1-week roadtrip in Yucatán in Mexico

You want to the the best places of one region in Mexico and don’t have much time? You want to enjoy Mexico’s vibrant blue beaches as well as the remains of Mayan Civilization? Then this itinerary is made for you!

Go for a road trip across Yucatán, the maya region and get to see the « must-sees» from temples in the middle of the jungle to white sand beaches, historic monuments and breathtaking landscapes.

Here is a glimpse of the beautiful experiences awaiting in this 1-week road trip in Yucatán, Mexico:

• In Cancún, discover the MUSA, a museum unlike any other since it is underwater
• Visit Mérida, the cultural capital of Yucatán
• Discover the historic Fuerte San Miguel in Campeche
• See impressive Mayan temples and beautiful waterfalls from Palenque
• Discover the mangroves of Chetumal
• Alternate between heavenly beaches and Mayan ruins in Tulum

To travel safely and without any worry on your mind, we recommend Chapka Insurance!

Itinerary for a 1-week road trip in Yucatán

Cancún > Mérida > Campeche > Palenque > Chetumal > Tulum

Some practical information before your trip Yucatán, Mexico

For this itinerary, we recommend renting a car from Hertz. It’s possible to rent it in one city and return it in another without exorbitant prices and limiting hidden costs.

You want to buy a paper travel guide? We recommend this one! In our opinion, it is the most complete, and the most visual!

Need a road map to prepare your itinerary? We recommend this one, the most detailed and the most pleasant to read!

Mexican cuisine is delicious and very rich, and each region of the country has its own specialties. If we had to recommend a few dishes to try during your trip to Yucatán, they would be the following: first of all guacamole, even if it is a speciality of the country as a whole, you can’t leave without tasting an original one! In second place, we have the panuchos, which are small corn cakes on which we put shredded meat, vegetables, salad and avocado: a delight! Finally, try the pollo pibil, a dish of Mayan origin, very common in Yucatán. The flavour of the dish lies in the marinade and above all in the cooking, in a traditional oven, dug in and with hot stones.

Contents: 1-week road trip in Yucatán, Mexico

1- Cancún – Stop 1 of the 1-week road trip in Yucatán
2- Mérida – Stop 2 of the 1-week road trip in Yucatán
3- Campeche – Stop 3 of the 1-week road trip in Yucatán
4- Palenque – Stop 4 of the 1-week road trip in Yucatán
5- Chetumal – Stop 5 of the 1-week road trip in Yucatán
6- Tulum – Stop 6 of the 1-week road trip in Yucatán

Itinerary of a 1-week road trip in Yucatán: step by step

What to do in Cancún?

A little corner of paradise created from scratch, ideal to acclimatise to the country during this first stop of the 1-week road trip in Yucatán.

• For those who like doing nothing on the beach, this will be paradise! Enjoy the many white sand and vibrant blue water beaches along the city: Playa Linda, Playa Langosta et Playa Tortugas, in the North of the island to enjoy the view of Isla Mujeres. You can go on a day trip there, or do some water activities.
• If you like to go partying while traveling, go to one of the many bars and night clubs to get a feel of what the « spring-break » is like.
• For a once-in a-life-time experience, go to the MUSA, an under-water museum. You will be speechless when discovering over 400 sculptures in the ocean. Take the chance to go diving/snorkeling.

Where to sleep in Cancún?

• Mid-range: Get great value for money by staying at the Bed and Breakfast Pecarí. With a private pool, comfortable rooms that feel like home, and a good location close to all amenities, we recommend it!
• High-end: Located on a secluded beach, the Nizuc Resort & Spa has an outdoor pool, a private jetty and a spa, and offers a breathtaking view of the Caribbean Sea. You can also relax and enjoy the massages and treatments that the resort offers.

What to see between Cancún and Mérida?

• Stop at the colonial city of Valladolid and discover the Spanish colonial architecture in the old city.
• A few km/ miles away, go swim in the natural pit called « Cenote Ikkil », surrounded by the jungle.
• Just nearby, discover Chichen Itza, a UNESCO-listed archeological site.

What to do in Mérida?

The cultural capital of Yucatán, this second stop on your 1-week road trip in Yucatán is rich in history and surprises. 

• Before explore the ruins, stop at Gran Museo Del Mundo Maya. Discover a world famous museum and learn about the Mayan culture through 1100 artifacts and more. A must-see!
• Visit Casa de Montejo, right next to Plaza Grande, dating back to 1549. Explore the museum and its permanent exhibition in this historic monument. On the outside, check the colonial facade out.
• Discover the symbol of the Merida elite: Palacio Canton. This impressive manor was built in the beginning of the 20th century, beautiful!
• For those who love nature, head to Parque Santa Lucia. This small lovely park was the place where coaches uses to pass by when connecting surrounding cities to the capital. Do not miss the Serenatas Yucatecas, an open-air free concert that takes place every Thursday at 9pm.
• An hour and half away from Merida, observe flamingos in their natural habitat in Celestún. We can recommend this day trip from Mérida!

More things to do in Mérida?

• Are you a food lover? Then we can only advise you to take a food tour to discover the city through its culinary specialties.
• Want to get away from the heat of the city? Then go on an organised tour that will take you from one cenote to the other. Cenotes are a kind of underground caves with beautiful turquoise water. It’s a refreshing and typical experience while traveling in Yucatán!

Where to sleep in Mérida?

• Mid-range: Do you want a welcome worthy of the best hotels with owners who give you all the advice on the country? Then head for the La Piazzetta hotel. Between calm and comfort, this hotel offers you everything you need.
• High-end: Looking to unwind in a local and heavenly setting? Just a few steps away from all the attractions, cultural events and restaurants of the historic centre, the Hotel Boutique Casa Flor de Mayo, is sure to please you with its cleanliness and its calm!

From Mérida to Campeche :

• Stop at Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for the only oval pyramid in the country. You can also take an organized tour from Merida, which allows you to have a guided visit, but also to combine it with other visits, notably that of a hacienda, that is to say a large typically Mexican farm. We recommend this one!
• A little further on, visit the site of Kabah, famous for its “Palace of Masks” and its monumental arches.

What to do in Campeche?

Mexico’s provincial capital : UNESCO world heritage.

• Do not miss the largest colonial fort in the Golf of Mexico : Fuerte de San Miguel. Head to the rooftop and admire the 20 cannons. Enjoy the view over the port. Go to the  Museo Arqueologico de Campeche and admire the iconic mayan artefacts from Calakmul and Edzna.
• Go to the Plaza Principal dating back to 1531, where the locals meet up, polishing their shoes or eating an ice cream on a bench in the shade. It’s a beautiful and authentic moment during this 1-week road trip in Yucatán.
• Discover the walkway along the sea : El Malecon. Learn more about the city’s history with the building bordering the walkway. If you get hungry, stop at the very North of the Malecon to eat some fresh seafood in one of the restaurants of Parador Gastronomico de Cocteleros.
• Visit the Ex-Templo de San José, beautiful blue and yellow building built in the beginning of the 18th century. Discover the local craftsmen in the « Bazar Artesanal », a local market.

Where to sleep in Campeche?

• Mid-range: The Holiday Inn Campeche is located on the Gulf Coast, close to the Mayan Archaeological Museum at San Miguel Fort. The hotel offers an outdoor pool and a fitness centre, so you can relax and reenergise before the next stop!
• High-end: Featuring colourful Mayan-style rooms and suites, Hacienda Puerta Campeche a Luxury Collection Hotel is a renovated 17th-century house. It features a spa as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Indulge in this uniquely colourful hotel.

What to see between Campeche and Palenque?

• Stop by Champoton and get to see pelicans.

What to do in Palenque?

Start from here to discover the impressive Maya temples. The hours of driving to reach this fourth stop of the 1-week road trip in Yucatán will be worth it!  

• Live an amazing experience: get deep into the lush jungle and discover several temples lined up! Visit this typical Mayan temple, emerging in the middle of the tropical forest, it’s a precious moment! Take some time to admire one of Americas’ most famous funeral monument: el Templo de Las Inscripciones! Discover this Mayan architectural gem, 8 floors and 25 m / 82 ft of stairs leading to several small rooms. Walk to the back of the site and you will come upon el Acropolis Sur, the acropolis where archeologists recently made amazing discoveries. Right next to it, explore el Grupo de las Cruces, an exceptional pyramidal temple.
• A few kilometres/miles outside of the city, discover the vibrant blue waterfalls of Misol Ha and Agual Azul. Take a dip in this exceptional setting! The roads to get there are not the easiest, so to take the stress out of it all, we advise you to take an organised tour that will allow you to combine the visit of Palenque ruins with these 2 fabulous waterfalls.

Where to sleep in Chetumal?

• Mid-range: A place of paradise in the middle of the forest and the songs of the birds? It is possible with the Los Susurros hotel. Take advantage of the setting to recharge your batteries and enjoy the hospitality of the manager!
• High-end: To enjoy the beautiful surroundings that Palenque has to offer, we have two accommodations to recommend. Firstly, Winíka Terra, which perfectly combines comfort and the natural environment, all in an eco-responsible way. For more comfort and luxury, we recommend the Hotel Villa Mercedes Palenque, with restaurant, swimming pool, terrace… everything to please!

What to see between Palenque and Chetumal?

• Right before getting to Chetumal, stop at Kohunlich, archeological site of an ancient Maya city in the middle of the jungle.

What to do in Chetumal?

Quintana Roo’s capital and former Maya port. This stop of the 1-week road trip in Yucatán perfectly mixes culture, nature and relaxation. 

• Unwind in this calm city and observe the manatees in the bay or along the shore in the mangrove.
• Do not miss the impressive Modern Maya Museum!
• Party people, take part in the many events and festivals held on the Bayside esplanade!

Where to sleep in Chetumal?

• Mid-range: If you want a good hotel with a quality/price ratio that will satisfy you, we suggest the OYO Hotel Costa Azul. Enjoy the red and white rooms perfect for resting and recovering. The strong point of this hotel is its 24-hour reception and cleanliness.
• High-end: Just 800 metres from the ocean, the Fiesta Inn Chetumal has an on-site fitness centre and spa. There is also a panoramic bar and a restaurant serving traditional Mexican cuisine. Take advantage of all these facilities and the comfortable rooms to rest and recharge.

What to do in Tulum?

A Mayan city born 3,000 years ago, it is in this little corner of paradise that your week-long itinerary in the Yucatán will end.

• One of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. Swimming and sunbathing will be your main activities!
• For those who like to exercise, go diving in the cenotes! A fantastic experience!
• Explore Tulum’s ruins, on top of a rocky peak overlooking the sea. Just picture the Mayas, 3 000 years before you and enjoy the sunset!
• Discover the lush nature that surrounds the city by spending a day at the UNESCO-listed Sian Ka’an Nature Reserve. For more peace and quiet, we recommend taking an organised tour directly from Tulum.
• If you want to see more Mayan ruins, then head to Coba.
• Tulum also has some great diving and snorkelling spots. Ideal to admire the underwater life, and especially to cross the path of sea turtles if you are lucky! We can also recommend this excursion which will allow you to combine the discovery of cenotes and snorkeling.

Where to sleep in Tulum?

• Mid-range: A few steps from the centre and the archaeological site, try the yurt experience! Huaya Camp offers all the necessary services as well as a garden and an outdoor swimming pool.
• High-end: Are you interested in all-inclusive accommodations? The Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa welcomes you between jungle and tropical gardens, only a few steps away from the ancient Mayan ruins as well as the centre and the beach. This is an extraordinary experience with an extremely friendly staff.

Learn more about your road trip in Mexico…

• You want to know all the information about the country ? It’s here.
• Then, to rent a car at the best price, we advise you this website.
• To book a flight at the best price, we advise you this website.
• You are looking for a great travel insurance for your 1-week road trip in Yucatán? We recommend this one!

Do not hesitate to share your trip with us, we can’t wait to hear all about your adventures!

If you have any information, good tips, or simply a comment about this itinerary, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below! The whole team will be happy to hear from you!