Travel advice for Mexico
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Mexico
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
written by Rough Guides Editors
updated 21.10.2020
This bespoke travel itinerary was curated in partnership with Xbox One X and is part of Visit Xbox 2019. Put your self in the game and visit some of the incredible destinations that inspired the open world to Shadow of Tomb Raider. Book this trip
17 days / from1590 USD
The Magic of the Yucatan and Mexico City
Explore the magic of the Yucatan Peninsula: from colonial towns like Merida to Archaeological sites like Uxmal and Calakmul, close to the Guatemala border, to beaches in Bacalar and Tulum, this itinerary shows you the real Yucatan before heading out to explore Mexico City.
view tour ⤍15 days / from1430 USD
Mexico City, Oaxaca & the Yucatan
Explore Central Mexico with its ever-busy capital Mexico City, visiting Teotihuacan and the famous museums in the city. Further on to Oaxaca City, the gateway to the Archaeological Site Monte Alban. Afterwards, continue to the white beaches of the Yucatan: Cancun and Isla Holbox await.
view tour ⤍18 days / from1735 USD
Fascinating Mexico: From Guanajuato to the Yucatan
Discover Mexico from fascinating San Miguel de Allende over busy Mexico City all the way to the Yucatan Peninsula. This itinerary combines public transportation with domestic flights to ensure you can make the most of discovering fascinating Mexico within two weeks.
view tour ⤍18 days / from2190 USD
Marvelous Mexico: From Yucatan to Mexico City
Your trip starts on the wonderful coast of Yucatan, exploring the beaches and archaeological highlights like Chichen Itza and Tulum. From there on continue the exploration to Palenque and Oaxaca before taking a flight to Mexico City - 3 days in the capital await your discovery.
view tour ⤍10 days / from2147 USD
Mexico's Highlands and Coast
Discover Mexico City's historic highlights and the wonders of sites like Teotihuacan, Campeche and Palenque before you jet off to the Central HIghlands. Discover archeological ruins and traditional tribal villages, then fall for the charms of Mexico's old colonial cities and glitzy Caribbean coast.
view tour ⤍7 days / from1499 USD
Mexico's Mayan Trail
Follow the Mayan Trail around Mexico on this archaeological adventure. Begin your journey with a refreshing taste of sea and salt air in the Yucatán Peninsula on one of Playa del Carmen's gorgeous Caribbean beaches before heading off to discover magical Mayan ruins and glorious colonial towns.
view tour ⤍12 days / from3057 USD
Magnificent Mexico and Mayan Treasures
From Mexico City down to the southern state of Oaxaca, this trip packs in all of Mexico's colonial charms and archeological wonders. You'll also get to take to the beach at Playa del Carmen, swim in the Caribbean Sea and under cascading waterfalls and boat along lovely Sumidero Canyon.
view tour ⤍7 days / from1518 USD
Mexico's Churros and Chiapas
Arrive in exciting Mexico City and get a taste of its surprising charms, imposing plazas and beautiful colonial old town. Then jet off to Chiapas where you'll spend your days exploring canyons, waterfalls and national parks. Then finish with a dose of Mayan culture deep in the jungle at Palenque.
view tour ⤍10 days / from890 USD
Los Cabos Self Drive
Take your rental car and explore the beaches and islands of Cabo. Located in Baja California Sur, Los Cabos, Todos Santos, and Cabo San Lucas do not only have excellent beaches to offer for your exploration but also a fascinating wildlife.
view tour ⤍15 days / from1450 USD
From Mexico City over Chiapas to Cancun: The Best of Mexico
This itinerary combines the metropolitan glamour of Mexico City with its fabulous museums and pyramids with an outdoor adventure in Chiapas visiting the Sumidero Canyon and the fascinating wildlife and cultural heritage of the Yucatan. Two weeks showing you the true highlights of Mexico!
view tour ⤍9 days / from1670 USD
Mayan Heritage Tour in Yucatan
Yucatán is calling you, and this trip is the way to do it; go into the jungle and know it like no one else has ever known it; enjoy incredible food, beautiful sunsets, and the warmth of its communities that will do everything possible to offer you a dream experience. Are you ready?
view tour ⤍8 days / from1516 USD
Mexico City to the Yucatán
Enjoy a whirlwind tour of Mexico City, taking in the museums, churches and colonial plazas of Mexico's vibrant capital. Then relax on Playa del Carmen's Caribbean beaches before you take off to explore some of the country's most amazing archeological treasures.
view tour ⤍10 days / from2307 USD
Mexico's Nature and Beaches
Explore the nature and wildlife of Chiapas and Tabasco by visiting the Sumidero Canyon and Agua Azul waterfalls before heading off to the Yucatan Peninsula: Chichen Itza awaits to impress you with its magnificent pyramids before ending the trip at the white beaches of Holbox.
view tour ⤍14 days / from1350 USD
Chiapas, Tabasco, Yucatan: Explore the Eastern Highlights
Explore the wide depths of Sumidero Canyon in Chiapas, the fascinating archaeological site of Palenque in Tabasco before moving on to the Yucatan to explore Merida, Chichen Itza and the peaceful island of Cozumel. This itinerary offers adventure and relaxation in 14 days.
view tour ⤍20 days / from1280 USD
Discovering Central Mexico: from Guanajuato to Oaxaca
With this itinerary, you will get to know the real Mexico: from magic towns to archaeological sites all the way down to the beautiful beaches of Huatulco - this itinerary combines history, cuisine, and relaxation, all compactly available in a 3-week trip.
view tour ⤍21 days / from1490 USD
Enchanting Mexico: from the capital to the beaches
Discover Mexico's capital before heading to your first Mexican beach: Puerto Escondido. After some days relaxing in the sun, head to Cancun to pick up your rental car and explore the Yucatan Peninsula in your own car. From archaeological sites to stunning beaches, the peninsula awaits.
view tour ⤍11 days / from2415 USD
Culture & Jungle in Chiapas
Get ready for an adventure through Chiapas with hosts who are prepared to welcome you and discover the natural beauty of canyons, waterfalls, lakes, and rivers! The magnificent archaeological sites will amaze you as well as the charming towns.
view tour ⤍16 days / from1850 USD
Mexico City and the Yucatan - from the city to the beaches
Take this trip to explore the best of Mexico City: From the museums to the pyramids of Teotihuacán. Afterwards continue to Merida to explore the famous Pink Lake and the Haciendas of the Yucatan. At the ed, take your time relaxing on the beaches in Playa del Carmen and Cancun.
view tour ⤍7 days / from925 USD
Authentic and unique Mexico City
Mexico City seems to have it all - over 50 museums, a beautiful historic city center, an extensive city park with a majestic castle, upscale neighborhoods like La Condesa or La Roma, bohemian Coyoacan and mouth-watering cuisine. This trip shows you the best of this mega city.
view tour ⤍7 days / from590 USD
Mexico City Explored
Mexico City is one of the most fascinating cities in North America. This week-long itinerary grants you an insight to the museums, restaurants, and events in the capital, as well as exploring surrounding cities such as Taxco or Puebla. Get ready for a true Mexican adventure!
view tour ⤍12 days / from3405 USD
Mexico's Tomb Raider Experience
Explore the caves, cenotes, pyramids, and beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula. Inspired by the famous Tomb Raider video game, this itinerary takes you exploring across the pyramids of Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, and Coba, before relaxing at the white beaches of Cozumel.
view tour ⤍10 days / from1695 USD
Oaxacan Coast Adventure
Adventure awaits you on this trip to the Oaxacan coast, a place as spectacular as the activities you will do. From a boat trip to the beautiful bays of Huatulco to a warm horseback ride on the seashore in Puerto Escondido. Enjoy freedom of traveling with your own rental car.
view tour ⤍12 days / from850 USD
The Gems of Yucatan - a Self Drive Trip
Go at your own pace and discover the Peninsula de Yucatan with its many archaeological sites, its colonial villages, and stunning beaches. Having your own car allows you the maximum freedom to explore and the easy road access makes driving yourself a breeze.
view tour ⤍11 days / from2846 USD
Amazing Mexico
This 11-day trip takes you from Mexico City, where you will enjoy the La Merced Market to Merida where you can discover Maya ruins...with more adventure along the way, such as Hierve el agua where nature will surprise you and Oaxaca city a great cosy UNESCO World Heritage City.
view tour ⤍7 days / from2251 USD
Baja: Pacific Coast Paradise
Baja California is an off-the-beaten-track unspoiled paradise. The area is home to mountains, deserts and thousands of kilometers of gorgeous Pacific coastline. Come here to explore, snorkel, dive or do a spot of whale watching (in season). Otherwise, sit back and relax on its soft sandy shores.
view tour ⤍9 days / from1475 USD
Taste of Mexico
Discover the most unique places in Mexico City before heading out to Puebla and Oaxaca, tasting the best Mexico has to offer: mole poblano, chocolate, a corn workshop - this is a hands-on tour, showing the variety Mexico has to offer, both in food and culture wise.
view tour ⤍8 days / from2230 USD
Small Group Tour: Yucatán Off the Beaten Path
This is a trip immersed in Maya culture, considering visits to essential places, accommodations in different Maya communities, and cultural and outdoor sports activities. Trip starts February 1st & April 29, 2024 - prefer to do this trip in private? Send us a request for individual pricing.
view tour ⤍9 days / from3035 USD
Mayan Heritage on the Yucatan Peninsula
Embark on a Yucatan self-drive adventure, blending renowned treasures like Tulum and Chichen Itza with hidden gems. Wander off the beaten track to discover local communities, engaging in community-based experiences. Delve into Mayan culture, sample authentic cuisine, and explore the region.
view tour ⤍7 days / from1800 USD
Immersive Mexico City
Discover the vibrant heart of Mexico City in 7 unforgettable days. A stroll through historic downtown, explore colorful markets, and savor delicious street food. Day trips to Teotihuacan's ancient pyramids and Chapultepec Park's museums offer cultural enrichment.
view tour ⤍10 days / from3275 USD
Flavours of Central Mexico
Start in Mexico City, exploring its rich history and vibrant markets. Journey to Cholula to uncover ancient pyramids and partake in cooking classes. Conclude in Oaxaca, where you'll dive deep into local markets and culinary traditions, forging unforgettable memories.
view tour ⤍12 days / from3140 USD
Authentic Mexico City & Yucatan Peninsula
Start your trip in fascinating Mexico City - special views guaranteed during your hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacan. Continue to the Yucatan Peninsula with Merida, Valladolid, the famous Chichen Itza site and then to the dreamy beaches of Puerto Morelos. This trip has it all.
view tour ⤍Upon arrival at Cancun Airport you'll pick up your rental car so you can travel peacefully to your hotel. Prior to this, you'll be sent a detailed itinerary and any additional information you may need for your trip. The rest of the day can be spent exploring. Overnight in Playa del Carmen.
Take a trip to incredibly impressive Tulum. Set on a cliff providing stunning views of the Caribbean Sea, Tulum's beach has been declared one of the best in the world. Within the Walled City, you will visit the Great Palace, the Castle, the Temple of the Frescos and the Temple of the Descendent God, among other structures.
Discover Jungla Maya Native Park and the entrance to the amazing Sac-Actun System, the world’s longest underground river. Snorkel surrounded by awesome stalactites and stalagmites and ride through the jungle on the all-terrain vehicles. You'll also get to rappel down into a cenote (sinkhole) and swim in a unique natural pool. Enjoy nature flying over the jungle on exciting zip-lines and participate in a traditional Maya ceremony of blessings.
Self-drive to Coba and you visit the highest pyramid of the Yucatan peninsula with 120 steps. Coba was founded in pre-Columbian times and is surrounded by five lakes and immersed in the abundant vegetation of the jungle where we will discover its historical and natural wealth.
Begin your day with a self-drive to one of the oldest cities of the peninsula, and currently one of the two Magic Towns in Yucatan. Valladolid is located right between the two most important cities in the Yucatan Peninsula, Merida and Cancun, both about 99 miles away. Located nearby are the main archaeological marvels of the area: Chichen Itza, as well as the great Tulum, Ek Balam and Coba.
Ek Balam means "Bright Star Jaguar" and is an ancient Mayan city that had its glory before Chichen Itza. One of the most impressive ceremonial centres in the Yucatan peninsula, pay attention to the detail of the incredible decoration on the temples and plazas. Sculptures support the recently restored jaguar mouth in the front of the main temple, making it even more impressive in recent times. Imagine the rituals that took place in the ball game (Pok Ta Pok) and take a photo at the false arch, one of the architectural icons of the Mayan culture.
Rio Lagartos (also called the Ría Lagartos Reserve Natural Park) offers some of the best tourist experiences you can have and is known especially for being the habitat of a beautiful wild creature: the pink flamingo.
Las Coloradas is located on the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and has a town of approximately 1,000 inhabitants. In addition to feeling at home due to its small size and warm atmosphere, you'll be able to observe the majority of the population that is dedicated to the salt industry and fishing.
Merida, the vibrant capital of the Mexican state of Yucatan, treasures a rich colonial and Mayan heritage. The central core of the city is the Plaza de la Independencia, surrounded by the fortified Mérida cathedral and the limestone church of the Third Order (both from the colonial era and built with vestiges of ancient Mayan temples).
Then on to the Government Palace, where the murals of Fernando Pacheco explain the history of the region, inhabited by the Mayas when the Spaniards arrived. Continue on to Paseo Montejo, an avenue where Spanish-French residences were constructed in the 1900s, at the end of which is the monument to the Flag.
Uxmal is a spectacular example of classic Mayan architecture. Here the Mayans expressed their beliefs through their temple designs. The Temple of the Diviner, which according to legend was built by a Dwarf King, is the most striking construction, as is the Nun's quadrangle which illustrates the splendour of the Puuc style with its flat walls and decorated friezes. The Governor’s Palace features over 20,000 stones and is one of the best examples of classic Mayan building.
At night there is a light and sound show, multimedia program set in the buildings, with the history and the cosmovision of the Mayan civilization.
It is one of the new seven wonders of the world. This place is known as the City of the Water Sorcerers, the imposing site of Chichen Itza was the most important city in Yucatan’s northern lowlands, enjoying dominion over the surrounding areas and controlling the commerce of salt and other products. Buildings such as El Castillo are a testimony to its past splendour. The Castillo is considered the masterpiece of Mayan architecture, due to its mathematic, astronomical and religious significance. The Ball Court of Chichen Itza is the biggest in the pre-Hispanic world. The observatory and the Temple of the Warriors make this archaeological site unique among all other Mayan sites.
For your eighth day you'll start by departing Playa del Carmen to catch the ferry to Cozumel. On arrival, a private transfer will meet you at the dock to escort you to your hotel.
Isla Cozumel is still Mexico's Caribbean jewel, perched just a few miles off the coast of the Quintana Roo mainland, and there’s so much more to this island than day-trippers can explore. The scuba diving here is stunning with beautiful coral reefs all along the western coast of the island which teem with a variety of marine species, from loggerhead turtles and seahorses to eagle rays and barracuda.
On the morning of day 11 you will have a shared transfer from your hotel to the docks and ferry back to Playa Del Carmen. On your last night why not take in the local nightlife, which has a hip edge, or a number of places to gorge on seriously good Mexican cuisine, all while taking stock of your incredible Mexican adventure.
You will be picked up by private transfer to Cancun Airport.
Prices start from $3455 per person for two travellers sharing a double room. This includes 3-star hotels in Athens, Feneos, Olympia, Galaxidi, Thermopylae and Naxos. Rental car for all days, in-country transportation, entrance fees to all of the sites and activities, and English-speaking guides. Flights, travel insurance, personal expenses, and any local taxes are not covered.
written by Rough Guides Editors
updated 21.10.2020
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From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Mexico