Travel review: Sun, street art and sand… my magical Mexican trip married cultural city breaks with glorious unspoilt beaches

From culture in the capital to the white sands of Cancun, Mexico has treasure for everyone By the water at El Cuyo town in Yucatan. Photo: Getty Hilary Fennell Today at 11:00 After a 12-hour bus ride from Guatemala, I arrived tired and jaded in San Cristobal de las Casas for a month-long backpacking adventure through Mexico. Nestled in the Central Highlands of Chiapas, San Cristobal was a good place to begin, offering a laid-back introduction to the country. The welcoming atmosphere of San Cristobal encourages strolling around the narrow cobblestone streets. With its lively graffiti art and rich colonial past, it’s a place where history and creativity converge.