Yucatán and the South

Region

Jungle, cenotes and the Maya world. Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum line the Caribbean coast, Mérida is a colonial city near Chichén Itzá and Uxmal, Campeche has walled streets, and Chiapas has San Cristóbal de las Casas, the Sumidero Canyon and the jungle ruins of Palenque. December to April is dry.

Yucatán and the South TulumCobaUxmalIsla MujeresCozumelCalakmulEl Castillo, Chichen ItzaEl ChichónMayapanVolcán TacanáSierra Madre de ChiapasYaxchilanBonampakTonináLa VentaDzibilchaltunIsla HolboxEdznaKabah (Maya site)BermejaBecanKohunlichLabnaIzapaCabo CatocheChacchobenChinkulticEkʼ BalamJaina IslandSan Cristóbal de las CasasCancúnTuxtla GutiérrezMéridaTulum, Quintana RooSumidero CanyonChichen ItzaPalenqueCampecheChetumalVillahermosaPlaya del CarmenTapachula de Cordova y OrdoñezCiudad del CarmenValladolid, YucatánProgreso, YucatánComitánIzamalChiapa de CorzoChampotón, CampecheBacalar

Yucatán and the South essentials

Country: Mexico
Driest months: Feb-Apr
Pay in: Peso ($)
Language: Spanish
Emergency: 060

Where to Go in Yucatán and the South

City Cancún CancúnCaribbean resort of the Hotel Zone and Mayan sites City Mérida MéridaYucatán's colonial capital near cenotes City Campeche CampecheCapital of Campeche, known for colonial architecture Island Isla Mujeres Isla MujeresSmall Caribbean island with beaches and snorkeling Island Cozumel CozumelCaribbean island noted for coral reefs and diving Island Isla Holbox Isla HolboxCaribbean island known for beaches and wildlife, flamingos History Chichen Itza Chichen ItzaMaya archaeological site with El Castillo pyramid History Tulum TulumCoastal Mayan ruins overlooking Caribbean beaches History Palenque PalenqueAncient Maya city with ornate temple ruins in Chiapas Nature Sumidero Canyon Sumidero CanyonSteep-sided canyon with dramatic cliffs and river Nature El Chichón El ChichónActive volcano in Chiapas, Mexico with crater lake. Nature Sierra Madre de Chiapas Sierra Madre de ChiapasMountain range in southern Mexico with cloud forests
Regions & Cities
San Cristóbal de las Casas Explore San Cristóbal de las Casas Cobblestone streets lead to colorful textile markets and Tzotzil cafés; tourists come for colonial churches, nearby highland villages, blue corn tortillas and a steady stream of textile workshops. Cancún Explore Cancún Long beaches and a high-rise hotel zone define Cancún: turquoise reefs invite snorkeling and diving, nightlife and all-inclusive resorts dominate, and day trips reach Chichén Itzá, Tulum and Isla Mujeres. Tuxtla Gutiérrez Explore Tuxtla Gutiérrez Tuxtla Gutiérrez base for Sumidero Canyon canyon boat tours, regional museums and lively indigenous markets; try Chiapanecan tamales, sip coffee from nearby highlands and ride the cable car for city-overlook views. Mérida Explore Mérida Mérida offers a shaded Paseo de Montejo, lively markets and colonial mansions; it’s a base for Uxmal and cenote trips, mezcal tastings, Yucatecan slow-cooked dishes like cochinita pibil and daytime horse-drawn carriage circuits. Tulum, Quintana Roo Explore Tulum, Quintana Roo Cliffs above a narrow turquoise strip draw photographers to Tulum’s seaside Maya ruins; others come for cenote swims, boutique eco‑hotels, taco stands along Avenida Tulum and kite‑surfing or yoga on the sand. Sumidero Canyon Explore Sumidero Canyon Sheer limestone walls line the Grijalva River at Sumidero Canyon; riverboat tours reveal cliffs, waterfalls and crocodiles, while roadside miradores offer quick viewpoints above Chiapas’s canyon rim. Chichen Itza Explore Chichen Itza On Mexico’s Yucatán, Chichén Itzá features the stepped Kukulkán pyramid, a large ballcourt and El Caracol observatory. Palenque Explore Palenque Set in Chiapas jungle, Palenque features Classic Maya architecture, carved reliefs and the Temple of the Inscriptions.

Yucatán and the South at a Glance

Local Time
7:15 PM
GMT-5
Population
12,727,752

Best Things to Do in Yucatán and the South