Essential Yucatán: Maya ruins, cenotes & the Caribbean

Arrival in Cancún and transfer to your hotel in the Riviera Maya (Cancún, Playa del Carmen or Tulum). The rest of the day is yours — depending on when you land, you'll have time to start soaking up the Caribbean vibes, the beaches, and that laid-back atmosphere.

Day trip to Akumal for a snorkelling experience with sea turtles — always following the observation guidelines, no touching or chasing the animals. In the afternoon, a visit to a nearby cenote: Dos Ojos, Azul, Cristalino or Jardín del Edén, depending on where you're staying.

Free day to enjoy the Mexican Caribbean beaches at your own pace — kick back at the hotel, head out on your own to a nearby cenote for a dip in those crystal-clear waters, or make your way over to Isla Mujeres or Cozumel, both famous for their turquoise waters and laid-back vibe. Time to switch off and soak up the surroundings however you like.

Day trip to Cobá, an ancient Maya city nestled between jungle and lagoons, famous for its vast network of white stone roads — the sacbés. Then on to a nearby cenote, its fresh water shifting between deep blue and turquoise, for a proper taste of what makes Yucatán so special. We wrap up in Valladolid, a laid-back colonial town of colourful facades, where you'll have free time to wander the historic centre at your own pace.

We leave the hotel in Mérida and head to Izamal, a colonial city known for its yellow facades and laid-back atmosphere. Next stop: cenote Yokdzonot, one of those freshwater sinkholes that make the Yucatán Peninsula so special — deep blue water with turquoise reflections that you just have to see in person. Then it's on to Chichén Itzá, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and one of the most important Maya sites you'll ever walk through, before we wrap up the day in Valladolid, where you'll have free time to wander the town centre at your own pace.

Transfer to Chiquilá and ferry crossing to Holbox, a laid-back island off the northern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula, in the state of Quintana Roo. On arrival, the rest of the day is yours — explore the sandy streets, hit the beach, and settle into the island's easy pace.

Free day in Holbox to explore the island at your own pace — kick back on the shallow-water beaches, wander through the sandy streets of the village, or just soak in the coastal scenery. Fancy something more active? You can always rent a bike, hop on a boat, or simply do absolutely nothing by the sea.