Mexico: Best Travel Itinerary for Yucatan Peninsula (3 Week Trip)

Exploring Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula for three weeks is a dream come true for adventure seekers, history lovers, and beachgoers alike. I’ve personally traveled this breathtaking region, uncovering hidden cenotes, ancient Mayan ruins, and some of the most stunning Caribbean beaches on the planet.

If you're planning a Yucatán Peninsula travel itinerary, this guide will help you maximize your time while soaking in the best of Cancún, Tulum, Mérida, Valladolid, and beyond.

The Yucatán Peninsula—which includes the states of Yucatán, Quintana Roo, and Campeche—offers an incredible mix of cultural heritage, natural wonders, and vibrant cities. From wandering the colonial streets of Mérida to snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of Cozumel, every stop on this three-week Mexico itinerary brings a new adventure. You’ll witness Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, swim in sacred cenotes, and relax on the powdery white sands of Isla Holbox.

As a seasoned traveler, I’ve carefully crafted this Yucatán road trip plan with efficient routes, budget-friendly tips, and safety advice. Whether you’re a solo traveler, a couple, or a family, this guide will ensure your trip is unforgettable. So, grab your passport—your Mexican adventure awaits.

3-week itinerary in the Yucatan Peninsula

The Yucatan Peninsula is often the first Mexican destination for many. A region with so much culture, with a fascinating history, with incredible natural landscapes, rich gastronomy and a very safe area. These are just some of the reasons to travel to the Yucatan Peninsula (yes, this region includes the super-famous Riviera Maya), but you will see that there is no shortage of surprises. Let's detail the ideal route day by day:

Before we start looking at it day by day, let us clarify a few points:

We assume that the start and end of the trip is from Cancun. Flights from Spain are not expensive and it is a good place to discover the Yucatan Peninsula.
The best option to discover all the corners is to rent a car . It is safe, cheap and easy to drive.
If you don't have enough time, we'll leave you our 1-week route through the Riviera Maya .

Take out IATI travel insurance with a 5% discount here . Whatever your destination

Days 1 and 2
– Cancun –

Cancun beach

After landing in Cancun, we will take advantage of the time change to not waste a moment and head to the first beach of our trip! Cancun is divided into two areas: the town and the Hotel Zone . We stayed in the latter, but we recommend that if you can, you also go to the town to mingle with the authentic and local atmosphere.

We stayed at the Beachscape Kin Ha
What to see and do in Cancun

Days 3 and 4
– Isla Mujeres –

sign Isla Mujeres

There are many ways to get to Isla Mujeres . From Cancun there are several ports and different companies that arrive at this tourist island. Although the first impression we had was a bit disappointing, the experience of renting a golf cart and exploring its most remote corners is highly recommended. They say that here is one of the most beautiful beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula ( Playa Norte ).

We stayed at the Balu Hostel
Guide to visiting Isla Mujeres

Casino Resorts & Hotels

Days 5 and 6
– Valladolid –

Valladolid Yucatan Peninsula Mexico

It's time to rent a car! We did it with the company America , which had a pick-up service in Puerto Juarez. After a couple of hours, getting used to the Mexican roads (you'll see that it's not difficult at all), you'll arrive at the beautiful colonial city of Valladolid .

It is small and a couple of days are enough, also to make some excursions to the nearby cenotes (like Suytún), to the Archaeological Zone of Ek Balam , or even dedicate an extra day (optional) to reach Río Lagartos and its protected area .

We stayed at Casa Sisal
What to see and do in Valladolid

Day 7
– Chichén Itzá and Izamal –

Chichen Itza pyramid on the Yucatan Peninsula

Although it's only one day, it will be one of the most important of the trip! You will visit the most important Mayan ruins in Mexico, Chichén Itzá (it will take you all morning), and we recommend staying one night in the magical town of Izamal , all dyed yellow.

We stayed at the Hotel San Miguel Arcangel
Guide to visiting Chichen Itza
What to see and do in Izamal

Days 8 and 9
– Merida –

Merida Mexico

Izamal is only 70km from Mérida, so one option is to make a quick visit to Izamal and sleep in Mérida, to gain a night. Mérida is the most important city in Yucatán, with very different neighborhoods, churches and spectacular colonial buildings . In addition, we found the best restaurants of the entire trip here.

Don't miss a night tour with the tourist bus! If you have time, you can spend a morning doing the route of the convents by car, with a visit to the Mayapán ruins . Or take a more distant excursion to Celestún , and see its curious flamingos.

And if like us you travel at the end of October, you can enjoy the Day of the Dead *_*

We stayed at the Doralba Inn Hotel
What to see and do in Merida

Days 10 and 11
– Uxmal and Campeche –

street of Campeche Mexico

From Mérida we will make a first stop to visit the ruins of Uxmal , probably the second most impressive of the Mayan civilization.

Back in the car we will arrive at San Francisco de Campeche , a quiet and friendly city, one of those places that you connect with right away. It was hard for us to leave there, but what was to come was worth it!

We stayed at the Maya Ah Kim Pech Hotel
Guide to visiting Uxmal
What to see and do in Campeche

Swim-up Room All Inclusive Resorts

Best Swim-up Room All Inclusive Resorts Punta Cana | Best Swim-up Room All Inclusive Resorts Jamaica | Best Swim-up Room All Inclusive Resorts Mexico | Best Swim-up Room All Inclusive Resorts St Lucia | Best Swim-up Room All Inclusive Resorts Caribbean | Best Swim-up Room All Inclusive Resorts Cancun

Day 12
– Edzná and Xpujil (Calakmul) –

Ruins of Edzná

As in the previous stage, halfway through this day we will visit other ruins: this time the ruins of Edzná , with the beautiful Temple of the Five Floors.

It's time to change your mindset, because you know that the time to visit the impressive ruins of Calakmul is approaching. However, to visit them you need to have time, so we recommend leaving them for the next morning. The day ends in the city of Xpujil , and if you have time, stop by the Archaeological Zone of Becán , the small Calakmul.

We stayed at the Otoch Béek
Guide to visiting Edzná

Days 13, 14 and 15
– Calakmul and Bacalar Lagoon –

Sailing boat in the Bacalar Lagoon

The day begins with a visit to the Calakmul ruins . Although it is not very far from Xpujil, the road is bad and you will need the whole morning to complete the excursion. But what a wonderful adventure! You will be left speechless.

The surprises don't end here, as the next stop, Laguna de Bacalar, is one of Mexico's natural wonders (and a magical place for us). Sign up for a sailing tour to sail to the rhythm of the wind or rent a kayak and marvel at its crystal-clear waters!

We stayed at the Tribu Hotel
Guide to visiting Calakmul
What to see and do in Bacalar

Optional: Mahahual or Xcalak

If you are one of those restless travelers, you could take a day off Bacalar and put it in Mahahual , a small coastal town, much less touristy than its northern neighbors, and famous for its hippie atmosphere and its snorkeling and diving possibilities. Or even get closer to the border with Belize and stay in some oceanfront cabin accommodation in Xcalak , a paradise for diving and snorkeling lovers.

Just a few metres away from its shores is the second largest coral reef in the world (after Australia). It is also one of the few places where you can swim freely with manatees, the giant "sea cows".

We stayed at the Matan Ka'an Hotel (Mahahual) and Sol y Arena (Xcalak)
What to see and do in Mahahual
What to see and do in Xcalak

Remember to get the Revolut card ( with a €10 promo ) to avoid commissions when paying and withdrawing money abroad

Days 16, 17 and 18
– Tulum / Playa del Carmen –

Tulum Castle in the Riviera Maya

You are now in the heart of the Riviera Maya , as you will have noticed because tourism is much greater here, and finding yourself alone in the places of interest will be practically impossible. But that does not mean that they are not interesting! Besides, they are not exactly few.

We recommend that you base yourself in Tulum , rather than in Playa del Carmen , and during these three days explore the archaeological sites of Tulum and Cobá , take a cenote route , or stop by Akumal beach to try to swim with turtles.

In Tulum we stayed at the Solera Tulum
In Playa del Carmen we stayed at the Anah Suites
What to see and do in Tulum
What to see and do in Playa del Carmen

Days 19, 20 and 21
– Holbox –

Holbox Island on the Yucatan Peninsula

To end your super trip around the Yucatan Peninsula on a high note, there's nothing better than enjoying a few days of relaxation on the island with the best vibe in the world: Holbox. And if you're lucky and you're not in the sargassum season, even better!

Rent a bike and explore the remotest paths, sunbathe (well, put on some sunscreen, eh), swim on the beaches and swing in the hammocks over the water, take a boat tour around the area and save some money for a few good lobster meals. Not bad, right?

We stayed at Casa Ohana
What to see and do in Holbox

Check out our list of the top tours in Mexico to try when in the region.

This is, for us, the best three-week Yucatan Peninsula travel itinerary . It's practically the one we did hehe and we wouldn't change a thing. Have you been to this part of Mexico? What is, for you, the best Yucatan Peninsula travel itinerary?

Water Park Resorts

Best All Inclusive Family Resorts with Water Park Cancun | Best All Inclusive Resorts with Water Park Mexico | Best All-inclusive Family Resorts with Waterpark Mexico | Best Lazy River All-inclusive Resorts Europe

US All Inclusive Resorts