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Long a favorite dive destination, with fabulous reefs and places for cave diving, Akumal has grown a good deal without being overwhelmed. It spreads over several long, lovely bays – Media Luna is the most beautiful, with the delightful Yal-Ku lagoon (see Laguna Yal-Ku, Akumal). There are more apartments, villas, and small hotels than big developments, so it’s still quite easy to find secluded spots – certainly the turtles try to, and the beaches near Akumal village are favorite breeding grounds.

The beach in the center of Akumal is a little busier, and behind it there’s a bigger choice of lowkey bars and shops.

The best beach on Cozumel’s rugged eastern shore, with a sheltered cove for lazy swimming, while further along the sands you could even surf. There’s also a beach restaurant worth a special visit.

This huge Mayan city – once home to around 50,000 people – was the great rival of Chichén Itzá. It’s a very different place to visit from Chichén Itzá or Uxmal – it’s unusually spread out around several large lakes, and to find its massive buildings you follow fascinating walks through thick forest full of birds and plants. Among them is the Yucatán’s tallest pyramid.

As the name suggests, “Half Moon Bay” is an exquisite, near-perfect crescent of brilliant white sand and calm sea. The atmosphere is just as tranquil: around it there are condos and villas, and at the north end is the lovely YalKu lagoon (see Laguna Yal-Ku, Akumal).

A curving white sand bay with a likable beach bar and cabañas (see Cabañas María del Mar, Isla Mujeres). With over 2 km (1 mile) of beach, the camp site doesn’t obstruct the view, and the sands are never crowded.