There is Mexico. And then there is Yucatán. Seeking a timeout from some turbulent months before, landing in Yucatán for a week of beaches, road trips and the occasional ruin discovery didn't sound too bad. 

And while the Tulum beaches were crowded, we headed West and discovered places like the lovely colonial Valladolid, the ruins of Uxmal and the hundreds of flamingos off the coast off Celestún. Eventually we made out way to Tulum, saw the sun rise over the ocean at the cliffs and the Maya ruins, and fulfilled a lifelong dream – diving the cenotes, limestone sinkholes sacred to the Mayas. On the way to Guatemala we didn't want to miss the beauty of the Bacalar lagoon.

A week by far wasn't enough to uncover all of Yucatán's secrets.