2 Weeks in Mexico: Ultimate Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary

2 Weeks in Mexico: Ultimate Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary

Are you visiting Mexico for the first time and looking for the perfect Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary?

We’ve put together a 14-day Yucatan Peninsula Road Trip Itinerary that covers the popular attractions, Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns), and some hidden gems.

Mexico is one of the best countries in the world, with its fascinating culture and history, heavenly food, ancient Mayan Ruins, mystical cenotes, and tropical beaches.

A Yucatan Peninsula Road Trip is the best way to explore Chichen Itza, the Yellow City of Izamal, the best cenotes near Valladolid, the Lagoon of Seven Colors in Bacalar, and Tulum’s Instagrammable places.

Our Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary includes the best places to visit, how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do. You’ll also find all the useful tips and information you need to plan your Yucatan Peninsula Road Trip Itinerary.

Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through our link. This is a free way to support us and allow us to continue to create inspiring travel guides.

Where is the Yucatan Peninsula

The Yucatan Peninsula is located southeast of Mexico, between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

The Yucatan Peninsula is Mexico’s most visited area, a vast coastal region with many things to do.

Most people know the Yucatan Peninsula as just Yucatan, which is misleading as the Peninsula is made up of three Mexican states: Yucatan, Campeche, and Quintana Roo.

Recommended post → Best Places to Visit Yucatan Peninsula

Merida is the capital of the Yucatan, Chetumal is the capital of Quintana Roo and San Francisco de Campeche is the capital of Campeche.

Popular Yucatan Peninsula resort destinations, such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, are in Quintana Roo.

Did you know that the Yucatan Peninsula is home to Mexico’s famous Mayan Riviera?

Cancun is the perfect place to start your Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary.

See also → Best Things to Do in Bacalar

How to Get to the Yucatan Peninsula

The Yucatan Peninsula is easy to reach, and there are several ways to get there. Depending on where you want to start your Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary, there are a few international airports from which to choose.

International airports in the Yucatan Peninsula

• Cancun International Airport (CUN)
• Merida International Airport (MID)
• Cozumel International Airport (CZM)
• Chetumal International Airport (CTM)

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Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to Mexico.

If you are staying in Mexico City or can get a cheaper connection from there. You can fly first to Mexico City International Airport (airport code MEX) and then to Cancun. It takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes to fly from Mexico City to Cancun.

Most travelers to Mexico arrive at Cancun International Airport, as you can get cheap flights to Cancun. There are many direct flights to Cancun from Mexico City, Europe, the U.S., and other international countries.

How to Get Around the Yucatan Peninsula

The best way to get around the Yucatan Peninsula is to rent a car or take an ADO bus. For nearby attractions or day trips, you can join a group or private tour, travel by taxi or Colectivo (shared minivan), or rent a bike.

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If you want to book bus tickets or transfers, use Bookaway.

Rent a car and make the most of your Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary!

See also → Things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula

Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary by car

We did this 14-day Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary by rental car and enjoyed exploring the sights at our own pace. We have a complete guide to safe car rental in Mexico, which includes how to avoid Mexican scams and some Yucatan Peninsula driving tips.

Recommended post → Before Renting a Car in Mexico, You Need to Know

The driving will make this Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary much easier and more flexible.

During our travels, we always use Discover Cars for car rentals. Because they always offer the best deals and provide free cancellation 48 hours before your reservation.

Car rental will cost around 30-35 USD per day, which included full insurance.

Book your car in advance to get the best price! Check car rental prices and availability HERE.

Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary by ADO bus

Public transport in Yucatan and Quintana Roo is excellent, and you can easily get from one place to another. ADO is the largest and most popular bus company in Mexico.

The Mexican ADO buses are safe, air-conditioned, comfortable, and cheap.

Get Bus Tickets here.

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ADO buses are usually quite cold due to the air conditioning, so you should bring a pullover.

Best Time to Visit the Yucatan Peninsula

The Yucatan Peninsula has a tropical climate, hot and humid all year round. February and April are ideal months for a Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary.

The best time to visit the Yucatan Peninsula is between December and April. This period is the dry season, with pleasant temperatures and little rainfall.

However, these months are also the peak season in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, which means high prices and crowds.

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In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance.

Read more → One Day in the Yellow City

In May, the temperatures are hotter, and heavy rains can occur. But if you are traveling on a budget, it is the perfect month to visit Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

The rainy and hurricane season usually starts in June and ends in October.

Good to know
Plan your trip for early November if you want to enjoy the Día de Muertos celebrations (Day of the Dead in Mexico).

Do I need a Visa to travel to Mexico?

Probably not. Most travelers from the U.S., Canada, Australia, or Europe don’t need a visa to travel to Mexico.

When you arrive in Mexico and go through Customs and Immigration, you will be issued a maximum 180-day (6-month) FMM tourist card.

Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for Mexico and apply for an e-visa online.

You can enter Mexico without a Covid-19 vaccination or a negative PCR test. However, always check the entry requirements!

Is the Yucatan Peninsula Safe?

The Yucatan Peninsula is one of the safest destinations in Mexico. However, some areas of Mexico are still worth avoiding because they are not safe! We found driving in the Yucatan Peninsula safe and easy, so we highly recommend renting a car in Cancun, Mexico.

We did our 2-week Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary by car, and it was safe to travel in Mexico, but always be careful.

Small thefts can happen like in any other country. So take care of your valuables, don’t show your expensive camera, and don’t leave your smartphone or passport in the car!

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

Mexican scams are common in popular cities such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. But the chances of kidnappings and drug cartel deals are minimal, so don’t worry about safety on the Yucatan Peninsula.

There are many checkpoints between cities, lots of police cars in the tourist areas, and unlike the city centers, there are few cars on the highways.

In our experience, Mexican people are very kind.

Good to know
You shouldn’t drink tap water in Mexico!

Read more→ The most common scams in Mexico

How Much Does it Cost to Visit the Yucatan Peninsula?

Mexico is a cheap country, but its popularity and luxury resorts make the Yucatan Peninsula more expensive than some other parts of Mexico.

Budget travelers will spend around 40-65 USD per day. Depending on the mode of transport you will be using to travel around the country, which accommodation you prefer, and how much you are willing to pay for restaurants.

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Save money, avoid ATM transaction fees when going abroad, and pay in local currency with a Wise Card.

Recommended post → Best Cenotes near Tulum

Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary Map

The Ultimate 2-Week Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Cancun

Welcome to Mexico! Hola! We hope you had a great flight and are ready to explore the charming Yucatan Peninsula.

Cancun is the best place to start your Yucatan Peninsula Road Trip Itinerary, as there are cheap and direct flights to Cancun.

Once you arrive at Cancun International Airport, you can easily rent a car at the airport or pick up your pre-booked car.

During our travels, we always use Discover Cars for car rentals. Because they always offer the best deals and provide free cancellation 48 hours before your reservation.

See also → How to Renting a Car in Mexico

Cancun

Depending on when you arrive in Cancun, you can choose to continue your trip to Valladolid or spend one night in Cancun. We don’t recommend that you drive at night!

You can take a private or shared airport shuttle and taxi to reach downtown Cancun or the Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone). It is good to know that Uber is not available in Cancun!

Book an airport transfer to Cancun Hotel Zone & Downtown Hotels.

The travel time is 40 minutes, and the shuttle starts from 11 USD per person.

As our flight arrived in Cancun in the evening, we decided to pick up our car on arrival. Then, we stayed at an apartment close to the airport and traveled to Valladolid the next day. In Cancun, we stayed in the Suites Rivera, only a 10-minute drive from the airport.

If you are traveling by car, you should download an offline map and get a local sim card to drive to your hotel without any problems. There is no SIM card vendor at Cancun Airport, but you can get one at any OXXO shop.

Buy an eSIM and data package for Mexico.

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We recommend you buy the Telcel SIM card as the internet was excellent during our 2-week trip.

Recommended post → How to Get from Cancun to Valladolid

Where to Stay in Cancun

Cancun has some luxury hotels, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Cancun

• Luxury: Oleo Cancun Playa Boutique
• Mid-Range: Cancun Plaza or Bed and Breakfast Pecarí
• Budget: Suites Malecon Cancun

Day 2: Travel to Valladolid

Good morning! It’s time to start your Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary! Check out from your hotel, have breakfast, and travel to Valladolid by car or bus.

Book your car in advance to get the best price! Check car rental prices and availability HERE.

From Cancun to Valladolid, the journey time by car is 1.5-2 hours, depending on traffic.

The 180D highway connecting Cancun and Valladolid is a toll road costing 385 MXN (21 USD). They don’t accept credit cards or dollars, so make sure you bring enough Mexican pesos! 

Read more → Valladolid Guide

There are no ATMs and few petrol stations between Cancun and the highway. This road is very well-maintained, comfortable, and safe to drive on.

The bus ticket from Cancun to Valladolid start from 22 USD. Book your bus tickets HERE.

Once you arrive in the colorful colonial town of Valladolid, check in to your hotel. Afterward, have lunch at one of the authentic restaurants or try the street food, which is delicious and cheap.

Then, explore the city of Valladolid, walk along the Calzada de Los Frailes, see the cathedral, visit the monastery of San Bernardino de Siena, and swim in the Cenote Zaci.

Where to Stay in Valladolid

There are many places to stay in Valladolid, from budget-friendly hostels to boutique or luxury hotels. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Valladolid, Mexico

• Luxury: Oriundo Luxury Nature Villas
• Mid-Range: Hotel Waye or Meson del Marques
• Budget: Hotel Casa Bamboo

Day 3: Visit Chichen Itza – A highlight of your Yucatan Itinerary

The most popular destination in Mexico is Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Plan your Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary to allow enough time to explore the famous Mayan Ruins.

Chichen Itza is only a 50-minute drive from Valladolid. Alternatively, you can book a bus from Valladolid to Chichen Itza for just 10 USD.

We suggest arriving in the morning because you can avoid the crowds of tourists and enjoy a stroll around the ruins without the burning sun.

Read the full post → Ultimate Guide to Visiting Chichen Itza

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Don’t forget to buy Mexican souvenirs! We visited many places on the Yucatan Peninsula, but Chichen Itza had the best souvenirs.

After Chichen Itza, you should visit Cenote Ik Kil, which is about a 10-minute drive away.

Cenote Ik Kil is a beautiful open cenote with long tendrils of vines and green plants that offer fantastic photo opportunities. Take a few photos from above and then go down and swim or jump into the turquoise water from the platforms.

For the best experience, book your Chichen Itza and Cenote day trips via Viator or GetYourGuide.

Day 4: Exploring Valladolid

Valladolid was one of our favorite places on our Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary. If you are looking for where to stay in the Yucatan Peninsula, the best choice is Valladolid.

Mexico’s magical town (Pueblo Mágico) is a great starting point to visit places like Chichen Itza, the Yellow City of Izamal, Cenote Suytun, Ek Balam, and Las Coloradas.

Recommended post → How to Spend 3-Days in Valladolid

Start your day with a short visit to Uayma, just 20 minutes from Valladolid. After that, you can visit the stunning cenotes around Valladolid. We recommend that after Uayma, you go to Cenote Suytun as it is less crowded in the morning.

Cenote Suytun is open from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Did you know that Cenote Suytun is one of the most photographed places in Mexico?

See also → Best Cenotes near Valladolid

Then go to the Cenote Oxman and have lunch there, then visit the other beautiful cenotes around Valladolid or spend your time in the town center.

Enjoy traditional Mexican dancing in Valladolid’s main square, shop from street vendors, and see the beautiful church.

See also → Things to in the Yucatan Peninsula

Day 5: Visit Izamal and Merida

It’s time to say goodbye to Valladolid and continue your Mexico trip. Our next destination on the Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary is the Yellow City of Izamal.

Izamal is only a 1.5-hour drive from Valladolid, and as you can explore in a few hours, it is well worth a visit.

Spend a short time in Izamal, climb the Kinich Kak Moo pyramid, walk the yellow streets, visit the Convento De San Antonio de Padua, and shop in the local market.

Recommended post → How to Visit Izamal

After exploring Izamal and taking lots of Insta-worthy photos on the streets of Izamal, drive on to Merida.

Merida is the capital of Yucatan state, the perfect place for digital nomads and budget travelers. But there is no shortage of expensive restaurants, trendy boutiques, parties, and popular events.

When visiting Merida, you’ll see that it mixes historic colonial buildings with modern neighborhoods, making it a different experience from Izamal or Valladolid.

Read the full post → Best Things to Do in Merida

Good to know
You can get from Valladolid to Merida by bus. The bus tickets start from 14 USD.

Where to Stay in Merida

Most people only take a short visit to Merida, but for the best experience, it is worth spending 1-2 days there. These are our accommodation recommendations.

Best Hotels in Merida

• Luxury: Más Palomas Concept House
• Mid-Range: Viva Merida Hotel Boutique or Hotel Santa María Mérida
• Budget: Hotel Caribe Merida Yucatan

Day 6: Travel to Bacalar

Are you ready for the best part of your Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary? Bacalar is a stunning place in Quintana Roo. It is famous for its crystal clear waters and the Lagoon of Seven Colors, known as the Maldives of Mexico.

From Merida to Bacalar, the journey time by car is 4.5-5 hours, depending on traffic. Since you’re about to take a long trip, read our driving tips for the Yucatan Peninsula.

Depending on when you arrive in Bacalar, try to catch the sunset at one of the docks (balnearios).

Recommended post → Best Things to Do in Bacalar

Where to Stay in Bacalar

Bacalar has some luxury hotels, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Bacalar

• Luxury: Hotel Amainah Bacalar
• Mid-Range: Hotel Aldea 19 Bacalar or Hotel Makaabá Eco-Boutique
• Budget: Xibalba in town hostel

Day 7: Bacalar Lagoon Sailing Tour

A sailing trip is the best way to explore the beautiful Bacalar Lagoon.

The Bacalar sailing tour takes about 3 hours, depending on the weather conditions. When we did the sailing tour, we had great windy weather, which was ideal for the activity.

The sailing tour starts from 42 USD per person.

You can book your Bacalar Sailing tours online through Viator or GetYourGuide, where you can get the best prices.

On the way, we stopped several times at beautiful places where we could swim, snorkel, or sunbathe on the boat.

After the sailing tour, have lunch and visit the most beautiful cenotes of Bacalar. Spend a few chilling hours at the Cenote Cocalitos, swim and snorkel, or enjoy hanging a hammock.

Book Bacalar Cenotes Tour.

Day 8: Los Rapidos – A popular place on your Yucatan Itinerary

Visiting Los Rapidos is one of the best things to do in Bacalar. The crystal clear waters in different shades of blue and impressive stromatolites make it the best place to visit on the Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary.

You can swim in the beautiful blue lagoon, snorkel, and rent kayaks at Los Rapidos. There is a great restaurant where you can eat delicious Mexican food or reserve a sun lounger to enjoy the scenery.

Los Rapidos is about 15 minutes from the center of Bacalar, and you can easily visit it by taxi, colectivo, or car.

You can combine a visit to Los Rapidos with Laguna Bonanza, where you can picnic, swim, and snorkel in crystal clear water.

Recommended post → Guide to Los Rapidos

Day 9: Chilling Out in Bacalar

On this day, visit Fort San Felipe and then spend the day relaxing. At Fort San Felipe, you can learn about the Bacalar’s history and enjoy the fantastic views of the Bacalar Lagoon.

You can rent a kayak and paddle across the lagoon to the shipwreck at the Piratas Channel (Canal de Los Piratas) or chill out at one of the beach clubs in Bacalar.

The Blúe Beach Club offers delicious meals and drinks, tropical backdrops, and fantastic photo opportunities.

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Laguna Bonanza is a hidden gem in Bacalar, so don’t skip it on your Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary.

Day 10: Travel to Tulum

Continue your Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary to Tulum, one of Mexico’s most visited places. From Bacalar to Tulum, the journey takes around 2.5-3 hours, depending on traffic. To make the most of your day, we recommend visiting the Muyil Ruins and Coba Ruins on the way.

Join Sian Ka’an and Muyil Ruins Tour.

Then, it’s time to get that famous Tulum vibe. Stroll around the charming streets, and in the afternoon, visit Palma Central for a fantastic atmosphere, delicious food, and cold drinks.

Read our → Tulum Guide

Where to Stay in Tulum

When you have a car, we suggest you book your hotel outside Tulum. For those who want to enjoy the nightlife or explore Tulum without a car, we recommend staying near the town center or Tulum Beach.

Tulum has some luxury hotels, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Tulum

• Luxury: Casa Malca
• Mid-Range: Maka Hotel Boutique or Coco Tulum Zen Zone Hotel
• Budget: Cenotes Casa Tortuga Tulum

Day 11: Discover Tulum Instagram Spots

Good morning Tulum! One of the best things to do on the Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary is to discover the best Instagram spot in Tulum.

Join a Tulum Instagram Photo Tour.

You can rent a bike and discover the most beautiful places in Tulum. Bike rental at Tulum Beach is 15 USD for 24 hours.

We don’t recommend visiting Tulum Beach by car, as parking is expensive and spaces fill up quickly.

We’ve put together a complete guide to Tulum’s best Instagrammable spots, with tips and a map to help you plan your Tulum Itinerary.

Day 12: Best Cenotes near Tulum

Our Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary gives you a full day to explore the most beautiful cenotes in Tulum.

If you want to visit them all, probably 1 day is not enough, as they are all so gorgeous (and some are expensive), so it is not worth taking a short time.

Join a Cenotes Tour.

Best cenotes in Tulum

• Gran Cenote
• Cenote Aktun-Ha
• Cenote Calavera
• Cenote Azul
• Cenote Dos Ojos
• Cenote Zacil-Ha
• Cenotes Casa Tortuga Tulum

Recommended post → Best Cenotes in Tulum

Day 13: Chill Out in Tulum

As this is your last day in Tulum, we recommend you visit the attractions you missed or spend the day relaxing on Tulum’s beautiful beaches.

Our favorite beach in Tulum was Playa Xpu-Ha. But Akumal, Playa Ruinas, and Playa Paraiso are also worth a visit.

Go to a restaurant and eat delicious Mexican food, or go shopping. Tulum has many places to shop for fashionable dresses, handcrafted gifts, and souvenirs.

See also → Top Things to Do in Tulum

Day 14: Return to Cancun or Continue your Yucatan Itinerary

It’s time to leave Mexico! Our Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary ends where it began. Go back to Cancun Airport, return the car, and fly home.

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If you want to book bus tickets or transfers from Tulum to Cancun, use Bookaway.

We hope you enjoyed your visit to Mexico. This Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary includes many things to do. But you cannot visit all of the Yucatan Peninsula attractions in two weeks.

However, if you have more time than 14 days in Mexico, here are some additional destinations you can add to your Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary!

• Playa del Carmen
• Cancun
• Cozumel
• Chetumal
• Isla Mujeres
• Isla Holbox

We hope our two-week Yucatan Peninsula Road Trip Itinerary will help you plan your next trip to Mexico. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comments below.

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

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