Visiting Mexico by car: The 4 best road trip itineraries

You’re planning a road trip in Mexico and you’re looking for the best itinerary?

You’ve come to the right place!

Mexico is a huge country that covers an area as big as several European countries combined.

Renting a car is the best way to explore this vast land full of stunning natural and archaeological sites, and stop whenever and wherever you want!

To help you plan your road trip in Mexico, I have prepared 5 itineraries for different durations: 1 week, 10 days, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 1 month.

And at the end of this guide, I will also give you my list of the best accommodations in Mexico depending on your budget as well as my best tips to enjoy the perfect road trip.

Quick note: if you want to only visit the Yucatan Peninsula during your road trip, you should rather read my other article: Road Trip in Yucatan: The 5 Best Itineraries.

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Visiting Mexico by car: The 4 best road trip itineraries

How to choose the best airport for your road trip in Mexico?

The answer depends on how much time you have and what you want to see. You have two main options: start in Mexico City and end in Cancun, or make a loop from Cancun if you only want to explore the Yucatan Peninsula.

You can also do the trip in reverse (Cancun to Mexico City), but personally I think the best way to finish a trip to Mexico is relaxing on the beach 😉

Both Mexico City and Cancun airports have many flights from North America and Europe, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding airline tickets to Mexico!

To get the best deal on plane tickets, I recommend you use our comparison tool in partnership with Skyscanner: It is the best way to pay the lowest price for your international flight and your domestic flights in Mexico!

Rent a car for your roadtrip in Mexico

The best way to discover Mexico and enjoy your stay is to rent a car!

I always use Rentalcars.com to rent a car, because:

You can easily compare the rental cars prices between all the agencies: for sure the easiest way to find the best rate!
Cancellation is often offered free of charge: no need to worry if you change your mind
Rentalcars offers full insurance coverage at a lower price than the rental companies, so it’s an instant saving with no effort

To find your rental car at the lowest price, just click on the green button:

I check rental cars prices in Mexico now!Best price + Free cancellation!

Road trip to Mexico: 10 days

This is the itinerary I recommend you to see the most in a 10 days road trip in Mexico:

Mexico City
San Cristobal de las Casas
Palenque
Merida
Chichen Itza
Riviera Maya

To see the complete itinerary with all the details for your 10-day road trip in Mexico, click here: Recommended 10-Day Itinerary in Mexico.

1) Mexico City (2 days)

Mexico City is a wonderful place to visit, with so much to see and do in just two days.

Some of the best things to do in Mexico City in 2 days are:

Explore the historic center with the Zocalo, the cathedral, the Templo Mayor, Diego Rivera’s murals in the Palacio Nacional, and the Casa de los Azulejos (House of Tiles)
Watch the spectacular show of the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico
Browse the San Juan market for exotic foods
Visit the famous National Museum of Anthropology and Chapultepec Castle in Chapultepec Park. Buy your tickets here!
Discover Frida Kahlo’s Blue House in Coyoacan – Get your tickets here! (prior booking is required)
Enjoy a boat ride on the Aztec canals of Xochimilco
Wander around the trendy neighborhoods of La Roma and La Condesa
Experience the lively atmosphere of Plaza Garibaldi
Have fun watching Mexican Lucha Libre (wrestling)

If you have some extra time, you should definitely visit Teotihuacan, one of Mexico’s most impressive archaeological sites.

This tour from Mexico City is a great choice, as it includes the hotel pick up, a morning guided tour (to avoid the crowds), as well as a tasting of mezcal, tequila and pulque, three typical Mexican drinks. You can book it here:

I book the guided tour to Teotihuacan now!I want to discover Teotihuacan

Check out: My Complete Guide to Visit Teotihuacan!

2) San Cristobal de las Casas (3 days)

Head to San Cristobal de las Casas in the State of Chiapas from Mexico.

Day 1 – Discover the city and its attractions.

You can read my article Top 15 Best Things to Do in San Cristobal de las Casas here!

Day 2 – Visit the stunning El Chiflón waterfalls and the Montebello Lakes National Park, two of the most amazing places in Chiapas.

The journey is quite long, so you may want to join this day tour, which includes hotel pick-up. You can book it here:

I book the tour to El Chiflón and Montebello now!I want to visit both sites in one day

You may find these articles interesting:

Day 3 – The Sumidero Canyon: visit its viewpoints and enjoy a boat ride from Chiapa de Corzo’s dock. – Book the Sumidero Canyon tour here!

cascade-el-chiflon — The foot of Velo de Novia Waterfall, El Chiflón, Chiapas

3) Palenque (1 day)

The journey from San Cristobal to Palenque takes about 5 to 5h30 so here is my suggestion for making the most of your day:

In the morning: stop by the sites of Toniná, Agua Azul, and Misol Ha on your way.
Have a lunch break when you reach the city of Palenque
In the afternoon: explore the Archaeological Site of Palenque (3 hours)

4) Merida (2 days)

Day 1 – Today you have an 8-hour drive ahead of you.

Depending on your arrival time, explore the city of Merida, the capital of the Yucatan State.

Check out My Top 20 Things to Do and See in Mérida!

Day 2– Since this 10-day road trip in Mexico by car does not allow you to see everything, I offer you two options:

Option 1: The site of Uxmal one of the most beautiful Mayan sites in the Yucatan. You can also visit the Chocolate museum and the site of Kabah.

Book the tour to Uxmal and Kabah here!
To read: my Definitive Guide to Uxmal!

Option 2: Celestun is the best place to see flamingos in Mexico! You can spend the day there (beach, ecotourism, etc.)

Book your pink flamingo tour in Celestun now!
Check my Complete Guide to Celestun for all the activities you can do!

flamencos-celestún — A colony of pink flamingos in the Celestun reserve.

5) Chichen Itza and Riviera Maya (2-3 days)

Day 1 – In the morning, visit the city of Chichen Itza, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. – Here’s My Definitive Guide to Chichen Itza + Tips!

To avoid the long lines and crowds, book your tickets to Chichen Itza with skip-the-line access here:

I buy my tickets with no lines for Chichen Itza now! I want my fast-track access to Chichen Itza

In the afternoon, discover the colonial city of Valladolid

Day 2 – Visit Tulum: the ancient ruins, the stunning beaches like Playa Paraiso and Playa Las Palmas, the amazing cenotes, and more.

Those articles might interest you:

Day 3 – You will have wonderful day in Akumal, the best place to swim with turtles in Mexico!

The beautiful reptiles are protected and that’s why it is mandatory to be in a small group tour with a guide to see them.

You can book the tour here:

I book the snorkel tour with the turtles now! I want to swim with the turtles responsibly

You can also enjoy its beautiful beaches and snorkeling in Akumal Bay, Half Moon Bay and Yal Ku Lagoon.

More reading: The Best 17 Things to Do in Akumal!

Road trip in Mexico: 2 weeks

For a 2-week road trip in Mexico, you will the most beautiful places in Yucatan and Chiapas: Cancun, Chichen Itza, Merida, Campeche, Palenque, Bonampak and Yaxchilan, San Cristobal de las Casas, Balamku, Calakmul and Tulum.

To discover the detailed itinerary with all my tips (and the list of the best hotels for all budgets!), check out my article: The Best 2-week Itinerary in Mexico.

1) Cancun (1 day)

After picking up your car in Cancun, you can start enjoying your trip: the beaches, the archaeological site El Rey, the Mayan museum.

You can also dive in the MUSA, which is the largest underwater museum in the world, with about 500 sculptures! Book your diving tour here!

If you are looking for some fun nightlife in Cancun, here are some options:

City Nightclub (the biggest nightclub in the country!)
The famous Coco Bongo Club (get your tickets here)
Xoximilco Cancun to enjoy a Mexican party with dancing, mariachis, Mexican food and open bar (beer or tequila). Buy your tickets for Xoximilco here:

I book my Mexican party at Xoximilco Cancun now! I want to party at Xoximilco easily

Check out my complete guide: The 30 Best Things to Do in Cancun!

2) Ek Balam and Chichen Itza (1-2 days)

Day 1 – Start your 15-day road trip through Mexico by visiting Ek Balam, which was an important capital of the Mayan culture.

After the visit, you can cool off at the Xkeken and Samulá cenotes (which are next to each other), or Cenote X-Canché

In the afternoon, discover Chichén Itzá, a UNESCO world heritage site: the temple of Kukulcán, the astronomical observatory, the Mayan ball game, and more.

For more information, take a look at my Complete Guide to Chichen Itza.
Chichen Itza can get very crowded. To avoid the long lines, get your skip-the-line tickets here:

I book tickets with no lines for Chichen Itza! I want my fast access tickets to Chichen Itza

3) Merida, Uxmal and Kabah (1 day)

Start your day by exploring Merida: the Plaza Grande (where you can find the Macay museum, the cathedral, the Casa de Montejo, and the best part is that they are all free😃!), the colorful colonial houses on 64th street, and the local market.

If you want to learn more about the amazing attractions that Mérida has to offer, check out my Definitive Guide to Mérida

In the afternoon, visit Uxmal, a Maya site famous for its stunning Puuc-style architecture, and then Kabah just 20 min away. You can read: My Complete Guide to Uxmal and Kabah

Head to Campeche for a night stay.

4) Campeche and Edzná (1 day)

Enjoy the beautiful historic center of Campeche: visit the Baluarte San Francisco, Baluarte San Carlos, the Museum of Mayan Architecture, the main square with the cathedral, the cultural center El Palacio and Casa no6.

For all the best attractions of Campeche, check out the Top 20 Things to Do in Campeche!

In the afternoon, explore Edzná, one of the most important Mayan sites in the Yucatán, which is still not very crowded by tourists. You can read: My Complete Guide to Visit Edzná!

5) Palenque (2 days)

Day 1 – Today you will start a new part of your 15-day road trip through Mexico, as you leave the Yucatan Peninsula and head to Chiapas.

You will need to wake up early, as you have a 5-hour drive ahead of you!

Explore the Archaeological Site of Palenque, which was once an important trading center thanks to its strategic location between the coast and the mountains.

Day 2 – Bonampak and Yaxchilán

Bonampak is famous for its frescoed murals, the most complete representation of a pre-Hispanic civilization discovered so far!
Yaxchilan boasts its sculptures that are masterpieces of Mayan art.

The roads are poorly marked and the signal (for GPS, etc.) in the Lacandon jungle is very weak. Besides, to get to Yaxchilan you have to leave your car and take a boat on the Usumacinta river.

So I suggest you take the guided tour from Palenque, which includes pick-up from your hotel, entrance fees and boat, plus breakfast and lunch.

You can book here:

I book the tour to Bonampak and Yaxchilán now! I want to do the tour from Palenque easily

6) San Cristobal de las Casas (2 days)

Day 1 – Drive from Palenque to San Cristóbal de las Casas (5h)

On the way you can stop by the waterfalls of Misol Ha and Agua Azul, as well as the Mayan site of Toniná.

Day 2 – Tzotzil villages and San Cristóbal de las Casas

Start the day by visiting Zinacantán and San Juan Chamula, two traditional Tzotzil communities.

You can book the tour from San Cristobal (click here!) which includes demonstration of handicraft techniques and tasting of pox, a liquor from Chiapas.

Go back to San Cristobal de las Casas and explore:

Calle Real de Guadalupe with its restaurants and cafes
The Church of Guadalupe
The Textile Center of theMayan World with its 500 textile pieces from Chiapas and Guatemala
The handicrafts market
The zocalo with the cathedral

Check out My Complete Guide to San Cristobal de las Casas!

san-cristóbal-de-las-casas — The Cathedral of San Cristobal in Las Casas. Photo Marcos Ferro

8) Balamkú and Calakmul (2 days)

Day 1 – Continue your 2-week road trip in Mexico to the archaeological site of Balamkú hidden in the dense jungle.

It’s a long drive, it will take you round 9 hours.

So, if you leave very early, you will have time to visit Balamkú, or else you will have to go straight to Xpujil to spend the night.

Day 2 – Today you will visit Calakmul, which is a Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Read my Definitive Guide to Calakmul!

I suggest you arrive as soon as the site opens to give yourself enough time to explore Calakmul (because there is so much to see!) and drive to Tulum (4h) the same day.

9) Tulum (2 days)

The Tulum region has the most beautiful beaches on this road trip in Mexico for 14-15 days!

Day 1 – Start with the archaeological site of Tulum, then head to a cenote to refresh yourself. Check out My List of the Best Cenotes in Tulum!

Take a stroll along the beaches of Tulum and find your favorite beach: Playa Paraiso, Xpu-Ha, Xcacel, etc., there are plenty of options!

To discover all the most beautiful attractions in Tulum, don’t miss my Top 21 Things to Do and See in Tulum!

Day 2 – Explore the Sian Ka’an reserve, a paradise of biodiversity

You will have to choose between two access points:

Muyil to discover the swamps, the freshwater lagoons, the ruins of Muyil – Book the Muyil tour here
Punta Allen for the beach, the saltwater lakes, to snorkel in the coral reefs and see the dolphins. – Book the tour to Punta Allen here!

tulum wooden sculpture — The famous “Art With Me” sculpture in Tulum.

10) Cancun (1 day)

This is the end of this 2 week stay in Mexico.

Go back to Cancun to return your rental car and catch your flight home.

Roadtrip to Mexico: 3 weeks

For a 3-week road trip in Mexico, I have created this itinerary from Mexico City to the Riviera Maya.

It will let you discover the main attractions of the states of Puebla, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo.

Check my detailed itinerary with hotels and all my travel tips here: The Ultimate 3-week Itinerary for Mexico!

1) Mexico City (2-3 days)

Begin your 21-day road trip in Mexico with Mexico City, the capital.

Here’s what you can do in 2 or 3 days in Mexico:

Visit the Chapultepec Castel and the National Museum of Anthropology, one of the most important museums in the world – Buy your tickets with guided tour here!
Spend half a day in the historic center of Mexico City with the cathedral, the main temple, the Government Palace, the Zocalo, the Casa de los Azulejos, the Palace of Fine Arts
Watch the Mexico City Folkloric Ballet Show
Visit Frida Kahlo’s house in the district of Coyoacan and enjoy a boat ride through the canals of Xochimilco. Book your visit here!
See the mariachis at Plaza Garibaldi – Book your night with the mariachis here!
Stroll through the neighborhoods of Roma and Condesa with their parks, bars, restaurants, terraces and shops.
Take the Mexico City Tourist Bus – Get your tickets here!
Explore Teotihuacan, which is Mexico City’s most important must-see! – Book your guided tour of Teotihuacan now!
Watch the lucha libre (Mexican Wrestling) – Reserve your seat here! (mask and tequila included)

If you want to know everything about Mexico City, check out My Ultimate Guide to Mexico City!

2) Cholula and Puebla (1 day)

Leave Mexico City and head to the State of Puebla.

Start by visiting Cholula where you will find the largest pyramid in the world, with a volume 4 times bigger than that of the Great Pyramid of Giza!

Next, head to the beautiful city of Puebla, whose historic center is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Puebla has a lot to offer, for example:

The magnificent Puebla Cathedral, the second largest in Mexico
The Palafoxiana library, the 1st public library in the Americas
The Amparo museum with its nice rooftop terrace
El Parian market, where you will find talaveras and other typical handicrafts
The colorful facades of the Calle de los Sapos
Discover the secret tunnels (17th-19th centuries) that connect the Ovando Bridge and the Historical Passage 5 de Mayo

Check out my article on The 25 Things to Do in Puebla, where I share the best attractions and activities in and around this beautiful city!

calle de los sapos puebla — Calle de los Sapos in Puebla

3) Oaxaca (3 days)

Continue your 3-week road trip in Mexico to the state of Oaxaca, famous for its cuisine and cultural diversity.

Day 1 – Visit Oaxaca de Juarez, the beautiful capital of the state

Discover the church and ex-convent of Santo Domingo de Guzman, which houses the museum of cultures and the famous ethnobotanical garden of Oaxaca.
The Mercado 20 de Noviembre, Oaxaca’s most popular market, with its grilled meats aisle nicknamed “Pasillo de Humo”.
Stroll along the Andador Turistico, the main square, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Oaxaca, and the Government Palace.

I suggest you also read: The 20 Best Things to Do in Oaxaca (city)

Day 2 – See Oaxaca’s wonders: the world’s largest tree by trunk volume, Santa María del Tule; the artisan village of Teotitlán del Valle; the Zapotec ruins of Mitla; and the mineral springs and waterfalls of Hierve el Agua.

You can book this tour from Oaxaca that includes all these attractions, with a visit to a mezcal distillery where you can sample the local spirit, made from the agave plant.

Day 3 – Today you can explore Monte Alban, a site that was inhabited by the Olmecs, Zapotecs, and Mixtecs for over 1500 years.

You can join this great tour to Monte Alban from Oaxaca that also includes:

A visit to San Antonio Arrazola to see how the colorful Alebrijes (traditional Mexican folk art) are made.
A stop at the former Dominican monastery of Cuilapam de Guerrero.
A tour of San Bartolo Coyotepec, famous for its “barro negro”, or black clay pottery.

4) San Cristobal de las Casas (3 days)

Day 1 – Travel to San Cristobal de las Casas, a charming colonial city in the state of Chiapas.

It’s a long journey of about 9 hours, so you should leave early to have some time to explore the city.

For more information: Top 15 Things to Do in San Cristobal de las Casas!

Day 2 – In the morning, head to El Chiflón Waterfalls. You can admire all 5 waterfalls along a scenic trail (1h-1h30 visit).

Continue to the Montebello Lakes, a huge Biosphere Reserve located on the border with Guatemala.

The drive from San Cristobal to El Chiflón and Montebello is long and challenging, so I recommend booking this tour (click here to book!) that includes hotel pick-up, transportation, entrance fees, and the guide.

Day 3 – Since this is your last day in the region, I suggest you choose between two options:

Option 1: The Sumidero Canyon, a breathtaking canyon that you can explore with a boat tour on the Grijalva River and then enjoy the views from its scenic overlooks. – Book your Sumidero Canyon tour now!
Option 2: the traditional villages of Zinacantán and San Juan Chamula, where you can learn about the culture and customs of the indigenous communities. – Book your visit to the villages now!

textil-tradicional-zinacantan — Demonstration of traditional weaving techniques in Zinacantán

5) Palenque (1 day)

Today, explore Palenque, one of the most important ancient cities in Mesoamerica!

To get from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque, you will need to travel for about 5h30

For some stops on the way, try: the ruins of Toniná, the waterfalls of Agua Azul, and the spectacular Misol Ha.

Check out my complete guide: How to Visit Palenque

6) Campeche (1-2 days)

Keep going on your 21-day road trip through Mexico and visit the charming colonial city of Campeche.

In 1 or 2 days in Campeche, you can wander around the city walls, see the museum of Mayan architecture, walk along the waterfront facing the Gulf of Mexico, taste Chocol’Ha chocolates, and much more!

Check out: My Complete Guide to Campeche!

7) Merida (2 days)

Spend 2 days in Mérida on your 21-day Mexico road trip. You can:

See pink flamingos in Celestun’s biosphere reserve on a boat tour (1h30-2h30). Admire these birds and their habitat.- Book your Ceslestun excursion here!
Explore Merida, Yucatan’s capital and Mexico’s safest city. Enjoy its colonial architecture, markets, cuisine, and culture. Read My Complete Merida Guide!
Visit Uxmal, an ancient Mayan ally of Chichen Itza. Also see the chocolate museum and Kabah, another Mayan city. – Book the Uxma and Kabah tour here!

8) Chichen Itza and Valladolid (1 day)

Visit Chichen Itza, the world’s most famous Mayan site. Marvel at Kukulkan’s pyramid, the Warriors’ Temple, the Observatory, and more – Buy your fast-track tickets to Chichen Itza here!

For more details and tips on Chichen Itza, see my Complete Guide to Chichen Itza!

Then, cool off in a cenote. There are many cenotes near Valladolid, and you can choose one with my Guide to the 21 Best Cenotes in Valladolid.

Discover Valladolid, a beautiful colonial town with a rich history and culture. You can visit the Francisco Canton park, the San Servacio church, the San Roque museum, the lovely Calzada de los Frailes, and the San Bernardino Convent.

Here is my guide What to See and Do in Valladolid?

calzada de los frailes valladolid — Calzada de los Frailes, Valladolid

9) Holbox (2-3 days)

Spend a few days on Holbox island on your 20-21-22 day Mexico road trip.

In 2-3 days, enjoy Punta Mosquito and Punta Cocos’ sandy beaches, a boat tour (to Isla Pájaros, Laguna Yalahau and Isla de la Pasión), and more.

Read: How to Visit Holbox?

10) Tulum (2 days)

Day 1 – Leave Holbox and head to Tulum, in the Riviera Maya. Visit the amazing ruins of Tulum, its stunning cenotes, the Beach Strip and its sandy beaches.

Check out my guides:

Day 2 – Explore the Sian Ka’an reserve, south of Tulum. You can choose between:

Muyil (half day) to see the Mayan site of Muyil, the mangroves, the jungle – Book the Muyil tour from Tulum

Punta Allen (1 day) which offers a more complete experience. You will be able to see the beach of the Sian Ka’an coast, take a boat trip to see dolphins, etc. Book the tour to Punta Allen

tulum — The archaeological site of Tulum facing the sea

11) Playa del Carmen (2-3 days)

Day 1 – Start with a visit to the Rio Secreto caves, an incredible guided tour to navigate an underground river with a guide.

It is mandatory to book in advance:

I book my tickets to Rio Secreto now! I want to explore the hidden river

Next, head to Xpu Ha, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Riviera Maya. You can also visit the Cenote Azul, which is very close by.

Day 2 – Cozumel Island

To get to Cozumel, you have to take the ferry from Playa del Carmen – Get your ferry tickets here!

There is a ton of things to do and see in Cozumel, I suggest you make your choice among these options:

Discover Punta Sur: with snorkeling and lunch at a beach club – Book the jeep tour to Punta Sur here!
Entrance ticket to Chankanaab with access to the park and snorkeling with guide – Book your tickets here
Snorkeling tour in 3 reefs, ideal for families – Book the snorkeling tour here
Electric bike tour with cenote, snorkeling, beach and tequila tasting – Book the tour here
Tour to El Cielo to see starfish, as well as the Palancar reef – Book the tour to El Cielo here
Jungle adventure with quad biking, cave exploration, cenote and tequila tasting – Book the adventure tour here
Go to Playa Mia Gran Beach Park which offers more than 20 activities.
Tour aboard the Atlantis XII submarine so you can explore the Chankanaab reef – Save your spot on the submarine now

To read: My complete guide on The 15 Best Things to Do in Cozumel!

Day 3 – Spend the last day of your roadtrip in Mexico in Playa del Carmen.

You can enjoy the beaches and stroll along Quinta Avenida.

I invite you to read my articles: