The route
A classic Yucatán loop: Mérida → Uxmal → Valladolid → Chichén Itzá → Cenote country → Tulum/Cancún. 7–10 days is ideal.
Mérida
The Yucatán capital. Colonial mansions, free music every night in the zócalo, the safest big city in Mexico, and an easy base for day trips.
Valladolid
A pueblo mágico halfway to Cancún. Beautiful colonial center, the Cenote Zaci right downtown, and quieter than Tulum.
Chichén Itzá
Get there at opening (8am) and you'll have it almost to yourself. By 11am tour buses arrive.
Cenotes
The Yucatán has thousands. Cenote Suytun (the Instagram-famous one), Ik Kil, Cenote Oxman and the Cuzamá circuit are the highlights.