Izamal has been an important religious centre for millennia. The bustling small town’s star attraction is the Convento de San Antonio de Padua, built from the stones of a pyramid to the god of the heavens, Itzamna, on which it sits.

Izamal is a friendly, untouristy town and makes a good base for those who avoid larger cities. Pony traps can be rented on the square for a tour of town, including a stop at the Piramide Kinich Kakmo, all that remains of this once royal Maya city.

The huge structure is currently under excavation. The horse-drawn carriages are also useful for visiting artisans’ shops; drivers know the way to home workshops where hammocks, jewellery, embroidery, and other crafts are offered for sale.