Yucatan
Yucatán is the region with the most to see and explore. My recommendation is to spend a few days in two main cities: Mérida and Valladolid. They’re about 2h15 apart, and both are right in the middle of all the main attractions, which makes them perfect bases for exploring the area.
On top of that, both cities are super lively, with things happening all the time, events, markets, music, and more. You won’t get bored!
What you need to know before Traveling in Mexico
- Sundays visits are free for Mexican so avoid visiting tourist places on Sundays
- Currency 1e = 21 pesos
- Renting a car is very affordable
- Always have cash!
- Cenote are about 100 pesos except very popular ones
Here is my Itinerary of the Yucatan region
- Merida (4 days)
- Campeche
- Uxmal
- Mayapan and Izamal
- Valladolid (6 days)
- Chichen Itza
- El balam
- Muyil
- Tulum
- Rio Lagartos
- Oxman
Day 1: Merida
Mérida is a great spot to stay for a few days and explore what’s around. First thing, head to a tourist office to grab a schedule of the activities happening around the city. Mérida is always buzzing, with something new almost every night.
Start by walking over the Placa Grande where you’ll over see the beautiful cathedral, you can’t miss it. Take your time around it, and you’ll find some cool spots nearby, like Casa de Montejo, Parque Hidalgo, Paseo de Montejo, and Calle 64. Hacienda Sisal is a fantastic Maya shop you have to check out. There’s a second floor that no one will mention, so don’t hesitate to head up there! Right in front of the shop you’ll see El Trapiche whichc is a traditional mexican restaurant that I highly recommed.
At night, don’t skip the food market, Mercado 60. It’s packed with a bunch of amazing food options.
Day 2: Campeche
Campeche is a typical Mexican city along the Gulf of Mexico, known for its charm and colorful houses. Since it’s right on the coast, it’s perfect for a nice walk along the shoreline.
Start at the Zócalo, the heart of the city. Then head over to the old city wall, built to protect against pirate invasions. You’ll get a great view of the city from up there, and the entrance is very affordable.
To learn more about the city and its history, hop on the trolley for a 45-minute to 1-hour tour around town (only 100 pesos).
Don’t miss the Celebremos Campeche projection on the Palacio facade, it runs from Tuesday to Sunday at 8 pm.
If you’re hungry, check out the street market. If you walk up to the city walls, you’ll spot it from afar. It’s a cool, hidden market inside the walls, definitely worth checking out.
Day 3: Uxmal
Uxmal is a stunning Maya city, often mentioned alongside Chichen Itza, and it’s classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s considered one of the most beautiful Mayan sites in Yucatán, thanks to its incredible architecture.
It was one of my favorite spots to visit. You can walk all the way up to the main pyramid, and the view of the ancient city is absolutely amazing. I recommend getting there early and bringing your own food because it’s pretty expensive once you’re inside. If you want a guide, it’ll cost you around 800pesos. The entrance fee is 500 pesos (about 20-25).
If you drive there you need to take Carretera Federal 261 direction Santa Elena. It takes about 1 hour 15 from Merida.
On the road around Uxmal
On the road near Uxmal, there are five temples spaced about 5 kilometers apart. You won’t find many tourists in any of them, which is a nice change. The entrance fees are usually around 3-4 euros per person. I personally visited three of them, but you can choose how many you want to explore depending on your time.
If you’re going to pick, I’d definitely recommend Kabah and Labna.
Kabah: This is the first one you’ll hit on the road, and it’s one of the best. The site is beautiful, with impressive temples and a stunning arch.
Labna: Another great site I’d suggest. It’s really well-preserved and offers some great views.
Sahyil: This one involves a longer walk through the forest, and there are a few temples scattered around.
Cenote
Finish your day by cooling off in a refreshing cenote. Cenote Kankirixche is not far from there, and if you’re lucky, you might even have the place all to yourself since it’s not super crowded. The road to get there isn’t the best, but it’s worth it.
Day 4: Mayan Pan and Izamal
Start driving towards Valladolid and make a first stop at Mayan Pan on the way. It might be the archaeological site I liked the most in all of Mexico. It’s not as well-known, so it feels more peaceful and authentic.
Keep driving towards Valladolid and make a second stop in Izamal, the yellow city. It’s full of temples you can climb, and the views from the top are incredible. The best spot for a view of the whole city is Kinich Kak Moo.
Day 5: Valladolild
Day 6: Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is the main attraction in Mexico and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, definitely a must-see! It’s only about 50 minutes from Valladolid, which makes it super easy to get to. If you do not have a car you can find many excursion to Chichen Itza that includes a stop at the cenote as well but they might be quite expensive.
I highly recommend going early, as you can imagine, it gets very crowded. Tickets are cheaper if you buy them on-site rather than online, and going early also means avoiding long lines. If you’re interested in learning more, there are plenty of guides available at the entrance for tours.
Cenotes
IK KIL the closest cenote to Chitchen Itza. Since it’s very close to Chichen Itza, it’s also very crowded, but it’s still a beautiful cenote that’s definitely worth visiting. The entry fee is 150 pesos/per (7€), just bring your swimsuit, towels and water shoes if you have.
If you’re looking for a cenote that’s a bit less crowded than IK KIL but as beautiful, XCA-TUM is a great pick. It’s a large, semi-open cenote with steep rock walls. There’s a staircase that takes you down to the water, and platforms where you can jump in, adding some fun to the place.
Day 7: El Balam
Ek Balam is an amazing ancient Mayan city just 30 minutes north of Valladolid. It’s much less touristy than Chichen Itza, which makes the experience way more enjoyable. You can actually climb the main pyramid here and enjoy an incredible view over the jungle! The entry fee is quite expensive 500 pesos/per (23€) but it is definetly worth the price.
Right next to the ruins is Cenote X’Canché, a beautiful cenote surrounded by nature and with way less tourists. You can swim, relax, or swing into the water with a rope, super fun and refreshing after exploring the site! To get into the cenote it is about 170 pesos (85) per pereson.
Day 8: Tulum and Coba
Tulum
Famous for its Mayan ruins, Tulum is one of the most touristic places in Mexico, it was actually the busiest spot I visited during my trip. But since the site is very open, it doesn’t feel too crowded when you walk around.
What makes Tulum special is its location, the ruins are perched right on the cliffside overlooking the ocean. The view is absolutely worth it! If you feel like swimming, there’s a beach area just a 10-minute walk from the site where you can take a dip. The entrance fee is 80 pesos/per (4€) and 50 pesos for the parking, so pretty cheap for this kind of place.
Avoid eating inside the site, you’ll find much cheaper option outside.
Cenote
If you’re planning to visit a cenote after the ruins, I highly recommend Cenote Azul. The color of the water is just amazing and deserv to be seen. It’s one of the most beautiful cenotes I’ve seen!
Of course, because it’s so popular, it can get pretty crowded, especially in the afternoon.
Coba
Between Valladolid and Tulum, stop at Cobá, a small town with an awesome archaeological site. The ruins cover a large area, so if you don’t want to walk several kilometers, rent a bike.
Cenotes
Just outside the ruins are three cenotes: Choo-Ha, Tamcach-Ha, and Multum-Ha. They’re located close together, and you can buy individual tickets (around 100 pesos each), or get a combo ticket covering all three. They each have their own unique vibe, so it’s definitely worth visiting all three. In Tamcach-Ha you can jump as high as 10 meter!
Day 9: Muyil
Visiting the ancient ruins of Muyil was one of my favorites! You’ll walk through the tropical forest to reach a mirador where you can climb all the way up for a amazing view of jungle/forest. To access the mirador, you’ll need to buy a separate ticket costing 50 pesos per person.
I definitely recommend this tour. It’s best to buy tickets right at the entrance of the ruins instead of online, tickets are cheaper there and easier to negotiate. Yeah, it’s a bit pricey, around 1000 pesos/person (45€), but it’s truly a unique experience. The tour lasts about 2 hours: you start with a boat ride through the canals, then drift downstream for about 1 kilometer, and finally walk back through the savanna.
Day 10: Rio LAgartos
Rio Lagartos is famous for its flamingos! It’s a charming little fishing village, pretty quiet and off the usual tourist path. You can find a great 2-hour boat excursion for about 75 euros for 4 people. During the trip, you’ll stop to watch the flamingos, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot some crocodiles. There’s also a stop at the famous “pink sea,” though it’s not always as bright pink as the photos online. Its color really depends on the weather, so fingers crossed you get lucky. The last stop is at a mud bath where you can cover yourself in mineral-rich mud for a natural skin cleanse.
Cenote
Right near the village, you’ll find the beautiful cenote Kikil. It’s completely open at the top, and since it’s not very crowded, you might even get to enjoy the cenote all to yourself!
Day 11: Oxman
Oxman is the spot chill for a day, whether you want to swim in a cenote, relax by the pool, or just lounge in a hammock. They also have restaurant where you can eat for afforable prices, so it’s perfect for a laid-back day out.
