Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula offers up some of the best-looking beaches in the world – huge sweeps of white sand, palm forest fringes, and bright blue waters. The area is much more than just sand and sea, though, making it a top pick for those who like to balance beach days with adventurous days out.
Mayan, Aztec and Spanish archaeological parks sprinkle the region, from the temples and pyramids at Chichen Itza and Coba to the clifftop ruins at Tulum. This slice of Caribbean coast is a real natural beauty, too. Tropical jungle and mangroves make appearances, as do cenotes – freshwater lakes formed when soft limestone caves collapse to create wild swimming spots.
The city of Cancun is up in the north of the peninsula. Luxe beach hotels, Latin-flavoured nightlife and Mexcal bars put it at the lively end of the scale, while the sea turtle sanctuary and scuba diving sites of Isla Mujures stretch out just offshore.
Towns further south have a less developed feel. Tulum on the Riviera Maya is a sleepily bohemian place stocked with roadside craft stalls and ramshackle beach bars serving margaritas and fish tacos.
Playa del Carmen represents the middle ground. There are plenty of bars, restaurants and shops along 5th Avenue and the beachfront, but the tempo is turned down a few notches compared to its northerly neighbour Cancun.
