Two weeks in Mexico covers the greatest hits without feeling rushed. This itinerary — refined over multiple trips — hits Mexico City’s museums and ruins, Oaxaca’s culinary culture, and the Yucatan’s Caribbean coast and Mayan sites. It is the best possible introduction to the country.
Overview
Total: 14 days / 13 nights Regions: Mexico City (3 nights) → Oaxaca (3 nights) → Yucatan (7 nights, based in Playa del Carmen) Best time: November through March Budget: $90-200 USD/day per person mid-range (all inclusive of accommodation, food, activities, transport)
Flights
Fly into Mexico City (MEX) and out of Cancun (CUN). This is the most logical routing — no backtracking and you see three distinct regions.
Internal flights: MEX to OAX ($60-100 USD, 1 hour) and OAX to CUN ($100-160 USD, 2.5-4 hours connecting through CDMX or direct). Book 4-6 weeks ahead.
Days 1-3: Mexico City
Day 1 — Arrival and Adjustment
Land at MEX, Uber to Roma Norte or Condesa (35-45 min, ~MXN 280). Your only job today is to arrive. Eat at the nearest taco stand. Walk the neighborhood. Drink water — you are at 2,240 meters altitude.
Day 2 — Teotihuacan
The non-negotiable day trip. Take the Metro to Terminal Norte bus station (Line 5 Norte direction), then the Teotihuacan bus (every 15 min, MXN 40 each way). Arrive when the gates open at 8am. Climb the Pyramid of the Sun. Walk the Avenue of the Dead. Be back in the city by 3pm. Dinner in Condesa.
Day 3 — Museums and Coyoacan
Morning: Museo Nacional de Antropologia in Chapultepec Park. The Aztec Sun Stone and Mayan room alone are worth the MXN 85 entry. Allow 3 hours.
Afternoon: Coyoacan neighborhood. La Casa Azul (Frida Kahlo Museum — book online, sells out) and the cobblestone plaza with food stalls. Dinner at Contramar if you have a reservation, or tacos at El Turix in Polanco.
Days 4-6: Oaxaca City
Fly MEX to OAX early on Day 4. Taxi to Centro Historico (15 min, MXN 200).
Day 4 — Arrival and Mezcal Orientation
Lunch at Mercado 20 de Noviembre — the market where you grill your own meat. Afternoon: mezcal tasting at In Situ Mezcaleria (50+ labels, proper guided tasting). Dinner at La Popular (tlayudas and mole negro).
Day 5 — Monte Alban
Take the colectivo to Monte Alban at 8:30am (MXN 25 each way from Mercado de Abastos). 2-3 hours at the ruins — hire a guide at the entrance (MXN 400). Back in the city by noon. Afternoon: Mercado Benito Juarez and the artisan streets — shop for barro negro pottery, Alebrijes, and textiles.
Day 6 — Hierve el Agua Day Trip
Book a guided day tour that combines Hierve el Agua (petrified waterfalls + swim), Mitla ruins, and a palenque (mezcal distillery) visit. MXN 500-700 per person. Best day in Oaxaca, full stop.
Days 7-13: Yucatan Peninsula (Based in Playa del Carmen)
Fly OAX to CUN (Day 7). ADO bus from the airport to Playa del Carmen (1 hour, MXN 200). Check into Playa del Carmen — your base for 7 nights.
Day 7 — Arrival and 5th Avenue
Easy arrival day. Walk Quinta Avenida. Swim at Playa del Carmen beach. Dinner at La Cueva del Chango.
Day 8 — Tulum Ruins and Gran Cenote
ADO bus to Tulum (1 hour, MXN 120). Arrive at the ruins at 8am. Gran Cenote (2.5km from ruins, MXN 380 + snorkel rental) for midday swim. Beach zone in the afternoon for sunset drinks. Return ADO bus.
Day 9 — Coba Ruins
Colectivo from Tulum bus station to Coba (45 min, MXN 60). Climb Nohoch Mul pyramid. Bicycle through the jungle ruins. Cenote Dos Ojos on the way back (MXN 350). Return to Playa del Carmen.
Day 10 — Chichen Itza
Early ADO bus from Playa del Carmen to Chichen Itza (2.5 hours). Arrive by 9:30am. Hire a guide at the entrance. Allow 2.5 hours at the site. Cenote Ik Kil (3km away) for a post-ruins swim. ADO bus back.
Day 11 — Cozumel
Ferry from Playa del Carmen pier (30 min, MXN 350 roundtrip). Book a 2-tank snorkel tour at the Cozumel pier (Palancar Reef, ~$50 USD). Lunch on the waterfront. Return ferry by 5pm.
Day 12 — Merida Day Trip
ADO bus from Playa del Carmen to Merida (4 hours, MXN 300). See the Paseo de Montejo, the cathedral, and the Zocalo. Lunch: cochinita pibil at a Sunday market or El Trapiche. ADO bus back (possible same-day return).
Alternatively: Akumal (swim with sea turtles, 40 min south), or a beach day at Playa del Carmen.
Day 13 — Final Beach Day
Last day. Swim at Playa del Carmen beach. Shop for final souvenirs on 5th Avenue. Dinner at your favorite restaurant of the trip.
Day 14 — Fly Home
ADO bus from Playa del Carmen to CUN airport (1 hour, MXN 200). Allow 3 hours for international check-in.
Budget Breakdown (Per Person, Mid-Range)
| Category | 14 Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| International flights | $600-900 | MEX in, CUN out |
| Internal flights (MEX-OAX, OAX-CUN) | $200-350 | Book ahead |
| Accommodation (13 nights) | $800-1,500 | Mid-range hotels |
| Food (all meals) | $400-700 | Mix of street food to sit-down |
| Activities and entrance fees | $300-500 | Ruins, cenotes, tours |
| Local transport | $150-250 | Buses, Uber, taxis |
| Total | $2,450-4,200 | Per person |
What Gets Cut from Shorter Trips
10 days: Cut Merida day trip and Cozumel. Extend Playa del Carmen beach days.
7 days: Choose either CDMX + Oaxaca OR Yucatan. Don’t try to do both — you’ll spend too much time in transit.
Booking in Advance
- Frida Kahlo Museum (La Casa Azul): Book 2+ weeks ahead, sells out
- Chichen Itza: No advance booking needed, but go early
- Puerto Vallarta whale watching (Dec-Mar): Book 2-3 days ahead
- Accommodation: Book 4-6 weeks ahead for November-March travel
For our AI-powered trip planner that builds a custom day-by-day itinerary, visit discovermexico.info/plan/.