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Besides its archaeological treasures, Tulum is renowned as being one of the few Maya ruins with a beach—two, in fact. The aptly named Playa Ruinas is the most popular, and ranks among the best found on the Yucatán Peninsula.

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Mérida is the capital of Yucatán state, a busy, bright, and colorful city set at the cultural heart of Yucatán. Mérida is a fascinating blend of Spanish and Mexican cultures, its colonial history stretching back to its founding in 1542. Main sights include the cathedral, municipal palace (pictured), and the splendid Cantón Palace.

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Anchored just eight miles (13 km) off the coast from Cancún is Isla Mujeres, the "Island of Women." This blissful, sun-drenched destination serves as a more tranquil option for those seeking a less crowded holiday environment.

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For many vacationers, Cancún is Yucatán. This vibrant resort destination has long enjoyed a reputation as an all-inclusive holiday hub for both locals and foreign visitors. Cancún's beaches run the length of the resorts and there are a scattering of Maya archaeological sites set within the hotel zone and just outside the city limits.

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The cultural scene at Isla Mujeres extends below the surface to MUSA—the Museum of Underwater Art. This outstanding attraction features 500 pieces of sculpture by national and international artists arranged in a series of subterranean galleries. The theme of the permanent exhibition is conservation, the objective being the protection of nearby coral reefs by providing an alternative destination for scuba divers.

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Providing another alternative to the busier tourist hub of Cancún is Playa Del Carmen. Located on the famed Riviera Maya, this resort city is appreciated for its for its white sand beaches, blue turquoise waters, dazzling coral reefs, and surrounding rainforest.

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Be sure to pass some time in Valladolid. The city is designated a Pueblos Mágicos for its "cultural richness, historical relevance, cuisine, art crafts, and great hospitality." Must-sees include the Cathedral of San Servacio and the Convent of San Bernardino de Siena.

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Charming Izamal has also been granted Pueblos Mágicos status. The so-called "Yellow City" is in fact a small colonial town, apparently bathed in this color because, say some, the Mayans worshiped their sun god here. And they may well have a point. Nearby is a pyramid built in honor of the Maya sun god, Kinich Kak Moo.

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If you're looking for somewhere a tad more remote, head for Bacalar Lagoon. Located on the eastern part of the Yucatán Peninsula near the border with Belize, this beguiling natural wonder is renowned for its striking blue color and water clarity.

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On the north coast of the peninsula you'll find Holbox Island. Also bereft of an established tourist industry, this really is a place to chill out. Roads here are chiseled out of sand, with the only modes of transport being bicycle or golf cart. In fact, flamingos, pelicans, and other rich birdlife totally outnumber vehicles.

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Las Coloradas, in the northeast corner of the Yucatán Peninsula, is home to a series of stunning pink lakes. The rosy hue is the result of the water reflecting off red and pink colored marine life such as plankton, brine, shrimp, and algae. Sea salt harvesting takes place here, but is strictly controlled: the lakes are part of the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, a protected environment and home to an array of exotic and beautiful fauna.

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Another good reason to investigate Valladolid is its proximity to Suytun Cenote, one of the most Instagrammed cenotes of Mexico. The image you see is exceptional: Suytun is often overcrowded, so arrive here early.

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Sunk into the center of the peninsula near the town of Pisté is arguably the region's most famous cenote, Ik Kil. Forming part of the Ik Kil Archeological Park, the sinkhole was considered sacred by the Maya who used the site as a location for human sacrifice to their rain god, Chaac. Today it's open for swimming.

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Ik Kil is situated near Chichen Itza, the largest and most impressive of the Yucatán Mayan ruin sites. This is where to admire El Castillo, or the great Temple of Kukulcan. Completed in the 12th century CE, it's one of the most photographed historical sites on Earth and deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage status.

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Elsewhere, the Cobá ruins in Quintana Roo state include the tallest pyramid on the peninsula—Ixmoja, part of the Nohoch Mul group of buildings. This mighty feat of Mayan civil engineering stands 137 feet (42 m) and, unlike the UNESCO-protected pyramids, can be climbed and affords those making the effort a spectacular view of the surrounding jungle.

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Equally impressive, and also inscribed by UNESCO, is the archaeological site at Uxmal. Considered one of the Maya cities most representative of the region's dominant architectural style, Uxmal is simply staggering in its grandeur.

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Uxmal took shape in 700 CE. Besides the iconic Pyramid of the Magician, which dominates the landscape, other building that make up the complex include the Governor's Palace, which features the longest facades in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.

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Playa Del Carmen serves as a handy departure point for Cozumel, a scenic island moored in the Caribbean Sea. Ferries connect the mainland with this idyllic destination, a favorite with watersports enthusiasts, surrounded as it is by a diverse ecosystem of coral reefs that is home to more than 1,000 marine species.

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While the Yucatán Peninsula rightly basks in its reputation as one of Mexico's premier holiday destinations, the region is just as proud of its ecotourism credentials. Exemplifying this is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sian Ka'an Reserve.

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Fortunately, not all Sian Kaʼan's wildlife is quite so rare. The Crested caracara, for example, also known as the Mexican eagle, is widespread and emblematic of the reserve.

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Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve is the largest protected area on Mexico's Caribbean coast, taking in coastal wetlands and shimmering lagoons. Renowned for its beauty, the reserve is also home to a wealth of flora and fauna, much of it rare and endangered. Among the residents is the handsome Yucatán black howler monkey, which is scarce enough to be included on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

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Another island getaway within shouting distance of Cancún is Isla Blanca, a long, thin peninsula with the turquoise Caribbean on one side and the glimmering Laguna Chacmochuk on the other. If Mother Nature and solitude is your thing, this is where you need to be.

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If you only investigate one museum during your Yucatán jaunt, make sure it's Mérida's Great Museum of the Mayan World. This world-class facility celebrates Maya culture with over 1,100 remarkably well-preserved artifacts.

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Tulum is also visited for its gorgeous cenotes, sinkholes fed by underground reservoirs and rainwater. These natural Jacuzzis are located both above ground or in subterranean caves, and the region has some of the most attractive and inviting.

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Carpeted by palm trees, the Isla Contoy National Park is set on pencil-thin Contoy Island. There is no tourist infrastructure here, protected as it has been by the Mexican government since 1961.

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Contoy makes for an ideal day trip from Cancún, but a maximum of 200 visitors are permitted on the island at any one time. Falling within the park's boundaries is Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, a haven for a wealth of marine life, including the loggerhead turtle, green turtle, leatherback turtle, and hawksbill turtle (pictured).

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For those seeking to embrace Maya culture in real solitude, journey through the jungle to Calakmul, deep within the Yucatán Peninsula near the border with Guatemala. UNESCO has also declared Calakmul a World Heritage Site. Taking center stage and seemingly floating on a sea of green is the remarkable but rather dully named Temple 1 (pictured).

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Finally, spare some time to browse Campeche. Enclosed by historic old walls, the city endears visitors with its Spanish colonial architecture and warm Mexican hospitality. The locals are proud of where they live, given that much of the city also enjoys World Heritage status.

Sources: (Visit Mexico) (UNESCO) (IUCN)

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Kohunlich in the state of Quintana Roo is where to gaze at the slightly creepy Temple of the Masks, an Early Classic pyramid whose central stairway is flanked by huge humanized stucco masks. These stony-faced visages date back to 500 CE.

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If you like flamingos, you'll love the UNESCO-protected Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve. Located in northwestern Yucatán, these graceful birds flock here year round, but are at their greatest concentration from November to mid-March.

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Tulum is one of the most visited archaeological zones in Mexico. The site of a pre-Columbian Mayan walled city, this remarkable collection of temples, dwellings, and civic-ceremonial buildings is situated on cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

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Ancient Maya ruins, powdery white beaches, azure Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico waters, and dazzling colonial architecture... the Yucatán Peninsula is all this and more. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Central America, the peninsula is also home to several protected nature reserves and marine parks—sanctuaries for a wealth of stunning wildlife, much of it rare. In fact, discovering the Yucatán Peninsula is to embrace some of the finest coastal vacation resorts in Mexico and a collection of truly fabulous natural wonders and historic monuments. So, isn't it about time you arranged a visit?

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