Yucatán Travel Itinerary: a 2 Week Yucatán Peninsula Road Trip

This is my exact 2-week Yucatan travel itinerary… with a few tweaks that one can only make once you actually experience the trip. I made it more efficient, replaced some overhyped spots with attractions on the Yucatan Peninsula that were way better than I thought they’d be, and made the trip plan easy to follow.  

Because when you’re planning on visiting Mexico, a Yucatan Peninsula trip has to be on your “to-do list”, okay? It’s a no-brainer. This itinerary covers the best of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, known for its unique blend of culture, history, and natural beauty, with island vibes as a bonus.

Even though a two week Yucatan road trip itinerary probably won't be enough to see all the wonders and Mayan monuments, you can still see all of the very best ones. Including one of the 7 New Wonders of the World! 

But it's not all just about Mayan culture, pyramids, and history. I've put together an itinerary that has both historical monuments and natural wonders and, of course, somebeaches and water activities that will take your breath away! 

Read more from my Mexico travel blog.

 

At a glance: Your ultimate Yucatan road trip itinerary + map

You can check my Google Maps list of places that are part of this itinerary
 

If I were to do it all over again, here’s how I’d organize the ultimate Yucatan road trip in 2 weeks—just make sure to get a rental car for ultimate freedom! Day 1: Merida + Uxmal (sleep in Merida)  

• Day 1: Merida + Uxmal (sleep in Merida) 
• Day 2: Reserva Estatal Geohidrológica Anillo de Cenotes (sleep in Merida) 
• Day 3: Izamal (sleep in Merida) 
• Day 4: Chichén Itzá (sleep in Tulum) 
• Day 5: Tulum (sleep in Tulum) 
• Day 6 and 7: Palenque (sleep in Palenque) 
• Day 8: Bacalar Lagoon (sleep in Tulum) 
• Day 9: Laguna de Kaan Luum + Santuario de Cenotes (sleep in Tulum) 
• Day 10: Cozumel (sleep in Cancun) 
• Day 11: Playa del Carmen + Cenote Cristalino (sleep in Cancun) 
• Day 12: La Ruta de los Cenotes (sleep in Cancun) 
• Day 13: Akumal + Zona arqueológica de Coba (sleep in Cancun) 
• Day 14: Lagunas Rosadas "Las Coloradas" + Holbox (sleep in Cancun) 

Note: This itinerary focuses entirely on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, with one detour to UNESCO-listed Palenque in Chiapas.

 

 

Introduction to Yucatan

The Yucatan Peninsula is one of Mexico’s most rewarding regions to explore if you like variety without constant travel stress. 

Along the Caribbean coast, you’ll find soft white sand beaches and turquoise water; inland, the landscape shifts to jungle, cenotes, and dense clusters of ancient Mayan ruins. Places like Chichen Itza are famous for good reason, but they’re just one part of the picture.

What makes the Yucatan Peninsula especially well suited for a road trip is how compact and accessible everything is. You can move between ruins, swimming spots, and coastal towns without losing full days to transport. I’ve added a section about travel times and getting to Yucatan at the end of this article to help you with planning.

If your idea of a Mexico trip mixes Mayan ruins, natural beauty, vibrant cities, and the relaxed vibe of the Caribbean, this region delivers—efficiently and without filler.

 

Day 1 of Yucatán Itinerary: Merida + Uxmal

See the route of today’s itinerary on Google Maps
 

Main sites visited on day 1: Merida, Mercado Lucas De Galvéz, Plaza Grande, Parque de Santa Lucia, Uxmal 
Restaurant tips: La Chaya Maya | Taquería de La Unión | Mercado Lucas De Galvéz 
Hotel recommendations: Casa Lecanda Boutique Hotel  
Further reading: 33 Mexico Travel Tips 

Day 1, stop 1: Merida

City of Merida
 

This itinerary will start in Merida, the capital city of Yucatán. You can fly directly into Merida International Airport from several cities in the US, but for everyone else, you’ll probably need to fly to Cancun International Airport and make your way to Merida from there. 

Merida is a big, vibrant city with many cultural and architectural gems. The ideal way to feel the atmosphere of the city is to stroll through the streets, and just enjoy the wonderful squares, cathedrals, and colorful houses. And if, like me, you can't survive your day without a good cup of coffee, you'll love Merida's cozy cafés. 

Foodies will enjoy bustling markets full of authentic Mexican food with local fruits and vegetables. I took a look (and a taste) around Mercado Lucas De Galvéz in central Merida. It’s a renowned market offering everything from food to handcrafted items, clothes, and many other things you haven’t even thought you could need.

Plaza Grande
 

The heart of the city is Plaza Grande. A square lined with many spectacular buildings such as The Cathedral of Mérida, the City Hall, or the Government Palace of the State of Yucatán. But just a few meters away I found lovely  Parque de Santa Lucia, a piece of lush vegetation in the middle of the city with nice restaurants and famous huge white chairs. I never say no to a good restaurant, so I stuck around for a while. 

Day 1, stop 2: Uxmal

Uxmal’s Pyramid of the Magician

 

Practical information:

• Opening hours: daily 8 am—5 pm  
• Price: 495 Mexican pesos (26 US dollars) 
• Distance from last stop: 85 km/52.3 mi

Next, head straight from Merida to Uxmal. It’s, one of many ancient Mayan ruins in Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it’s also a personal favorite of mine. I’d even say it's one of a kind. And not only because Star Wars was shot there.

The ruins are part of the Pre-Hispanic Town of Uxmal. One of the most important Maya cities in the Yucatán Peninsula. The main pyramid is the tallest structure in the city—about 35 meters/115 feet—and it's just breathtaking. Unlike some other Mayan pyramids, it has an elliptical base and rounded sides.  

I found it super interesting that Uxmal's buildings are built in typical Puuc style: smooth walls, columns, detailed cut stones (stucco) reliefs representing snakes. It took me about 2 hours to explore the large complex. 

You unfortunately can't climb up the highest pyramid, the Pyramid of the Magician, but you can basically discover everything else inside and out. 

I think it's the most breathtaking Mayan city I've visited. And I'm probably not the only one that thinks that, judging from the lines at the ticket desk. If you don’t buy your tickets in advance through a tour operator, you will wait in the queue longer than the pyramids took to build. But like I said, it's worth it. 

After exploring Uxmal, drive back to Mérida, where you’ll spend the night. The return drive takes about 1 hour.

 

Hotel in Merida

Staying in Casa Lecanda Boutique Hotel is an amazing experience
 

Merida will be your trip base for the next few days. I like to stay at hotels up to my standard of spacious, clean rooms with comfortable beds and a nice fresh breakfast. And Casa Lecanda Boutique Hotel checked all the boxes. And the hotel pool is a nice benefit, too! 

 

Day 2 of Yucatán Itinerary: Reserva Estatal Geohidrológica Anillo de Cenotes

See the route of today’s itinerary on Google Maps
 

Main sites visited on day 2: Reserva Estatal Geohidrológica Anillo de Cenotes 
Restaurant tips: La Chaya Maya | Taquería de La Unión | Mercado Lucas De Galvéz 
Hotel recommendations: Casa Lecanda Boutique Hotel 
Further reading: 16 Things About Driving in Mexico | 9 Top Places in Yucatán 

This Yucatán Itinerary will be full of cenotes, as your Mexico itinerary should be! Cenotes are a unique natural phenomenon in Yucatán. They are sinkholes filled with water, and swimming in them is something you just need to do in Yucatán! I didn’t expect cenotes to become my favorite activity at all, but after my first swim I couldn’t be more excited for the next one. 

A couple of beautiful cenotes I found the best for swimming or just adoring—if you're afraid to get in—are in Reserva Estatal Geohidrológica Anillo de Cenotes just an hour from Merida. The water here is much warmer than I expected and so clear that you can see little fish jiggling around in there.

Anillo de Cenotes
 

Swimming is safe (in designated locations, obviously), the only thing that might slightly scare you is the depth of the water. Cenotes are often more than 60 meters (200 feet) deep. And I get that the feeling of being in a dark cave and a deep mass of water lying under you is not for everyone. But otherwise, it’s just perfect.

And healthy as well! The water is full of minerals, and your skin will be soft as a baby's bottom. This is a skincare routine I could get used to!

Swimming in the Anillo de Cenotes in Reserva Estatal Geohidrológica was an unforgettable experience
 

The locals offer a guided tour of the Cenotes, which I highly recommend. They show you the best way to get there and will teach you many interesting facts about the place and Mayan culture. If you get there early, you won't meet many tourists either. 

Head back to Mérida in the late afternoon (about 1 hour).

 

 

Day 3 of Yucatán Itinerary: Izamal 

See the route of today’s itinerary on Google Maps
 

Main sites visited on day 3: Izamal, San Antonio de Padua, pyramid of Kinich Kakmó 
Restaurant tips: La Chaya Maya | Taquería de La Unión | Mercado Lucas De Galvéz 
Hotel recommendations: Casa Lecanda Boutique Hotel 
Further reading: 5 Top Mayan Cities 

The church of San Antonio de Padua in Yellow city of Mexico
 

Today, you'll be visitinf Izamal, also known as a Yellow City of Mexico, it got this nickname because of the yellow buildings the colonial settlers built over the monuments of Mayan city.

The architecture is a mixture of debris of Mayan culture and colonial influence. A perfect example is the church of San Antonio de Padua right in the heart of the town. It dominates the main square, and you can peek inside if the church is open.

The Kinich Kakmó pyramid
 

Just a short walk from the church is the pyramid of Kinich Kakmó, a remain of Mayan times. It's open to the public and you can climb it for free. When you get to the top, the view from there is spectacular. But be careful when climbing, it was pretty slippery when I was there.

Pro tip: I have a small reminder for you. When you go on a day trip in Mexico's Yucatab like this, where you spend the most of your day just walking through the streets and climbing up the monuments, have enough of water with you.

Everywhere you go, you should remember that, because the weather is insanely hot, especially during summer and you don’t want to spend your vacation in a hotel room with heatstroke, don’t you? 

Return to Mérida for your final night in the city. The drive from Izamal is short—around 1 hour.

 

Day 4 of Yucatán Itinerary: Chichén Itzá 

See the route of today’s itinerary on Google Maps
 

Main sites visited on day 4: Chichén Itzá, optional: Valladolid 
Restaurant tips: Safari Comedor
Hotel recommendations: Hotel Bardo 
Further reading: Chichén Itzá Tips  

Chichen Itzá—The Temple of Kukulcán
 

Practical information:

• Opening hours: daily 8 am—4:30 pm  
• Price: 533 Mexican pesos (27 US dollars) 
• Distance from Merida: 117 km/72.7 mi

 

Chichen Itza is one of Mexico’s best-known ancient sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. It's absolute gem of Yucatán and one of the 7 New Wonders of the World. The ancient city of Chichén Itzá belongs to the most famous of Mayan cultural heritage and it's one of the best things to do in Yucatán without a doubt. 

Chichén Itzá is one of the largest cities of Mayan times, so don’t expect to be done with it in half an hour. I think spending at least 3–5 hours is a must.

It's perfect for a day trip, as the drive from Merida will take you about 1.5 hours and then to Tulum—where you'll spend the night—another 2 hours.

The Great Ball Court
 

There are so many incredible monuments and buildings you can explore. But you shouldn’t miss the 4 main attractions I'm about to name.  

• The most famous pyramid in Chichén Itzá is called El Castillo (The Castle) and known more as The Temple of Kukulcán, and it's 30 meters (98 feet) high. 
• The next site is called The Colonnade, which is a thousand columns with carving of people, gods and snakes on them.  
• Next, like every Mayan city, Chichén Itzá also has to have a field for tlachtli, old Mayan ball game. The field there is called The Great Ball Court and it's simply gigantic.  
• And last but not least Platform of the Skulls. It's a display of carved heads in the wall of the dead to memorize them. 

Right next to the archaeological zone is the Gran Museo de Chichén Itzá, opened in 2024, which houses more than 1,000 artifacts and deepens the context of the site. Make sure to stop there too.

Every year, about 2.6 million tourists visit Chichén Itzá. And 2.6 million tourists don’t go without lining up, for sure. Long, tedious lines, to be more precise. You can skip them by booking your tickets online. 

Optional stop: Valladolid (between Chichén Itzá and Tulum)

If you’re not in a rush to get to Tulum beach, Valladolid is a very easy and worthwhile stop about 40 minutes into the drive from Chichén Itzá to Tulum. I thought it was a pretty good place to eat, stretch your legs, and spend an hour before continuing.

I’m not a beach bum, so instead of rushing to Tulum beach, I took the opportunity for a short stroll through the center and along Calzada de los Frailes toward the Convent of San Bernardino de Siena.

For a quick swim, stop at Cenote Zaci, right in the center of Valladolid. It’s easy, convenient, and a refreshing break before getting back on the road.

Otherwise, just drive straight to Tulum. It’s about 2 hours from Chichen Itza. The hotel I chose there was just perfect. Just look at these photos:

 

Hotel in Tulum

Luxury in the jungle is staying at Hotel Bardo
 

Amazing, paradise-like and cozy. That's how I would describe our stay at Hotel Bardo. Make no mistake, the place is very luxurious and modern with a great location in the center, on the other hand, you are surrounded by nature all around. The staff was really helpful and made our stay even more pleasant. 

 

Day 5 of Yucatán Itinerary: Tulum 

See the stops of today’s itinerary on Google Maps
 

Main sites visited on day 5: Tulum, Zacil-Ha cenote, Playa Pescadores 
Restaurant tips: Safari Comedor 
Hotel recommendations: Hotel Bardo 
Further reading: Unique things to do in Tulum  

Mayan ruins in the city of Tulum

 

Practical information:

• Opening hours: daily 8 am—4 pm  
• Price: 515 Mexican pesos (28 US dollars) 
• Distance from Tulum town: 3.4 km/2.1 mi

Tulum is one of the top ancient Mayan ruins in Mexico, hands down. It used to be the main port in the region and an important trading center. Therefore, the city was rich and built many gorgeous monuments, now beautiful ruins. All this results in it being a very, and I mean very touristic place. 

The hype that Tulum ruins get also means that prices are as high as Mayan pyramids and parking is a nightmare. Be ready for that and prepare yourself with nerves of steel and a wallet of gold. 

The Mayan ruins are right above the sandy beaches, which adds to the attraction, as does the surrounding jungle. In 2026, the Tulum ruins aren’t the cheap site they used to be, now costing 515 MXN pesos/28 USD for foreigners.

 

Tulum ruins with views over the seas

 

When you've had enough Mayan history for the day, once again it's cenotes time! If you want to swim in peace, choose some of the less popular ones, like Zacil-Ha. The crowds of Tulum will seem light years away from there. 

Another option I have for you guys is just chilling at Tulum beach. You know I'm not exactly a fan of lazy beach vacations, because I'm not a hundred years old. But the beaches of Tulum are probably the most beautiful ones I've ever seen. Especially Playa Pescadores showed me that heaven is really a place on Earth. 

Exploring Tulum town

Of course, there’s also Tulum itself. Beyond the ruins and nearby cenotes, this is where you’ll find boutique hotels, beach clubs, and stretches of white sandy beach that look great in photos.

 That said, I’m not a huge fan of the town’s hippie-tourism scene—you’ll know what I mean when every second flyer invites you to a jungle party and half the shops sell tie-dye and dream catchers. I treated Tulum more as a comfortable base with good food and access to nature than a place to deeply explore.

Stay in Tulum tonight. No major driving is needed, which is intentional—this is your chance to slow down before tomorrow’s long road-trip detour to Palenque.

 

 

Day 6 and 7 of Yucatán Itinerary: Palenque detour (Chiapas) + road trip days

See the route of 6th day of itinerary on Google Maps
 

 

Main sites visited on day 6 and 7: Palenque road trip
Restaurant tips: Cafe Jade | La Chiapaneca 
Hotel recommendations: Hotel Chablis Palenque 
Further reading: The best places to visit in Chiapas

Palenque ruins

 

Palenque is located in Chiapas, not on the Yucatán Peninsula. I’ve included it here as a deliberate detour—and it’s absolutely worth it. This part of the trip is for travelers who don’t mind long driving days in exchange for exceptional places.

It’s just so remarkable. I could feel the exotic and mysterious atmosphere of the Mayan city of Palenque. Go see for yourself and discover the architectural monuments full of carvings and hieroglyphs. 

And the interesting fact is that probably only 10% of the city has been unearthed—the rest is waiting silently in the jungle for its discovery!

So, yeah, it’s a long drive from Tulum (≈8–9 hours), but this is one of the most atmospheric Maya sites in Mexico, set deep in the jungle and far less overwhelming than Chichén Itzá.

Day 6: Tulum → Palenque (drive day + light exploring)

Leave Tulum early—ideally around 6–7 am. The drive took me 8–9 hours with a couple of short stops, so this is a long but straightforward road-trip day.

Aim to arrive in Palenque town by mid-afternoon. After checking into your hotel, keep the rest of the day light:

• short walk or early dinner in town (the perfect chance to try authentic Mexican cuisine)
• Hang out and recharge for the ruins the next morning

Palenque is a quiet, early-night town, not a vibrant city. That works in your favor here because you’re forced to rest up for tomorrow.

Day 7: Palenque ruins

The Palenque ruins are absolutely worth the long drive
 

Practical information:

• Opening hours: daily 8:30 am—5 pm  
• Price: 90 Mexican pesos (5 US dollars) 
• Distance from last stop: 699 km/434 mi

After a good breakfast, visit the Palenque ruins. They are open daily from 8 am–5pm. Plan 4–5 hours inside the archaeological site, focusing on:

• Temple of the Inscriptions: Palenque’s most important structure and Pakal’s tomb
• The Palace and tower: the most impressive complex on site
• Temple of the Cross complex: detailed carvings and fewer crowds

I learned interesting facts in the on-site museum, and I urge you to visit it before heading deeper into the ruins. 

The ruins at Palenque are compact, shaded, and very atmospheric, making it far less exhausting than larger Maya cities.

After the ruins:

• return to town for lunch
• optional short afternoon stop at Misol-Ha waterfall if you still have energy

Spend a second night in Palenque, which avoids rushing and sets you up for an early departure the next day. 

 

Hotel in Palenque

Super cozy and clean Hotel Chablis Palenque!
 

This hotel is not as luxurious as the previous one, but I couldn’t be more satisfied with my stay there. After all that driving, it was like heaven. At Hotel Chablis Palenque you stay in very spacious and clean air-conditioned rooms. It gets extra points from me as it was probably the cleanest hotel in Mexico. Any other germaphobes here?  

 

Day 8 of Yucatán Itinerary: Bacalar Lagoon

This is how you get to the next stop in this Yucatán travel itinerary (day 8)
 

Main sites visited on day 8: Driving back to Tulum with a stop at Bacalar Lagoon    
Restaurant tips: Safari Comedor
Hotel recommendations: Hotel Bardo 
Further reading: Best Food in Mexico 

The Bacalar Lagoon
 

On Day 8, leave Palenque early and drive to Tulum, first stopping to recharge at Bacalar Lagoon. The first leg of the drive takes about 7 hours (510 km / 317 miles), so an early start protects your Bacalar afternoon and keeps this leg manageable. 

Today on your Mexico trip, you’ll see an epically blue lake and a magical town… really!

Bacalar Lagoon is a 42 kilometers (26 miles) long lake in Quintana Roo. The place is also nicknamed “the lake of seven colors” as the lake water has multiple shades of blue.

City of Balacar
 

I also urge you to spend a moment in the town of Bacalar on the southern tip of the lake—it’sdeclared one of the Magical Towns of Mexico. Even though it’s a small city, it’s absolutely ready for tourists, full of boutique hotels, lovely restaurants and bars. They’re nice, but pretty pricey.  

What to do at Bacalar Lagoon? 

There can't even be more options. Go for a swim, rent a kayak, take a guided tour, or visit local cenotes! You can easily spend hours there to just relax after a long drive from Palenque on the beach or take a boat ride on the lake.  

After I saw probably the most breathtaking sunset ever, it was time to hit the road again. Tulum, where you'll spend the next 3 nights, is about 2.5 hours away (197 km / 122 miles). I know, more driving, but compared to the 7 you already did today, 2.5 is nothing!

 

 

Day 9 of Yucatán Itinerary: Laguna de Kaan Luum + Santuario de Cenotes

 

See the route of today's itinerary on Google Maps
 

Main sites visited on day 9: Laguna de Kaan Luum, Santuario de Cenotes, Cenote Corazón del Paraíso 
Restaurant tips: Safari Comedor 
Hotel recommendations: Hotel Bardo 
Further reading: Safety in Mexico

Santuario de Cenotes

 

Day 9, stop 1: Santuario de Cenotes 

After a long day of driving, this is a deliberately slower day close to Tulum. About 20 minutes (27 km / 17 miles) south lies Santuario de Cenotes, a small jungle area with just two cenotes open to the public.

Unlike famous cenotes such as Cenote Azul or Gran Cenote, this place stays quiet and feels far more natural. The cenotes here are hidden in dense jungle, with minimal infrastructure and very few people—easily some of the most peaceful cenotes we swam in on the entire trip.

Laguna de Kaan Luum
 

Day 9, stop 2: Laguna de Kaan Luum 

On the way back toward Tulum, stop at Laguna de Kaan Luum, just 15 minutes (17 km / 10.5 miles) from town. The lagoon is massive, with shallow turquoise water around the edges and a dramatic dark-blue cenote in the center.

Swimming is allowed only in the shallower outer areas—the central sinkhole is extremely deep—but the contrast in colors alone makes this stop worthwhile.

Day 9, stop 3: Cenote Corazón del Paraíso 

If you still have energy for one more swim, stop at Cenote Corazón del Paraíso on the drive back.

It’s a good option if you want something easy to access and reliable, without committing to the busiest cenotes around Tulum. Consider it a solid middle ground between famous names like Cenote Azul and the more secluded jungle cenotes earlier in the day.

Return to Tulum for the night. All stops today are close by, so driving is minimal and the day stays easy.

 

Day 10 of Yucatán Itinerary: Cozumel day trip

See the stops of today’s itinerary on Google Maps
 

 

Main sites visited on day 10: Cozumel Island
Restaurant tips: Super Taqueria El Pique | K’ooben Laab | Corazon Contento 
Hotel recommendations: Hotel Bardo 
Further reading: Adventurous things to do near Tulum

The Cozumel Island off the cost of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula
 

The next stop on your Yucatan trip is paradise. I’m not even exaggerating. 

When treating Cozumel as a day trip from Tulum, as my Itinerary advises you, you’ll want to take the ferry over to the island. 

Cozumel Island is stunning. Heart-poundingly beautiful. I couldn’t find words to describe the place. Even though its main draw are the clear white sand beaches and clear turqoise water, beach time and relaxing in the resort slurping cocktails with little umbrellas in them is only one of its lures. 

Nature lovers (like me) will appreciate Punta Sur Ecological Park, home to many species (crocodiles, birds and more) and exotic flowers, and guarded by a lighthouse. The tickets are 25 US dollars.

Welcome to paradise!
 

Things to do in Cozumel

• Submarine dive: descend to about 30 meters (100 ft) to admire reefs and marine life without scuba diving; 45–60 minutes

• Catamaran cruise: sail along the coast with time for snorkeling and relaxing on board (there are also deep-sea fishing trips available); 3–4 hours

• Pearl Farm excursion: learn how pearls are cultivated and snorkel around the farm to see the process firsthand; 2–3 hours

• Horseback riding tour to Cozumel Ghost Town: guided ride through jungle trails to one of the island’s earliest settlements, with local stories and a tequila tasting at the end; 3–4 hours (wear long pants)

Choose a few activities based on your personal travel style. Remember, you want a relaxed island day without overloading the schedule. That, or extend your vacation in Yucatan for a few extra days. Your call. 

Practical note: Most Cozumel activities start on the island itself. From Tulum, drive about 1 hour to Playa del Carmen and take the Ultramar passenger ferry (≈ 20 minutes). 

In Cozumel you can admire the sea from all possible angles! Dive in submarine into the depths of 30 meters (100 feet) and admire the underwater scenery or take a boat ride on a local catamaran and observe sea level from above. Moreover, there are Pearl Farm excursions, introducing you to pearl farming techniques and even allowing you to snorkel and see the pearl growing for yourself. 

After returning from Cozumel, drive back to Tulum, where you’ll spend the night. From Playa del Carmen, the drive takes about 1 hour. This gives you one more night in Tulum before shifting bases north tomorrow. 

 

 

Day 11 of Yucatán Itinerary: Playa del Carmen + Cenote Cristalino

See the route of today's itinerary on Google Maps
 

Main sites visited on day 11: Cenote Cristalino, Playa del Carmen
Restaurant tips: Porfirio's | Peter's Restaurante | El Oasis  
Hotel recommendations: Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun 
Further reading: 10 Top Places in Mexico

 

Day 11, stop 1: Cenote Cristalino 

Pack your bags, you’re moving to Cancun today—your last base on this 2-week Yucatan itinerary. It’s less than a 2-hour drive from Tulum to Cancun, but you’ll be stopping in some fantastic places on the way. 

First, about 30 minutes into the drive, I stopped at Cenote Cristalino. Snorkeling time! If you are as lucky as I was, you may even be able to swim with a few sea turtle buddies that live in the waters here. 

But the first creatures I met here the moment I put my foot in the water were the little fish nibbling at me. 
 

Playa del Carmen

 

Day 11, stop 2: Playa del Carmen 

Playa del Carmen, which you already saw a bit of when taking the ferry to Cozumel Island, is making another appearance on this itinerary. It would be such a shame not to go back and discover this cool city a bit more. 

First, check out the beaches in Playa del Carmen. All the beaches are public here, so you won't pay any entrance fees. The insanely clear shallow sea and white sandy beach of Playa Punta Esmeralda is one of the busier beaches in the city. 

The coast of Playa del Carmen is close to the barrier of Mesoamerican reef system and that means only one thing. Scuba diving! Discovering underwater world of Mexican coast is just like a dream as everything is so astonishingly colorful.

 

Later in the afternoon, I just took a relaxedstroll through Fifth Avenue, which runs close to the coastline. It’s a place to peoplewatch, grab a cup of coffee, enjoy a nice meal, or watch street performers keep the streets alive. 

Then, head up to Cancun (about 1 hour away), where you’ll spend the last 3 nights of your Yucatan travel itinerary. 

 

Hotel in Cancun

Staying in Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun hotel truly is a siesta

Even though I spend my days exploring and swimming in cenotes, I always want a comfortable hotel for a good night’s sleep. In Cancun, I chose Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun. And yes, I even enjoyed a nice evening swim in the hotel's pool. The food was exceptional too, I don’t have a single thing to complain about

 

Day 12 of Yucatán Itinerary: La Ruta de los Cenotes 

See the route of today's itinerary on Google Maps
 

Main sites visited on day 12: La Ruta de los Cenotes 
Restaurant tips: Porfirio's | Peter's Restaurante | El Oasis  
Hotel recommendations: Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun  
Further reading: Best Food in Mexico 

Cenotes in Yucatán
 

Today is all about cenotes! La Ruta de los Cenotes is a 37 kilometers (23 miles) long paved road connecting several cenotes. You don’t need to walk the whole distance, just explore as many sinkholes as you want and then turn back.

Some of the cenotes rest peacefully in nature and astonish visitors with their crystal-clear water and divine atmosphere, whereas others are transformed into adventure parks including zip-lines and swimming activities.  

On your way you will see literally cenote after cenote. They are everywhere, different shapes, depths and colors. You can discover as many of them as you want and have energy to. All the cenotes are properly marked with signs on the road, you can't miss them. 

 

 

Day 13 of Yucatán Itinerary: Akumal + Zona arqueológica de Coba

See the route of today's itinerary on Google Maps
 

Main sites visited on day 13: Akumal, Zona arqueológica de Coba 
Restaurant tips: Porfirio's | Peter's Restaurante | El Oasis  
Hotel recommendations: Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun 
Further reading: 10 Best Hikes in Mexico 

Akumal

 

Day 13, stop 1: Akumal 

Do you feel like you have had enough people for a while? Exchange them for sea turtles.  

Snorkel along the green sea turtles that are used to people and will let you come super close to them. This was an amazing experience for me, and I think it will be one of the highlights of your Yucatán peninsula trip too.  

Snorkeling in Akumal is suitable even for beginners, as the bay is protected by a reef and there are no big waves. There is a parking lot near Akumal Dive Shop. Leave the car there and get to the beach by walking through the Shop. You'll pay 8 USD dollars for entrance. 

Once you get to the beach, you’ll spot a bazillion vendors renting snorkels and other equipment. I recommend arriving as early as possible; unless you want to swim among tourists instead of turtles. Even though many scammers will try to prove you otherwise, you can still snorkel on your own. You can get a guide if you want, but it's not mandatory! 

Day 13, stop 2: Zona arqueológica de Coba 

Practical information: 

• Opening hours: daily 8 am—5 pm  
• Price: 210 Mexican pesos (13 US dollars)  
• Distance from last stop: 73 km/45.4 mi

To stay away from the crowds for a little longer, visit another Mayan city ruin close to Akumal. Drive for an hour west and after 73 kilometers (45 miles) and you reach Coba. 

Explore the Coba ruins, a fascinating archaeological site known for its historical significance and pyramids. Years ago, when I visited for the first time, I even had the opportunity to climb the ancient structures. n recent years, that fn activity has mostly been banned. 

The 42 meters tall Nohoch Mul Pyramid in Coba—no more climbing, sorry guys!

Tall temples rise above two lagoons, Laguna Cobá and Laguna Macanxoc, and the land area of the Mayan city expands to 80 square kilometers (30 square miles) of the jungle. It includes temples, pyramids, and clusters of houses.    

I Nohoch Mul is one of the tallest Maya pyramids in the region, rising 42 meters (137 feet) above the jungle canopy. While climbing access is currently restricted, walking through the vast Cobá complex still gives you a strong sense of its scale and setting.

 

Day 14 of Yucatán Itinerary: Laguna Rosada + Isla Holbox

 

See the stops of today's itinerary on Google Maps
 

Main sites visited on day 14: Laguna Rosada, Isla Holbox 
Restaurant tips: Porfirio's | Peter's Restaurante | El Oasis  
Hotel recommendations: Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun 
Further reading: 33 Mexico Travel Tips 

Laguna Rosada

 

Day 14, stop 1: Laguna Rosada 

The last day of is again more “road trip Yucatán”, so be ready for a little more driving again.  For good times’ sake, haha.

From Cancun you'll get to Laguna Rosada in 3.5 hours (268 km / 166.5 miles). The pink lakes of Las Coloradas are a highlight of this area, famous for their vibrant color and unique photo opportunities.

Laguna Rosada is not as famous as other Yucatán lagoons, so it's possible that you will be the only one there, which I loved almost as much as the pink water itself. However, thanks to Instagram hype it has gotten more famous lately. Why? Because it's picturesque and pink! 

The higher the sun is, the more pink the water gets. In summer it gets pink around 11 am, if you visit before, you will get just a regular lake with a little splash of pink and that’s not worth it at all.

But once the sun hits it, the vibrant pink will occur in seconds. There are no designated parking spots in the area, so leave the car somewhere along the road. The visit is also a bit pricey, you pay 350 pesos (20 USD dollars) just to enter. 

Day 14, stop 2: Holbox Island

From Laguna Rosada drive 3 hours (196 km / 122 miles) to Chiquilá, where you take a ferry to Holbox Island. It's only 15 minutes and the tickets are 330 pesos (18 USD dollars).

Holbox Island
 

Isla Holbox is an island straight from a postcard picture.  Even I could appreciate the amazing, clean beaches and paradise-like scenery. 

What is special about the island is that you can swim with some buddies again. And I don’t mean turtles, this time whale sharks will be your company. From June to August, they swim to Yucatán peninsula and then migrate away again. Pretty cool, huh? 

Another thing Holbox is famous for is the street art. This town changes its colors thanks to murals local artists paint on the walls of buildings. Wandering around is an amazing way to spend time and admire the artwork, that is never the same. 

 

 

Getting to the Yucatan Peninsula and planning a road trip for two weeks 

If you follow this itinerary, you can be just as happy as I was way back during my first visit @ Tulum
 

Flying to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula

• Merida International Airport is the most convenient entry point if you find a direct flight. It lets you start the itinerary immediately.
• Most international travelers will arrive via Cancun International Airport, which has the widest range of long-haul flights.
• From Cancún to Mérida, expect a 3.5–4 hour drive (≈300 km) on a fast, well-maintained highway.

Traveling from within Mexico

• From Mexico City, flying to Mérida or Cancún takes about 2 hours and is far more practical than driving.
• Domestic flights run frequently and usually offer good value.
• Rental car essentialsThis itinerary requires car rental. Many cenotes, ruins, and nature sites are not accessible efficiently by public transport.
• Pick up your car at Mérida International Airport or Cancún International Airport.
• One-way rentals (Mérida → Cancún) are widely available; confirm the drop-off fee when booking.
• For international travelers, an international driving permit may be required in addition to your home country license. 
• Travel insurance is highly recommended for any Mexico road trip to cover unexpected events.

 

Time planning

• The itinerary includes 14 full days of activities.
• If arriving from abroad, consider adding:
  • 1 travel day before Day 1, especially if flying into Cancún
  • 1 extra day after Day 14, since the route ends in Cancún and includes island travel

This structure makes the trip work as a true Yucatán Peninsula road trip itinerary, with minimal driving stress and a clean finish in Cancún.

For more tips for your Mexico itinerary, read my article about dos and don'ts in Mexico.

A note on safety in Mexico

Mexico as a whole carries a general Level 2 travel advisory to exercise increased caution, though the Yucatán Peninsula (including Mérida, Valladolid, and Cozumel) consistently ranks among the safest regions for travelers.

 

You might also be interested in reading

• Safety in Mexico—Is It Safe to Travel There?
• The Best Food in Mexico: 11 Things You Should Try + 3 You Shouldn’t
• 7 Best Aztec Ruins in Mexico
• 33 Mexico Travel Tips from Our Own Experience

 

 

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