If culture were money, Yucatán would be the richest guy on the block. And in a way, it already is. Yucatán is home to a stunning array of cultural treasures: ancient Maya ruins and contemporary indigenous villages; sprawling haciendas and gorgeous colonial cities; modern museums and a worldly population.

Add to that the state’s natural riches, including the world’s largest colony of the world’s largest (and pinkest) flamingos, and geologic idiosyncrasies like cenotes and a vast network of caves. There is something here for every sort of traveler and whether you have a week or a month, you’ll leave feeling like you’ve won the lottery.

The Best of Yucatán

• Museo Regional de Antropología e Historia
• Museo MACAY
• Domingo en Mérida
• Uxmal Archaeological Zone
• Cenotes de Cuzamá
• Flamingo Tours
• Convento de San Antonio de Padua
• Chichén Itzá Archaeological Zone