We moved to Mexico for several months in the spring. First, we lived on the Yucatan Peninsula, and then we relocated to Guanajuato. Today, we’re sharing our detailed Yucatan Mexico itinerary that we put together for our road trip across the peninsula. You’ll find out where to go, where to eat, and what you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
How Long to Spend on the Yucatan Peninsula?
If you’re flying from Europe, we recommend spending at least 14 days on your holiday. You need to account for a few days to acclimatise to the time change and the new environment.
However, if you have more holiday time, you’ll be glad you went for three weeks. The extra time will allow you to explore less touristy spots and spend a few days in cenotes and on the beach. And it’s absolutely worth it!
Before planning your holiday, we recommend checking whether the invasive sargassum seaweed is currently a problem (track it in real time here). In recent years, beaches have been affected more and more frequently. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go — just plan your trip so you spend more time at cenotes and less time on the beaches.
Independent Travel or Package Tour?
Travelling independently in Mexico is fairly straightforward, but if you want to avoid tourist scams, it helps to know at least some basic Spanish. Mexicans aren’t particularly fond of Gringos (that’s what they call Americans).
In five months in Mexico, we never had a problem, so we see no reason not to go independently. If you’re still hesitant, you can find a range of interesting package tours to Mexico on travel booking platforms that might suit you.
Yucatan Mexico Map: Our Route
Yucatan Mexico Itinerary: 2-3 Week Road Trip
The Yucatan Peninsula is one of the most beautiful places in Mexico. If you’re planning a trip across the Yucatan, we’ve prepared a road trip itinerary that we followed ourselves. You can copy it exactly or simply use it as inspiration. ☺️
Arrival: Cancún (1-3 Nights)
Cancún is Mexico’s Caribbean party city, where most tourists head primarily for beach holidays. But it offers so much more. Spend at least one full day on the stunning Isla Mujeres, where you shouldn’t forget to rent a golf cart (read our article Things to Do on Isla Mujeres).
We also recommend a snorkelling trip to the MUSA Underwater Museum. We spent over a week in Cancún, and for restaurants, we happily recommend the hidden gem Gory Tacos. From Cancún, it’s also not far to the most famous Mayan ruins — Chichén Itzá.
For more tips, read our article about Cancún, where you’ll find plenty more useful information.
Best Hotels: Where to Stay in Cancún
Among the best hotels in Cancún are Home’s Jungle 15 and of course the world-renowned Hyatt Ziva Cancun.
Playa del Carmen and Cozumel (2-3 Nights)
From Cancún, an hour’s drive south brings you to Playa del Carmen. Besides endless beaches, bars, and delicious fried churros, Playa del Carmen is a great base for numerous day trips. From the local port, you can reach the beautiful island of Cozumel (which has a completely different vibe to Isla Mujeres), and there are also many stunning cenotes in the surrounding area.
You can easily reach all the cenotes using Colectivo minibuses, which run practically every minute along the main roads.
We particularly recommend Jardin del Eden, Cenote Azul, and Cenote Xunan-ha. Visit Cozumel for at least one full day. Explore the town, go snorkelling, or simply relax on the beach (we recommend Playa El Cielo and Playa Azul).
Another advantage of Cozumel is that we never had issues with seaweed there, unlike Playa del Carmen. You can easily get there by ferry from Playa del Carmen — book your ferry tickets in advance on GetYourGuide to skip the queue.
If you’re travelling with kids, check out the Xcaret theme park, located on the way to Tulum. You’ll need a whole day for it, but don’t worry about getting bored — the park entertains both children and adults.
For tips on great restaurants or a beach where you can swim with turtles, read our article Things to Do in Playa Del Carmen: 10 Must-Do Activities.
Where to Stay in Playa del Carmen
If you book early, there might be availability at Suites Cielo y Mar — this accommodation is in a quiet spot within walking distance of the beach and has absolutely stunning views from the rooms.
You could also try Aloft Playa del Carmen, which has a fantastic location and excellent breakfasts.
Tulum (1 Night)
Less than an hour’s drive from Playa del Carmen, you’ll find the most popular and most “Insta-friendly” town on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Tulum’s hotel zone is a boho-style paradise where you can practise yoga on the beach, enjoy excellent speciality coffee, and try vegan ice cream. It’s also one of the most expensive destinations — you’ll find premium restaurants and hotels frequented by influencers.
It’s not typical Mexico, but it’s definitely worth strolling through the hotel zone, checking out the beaches, and exploring the local Mayan ruins — some of the most photogenic Yucatan Mexico pyramids you’ll see.
Find everything you need to know in our article Things to Do in Tulum.
Where to Stay in Tulum
Tulum is one of the most sought-after and most expensive locations, so it’s wise to book accommodation early to get a good deal. A great hotel at a reasonable price is Trece Lunas Tulum.
If you want a bit more luxury with a private beach, check whether the Nerea Tulum hotel is available.
Bacalar (2 Nights)
Two hours’ drive from Tulum, you’ll find yourself in paradise for people who don’t enjoy mass tourism. The tranquil town of Bacalar sits on the shores of a crystal-clear freshwater lagoon.
If I were to pick a destination for a relaxing beach holiday, this would probably be it. I’d head to the beach with the locals for just a few cents, swim in the freshwater lagoon, and go kayaking. And in the evening, I’d sit in the best pizzeria in Mexico. One day is technically enough for Bacalar, but most people end up regretting they didn’t stay for at least a week.
Before booking a hotel, check out our article: Bacalar Lagoon: 8 Things to Do + Where to Eat.
Where to Stay in Bacalar: Best Hotels
Bacalar has quite a few beautiful hotels, and among the best is Blue Palm Bacalar. If you have Genius discounts on Booking.com, you might snag a great deal on the absolutely luxurious Khaban Bacalar Hotel Boutique.
Xpujil, Campeche (2 Nights)
If you’re fascinated by Mayan civilisation as much as we are, you’ll love the next two days. On the way to Xpujil, you’ll visit the Kohunlich ruins in the middle of the jungle in southern Quintana Roo state, located 9 km from the nearest paved road. The drive will take you at least an hour, and expect to spend another hour exploring the site.
If you have more time, you can visit the remains of a Mayan city — the Becan ruins. These are located right by the road just past Xpujil.
The next day, head to Calakmul, one of the largest urban complexes. You’ll drive 1.5-2 hours through the jungle to get there, but it’s absolutely worth it. Calakmul is rarely visited but a gigantic Mayan city that was once extremely significant. You can still climb the majestic pyramids, including the second-largest discovered pyramid ever, standing at 55 metres.
During our visit, we only encountered a handful of tourists, but we enjoyed most of the views entirely on our own. Thanks to the low visitor numbers, you can also observe families of howler monkeys (extremely loud primates) during your tour. Spend the night in Xpujil again — a longer drive awaits you in the morning.
Where to Stay in Xpujil
Xpujil isn’t a particularly touristy town, so expect simpler accommodation and restaurants.
We explored the town thoroughly, and with a clear conscience, we can only recommend one small hotel: Casa Kaan Calakmul
San Francisco de Campeche (1-2 Nights)
A city we came to for one night and stayed for three. We had no expectations for San Francisco de Campeche, but we discovered a true gem of the Yucatan. This laid-back, colourful town is full of cafés and restaurants, has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere, and we experienced one of the most beautiful sunsets here.
If Mayan civilisation interests you, definitely visit the Museo de La Arquitectura Maya. It’s a small museum, but you’ll learn a lot. Nobody should miss La Calle 59 in Campeche, the most colourful street in town, where you’ll find a number of charming cafés and shops. In the evening, head to the local waterfront promenade and catch the light show.
More tips on nearby beaches, day trips, and restaurants can be found in our article about San Francisco de Campeche.
Where to Stay: Best Hotels
If there’s availability, we definitely recommend Bajo las Hojas — it’s a very pleasant accommodation with a pool, breakfast included, and a superb location.
Mérida (1-2 Nights)
On your way to Mérida, the capital of the Yucatan state, stop at the Uxmal ruins — ruins built exclusively in the Mayan Puuc style. It’s worth arriving very early in the morning (ideally by 8:00 AM) so you don’t have to walk around Uxmal in the scorching heat. Uxmal is about 2 hours from Campeche, and temperatures here are considerably higher.
Mérida has been named the North American Capital of Culture several times and is therefore the perfect place to soak up the Mexican atmosphere. Something is always happening in the city centre — from festivals and dance performances to re-enactments of the Mayan ball game Tlachtli.
Stroll through the historic centre, and if you speak English or Spanish, treat yourself to a guided tour. Don’t forget to visit the Paseo de Montejo boulevard, where you’ll get a taste of Mexico’s colonial history. Along the promenade, you’ll find numerous luxurious villas and haciendas, many of which have preserved their original appearance to this day.
If you’re interested in more tips on what to visit in Mérida or where to go on day trips, check out our article about Mérida.
Where to Stay in Mérida
One of the best accommodation options in Mérida is Hotel Santa Ana, which is affordable, clean, and in a great location. On hot summer days, you’ll also appreciate having access to an outdoor pool.
Valladolid (1-3 Nights)
On your way to Valladolid, stop in the yellow city of Izamal, often nicknamed “the city of three cultures”. If you fancy a horse-drawn carriage ride, this is the place to do it at a great price.
Valladolid itself is a very charming, colourful town and an excellent base for numerous day trips in the area. You can take a day trip to the pink lakes of Las Coloradas or explore the famous Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá. The area around Valladolid is also home to some of the most beautiful cenotes on the Yucatan: Zaci and Suytun.
If you’d like more tips and want to find out where to buy the best hammock on the Yucatan, read our article: Things to Do in Valladolid
Where to Stay in Valladolid
Valladolid has a brand-new hotel, Olbil Hotel Boutique, which is absolutely perfect: stunning design, excellent breakfasts, and superb staff. If it’s available for your dates, don’t hesitate to book.
Paradise on Earth: Holbox Island (2-3 Nights)
Before heading to Holbox, return your rental car in Cancún. It’s easier to get to Holbox by bus, as cars aren’t allowed on the island — you’d just be paying for parking and risking a break-in or, more likely, a scratch. From Holbox, you can head straight to the airport for your flight home.
In our opinion, it’s the perfect way to end a holiday on the Yucatan Peninsula — gorgeous white beaches, bioluminescent plankton, and swimming with whale sharks. Allow at least 3 days; the journey from Cancún takes about 3.5 hours.
Find out how to get to Holbox and what to do there in our detailed article Things to Do on Holbox.
Where to Stay on Holbox
In recent years, plenty of beautiful hotels have sprung up on Holbox. Among the best are Villas Caracol, or if you’re travelling without children, we can recommend Hotel Para Ti – Adults Only.
Safety on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico
If you’ve just been watching the Narcos: Mexico series, you’re probably feeling a shiver down your spine about drug cartels. The truth is that cartels — whether drug or oil — are still present in Mexico, and clashes between them happen regularly. However, tourists are not the target of attacks, and the Yucatan is the safest region in Mexico.
Theft on the Yucatan isn’t common, but still be cautious in crowded places. You never know. Muggings are extremely rare here, but if someone were to rob you, it’s better to give up your valuables than to resist. There’s a good chance the perpetrator could be armed. Much like in the US, gun ownership is far from unusual here.
Read More
If you’re interested in Mexico, check out our other articles about Mexico that we wrote during our stay in this beautiful country. We’d love to hear your feedback — feel free to leave a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Find Cheap Flights to Yucatan Mexico?
From Europe, most flights go to Cancún, which is where we flew to as well. Cheap return flights can be found from around €400. It often pays off to fly from London, Manchester, or other major European hubs. If you want to know how to find the best deals, read our detailed guide on how to find cheap flights.
When to Visit the Yucatan?
It depends on what you plan to do on the Yucatan. The best weather is from December to April. Be aware of March and early April, when it’s “spring break” in the US, and many Americans head to Mexico.
The highest prices are during Christmas and Easter. If you’re planning to swim with whale sharks, their season runs from June to September, with the most sightings in July and August.
Summers in Mexico are incredibly hot, humid, with frequent rain, and hurricane season runs from June to November.
How to Save Money on a Yucatan Holiday?
As mentioned above, the highest prices are during Christmas and Easter. Last-minute deals don’t really work in Mexico, so it’s better to book accommodation in advance. One thing you shouldn’t skimp on is car insurance. Rent your car through Rental Cars and get insurance directly through them.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
