|
Ancient, sun-soaked, and full of life, the Yucatán hums with history and heat. Maya pyramids rise from the jungle, cenotes glimmer beneath limestone ground, and the air smells faintly of citrus and achiote.
In Mérida, centuries-old haciendas hide sleek new restaurants. Down on the coast, Cancún hums with beach energy while Tulum offers calm mornings and cliffside ruins. And those are just the main hubs. Venture even deeper, and you’ll see how the Yucatán keeps one foot in the past and the other in the surf.
|
|
|
Never miss a deal to the Yucatán Peninsula! Head to the Going app to find deals around $335 roundtrip (that’s 39% off the regular price).
|
|
|
Earn more with The Platinum Card® from American Express®
Earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first six months of Card Membership.
Apply and find out your welcome offer. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
|
|
Powerhouses on the peninsula
These hubs are great places to set up camp, offering everything you could want for a week-long adventure, plus easy access to nearby cenotes, ruins, and beaches.
-
Mérida: Known as “La Ciudad Blanca”, home to Historic Centro with Spanish-era architecture, glamorous Paseo de Montejo, former haciendas reborn as museums, hotels, and restaurants, and known as one of Mexico’s safest cities.
-
Cancún: Where turquoise water meets high energy. More than just a resort strip, built for lounging on Playa Delfines, exploring El Rey ruins, or diving into nearby cenotes.
-
Tulum: Cliffside Maya ruins overlooking the Caribbean and a relaxed, design-forward beach scene, complete with sunrise yoga and late-night mezcal bars.
|
|
|
Mérida’s romantic “tu y yo” chairs are steeped in lore and a testament to the city’s unique sense of place. These intriguing seats are a work of design, featuring conjoined handles that compel people to face each other while sitting, inviting intimacy and shared moments. You’ll find them all over the historic Centro, especially in squares and parks, with an oversized set in Santa Lucia Park.
–Erin De Santiago, Going contributor
|
|
Eat like a Yucateco
If good eats are what you’re after, head for Mérida—but there’s plenty more to explore on the peninsula, from centuries-old Maya techniques to splashy tasting menus.
-
Cochinita pibil: A Mérida specialty, pork marinated with achiote (spice) and sour orange, wrapped in banana leaves, slow-cooked underground in a pib.
-
Panuchos: Corn tortillas stuffed with black beans, often topped with turkey and pickled onions. Try a relleno negro panucho with inky, charred-chile recado (paste).
-
Queso relleno: Hollowed Dutch Edam filled with seasoned ground pork, olives, and spices.
-
Brunch: Mérida spares nothing here. Try Pancho Maíz (antojitos made with maíz criollo) or Izel Restaurante (avant-garde Veracruz cuisine with intricate lacto-fermentation techniques).
-
World-renowned spots: Huniik, K’u’uk, and Ixi'im are all great for special occasions.
|
|
|
The hubs of the Yucatán may have it, but there’s plenty more to explore off the beaten path. For ruins, visit Uxmal, comparable to Chichén Itzá and an hour from Mérida. Or, head to Muyil or Cobá, both not too far from Cancún or Tulum. For beach vibes, head to Puerto Morelos, a mellow alternative to Cancún.
–Willis Orlando, Going Travel Expert
|
|
|
Trusted Housesitters connects homeowners and house and pet sitters so you can work remotely without paying for accommodations.
Right now, Going members can get 20% off all new subscriptions of any membership tier with the code #######.
|
|
Yucatán’s most beautiful
Save these for golden hour—and bring a swimsuit.
-
Ik Kil Cenote: Lush vines cascading into a circular pool near Chichén Itzá. Fair warning, it’s popular, so go early or late.
-
Celestún: Mangrove boat rides to see flamingos in winter. Consider an overnight to catch first-departures.
-
Bacalar: The shimmering “seven colors” lagoon, famously clear thanks to minimal organic material.
-
Holbox: Car-free island life, powdery beaches, and seasonal whale-shark swims (Jun–Sept), with flamingos in winter.
-
Tulum Ruins (Zamá): Seaside Maya settlement with sweeping cliff views, plus beach access via stairs to Playa Ruinas.
|
|
|
Follow us on Instagram @Going
Follow us on Instagram and comment on our post for a chance to win Going merch. We will be randomly picking 10 winners!
|
|
CUN flight price history
|
|
$335 Average Going deal
|
|
$547 Normal ticket price
|
|
|
|
|
Interested in a trip to the Yucatán Peninsula?
Premium and Elite members get alerts for specific trip destinations and dates in the Going app.
|
|
|
Recent deals we’ve sent
Set a flight alert
in the Going app so you never miss a deal
Dallas  Cancún
|
|
|
Newark Tulum
|
|
|
Miami Mérida
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share with a fellow travel lover by forwarding to a friend.
|
|
|
Get the app today 
|
|
|
