Day 5 – 8 | Valladolid, Yucatán’s colourful colonial town

Just west of Isla Holbox lies Valladolid, a sleepy town that stole my heart from the moment I arrived.

Charmed by its authentic atmosphere, enchanting colonial architecture, and bright pastel-coloured laneways, Valladolid is easily my favourite stop on this 3-week Mexico itinerary.

But it is definitely not only the picturesque town and its lovely colonial streets that make Valladolid so popular among travellers.

Valladolid makes an excellent base to explore some of the best cenotes in Yucatán, not to mention that it is located at only a 45-minute drive from Chichen Itza, Mexico’s most significant Mayan ruin.

This charming colonial town makes you feel at home away from home – plus there is plenty to see and do, both in and around Valladolid. This is exactly why I would recommend spending at least three days here, allowing you to see the best of Valladolid and its surrounds.

VALLADOLID | MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS

The Cathedral of San Gervasio | Directly at the heart of Plaza e Parque Francisco Canton is the enchanting cathedral of San Gervasio, Valladolid’s most iconic landmark. The centuries-old church is a delight for the eye and adds to Valladolid’s rich colonial atmosphere. If you ask me, a must-see in Valladolid.

Calzada de Los Frailes | Walk among the cobblestone alleys of Calzada de Los Frailes and discover ornate doorways, colonial architecture, and a vibrant colour palette. This Insta-famous street is probably the most picturesque street that you’ll come across in Yucatán.

Cenote Suytun | Cenote Suytun is by far the most mysterious scenery you’ll find in this Mexico itinerary. The picturesque cave-like cenote houses a mystical underworld-ish vibe and is a dream for every photographer. If like me, you take your photography seriously, I’d highly recommend visiting first thing in the morning.

Keen to read about all the things to see and do in Valladolid – check out my detailed guide here.

Day trip | Chichén Itzá, Mexico’s most famous Mayan Ruins

I’m sure it won’t come as a surprise to see the phenomenal ruins of Chichén Itzá on this Mexico itinerary. And let’s be real, a trip to this ancient Mayan city is an absolute must when travelling through Yucatán.

Chichén Itzá was once the bustling epicentre of Mayan civilization. At present, the ruins are restored in the same manner as the city’s glorious past. For those two reasons, Chichén Itzá is acknowledged to be one of the most important ancient ruins in the whole of Mexico.

Every day, thousands of travellers visit to catch a glimpse of the complex’s magnificent structures, among which you’ll discover ornate stepped pyramids, majestic temples, columned arcades, and various other structures & shrines.

If you’re keen on a chance to have the marvellous El Castilo all to yourself, I highly recommend visiting Chichén Itzá as a day trip from Valladolid. The town’s strategic position makes it easy to visit Chichén Itzá at sunrise, which ensures that you’ll be one of the first to enter the complex.

That said, you might also want to double your advantage by combining the above tips with a skip the line ticket.

Day 9 – 12 | Mérida, Yucatán’s capital of culture

Following an adventurous day trip to the ruins of Chichen Itzá, it’s time to leave Valladolid and embark on a short bus ride to Mérida, Yucatán’s capital of culture.

Once you arrive in Mérida, you’ll intuitively notice that the city has a pretty unique feel to it. The city’s historic centre houses a vibrant yet serene atmosphere is home to the most friendly people, and the fascinating Maya culture is still ever-present, which is a delight to witness.

As a result, there are enough great things to see and do in Mérida, including some of the best things to do in Yucatán. Think lively local markets, historical monuments, and broad central plazas, just to mention a few.

Although Mérida wasn’t my favourite place in Yucatán, it is still an interesting city to learn about the region’s rich and captivating culture.

However, I would recommend spending at least three days here. This will allow you to see all the best places in Mérida – plus you have a spare day to visit the ruins of Uxmal.

MÉRIDA | MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS

Paseo de Montejo | You can’t visit Mérida without taking a stroll along the scenic avenue of Paseo de Montejo. The famed avenue is often referred to as the Champs-Élysées of Mérida, and is home to a bunch of vibrant restaurants, inviting boutique stores, and two outstanding museums, which are Casa Museo Montes Molina and Palacio Canton.

Monumento a la Patria | At the end of the renowned Paseo de Montejo avenue lies the iconic Monumento a la Patria. A walk around this impressive monument reveals more than 300 hand-carved figures that reflect the story of Mexico from the creation of Tenochtitlán all the way to the mid 20th century. If you’re curious about history like me, Monumento a la Patria is a must-see in this Mexico itinerary.

Plaza Grande | Taking a break at one of Mexico’s many plazas is one of my favourite things to do in Yucatán. What’s even better is the fact that Plaza Grande is considered one of the most charming Plazas in Mexico. Simply sit down, take in the authentic ambience, and watch the world go by, sounds excellent right?

Curious about all the things to see and do in Mérida – check out my detailed guide here.

Day trip | Uxmal, the best Mayan ruins in Yucatán

With an excellent geographical location, Mérida makes the perfect base for an adventurous day trip to the well-preserved ruins of Uxmal.

Situated only just south of Mérida and surrounded by a dense jungle lies Uxmal, an ancient Mayan city that is arguably one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in Yucatán.

Made up of a bundle of imposing structures, Uxmal is a broad complex that was once amongst the largest cities in Mayan civilization. Legend has it that the city housed around 15,000 inhabitants at its peak.

At present, the city continues to live up to its former and well-deserved reputation, which is no wonder to me.

The structures at Uxmal are absolutely breathtaking; the Pyramid of the Magician, the Governor’s Palace, and the Great Pyramid, just to mention a few. At Uxmal, It is even possible to climb the last-mentioned, resulting in a panoramic view of the entire complex.

Even though Chichen Itzá is the most popular ancient Mayan ruin in Yucatán, it is the ruins of Uxmal that appealed to me the most, and for that reason, I highly recommend visiting.

Day 13 – 15 | Bacalar, Mexico’s unique lagoon

After experiencing the charming colonial cities of Valladolid and Merida, it is time to venture to Bacalar, a sleepy town that is perched on the edge of a pristine lagoon in the very south of Quintana Roo.

The picturesque Bacalar Lagoon is one of Mexico’s best-kept secrets, and clearly the heart of all action for backpackers that travel to Bacalar. In this magical waterfront town, it is all about the lagoon and the activities that take place on it.

Whether you visit Bacalar to take part in the amusing activities that take place on the lagoon, or simply to relax and admire its charm, I can assure you it will be a great time either way.

I would recommend spending at least two days in Bacalar. By doing so you have all the time to unwind and feel the magic the lagoon has to offer. For me, Bacalar was easily one of my favourite places on this Mexico itinerary.

BACALAR | THE HIGHLIGHTS

Sailing on Laguna de Bacalar | If you’re keen on exploring the beautiful Bacalar Lagoon, I would highly recommend joining a sailing tour. And for that matter, Bacalar Sailing is hands down your best option. During a 3-hour tour, there is plenty of time for swimming and snorkelling, you learn a bunch of interesting facts about the lagoon – plus you’ll get guided to some of the most fascinating corners of the lagoon by a passionate captain.

Bacalar Rapids | Only 5 minutes away from Bacalar, it is possible to try a unique and adventurous activity. The Bacalar Rapids is well-known for its natural current, allowing guests to exercise drift snorkelling. The Rapids is a 300-metre-long maze-like stream that is characterized by crystal clear water and exquisite stromatolites. Once you’re done being active, grab a hammock, sit back, and enjoy the stunning scenery around you.

Keen to read about all the things to see and do in Bacalar – check out my detailed guide here.

Day 16 – 20 | Tulum, Yucatán’s trendy beach town

Think of Yucatán and you’ll unquestionably think of Tulum, Mexico’s most popular seaside town, and arguably one the most trendy places to sit down, relax and work on your tan in Mexico.

Defined by the most picturesque stretches of beach, a charming Mayan ruin, and a laidback tropical vibe, Tulum made the perfect destination to end my three weeks in Mexico.

The spirited town has a lot to see and do – it is home to some of the best cenotes in Yucatán, holds a great variety of contemporary cafés & restaurants – plus there’s a booming party scene going on here.

Although Tulum often felt a bit too commercial for my liking, it is absolutely worthy of your visit.

I recommend spending three days here, allowing you to fully relax and explore Tulum and its enchanting surroundings.

TULUM | MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS

Tulum Ruins | Nestled atop a steep rocky cliff, overlooking the turquoise Caribbean sea are the incredibly scenic ruins of Tulum. The intriguing ruins are one of the best-preserved coastal Mayan ruins in Mexico, and easily the number-one tourist attraction in Tulum. For that reason and Tulum’s sizzling heat, I strongly recommend visiting the ruins first thing in the morning.

Ven a La Luz Tulum | Tulum is well-known as a breeding ground for progressive contemporary artists and their inspiring art installations. One of them is the ornate Ven a La Luz, a towering wooden sculpture that was originally designed to raise awareness for Tulum’s sensitive ecosystem. Located at the entrance of Raw Love and AHAU Tulum, and the perfect backdrop for your next Instagram post.

Gran Cenote | It is safe to say that the Gran Cenote is among the most attractive cenotes in Tulum. Located at only a 10-minute bike ride from the Tulum city centre, Gran Cenote is a large open-air cenote that is characterized by its crystal clear groundwater, and a mysterious cave-like ambience. Be warned though, it is insanely busy during the day, therefore I recommend visiting early in the morning or late afternoon.

Curious about all the things to see and do in Tulum – check out my detailed traveller’s guide here.

Day 21 | Playa del Carmen, time to leave Mexico

After 3 weeks, of exploring just about every corner of Yucatán, it is time to head for Playa Del Carmen, the last stop on this Mexico itinerary, before heading to the airport.

Playa Del Carmen’s excellent location makes it a lot more convenient to travel to Cancún airport than let’s say Tulum, especially if you have an early morning flight to catch.

To prevent unnecessary difficulties regarding your return journey, make sure you arrive in Playa Del Carmen one day before your flight.

Since you have one day left to spend in Playa Del Carmen, make sure you have a relaxing day at the beach, soaking up the last rays of the Caribbean sun, with a cold Corona in hand.

The next day it is, unfortunately, time to head to the airport and wave goodbye to Mexico.

How to get from Playa Del Carmen to Cancún airport | Jump aboard a direct bus from Playa Del Carmen to Cancún airport, departing every 30 minutes. The journey takes around one hour.

For up-to-date timetables, visit the ADO website.