This 2-week Mexico itinerary is based on a real trip through the Yucatán Peninsula and Quintana Roo. Every stop, hotel, activity, and transport option was tested on the ground during a road trip with four friends.
If you’re looking for a realistic, balanced Mexico road trip, combining beaches, cenotes, colonial cities, and Mayan ruins : this itinerary is for you.
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Quick overview
- Duration : 14 nights / 15 days
- Start & end : Cancún
- Regions : Quintana Roo & Yucatán
- Travel style : Backpacking + road trip
- Group size : 4 people
- Transport : Bus, rental car, ferry
- Also doable by bus : Yes (ADO)
Map of the itinerary
Route : Cancún → Playa del Carmen → Tulum → Sian Ka’an → Bacalar → Mérida → Chichén Itzá → Valladolid → Holbox → Cancún
Day-by-day itinerary (tested & real)
Cancún : Arrival & recovery (2 nights)
Cancún is the perfect gateway to Mexico. After a long flight from Paris, we took the ADO bus from Cancún Airport to downtown, which is cheap, fast, and reliable.
Where to stay in Cancún
Hotel Hacienda Cancún (👉 Book your stay here)
Budget-friendly, walking distance from the ADO bus terminal, ideal for arrival and departure days.
What to do in Cancún
- Free public beaches (white sand & turquoise water)
- Zona Hotelera (brief visit)
- Dinner at Parque de las Palapas (cheap, local, lively)
Playa del Carmen : Short road trip stop
Playa del Carmen works well as a lunch stop or overnight break between Cancún and Tulum. Lively, touristy, but convenient.
Personal recommendation (from another trip) : Kinta Kan Beach Hotel Boutique Playa del Carmen + dinner at Osteria De Roma. (one of the best italian meal of my life, 100% recommanded)
Tulum : Ruins, cenotes & beaches (3 nights)
Tulum is one of the highlights of any Yucatán itinerary : Mayan ruins overlooking the Caribbean, cenotes, and beach clubs.
Where to stay in Tulum
Oryx Tulum Hostel (👉 Book your stay here) : Private room for 4, small pool, jungle vibe, excellent value.
What to do in Tulum
- Tulum Ruins
- Beach day (Xpu-Ha by colectivo)
- Cenotes (Chan Aktun Ha : stunning but expensive)
- Drinks at Batey Mojito Bar
- Nightlife around Mercado Centauro
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve (day trip)
A wild and untouched part of Mexico, Sian Ka’an is a UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve best visited from Tulum. General admission to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is roughly MXN50 to MXN100 (US$3 to $5) but I highly recommand to take a guided tour for explanations et secrets of the biosphere.
- Jungle walk
- Muyil archaeological site
- Observation tower
Bacalar : Lagoon of Seven Colors (3 nights)
Bacalar was one of the biggest surprises of this trip. Calm, authentic, and absolutely stunning, it’s the kind of place where time slows down and every shade of blue feels unreal.
Where to stay in Bacalar
Ade Hotel Bacalar (👉 Book Your Stay Here)
A small and charming hotel with a pool, excellent value for money, and easy access to a public lagoon entrance (a big plus in Bacalar where many docks are private.)
What to do in Bacalar
- Swim in the Lagoon of Seven Colors
- Spend a day at Los Rápidos, where natural currents carry you through crystal-clear water
Enjoy sunset walks along the lagoon
Sailing & catamaran tour on the lagoon (absolute highlight)
One of the most memorable experiences of this entire Mexico trip was a catamaran day tour on the Bacalar lagoon.
The tour included:
- Swimming in Pirate’s Channel
- Stops near a protected bird reserve
Multiple swim breaks in the most vibrant parts of the lagoon
👉 Book your catamaran / sailing tour with Day Tour in Bacalar
If you want more details, I wrote a full dedicated guide about this experience here : The Best Catamaran Day Tour in Bacalar, Mexico. This sailing day was without a doubt one of the most magical moments of the trip and a must-do if you include Bacalar in your Yucatán itinerary.
Mérida : Colonial city & culture (2 nights)
Mérida is a vibrant colonial city and a great base to explore inland Yucatán.
Where to stay in Mérida
Casa NE (👉Book Your Stay Here)
Central, affordable, perfect for a short stay.
What to do in Mérida
- Historic center walk
- Mercado 60 (food court)
- Mezcal bars
- Live music at La Negrita
Chichén Itzá & Valladolid : Culture stop (1 night)
Chichén Itzá
One of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a must-see in Mexico. Go early to avoid crowds. Book your Chichén Itzá guided tour to enjoy so as not to miss anything!
Valladolid
A charming colonial town, perfect for an overnight stop.
- Swim at Cenote Zací ($7)
- Walk around the main square
Holbox Island : Slow travel & beaches (3 nights)
Holbox is car-free, relaxed, and the perfect place to end this itinerary.
Where to stay in Holbox
Golden Paradise Hostel (👉 Book Your Stay Here)
Good value, central, ideal for groups.
What to do in Holbox
- Beach time
- Sunset drinks
- Walk to Punta Coco
- Total relaxation
Rental car vs bus in Mexico
Rental car (what we did with BSP Auto / Budget)
- Total cost: approx. €300 for 10 days (4 people)
- Easy driving overall
- Best option for flexibility
Bus option (ADO)
- Comfortable, air-conditioned
- Reliable for long distances
- Slightly less flexible
✨Tip from Shiny Expatrie Frenchie ✨
After traveling through the Yucatán Peninsula with friends and testing this itinerary on the ground, here are a few real-life tips that can make a big difference when planning a 2-week trip to Mexico.
1. Traveling as a group makes everything easier (and cheaper)
If you’re considering renting a car, traveling as a group is a game changer. Splitting accommodation, car rental, and fuel costs makes the road trip extremely affordable and gives you much more flexibility than buses alone.
2. Don’t underestimate travel days
Distances in the Yucatán may look short on a map, but heat, traffic, speed bumps, and detours can make drives longer than expected. Plan lighter days when moving between destinations, especially on longer routes like Bacalar to Mérida.
3. Always carry cash
Many cenotes, small restaurants, and local activities don’t accept cards. Having cash on hand avoids stress and gives you access to more authentic places, especially outside tourist hubs.
4. Sunscreen matters (a lot)
The sun in Mexico is no joke. Bring high-quality, reef-safe sunscreen, especially if you plan to visit cenotes or spend full days on the lagoon in Bacalar. Trust me : this is not the place to cut corners.
5. Not all cenotes on Google Maps exist
Some cenotes look amazing online… and simply don’t exist or are closed. Always double-check with locals or your accommodation before driving long distances just for one spot.
6. Bacalar deserves more time than you think
If there’s one place where you should slow down, it’s Bacalar. The lagoon changes colors throughout the day, and the atmosphere is incredibly peaceful. If you need to cut one destination short, don’t let it be Bacalar.
7. Holbox is the perfect ending
Ending this itinerary in Holbox was one of the best decisions of the trip. After days of driving and exploring, a car-free island with sunsets, beach walks, and slow mornings is exactly what you need.
BISOUS
