Yucatán Península, México Ten Day Itinerary
In 2017 I decided to book a spontaneous 10 day trip to Mexico. It was my first time ever visiting the country, and the trip made me fall in love with the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, and now I try to go back as much as I can to keep exploring new parts of the country. This is my 10 day itinerary for anyone who wants to experience the “off the beaten track” side of the Yucatan Peninsula and see as much as possible in that time. I hope everyone gets the chance to travel to this region of Mexico at least once!
Note - be sure that if you do stray off the beaten track in Mexico that your Spanish is at least at a basic conversational level, and if not be ready to learn quickly. During our trip we came across people who couldn’t speak English and I was thankful that I knew basic Spanish. Plus, speaking Spanish will help you connect on a deeper and more personal level with locals and I believe everyone should make an effort to communicate in the local language when traveling.
Day 1: Land in Cancun - Stay at Nomad Hostel
Depending on what time you arrive, you might have to stay in Cancun for a night before heading out to explore other parts of the beautiful Yucatan Peninsula. I recommend Nomads Enigmatic Hostel. The hostel is green, lively, and offers daily activities, excursions and free breakfast. The excursions are a bit more expensive than going out and exploring on your own, but worth it if you don’t feel like planning excursions on your own, are traveling alone and want to meet people or are in Cancun for a very short time. All in all, this hostel is great and super well located, close to lots of local restaurants, the airport, bus station, and ferry. I definitely recommend trying to find local spots to eat because these places will always have the best food and the best prices. I’ve stayed in a typical dorm room and also a private room at this hostel - I recommend both. Dorm if you want to meet people and save money, private if you are traveling in a couple or want to be more comfortable. The hostel is comfortable and perfect for a short stay in Cancun.
Note - We reserved a shuttle service to pick us up at the airport because it is the easiest way to get transported from the AirPort in Mexico. I always prefer a reliable and secure service when arriving in a country. Shuttle prices are also cheaper if you book in advance, rather than booking when you arrive at the airport - its about 2x the price if you don’t book in advance. There are definitely other transportation options available, like taxis, shuttles, and local buses, just be sure you feel comfortable negotiating with drivers about their rates. I don’t recommend using Uber because the general attitude towards Uber drivers in Mexico is quite negative and most drivers have to drive in secret.
Cancun is famous for its nightlife, parties, and clubs - but I’ve actually never gone out there - not really my vibe. If you do enjoy partying, the hostel I recommend leads bar crawls every night, so you could tag along with them!
Day 2: Take a morning ferry to Isla Mujeres and stay at Selina hostel (Formerly Poc-na)
On your first morning in Mexico it will be time to make your way to Isla Mujeres. The trip to the island is pretty simple, take a taxi to Puerto Juarez. Taking a colectivo is probably the cheapest way to get there, but if you manage to bargain with the taxi driver and get a great rate - a taxi is the way to go. Either way they are only about a $5-10 difference. Once we arrived at the port we took a quick fifteen minute ferry ride across to Isla Mujeres. The ferry ticket cost about 500 pesos when purchased directly from the port. I recommend buying the ticket online for two reasons: you skip the line to buy the ticket at the port and you get a digital copy so you don’t have to worry about losing your return ticket. If you are lucky there will likely be someone playing live music on the ferry along the way. Sit on the roof of the ferry to enjoy the music and sun! As I mentioned, Be sure to keep your ticket, or buy your ticket online, for the return trip, otherwise you’ll have to buy another one.
Isla Mujeres is breathtaking. The water is clear and warm, and while the island is still relatively popular with tourists, there is a much more relaxed and authentic vibe than Cancun. It's the perfect place to relax on the beach all day, or watch the sunset from one of the many beach bars the island offers.
One thing you should definitely know before you go is to bring cash. ATM’s on the island are hard to come by, and a lot of the local shops and restaurants don’t accept cards. I would recommend using cash everywhere just to stay on the safe side and avoid any issues. I did get my credit card information stolen once while visiting the island so now I always use cash - which is a general rule I try to stick to when traveling in Mexico and purchasing things at smaller shops/restaurants.
Go to Green Demon Beach Club, and get there early before 12pm if you want a daybed. Let me know if you want reservations and I’ll connect you with the manager! You can reach out on my contact form or on my Instagram.
We stayed at a very well-known hostel called Selina. The hostel was originally called Poc-Na and established in 1976. It was the first hostel in Latin America. It is an amazing place to stay, whether it be for just a few days, or for a longer vacation. It has everything you could possibly need, from a bar and restaurant, live music most nights, excursions and events, scuba diving trips, and a beautiful open space with hammocks to relax in. It even has a coworking space with mostly reliable wifi so it is great if you're working remote! At night, the hostel has its own beach club with a DJ where you can go out for a few drinks and meet new people.It’s where locals like to “go out”. Although there seems to be a lot going on at the hostel, it is still a very relaxed environment and really there is something for everyone.
Day 3: Rent a golf cart and drive around the Isla Mujeres to explore
I like to spend most of my trip chilling on the beach, because that's my favorite thing to do. That being said, I highly recommend renting a golf cart and driving around the island to explore. There are all types of activities if you are looking to learn to dive, snorkel, or go boating.
Be sure to Go to Punta Norte with the Golf Cart and you can visit ancient ruins, walk in nature, and swim. It has around a $2 entry fee and it is worth it. I recommend going to Casa de Los Suenos for the rest of the day. It is a beach club right on the ocean that has a few pools, a restaurant and all of the water activities that you want to do are included for free, as long as you eat/drink at the restaurant. It’s not that big and is kind of a “hidden secret” but it’s great for everyone, kids included.
Day 4: Take the ferry back to Cancun and then transfer to Playa del Carmen
The next day take the ferry back to Cancun from Isla Mujeres and make your way to Playa del Carmen. It will take about 3 hours in total. You can take the ADO shuttle bus or a private taxi, but the latter is more expensive and I recommend the bus because it is very easy to take and less than $5 per person. It is direct so it takes the same amount of time as the taxi, too.
Check into your hotel, apartment or hostel and bask in the laid back lifestyle of Playa del Carmen. This will be your home base for the rest of your trip. The first restaurant I always eat at when I get to Playa Del Carmen is El Fogon. I am positive it will be the best tacos you will ever have in your life. I eat here almost every day when I am in Playa Del Carmen.
My Order:
4 Al Pastor Tacos with everything (pineapple and onion) - Add the pico de gallo and the green salsa they bring to the table
1 Guacamole
Agua de Jamacia
The city is super chill, amazing for expats, and there are so many cute shops and restaurants to check out. The beaches are also stunning, especially at sunset.
If you are looking for somewhere to stay in Playa Del Carmen feel free to reach out! I have a great company that I highly recommend and always send travelers, especially families and remote workers to stay with them. They have fully serviced apartments less than 10 min walking to the beach with very fair prices. As well as amenities like a rooftop pool, gym, laundry, grilling aera, etc. I LOVE them :)
For your first night I recommend that you eat dinner and watch the sunset at Lido Beach Club.
Day 5: Spend the day at a beach club or pool club in Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is the perfect place to spend all your time chilling at the beach or poolside. I loved Lido Beach Club. They have live music some days which is really nice. Inti Beach Club is another place I would recommend, even though it's slightly more expensive because it is super comfortable and the food is amazing. You could also check out The Fives Pool. This was my favorite pool in Playa del Carmen. It is on a rooftop and the food is a 10/10.
Note - All of these places have a minimum amount you have to spend on food and drinks when you take a day bed- it's normally around $25 USD a person. If you are a budget traveler this might be a bit pricey, but perfect if you are on vacation or looking to treat yourself to a self-care day.
Day 6: Take a day trip to Akumal
Akumal is another small city on the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s very close to Playa del Carmen and famous for its scuba diving and snorkeling spots. I highly recommend taking a day trip. You should book your tour through the Scuba Shop. It should be around 20$ to take a tour. I prefer to take the tour through the shop because they provide trained guides as well as a locker and showers - all for the same price as doing the tour with other companies that do not provide that. You can enjoy the sun, white sand beaches, and of course the pristine, crystal clear water perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. The best part is swimming with the sea turtles!
If you have a private car to go to Akumal you have to stop and get tacos at El Arbolito - Chacalal!
Day 7: Take a day trip to Cozumel
On day seven take a day trip to the small island of Cozumel. There are plenty of tour guides that can take you, but it is also easy to organize the trip yourself by taking a ferry from Playa del Carmen. Cozumel is small, but full of natural beauty. I recommend renting a scooter and exploring the island for the day. It is so much fun to get lost and discover new beaches, beach clubs and restaurants. Depending on the time of year, you may find more things are closed, so do your research before arriving.
Day 8: Take a day trip to Tulum
Tulum was so much more beautiful than you could imagine and so much more than what your impression may be of it from seeing things on social media. Because of its location at the entrance of the Sian Ka’an Natural Reserve, Tulum was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1987.
The city center itself is colorful and lively, full of taco stands, open-air markets, restaurants, and cafes. It is important to note that the city center is not located near the beach - so be wary of this when booking your accommodation. The city center and the beach are divided by the jungle. In order to get to the beach, you can bike (30 min), walk (one hour), or take a cab/hitchhike (10 min without traffic). I have hitchhiked from the center to the beach before, it is very easy to do (but still be smart and do this at your own risk), plus it’s so much faster than walking. There are also “colectivo” trucks that you can hop on and they can get you close to the beach for just a few pesos.
Outside the city center you can explore the many immaculate white sand beaches, cenotes, and Mayan ruins. Accommodation is a lot cheaper in the city center, but a lot less convenient if you plan to visit the beach or enjoy the nightlife.
I prefer to take a day trip to Tulum because it is a lot cheaper and arguably easier. I also prefer the vibe of Playa Del Carmen a lot more than Tulum. You can hire a private driver from Playa del Carmen that will take you there and pick you up at any time you want. Prices for this can be as affordable as $50 for the day. You can also rent a car, take a bus or take a collectivo. A private car with a driver is the most expensive option but I do think it is worth it for this day trip. When you get to Playa del Carmen ask around for private drivers or I can set you up with one if you send me a message on my contact form!
Tulum’s main beaches are a bit of a contrast from the relatively authentic, Mexican feel that the city center has. Once you leave the center and find yourself at the beach you’ll see that it is lined with lots of high-end hotels, restaurants, and shops. It is still beautiful and natural, and there are no overpowering buildings like is the case in Cancun, but it is definitely a different vibe from the city center. Everything on the “beach side” of Tulum is also very expensive. Prices are comparable to that of NYC or LA. My favorite restaurant in that area is “La Zebra''. That being said, the lush green jungle and crystalline blue waters make it an absolutely beautiful place to spend the day.
Note - If you visit Tulum’s beaches I highly recommend checking out the public beach that is farther away from the “hotel zone”. It is a lot more affordable, less crowded and extremely beautiful.
Day 9: Take a cenote tour or rent a car and go on your own
One of the most incredible parts of the Yucatan Peninsula is the cenotes. The best way to see them is to make a list of the ones you want to visit and go on your own. You could also do a paid tour, or take a colectivo. If you take a colectivo I recommend that you know at least conversational Spanish so you can communicate with your driver and not get lost.
You could also rent a car for the day and go exploring! Search for Gran Cenote and Cenote Escondido, but there are so many more! You can even find cenotes that are off the beaten track and that few tourists know.
You will still be based out of Playa Del Carmen, which is a perfect place to leave from to visit cenotes. You will be right in the middle of them all, so no matter which way you turn out of the city, you’ll be sure to find what you’re looking for.
For dinner, on this night I HIGHLY recommend eating at Osteria De Roma. It is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the WORLD - and that’s coming from someone who lived in Italy! I recommend you make reservations and feel free to reach out if you would like me to connect you with the owner so you can.
Day 10: Eat breakfast at Cuerva Del Chango and head to the Cancun airport to fly home
On your last day, you can’t miss breakfast at Cuerva del Chango before heading back to the Cancun airport to fly home. You can easily pre-book a shuttle to the airport, or a taxi since they are around the same price. The shuttle to the airport will be cheaper than the shuttle from the airport.
Let me know if you have any questions and follow me on social media for more tips about traveling in Mexico!