We spent six weeks driving the Yucatán Peninsula: islands, cenotes, ruins, a lagoon of seven colors and the pink lakes. Here it is cut to the days you actually have. A week covers Holbox and Tulum, ten days adds Bacalar, and two weeks takes in the whole peninsula. Switch the length below and the plan rebuilds itself.
Cancún → Isla Holbox → Tulum → Playa del CarmenCancún → Isla Holbox → Tulum → Bacalar → Playa del CarmenCancún → Holbox → Las Coloradas → Tulum → Bacalar → Cozumel → Isla Mujeres
day by day
The Yucatán itinerary
Isla Holbox2 nights2 nights2 nights · ferry from Chiquilá
DayLand in Cancún, ferry to Holbox
Drive or take a shuttle about two and a half hours to Chiquilá, park at the terminal, and take the 25-minute ferry (they run about every half hour). No cars on the island: a golf-cart taxi takes you to the beach. We stayed at Villas El Encanto, right on the sand.
DayBikes, the sandbar and bioluminescence at Punta Cocos
Our favorite beach in Mexico: wade out to the sandbar, nap in a hammock, then bike to Punta Cocos for sunset. Stay an hour after dark and the waves light up with glowing plankton, no tour needed. Bring bug spray.
Río Lagartos1 night · the pink lakes
DayLas Coloradas pink lakes and the flamingos
The pink salt lakes sit on a private salt works, so a guide is required. Go around noon on a clear, sunny day for the brightest pink. The area is a UNESCO biosphere reserve with flamingos and empty beaches. We did it as a day trip; the Piña Coloradas ecolodge lets you stay the night.
Tulum3 nights3 nights3 nights · cenote country
DayDrive south to Tulum
About four hours from the Holbox ferry (three from Río Lagartos). Tulum has become one of the most expensive parts of Mexico, so this is where to spend on what matters: the cenotes, a good beach club and dinner. We stayed in an apartment close to the ruins and the cenotes.
DayA cenote morning
Cenote Azul, Xunaan-Ha, Car Wash, and Gran Cenote (the most popular and the most expensive). The rule for every cenote: get there as early as you can to beat the crowds. Lunch at La Buena Vida’s treehouse in Akumal on the way back.
DayThe ruins, then Akiin Beach Club
The Mayan ruins sit right on the sea; go early, before the heat. Spend the afternoon at Akiin Beach Club and get the surf and turf platter.
Bacalar2 nights2 nights · lagoon of seven colors
DaySouth to Bacalar, the lagoon of seven colors
Three hours south of Tulum, near the Belize border: a 35-mile freshwater lagoon in every shade of blue, and one of Mexico’s best kept secrets. We stayed at the famous Seashell House, with kayaks and the lake right outside.
DaySail the lagoon, Los Rápidos and the Pirates’ Channel
A sailing trip on the lagoon (ours came with an open bar, so worth it), floating the river rapids at Los Rápidos, and the Pirates’ Channel.
Playa del Carmen1 night2 nights1 night · fly home from Cancún · fly home from Cancún · ferry port for Cozumel
DayUp the coast to Playa del Carmen
About 45 minutes from Tulum (four hours from Bacalar). Playa was our base for six weeks: central to everything, with the beach, cenotes and the Cozumel ferry. Our Airbnb came with a Jeep, a big saving, since rental cars in Mexico get expensive once the required insurance is added.
DayCenotes or your first dive
Snorkel the cenotes around Playa, or try scuba: the reef here and off Cozumel is some of the best diving in the region.
DayFly home from Cancún
Cancún airport is about an hour up the highway.
Cozumel2 nights · ferry from Playa
DayFerry to Cozumel and dive the reef
Ultramar ferries run back and forth from Playa all day. We got our open-water dive certification here with Scuba Tony; boat trips along the reef work for snorkelers too.
DayScooter around the island
Rent a scooter or an open-top Jeep and loop the island, wild east side included. Mr. Sancho’s Beach Club handles jet skis, kayaks and excursions.
Isla Mujeres2 nights · fly home from Cancún
DayFerry from Cancún to Isla Mujeres
Back to Playa, an hour up to Cancún, and a short ferry across. The island is tiny (under 5 square kilometers) and best explored by golf cart. Spend the afternoon on North Beach.
DayWhale sharks, or the underwater museum
June to September, swim with whale sharks: the boat ride is shorter from here than from Holbox. We went with Seahawk. Out of season, dive or snorkel MUSA, the underwater sculpture museum.
DayFerry back and fly home
Cancún airport is about 30 minutes from the ferry port.
- Bacalar. It is three hours past Tulum; save it for a longer trip.
- The islands (Cozumel and Isla Mujeres) and the pink lakes.
- Las Coloradas and the flamingos of Río Lagartos.
- Cozumel for diving and Isla Mujeres for whale sharks (June to September).
before you go
Watch the whole trip
Itinerary sorted? Grab popcorn: all six weeks in one documentary, from diving Cozumel and the cenotes to Holbox, Isla Mujeres and the pink lakes.
the route
Route and road-trip tips
The whole loop in one Google Maps route. Distances are bigger than they look: Holbox to Tulum and Bacalar to Playa are each about four hours.
book this trip
Where we stayed
pack for yucatán
What we packed
Beach clothes, two swimsuits for cenote days and reef-safe sunscreen, all in one carry-on. Our gear is from Tripped, our own travel brand.
watch the road trip
Every stop on video
good to know
Yucatán trip questions
How many days do you need in the Yucatán?
A week covers Holbox and Tulum. Ten days adds Bacalar. Two weeks takes in the whole peninsula with Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and the pink lakes. We spent six weeks and could have filled more.
Do you need a car for a Yucatán road trip?
For this route, yes. Budget for the required insurance: a car advertised at about $5 a day can come to about $50 a day. You will not need a car on Holbox, Cozumel or Isla Mujeres.
Where should you base yourself in the Yucatán?
Playa del Carmen is the most central: about 45 minutes to Tulum, an hour to Cancún airport, and the ferry to Cozumel. We based ourselves there for six weeks.
What are the best cenotes near Tulum?
Cenote Azul, Xunaan-Ha, Car Wash and Gran Cenote, which is the most popular and the most expensive. Go as early as possible.
Is Tulum worth it?
For the cenotes and the ruins on the sea, yes. It has become one of the most expensive parts of Mexico, so balance it with Holbox and Bacalar.
Where is the best place to swim with whale sharks?
Isla Mujeres. The season runs roughly June to September, and the boat ride is shorter than from Holbox.
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More for your Mexico trip
Budget, when to go, getting around and every video we filmed in Mexico.
Mexico travel guideIsla Holbox guideHow we plan every trip
