One Month in Mexico Itinerary For First-Time Visitors (Yucatán Peninsula & Palenque)

How did we spend one month in Mexico?

We flew into Cancun International Airport and spent 3 nights in the party hotspot of Cancun (although we spent most of our time on the beach and wandering in the markets in the downtown area. Then, we moved on to the sleepy island of Isla Holbox before making our way to the historic city of Valladolid. From Valladolid, we went on a day trip to Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and an absolute must-see while in Mexico.

Next, we ticked off the cities of Mérida and Campeche before leaving the Yucatán Peninsula for Palenque, in the state of Chiapas. Palenque was a real jungle experience and here, we explored the Palenque Ruins and went on a day trip to nearby Yaxchilán and Bonampak Ruins.

“To travel is to discover, and Mexico holds endless treasures to be found.” – Unknown

We then circled back onto the Yucatán Peninsula (via a long bus journey) and landed in Laguna Bacalar – one of our favorite destinations of our month in Mexico. And from there we went to the hippy beach haven of Tulum before finishing our trip in Playa del Carmen.

Cancun (3 nights)

Cancun is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico and it’s where we recommend starting your month-long adventure through Mexico. Located along the Yucatán Peninsula and in the state of Quintana Roo – there’s a large international airport here. Called the easy-to-remember Cancun International Airport which is really well-serviced. In fact, it’s the second-busiest airport in Mexico – so, basically, getting to Cancun from overseas is super-easy. And you can get flights cheap if you do your research/ book in advance.

Over the years, Cancun has garnered a bit of a name/ reputation for itself as the “Spring Break capital of the world!” But actually, there’s so much more to Cancun than all-inclusive resorts and drunk 20-something-year-olds.

We’re not partiers and we saw a different side to Cancun during our 3 nights here. Worth noting is that there are two main sides to Cancun – the hotel zone (where all the big hotels are) and the downtown area. We chose to spend a lot of our time in the downtown area during the day and dined out/ had drinks in the hotel zone in the evening. That’s because parts of downtown Cancun can be sketchy after dark.

We spent our days in downtown Cancun wandering around Mercado 28, a famous and busy market where vendors sell everything from Mayan textiles to souvenirs. And relaxing in Parque Las Palapas, a public square that’s popular with locals and has lots of yummy street food stalls.

One day, we walked from the hotel zone (where our hotel was) into the downtown area – passing the Nichupté Lagoon which is a scenic marsh area and definitely makes you feel like you’re not in Cancun.

Where to stay in Cancun:

We stayed at the Real Inn in the hotel zone, it’s a 3-star hotel that’s fairly recently opened and the rooms seemed brand new and were very clean. There’s also a large outdoor pool, restaurant, bar and access to the beach in front.

Why not read next: Our guide to the off-the-beaten-track island of Chacahua near Puerto Escondido!

Isla Holbox (4 nights)

We spent 4 nights at this chill spot off the Yucatán Peninsula, and to be honest, we could have spent longer here as it’s the perfect place for getting away from it all.

Tucked within the Yum Balam Nature Reserve, Holbox Island (pronounced Hol-Bosh) is all about dreamy white-sand beaches and super clear turquoise waters. Cars aren’t allowed here because the streets are made of sand (literally), so you’ll need to walk everywhere or you could hire a golf cart or bike (like we did).

And if you’re into wildlife, especially birdwatching, you’re in luck – Holbox is packed with cool bird species like flamingos and pelicans. And if you’re up for it, you can swim with whale sharks during the summer months (between May and September).

With its laid-back vibe, colorful street art, and tasty local eats, Holbox Island remains one of our favorite places in Mexico. I say, visit this sleepy island quick before it becomes over-run with tourists.

How did we get to Isla Holbox:

We took an ADO bus from Cancun to Chiquilá (this took around 1.5 hours) and from there we hopped on a ferry to Holbox, which takes about 45 minutes. Our total journey time was around 3 hours. 

Alternatively, you could book a private transfer as far as Chiquilá – this is pricey at around $135 per taxi (that will fit up to 4 people).

We booked 4 nights at Holbox Dream Beach Front Hotel and it was a bit of a splurge, but still reasonably priced considering it’s right on the beach (we paid around $70 USD per night). It’s a 4-star hotel with a pool that looks onto the ocean and as I said is just steps away from the beach!

What to do on Isla Holbox:

Valladolid (3 nights)

Valladolid (pronounced vai-uh-duh-lid) was the next stop on our month-long tour of Mexico, this vibrant and authentic Mexican town is a bit of a hidden gem and we mainly decided to stay here because of how close it is to Chichen Itza (it’s around 45 minutes from the world wonder, by the way). But, boy, are we glad we did opt to visit Valladolid – as it turned out to be one of our favorite cities from our trip.

As I said, Valladolid is famous for being the gateway to Chichen Itza but there are also several cenotes here that are a must-see. Worth checking out are Cenote Suytun (the most popular and perhaps most photogenic cenote) and Cenote Samaal (this one has a waterfall, very cool!) There’s also a cenote right in the middle of town, called Cenote Zaci.

One of our favorite things we did while in Valladolid was checking out Casa de los Venados – a private home that contains the biggest private collection of Mexican folk and contemporary art in the world. It’s owned by John Venator, an American (from Chicago) – who bought the house around 20 years ago and filled it with over 3,000 pieces of art.

Every night in Valladolid there’s a parade of traditional dancers who dance through Parque Francisco Canton and the surrounding streets. It starts at around 5:30 pm and you won’t miss them as they’re dressed in so much color!

Where we stayed in Valladolid:

We booked Hotel Casa Bamboo on Calle 46 for 3 nights and we loved it. The rooms are decorated in a boho style and our room was light-filled and airy. There’s also a small outdoor pool in the central courtyard.

Chichen Itza

We visited Chichen Itza from Valladolid, we got an early ADO bus from the bus station in Valladolid which got us to the gates at 8:30 am – which was perfect as it meant we had around an hour to ourselves before the guided tours from Cancun arrived.

As you may know, Chichen Itza is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and it’s one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Mexico. Around 2.5 million tourists visit Chichen Itza every year.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site was a Mayan City, that was the most important city on the Yucatán Peninsula thousands of years ago. It was home to around 30,000 people at one point and as you can imagine, the site is huge – around 3.2 square kilometers.

The iconic pyramid, El Castillo (pictured above) is the most famous structure here and once upon a time, it served as a temple to the god Kukulcán. It towers above the other buildings here, as it’s around 100 feet tall. And there are 365 steps to the top of the pyramid (one for each day of the year).

While here, also take the time to explore the Great Ball Court, the largest of its kind in Mesoamerica, where an ancient game that involved throwing a ball through a stone hoop was played. And the Temple of the Warriors – rows of carved columns is another must-see.

Finally, don’t miss the Sacred Cenote, a large natural sinkhole that served as a site for offerings and sacrifices, providing a glimpse into the spiritual practices of the time.

Ticket prices for Chichen Itza:

A ticket for Chichen Itza costs $35 USD (614 MXN) in total – this price includes two separate tickets (a federal tax ticket and a local government ticket). You will see both ticket booths at the entrance (it is well signposted). You can buy skip-the-line tickets for around $60 USD on the Chichen Itza website if you wish.

Bonus addition – Chichen Itza Night Show:

Instead of visiting Chichen Itza in the morning (like we did), you can visit it after dark to watch the Chichen Itza Night Show or Noches de Kukulkan. I wish we’d known about this before we went as it sounds amazing!

You’ll get around an hour to walk around Chichen Itza – which looks breathtaking under the stars. Then, you’ll be seated in front of the Temple of Kukulkan for a light show that’s projected onto El Castillo, accompanied by music and storytelling (in Spanish).

Although we didn’t know about this when we were here, it sounds like an amazing, bucket-list activity. The show runs from Wednesday to Sunday and tickets cost from 755 MXN (around $39 USD)

This guided tour that departs from Cancun also includes the Chichen Itza Night Show as well as time in Valladolid and tequila tasting at a cenote. Tickets for this tour costs from $169 USD per person.

Mérida (3 nights)

Mérida, the lively capital of the Yucatán Peninsula was our next stop. And it’s a must-see spot for anyone looking to mix history, and culture, with a buzzy modern vibe. Famous for its colonial architecture, Mérida gives you a charming look at Mexico’s past with its well-kept buildings and cobblestone streets. Would you believe, Mérida is one of the oldest cities in Latin America – it dates back to 1542.

The city’s bustling plazas and markets are great for diving into local culture and trying out traditional Yucatan dishes like cochinita pibil and sopa de lima. Plus, Mérida is a perfect launchpad for checking out nearby Mayan ruins like Chichén Itzá and Uxmal.

Best things to do in Mérida:

We only had 3 nights here, so, we packed as much as we could in. We spent most mornings strolling around Plaza Grande (the biggest park in the city) – it’s so picturesque with lots of trees and colonial buildings surrounding the park. Both times, we grabbed a takeaway coffee from Kadus Bistro on Calle 60 and enjoyed it on one of the benches in the park.

We also checked out the Museo Casa Montejo, an exquisitely restored home from the 1500s (entry is free), and the Catedral de Mérida – San Ildefonso, both of which are close to Plaza Grande.

We also spent a lot of time on Paseo de Montejo, a grand avenue lined with beautiful colonial mansions, and one afternoon we visited the impressive Museum of Anthropology and History where we learned about the region’s Mayan heritage.

As for where to eat in the city, we loved the bustling Lucas de Gálvez Market, here you can sample Yucatecan delicacies like cochinita pibil and panuchos.

Where to stay in Mérida:

We spent 3 nights at at Hotel Hacienda Mérida, this gorgeous colonial-style boutique hotel was one of the most luxurious hotels we stayed in during our month in Mexico. It has a gorgeous outdoor pool and all the rooms are set around a lush tropical garden.

Campeche (3 nights)

San Francisco de Campeche or Campeche for short, is a coastal gem on the Yucatán Peninsula and it’s a bit of an underrated destination. Pronounced cam-peh-cheh. It’s the capital and biggest city of the state of Campeche – which borders the Yucatán Peninsula and Quintana Roo. I’ll be honest, we didn’t hear too much about it when researching for this Mexico trip but we’re so glad that we decided to spend 3 nights here.

The city’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it’s here that you’ll see pastel-colored colonial buildings and cobblestone streets. You’ll feel as though you’ve been transported back in time. Campeche has a fascinating history and we explored the city’s fortified walls and bastions, namely Baluarte de San Carlos, which offers an insight into its storied past of pirate invasions. In fact, Campeche is the only city in Mexico that maintains its original city walls.

For a deeper dive into history, the Museo de la Arquitectura Maya provides a fascinating glimpse into Mayan civilization.

We were in town for the Carnival festival which runs between February and March and one of the highlights of this event is Pintadera Tuesday which involves throwing paint balloons at one another! It was so much fun, and we met some very charismatic locals.

Where we stayed in Campeche:

We stayed at Nicte Ha Campeche, a 3-star comfortable hotel on Calle Allende. To be honest, we found the hotels in Campeche to be quite pricey (maybe because we were there over Carnival) but this hotel was reasonably priced. We paid around $30 USD per night.

Palenque (4 nights)

Next, we ventured to Palenque (pronounced puh-leng-kay), nestled in the lush jungles of Chiapas. We got a train here from Campeche Train Station (Estacion Tren Maya Campeche) direct to Palenque. It took close to 5 hours and cost us around $50 USD. There is only one train per day, so, you will need to book it in advance.

Palenque is famous for being home to the Palenque Ruins, one of Mexico’s most captivating archaeological sites. This ancient Maya city, flourishing between 226 BC and 799 AD, is renowned for its stunning architecture and intricate carvings.

The site is home to the Temple of the Inscriptions, the tallest and most significant pyramid, which houses the tomb of the great ruler Pakal the Great. Palenque’s structures are renowned for their intricate stucco sculptures and hieroglyphics, which offer valuable insights into Maya history, culture, and mythology. This is all set against a backdrop of dense tropical vegetation – giving it a sort of ‘Tomb Raider’ vibe.

The ruins and the jungle that surround it make up Palenque National Park (Parque Nacional Palenque). And it is home to wildlife, including howler monkeys and jaguars – in fact, from our room in the middle of the jungle we could howler monkeys all day and night – if you’ve ever heard one before, you’ll know they make a sound similar to a growl (which can be a little scary!)

There are also two stunning waterfalls in the Palenque area – Misol-Ha and Agua Azul that are well worth checking out.

Where did we stay in Palenque:

We stayed next to the entrance to Palenque National Park at a gorgeous spot called Cabanas Kin Balam Palenque – the rooms are a series of wooden cabanas dotted throughout the jungle. And there’s a lovely outdoor pool and an on-site restaurant. We paid around $35 USD for a double room with a private bathroom.

But, we ate most nights across the road at El Panchan – a hugely popular restaurant that has a fire show on some nights. It’s also one of the only places in the national park where you can get WiFi (you must pay around 20 MXN for this).

Yaxchilán/ Bonampak Mayan Ruins

Located deep in the jungle of Mexico, around 164 km from Palenque, are the Yaxchilán and Bonampak Mayan ruins. It’s truly an off-the-beaten-path adventure to get to them because the Yaxchilán ruins can only be reached by boat (you’ll see crocodiles along the ride) and the nearby Bonampak ruins are enshrouded in the Lacandon jungle and so, were only first discovered in 1946.

Yaxchilán ruins are in my opinion, the most spectacular ruins in Mexico. It has a mystical atmosphere and I loved wandering the jungle-shrouded temples and plazas here (again I felt like I was on a movie set). It’s so quiet and peaceful there, in fact, there were only around 10 other people there when we visited – a stark difference from the super-crowded Chichen Itza.

As I said, Yaxchilán is located on the banks of the Usumacinta River and served as a powerful city-state from the 4th to the 9th centuries AD. The ruins are renowned for their impressive architectural structures, intricately carved columns, and well-preserved lintels that chronicle the history and mythology of the Maya. The site’s most famous structures include the Great Acropolis and the Temple 33.

Nearby Bonampak ruins are best known for their vividly painted murals that adorn the walls of the Temple of the Murals. These intricate frescoes, dating back to around 790 AD, depict various aspects of Mayan life, including ceremonial rituals, warfare, and daily activities. The site itself, though not as large as some other Mayan cities, is remarkable for its preservation.

Laguna Bacalar (3 nights)

To get from Palenque to your next stop in Mexico – Laguna Bacalar in Quintana Roo involves a long bus journey of over 7 hours. We actually, went direct from Palenque to spend two weeks in Guatemala and a further two weeks in Belize before landing back on Mexican soil and exploring Laguna Bacalar, or Bacalar for short.

It’s also often referred to as the “Lagoon of Seven Colors,” because of its strikingly clear and vibrant hues of blue, which range from deep navy to turquoise. This natural wonder occurs thanks to its white limestone bottom and varying depths.

And unlike other bodies of water in the region, Lake Bacalar is a freshwater lake, fed by underground cenotes and home to a unique ecosystem, including the ancient stromatolites, which are considered some of the oldest life forms on Earth.

We spent 3 nights on the outskirts of the town of Bacalar, which is situated on the lake’s edge. And we had such a peaceful time here kayaking and swimming, our accommodation (Casita Carolina) was located right on the lake and we were able to dive off and launch our kayak off the hotel’s jetty.

We also spent a few hours exploring the nearby Fort of San Felipe, which provides insights into the area’s intriguing pirate history and we spent an afternoon at Cenote Esmeralda. Which boasts amazing emerald-green waters and is full of colorful fish and cool rock formations.

Where we stayed in Laguna Bacalar:

As I said, we stayed at Casita Carolina for 3 nights and we highly recommend it. It’s a quirky place to stay (we stayed in a small wooden cabin with a private bathroom) and it’s right on the lakefront with its own private wooden jetty!

Tulum (3 nights)

The next spot is probably super-familiar to you – Tulum is one of the most visited beach towns in Mexico and for good reason. Sitting pretty on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, Tulum is famous for its gorgeous beaches, with soft white sand and bright turquoise water, and it’s bohemian atmosphere,

Yup, Tulum has got a chill vibe that just pulls you in. It’s very different from its neighbor Cancun and in place of all-inclusive resorts and nightclubs in Tulum, you will find small, boutique hotels and beach bars. I really wanted to love Tulum, it seemed like an exotic, spiritual haven but I was a little disappointed by the crowds and high prices if I’m honest.

Despite, the downsides I still recommend visiting Tulum – we had a lovely, relaxing time here – sunbathing on the beach, swimming in Cenote Calavera, and exploring the Tulum Ruins. We also dined out in the downtown area as the prices here were better than the beachfront restaurants. We really enjoyed our dinner at La Negra Tomasa!

I should also add that the distance from Tulum Town (Tulum Centro) to the beach (called Tulum Playa) is around 3 km – so, you will likely need to get a taxi between the two.

Visiting the Tulum Ruins (a must-do):

The Tulum Ruins are the piece-de-resistance here, these amazing Mayan ruins right on the cliffs, give you not only a peek into history but also some seriously stunning views of the Caribbean Sea. And unlike other Mayan sites, Tulum is one of the few walled cities of the Mayan World, providing insight into its strategic importance as a trade hub. The structures here are very well-preserved, especially the iconic El Castillo (the one perched on the cliff). We paid around 500 MXN ($20 USD) to explore the ruins.

There’s also a glorious beach (Playa Ruinas) right below the ruins, perfect for a swim after all the wandering around in the hot sun.

Where to stay in Tulum:

We opted to stay in Tulum Centro as opposed to at the beach and we’re glad we did as there are more restaurant and Cafe options in the town. We stayed at Hotel Boutique Pacha Tulum which is just 500 meters from the town center. It’s a cute, boutique hotel with an outdoor pool and our room was furnished with local furniture and artwork. It’s reasonably priced too, we paid around $25 USD per night.

Playa del Carmen (4 nights)

You’ll end your month in Mexico in Playa del Carmen, tucked away on Mexico’s gorgeous Riviera Maya. It’s only an hour from Cancun, and people often compare these two incredibly popular tourist destinations. If Cancun is the crazy younger sister, then, Playa del Carmen is the cool, older sister.

And I have to say we much preferred Playa del Carmen to Cancun. It reminded me of a beach resort in Europe, especially Fifth Avenue (the main street in town), which is full of cool shops, trendy cafes, and a variety of places to eat.

The clear, turquoise waters are perfect for snorkeling and diving around the nearby Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-biggest coral reef system on the planet. Off the sand, Playa del Carmen is buzzing with life, you can check out Cenote Azul and Cenote Cristalino, both of which are close to the town center, and check out the colorful murals dotted around the town.

What did we get up to in Playa del Carmen:

To be honest, we were pretty exhausted having spent almost 3 months in Central America (including 3 weeks in El Salvador) at this stage so we were keen to just chill out when we landed in Playa del Carmen. And we did exactly that, we spent a lot of time at the Public Beach (the main beach in Playa del Carmen, close to Fifth Avenue) and one day we went to our favorite beach Playa Punta Esmeralda.

We were also really impressed with the restaurants in Playa del Carmen, particularly – Nicoletta Playa del Carmen on Fifth Avenue and El Fogón on Avenida Norte.

We got a shuttle from Playa del Carmen to Cancun International Airport (the distance is 53 km) for our flight home. Ending our amazing month in Mexico!

Where to stay in Playa del Carmen:

We stayed at La Pasion Boutique Hotel on Calle 10 Norte, just a few blocks from the public beach. It had a lovely, small rooftop pool and hot tub and it was spacious and light-filled. It was also really close to one of our favorite restaurants in Playa del Carmen – El Fogón. Our double ensuite room cost us around $35 USD per night.

Is one month enough for Mexico?

I would say that, yes, one month is enough to explore the Yucatán Peninsula and Palenque. But, if you want to see other popular tourist destinations here like Mexico City, San Cristobal de las Casas, and Puerto Vallarta, you will need to tack on an extra month.

Why travel insurance is important in Mexico:

We don’t recommend traveling to Mexico without travel insurance! Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you’re traveling – be it theft, illness, etc. And having insurance means that you have a safety net in place.

Travel insurance will provide you with coverage for a range of situations in Mexico, including flight delays, canceled flights, injuries, illnesses, etc. Depending on your policy, you could be reimbursed for hospital stays, meals, hotel stays, transportation, or even the entire cost of your trip to Mexico.

This is how we find the best travel insurance for our trip, it’s a search engine for travel insurance companies so you can find the best travel insurance for your trip. On their site, you can compare the plans side by side so you can get the best insurance for your particular trip! As I always say, no trip is the same so your travel insurance shouldn’t be too!

Our one month in Mexico itinerary – my final words!

And there you have it a lengthy and detailed insight into our one month Mexico itinerary. We spent a lot of time researching the best route for us, you may choose to spend more or less time in the places I recommend above. But, whatever route you choose for your one month in Mexico, I am positive you will have a fantastic time.

Tell me – what did you think of our one month in Mexico itinerary? I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions in the comment section below.

While you’re here, you may also be interested in checking out my other Central America blog posts, such as –

How Many Days Do I Need For Antigua Guatemala? (3-Day Itinerary)

10 Epic Reasons to Visit Guatemala (Updated for 2025)

Things to Know Before Traveling to Belize (2025 Guide)

The 10 Best Things to Do in El Salvador

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Last Updated on June 23, 2025 by snaphappytravel