How to plan a road trip in Yucatán: best destinations and activities
A road trip through Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is an unforgettable adventure filled with white sandy beaches, ancient ruins, beautiful cenotes and charming towns. In just two weeks, you can explore the region’s highlights. Here’s an itinerary that brings you culture, nature and relaxation.
Day 1: Arrival in Cancun
Your adventure starts in Cancun, home to the region’s most accessible airport. While Cancun is a convenient starting point, I recommend keeping your stay brief, as the Yucatan Peninsula has so much more to discover. Pick up your rental car and plan for an overnight stay to recover from your flight. Use the evening to explore Cancun’s lively Bay Area, relax on the beach and enjoy your first authentic Mexican dinner of the trip. The next part of your journey takes you to Mexico’s paradise, Isla Holbox. From Cancun, it’s an easy two-hour drive to Chiquilá, followed by a short ferry ride to this beautiful island.
Day 2-5: Isla Holbox
Isla Holbox is a small, picturesque island located off the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Part of the Yum Balam Nature Reserve, the island is known for its peaceful beaches, vibrant marine life and unspoiled natural beauty. With no paved roads and a laid-back atmosphere, it is an ideal destination for travelers seeking an escape from the bustle of modern life. There are no cars on the island. All transportation is done by golf carts.
How to get to Isla Holbox?
Drive your rental car to Chiquilá and head to the port. You’ll find plenty of parking lots where you can leave your car for a few days. The average cost is about €4 per day, so take a moment to compare prices to avoid overpaying. From Chiquilá, ferries depart for Isla Holbox every 30 minutes. There’s no need to book tickets in advance, simply purchase one when you arrive.
Rent a bike and explore the island at your own pace! Given its compact size, biking is a great way to get around and soak in the sights. However, it’s best to explore the town center on foot, as biking in that area can be a bit inconvenient. Keep in mind that the roads are unpaved, and after rainfall, they can become quite rough with numerous bumps and deep puddles.
Some must-visit spots include Punta Cocos, a stunning location perfect for watching sunsets. Punta Mosquito, a picturesque tropical sandbar ideal for a leisurely stroll. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some flamingos there! Start your day at A Mar Café, home to the best breakfast in town. The smoothie bowls and pancakes are truly outstanding, and the coffee is just as good.
Tip: Learn from our mistakes and bring some mosquito repellent spray. In the evening at dusk, there can be quite some mosquitos out to disturb your evening.
Take the ferry back to Chiquilá and drive to your next destination which is Valladolid. The drive is around 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Day 5-9: Valladolid
Valladolid is a charming colonial town with colourful streets and easy access to some of Yucatán’s most famous natural wonders. This place was one of our favourite places in Yucatan. You will not get bored here, since there are lots of things to do in and around Valladolid. We stayed in Casa Bamboo, a small hotel located near the center of town.
The most famous attraction near Valladolid is one of the seven wonders in the world, Chichén-Itzá. Chichen Itza is one of the most significant and iconic archaeological sites in Mexico, located in the Yucatán Peninsula. It was a major city of the Maya civilization and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Temple of Kukulcan is the most famous temple on the site. It’s an impressive site to see, but go early! From Valladolid, it’s a 45 minute drive so leave on time and get to the entrance at opening time. That way, you are one of the first ones to enter without the massive crowds coming out in buses a few hours later. Walk around and take some pictures, explore all the different ruins spread around the site. I would also recommend visiting another site if you’re interested in the Maya culture and archeological site. This site is called Ek-Balam, and it’s way less visited than the Chichén Itza. Hidden in the jungle, you find different ruins of temples that are still allowed to be climbed. When reaching the top of the highest one, you have an impressive view of the area. Near this site is X’Canche Cenote. After walking around the site and exploring the ruins, this cenote is an amazing place to take a refreshing dip. We loved this cenote, don’t miss out! While it’s a bit of a drive from Chichén Itzá or Valladolid, we believe it’s definitely worth the journey.
Cenote Keken is a must-visit spot for anyone staying in Valladolid and looking to explore cenotes. It was our favorite of the ones we visited. We arrived early in the morning, just after the cenote opened and were the first ones there. Upon arrival, you descend a narrow staircase that leads into the cavern. What makes this cenote truly remarkable are the stunning stalactite formations and the dramatic beam of sunlight streaming through the natural opening in the ceiling. You can enjoy a refreshing swim, leap off one of the platforms into the water or even try the zip line. We loved that this cenote wasn’t overly touristy, unlike for example Cenote Oxman, where we left as soon as we saw how crowded it was.
Parque Francisco Cantón, the heart of Valladolid, is the coziest spot in the city. Right across from it stands the stunning Iglesia de San Servacio. The park is home to different stalls offering a variety of treats. Just around the corner, you’ll discover Wabi Gelato where the best ice cream in town is sold. This area is also filled with rooftop bars, making it an ideal place to enjoy a drink while taking in the views. For breakfast or lunch head to Yerbabuena del Sisal, a great place to have breakfast or lunch at.
port for swimming.
After your time in Valladolid, your next destination is Bacalar. This will be the longest drive of the road trip, so make sure to get comfortable and pack some snacks. The journey takes approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes.
Day 9-11: Bacalar
Bacalar is a small, picturesque town located in the southeastern part of the Yucatán Peninsula. It’s known for its stunning natural beauty, particularly Bacalar Lagoon, also called the “Lake of Seven Colors” due to the varying shades of blue and turquoise waters. The lagoon is perfect for activities like swimming, kayaking, and sailing. I highly recommend staying at AmarBacalar. We had an amazing experience here. The rooms are stunning and set within a lush, green oasis. Each room features its own terrace with a hammock, offering a perfect place to relax. Plus, it’s just a short walk from the lake.
I recommend booking a boat tour to explore the lake. We opted for a private boat tour, though there are many other options available. It was great to have a guide show us the best spots on the lake while giving us the flexibility to decide where to stop and how long to stay.
There are two food spots in Bacalar you cannot miss out on:
Mi Burrito Bacalar: This charming food van serves the most incredible burritos you’ll ever taste – the kind you’ll find yourself dreaming about long after. With its cozy outdoor seating area and incredibly friendly staff, it’s a place that combines great food with warm hospitality. NORU Sushi: For Asian cuisine enthusiasts, NORU Sushi is a standout. The restaurant hosts a beautiful setting that perfectly complements its amazing sushi.
After relaxing at Bacalar, you will spend your last days in the vibrant town Tulum. The drive from Bacalar to Tulum is around 2 hours and 25 minutes.
Day 11-14: Tulum
Tulum has transformed from a small, laid-back town into one of Mexico’s most popular beach destinations. Despite its rise as a tourist hotspot, it remains a place well worth visiting. The area is divided into two main sections: Tulum Pueblo and Tulum Beach. Each offers unique advantages, providing for different preferences. Tulum Beach is a picturesque stretch of white sandy shoreline lined with a mix of restaurants, shops, bars and hotels. This vibrant area is filled with energy and offers a lively atmosphere. However, the prices here are notably higher compared to Tulum Pueblo. Tulum Pueblo, situated a few kilometers away, is a charming village with plenty of excellent hotels and restaurants. Staying here provides a more relaxed and down-to-earth vibe, attracting visitors who appreciate its authenticity. The main drawback, however, is the distance from the beach. Traffic on the main road between Tulum Pueblo and Tulum Beach can often be busy, adding to the travel time.
We stayed at Eterna Tulum, a beautifully designed hotel near Tulum Pueblo that impressed us with its unique architecture. Our stay was great. Our room was incredibly spacious, divided into different areas across different levels. One of the highlights was our private terrace, which featured a balcony pool – a perfect spot to relax and unwind.
If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush and a unique tattoo experience in Tulum, we highly recommend CLAVEM Tattoo. Our time there was fantastic – the results of our tattoos were great, and the staff was really friendly. Conveniently located on Tulum’s main beach road, it’s the perfect spot to get inked!
