The original Botanical Gardens were established in 1855 and were located on Alice Street on the south-east side of the city. Due to the proximity to the river, the gardens have been flooded eight times which lead to the new botanical gardens at Mount Coot-tha. Don't miss the Tropical Display Dome — a large geodesic dome.

Take a sneak peek at a day in the life of a local by going on one of the most typical and easily accessible hiking routes in the region. Reaching some 673 metres (2,208 feet) in height, Pagasarri is one of the smaller mountains that surround Bilbao and most locals will have tried this hike at least once before. There are buses from the city centre, with a few different routes starting from the area of Zabalburu or from Peñascal, on the outskirts of the city. At the top of the mountain, there is even a bar selling 'bokatas', the typical no-nonsense baguette rolls filled with your local delicacy of choice, from tortilla de patata to txistorra or chorizo. If you've reached the summit of Pagasarri, you're already halfway to Ganekogorta, a summit at 998 metres (3,274 feet) which is a little further away.

Located 15 miles south of Mahahual, Xcalak is a secluded stretch of Costa Maya with stunning marine life in the Xcalak National Reef Park. It extends over 25 miles as part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Activities are plentiful and include fly fishing, scuba diving, Standup paddleboarding, kayaking and more. Without the hustle of nearby popular resorts, this is also a perfect place for peaceful strolls or romantic sunsets on the beach.

Loved equally by visitors and locals, Deckchair Cinema screens a wide range of films in its lovely outdoor location, right by the waterfront. Movies range from arthouse and independent to family-friendly films. Most years the cinema stays open from April to November.