In spring, Lukáš and I moved to Mexico for several months. First we lived on the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, and then we moved on to Guanajuato. Today we’re bringing you a detailed itinerary we put together for our trip around the Yucatan Peninsula. You’ll find out where to go, where to eat and what you definitely shouldn’t miss.
TL;DR
- Trip length: Give yourself 2–3 weeks for the full Yucatan loop, ideally as a road trip with your own car from Cancún via Bacalar and Campeche back to Mérida.
- When to go: The best weather runs from December to April; watch out for the American spring break in March, the highest prices at Christmas and Easter, and for sargassum, which plagues the Caribbean beaches in summer.
- Transport: Besides a car, the ADO long-distance buses (longer routes $25–40) and local colectivos come in handy; never drive at night and factor in mandatory car insurance (TPL), which your credit card won’t cover.
- Main stops: Cancún, Playa del Carmen with a trip to Cozumel, Tulum, the lagoon of seven colours in Bacalar, colonial Campeche and Mérida, plus Valladolid with cenotes nearby.
- Mayan ruins: Don’t skip Chichén Itzá (opens at 8:00, avoid Sundays when Mexicans enter for free) or the smaller and quieter Ek Balam, where you can still climb the acropolis.
- Cenotes and swimming: Suytún, Dos Ojos or the authentic Homún cluster are among the unforgettable experiences – entrance fees are usually 250–350 pesos and regular sunscreens are banned to protect the water.
- Holbox and the whale shark: This car-free island is a beautiful finale to the trip, and from mid-May to September you can swim with the whale shark here under strict rules (snorkel only, two people in the water).
- Money and practical tips: Pay in pesos and decline DCC (an 8–9% surcharge), keep cash for markets and colectivos, drink only bottled water and don’t forget travel insurance (EHIC doesn’t work in Mexico).
How long should you spend on the Yucatan Peninsula?
If you’re flying in from Europe, we recommend giving yourself at least 14 days. Bear in mind you’ll need a few days to acclimatise to the time difference and the new surroundings.
But if you have more time off, you’ll be glad to set off for three weeks. The extra time lets you explore less touristy spots and spend a few days in the cenotes and on the beach. And it is worth it!
Before planning your trip, we recommend checking whether the invasive seaweed sargassum is currently running wild (track it in real time here). In recent years the beaches have suffered from it more and more often. That doesn’t mean you should stay away – just plan your trip so you spend more time in the cenotes and less time on the beaches.
On your own or with a tour operator?
Travelling around Mexico on your own is fairly easy, but if you want to avoid tourist scams, it’s worth knowing at least the basics of Spanish. Mexicans aren’t fond of “Gringos” (what they call Americans).
In five months in Mexico we never had a problem, so we see no reason not to head out independently. If you’d still rather not organise everything yourself, booking a car and a few day tours in advance is the easiest hybrid – you keep your freedom without the hassle.
Tren Maya: the new railway across Yucatan (2026)
A game-changer for travel around the peninsula: the Tren Maya, a long-distance train opening in stages since the end of 2023. It links the main spots on this itinerary – Cancún airport, Playa del Carmen, Tulum airport, Valladolid, Mérida, Campeche and on to Palenque in Chiapas. If you don’t want to deal with a rental car and mandatory insurance (TPL), it’s a comfortable and cheaper alternative for hopping between stops.
💡 Tip: Keep in mind that stations are often a fair way out of town (you’ll need a taxi or colectivo to reach the centre) and that the project is still fairly new, so timetables and prices change – check current connections and buy your ticket in advance on the official Tren Maya website. For total freedom (cenotes, small villages, ruins off the route), a car is still best, ideally combined with the train for the long transfers.
Route map: the Yucatan Peninsula
Yucatan Peninsula Mexico itinerary: a 2–3 week road trip
The Yucatan Peninsula is one of the most beautiful places in Mexico. If you’re planning a trip around Yucatan, we’ve put together the road trip we did ourselves. You can copy it entirely or just use it for inspiration. ☺️
Arrival in Cancún (1–3 nights)
Cancún is Mexico’s Caribbean party town, where most tourists head mainly for a “lie-on-the-beach” holiday. But it offers so much more. Set aside at least one full day for the gorgeous Isla Mujeres island, where you shouldn’t forget to rent a golf cart (read the article What to do on Isla Mujeres).
We also recommend a snorkelling trip to the MUSA underwater museum. We spent more than a week in Cancún, and among the restaurants we’re happy to 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 learn plenty more.
Best hotel tips: where to stay in Cancún
Among the best hotels in Cancún are Home’s Jungle 15 and of course the worldwide classic Hyatt Ziva Cancun.
Playa del Carmen and Cozumel (2–3 nights)
An hour’s drive south of Cancún you’ll reach Playa del Carmen. Besides endless beaches, bars and fried churros treats, Playa del Carmen is the starting point for a whole range of trips. From the local port you can get to the gorgeous island of Cozumel (completely different from Isla Mujeres), and there are also plenty of beautiful cenotes around town.
You can easily reach all the cenotes with the Colectivo minibuses, which run practically every minute along the main roads.
We especially recommend Jardin del Eden, Cenote Azul and Cenote Xunan-ha. Head to Cozumel for at least one full day. Wander around the little town, go snorkelling, or just laze on the beach (we recommend Playa El Cielo and Playa Azul).
Another advantage of Cozumel is that we never had a problem with seaweed there, unlike in Playa del Carmen. You can easily get there by ferry from Playa del Carmen – book your ferry tickets in advance on GetYourGuide so you don’t wait in a queue.
If you have kids, also check out the Xcaret theme park, which is on the way to Tulum. You’ll need a whole day for it, but don’t worry about getting bored – the park keeps both kids and adults entertained.
For tips on good restaurants or a beach where you can swim with turtles, read our article What to do in Playa del Carmen? 10 things you must experience.
Where to stay in Playa del Carmen
If you book early, you may find availability at Suites Cielo y Mar, which is in a quiet spot within walking distance of the beach and has absolutely amazing views from the rooms.
You can also try Aloft Playa del Carmen, which has a superb location and excellent breakfasts.
Tulum (1 night)
Less than an hour’s drive from Playa del Carmen lies 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 do yoga on the beach, grab excellent specialty coffee and even vegan ice cream. It’s also one of the most expensive destinations – you’ll find premium restaurants and hotels here that influencers flock to.
It isn’t typical Mexico, but it’s definitely worth strolling through the hotel zone, seeing the beaches and exploring the local Mayan ruins.
You’ll find everything important in our article What to do in Tulum.
Where to stay in Tulum?
Tulum is one of the most sought-after and most expensive spots, so it’s a good idea to book your stay early to snag a good deal. A great hotel at a fair price is Trece Lunas Tulum.
If you want a bit more luxury with a private beach, try to see whether Nerea Tulum has availability.
Bacalar (2 nights)
Two hours’ drive from Tulum you’ll find yourself in a paradise for people who aren’t into mass tourism. The peaceful little town of Bacalar sits on the shore of a crystal-clear freshwater lagoon.
If I ever wanted to head somewhere for a proper lie-on-the-beach holiday, this would probably be it. I’d go to the cheap little local beach (around €0.10 to get in), swim in the freshwater lagoon and go kayaking. And in the evening I’d sit in the best pizzeria in Mexico. One day in Bacalar is technically enough, but most people end up regretting they didn’t stay at least a week.
Before you book a hotel, take a look at our article: Bacalar Lagoon: 8 things to do + where to eat.
Where to stay in Bacalar: the best hotels
In Bacalar you’ll find quite a few beautiful hotels, and among the best is Blue Palm Bacalar. If you have Genius discounts on Booking.com, you can even snag the utterly luxurious Khaban Bacalar Hotel Boutique at a good price.
Xpujil, Campeche (2 nights)
If you’re as fascinated by Mayan civilisation 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 the south of Mexico’s Quintana Roo province, which lie 9 km from the nearest paved road. The drive will take you at least an hour, and reckon on spending another hour or so exploring.
If you have more time, you can visit the remains of a Mayan city – the Becan ruins. They’re right by the road, a short way past Xpujil.
On the second day, head to Calakmul, one of the largest urban complexes. It’s a 1.5–2 hour drive through the jungle, but it is worth it. Calakmul is little-visited but a gigantic Mayan city that was once hugely important. You can still climb the majestic pyramids, including the second-tallest pyramid ever discovered, standing at 55 metres.
During our visit we met only a handful of tourists, and we had most of the views entirely to ourselves. Because of that, you might even spot families of howler monkeys (extremely loud primates) while you explore. Spend another night in Xpujil – a longer transfer awaits you in the morning.
Where to stay in Xpujil
Xpujil isn’t much of a tourist town, so expect simpler accommodation and restaurants.
We drove all over town and can recommend just one little hotel with a clear conscience: Casa Kaan Calakmul.
San Francisco de Campeche (1–2 nights)
A town we came to for one night and stayed three. We expected nothing from San Francisco de Campeche, but we discovered a Yucatan gem. This laid-back, colourful town is full of cafés and restaurants, has a relaxed atmosphere and gave us one of the most beautiful sunsets we’ve ever seen.
If Mayan civilisation caught your interest, definitely head to the Museo de La Arquitectura Maya. The museum is small, but you’ll learn a lot there. Nobody in Campeche should skip Calle 59, the most colourful street in town, where you’ll find plenty of lovely cafés and little shops. In the evening, head to the local promenade and go see the light show.
More tips on nearby beaches, trips and restaurants can be found in our article about San Francisco de Campeche.
Where to stay: the best hotels
If there’s availability, we definitely recommend Bajo las Hojas – it’s a very pleasant place with a pool and breakfast, and in a superb location too.
Mérida (1–2 nights)
On the way to Mérida, the capital of Yucatan, stop at the Uxmal ruins – ruins built exclusively in the Mayan Puuc style. It pays to arrive very early in the morning (ideally by 8:00) so you’re not wandering Uxmal in the crazy heat. Uxmal is 2 hours from Campeche and temperatures here really are considerably higher.
Mérida has been chosen several times as the North American Capital of Culture, making it the best place to soak up Mexican atmosphere. Something is happening in the centre every single day, whether it’s festivals, dance performances or reenactments 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 local boulevard, the Paseo de Montejo promenade, where you’ll get a taste of Mexican colonial history. Along the promenade you’ll find a string of luxurious villas and haciendas, many of which have kept their original appearance to this day.
If you’d like to know what else to visit in Mérida, or where to head on a day trip, take a look at our article about Mérida.
Where to stay in Mérida
One of the best places to stay in Mérida, Mexico is Hotel Santa Ana, which is cheap, clean and in a great spot. On hot summer days you’ll also appreciate having an outdoor pool at your disposal.
Valladolid (1–3 nights)
On the way to Valladolid, stop in the yellow town of Izamal, often nicknamed the “town of three cultures”. If horse-drawn carriage rides appeal to you, this is the place to get them at a great price.
Valladolid itself is a very charming, colourful town that makes a great base for a range of trips into the surrounding area. You can take a day trip to the pink lakes of Las Coloradas, or explore the most famous Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá. But the area around Valladolid is also home to the most beautiful cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula: Zaci and Suytún.
If you’d like more tips and want to find out where to go for the best-quality hammock in Yucatan, read our article: What to do in Valladolid?
Where to stay in Valladolid
In Valladolid there’s a brand-new hotel, Olbil Hotel Boutique, which is absolutely perfect: beautiful design, great breakfasts and wonderful staff. If it’s free for your dates, don’t hesitate.
Paradise on earth: the island of Holbox (2–3 nights)
Before you head to Holbox, return your car in Cancún. It’s easier to get to Holbox by bus, because you can’t bring a car onto the island anyway – you’d only be paying for parking and risking that your car gets broken into or, more likely, scratched up. From Holbox you can then head straight to the airport.
We think it’s the ideal way to wrap up a trip around Yucatan: gorgeous white beaches, glowing plankton and swimming with the whale shark. Give yourself at least 3 days – the journey from Cancún takes 3.5 hours.
You can read how to get to Holbox and what to do there in our detailed article what to do on Holbox.
Where to stay on Holbox
In recent years plenty of beautiful hotels have sprung up on Holbox, and among the best are Villas Caracol, or, if you’re travelling without kids, we can recommend Hotel Para Ti – Adults Only.
Map of points of interest for your phone
Safety on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico
If you’ve just been watching the series Narcos: Mexico, you probably get chills thinking about the drug cartels. The truth is that the cartels, whether drug or fuel ones, are still very much present in Mexico and clashes between them are a daily occurrence. But tourists aren’t the target of attacks, and Yucatan is the safest place in Mexico.
Thefts on the Yucatan Peninsula aren’t common, but still stay alert in busy places. You never know. Muggings almost never happen here, but if someone were to mug you, it’s better to hand over your valuables than to resist. It’s quite likely the offender could be armed. As in the US, gun ownership here is by no means rare.
Where to next?
If Mexico interests you, take a look at our other articles about Mexico that we wrote about this beautiful country during our stay. We’d love your feedback, which you can leave for us in the comments.
Where to next when planning your Yucatan trip
Our detailed guides to the individual spots will come in handy alongside this itinerary:
- The complete guide to the Yucatan Peninsula and the most beautiful cenotes.
- Ruins: Chichén Itzá, Cobá and which to choose.
- Towns and beaches: Mérida, Valladolid, Tulum and Bacalar.
- What to see in Mexico, when to go and whether Mexico is safe.
Frequently asked questions
How to find cheap flights to Yucatán in Mexico?
From Europe, flights go primarily to Cancún, which is where we flew to as well. Cheap return tickets can be found from around €400. It often pays off to fly from Vienna, Berlin, Munich or other major European hubs. If you want to know how to find the best tickets, read our detailed guide how to find cheap flights.
When to visit Yucatán?
It depends on what you’re planning to do in Yucatán. The best weather is from December to April. Watch out for March and early April, when it’s “spring break” in the USA, and lots of Americans head to Mexico.
Prices are highest during Christmas and Easter. If you’re planning to swim with whale sharks, their season is from June to September, with the most sightings in July and August.
In summer, Mexico gets incredibly hot, humid, it rains often, and from June to November is hurricane season.
How to save money on a Yucatán holiday?
As we mentioned above, prices are highest during Christmas and Easter. Last-minute deals don’t work very well in Mexico either, so it’s better to book accommodation in advance. What you shouldn’t skimp on is car insurance. Rent your car through Rental Cars
and insure it directly with 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.
🚗 Car rental on the roadVerified rental cars in MexicoSearch with the DiscoverCars comparison engine — it compares prices from dozens of local and international rental companies, and most bookings come with free cancellation.
Compare car prices in Mexico →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!
