Back from our unforgettable trip to Mexico between Yucatan, the capital Mexico City, and the state of Oaxaca, we have prepared some tips to share and help organize your next trip.
Here is our 7-day itinerary in Yucatan: what to see, what to do, where to sleep and how to get around this stunning region overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
YUCATAN ITINERARY GUIDE INTRODUCTION
The Yucatan Peninsula, which includes the three states of Yucatan, Campeche, and Quintana Roo, is one of the most visited and fascinating areas in all of Mexico.
With legendary Mayan ruins to explore, mysterious Cenotes to dive into, and world-famous golden Caribbean beaches, Yucatan is a destination that has something to offer to every type of traveller.
In this 7-day itinerary of Yucatan, we give you insights about the most popular areas of the Riviera Maya.
If you’re thinking of a longer trip to Mexico, read our detailed 14-day Yucatan itinerary, where we explain how we visited the interior and north of the region independently.
DAY 1: CANCUN
Your trip will most likely start in Cancun, home to the largest international airport in Yucatan. The Tulum airport was also inaugurated in early 2024, an area particularly popular with tourists from the US.
There are many flights to Cancun, both with stopovers in Florida, Texas, or Mexico City, and direct flights from Europe too. EU and US citizens can enter Mexico without a visa for a maximum stay of 180 days for tourism.
Cancun is one of those places that you either love or hate. Skyscrapers and resorts overlooking the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea, restaurants, shopping malls, all the comforts at your fingertips. But also lots of people, chaos and inflated prices.
Choose Cancun as the base of your itinerary in Yucatan if you want a comfortable vacation at the resorts. The long strip in front of the sea known as the zona hotelera is the most famous in the city.
What to see and do in Cancun:
- After transferring to the hotel, explore the beaches: the very long Playa Delfines with the Cancun sign for a souvenir photo, Playa Marlin and Playa Chacmool, closer to the zona hotelera. The beaches are ideal for walking, sports, relaxing with your own beach towel or renting a deck chair and umbrella for $5-10.
- The inner side of the hotel zone is ideal for strolling on the avenues in the shade of the resorts and palm trees, between one restaurant and another.
- From Cancun it’s easy to book a tour with transportation included to the nearby islands, such as this tour to Isla Mujeres or this excursion to Holbox.
Where to stay in Cancun:
- Hotel NYX Cancun: One of the large all-inclusive resorts in the heart of Cancun
- The Westin Resort & Spa Cancun: A popular resort south of the zona hotelera
- Selina Cancun Hotel: A less expensive option nearby the lighthouse
Getting around Cancun:
- For airport transfers, use official taxis or book a private transfer service.
- Rent a car at Cancun airport or in the city at this link.
- During your stay, the local bus system called colectivos and resort shuttle services make getting around easy.
- Bus companies from the airport to Cancun, Playa del Carmen: ADO, ETN, Primera Plus. Book buses in Mexico here.
Read our related post on the best beaches in Yucatan and Quintana Roo.
DAY 2: ISLA MUJERES OR HOLBOX
As mentioned, on your second day of our Yucatan itinerary we recommend taking an excursion to nearby Isla Mujeres, a lush and heavenly tropical island. Isla Mujeres is easily accessible by ferry from Cancun, with regular departures every 30 minutes ($15 each way). The excursion can be done independently or with a tour that includes transfers.
What to see and do in Isla Mujeres:
- Playa Norte: Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Mexico, thanks to its fine sand and turquoise waters, perfect for swimming and snorkelling. If it’s too crowded though, try nearby Playa Centro.
- Visit the Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA), an underwater exhibition of art and nature.
- Explore the local markets, offering typical handicrafts and traditional Mexican cuisine.
Where to sleep in Isla Mujeres:
- If you don’t return to the hotel in Cancun, you could spend a special night on the island, take a look at the hotels on Isla Mujeres.
- Selina Poc Na Isla Mujeres: fantastic location at Playa Norte.
How to get around Isla Mujeres:
- Isla Mujeres is a small island, you can get around on foot, by bike, or with the traditional carts for a few pesos.
- Ferry Cancun-Isla Mujeres: 30 minutes, $15 each way, ticket info here.
For a more adventurous trip, consider Holbox, where you can swim with majestic whale sharks between May and September.
DAY 3: PLAYA DEL CARMEN
We enter the heart of the Riviera Maya. Playa del Carmen is a lively city that offers a perfect mix of beach relaxation, local culture and entertainment.
It’s a great base for exploring the Yucatan Peninsula. It is located halfway between Cancun and Tulum, not far from the archaeological site of Chichen Itza. We recommend it for a three or four-day stay.
For more information on Chichen Itza, read our article Guide to Mayan Ruins in Yucatan.
What to see and do in Playa del Carmen:
- Quinta Avenida: Playa’s famous pedestrian street is the hub of city life, filled with shops, restaurants and clubs. It’s the perfect place for an evening stroll and to sample some food specialties.
- Local cuisine: While trendy and international clubs line Quinta Avenida and the beach, the opposite side is home to great tacos and birria (meat stew) stands, with authentic Mexican eateries.
- Relax on the central Playa that shares its name with the city, or try a water activity like paddle boarding or snorkelling.
- Tours to Cozumel: The famous island of Cozumel, a popular stop for Caribbean cruises, is a half-hour ferry ride across from Playa del Carmen, perfect for a day trip.
Where to sleep in Playa del Carmen:
- Ceren Luxury Apartments: great apartments with pool, 400m from the sea
- El Taj Oceanfront and Beachside: a Condo hotel offering beachfront units in Playa del Carmen
- Sofia Boutique Condos: spacious modern rooms with kitchen, and rooftop pool
How to get around Playa del Carmen:
- Playa del Carmen is very walkable, ideal to be explored on foot, the central area is pedestrian friendly and safe. If you want to reach the northern beaches such as Playa Punta Esmeralda or Playa Xcalacoco, you can rent a car, a bicycle, or use local taxis and minivans called colectivos.
- Bus from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen or Tulum: companies ADO, ETN, Primera Plus. Book buses in Mexico here.
- Playa del Carmen-Cozumel ferry: 30 minutes, $15. Ticket info here.
DAY 4 – COZUMEL
From the city port of Playa del Carmen, take the ferry to the island of Cozumel, famous throughout the world for diving and snorkeling. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef around Cozumel is part of the second largest reef system in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Here waters are more crystal-clear than ever, you can explore the marine life and have unique experiences such as walking through a “sky” of starfish.
What to see and do in Cozumel:
- Scuba Diving & Snorkelling: Join an organized tour like this one that meets in Cozumel, includes transportation from the port, snorkelling gear, drinks and snacks on the boat.
- Explore sunken shipwrecks and clear waters with sea turtles and coral. Our favorite experience was at El Cielito (little sky), where you can walk in the shallow water and admire the starfish on the seabed!
Where to sleep in Cozumel:
- As with Isla Mujeres, staying in one of the hotels in Cozumel can be an advantage to enjoy the quiet mornings and evenings, without the many day tourists.
- Suites Turquesa Cozumel: an interesting option by the beach.
- Alternatively, a 30-minute ferry ride takes you back to your hotel in Playa del Carmen for dinner at one of the local restaurants.
How to get around:
- Cozumel can be explored by local taxis, bicycles and scooters. Rentals are expensive on the island, starting at $15-20 for a bicycle, $30-35 for a scooter. Book tours in advance ($50-70 per person) to ensure availability. Info: Starfish tour or sea turtle tour in Cozumel.
- Playa del Carmen-Cozumel ferry: 30 minutes, $15. Ticket info here.
DAY 5 – TULUM
We dedicate the fifth day to Tulum. The area is known for its Maya archaeological site overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The contrast between history and nature here is remarkable: on one side the ruins of an important spiritual centre for the Maya, on the other the luxury resorts of the zona hotelera.
In fact, like Cancun, Tulum too features a long strip of hotels and restaurants, specifically planned in front of the sea. A few kilometres away from the sea is the town centre of Tulum.
While Playa del Carmen attracts visitors of all nationalities and budgets, Tulum over the years has been catering for a larger crowd of American tourists, which translates to all-inclusive services, and above average prices. Among the locations of the Riviera Maya, Tulum impressed us the least, perfect for a resort stay by the sea, but less exciting and adventurous.
What to see and what to do in Tulum:
- Tulum Ruins: The archaeological site perched high above the sea is one of the most fascinating examples of Maya architecture. The combination of the ruins with a panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea is truly postcard-perfect. Beware of the crowds, come early in the morning to avoid them.
- After the visit, needless to say, the call of the Tulum beachside is too strong to resist. Enjoy the bright colours of the Riviera Maya at Playa Santa Fe or Playa Paraiso. For a cheaper meal than the pricey resort restaurants, head to Tulum town a couple of kms inland.
- If during your trip to Mexico you want to visit one of the great Mayan archaeological sites in Yucatan, from Tulum you are 45 minutes away from the ruins of Coba and 2 hours from the wonders of Chichen Itza.
Where to sleep in Tulum:
- Maya Tulum: a luxury resort within the Riviera Maya’s zona hotelera
- Motto by Hilton: an excellent inland alternative in Tulum
How to get around in Tulum:
- In Tulum, scooter or bicycle rentals are good for the hotel and ruins area. Taxis and minivans colectivos allow you to move quickly between the archaeological site and the beaches.
- Bus Cancun-Playa del Carmen-Tulum: ADO, ETN, Primera Plus companies. Book buses in Mexico here.
More about the ruins of Tulum in our article Guide to Mayan Ruins in Yucatan.
DAY 6 – CENOTES
A travel itinerary in Yucatan wouldn’t be complete without visiting at least one of its renowned cenotes. These natural circular pools that have formed over thousands of years by the crumbling of limestone rocks, appear as mysterious openings in the earth, filled with turquoise water.
It’s no coincidence that for the Maya, cenotes were sacred places of great spiritual importance. Today, there are hundreds of cenotes throughout Yucatan. Most are in the north of the region, in the area known as Anillo de Cenotes, which we talk about in our 14-day itinerary in Yucatan.
Let’s focus for now on the cenotes closest to the Riviera Maya.
Which cenotes to visit in the Riviera Maya:
- Gran Cenote and Cenote Dos Ojos: among the most famous and popular cenotes, great for swimming and snorkelling. The clear waters and the natural play of light create an almost surreal atmosphere. Entrance fee starting from 15-20$.
- Cenote Calavera is a smaller cenote near Tulum, reachable in a few minutes by car.
- If you are looking for a less crowded and less expensive area you could consider the three cenotes of Coba, about 45 minutes from Tulum, 5-7$ per cenote.
How to get to the cenotes:
- Rent a car or scooter to get to cenotes, or join guided tours, such as this tour from Playa del Carmen, or this one that includes Coba Ruins and a visit to a cenote.
Read more in our detailed article Top 12 Cenotes in Yucatan – Guide and Map
DAY 7 – RELAX BY THE BEACH
Unfortunately every trip must end, but you can finish on a high by enjoying the beaches and the Caribbean Sea once more. Spend one last night in Playa del Carmen or Tulum, or return to Cancun half-day before heading to the airport.
Ideally for a 7-day trip it’d be best to avoid changing hotels too often, if possible. We recommend 2-3 nights maximum to acclimatize in Cancun, and the remaining 4-5 between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. The latter are smaller than Cancun and less than an hour’s drive from each other, so you can get around more easily.
What to see and do:
- Relax by the beach, a last dip in the picture-postcard sea.
- Visit the local markets for artisanal souvenirs and typical products.
- Mexican dinner, if you’re not tired of tacos yet!
How to get around:
- Arrange the trip to the airport with your hotel, or book a private transfer.
- Bus to Cancun Airport from Playa, Tulum: ADO, ETN, Primera Plus. Book buses in Mexico here.
ENJOY YOUR TRIP TO YUCATAN!
We hope we’ve helped you plan your next Yucatan travel itinerary.
Remember to book your flights, hotels, travel insurance and excursions well in advance, and get ready to discover the beauty of Mexico!
USEFUL LINKS:
Top 12 cenotes in Yucatan: map and guide
Best beaches in Yucatan and Quintana Roo, Mexico
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