Izamal

Known as the Yellow City for its tradition of painting nearly all its buildings yellow, Izamal is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Americas, with large Maya pyramid mounds rising within the town alongside Spanish colonial architecture. A walkable centre with cafés and restaurants makes it easy to explore on foot. In 2002 it became the first town in Yucatán to receive Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos designation.

• Population16,195