Cancún

The reason most people come — Cancún's spectacular beaches, long stretches of powder-soft white sand lapped by warm, impossibly turquoise Caribbean water, from the lively resort sands of the Hotel Zone to the calm, dreamy Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres. Swim in the bath-warm sea, laze under a palapa, and drink in the postcard blue; the sand is famously fine and cool underfoot. Whether partying on a busy beach or finding a quiet cove, the beaches are pure Caribbean bliss. The essential, idyllic highlight. Simply paradise.

One of the New Seven Wonders of the World — Chichén Itzá, the magnificent ancient Maya city inland from Cancún, crowned by the colossal step-pyramid of El Castillo (the Temple of Kukulcán), alongside a great ball court, temples and observatory. A day trip into the heart of Maya civilisation and one of the most important archaeological sites on earth; marvel at the astronomical genius (twice a year a light-serpent slithers down the pyramid at the equinox). Go early to beat the heat and crowds. An unmissable, awe-inspiring highlight. A bucket-list wonder.

One of the Yucatán's most magical experiences — swimming in a cenote, a natural sinkhole of crystal-clear, cool fresh water in the jungle, formed where the limestone bedrock collapsed to reveal the vast underground river system the Maya held sacred. Some are open pools, others dramatic caverns hung with stalactites and shafts of light. Snorkel, swim or dive in the ethereal blue water; the cenotes near Cancún (Ik Kil, Dos Ojos, Gran Cenote) are stunning and refreshing. A serene, unforgettable and uniquely Yucatán highlight. Utterly magical; a must.

A blissful little island a short ferry ride from Cancún — Isla Mujeres, with the gorgeous, calm, shallow turquoise Playa Norte (one of the Caribbean's loveliest beaches), a laid-back village of colourful streets and seafood, golf-cart adventures around the island, and superb snorkelling. Ferry over for a day (or stay) to swim at Playa Norte, tour the island by golf cart, and soak up the relaxed island pace, a world away from the resort strip. A gorgeous, easy and quintessential Cancún day out. Idyllic and charming; a must-do.

The most beautifully sited Maya ruins anywhere — Tulum, a clifftop ancient city perched dramatically above a turquoise Caribbean beach, its weathered temples framed by the sea (you can swim on the beach below the ruins). Beyond the ruins, the trendy town of Tulum has become a boho-chic hotspot of beach clubs, cenotes, cool restaurants and eco-hotels. A gorgeous day trip (or overnight) combining spectacular seaside archaeology with a dip and a boho beach scene. An unmissable, photogenic highlight of the Riviera Maya. Stunning and unique.

Cancún sits on the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest barrier reef on earth, and the snorkelling and diving are superb — glide over vibrant coral gardens teeming with tropical fish, rays and turtles off Isla Mujeres, Cozumel and Puerto Morelos, or explore the surreal Underwater Museum (MUSA), where hundreds of submerged sculptures form an artificial reef. Take a boat snorkelling trip to the reef or the museum; the warm, clear turquoise water and abundant marine life are a highlight. A wonderful, essential underwater experience. Beautiful beneath the surface.

The hip heart of the Riviera Maya — Playa del Carmen, a lively, walkable beach town whose famous Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) is a buzzing pedestrian strip of shops, bars, restaurants and street performers, backed by good beaches and the ferry to Cozumel. Cooler and more walkable than Cancún, it's a great base or day trip for the beach scene, shopping, dining and nightlife, and a springboard for cenotes and ruins. Stroll La Quinta, hit the beach, and enjoy the buzzing atmosphere. A fun, vibrant highlight of the coast. Lively and enjoyable.

A little slice of Maya history right in the Hotel Zone — the El Rey ruins, a modest but atmospheric ancient Maya site of temples and platforms roamed by iguanas, tucked among the resorts. It's an easy, low-key introduction to the region's archaeology without a long trip, and a reminder that this was Maya land long before the resorts. Combine it with a stroll or the nearby beaches; while far smaller than Chichén Itzá or Tulum, it's a charming, convenient and iguana-filled stop. A pleasant, easy highlight in the Hotel Zone. Quirky and handy.

Behind the Hotel Zone's beaches lies the calm Nichupté Lagoon, a hub for water fun — jet-skiing, jungle-tour speedboat trips through the mangroves to the reef, paddleboarding, kayaking, and sunset sailing cruises, all in sheltered turquoise water. The lagoon is also where the Hotel Zone's clubs and restaurants overlook the sunset. Take a jungle boat tour, paddle the mangroves, or cruise at sunset; it's a fun, active complement to the beach. A lively, watery highlight for adventure-seekers. Great fun on the water.

Escape the resort buffets for the real thing — downtown Cancún and the Yucatán serve superb, authentic Mexican and regional food: tacos al pastor, cochinita pibil (slow-roasted achiote pork, a Yucatán classic), fresh ceviche and marquesitas (crispy rolled sweet pancakes). Graze the taquerias, street stalls and markets of El Centro, where the food is cheap, delicious and a world away from the tourist strip. Try the local Yucatecan specialities; the flavours are rich, smoky and unforgettable. A tasty, essential and great-value highlight. Come hungry.

The island of Cozumel, reached by ferry from Playa del Carmen, is one of the world's premier diving destinations — its dramatic reefs and walls (part of the Mesoamerican Reef, made famous by Jacques Cousteau) offer crystal-clear water, vibrant coral and abundant marine life, ideal for diving and snorkelling. Beyond the reefs, the island has beach clubs, a relaxed town and coastal scenery. Dive or snorkel the world-class reefs, or just enjoy the island's beaches; it's a highlight for underwater lovers. A superb, world-class diving excursion. Unmissable for divers.

Cancún is famous for its nightlife — the Hotel Zone's 'party center' packs in mega-clubs like Coco Bongo (a wild, acrobatic show-and-club spectacle), beach clubs, bars and the legendary spring-break scene, all pumping until dawn. Whether you want a big club night, a beach party or a cocktail with a sea view, the options are endless and full-on. Dance the night away at Coco Bongo, bar-hop the strip, or enjoy a mellower lagoon-side sunset bar; the choice is yours. A lively, iconic (if intense) highlight. Full-on fun; go big or keep it chill.

For souvenirs, crafts and local colour, head to Mercado 28 in downtown Cancún — a bustling market of stalls selling Mexican handicrafts, silver, hammocks, textiles, sombreros and trinkets, alongside cheap, authentic taquerias where locals eat. Haggle for souvenirs (bargaining is expected), browse the colourful crafts, and grab a cheap, delicious lunch; it's a lively, characterful contrast to the Hotel Zone malls. A fun, affordable place to shop for gifts and soak up local life. A colourful, great-value highlight downtown. Lively and authentic; bargain hard.

The lively social heart of downtown Cancún — Parque de las Palapas, a big central square that comes alive in the evening with food stalls serving cheap, delicious local snacks (marquesitas, elotes, tacos), families, buskers, artists and a warm, authentic Mexican community buzz. Come for dinner among the locals, try the street food, and soak up the genuine everyday atmosphere far from the resorts. A free, tasty and authentic window into real Cancún life, especially fun in the evening. A charming, only-downtown highlight. Local, lively and great value.

A uniquely Riviera Maya attraction — the eco-archaeological parks like Xcaret and Xel-Há, sprawling nature-and-culture theme parks where you can swim in underground rivers, snorkel, see Mexican wildlife, and watch a spectacular evening show celebrating Mexican history and culture, all in a jungle-and-cenote setting. Family-friendly and immersive, they pack a lot of the region's nature and heritage into one fun day. Spend a day snorkelling the underground rivers and enjoying the shows; it's a crowd-pleasing highlight, especially with kids. A fun, immersive day out. Great for families.