It's no great secret that a visit to the stunning Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá in the Yucatan, just a few hours away from Cancun, is an experience one should have at least once in their lifetime. There is simply nothing like witnessing the sun cast shadows throughout the day on El Castillo, the stunning step pyramid that is at the center of this pre-Colombian civilization. This building, an architectural calendar of a structure, is especially noteworthy during yearly equinoxes and solstices and was a centerpiece of this pre-Colombian civilization from 400 to 1000 AD. While El Castillo, named one of the new seven wonders of the world, may be the most famous aspect of Chichén Itzá, it is by no means the only, and you can easily spend many hours, wandering amongst the multiple structures including the Great Ball Court and an observatory known as El Carasol, where shadows in the room predicted the solstice.

You will have to devote at least a few hours to explore Chichén Itzá, so I suggest if you're staying at the Westin Resort & Spa, Cancun, wake up at sunrise and get to the site early to avoid the crowds, the tour vans and most importantly, the relentless Yucatan sun. Pack some food for the road, and for snacking, as while there are options at the site, they are few. Anyhow, especially on hot summer days, bring along a bathing suit, as just a few miles away is the Ik-Kil Eco Park. Inside is home to the Cenote Ik kil, known as the Sacred Blue Cenote, a limestone sink hole, and it's a refreshing and beautiful stop before riding back to town.