Yucatan Travel Guide
El Castillo at Chichen Itza, Yucatan. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Yucatan is the Maya heartland: flat limestone plain, colonial Merida as its elegant capital, and the densest concentration of great Maya cities anywhere, led by Chichen Itza. The same limestone geology created the cenotes, the underground sinkholes that are the state's signature swim.
Merida, the White City, is one of Mexico's most livable colonial cities: the Paseo de Montejo, a grand cathedral, and a food scene built on cochinita pibil and lime soup. Around it: the Puuc ruins of Uxmal, the yellow city of Izamal, the flamingos of Celestun, and Valladolid as the gateway town to Chichen Itza.
Destinations in Yucatan
Chichen ItzaThe great Maya-Toltec city: El Castillo, the ball court and the sacred cenote. UNESCO-listed and one of the New 7 Wonders. Arrive at 8am.
UxmalThe Puuc-style masterpiece: the Pyramid of the Magician and the Nunnery Quadrangle, quieter than Chichen Itza.
Cenote Ik KilThe classic open cenote near Chichen Itza: vines hanging into clear blue water.
Merida historic centerPlaza Grande, the cathedral and the Paseo de Montejo's mansions in the White City.
Cenotes of Homun and CuzamaThe cenote ring south of Merida: underground caverns reached by truck-taxi through the jungle.
IzamalThe Yellow City: every building painted ochre around the giant Franciscan convent.
Ruta Puuc: Kabah, Sayil, LabnaThe secondary Puuc sites along the road south of Uxmal, with the great arch at Kabah.
ValladolidThe colonial town between Merida and Chichen Itza, with San Servacio church and nearby cenotes.
CelestunThe estuary's flamingo colonies, best by boat in the early morning.
Paseo de MontejoMerida's 19th-century grand boulevard of henequen-era mansions.
DzibilchaltunThe nearest ruins to Merida, with the Temple of the Seven Dolls and a swimmable cenote on site.- ProgresoMerida's beach: the long malecon and seafood shacks, 30 minutes north.
Hover a state to explore it. Click a city pin to open its guide.
Top Cities & towns in Yucatan
Regional food
- Cochinita pibil: pit-roasted pork in achiote, the Sunday dish
- Sopa de lima, papadzules and poc chuc in Merida's markets and portales
- Marquesitas and sorbetes on the Plaza Grande in the evening
Getting there
Merida International (MID) takes direct flights from Mexico City, the US and Canada. Chichen Itza is about 120 km east (ADO buses and tours from Merida and Valladolid); Uxmal is about 80 km south. The Maya Train links Merida with Cancun, Campeche and Palenque.