Mexico City to Cancún: 13-Day Tour

Embark on a captivating 13-day journey spanning from Mexico City to Cancun, where you will uncover remarkable treasures including the spectacular Sumidero Canyon in Chiapas, the historic site of Monte Albán in Oaxaca, and the ancient Mayan cities of Palenque and Chichén Itzá. Experience the enchanting landscapes of southeastern Mexico!

Tour Overview

Day 1: Arrival in Mexico City

Upon your arrival in Mexico City, we will greet you at Benito Juárez Airport and transfer you to your hotel for a 2-night stay. The remainder of the day is yours to relax after your travels.

Day 2: Mexico City

Following breakfast at the hotel, a panoramic sightseeing tour of Mexico City awaits. During the excursion, you will encounter prominent landmarks such as the National Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Aztec Templo Mayor, in addition to Chapultepec Forest and Paseo de la Reforma. Our journey will also lead us to the Basilica of Guadalupe, a revered shrine in Mexico.

After our tour, an hour will be set aside for you to enjoy lunch at your leisure. The adventure continues in the Xochimilco neighbourhood, where we will navigate its scenic canals aboard a traditional trajinera.

As evening falls, we'll relish a delightful dinner accompanied by a mariachi performance at a restaurant in Plaza Garibaldi before returning you to your hotel.

Day 3: Mexico City - Cholula - Puebla

After enjoying breakfast, we’ll leave Mexico City and drive approximately 1.5 hours to the state of Puebla. Our first destination is the elegant Ex Hacienda Chautla, renowned for its English-style castle set amidst a picturesque lake and surrounding forests.

Shortly thereafter, we'll arrive in Cholula de Rivadavia for a visit to the sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, which offers breathtaking views. Following this, you will have an hour for lunch in the historic center.

Afterward, we’ll continue to Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza for a panoramic tour, exploring highlights such as the Chapel of the Rosary, Puebla Cathedral, and key streets in the historic district.

We’ll conclude the day at a hotel in Puebla, where you can enjoy dinner independently.

Day 4: Puebla - Oaxaca

With breakfast fueling you up, we will pick you up from the hotel and set out on a scenic 4.5-hour drive to Oaxaca de Juárez, the capital of its state. Rest assured, we will make stops along the way.

Our first stop is the archaeological wonder of Monte Albán, situated just outside the city. Here, you’ll marvel at vestiges from the Olmec, Zapotec, and Mixtec cultures, including the Great Plaza and the Observatories.

After exploring Monte Albán, we’ll check into your hotel in Oaxaca, where you can relax and enjoy the remainder of the day.

Day 5: Oaxaca - Tuxtla Gutiérrez

Your day begins with a hearty breakfast, followed by our journey to the state of Chiapas. Our initial stop will be in San Pablo Villa de Mitla, a charming Pueblo Mágico within Oaxaca, where we will explore its historic surroundings, notably the 16th-century Church of San Pablo.

We’ll continue through the scenic mountain range for about five hours, ultimately reaching the vicinity of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Here, a traditional lunch will be included at a local restaurant.

Our journey will proceed for another five hours until we reach your hotel in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, where you can dine and unwind.

Day 6: Tuxtla Gutiérrez - San Cristóbal de las Casas

After breakfast that morning, we’ll embark on a tour of Chiapas, first heading to the dramatic Sumidero Canyon, a stunning gorge nearly 1 km (0.6 mi) deep and 14 km (8.6 mi) long, where a memorable boat trip awaits.

Following this experience, we’ll proceed to Chiapa de Corzo to immerse ourselves in local indigenous customs. Next, we will continue on a journey to Zinacantán and Chamula, with a complimentary hour set aside in Chamula for lunch.

After refreshing ourselves, we will conclude regional exploration with a half-hour drive to your hotel in San Cristóbal de las Casas, where you can unwind for the duration of the day.

Day 7: San Cristóbal de las Casas - Palenque

On this day, after breakfast, we will once again delve into Chiapas, beginning with a 2.5-hour drive to Ocosingo, where you’ll discover rich ancestral traditions.

Next, we’ll travel for 1.5 hours to Agua Azul National Park, where you can take a refreshing dip in its numerous waterfalls. Afterward, a local restaurant lunch will be provided.

Following lunch, we’ll set off for Misol-Ha, where we will admire its impressive 40 m (131.2 ft) waterfall before finally heading 40 minutes to your hotel in Palenque. Enjoy a delicious dinner as the day wraps up.

Day 8: Palenque - Campeche

After breakfast, we’ll drive about 30 minutes to explore the archaeological site of Palenque, a majestic ancient Mayan city filled with ancient temples, pyramids, and historical ball courts.

On completing this guided tour, we’ll embark on a 5-hour journey towards San Francisco de Campeche, pausing midway in Tabasco, where you’ll have an hour to seize lunch.

Your eighth day will culminate at a hotel in San Francisco de Campeche, where you can have dinner at your convenience.

Day 9: Campeche - Mérida

We commence day 9 with breakfast at the hotel in Campeche before traveling 2 hours to the charming city of Mérida. Once there, a walking tour will unveil the city’s gems, such as the Cathedral of San Ildefonso, the Church of the Third Order, and the 16th-century Casa de Montejo.

Post-tour, enjoy free time for lunch in the city center. Later that afternoon, we will reconvene to visit the cathedral for the Piedras Sagradas (Sacred Stones) light and sound show, an impressive video projection on the façade of the church.

We’ll return you to your Mérida hotel after the spectacle, allowing you to enjoy a drink before resting.

Day 10: Mérida - Río Lagartos

Prepare for an adventure in northern Yucatán! Following breakfast, we’ll visit the Pueblo Mágico of Izamal to soak in its unique atmosphere.

A one-hour trip follows as we proceed to the famed archaeological site of Chichén Itzá, a World Heritage Site featuring the iconic Temple of Kukulcan and the Temple of the Warriors. After the guided tour, enjoy a traditional Mayan meal.

Our journey continues northward, leading to your hotel in Río Lagartos, where you’ll have some time for leisure and exploration.

Day 11: Río Lagartos - Cancun

After breakfast at the hotel, set out for a boat ride through the Río Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, where you’ll encounter fascinating wildlife such as crocodiles, pelicans, and pink flamingos. Enjoy a moment of relaxation with an exfoliating mud bath.

Next, a 90-minute drive will take us to Valladolid, where you’ll explore its notable sites including the church of San Servacio. Enjoy an hour for lunch before embarking on a short journey to the stunning Choj Ha cenote, known for its beauty.

Lastly, we will make our way to the hotel in Cancun, where the remainder of the afternoon is free for you to enjoy.

Day 12: Cancun

Enjoy a well-deserved day in Cancun, one of the Caribbean's premier destinations. Engage in various activities in Cancun at your leisure, from snorkeling and horseback riding to kayaking.

Day 13: Cancun

After breakfast, your final day is free until we pick you up for your transfer to Cancun International Airport. Wishing you a safe return journey!

Accommodation Information

Your tour package includes a total of 12 nights of accommodation with breakfast at select 3 or 4-star hotels:

• Mexico City (2 nights): Casa Blanca (4-star) or similar
• Puebla (1 night): Four Points by Sheraton Puebla (4-star) or similar
• Oaxaca (1 night): Oaxaca Real Hotel (4-star) or similar
• Tuxtla Gutiérrez (1 night): Holiday Inn Express Tuxtla (3-star) or similar
• San Cristóbal de las Casas (1 night): Diego de Mazariegos San Cristóbal Hotel (4-star) or similar
• Palenque (1 night): Plaza Palenque Hotel (4-star) or similar
• San Francisco de Campeche (1 night): City Express by Marriott Campeche (3-star) or similar
• Mérida (1 night): Hilton Garden Inn Mérida (3-star) or similar
• Río Lagartos (1 night): Río Lagartos Hotel (3-star) or similar
• Cancun (2 nights): Krystal Urban Hotel (4-star) or similar

Price Information

The listed prices are on a per-person basis in single, double, or triple occupancy. A maximum of three individuals per room (including minors) is permitted, with a limit of one minor per adult.

Itinerary Modifications

Please note that there might be road closures in the Ocosingo area. Should this occur on day 7, an alternative route will be followed, resulting in the cancellation of stops at Ocosingo, Agua Azul, and Misol-Ha, with visits made instead to the city of Villahermosa and Yumka ecological reserve.