Isla Mujeres
A 19th-century slave trader and reputed pirate, Fermín Antonio Mundaca de Marechaja fell in love with a local woman known as La Trigueña (The Brunette)…
Must-see attractions in Yucatán Peninsula
Isla Cozumel
This Maya ruin, a fertility temple, is the oldest on the island. It’s the size of a small house and has no ornamentation. El Cedral is thought to have…
Isla Cozumel
Down the same intimidating road that leads to Punta Molas are the large Maya ruins known as El Castillo Real (The Royal Castle). The archaeological site,…
Campeche
About 13km south of downtown, just past the port village of Lerma, Playa Bonita is the closest real beach to Campeche. Don't expect an isolated paradise…
Chichén Itzá
From the Plataforma de Venus, a 250m rough stone sacbé (path) runs north to the huge sunken well that gave this city its name. The Sacred Cenote is some…
Costa Maya & Southern Caribbean Coast
Folks come from all over to pray before this shrine dedicated to the talking cross, a symbol of the Maya people's struggle against inequality and…
Cancún
Also known as the Templo del Alácran (Scorpion’s Temple), Yamil Lu’um was used between AD 1200 and 1550, and sits atop a beachside knoll in the parklike…
Yucatán State & the Maya Heartland
The only reason you go to this tiny museum is for the view (it's perched on a hill) and to support the locals – both worth doing. Displays are modest,…
Riviera Maya
Xpu-Há (shpoo-ha) is a beach area about 95km south of Cancún that extends for several kilometers. It’s reached by numbered access roads (most of them…
Campeche
Once the mansion of wealthy landowner Fernando Carvajal, this beautiful building now houses state offices. Visitors are welcome to take a peek inside,…
Casa de la Cultura Felipe Carrillo Puerto
Costa Maya & Southern Caribbean Coast
On the plaza, the cultural center has art exhibitions, a video of the city's history, workshops and the occasional exhibit on the War of the Castes. Be…
Mérida
Attempts to create a modern exterior for Mérida's municipal cultural center were halted by government in order to preserve the colonial character of the…
Museo Frida Kahlo Riviera Maya
Playa del Carmen
This 'museum' is mainly info about Kahlo rather than displays of her artwork. It's also small. But if you're looking for something to do on a non-beach…
Chetumal
The Museo de la Ciudad is small but neatly done, displaying historic photos, pre-Hispanic and military artifacts, and old-time household items (even some…
Campeche
Next to the Plaza Moch-Couoh is this modern monument to the city’s four famous gates (land, sea, San Román and Guadalupe); these entrances were in the…
Campeche
Just beyond the Centro de Convenciones Campeche, the girl gazing out to sea is the Novia del Mar. According to a poignant local legend, the campechana…
Yucatán State & the Maya Heartland
It's all cement and stone but nevertheless the Plaza de la Cultura is an agreeable place to take in the evening breeze, enjoy the view of the church and…
Chichén Itzá
The structure at the ball court's north end, called the Temple of the Bearded Man after a carving inside it, has finely sculpted pillars and reliefs of…
Chetumal
Set just off the waterfront, construction on this government building began in the 1930s and the present-day three-story structure was finished in 1945.
Cancún
A small beach with a great kids’ playground, bathrooms and free palapa-topped tables. Access just north of the Holiday Inn Cancun Arenas.
Cancún
Cancún's main north–south thoroughfare is Avenida Tulum, a wide boulevard lined with banks, shopping centers and restaurants.
Chichén Itzá
The visitors center has a small museum with exhibits providing explanations in Spanish, English and French.
Chetumal
An art-deco monument built in in 1943 to honor Mexico's independence and Reform movement heroes.
Centro de Convenciones Campeche XXI
Campeche
This unmistakably modern behemoth serves as a handy reference point along the beachfront.
Museo Maya Santa Cruz Xbáalam Naj
Costa Maya & Southern Caribbean Coast
A small but interesting collection of Maya artifacts, clothing and cooking utensils.
Campeche
The Baluarte de Santa Rosa has a gallery that houses temporary exhibitions.
Isla Cozumel
This overpriced Maya complex is Cozumel’s only preserved ruin. It's thought to have been the location of the sanctuary of Ixchel, goddess of fertility,…
Campeche
Named after Spain’s King Carlos II, the Baluarte de San Carlos houses the Museo de la Ciudad. Its rather pathetic exhibitions include a chained pirate in…
