If you're reading this, you're probably planning to visit Mexico or would like to someday, but where to start? Worry not fellow traveller, I've got you covered. Below you'll find a suggested one-month itinerary and a two-week itinerary, you can obviously stay longer or less in one place and just tweak your trip as you go along.
Mexico is huge and you'd need many months to visit the whole country. Given that some of the country's biggest attractions are located to the south of Mexico City that's where I'll focus on.
Best Of Mexico In 1 Month
You can choose to start either in Mexico City or Cancún, depending on where you're flying into. Since most people will probably fly into Mexico City that's where we'll start.
If you fly into Mexico City, consider spending at least 4 days here. You'll need at least 2 good days to visit the most of the highlights of his metropolis and should consider a day trip to the Teotihuacan ruins. From Mexico City, you'll most likely head to Puebla where you should consider
spending at least 3 days as you'll want to have time to relax, take in the sights, try some amazing moles (think of Indian curry but made in Mexico with Mexican ingredients). Another great side trip is visiting Cholula which is easily done from Puebla. From here it'll probably be a long bus journey to Oaxaca City (that's if you're not driving your own car). Plan to spend 2 days in the capital of the Oaxacan state or perhaps add 1 or 2 more days if you decide to visit any of the indigenous villages or ruins around Oaxaca City.
Obviously you've seen a bit of Mexico by now, but you haven't yet been to the beach, so let's fix that.
From Oaxaca City, it'll be another long bus journey to the Pacific Coast and the beautiful seaside towns of Puerto Escondido, Mazunte or Zipolite. Choose one place, hire your own wheels and visit the different pueblos or stay put and soak up the sun and perhaps take some surf lessons.
After you've topped up on enough sun and beach bum life, it's time to head to the most ethnically diverse state in Mexico. From the Oaxacan coast to the state of Chiapas it'll be a very long bus ride so maybe you could consider spending a day in Juchitán de Zaragoza (still in the state of Oaxaca) exploring its beautiful main square and feasting on some more great Oaxacan food. In Chiapas, you'll probably want to mainly span your days in the beautiful mountain city of San Cristobal De Las Casas. Consider spending at least 4 days here as there are many worthy day trips available. From San Cristobal De Las Casas it's now time for some more Mayan Ruins, however, these feel like a lost city in the middle of the jungle, akin to an Indiana Jones film. Make sure you spend 2 days in Palenque, one day to explore the ruins and another to just relax in the city proper.
Now that you've been away from the mesmerizing shades of blue of the Mexican beaches what do you say if you head back to spending your days sunbathing with a cold coconut by your side?
From Palenque to Merida in the state of Yucatán it'll be another full day on the bus. Spend at least 4 days in Merida as you'll need one day for the city, another day if you decide to visit the ruins of Uxmal and some cenotes in the area and also if you decide to visit Chichen Itza, which you can totally do on your own. From Merida, it's now time to head to one of the most impressive natural wonders of Mexico, Laguna Bacalar where 2 days will be enough for you to just unwind and swim in impossibly blue waters. After Bacalar a short bus ride will take you to the Caribbean coast of Mexico. Consider spending some days either at Mahahual or further south in Xcalak. From here you can head to Tulum for some great international cuisine and beautiful seas as well as more Mayan ruins. Further, up along the coast, you'll find Playa del Carmen which is a good option if you like to party. After almost a month on the road, you're probably in need of some island vibes and that's exactly what Isla Holbox has to offer. Consider making this your last stop before heading back to the mainland and making it to Cancún where you can catch a flight to any other onward destination.
Best Of Mexico In 2 Weeks
If you fly into Cancun, and do not intend to spend time in any of the resorts that Cancun is famous for after arriving here consider perhaps spending 1 day in the actual city of Cancun (not the Hotel Zone), from here you should either head to Playa Del Carmen if you like to party or if you're more into relaxing and trying some amazing food then Tulum is where you should go first. From Tulum, you then just have to travel south along the coast and spend a couple of days in Laguna Bacalar followed by a couple more days either in Mahahual (busier with more facilities) or Xcalak (more authentic with fewer facilities). From here you could then go to Valladolid and spend 3 days here as this will be a good base for any visits to perhaps Chichen Itza (Mayan ruins) and various
cenotes. Merida lies to the west and that's where you'll be going to be next. Spend 3 further days here and make sure you rent a vehicle if possible to visit some cenotes and ruins around Merida. From Merida, if what you're craving is laying on a sunbed you could consider going to Progresso for some awesome seafood and warm Gulf of Mexico's waters. It's now time for some island life in Isla Holbox before heading back to Cancún to continue with your travels.
If flying into Mexico City check my guide on how to get from the airport to Mexico City without being scammed.
PIN IT
Comments