This is a suggested two-week travel itinerary for Mexico that includes 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
- Budget friendly
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 include Oaxaca to the itinerary to enjoy 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
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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's best to take things slow on your first day to prevent altitude sickness.
Best areas to stay in Mexico City: 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
Begin your second day in Mexico by exploring The Zócalo, the heart of central Mexico City. Before the colonial era, this lively square served as the primary ceremonial hub of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. While you're at The Zócalo, also take the time to visit the beautiful Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral located right in the square. Additionally, you might want to think about joining a walking tour to discover the rich history of the city center.
After lunch head over to the Templo Mayor Museum, located right next to the archaeological site of the main Aztec temple.
In the afternoon, make your way to the Frida Kahlo Museum, a historic house and art museum that celebrates the life and art of the renowned Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo. Travel Tip: Because of the museum's immense popularity, it's best to book your tickets online in advance on the official website. If you can't find any tickets on the official website then you could try it here.
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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 gorgeous terraces and lovely city views at the castle. During the Viceroyalty, the castle was erected as a vacation residence for the colonial administrator with the highest rank.
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 km (25 mi) northeast of Mexico City. Teotihuacan is recognized today as one of the most architecturally significant Mesoamerican pyramids built in the pre-Columbian Americas. Teotihuacan was founded around 100 BCE, though witnessed major expansion between 100 CE and 550 CE. At its heyday, it might have housed over 100,000 people, making it one of the ancient world's largest towns. To gain a better appreciation of these stunning pyramids, I recommend exploring them through a guided Teotihuacan Tour.
This being your last day in Mexico City, spend your afternoon walking around exploring any of the charming neighborhoods. End your day with a nice dinner at one of the many wonderful restaurants in Roma Norte.
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| Teotihuacan |
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| Teotihuacan |
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| Puma Mural at Teotihuacan |
Day 5-7: San Cristóbal de las Casas
Day 5
Start your day by catching a morning flight from Mexico City to Tuxtla Gutierrez Airport. Once you arrive, grab a licensed taxi to take you to San Cristóbal de las Casas, which is approximately 45 km away. This charming town is located in the Central Highlands of Chiapas, Mexico, and is surrounded by beautiful hills. The city center has retained its Spanish colonial charm, with red-tiled roofs, cobblestone streets, and beautiful wrought iron balconies covered with flowers.
After you check into your hotel in San Cristóbal, take some time to relax. In late afternoon, venture out to explore the lively streets of downtown San Cristóbal. Stroll along Real de Guadalupe, the main pedestrian street full of shops, cafes, and restaurants. Also visit the center plaza, which is great for people-watching and trying the local street vendors.
Where to stay in San Cristóbal de las Casas: The best location to book your stay in San Cristóbal as a first time visitor is it's 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
Begin your day with a trip to Casa Na Bolom, which is the the main hub of a foundation that is focused on preserving the area's forests and indigenous communities. The place also has a nice museum. Next, head over to Catedral de San Cristóbal, located in a vibrant plaza. This gorgeous cathedral, built in 1528, has a baroque exterior and a beautifully gilded altar. Have lunch at one of the nice restaurants in the city center.
After lunch, explore Museo del Ámbar, an informative museum that showcases amber jewelry, art, and fossils. Then, make your way to Real de Guadalupe street, where you can relax at a nice café, enjoying a cup of Chiapas coffee and people-watching. In the afternoon, you could also consider joining a walking tour of the historic city center.
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| Catedral de San Cristóbal |
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| Casa Na Bolom (San Cristóbal de las Casas) |
Day 7
Begin your day with Chamula & Zinacantán Guided Tour. San Juan Chamula is an indigenous village, located about 10 km from San Cristóbal de las Casas. The majority of the residents in this municipality are indigenous and communicate in their native language. When you’re in Chamula, it truly feels like you’ve traveled back in time. After exploring Chamula, you'll head over to Zinacantan, another nearby village. There, you'll explore the local church and observe some traditional weaving techniques.
This being your last day in San Cristóbal, spend rest of your day exploring the charming town.
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| San Juan Chamula |
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| Former Temple of San Lorenzo (Zinacantan) |
Day 8-9: Palenque
Day 8
Travel by coach bus from San Cristóbal to Palenque. Palenque was an ancient Maya city-state located in southern Mexico that declined in the 8th century. Once you arrive in Palenque after the long journey, settle down into your hotel. Enjoy dinner at one of the nice restaurants in the La Cañada area. Travel Tip: To be safe, choose a well-known coach bus provider and schedule your travel during the day. The coach buses take a longer but safer route.
Where to stay in Palenque: The best location to book your stay in Palenque is La Cañada area for better access to services and restaurants.
Day 9
Begin your day with a visit to the Palenque Ruins, which date back to roughly 226 BC and lasted until 799 AD. Following its decline, the site became enveloped by a lush jungle filled with cedar, mahogany, and various other trees, but it has since been uncovered and restored. Palenque is a medium-sized archaeological site that has some of the most spectacular architecture, sculptures, and carvings created by the Maya civilization. The Temple of the Inscriptions and the Temples of the Cross are two of Palenque's most significant structures. After exploring the ruins, make sure to visit the Palenque Site Museum, where you can see artifacts from the site and learn more about its fascinating history.
End your day with nice dinner at one of the restaurants in the La Cañada area.
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| Temple of the Inscriptions (Palenque) |
Day 10-13: Mérida
Day 10
Catch a coach bus from Palenque to Mérida, the capital of Yucatán and the largest city on the Yucatán Peninsula. Once you arrive in Mérida after the long journey, settle down into your hotel and enjoy dinner at one of the nice restaurants in the City Center. Travel Tip: To be safe, choose a well-known coach bus provider and schedule your travel during the day.
Best areas to stay in Mérida: 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 stroll along the beautiful Paseo de Montejo, a well-known avenue of Mérida that has some of the most iconic buildings and monuments of the city.
Later in the afternoon, make sure to stop by Museo Casa Montejo, a beautifully restored house from the 16th century that has been transformed into a museum.
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| Paseo de Montejo (Mérida) |
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| Monument to the Fatherland (Mérida) |
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| Museo Casa Montejo (Mérida) |
Day 12
Begin your day at the Mayan World Museum of Mérida, where you can view an impressive collection of artifacts that represent the everyday life in the Maya culture.
Later in the afternoon, make your way to the Cathedral of Mérida, one of the oldest cathedrals in the Americas. As the sun sets, relax at a café near Plaza Grande and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
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| Mayan World Museum of Mérida |
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| Cathedral of Mérida |
Day 13
Join a guided Chichén Itzá & Cenote Day Tour from Mérida. Your adventure will kick off with a refreshing visit to the cenote in the morning. Cenote is a natural sinkhole, formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock which reveals beautiful groundwater. Don’t forget to bring your swim gear for a dip!
In the afternoon, you'll explore the magnificent ruins of Chichén Itzá, located in the heart of the Yucatán. Chichén Itzá was founded by the Maya in the fifth century AD, although it rose to prominence during 800-1200 AD. It is one of the most famous and well-preserved archaeological sites of the ancient Maya civilization. This ancient city was once a hub for religion, military, politics, and trade during its prime.
Some tours will also stop at couple of lovely towns along the way, like Izamal and Valladolid. Izamal, also known as the Yellow City, is full of colorful yellow structures and has a rich colonial history. Valladolid is another beautiful town, where you can learn more about the rich history and culture of the Yucatán Peninsula.
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| Chichén Itzá |
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| Cenote (Yucatán) |
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| Convento de San Antonio (Izamal, Yucatán) |
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| Izamal (Yucatán) |
Day 14-15: Playa del Carmen
Take the coach bus 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 that offers a variety of tourist activities due to its geographical location in the Riviera Maya. Playa del Carmen is an hour drive from Cancun.
Where to stay in Playa del Carmen: The best location to book your stay in Playa del Carmen as a first time visitor is close to the 5th Avenue (Quinta Avenida). The 5th Avenue or La Quinta Avenida is the main pedestrian street in Playa del Carmen, stretching about four kilometers alongside the coast. This lively avenue is filled with souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, street performers, etc. Staying close to the 5th Avenue will allow to easy access to the beach as well as all the services.
During your last two days in Mexico, take time to relax at the beach, soak up the sun, enjoy some delicious food, and indulge in some shopping.
Along with exploring the 5th Avenue, do not miss Parque Los Fundadores, a beautiful beachfront park with sculptures, a playground for children, and traditional Mayan dance performances.
Cancun is closest airport to fly out to your international destination.
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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).
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this itinerary! Feel free to share your questions or suggestions in the comments section below.
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