Yucután

At first glance, the quiet and slow-moving streets of Merida seem somewhat uninviting. All the activity is happening tucked away behind the colorful walls and decorated entryways. Shops, restaurants, and bars are housed in the privacy of cool inner courtyards. Thousands of cenotes dot the surrounding landscape, and ancient Mayan ruins are hidden in the thick forest. An hour's drive out of the city, will bring you to the edge of the Gulf of Mexico and you can take your pick of small towns with secluded beaches that are a far cry from the neighboring Cancún.