This is a suggested two week travel itinerary for Mexico that covers Mexico City, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Palenque, Mérida and Playa Del Carmen.
Why Travel To Mexico
- Ancient civilization, historical sites & ruins
- Unique culture
- Colorful colonial towns
- Stunning beaches
- Varied landscape
- Delicious cuisine
- Friendly locals
Mexico Itinerary Map
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| A:Mexico-City B:San-Cristóbal C:Palenque D:Mérida E:Playa-Del-Carmen |
Mexico Travel Itinerary
- Day 1-4: Mexico City
- Day 5-7: San Cristóbal de las Casas
- Day 8-9: Palenque
- Day 10-13: Mérida
- Day 14-15: Playa Del Carmen
If you've more time then also visit Oaxaca to enjoy the unique local food and culture.
Best Time To Visit Mexico
The best time to visit Mexico is during the dry season between December and April, when there is virtually no rain.
Mexico Top Experiences
- Stunning Chapultepec Castle
- Fascinating Teotucuhan Ruins
- Indigenous village of San Juan Chamula
- Swimming in a Cenote (natural deep-water sinkhole)
- Coastal resort town of Playa del Carmen
- Diverse & delicious Mexican cuisine
Day 1-4: Mexico City
Day 1
Mexico City is the capital and the largest city of Mexico. It is also the most populous city in North America. After arriving in Mexico City settle down in your hotel. Keep in mind that Mexico City is situated at an altitude of 2240m, so it would be best to take it easy on your first day to avoid any altitude sickness.
In my view the best location to book your stay in Mexico City as a first time visitor is Roma. Alternatively Centro Historico and Reforma are also good locations to stay in Mexico City.
Day 2
Start your second day in Mexico visiting The Zócalo which is the main square in central Mexico City. Prior to the colonial period the Zócalo was the main ceremonial center in the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. While at the Zócalo, visit Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral in the main square. You can also consider joining walking tour of the historic city center.
After lunch visit Templo Mayor Museum which has been built beside the archaeological site of the main Aztec temple. Later in afternoon visit Frida Kahlo Museum which is a historic house museum and art museum dedicated to the life and work of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.
Travel Tip: Book your tickets in advance online for the Frida Kahlo museum due to its immense popularity.
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| Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral |
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| Templo Mayor (Mexico City) |
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| Templo Mayor Museum (Mexico City) |
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| Frida Kahlo Museum (Mexico City) |
Day 3
Start your day early by visiting the stunning Chapultepec Castle located on top of Chapultepec Hill. Enjoy the lovely views and terraces at the castle. The castle was built during the Viceroyalty as a summer house for the highest colonial administrator.
In the afternoon visit National Museum of Anthropology which is the largest and most visited museum in Mexico. The museum contains significant archaeological and anthropological artifacts from Mexico's pre-Columbian heritage.
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| Chapultepec Castle (Mexico City) |
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| Chapultepec Castle Terrace (Mexico City) |
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| Chapultepec Castle Dining Room (Mexico City) |
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| National Museum of Anthropology (Mexico City) |
Day 4
Start your day visiting Teotihuacan which is an ancient Mesoamerican city located 40 kilometers (25 mi) northeast of Mexico City. Teotihuacan is known today as the site of many of the most architecturally significant Mesoamerican pyramids built in the pre-Columbian Americas. Teotihuacan was the largest city in the pre-Columbian Americas. I recommend exploring the Teotihuacan ruins with a guide.
This being your last day in Mexico City, spend your afternoon walking around exploring any of the nice neighborhoods. End your day having dinner at one of the lovely restaurants in Roma Norte.
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| Teotihuacan |
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| Teotihuacan |
Day 5-7: San Cristóbal de las Casas
Day 5
Take the morning flight from Mexico City to Tuxtla Gutierrez Airport. Take a licensed taxi from the airport to the town of San Cristóbal de las Casas which is about is 45 km away. San Cristóbal de las Casas is a town located in the Central Highlands region of the Mexican state of Chiapas. The town sits in a small valley surrounded by hills. It's city center maintains its Spanish colonial layout and much of its architecture, with red tile roofs, cobblestone streets and wrought iron balconies often with flowers.
After arriving in San Cristóbal settle down into your hotel. In late afternoon walk around and explore the streets of downtown San Cristóbal. Walk Real de Guadalupe which is the main pedestrian thoroughfare full of shops, cafes, restaurants and people. You can also go to the central plaza for people watching and street vendors.
The best location to book your stay in San Cristóbal de las Casas as a first time visitor is the Historic Center.
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| San Cristóbal de las Casas |
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| Real de Guadalupe (San Cristóbal de las Casas) |
Day 6
Start your day by visiting Casa Na Bolom which is the headquarters of a foundation dedicated to saving the region's forests and native inhabitants, and also includes a museum. Then visit Catedral de San Cristóbal which is set on a lively plaza. It dates back to 1528 and features a baroque façade and a gilded altar. Have lunch at one of the lovely restaurants in the city center.
After lunch visit Museo del Ámbar which is an educational museum showcasing amber jewelry, art and fossils. Then just go to Real de Guadalupe and sit outside one of the lovely café sipping Chiapas coffee and enjoy watching people. You can also consider joining walking tour of the historic city center in the afternoon.
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| Catedral de San Cristóbal |
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| Casa Na Bolom (San Cristóbal de las Casas) |
Day 7
Start your day with trip to indigenous village San Juan Chamula which is situated some 10 km from San Cristóbal de las Casas. Virtually the entire population of the municipality is indigenous and speaks an indigenous language. While in Chamula it surely feels like you've stepped back in time. After Chamula you can visit Zinacantan which is another close by village. Here you can visit the local church and also checkout some local weaving techniques.
Travel Tip: To explore Chamula I recommend to hire a local guide or visit Chamula with a tour company.
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| San Juan Chamula |
Day 8-9: Palenque
Day 8
Take the bus/coach from San Cristóbal to Palenque. Palenque was a Maya city state in southern Mexico that perished in the 8th century. For safety please use reputed bus/coach company and travel during the day. The coaches take the longer but safer route. After long bus ride to Palenque, settle down into your hotel. Have dinner at one of the nice restaurants in La Cañada neighborhood.
The best location to book your stay in Palenque is La Cañada for better access to services and restaurants.
Day 9
Start your day by visiting Palenque ruins. The Palenque ruins date from ca. 226 BC to ca. 799 AD. After its decline, it was overgrown by the jungle of cedar, mahogany, and other trees, but has since been excavated and restored. Palenque is a medium-sized site but it contains some of the finest architecture, sculpture and carvings that the Mayas produced. Temple of the Inscriptions and Temples of the Cross are some of the most important structures at Palenque. After the ruins visit Palenque Site Museum which displays finds from the site and Palenque’s history.
In the afternoon just relax with a drink at one of the lovely cafés in La Cañada neighborhood.
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| Temple of the Inscriptions (Palenque) |
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| Palenque Ruins |
Day 10-13: Mérida
Day 10
Take the bus/coach from Palenque to Mérida. Mérida is the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán, and the largest city on the Yucatán Peninsula. For safety please use reputed bus/coach company and travel during the day. After long bus ride to Mérida, settle down into your hotel. Have dinner at one of the nice restaurants in the City Center.
The best location to book your stay in Mérida as a first time visitor is the City Center. Alternatively the area near Paseo de Montejo is also a nice location to stay in Mérida.
Day 11
Start your Mérida exploration in the morning by joining a walking tour of Mérida city center. Have lunch at one of the many Mexican restaurants in the city center.
After lunch walk along the beautiful Paseo de Montejo which is a notable avenue of Mérida and is the location of some of the most iconic buildings and monuments of the city. Later in afternoon visit Museo Casa Montejo which a restored 16th century house-turned-museum.
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| Paseo de Montejo (Mérida) |
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| Museo Casa Montejo (Mérida) |
Day 12
Start your day by visiting Mayan World Museum of Mérida which exhibits a magnificent collection of different artifacts that reflects daily life of Maya. In the afternoon visit Cathedral of Mérida which is one of the oldest cathedrals in the Americas. In late afternoon just sit in café around Plaza Grande and soak in the lively atmosphere.
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| Mayan World Museum of Mérida |
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| Cathedral of Mérida |
Day 13
Sign up for an organized day trip to Chichén Itzá and Cenote from Mérida. On an organized trip you'll first visit Cenote in morning. Cenote is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater. Make sure you pack all the things you'll need for a swim.
In afternoon visit Chichén Itzá ruins located in south-central Yucatán state. Chichén Itzá was an ancient city thought to have been a religious, military, political, and commercial center at its peak. Some of the tour companies also make a stop at Izamal and Valladolid. Izamal is a charming city with an interesting colonial history and known in Yucatán as the Yellow City since most of its buildings are painted yellow. Valladolid is another charming city, which is a popular city to explore the history and culture of the Yucatán Peninsula.
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| Chichén Itzá |
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| Cenote (Yucatán, Mexico) |
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| Izamal (Yucatán, Mexico) |
Day 14-15: Playa del Carmen
Take the bus/coach from Mérida to Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen is a city located along the Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo. It is a popular tourist city which features a wide array of tourist activities due to its geographical location in the Riviera Maya. Playa del Carmen is an hour drive from Cancun.
These last two days in Mexico, you can just relax by enjoying the beach, the sun, food and shopping. La Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) is Playa del Carmen's main pedestrian thoroughfare which runs parallel to the shore and is about four kilometers long from north to south. The avenue is lined with an assortment of street performers, souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, etc. Parque Los Fundadores is a seaside park with sculptures, a kids' playground and traditional Mayan dance performances. There are also few amusement and theme parks around Playa del Carmen.
Cancun is closest airport to fly to your international destination.
The best location to book your stay in Playa del Carmen as a first time visitor is close to Quinta Avenida. Staying close to the Fifth Avenue will allow to easy access to the beach as well as the services.
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| Playa del Carmen |
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| Fifth Avenue (Playa del Carmen) |
What to Shop In Mexico
Mexico is known for indigenous jewelry, colorful pottery, textiles, chocolates, coffee beans, Mexican hot sauce, Mexican candies, Mezcal (alcoholic beverage) and Tequila (alcoholic beverage).
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