One of the most important Maya cities was Chichén Itzá. The city, situated in the north of the Yucatán, is said to have been founded in 987, although archeological findings have established that Chichén Itzá is even older. High points – also literally – are the Pyramid of Kukulcán, the Templo de los Guerreros, and El Caracol, an observatory. Also fun: close by Chichén Itzá lies the Chicxulub crater, where supposedly the meteorite crashed that brought an end to the age of dinosaurs.
The Maya cities are of course beautiful, but if you want to get to know the history in more detail, a visit to the Museo INAH in Cancun is recommendable. In this archeological museum, you’ll find, among other things, jewels, masks, and even skulls from the post-classic period. One can obtain an English-language guidebook at the cash register.
Boulevard Kukulcán Km 9.5, Cancún
One of these sights is Tulum, an ancient Mayan city in Quintana Roo, in the extreme east of Mexico. The ancient city, which originally was called Zama, is completely walled and houses several temples. Although an inscription was found from the year 564, the largest part of the settlement dates from the period between 1200 and 1450. Among the remarkably well-preserved buildings, you will find the remains of the famous Temple of the Frescos and of El Castillo.
If you would like to escape the hustle and bustle of Cancun, Isla Holbox is recommendable. It lies 160 km northwest of Cancun and has not yet been discovered by mass tourism. Isla Holbox is a pure and untouched island with a picturesque fishing village, dirt roads, authentic fishers’ houses, and a charming square. Here you can take a walk for hours along the white-sand beaches without running into anybody. No noise, barely any cars, and a tropical mangrove forest with beautiful birds: a destination par-excellence for relaxation seekers and nature lovers.
Tip: Take sufficient cash along on a longer stay, because there are no ATMs here. It is also advisable to check ahead of time whether there's network for your mobile telephone
The Yucatán peninsula offers infinite diving and snorkeling possibilities. But how about taking a swim with the dolphins? On Yucatán you can take a closer look at these intelligent animals at the eco-parks Xcaret and Xel-ha.