Chichén Itzá

Chichén Itzá was one of the largest Maya cities, flourishing roughly a thousand years ago. Its centrepiece, the pyramid of El Castillo, also called the Temple of Kukulcán, works as a calendar in stone, and at the spring and autumn equinoxes the late-afternoon sun casts a serpent-shaped shadow down its northern stairway.

Around it are the Great Ball Court, the Temple of the Warriors with its rows of carved columns, and the Sacred Cenote. A local guide brings the carvings and astronomy to life; climbing the monuments is not allowed.

The site is about two and a half to three hours from Cancún, so start early to beat the heat and the crowds. Wear a hat and comfortable shoes, carry water, and combine the visit with a swim at Cenote Ik Kil and lunch in the colonial town of Valladolid.