1 Week in Mexico: Ultimate 7-Day Mexico Itinerary

1 Week in Mexico: What to do and see?

Do you want to visit Mexico in 7 days?

Good idea!

To help you organize your trip, here is my suggested 7, 8-day Mexico itinerary to see the most of this great country in a short time.

Departing from Mexico City, you will visit Teotihuacan, then you will leave for a few days in Chiapas.

You will discover its greatest must-sees such as San Cristobal de las Casas, the Montebello LakesEl Chiflon, the Sumidero Canyon and Palenque.

The last part of the trip will be devoted to Yucatan and the Riviera Maya with MéridaChichen ItzáValladolid and Tulum before leaving from Cancun.

For each stage, I have included my advice to make the most of it, all the practical information to prepare your visits and my best accommodation recommendations.

So  what to do and see in Mexico in 7-8 days? 

Day 1-2: Mexico City

Day 1- Visit of the capital

Welcome to Mexico City, the great capital of Mexico.

It’s a vibrant city with so much to offer and is the perfect place to start your Mexico itinerary!

If you only have two days in Mexico City, here is the program I recommend:

In the afternoon, you can stroll through the neighborhoods of La Roma and La Condesa with their shops, parks, cafes, art galleries, street art. You can easily find a good restaurant there.
My advice
For the best activities to do in Mexico City and my tips for visiting the city, here are:

The Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City or Palacio de Bellas Artes

Day 2- Teotihuacan

This morning, head towards Teotihuacan.

Built from the year 100, it was, at its peak, the largest city in pre-Columbian America and even one of the largest cities in the world!

Today classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the most important archaeological sites in the country and, of course, a must on a 7 day Mexico itinerary.

There is a lot to see in Teotihuacan :

As it is a site steeped in history, I really recommend going with a guided tour, otherwise you risk missing out on a lot of relevant information!

I suggest this excursion from Mexico City which includes a morning guided tour (to avoid the crowds), as well as a tasting of mezcaltequila and pulque, 3 typical Mexican drinks. To book here.

Tips for you Mexico itinerary:

Another unforgettable experience in Teotihuacan is the flight over the pyramids in a hot air balloon!

The flight begins with sunrise and lasts approximately 1 hour. You can book it here, with pick-up from your hotel.

If you prefer to go without an excursion, here is how to get there on your own:

In the afternoon, after visiting Teotihuacan, return to town.

In the evening, you can see the mariachis in Plaza Garibaldi or attend a lucha libre fight with the masked wrestlers.

Don’t go to bed too late because tomorrow we are already leaving for Chiapas!

The view from the Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacan. Photo Karla Acosta

Accommodation in Mexico City

Day 3-4: San Cristobal de las Casas (2-3 days)

Welcome to Chiapas, a large and beautiful state in Mexico!

Day 1- San Cristobal de las Casas

In the morning, head to the airport to take a flight from Mexico City to Tuxtla Gutierrez (1h40).

Arriving at Tuxtla Gutierrez airport ,  you will need to take a transfer (2 hours) from the airport to San Cristobal de las Casas where you will stay for the next few days.

You will see that it is a city of great cultural richness where it is very pleasant to walk, and which is also a good starting point for visiting several attractions of Chiapas.

Start in the Zocalo, the bustling central square of the city, where the cathedral is located .

Visit the Mayan World Textiles Center, a museum with an incredible collection of 500 pieces of Mayan textiles from Chiapas and Guatemala. There is also a craft market that is held right next door!

Then go to Na Bolom, an association that works for the protection of the Lacandons, an ethnic group from the jungle of Chiapas. It is located in a pretty colonial house that is definitely worth a look.

You can then walk up to the Church of Guadalupe. You will have to climb 79 steps but it offers a beautiful view of the city and the mountains.

Take a walk on the Real de Guadalupe pedestrian street. You will find several nice restaurants and cafés, some of which have a terrace.

Also make a stop at La PoshiriaThere are 15 varieties of pox, the traditional brandy of Chiapas. The coffee one is my favorite!

The Cathedral of San Cristobal de las Casas. Photo Marcos Ferro

Day 2- Lakes of Montebello and El Chiflon

During this second day in Chiapas, you will discover two magnificent natural sites.

Early in the morning, start by driving to El Chiflon.

There, between the mountains and the tropical forest, there are waterfalls fed by the turquoise waters of the San Vicente River.

Here it is impossible to get lost: just follow the path of about 1km which borders the 5 falls El Suspiro, Ala de Angel, Velo de Novia (the highest, 120m!), Arcoiris and Quinceañera .

Then take the road again towards the Lagunas de Montebello National Park. It is a large protected area, classified as a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco and a Ramsar site ,  and which contains 59 lakes!

As it is impossible to see them all, I suggest the route I followed:

Lake Tziscao : the largest and deepest lake in the park, it is on the border with Guatemala. There are small restaurants on site.

Lake Pojoj : a pretty lake with its island ”  Isla Orquideas  ” where you can go by raft (1h, 100 pesos) or rent a kayak (1h, 80 pesos)

Cinco Lagos : my favorite! These are actually 5 communicating lakes between hills that offer a magnificent panorama.

Lac Montebello : the ideal lake to end the visit with a hot chocolate in hand, with its wooden wharf and picturesque landscape.

Getting to El Chiflon and Montebello from San Cristobal:

I recommend this small group guided tour (8am to 8pm) with pick up from your hotel, the self-guided visit to El Chiflon and the visit to several lakes in Montebello.

To book here.

The shot Ala de Angel, El Chiflon

Day 3 – Sumidero Canyon

Today, discover another must-see natural site during a 7-day Mexico itinerary: the Sumidero Grand Canyon!

This giant formed 35 million years ago can be discovered by boat and by visiting the watchtowers.

I definitely recommend doing both as the views are completely different!

The 2h30 boat tour takes you on the Grijalva river where you can see some birds, monkeys and crocodiles, in addition to the Cueva de Colores and the Arbol de Navidad waterfall.

The watchtowers offer a magnificent view from above of the canyon! There is a road that passes through the 5 watchtowers, where you can stop as long as you want since there is a small parking lot.

Getting to Sumidero Canyon from San Cristobal:

You can book the excursion here.

Canyon du Sumidero

Accommodation in San Cristobal de las Casas

Day 5: Palenque

Today we are going to the heart of the jungle, among monkeys and exotic birds, to explore Palenque, which was one of the most important Mayan cities of its time!

Morning – Leave early as it takes 5h-5h30 drive to Palenque.

The good news is that there are several interesting stops to make along the way:

After 2h40 on the road, arriving at Ocosingo, take the path to the Mayan site of Toniná.

Climb to the top of its great 75m pyramid! It is higher than the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan and offers a magnificent view of the surroundings.

Return to Ocosingo and continue the road for 2 hours to the Agua Azul waterfalls located in the Biosphere Reserve of the same name.

These turquoise waterfalls surrounded by lush vegetation are superb to photograph and you can also swim in them!

Finally, at 1h drive is Misol-Ha, the last stop before Palenque.

It is a 30m waterfall surrounded by the jungle, where you can swim. It is even possible to go behind to explore the cave!

In the afternoon – After half an hour, you are finally in the city of Palenque!

As it will certainly be lunch time, take a well-deserved break and take the opportunity to eat.

After regaining strength, it’s time to visit the Mayan city of Palenque  just 9km from the center.

Declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, it is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.

Start with the Palenque Museum (closed on Mondays), one of the most important museums dedicated to Mayan archeology, which allows you to understand the importance of the site.

You will be able to see:

Spend the night in the town of Palenque.

Getting to Palenque from San Cristobal de las Casas

Again, considering the long drive, the easiest way is to take an excursion from San Cristobal de las Casas.

It includes pick-up from your hotel, breakfast, visits to Agua AzulMisol-Ha and the site of Palenque.

To book here.

Accommodation in Palenque

The ruins of Palenque

Day 6-7: Mérida

We leave Chiapas for the city of Mérida, the capital of  Yucatan!

Day 1 – Visit of Merida

As the journey is quite long from Palenque (8 hours on average), I recommend taking the night bus to avoid wasting a day.

If you are driving, it is best to leave early in the morning and arrive in the early afternoon. For safety, remember that you should never drive at night in Mexico. 

Depending on how much time you have, here is what you can do and see in Mérida:

To discover typical Yucatan cuisine, you can also take this culinary tour in the center of Mérida. 

To book here.

I recommend that you also read my Top 20 things to do in Mérida!

Spend the night in Merida.

Getting to Mérida from Palenque: 

The Canton Palace south of the Paseo de Montejo in Mérida

Day 2 – Option 1: The archaeological site of Uxmal

There is a lot to see in the Mérida area, but since your 1 week Mexico itinerary leaves you little time, I suggest you choose between visiting Uxmal or Célestun

Let’s start with Uxmal!

A powerful Mayan city allied with Chichen Itza, it has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is today considered one of the most beautiful Mayan sites in Yucatan  thanks to its architectural richness.

On site, you can see:

Just opposite the entrance to Uxmal, across the road, is also the Choco-Story chocolate museum. 

Twenty minutes away is Kabah, another site from the same period. Although much smaller, it is almost not touristy and also contains some architectural gems.

You can take this tour from Mérida with pick-up from your hotel, which includes the guided visit of Uxmal, free time on site, and the visit of Kabah.

To book here.

If you prefer to go there on your own:

Spend the night in Merida.

The Pyramid of the Diviner in Uxmal

Day 2 – Option 2: The pink flamingos of Célestun

It is estimated that there are 25,000 flamingos in the Yucatan, and Célestun is the best place to observe them!

To get closer, you have to take a boat trip (1h30-2h30) in the Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve, a large protected area that contains 300 species of birds.

You can take a boat trip from the beach (2h30 tour) or west of the bridge before arriving at Célestun (1h30).

It is also possible to book this excursion to Célestun from Mérida with pick-up at your hotel, which includes the boat trip in the reserve, free time for swimming and lunch on the beach.

After the excursion in the Célestun reserve you can also enjoy the beach before returning to Mérida.

Getting to Celestun from Mérida without a guided excursion:

Spend the night in Merida.

A colony of pink flamingos in the Celestun reserve.

Accommodation in Merida

Day 8: Chichen Itza and the Riviera Maya

This last stage of your 7-day Mexico itinerary has the famous city of Chichen Itza and the paradisiacal region of the Riviera Maya in store for you !

Chichen Itza and Valladolid

In the morning, leave Mérida to visit Chichen Itza  which was once a great Mayan capital.

Declared World Heritage by Unesco and recognized as one of the  7 new wonders of the world, it is one of the great symbols of Mexico.

To see in Chichen Itza, in 2h-3h:

To know all its attractions, here is my ultimate guide to Chichen Itza+Tips!

You can buy your skip-the-line ticket to Chichen Itza here.

After Chichen Itza, visit the colonial city of Valladolid, one of the prettiest cities in Mexico!

Start by cooling off at Cenote Zaci, a large , semi-open cenote surrounded by rock walls and plants.

If it’s lunchtime, know that there is a good typical Yucatan cuisine restaurant just at the top of the cenote. By consuming 100 pesos, the cenote is free!

Then discover the main square with Francisco Canton ParkSan Servacio Church and the Municipal Palace to see its murals.

Visit the San Roque Museum (free) which showcases the town’s history, then take the charming Calzada de los Frailes to the San Bernardino Convent.

Also read: The 25 best things to do in Valladolid

Then go to Tulum in the Riviera Maya.

It will probably be too late to enjoy the beaches, but that’s only a postponement for the next day!

You can also walk on the Beach Strip of Tulum which borders the beach, and where there are shops, pretty restaurants and cafes.

In the evening, you will find several bars with a nice atmosphere such as the Batey – Mojito & Guarapo Bar  or the  Papaya Playa Project  which is located on the beach.

Spend the night in Tulum.

Getting to Chichen Itza from Mérida:

Getting to Valladolid from Chichen Itza:

Getting to Tulum from Valladolid:

The famous site of Chichen Itza

Visit of Tulum

Welcome to Tulum, the small boho-chic town in Mexico known for its miles of white sand beaches, with calm and transparent water.

In the morning, visit the ruins of Tulum located facing the Caribbean Sea.

You will be able to see among other things the wall, the Castillo which is the main structure, the Temple of the Frescoes, the Temple of the Descending God.

And don’t forget to go down to the beach of the ruins, access to which is included in the ticket!

But it would be a shame not to visit the other beautiful beaches of Tulum.

You can go to Playa Paraiso  or  Playa Las Palmas.

You can also leave the beach to dive in one of Tulum’s many cenotes such as the Gran Cenote, Cenote Carwash, Cenote Zacil-Ha, Cenote Dos Ojos, etc. The choice is endless!

Spend the night in Tulum.

A beach in Tulum

Akumal

If you still have a day ahead of you, don’t hesitate to go to Akumal, the best place to swim with turtles in Mexico!

The good news is that the turtles are protected, but you must therefore take a guided excursion to approach them without disturbing them.

You can book it here.

You can also enjoy its beautiful beaches and snorkel in Akumal BayHalf Moon Bay and Yal Ku Lagoon.

Also read:  The 17 best things to do in Akumal!

Spend the night in  Tulum.

Getting to Akumal from Tulum:

Accommodation in Tulum

A turtle in Akumal

Departure from Cancun

It’s time to end this 7-day Mexico itinerary.

Say goodbye to the beautiful beaches of Tulum and head to Cancun airport for your departure.

Have a good flight home!

Getting to Cancun Airport from Tulum:

How to get around in Mexico?

If you want to visit Mexico in just 1 week, your priority will have to be saving time because the distances to be covered are very long.

It will therefore be necessary to alternate between road and plane (when possible) and always reconfirm the departure times  if you take the bus.

It is important to understand that the Yucatan Peninsula is fairly well done by public transport, but Chiapas much less since you visit remote natural sites.

This is why I recommend rather to take advantage of the excursions organized from San Cristobal. That’s what I did and they are really handy!

Are you going to Mexico? Also read

All our articles on Mexico are here:  Find all our guides on Mexico!

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