Location: Mérida
Day 1 - 1 Mar 2022
Mérida International Airport
Content: Start your Yucatán adventure by flying directly into Merida airport! The airport is a really good size and I was able to get some reasonably priced flights. You will likely have to connect via Mexico City airport- I actually love Mexico City and would recommend stopping off there for a few days! There are a few transport options once you reach Merida- there is public buses or taxis, but the quickest, safest and still reasonably priced option is to grab an Uber! Head to your hotel and get checked in.
Nomadas Hostel
Content: I would recommend staying at Nomadas Hostel- it is a chain of popular hostels that always receives high reviews! Dorm rooms are quite affordable, and there is also the option of private rooms.
Mérida
Content: I always think the best way to get to know a new city is to wander around it! Take a walk around beautiful Merida and admire the colourful colonial buildings. I would recommend heading to the Merida sign as it makes a great photo and is the centre of the town. In the square behind it you will often find markets going on or stalls selling different local foods.
Manifesto Barra Cold Brew
Content: Time for a coffee break! Head to Manifesto, which does great coffee and also offers an assortment of different pastries if you are craving a snack.
Mercado 60
Content: For dinner that evening, I would recommend heading to Mercado 60! There is an assortment of different food on offer, with a really fun and chilled atmosphere. It's a great place to meet other like minded people as many travellers gather here. It was also quite reasonably priced!
Pola Gelato Shop
Content: After dinner, treat yourself with a trip to the best ice cream joint in Merida! Pola Gelato Shop is famous for its different flavours and amazing taste. Grab one to go and wander back through the busy, bustling evening streets to your hotel.
Location: Mérida
Day 2 - 2 Mar 2022
Sempere
Content: Start your day with a coffee at Sempere. They also do a wonderful breakfast (I can highly recommend the avocado and the croissants) so make sure you grab something to eat here as you've got a busy day ahead of you!
Santa Barbara
Content: Spend the day visiting your first cenote of the trip! Santa Babara Cenote is one of the most famous cenotes in Yucatán and is located about an hours drive from Merida. You can either get a public bus for around £1, or jump in an Uber for about £20. Your entrance cost covers entry to three different cenotes and also the transport between them- you can either pick to ride in a horse drawn carriage which was an absolutely hilarious experience, or grab a bicycle and cycle between them. Don't forget your swimming costume, as you can swim in all the cenotes! When you purchase your ticket, you have the opportunity to pay a little extra and include a meal at the end of your trip. I would highly recommend this as the food was good and the price also included a drink.
ADO Terminal Alterna Paseo 60
Content: Head back to Merida, and then head to the bus station to get an evening bus to the nearby city of Valladolid. The journey should take around 2 hours, and the best company to go with for comfort is Ado. You can book your tickets easily online and choose a seat to reserve and the buses always have air conditioning which is a must in Mexico!
Location: Valladolid
Day 2 - 2 Mar 2022
Hostel Valladolid 48
Content: When you arrive into Valladolid, I would recommend staying at Hostel Valladolid 48. The hostel has lovely comfortable beds, a swimming pool and is very reasonably priced! It is also very centrally located.
Location: Valladolid
Day 3 - 3 Mar 2022
Burrito amor Valladolid
Content: Start your first day in Valladolid with a coffee at Burrito Amor! It has the loveliest set up in the back with open air ceilings and a very relaxed vibe. You have another busy day today, so I would also recommend getting something off their breakfast menu (the banana bread was wonderful!) or grabbing one of their delicious burritos as an early lunch.
Cenote Zaci
Content: Next, walk to the first cenote of the day- Zaci Cenote! As of February 2022, the actual cenote was under construction so we couldn't actually swim in it but the cenote is so centrally located it's still worth walking over! You can still go out to a viewpoint over the water, and there is also a restaurant to get yourself a drink to cool off.
Location: Suytún
Day 3 - 3 Mar 2022
Suytún
Content: Next, head out to Suytun Cenote! This cenote is also very famous, especially on Instagram, for its amazing walk way through the middle. The cenote is just a short drive from Valladolid- either jump on a public bus, grab a taxi or Uber or rent a scooter! All options are very affordable.
Location: Valladolid
Day 3 - 3 Mar 2022
L'Osteria della Nonna
Content: That evening, take a break on the tacos and head to L'Osteria della Nonna for some gorgeous Italian food! It is a little more expensive than standard food in Mexico but the restaurant is absolutely gorgeous and is a real treat.
Location: Valladolid
Day 4 - 4 Mar 2022
Onza Rooftop Coffee
Content: Start your day early with a coffee and breakfast at Onza Rooftop Coffee- for a treat, I would highly recommend the cheesecake!
Location: Chichén-Itzá
Day 4 - 4 Mar 2022
Chichén-Itzá
Content: Next, head to the infamous Chichén Itzá! The ruins are one of the Seven Wonders of the World and are a must see when in Mexico. Valladolid is one of the closest big places to stay to Chichén Itzá so it is a perfect day trip! You can either join into a group tour (which will often include transport and a tour guide) or organise your trip yourself. I organised it myself, and rented a scooter from Valladolid to drive over. Entrance cost 533 pesos (£19). This is 80 pesos to the state custodian and 453 in tax- bear in mind that the tax can be paid via card but the 80 must be paid in cash! I would recommend giving yourself a few hours to slowly explore the ruins and all the surrounding stalls. I would also advise getting there early to head the crowds and the heat!
Location: Valladolid
Day 4 - 4 Mar 2022
Yakunaj Cocina Mexicana
Content: Head back to Valladolid and have a relaxing dinner at Yakunaj Cocina Mexicana! It is very local and authentic and is affordable but delicious!
ADO Valladolid
Content: Next, head to the bus station to jump on a bus to Chiquila! I would recommend going with ADO again. The bus should take around 2-3 hours and cost £7. Once you arrive into Chiquila, grab a 20 minute ferry across to Holbox Island.
Location: Holbox
Day 4 - 4 Mar 2022
Hostal Holbox
Content: I would recommend booking into Hostal Holbox. It was the cheapest accommodation on the island, but was still a social and fun hostel with free breakfast included! It was also very centrally located, just a few minutes walk from the main square.
Location: Holbox
Day 5 - 5 Mar 2022
Another Clandestino
Content: Start your first day in Holbox with a coffee! I would highly recommend Clandestino Coffee- there are two shops on the island, but my favourite was Another Clandestino which had a lovely outdoor area. Both branches also offer great healthy breakfast options so I would recommend getting something to eat here as well!
Location: Isla Holbox
Day 5 - 5 Mar 2022
Holbox Island
Content: Next, go and do one of the most popular activities on Holbox island...sunbathing! The beaches are amongst some of the beautiful I have ever seen, with clear blue water and white sand. Head to the main beach and spend a few hours just kicking back and relaxing- you deserve it! Don't forget to grab a fresh coconut to really make the experience.
Location: Holbox
Day 5 - 5 Mar 2022
Refugio Holbox Animal Sanctuary
Content: Once you are suitably bronzed and the weather has cooled down a little, head along to Refugio Animal Holbox! This was my absolute favourite thing I did on the island. Refugio takes in disadvantaged and homeless cats and dogs and cares for them, getting them ready to be adopted again! Entrance is free and you can either just go in to hang out with the dogs and cats, or you can take the dogs out for a walk along the beach! It is such a lovely and wholesome activity, I would highly recommend.
Xolos Tacos
Content: Head to Xolos Tacos for some delicious local dinner! There are so many great places to eat on the island and the majority of food was very affordable as well!
Che Holbox Hostel & Bar
Content: Finish your evening with a trip to some of the bars! Start at Che Hostel for one of their famous parties and then move onto the Hot Corner for some music and dancing!
Location: Holbox
Day 6 - 6 Mar 2022
Another Clandestino
Content: As always, start with coffee! Head back to Another Clandestino because it really is the best on the island! Don't forget to try one of their smoothies!
Punta Mosquito
Content: Then get ready to visit the most beautiful beach ever! Mosquito Beach is a bit of a walk to get to but is so worth it. You have the option to get a taxi half way or walk 40 minutes along to the beach. I would actually recommend the walk as it is so beautiful and takes you through lots of palm tree lined streets. Once you get to the edge of the beach, you wade through shallow water to reach Mosquito Beach which is absolutely stunning! Bring some snacks and your book and prepare to spend a few hours here. Oh
Barba Negra
Content: Head back to the centre of Holbox early evening and head to Barba Negra for some truly amazing tacos! The pastor ones were amazing, I would highly recommend.
Holbox Ferry
Content: Next, head back to the port in Holbox and get the ferry back to Chiquila then jump on a bus to Cancun. Again, I would recommend travelling with ADO bus company.
Location: Cancún
Day 6 - 6 Mar 2022
Nomads Hotel, Hostel & Rooftop Pool
Content: Once you arrive in Cancun, I would recommend staying at Nomads Hotel Hostel and Rooftop Pool. I have stayed in Cancun several times now and this is my favourite hostel. It has a really fun and social vibe but the music stops at 12:30 meaning you can also get a good nights sleep. The beds in the dorm rooms also all have curtains and plugs which I love.
Location: Cancún
Day 7 - 7 Mar 2022
Onesto Café
Content: Start your day with a coffee at my favourite cafe in Cancun- Onesto! Coffee is so good and the staff are really lovely. There is also a lovely outdoor seating area, and it is surrounded by other cafes where you can grab something to eat too.
Playa Delfines
Content: Next, head to the beach! Cancun is famous for having gorgeous beaches, and it didn't disappoint. My favourite was Playa Delfines which is also close to the Hotel Zone if you are staying there.
Mercado 28
Content: I always love to visit a market when I am in a new place, and I really enjoyed going around Mercado 28 in Cancun! There is a wide range of different stalls selling everything from tequila to writing books. This is a great way to spend an afternoon.
Taqueria Coapenitos
Content: For dinner, head to Taqueria Coapenitos (if you are staying at Nomad's hostel, it is right opposite!). The tacos are really tasty, especially the chicken ones with lovely sauces and very reasonable prices.
Location: Cancún
Day 8 - 8 Mar 2022
Onesto Café
Content: The next morning, head back to Onesto Cafe for a morning coffee and breakfast and then head to the bus station for a bus to Tulum! I would book with ADO to ensure you've got your seat sorted and I'd recommend getting an early bus as the journey will take around 2 hours.
Location: Tulum
Day 8 - 8 Mar 2022
Arichè Tulum Hotel & Hostel
Content: Once you arrive into Tulum, I would recommend staying at Ariché Hostel- it was really cheap in comparison to other hostels in the area and was so beautifully decorated it felt more like a hotel than a hostel! There was also a pool which is so needed- the weather in Tulum is so hot!
Location: Unknown
Day 8 - 8 Mar 2022
Escultura Ven a la Luz
Content: Spend your first day in Tulum visiting all the spots it is famous for! I would start with the most photographed spot in Tulum- the Ven a la Luz at Ahau Tulum Beach! It is a gorgeous statue that you can pose underneath and snap some really gorgeous photos. There is often a bit of a queue so I would recommend heading here first. It used to be free but they have recently started charging a small amount, and you have 1 minute per person to take photos.
Location: Tulum
Day 8 - 8 Mar 2022
FOLLOW THAT DREAM Sign
Content: Next, head to the 'Follow Your Dream' sign. This is a free sign post on the side of the road and makes for a really gorgeous photo, especially with the palm trees in the background! Again, this spot can get busy as it is so popular and really close to the Ven a la Luz statue so I would try to get there as early as possible.
Tulum Archaeological Zone
Content: Next, head to the Tulum ruins. You can either get a taxi to the ruins or hire a bike and cycle over there. Entry cost 80 pesos (£2.80) though there is the option to pay for a guide which will cost extra. I would try to get here either early in the morning or late in the afternoon to try and avoid the crowds!
Location: Unknown
Day 8 - 8 Mar 2022
Tulum Beach
Content: After exploring the ruins you will definitely need a dip in the sea! Head down to the beach for sunset and enjoy glorious colours in the sky while you swim in the clear water! This will be the perfect way for you to finish your day.
Location: Araguaína
Day 8 - 8 Mar 2022
Sabor De Mel
Content: Next, head to Sabor de Mer for the best shrimp tacos you will ever have! There are two branches in Tulum so pick whichever is closest to you and enjoy!
Location: Tulum
Day 9 - 9 Mar 2022
Ki'bok Coffee Tulum
Content: Start your day with a visit to Ki'bok Coffee! They have really got the perfect Tulum vibes going on- get ready to feel very relaxed and want to stay for hours! I would also recommend getting some breakfast here.
Location: Unknown
Day 9 - 9 Mar 2022
Tulum Beach
Content: Head back to the beach early to beat the crowds, and get some photos with the Instagram famous crooked palm tree! It makes for a really gorgeous shot with the empty beach in the background and sparkling sea.
Location: Tulum
Day 9 - 9 Mar 2022
Holistika
Content: Next, head for a more unknown activity in Tulum and go for a free art walk at Holistika! The walk will take you through their gorgeous gardens, exploring some truly amazing art work. There is a wonderful vegan cafe on site as well to visit afterwards!
Tulum
Content: Next, it is time to head back to the ADO bus station and jump on a bus to Bacalar, which should take around 2.5 to 3 hours.
Location: Bacalar
Day 9 - 9 Mar 2022
Che Bacalar Hostel & Bar
Content: I would recommend staying at Che Hostel in Bacalar- it is in a really good location with a good sized pool and very social vibes! I would note that accommodation in Bacalar seems to get booked up really early and is also quite expensive! So best to get this booked in advance if possible.
La Playita
Content: Check into your hotel and then treat yourself to a nice dinner! La Playita is a gorgeous and very popular restaurant in the centre of Bacalar. You cannot book a table in advance so there is usually a bit of a wait but it is so worth it! The restaurant is right on the waterfront - I would recommend trying to get there for sunset. I'd also highly advise you to get a cocktail, the gin ones were so delicious!
Location: Bacalar
Day 10 - 10 Mar 2022
Bacalar
Content: Start your day very early with some sunrise kayaking! There are lots of different companies in Bacalar that will offer this, and again it tends to get booked up in advance so I would try to make plans early! The experience can be expensive (£30+) but I would say it was so worth it! It was a truly magical and unique way to see Bacalar Lagoon.
Los Rapidos laguna de Bacalar
Content: Next, head to the Bacalar Rapidos! You will need to get a taxi or public transport here as it is about a 30 minute drive. The Rapidos was one of my favourite activities in Bacalar! It is made up on a natural lazy river- you can walk up stream and then float serenely back down. The water is insanely clear and blue, making it such a lovely and relaxing activity. There is also a bar and restaurant there so is the perfect place to grab some dinner and watch the sun go down!
Location: Bacalar
Day 11 - 11 Mar 2022
El Manatí Bacalar
Content: Start your day with a delicious breakfast and coffee at El Manatí! They did some of the best breakfasts I had on the whole trip!
Balneario Ejidal Mágico Bacalar
Content: After eating, head across to Balneario Ejidal Mágico which is another restaurant right on the waterfront. You can pay a small entry and then stay at the waterfront access as long as you like! I walked up the dock and sunbathed there with a cocktail from the bar in hand which was perfect!
Location: Chetumal
Day 11 - 11 Mar 2022
Chetumal International Airport
Content: Then it is sadly time to head back to the airport! Chetumal is the closest airport to Bacalar so make sure you book your flight out of there! There are lots of taxis that you can jump into to get you there. Really hope you have enjoyed this guide to Mexico! Feel free to contact me on @shedot.travels if you have any more questions! 👏🏻