Yucatán Peninsula

A limestone peninsula in southeastern Mexico with the Caribbean beaches of Cancún and Tulum, Maya sites such as Chichén Itzá, thousands of cenotes and colonial towns.

The Yucatán Peninsula is a limestone plain in southeastern Mexico that juts out between the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It includes the Mexican states of Yucatán, Quintana Roo and Campeche (in the broader sense it also takes in Belize and northern Guatemala; this entry covers only the Mexican part). Main highlights: the Cancún Hotel Zone and Isla Mujeres; the Riviera Maya, with Playa del Carmen, Cozumel (diving) and the seaside ruins of Tulum; Lake Bacalar, the "Lagoon of Seven Colors"; Maya sites including Chichén Itzá (El Castillo pyramid), one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, as well as Uxmal, Cobá and Ek Balam; thousands of natural sinkholes (cenotes) such as Ik Kil and Dos Ojos; Mérida, the "White City"; the yellow town of Izamal; the colonial town of Valladolid; and the World Heritage–listed walls of Campeche. Classic route: fly in and out of Cancún and loop around by rental car or ADO bus: Cancún/Playa del Carmen 3 days – Tulum 2 days – Bacalar 1–2 days – Valladolid and Chichén Itzá 1–2 days – Mérida 2 days, for 8–12 days in all. Since 2023 the Tren Maya has linked the main cities. Cancún has direct flights from China or connections via the US. Summers are hot and humid, so use sun protection and insect repellent, and rinse off sunscreen before swimming in cenotes.

Destinations

Itineraries