If you have just 2 weeks in Mexico, like most visitors, you need to think about your Mexico itinerary carefully.
You don’t have to skip some of your bucket list items. You can swim in cenotes, scuba dive with whale sharks, enjoy the white sand beaches, visit the ancient Mayan ruins, visit colonial towns and still have time to taste the nightlife.
What to Do in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico
The best and the most convenient way to explore the Yucatan Peninsula area is by renting a car. A car will give you the freedom to explore more and beat the crowds. You will appreciate having the ability to go places a bit off the beaten path and possibly save money over using taxis and shuttles.
You can pick up a car right after you land in Cancun and begin your adventure by driving directly to Playa del Carmen. If you’re not up for a solo adventure for whatever reason, check out some group tours with G Adventures.
Is Mexico Still Safe?
Yes, absolutely. While the US government constantly issues travel warnings against going to certain areas of Riviera Maya (they also issued many for countries I had an amazing experience in, like Iran), life there goes on normally, as usual.
I used to live in Playa del Carmen for a long time during another travel warning and I was going places just fine. Plenty of tourists, locals and expats are enjoying Yucatan Peninsula these days.
Things to Do in Yucatan Peninsula Mexico
Day 1 to 3: Enjoy Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is much more than just a tourist spot with great nightlife. Even after a year of living here I still keep finding those hidden gems in and around town. Playa del Carmen is a great place to eat delicious Mexican food, shop till you drop, and relax on the beach.
There are also plenty of activities like jet-skiing, paragliding, snorkeling and much more if you’re looking for some adventures without leaving town. It’s a great place to start your adventures around the Yucatan Peninsula.
You can base yourself in Playa for at least a few days while doing day trips. Since Playa is still quite touristy you can get more local experience by staying at a vacation rental rather than staying at the hotel.
READ MORE: Best Guide to Playa del Carmen
Best Apartments in Playa del Carmen (I used to live in both)
The Elements – Check Prices On: Booking.com + Booking.com (it’s the same building with different apartments because every apartment has different owners)
Sabbia – Check Prices On: Booking.com | Agoda
Best Mid-Range Hotels in Playa del Carmen
Reina Roja – Check Prices On: Booking.com | Agoda
Acanto Boutique – Check Prices On: Booking.com | Agoda
Best Luxury Hotels in Playa del Carmen
The Royal – Check Prices On: Booking.com | Agoda
Grand Hyatt – Check Prices On: Booking.com | Agoda
DON’T FORGET ABOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE!
Don’t forget to arrange health insure before heading to Mexico. The easiest and the most reliable travel insurance is Safety Wing. Get it before your trip to skip unnecessary troubles that might ruin your holidays!
Day 4: Explore Cenotes
Cenotes are a must-do in the Yucatan. What exactly are cenotes? There are cave formations and sinkholes, either open-air or completely underground.
Use your own car or take a collectivo from Playa del Carmen and visit as many cenotes you can. Trust me, there are many cenotes to choose from!
Each cenote is different: some have great diving, others are full of fish and great cliffs to jump from and sometimes you can even find a zipline or a swing!
The best cenotes closest to Playa del Carmen are the Cenote Azul, Cenote Jardin del Eden, and the Cenote Dos Ojos. So you can head back to Playa del Carmen for the night.
Read the Ultimate Guide to Cenotes
Day 5/6: Take a Day or Overnight Trip to Cozumel
Catch the early morning ferry to the island of Cozumel. As the island is quite big, you should consider renting a car, buggy, or scooter to get around. You can snorkel on a gorgeous reef near The Money Bar.
Then continue onto the Punta Sur Reserve to enjoy the beach, play with some pygmy raccoons, and maybe try spotting a crocodile! Climb to the top of the Celarian Lighthouse in the park for a spectacular 360-degree view of the Cozumel.
You can also visit the San Gervasio archaeological site to see the temple dedicated to the Goddess Ixchel. Home to a number of shrines and niches, San Gervasio is also home to the Temple Nohoch Nah and the Plaza Central dating to the Post Classic Period. (1200 to 1650 AD)
There are a number of Cacao factories on Cozumel where you can learn how cacao is made. If you have more time, spend the afternoon visiting the include Kaokao Chocolates Damarsicheli and Mayan Cacao Company.
Cozumel is also a great spot for diving, so make sure you save some time for this exercise.
More info about Cozumel
- Most of the resorts charge for the use of their lounge chairs and umbrellas, but it’s free at the Monkey Bar (as long as you purchase a drink or snack).
- Entrance fees to Punta Sur National Park are $14 for adults and $8 for children aged 4 to 12. Cash Only.
- Entrance fees (for anyone above 3 years) to San Gervasio are $10.50 USD or $188 Pesos.
- San Gervasio is only open from 9 am to 3 pm.
If you have more time, stay the night in Cozumel
Occidental Cozumel All Inclusive – All-inclusive Luxury Hotel
The Landmark Resort of Cozumel– Classy Luxury Hotel
Amaranto Bed and Breakfast– Oval-shaped bungalows
Hotel Mary Carmen-Budget Friendly
Day 7: Swim with Turtles at Akumal Beach
Akumal is a small village on the way to Tulum. Do yourself a favor and stop at Akumal where you can swim with sea turtles for free. It’s one of the best things to do in the area!
Don’t get suckered into the tourist trap of booking a tour to swim with the turtles. Here’s a post I’ve written more about how to swim with turtles in Akumal for free.
The nearby Akumal Monkey Sanctuary where rescued primates are housed can be given a short visit. Aktun Chen National Park nearby features an underground river, ancient caves, and a 25-feet high zipline. These two places are not must-sees, though, so they can easily be skipped.
From Akumal, you can continue directly to Tulum and spend nights there until day 8 or 9.
Where to Stay in Tulum
Azulik Tulum – Luxurious villas taking natural forms
Mayan Monkey Hotel & Hostel – Amazing Affordable Quality
B&B by Los Arcos – Budget-friendly
Day 8: Visit Tulum Ruins & Sian Ka’an Reserve
While there are many impressive Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula, Tulum’s beachfront location, perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, is hard to beat. Surrounded by a tall 5-meter high wall, the Tulum Ruins are home to the Temple of the Descending God and the Temple of the Wind.
Aim to arrive as early (or late) as possible to beat the crowds as the site gets packed around 10 am.
In the afternoon you can visit the Sian Ka’an Reserve where you can kayak among mangroves and spot some cute crocodiles. Meaning “gate to the sky or heaven”, Sian Ka’an is a UNESCO Heritage-listed site that’s home to a range of plants and animals.
Info About Tulum
- Entrance to Tulum Zona Archaelogica is 80 Pesos.
- Admission to Tulum Ruins is from 9 am to 5 pm.
- Sian Ka’an Biosphere can be accessed from either Punta Allen or Muyil.
Day 9: Climb the Pyramid of Coba + Swim in more Cenotes
The ruins of Coba might not be as known as Chichen Itza, but the site is less touristy and you can still climb the main pyramid called Ixmoja. There are 120 stone steps up to the top, but it’s well worth the climb.
A central location in the old Mayan world, the stone city of Coba has many ruins depicting life in the Mesoamerican Civilization – Nohoch Mul, Chumuc Mul, Sacbe, Coba Group, and the Macanxoc Group. Lago Coba and Lago Macanxoc are also nearby but they’re homes to crocodiles, so no swimming.
Coba is way bigger than you might think at first so allow yourself to spend a few hours out there, but don’t worry – you can rent a bike to get around.
A trip to Coba wouldn’t be complete without taking a dip in the refreshing cenotes nearby. For a small fee you get to see three amazing underground cenotes, in my opinion, the best in the Yucatan.
Cenote Choo-Ha is my favorite, but if you’re an adventure seeker try to jump from a 45 feet platform at Tamcach-Ha cenote.
Other Important Coba Info
- The Coba Ruins are about 40 km south of Tulum.
- Ixmoja, the tallest pyramid is part of the Nohoch Mul group.
- Coba was inhabited more than 2000 years ago.
- Other cenotes near Choo-Ha that are worth visiting are Tancach-ha and Multun-ha.
- Entrance fees to Choo-Ha average around 100 MXN or 5 USD.
Where to Stay in or near Coba Ruins
Aldea Coba An Escape Boutique Experience – Classy Boutique
Hotel Sacbe Coba – Budget Hotel
Hotel Kaab Coba – Affordable Mid-range Hotel
Hotel Mayahau Coba – Budget Hotel with shared kitchen
Day 10: Go to Chichen Itza & Valladolid
Leave early in the morning and head to Chichen Itza – one of Mexico’s most visited tourist destinations and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are a lot of astronomical marvels at Chichen Itza, but one of the most exciting is the Descent of the Feathered Serpent on the main Pyramid of Kukulkan that happens once a year.
A shadow play is created where a serpent head statue transforms into a full creature through the shadows of the pyramid’s terraces.
Valladolid is a friendly colonial town on the way to Chichen Itza featuring stunning architecture, including a 16th-century Cathedral of San Gervasio (San Servacio).
While some tourists still pass through Valladolid the city is often an overlooked destination, while there are plenty of things to do there.
If you stop here visit the Convento de San Bernardino de Siena to see its stunning architecture. On weekdays at 9 pm there’s a sound and light show on the outer walls that detail the history and architecture of the church.
You can also look at over 3000 pieces of local folk art at the museum-like Casa de los Venados.
You could also visit the small church named after the Virgin of Candelaria, the patron saint of the town. The Iglesia de la Candelaria is pretty simple, but the cafes in the square nearby are definitely worth a try.
Local cenotes such as Cenote Zaci are a great alternative to the overcrowded Ik Kil Cenote. Valladolid a good spot to spend a night in as well.
Info about Chichen Itza and Valladolid
- The Cathedral of San Servacio is free to enter.
- Entrance costs to Chichen Itza are about 80 MXN for kids 3 to 12, and 533 MXN for adults.
- Due to the pandemic, visitors are limited to 3000 a day at Chichen Itza. So it won’t be too crowded.
- Entrance to the Convento de San Bernardino de Siena is around 40 MXN.
- Entry to Cenote Zaci is a cheap 30 MXN!
Where to Stay in or near Valladolid
Hotel Meson del Marques – Luxurious Hotel in a 17th-century Colonial Home
Casa San Roque Valladolid – Centrally located close to restaurants
Le Muuch Hotel – Modern, cute and classy hotel
Casa Tia Micha – Charming and Comfortable, budget-friendly hotel
Day 11: See a Pink Lake
Located approximately two and a half hours from Playa del Carmen and even closer from Valladolid, Rio Lagartos is famous for bird watching and the densest concentration of flamingos in Mexico.
There was a time you could freely cover yourself in mud as it’s a perfect skin treatment, but not anymore. After the lakes became popular and the crowds started coming in, there have been a number of regulations set up to protect the lakes. Swimming is not allowed.
But you can still visit the pink lakes in Rio Lagartos to take photos, and you can admire the beauty of the naturally pink lakes of Las Coloradas.
NOTE: You can absolutely visit the pink lake as a day trip from Playa del Carmen or Cancun, but I wouldn’t recommend it. I’ve done it twice and it comes down to 5 hours driving on the same day. It’s much more pleasant to just stay in Rio Lagartos, especially before heading to Holbox the next day.
Where to Stay in Rio Lagartos
Hotel Villa de Pescadores – Budget-friendly with private balconies
Hotel Tabasco Rio – Budget-friendly, features an onsite handicraft store
Hotel Rio Lagartos – 5-star with Mexican-like rooms
Yumm Ha Boutique Hotel – Facing the waterfront
Day 12/13: Relax on Isla Holbox
To get to Holbox take a ferry from Chiquila which leaves every hour. Isla Holbox is all about relaxing and beautiful beaches, but if you’re up for some adventure activities you won’t end up disappointed either.
You can go horseback riding on the beach, rent a golf cart (as it’s the only vehicle allowed on the island) or rent a bike.
Snorkeling with whale sharks (from June to September) are also an option, but still, the best thing on the island are the hammock located right on the water and delicious lobster pizza.
Check out my full guide to Isla Holbox
NOTE: Day trips to Isla Holbox suddenly become a thing, but I absolutely don’t recommend it. You must experience sunrises and sunsets on the island and if you decide to swim with whale sharks tours leave in the morning so you wouldn’t be able to get there on time.
Where to Stay on Isla Holbox
Tropical Suites by MIJ – Quiet locale close to the beach
Hotel Mayari Holbox – Classy mid-range hotel
Villas HM Paraiso del Mar – Spacious beach side suites
Cabanas Coconut – Budget-friendly
Day 14: Head to Cancun
Head to Cancun for some much-needed R & R before heading back home. Or some last-minute souvenir shopping too! I suggest checking my Travel & Live in Mexico section to see what else you can do in the Yucatan Peninsula!
For more activities and organized tours check Viator here.
Suggested more extensive guides for Mexico:
– Lonely Planet Yucatan Guide
– The Rough Guide to Mexico
– Mexican Spanish Phrasebook
Great article.
We did a one week road trip around the Yucatan last year and one of our favourite spots that you didn’t list was the Ruta Puuc! It’s a bit of a distance to drive but the ruins are amazing and we even had multiple ruins to ourselves! We stayed at The Pickled Onion for a few days which I’d definitely recommend.
Our favourites that did make it on the list would have to be Akumal (swimming with the sea turtles), Muyil/Sian Ka’an, and Valladolid – we loved that city!
I know… but I think if someone has 2 weeks this would be their top itinerary. But Ruta Puc is definitely a great place 🙂
What do you suggest for 1 week?
Great article!
My boyfriend and I are planning to do an itinerary like this and you’re article made us even more enthousiastic!
Could you give me an estimation about the budget we have to save to do this?
Thank you so much!
It all depends if you’re staying in hostels, guesthouses or fancy resorts and if you wanan eat in touristy restaurants or more local spots. I’d say min. for 2 people would be around $500 for 2 weeks, but with nicer hotels maybe $1000?
Hey, there, thanks for sharing this unique and outstanding blog. I am planning to visit Cancun along with a group of 10 friends. Can you tell me where can we snorkel to enjoy colorful fish and turtles?
The best place to snorkel is Akumal! I have another post about it 🙂
Hi,
This looks like my ideal trip i plan doing for my birthday in march 2017.
I was wondering how you managed the car situation.
Ill be travelling with my boyfriend from the uk, how much roughly did the car cost, hire insurance, parking etc?
And how did you find parking the car?
Thanks, Chantal x
Hi Chantal. Cars here are cheap and easy to rent, but don’t get it at the airport – online you’ll book a car for $1 and then they’ll try to scam you and throw all the extras on it. I recommend Alamo or Hertz in Playa del Carmen – I always rent cars from then. In fact, this week I got a car for $28 per day incl. full insurance + second driver 🙂
Hello! Traveling to Mexico for the first time with my fiancee. In fact, we are going there to scout out wedding venues as we are planning to hold it there 🙂 at Dreams Riviera Cancun. Anyway, in response to this post, I have been on the fence about renting a car or going with private tours for certain activities. I’ve been going back and forth back and forth about it. I love driving and I’m adventurous and a risk taker. I usually rent a car on vacation; rented one during our last trip to Aruba. However, I’ve been scared to rent in Mexico due to fears about corrupt police and other things.
Which location specifically do you rent from Alamo and Hertz in PDC because I see multiple locations. Thank you!
Don’t be afraid – Mexico isn’t like Bali or Thailand where police stops you at every corner wanting a bribe. I was stopped a few times, they asked where was I going and that’s it. Especially around here in Riviera Maya it’s very safe. I actually discovered even a better place to rent last week: MEX Rent-A-Car. They share an office with Sixth on the 5th Avenue (between calles 14bis & 16)
Hi Anna,
your article is great and very helpful. I plan trip on The Yucatán Peninsula. Our journey will take 13 days. We want to rent a car. Is possible rent a car in Tulum and return it in Playa del Carmen? We want to also visit some interesting places, where there are not many tourists. Can you advise some place (for example nice small village, cenotes, hacienda, nice small beach…)? I plan to stay on Cozumel 3 days. What do you think, is it too long?
Thank you very much.
I think you can have fun on Cozumel in 3 days, but you can also discover the whole island in 2 days for sure. Don’t miss Punta Sur! It all depends on which company do you rent the car from, but normally it’s possible. Have you seen my cenote post? There are plenty of recommendations there 🙂 I’d also suggest heading to Bacalar if you have some time.
Thank you for your recommendation about Punta Sur. I didn’t know about it. Yes I have seen your cenote post and also article about pink lakes (written by your friend) 🙂 They are perfect. We will visit pink lakes and some cenotes from you list 🙂
I think we will choose MEX Rent-A-Car for rent a car because you recommendation it in comment and I do not know another. Company is also in Tulum so I think it is good choise.
Awesome, enjoy your trip! If you have any more questions I also created a Facebook group for tips on Mexico: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1198785840178477/
P.S. Matt’s my boyfriend 😉
I would also recommend to visit Isla Mujeres, Las Coloradas, chichen itzá, Celestún (flamingos), cenote Ik Kil, cenote dos ojos in PDC, Izamal (the yellow town) and much more. i rented one car and never met a police officer.
Thank you for your recommendation. We returned from Yucatán in February. We rented car for 4 days and we met a few police officer (maybe 8 times). They stop us 2 times on the way from Tizimín to Rio Lagartos:-) Fortunately we had no problems (we showed only driving licence).
This is so helpful! I’m
Planning to go there for 4-6 weeks in the summer. ☺
Just wanted to say thank you for this guide – we’re only going to be in Mexico for a week, but I suspect we may be back to visit all these places! Last but not least, if you only have time to visit one cenote, which would you recommend most highly? We’re staying in Playacar, and would be up for a taxi/car rental to get off the beaten track if you’ve a favourite that’s hard to get to, but worth the effort!
I’d say to visit the cenotes near Coba then. You could visit the ruins in the morning and cenotes early afternoon 🙂
Great article! This would be a fab two weeks, although after travelling in Central America for four months, I’d urge anyone who has time to spend much longer in Mexico. You just can’t beat it for culture, food, history, people and cost!
Hello Anna,
Can you also recommend a dive center in Cozumel? Our party of 3 consists of 1 diver and 2 who would like to snorkel.
Thanks
Margie
Hi Margie! I don’t have a direct recommendation for Cozumel (only for Tulum and Playa del Carmen as my friends manage dive shops there), but all I can say is that the reefs are so beautiful that you should be fine anywhere, especially when 2 of you want to snorkel.
Awesome blog, thanks for all the hard work.
Just wondering where do you think the best place to spend Día de Muertos is? We were trying to decide between Merida or Tulum / Playa del Carmen?
Also do you know if we will be able to do anything else while Día de Muertos is on, e.g. will regular buses still be running? Or is a shut down everything kind of holiday?
Thanks. 🙂
Everything will be open. There is a small parade in Playa, not sure about Tulum but since it’s a smaller place I’d doubt it. Xcaret park usually does a special event (https://en.festivaldevidaymuerte.com/) for this occasion which was fun last year.
Which cenote would you suggest for first time divers? Also I am looking for a diver to go with us. Are Koox okay?
Hi Anna,
Thank you for the awesome information! I would like to drive from Playa del Carmen to all of the hotspots in the Yucaton. Do u have any advice on safety tips ? I have read the UK and U.S goverment travel advice and They Both warn about car jacking. Are They being over cautious ?
The US government is always advising against traveling to many places, so I stopped believing this information long time ago 😉
But in all seriousness, the area of Playa del Carmen and Cancun experienced a lot of problems this year due to drug wars, but it remains safe. Just like in the US, keep your eyes open, don’t leave the car unattended and you’ll be fine.
Swimming with turtles is something I am yet to do. I just to be brave enough.
Hi Anna,
I’m headed to yucatan province for two weeks at Christmas, staying at hostels and such, how would you suggest visiting he pink lagoon? Is there somewhere to stay close by, or is there collectivos that travel there routinely? (Most likely from valladolid and then too Merida; if there is no where close to stay)
Thanks, Kara
No colectivos to the pink lake. It’s a very small town where the pink lakes are so your best bet is to stay at Rio Lagartos town (to get there you need to take a bus to Tizimin and find someone who can drive you to Rio Lagartos). Without a car it’s a tough and expensive trip. Then while you’re staying at Rio Lagartos you’d have to find a driver/taxi there (it’s tough to find taxis there) to take you to Las Coloradas. There are boat tours too, but even though they say they’re going to pink lakes they don’t.
Hi Anna,
Thanks for all the great info. Can you give a recommendation for a car rental if I want to drive from the airport to playa del Carmen?
Thanks, Sanné
Do you just want to drive to Playa? It’s going to be cheaper to get an ADO bus to Playa and rent a car there, than at the airport.
Hi Anna I really appreciate this article because is so useful, I want to go for two weeks,but first I will go to Ciudad de México, can you recommend me a spot for rent a car, because I was looking and I saw for internet cheapest prices but I read your comments and you said that is a fraud.
One of the best natural tourist destination in the World. I have already visited by the guide of Oscar Cancun Shuttle Service. Amazing places with great experiences.
Hey Anna,
What about Merida? As one of Mexico’s most beautiful, culturally-rich and safe cities, I would expect that you would visit it in your tour of the Yucatan. Yes, it’s slightly inland from a beach, but it’s full of life and wonder.
Hey Anna , my husband and I are trying to get to yutican province at the end of September , it’s the only time we can go , is the hurricane season really that bad and secondly is it expensive to get a driver to Chichen Itza from Tulum for example or are we better to hir a car ourselves ; we are in our 50’s but are fit and love adventure .
It would be very expensive to hire a driver to Chichen Itza, because he’d have to wait to you while you explore the ruins. Renting a car is more than fine and better way of exploring Yucatan since you can stop at cenotes as well 🙂
In terms of a hurricane season there’s no one answer. It changes all the time and you can have a few sunny days or few rainy days. Weather also can change during the day so you could have a rainy afternoon after an amazingly sunny morning and vice versa. I wouldn’t worry too much 🙂
Hey, I’ve read what kind of car you can reccomend to rent in Yucatan Penisula. You mentioned America Car Rental. I’ve read a lot of negative oppitions about that car rental though. Ppl said it’s a scam and they charge you more than you had to pay at first. Can you tell me more about that? Second question is about crossing boarder. We would like rent a car which allows you to cross Belize adn Guatemala as well. How we can do that?
Have you read my article on renting a car in Mexico? 99% of cars cannot be driven through the border.
Hi Anna,
Thanks for all the great info. Can you give a recommendation for a car rental if I want to drive from the airport to Merida Yucatan?
Thanks, Esmeralda
From which airport: Cancun or Merida?
Hi Anna,
I’m staying in Tulum. I plan on making a day trip to Chichen Itza with a couple of stops at cenotes.
Is their still a mud bath at Los Colorades? I’ve read your article about Los Colorades and that you can’t go into the pink lake. But, I’d be more then willing to take the drive only for the mud bath experience with the pink lake. Do they still have the mud bath or is it just easily found from the sand around Los Colorades? Please direct me to the mud bath and what time?
So they recently ‘rebuilt’ the entire concept of the pink lake and now the whole town is painted pink, with souvenirs stalls – basically sort of like Ik Kil cenote. The mud bath is possible, but only if you take a boat from Rio Lagartos.
is it better if you go Cancun and travel there to rent a suv
I don’t understand your question?
Hello Anna! Thanks for the great post. I will be traveling in Mexico for two weeks with my sister. We plan on going to Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Bacalar, Valladolid, Merida, Akumal and maybe Rio Lagartos and Holbox Island. Would you recommend us renting a car or take the Ado bus and collectives everywhere? we are on a budget and would like to go with the cheaper version. also, do you think the route is doable? thanks in advance for your help!
Definitely doable route 🙂 For Rio Lagartos car is a must. For Cozumel a car or scooter is recommended – you can rent them once you get off the ferry. I’d take a bus from Playa del Carmen to Chiquila to go to Holbox, no need for a car to get there. Some portions can be done with collectivo, but around Valladolid and Bacalar a car is definitely a must, especially if you want to see cenotes.
Planning a two week circular trip from Cancun airport to Valladolid, maybe Mérida, then Tulum and Mujeres. We might hire a car, but not certain as we’re fairly budget conscious. If we include Rio Lagartos and Isla Holbox in the circuit, do we drive between the two, or have,say, RL linked with Valladolid at the start of the trip and then I Holbox at the end of the trip?
You could drive between the two but remember that you’ll have to leave your car somewhere in Chiquila before hopping on a ferry to Holbox and this can be sketchy.