For swimming, the waters of underground and open air cenotes offer a unique experience surrounded by nature and that special halo of mysticism that enfolds them since pre-Hispanic times.
Valladolid
 This is the second most important city in Yucatan, only preceded by Merida, the state's capital. Valladolid welcomes its visitors with beautiful cobblestone streets, gorgeous antique churches, city edifices and old houses that inspire that special tranquility delivered by history in traditional towns. This city was founded in 1543 by the nephew of Francisco de Montejo and during the colonial period, Valladolid was the main urban center of the Yucatan Peninsula. Close to Valladolid, you can find Chichen Itza and its many beautiful cenotes, where you can take a refreshing dip.
Celestun
 Celestun is a quaint village located only 85 kilometers away from Merida, Yucatan's capital city, near the border with the State of Campeche and the Gulf of Mexico. The Biosphere Reserve of Celestun is famous worldwide for being a sanctuary for flamingos and various pelican species, creating a composition of colors in pink and white that paints a beautiful picture of the reserve's lake.
 In Celestun, there is a very peculiar ecosystem since the fresh waters of the Celestun River merge with the salty waters of the Gulf. During your visit, take the boat tour that will get you closer to the gorgeous flamingos, giving you the chance to take amazing photos. This tour also includes a fascinating ride through the tunnels naturally formed in the mangroves, ending in a petrified forest.
Telchac Puerto
 Get away from the city chaos to take refuge in the picturesque town of Telchac Puerto, a small village located on the Yucatan coast, where tranquility floats in the air and its inhabitants are hospitable fishermen. Only 65 kilometers away from Merida, Telchac Puerto offers you delicious dishes prepared with fresh fish and seafood caught every day, where you can later wet your feet in the nearby sea.
Uxmal
 The archaeological site of Uxmal, located 62 kilometers south of Merida, is considered one of the finest cities designed by the Maya of Yucatan. Its elegant architecture is evident in each edifice (very well preserved due to the high quality constructions) even before having gone through the various restoration processes.
 The ''Piramide del Adivino'' (the Pyramid of the Fortune Teller) stands out for its impressive beauty and was built in 5 stages, in which a new construction was overlaid each time. You can't afford to miss the ''Cuadrangulo de las Monjas'', a series of buildings that have facades which were ornamented with various high and bas-relief works depicting animal figures, stylized columns and masks of the Mayan deity, Chac.
Dzibilchaltun
 This archaeological zone displays smaller dimensions in comparison to other pre-Hispanic cities in the area, but features two attractions that are quite worth exploring.
The first is an edifice known as the ''Templo de las Munecas'' (Temple of the Dolls), where you can observe a beautiful spectacle of light during the spring equinox, when  the sun shines in such a way that its rays goes through two windows in perfect alignment.
The second attraction of Dziblichaltun is the refreshing water of a cenote located a few steps from the site. When exploring the Yucatan area in the intense heat, a dive is always a good idea.
Mayapan
 The ruins of the pre-Hispanic city of Mayapan are only 40 kilometers away from Merida. The site was created based on Chichen Itza's design, and located 100 kilometers away from it. In its architectural design, the builders incorporated elements of other cultures from central Mexico, skillfully combining them with the traditional Mayan architecture. The experts point out that Mayapan was the headquarters of the Liga de Mayapan (Mayapan League), which eventually was dissolved in violence and concluded with the fall of Chichen Itza.
Haciendas
 During colonial times, the Yucatan territory was populated by haciendas: large constructions where the Spaniards lived and administered the exploitation of the land, coordinating the production of corn, sugar and henequen (a kind of sisal hemp).
 Nowadays, the Yucatan haciendas are another tourist attraction, ideal for those seeking broad open spaces and outdoor activities. There are some haciendas that have been customized with great luxury to become hotels. San Antonio Cucul, Teya y Dzoyola are some famous haciendas located around Merida and well worth a visit.
Grottoes
 The Yucatan peninsula's rocky subsoil shelters innumerable underground caverns and caves that offer a unique experience for those visiting this gorgeous region. In the old days, these places were considered sacred by the Maya, where they carried out religious ceremonies and presented offerings to the infra-world ''inhabitants''.
 We highly recommend you visit these impressive sites, whose vaults seem to be trying to close their jaws filled with stalactites and stalagmites resembling teeth. In Yucatan, the most famous are Balankanche, San Ignacio, Calcehtok, Tzabna y Loltun.
Cenotes
 During your visit to Yucatan, you will find a great number of signs (most of which have been painted or handwritten in a rather rustic way) indicating the location of the cenotes. Don't think twice, take the turn, go off road and visit these stunning water deposits created by the filtering liquid through the subsoil walls and the subsequent slides caused by the weakening of the rock structure.
 There are open air cenotes (older formations) and in-cavern cenotes (younger formations), and a combination of both. In their crystal-clear cold waters, you'll be able to swim, snorkel or dive, always with the appropriate equipment and following the safety regulations, since most of the cenotes can be very deep.
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