Photos of the Yucatan Peninsula: Escape to Mexico | CNN

Escape to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula

Ashley Strickland, Special to CNN
1 minute read
Updated 11:40 AM EDT, Thu May 31, 2012
Vijay Krishna captured this view of "Mayan ruins along the blue ocean shores" of Tulum. "I would love to go there again for another relaxing vacation. The sea is absolutely stunning."
Tulum —
Vijay Krishna captured this view of "Mayan ruins along the blue ocean shores" of Tulum. "I would love to go there again for another relaxing vacation. The sea is absolutely stunning."
Steven O'Brien shot this photo of "a simple display of blankets and hats that bring out all the vibrant colors of Mexico."
Riveira Maya —
Steven O'Brien shot this photo of "a simple display of blankets and hats that bring out all the vibrant colors of Mexico."
"Dotting all of the Yucatan Peninsula are the openings to the undergound world of cenotes and subterranean rivers," Kristine Celorio said. "Cenotes were an important water source and sacred place for ancient Mayans. Swimming in the crystal clear waters is surreal."
Yucatan Peninsula —
"Dotting all of the Yucatan Peninsula are the openings to the undergound world of cenotes and subterranean rivers," Kristine Celorio said. "Cenotes were an important water source and sacred place for ancient Mayans. Swimming in the crystal clear waters is surreal."
Courtney McCrary shared this sunset photo she took during an anniversary trip to Riviera Maya. "We loved the gorgeous water and beaches. We would go back to the place because we were able to relax with great food, drinks and scenery!"
Riviera Maya —
Courtney McCrary shared this sunset photo she took during an anniversary trip to Riviera Maya. "We loved the gorgeous water and beaches. We would go back to the place because we were able to relax with great food, drinks and scenery!"
Natee Ramnarain took this serene photo while on her honeymoon in Cancun. "It was at the Hyatt Cancun Caribe at one of the the two swimming pools they had on site. I was sitting in a cabana and thought the sky looked perfect."
Cancun —
Natee Ramnarain took this serene photo while on her honeymoon in Cancun. "It was at the Hyatt Cancun Caribe at one of the the two swimming pools they had on site. I was sitting in a cabana and thought the sky looked perfect."
"In the middle of the Yucatan Peninsula is the beautiful city of Valladolid with its lazy plazas and grand churches," Kristine Celorio said. "There is amazing architecture to enjoy and I happened upon a great display of the traditional decoration 'papel picado' flying in the breeze."
Valladolid —
"In the middle of the Yucatan Peninsula is the beautiful city of Valladolid with its lazy plazas and grand churches," Kristine Celorio said. "There is amazing architecture to enjoy and I happened upon a great display of the traditional decoration 'papel picado' flying in the breeze."
Donna Panabaker captured this view from a palapa in Cancun. "If there's something more relaxing than lounging in a shaded, comfy bed while overlooking a beautiful beach like this one, I don't know what it is!"
Cancun —
Donna Panabaker captured this view from a palapa in Cancun. "If there's something more relaxing than lounging in a shaded, comfy bed while overlooking a beautiful beach like this one, I don't know what it is!"
Kristine Celorio loves photographing food and produce and shared this photo of chiles in Merida. "A colorful bowl of chiles represents all that is great about Mexican cooking."
Merida —
Kristine Celorio loves photographing food and produce and shared this photo of chiles in Merida. "A colorful bowl of chiles represents all that is great about Mexican cooking."
Michael Hilburn took this photo of Valladolid plaza at night. "This city, like most Spanish colonial towns, had a huge central plaza, which was beautifully lit at night and full of majestic old trees and fountains."
Valladolid —
Michael Hilburn took this photo of Valladolid plaza at night. "This city, like most Spanish colonial towns, had a huge central plaza, which was beautifully lit at night and full of majestic old trees and fountains."
Steven O'Brien captured this breathtaking perspective. "As the sun started setting of this pier on the Riviera Maya, the moon was high and cast a wonderful light on the water."
Riviera Maya —
Steven O'Brien captured this breathtaking perspective. "As the sun started setting of this pier on the Riviera Maya, the moon was high and cast a wonderful light on the water."
Chad Samiljan snapped this shot of an iguana in the El Rey Archaelogoical Ruins in Cancun. "We loved the beach and the friendly atmosphere," he said.
Cancun —
Chad Samiljan snapped this shot of an iguana in the El Rey Archaelogoical Ruins in Cancun. "We loved the beach and the friendly atmosphere," he said.
"Tulum is a beautiful place south of Cancun if you yearn for a place that is rustic and unplugged," Kristine Celorio said. "Unwinding is easy with the waves crashing outside your cabana. In this picture you can see the only three choices I had to make that day... hot tub, hammock, or ocean."
Tulum —
"Tulum is a beautiful place south of Cancun if you yearn for a place that is rustic and unplugged," Kristine Celorio said. "Unwinding is easy with the waves crashing outside your cabana. In this picture you can see the only three choices I had to make that day... hot tub, hammock, or ocean."
Kristine Celorio took this photo while "cooling off with freshly made ice cream in Merida."
Merida —
Kristine Celorio took this photo while "cooling off with freshly made ice cream in Merida."
Michael Hilburn captured this view "with the Caribbean on the right and a crocodile infested lagoon to the left" from the top of the lighthouse at Punta Sur Ecological Reserve.
Cozumel —
Michael Hilburn captured this view "with the Caribbean on the right and a crocodile infested lagoon to the left" from the top of the lighthouse at Punta Sur Ecological Reserve.
Travel snapshots: Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula
CNN  — 

When you’re planning a vacation in Mexico, you have a lot of options – two coastlines, big cities, quaint villages, deserts and jungle.

One of the most popular areas, with good reason, is the Yucatan Peninsula.

From the azure waters of Cancun to lazy, sun-soaked days in Valladolid and Merida, iReporters share photos from this verdant part of Mexico that overflows with history and good food. Check out the gallery above.