Five days is just enough time to enjoy the highlights of one region in Mexico. With a full week or 10 days, you can combine three or four areas to create an eclectic beach/city/culture/food tour. However, if you want to see the most of Mexico without having to rush, aim for two weeks or longer. No matter your timeframe, the below itineraries will help you plan that perfect Mexican getaway.
If you have five days to spend in Mexico, you can get to know one region or major cultural hub. Focus your energy on exploring Mexico City, take a family-oriented vacation to the Riviera Maya, go snorkeling and kayaking in Puerto Vallarta, get off the beaten path in beautiful Chiapas, or trace the footsteps of the Mayan people on the Yucatán Peninsula. Learn more about what to do and where to go with these five unique itineraries.
Whether your goal is a quick escape from the grind to recharge your batteries, or you'd like to pack in as many adventures as possible in just a few days, Mexico is the ideal country. In even as few as six days, you can experience the major highlights of Mexico's capital as well as historic Puebla and neighboring Cholula. Or travel further south and hit the best beaches on the Yucatán Peninsula while also visiting nature reserves and diving into turquoise cenote lagoons.
With one week in Mexico, you and your family can base yourself in Playa del Carmen and explore the beaches, underwater world, and ancient ruins of Tulum and Cobá, or opt for a stay in Oaxaca, delighting in the traditional workshops on offer. If you're after a more luxurious trip, spend your evenings in Puerto Aventuras and your days swimming with whale sharks and roaming Chichén Itzá. Or, for the ideal mix of nature and culture, split your time between Oaxaca and Santa María Huatulco.
If you have a week to spend in Mexico, you can do a deep dive into one region like the Riviera Maya, or hop between two cultural hubs like Mexico City and Oaxaca. Explore the Mayan ruins and cenotes of the Riviera Maya, go on a food-focused tour to Oaxaca and Puebla, or visit off-the-beaten-path nature reserves on the Yucatán Peninsula—learn how to structure your time and plan a trip with these five unique itineraries.
In a week and a day, you can plan an action-packed trip to one or even two regions of Mexico. Begin in Mexico City with food, history, and archeology tours before continuing to the cultural hotbed of Oaxaca or the Caribbean beaches and ancient Maya ruins of the Yucatán. Or head northwest for tequila tours around Guadalajara, mountain adventures in Chihuahua, and a bit of relaxation in Puerto Vallarta.
In nine days, you can enjoy Mexico's best food tours, stroll its most historic districts, and tour its most famous archeological sites. Snack on street food in Mexico City, enjoy the Caribbean beaches of the Riviera Maya or venture deep into the jungles of Chiapas for rafting adventures. You can also follow the tequila trail from historic Guadalajara to the beaches of Puerto Vallarta or spend your time in Oaxaca and witness rich indigenous culture thriving alongside monuments to Spanish-colonial rule.
With 10 days in Mexico, you and your family can immerse yourself in the country's vibrant culture and ancient history on a classic Mexico family adventure or opt for an action-packed itinerary exploring the coastlines, ruins, and jungles of Tulum and Playa del Carmen. Foodie families will love attending cooking classes and visiting markets on a "flavors of Mexico" tour. And those looking to discover the fascinating underwater world should opt for an itinerary focused around the Yucatán Peninsula.
If you have ten days to spend in Mexico, you have time to mix cultural sightseeing with outdoor activities, culinary tours, and relaxing on the beach. Focus your time on Mexico City and the idyllic Riviera Maya, explore the lakes and waterfalls of Chiapas, tour the foodie capital of Oaxaca and relax on the Pacific coast for a few days, or go snorkeling and swimming in the clear sea and cenotes of the Yucatán Peninsula: learn how with these unique itineraries.
Eleven days is enough time to experience the highlights of two regions in southern Mexico. Enjoy the food and Aztec ruins of Mexico City before heading to Oaxaca to experience indigenous culture and participate in cultural workshops. Or focus the bulk of your time on the Yucatán Peninsula, where you can walk in the footsteps of the ancient Maya, dive into cenote lagoons, enjoy Caribbean beaches, and relax on remote islands.
Twelve Days in Mexico is just enough time to have a well-rounded, unforgettable experience in one or two regions. Get to the heart of the culture as you visit Aztec ruins, enjoy the highlights of the capital, and tour the historic cobbled streets of Guanajuato, Puebla, and Oaxaca. Or focus on the beautiful Yucatán Peninsula as you road-trip along the Riviera Maya, explore Maya archeological sites, and discover the wild beauty of underground rivers and remote islands.
In 13 days, you can enjoy a packed itinerary that includes in-depth explorations of two or even three regions in Mexico. Enjoy the history, food, and Aztec ruins of Mexico City, then discover the wonders of Chiapas, like its cascading waterfalls, majestic river canyons, and highland colonial towns. Even after all that, you'll still have time to explore the length and breadth of the mythical Yucatán Peninsula, as rich in ancient Maya ruins as it is abundant in postcard Caribbean beaches.
With two weeks in Mexico, you have plenty of time to delve into more than one region—pair Mexico City with the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, for example—and to build your trip around a particular interest. Spend two weeks touring Mexico's top highlights, focus on seeing as many UNESCO-honored ruins as you can, take a family-oriented trip that features outdoor activities like swimming with dolphins in Puerto Vallarta, or eat and drink your way around Mexico on a foodie tour.
With two weeks in Mexico, you and your family can explore ancient Maya ruins in Chiapas and the Yucatán Peninsula or dive into the sparkling waters of Costa Maya, where sailing and snorkeling await. Alternatively, experience the "magic" of Mexico's cities on a wide-ranging tour that takes you from the nation's capital to the Pacific Coast. Nature-loving families will discover Mexico's stunning biodiversity on an excursion of Baja California Sur, showcasing the country's beaches, waterfalls, and deserts.
With 15 free days, you can travel from Mexico City to the Yucatán Peninsula and everywhere in between. That means you can visit ancient Aztec cities near the capital and immerse yourself in the indigenous culture, food, and natural beauty of Oaxaca, Puebla, and Chiapas. Beyond those highlights, you can venture deep into the Yucatán region to explore Spanish-colonial cities, incredible Maya ruins, and the most beautiful white-sand beaches in the country.
