10 Days in Mexico: Ultimate 10-Day Itinerary

10 Days Mexico Itinerary

Do you want to visit Mexico in 10 days?

Good idea!

To help you plan your trip, here is my suggested 10-day Mexico itinerary to see as much of this great country as possible in a short time.

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

You will discover its greatest attractions such as San Cristobal de las Casas, the Lakes of MontebelloEl Chiflon, the Sumidero Canyon and Palenque.

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

For each step, I have included my advice for making 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 10 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 that has so much to offer and is the perfect place to start your Mexico itinerary!

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

In the afternoon, you can stroll through the La Roma and La Condesa neighborhoods with their shops, parks, cafes, art galleries, and street art. You can easily find a good restaurant there.

Tips for your Mexico itinerary:
To find out the best activities to do in Mexico City and my tips for visiting the city, here are:

Mexico City Palace of Fine Arts 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!

Now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the most important archaeological sites in the country and, of course, a must-see for a 10-day trip to Mexico.

There is a lot to see in Teotihuacan :

As it is a site steeped in history I really recommend going there 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 guided morning tour (to avoid crowds), as well as a tasting of mezcaltequila and pulque, 3 typical Mexican drinks. To book here.

Tips for your Mexico itinerary:

Another unforgettable experience in Teotihuacan is flying 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’s 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 masked wrestlers.

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

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

Accommodation in Mexico City

Day 3-5: San Cristobal de las Casas

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 wealth where it is very pleasant to walk, and which is also a good starting point for visiting several attractions in Chiapas.

Start at the Zocalo, the city’s bustling central square, where the cathedral is located .

Visit the Center for Textiles of the Mayan World, a museum with an incredible collection of 500 pieces of Mayan textiles from Chiapas and Guatemala. There is also a craft market 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 which is definitely worth a look.

You can then go 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 pedestrian street Real de Guadalupe. You will find several nice restaurants and cafes there, some of which have terraces.

Also make a stop at La PosheriaThere 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 going 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: you just have to follow the path of approximately 1km which borders the 5 falls El Suspiro, Ala de Angel, Velo de Novia (the highest, 120m!), Arcoiris and Quinceañera .

Then take the road 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!

Since it’s 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 (1 hour, 100 pesos) or rent a kayak (1 hour, 80 pesos)

Cinco Lagos: my favorite! These are in reality 5 interconnecting lakes between hills which offer a magnificent panorama.

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

Getting to El Chiflon and Montebello from San Cristobal:

I recommend this small group guided tour (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) with pickup from your hotel, the self-guided tour to El Chiflon, and the visit to several lakes in Montebello.

To book here.

The Angel Wing shot, El Chiflon

Day 3: Sumidero Canyon

Today, discover another must-see natural site during a 10-day road trip in Mexico : the Sumidero Grand Canyon!

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

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

The 2.5 hour boat tour takes you to 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 viewpoints offer a magnificent high view of the canyon! There is a road that passes by the 5 viewpoints, 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
Canyon du Sumidero

Accommodation in San Cristobal de las Casas

Day 6: Palenque

Today we are heading into 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 a 5-5h30 drive to Palenque.

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

After a 2h40 drive, arriving in 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 surrounding area.

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 there!

Finally, 1 hour away is Misol-Ha, the last stop before Palenque.

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

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

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

After regaining your 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 Mondays), one of the most important museums dedicated to Mayan archaeology, which allows you to understand the full 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 journey, 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 Palenque site .

To book here.

Accommodation in Palenque

The ruins of Palenque

Day 7-8: Mérida

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

Day 1: Visit to Mérida

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 early in the afternoon. For safety’s sake, remember that you should never drive at night in Mexico. 

Depending on the 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 central Mérida. 

To book here.

Spend the night in Mérida.

Getting to Mérida from Palenque: 

The Canton Palace on the Paseo de Montejo in Mérida

Day 2: Option 1: The archaeological site of Uxmal

There is a lot to see in the Mérida region, but as your 10-day trip to Mexico leaves you little time, I suggest you choose between visiting Uxmal or Célestun

Let’s start with Uxmal!

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

On site, you will be able to see:

To know everything about Uxmal, here is my ultimate guide to Uxmal!

Just opposite the entrance to Uxmal, on the other side of the road, is also the Choco-Story chocolate museum. 

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

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

To book here.

If you prefer to go there on your own:

Spend the night in Mérida.

The Pyramid of the Soothsayer at 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 ride (1h30-2h30) in the Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve, a large protected area which contains 300 species of birds.

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

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

After the excursion to 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 Mérida.

A colony of pink flamingos in the Celestun reserve.

Accommodation in Mérida

Day 9-10: Chichen Itza and the Riviera Maya

This last stage of your 10-day stay in Mexico has in store for you the famous city of Chichen Itza and the heavenly region of the Riviera Maya!

Day 1: Chichen Itza and Valladolid

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

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site 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 time for lunch, know that there is a good restaurant serving typical Yucatan cuisine just at the top of the cenote. By consuming 100 pesos, the cenote is free!

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

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

Then go to Tulum in the Riviera Maya.

It will probably be too late to enjoy the beaches, but we can only postpone it until the next day!

You can also stroll along the Tulum Beach Strip which borders the beach, and where you can find 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

Day 2: Visit of Tulum

Welcome to Tulum, the small boho-chic town of Mexico known for its kilometers 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 ruins beach, 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 Gran Cenote, Cenote Carwash, Cenote Zacil-Ha, Cenote Dos Ojos, etc. There is no shortage of choice!

Spend the night in Tulum.

A beach in Tulum

Day 3: 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 get close to them without disturbing them.

You can book it here.

You can also enjoy its pretty beaches and go snorkeling in Akumal BayHalf Moon Bay and Yal Ku Lagoon.

Spend the night in  Tulum.

Getting to Akumal from Tulum:

Accommodation in Tulum

A turtle in Akumal

Day 11: Departure from Cancun

It’s time to end this 10-day road trip in Mexico.

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

Have a nice flight home!

Getting to Cancun Airport from Tulum:

Tips for your Mexico itinerary:
If your flight leaves early in the morning, you can also choose to spend the last night near the airport.

Find your plane ticket to Mexico

Mexico’s two largest international airports are in Mexico City and Cancun. They receive many flights from EuropeNorth America and elsewhere in the world, in addition to many domestic flights.

Both cities are therefore very good arrival and departure points for this trip to Mexico!

How to Get around Mexico?

If you want to visit Mexico in just 10 days, your priority will have to be saving time because the distances to travel are very long.

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

It is important to understand that the Yucatan Peninsula is quite well accessible by public transport, but Chiapas much less so since we visit remote natural sites.

This is why I recommend taking advantage of the excursions organized from San Cristobal instead. This is what I did and they are really very practical!

Map: 10 Days in Mexico

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

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