s lesser-known gems.

The journey from Campeche to Mérida offers an experience through the Yucatán region, characterized by a rich history, culture, and natural beauty. From Campeche, a colonial city rich in charm and historical heritage, you head towards Mérida, the lively capital of Yucatán. The route traverses varied landscapes, from ancient Maya ruins to lush tropical forests, with picturesque villages along the way. Along the route, you can make a stop at Uxmal, one of the most important archaeological sites in the region, to explore the majestic pyramids and complex Maya temples. Arriving in Mérida, you immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of the city, with its streets lined with pastel-colored colonial buildings, bustling squares, and traditional markets. Mérida is renowned for its cuisine, so be sure to sample local delicacies like cochinita pibil and pollo pibil. During the journey from Campeche to Mérida, you may come across a variety of attractions, including crystalline cenotes, historic haciendas, and traditional Maya communities. Mérida holds the colonial soul of the Yucatán, spreading its orderly streets and pastel façades across the heart of the peninsula, a short distance from the Gulf of Mexico. Nicknamed the "white city" for its limestone houses, it was founded by the Spanish on the remains of the ancient Maya city of T'hó, and to this day it weaves together European heritage and indigenous culture. The hub of city life is the Plaza Grande, shaded by great trees and overlooked by the Cathedral of San Ildefonso, one of the oldest on the American continent, and the Casa de Montejo. From here runs the stately Paseo de Montejo, a tree-lined avenue flanked by nineteenth-century mansions that recall the golden age of henequén, the agave fibre that enriched the region. Mérida is also a city of fragrant markets, live music in the squares and a refined Yucatecan cuisine, with dishes such as cochinita pibil, panuchos and sopa de lima. Its location makes it the ideal base for exploring an extraordinary archaeological heritage: the Maya sites of Uxmal and Chichén Itzá, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the lesser-known cities of the Puuc Route and the cenotes hidden in the countryside. Lively yet relaxed, safe and authentic, Mérida invites you to discover the Yucatán to the rhythm of its golden sunsets.

Chichén Itzá rises in the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula as one of the most extraordinary testaments to Maya civilisation, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The site is dominated by the pyramid of El Castillo, also known as the Temple of Kukulcán, an astronomical masterpiece where, at the equinoxes, a play of light and shadow traces the descent of the feathered serpent along the staircase. All around unfolds a monumental complex that tells of the city's splendour: the imposing ball court, the largest in Mesoamerica; the circular observatory of El Caracol; the Temple of the Warriors with its carved columns. A short distance away, the Sacred Cenote, a deep water sinkhole, was a place of offerings and ritual ceremonies. A visit is rounded off with a refreshing dip in the nearby Ik Kil cenote, a natural jewel set in the jungle and a perfect seal to an itinerary of history, myth and wonder.