Day 1-9: Airbnb Rosas del Piedro
The obvious reason to travel to Tulum are its white sandy beaches, the great Mexican food and the healthy spirit of the jungle road. And there is more. For one there are the cenotes, open caves filled with ground water, that are perfect to jump into. And there are the Maja ruins of Tulum and Cobà that can’t wait to get explored and climbed.
Trip Overview
Highlights & Details
Hotel Nights
Rosas del Piedro, Tulum
A little, quiet apartment in a new quarter in the village of Tulum. We found this hidden gem on Airbnb and felt home immediately.
Green Monkey, Bacalar
Several wooden Chalets right at the lake – but not more. The pier into the blue lagoon of Bacalar is nice and the town small and lovely. But the hostel is not the best … we wouldn’t go back.
Chablis, Palenque
Clean and beautifully located in a street full of small and hidden restaurants, this hotel in Palenque was a retreat. The pool in the inner yard is perfect after climbing the ruins.
Gamma, Campeche
That hotel is big. Its location right out of the town walls is perfect to explore the wonderful colonial city of Campeche, but there must be hidden boutique hotels in town!
Agua De Ciénega, Hunucmá
Pretty new and stylish this little hotel is in the middle of nowhere. We decided to stay there to be in the middle of Celestún and Mérida. The pool in the inner yard contains of refreshing water from the ground!
> Explore this Hotel
Travelling
Fort Lauderdale – Cancún
Direct Flight
1h 50min
14.25 – 15.10 Fort Lauderdale – Canún
USD 303 (one way)
Cancún – Tulum
Bus
3h – Stop in Playa del Carmen
USD 45 (one way)
Tulum – Bacalar
Rental Car
2h 30min
USD 390 for 21 days
USD 235 for Fuel, Parking & Fees
Bacalar – Palenque
Rental Car
6h
Palenque – Campeche
Rental Car
4h 50min
Campeche – Hunucmá
Rental Car
2h 20min
Hunucmá – Chichén Itzá
Rental Car
1h 55min
Chichén Itzá – Holbox
Rental Car
2h 20min Chichén Itzá – Chiquila
Ferry
20min Chiquila – Holbox
USD 30 (round trip)
Holbox – Cancún
Ferry
20min Holbox – Chiquila
Rental Car
1h 55min Chiquila – Cancún
Cancún – Isla Mujeres
Ferry
30min
USD 30 (round trip)
Isla Mujeres – Cancún
Ferry
30min
Activities
Grand Cenote, Tulum
Refreshing water and swimming with small turtles. Crystal clear water in naturally fresh water pools.
USD 20
Maya Ruins, Tulum
Ancient temples and tons of lizards next to a marvellous beach (if there is no seaweed…). Bring a lot of water, exploring the historical and impressive ruins is a sweetening but rewarding experience.
USD 8
Cenote Cavalera, Tulum
Jumping holes with a great amount of joy! You chose if you like to jump from 3, 4 or 5 meters into the refreshing waters of this small but fun cenote.
USD 11
Cenote Dos Ojos
One of the largest and also most expensive cenotes we visited. A large area with two swimming holes (dos ojos = two eyes) and diving options. For us not the best price-value.
USD 39
Maya Ruins, Cobá
One of the highlights in the category of Mayan ruins. To climb up the highest (42m) temple with a marvelous view over the jungle is a perfect experience! Just do it in the morning to avoid the heat and crowds.
USD 11
Kaan Luum Lagoon
A refreshing lagoon with turquoise water and a deep blue hole in the middle. If you like to meet a lot of locals go on weekends or holidays otherwise a week day is the better choice.
USD 6
Agua Azul Waterfalls
The most amazing and beautiful waterfalls we’ve seen so far. Turquoise floating water and uncountable pools. You won’t get tired of this view and on top of the falls are great swimming possibilities – go up the stairs, it’s worth it!
USD 5
Palenque Ruins
Architects on magic mushrooms building ancient Mayan ruins? The result is a stunning arrangement of several interesting temples in Palenque. We enjoyed a morning exploring the site and relaxed at the pool in the afternoon.
USD 11
Aluxes Rescue
A rescue station for wild animals and especially macaws. Some of them even call it their home and return again and again.
USD 16 (including donation)
Uxmal Maya Ruins
The most restored Maya sites of Yucatán and one with the best view over the whole areal. The first Pyramid del Adivino is the most impressive, but climb up the Palacio del Gobernador to get the best view!
USD 26
Flamingos, Celestún
Wild flamingos feeding in the ocean to get their pink color? To meet them we hopped on a boat tour at the beach and after a few minutes on the ocean a huge group of more then hundred animals was feeding. Perfect!
USD 26
Chichén Itzá Ruins
The most famous and touristy of all the Mayan temples in Yucatán, but also very worth a visit. El Castillo in the middle is impressive and very picturesque. Visit the cenote Ik-kil afterwards for refreshing and to see the stunning hanging gardens.
USD 37
Punta Coco, Holbox
One of the most beautiful and natural beaches – white sand, turquoise water, mangroves giving shade and hammocks in the water. A dream for sun and swim lovers. And the best of it, it’s for free!
USD 0
Diving on Isla Mujeres
The most bizarre place to dive is definitely at the coast of Isla Mujeres – the Musa Underwater Museum. Explore concrete people, houses and even cars underwater. But also the wreck at the coast of Cancún was a brilliant dive!
USD 384 for 2days, 4 dives
Must sees on a Mexico Road Trip
- 18. August 2018
Mexico
Lifestyle of Tulum
- 18. August 2018
Mexico
Blue Laguna de Bacalar
Day 10-11: Green Monkey Hostel
Before you reach Bacalar you should stop at the Lagoon de Kaan Lum with its mysterious blue hole in the middle of the lagoon. La Laguna de Bacalar can also look quite mysterious but when the sun is out the water looks like in the Maldives. And because this lake is enormous you could easily mistake it for a tropical sea.
- 18. August 2018
Mexico
Palenque’s Nature
Day 12-15: Hotel Chablis
This little town full of great Mexican restaurants is close to two main attractions. The Agua Azul and the Maya Ruins of Palenque.
The Agua Azul are probably the most beautiful waterfalls you can imagine. Its colors are mind blowing and you can even swim in its turquoise waters.
The Maya Ruins of Palenque are also hidden deep in the Mexican jungle. It is said that its architects were stoned on magic mushrooms and when you look at the historic ruins you kind of get the feeling that this is not only a legend.
- 18. August 2018
Mexico
Food Paradise Campeche
Day 16-18: Gamma by Fiesta Inn
It is probably the most delicious and colorful city in Mexico. The entire old town is full of beautiful houses painted in bright colors. And some of those houses are restaurants that serve the best Mexican food you can imagine. They offer high-class cuisine at a cost that in other countries would barely be enough for a visit at McDonald’s.
- 18. August 2018
Mexico
Maya ruins of Uxmal
Day 19-20: Agua de Ciénega
Day 19: Day-Trip Uxmal Ruins
Uxmal Mexico is the best preserved of all Mayan sites and it is still not clear why the Uxmal Maya built a city there. Because this area faces quite a high risk for draughts. But they must have had good reasons as they built a city that was and still is stunningly beautiful. The trip from Merida to Uxmal by rental car takes only 1h.
- 18. August 2018
Mexico
Flamingos in Celestún
Day 19-20: Agua de Ciénega
Day 19: Day-Trip Celestun
Celestun beach is an almost perfect Caribbean beach. And what makes it even better, is the fact that it is not affected by the seaweed that sometimes hunts Mexicos east coast.
Another reason to travel from Merida to Celestun are the Flamingos in the Celestun biosphere reserve. There are many tour operators right at the beach, that will take you on the trip as soon as they have enough guests.
- 18. August 2018
Mexico
Famous Chichén Itzá
Day 21-22: Hotel Chichen Itza
The archeological site of Chichen Itza is an UNESCO world heritage site and also one of the new seven wonders of the world. That is quite a title, but when you stand in front of El Castillo, also known as Temple of Kukulcan, you understand why.
And in case you are eager to cool down after exploring an entire Maya city including a well restored ball court, the cenote of Ik Kil right next to it is perfect.
- 18. August 2018
Mexico
Relax on Isla Holbox
Day 23-27: Casa Blatha
It is probably THE paradise on the Yucatan peninsula. Its beaches are absolutely perfect and palm trees provide just the right amount of shade to reach a state of complete relaxation. You have the chance to snorkel with Whale sharks and to cruise around with golf carts and there are many small restaurants whose walls are full of street art.
- 18. August 2018
Mexico
Brunch in Cancún
Day 28-29: Mezcal Hostel
Cancun is one of the top holiday destinations at the Riviera Maya on the Yucatan peninsula. And its white sandy beaches in the hotel zone are hard to top. They are so well maintained that even during the worst seaweed season they are way cleaner than all the other beaches.
Even when you are staying in the village you can have brunch in one of those luxury resorts and enjoy the beach afterwards.
- 18. August 2018
Mexico
Diving on Isla Mujeres
Day 30-34: Hostel Poc Na
Isla Mujeres is an absolute paradise and the easiest way to get around is by golf cart. You can start your beach trip at Playa Norte and drive along the west coast all the way to Punta Sur. But don’t forget to stop at the Garrafon natural reef park as it offers the best snorkeling on the island.
The other main attraction of this island paradise is its diving. Machones reef and Punta Negro are great spots to experience the corals and the marine life. And there is also a sunken gun boat to explore. But the main attraction is an underwater museum full of sculptures and statues covered with corrals.
