The Zócalo, Mexico City
The heart of the modern city, of ancient Tenochtitlán and of Cortés' city, surrounded by the oldest streets, the Cathedral, Aztec ruins and the Palacio Nacional.

Tulum
An important Maya spiritual and cultural centre and one of the most picturesque of all the sites, looking out across the Caribbean from its clifftop setting.

Xochimilco
Get punted around the canals here, taking in the carnival atmosphere and dazzling colours while serenaded by mariachi bands, then wander the streets of Xochimilco town and visit the flower and fruit market.

Whale watching
Ecotourism has taken off big time in Baja California, and with good reason. From December to April, you can see some of the thousands of Alaskan gray whales that have come to mate in the lagoons of Guerrero Negro, San Ignacio and Bahia Magdelena.

Palenque
This Maya site is remarkable not only for its distinct architectural style but also for its setting - surrounded by hills covered in jungle, right at the edge of the great Yucatán plain.

Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
One of the largest protected areas in Mexico, this stunning coastline comprises tropical forest, fresh- and salt-water marshes, mangroves and a section of the longest barrier reef in the western hemisphere.

Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico City
The museum to see in Mexico - an enormous collection of artefacts from all the major pre-Columbian cultures.

The Bonampak Murals
Hidden deep in the forest until 1946, the ancient temples at Bonampak are home to the renowned murals depicting vivid scenes of Maya life - and sacrifice.

Chichén Itzá
The most famous of the Maya sites, although its history remains uncertain. The impact of the ruins and carvings is undeniable, however, and it's well worth staying nearby so you can see them over a couple of days.

Silver jewellery from Taxco
No matter that this attractive town is an interesting place in itself, Taxco is the place to come to in Mexico for exquisitely produced silverware.