From the jungle-fringed ruins of Chichén Itzá to the sun-drenched shores of the Riviera Maya, Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is a heady blend of history, culture and indulgence, where ancient civilisations, colonial elegance and barefoot luxury converge.
Home to the most famous and extensively restored of all Mexico’s Mayan sites, incredible Chichén Itzá, conveniently located between Mérida and Cancun.
The north coast plays host to two wonderfully romantic Spanish colonial cities, the capital of the Yucatán, Mérida, and UNESCO-listed Campeche.
There are more Mayan marvels to mull over at Uxmal and Tulum, the latter poised on a clifftop above the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Along the Caribbean coast, the Riviera Maya is home to some of Mexico’s most luxurious resorts, many of which are tucked between white-sand beaches and swathes of green jungle.
Beneath the Yucatán’s surface lie extraordinary cenotes, crystal-clear limestone pools once sacred to the Maya, now serene sanctuaries for swimming and snorkelling.
The Yucatán Peninsula is Mexico at its most evocative. Along the Riviera Maya, a 130-kilometre stretch of Caribbean coastline between Cancún in the north and Tulum in the south, travellers are met with powder-white beaches, sapphire seas and world-class resorts.
Clifftop Tulum is the only Mayan city to be built on the coast – a breathtaking fusion of heritage and horizon. Inland, the wonders deepen. Uxmal is rated by many archaeologists as the finest Mayan city ever built, while further north, colonial Mérida provides a cultured base for exploring the most famous of all the Mayan sites, wondrous Chichén Itzá, now one of the official New 7 Wonders of the World.
Further west lies UNESCO-listed Campeche, a postcard-perfect port city with impeccably preserved Spanish colonial architecture. While hidden among it all are a network of cenotes: sinkholes in the bedrock once used for Mayan rituals that now provide travellers with wonderful opportunities to swim, snorkel and even scuba dive.
Located on the idyllic island of Isla Mujeres, Almare is a contemporary beachfront retreat designed for those seeking serenity, style and soulful connection to the sea. With uninterrupted ocean views, refined minimalist design and personalised service, the hotel offers a peaceful escape where every detail is thoughtfully curated to inspire relaxation and reconnection.
As a sanctuary for the soul, it is hard to believe the secluded Chablé Maroma on the Riviera Maya is just 35 minutes away from Cancún Airport. Positioned at the end of an unassuming road where dense green jungle meets the Caribbean Sea, every detail here is crafted to create an experience of profound tranquillity and sublime luxury, making it not merely a place to stay but a place to deeply unwind.
Sitting within an ecological enclave along a strip of white sand beach within easy reach of Playa del Carmen, this spectacular property created from local materials effortlessly marries nature with luxury.
An excellent base for exploring the ancient Mayan cities of Uxmal and Mérida, Chablé Yucatán is a remote jungle-clad resort with a renowned spa, superb restaurants and even its own cenote.
Fun is high on the agenda at this slick, adults-only, all-inclusive resort set on a tropical island off the coast of Cancun, thanks in no small part to the welcome bottle of tequila on arrival, the thrilling pool-to-sea waterslide and the all-white rooftop bar, restaurant and infinity pool that wouldn’t look out of place in Ibiza.
Perched on a powder-white beach looking south across the Caribbean Sea, Paradisus Playa del Carmen offers all-inclusive luxury for the whole family. Discover fabulous facilities for all ages, where guests can share hours of endless fun in the water park and pools or enjoying sports and activities, followed by nightly entertainment.