Yucatan Peninsula Highlights

• Merida – a colonial city is a great jumping off point for tours to the Mayan world. It is a white-washed city, with historical buildings and great food.

• Campeche – a World Heritage Site with historic fortifications

• Calakmul – an archaeological zone and also has a portion of the country's biggest biosphere reserve.

• Chichen Itza and Uxmal – archaeological sites of Mayan temples and structures

• Cancun – a favorite city destination, with its five-star hotels and bustling nightlife

• Mayan Riviera – with nature parks such as the Xel-Ha, Xcaret and the Sian Kaan biosphere

• Cozumel – an island with great scuba diving sites

Festivals in the Yucatan Peninsula

• Carnaval Merida (Merida, late February) – this carnival has colorful and boisterous parades going along San Juan Park to the Flag Monument.
  
  
• Spring Equinox (Chichen-Itza, March) – At this time, people come to the El Castillo, the largest Mayan pyramid, to see how the afternoon shadow of the Kukulcan the snake god cover the temple.
  
  
• Mani Festival (Mani, August) – Celebrates the wealth of culture in Mani, Yucatan. Sampling of traditional cuisine, art exhibit, and musical presentations and dances are showcased in the festival.
  
• Fall Equinox (Chichen Itza, September) – Again, the people gather at the El Castillo to watch the shadow of Kukulcan cover the pyramid