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The capital of Yucatán’s cattle country hosts one of the region’s biggest fiestas. It features a stock fair as well as bullfights, traditional music, dancing, colorful parades, and plenty of eating and drinking.

Light, elegant shirt-jackets, accepted as tropical formal wear, that give men (of a certain age) instant dignity.

The traditional place to sleep is so much a part of the Yucatán that local poets have even celebrated it in verse.

Dried natural gourd bowls, brightly painted, are a specialty of Chiapas, but are often seen in the Yucatán.

Valladolid’s main fiesta, the Expo-Feria, centers around the Feast of the Virgin of La Candelaria. Local girls show off dazzling embroidered dresses in the opening parade, followed by free concerts and shows, and dancing. Campeche has a smaller celebration.

High-quality mariachi bands perform traditional Mexican songs in many of the region’s restaurants. This style of music dates back to the nineteenth century when Maximilian was emperor of Mexico.

Mérida hosts a free fiesta every week, “Mérida on Sunday,” when the Plaza Mayor and Calle 60 are closed to traffic to make way for strolling crowds and a range of events. There are displays of jarana dancing in front of the City Hall and concerts up and down the street, and anyone can dance, too.

Brightly painted wooden parrots, toucans, and boxes provide one of the prettiest images of tropical Mexico.

The best palm hats are from northern Campeche; the place to buy them is Mérida.

Cozumel’s most important traditional fiesta is in honor of the island’s patron saint, St. Michael. For nine days preceding his day, there are religious processions, kids’ entertainment, and free music and dancing.