Tour overview

This 15-day small-group journey is a classic crossing of Mexico, from the capital through the colonial highlands and the forests of Chiapas to the Maya cities of the Yucatán. Groups have between 4 and 16 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader throughout. You stay fourteen nights in hotels of typically three-star standard, mixing colonial and modern properties, often in historic centres, such as the Hotel Colonial in Puebla and the Diego Mazariegos in San Cristóbal. All breakfasts are included, with five lunches and a welcome dinner.

In Mexico City you visit Coyoacán and Frida Kahlo's Blue House, cruise the canals of Xochimilco, climb among the pyramids of Teotihuacán and explore the historic centre. Before leaving, you visit the Museum of Anthropology, with its remarkable collection of pre-Hispanic treasures, then head to Puebla, a UNESCO World Heritage city of colonial architecture and tiled facades.

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In Oaxaca you explore the hilltop Zapotec city of Monte Albán and the woodcarvers of San Antonio Arrazola, and join a hands-on cooking class in Mexico's most celebrated culinary region. Teotitlán del Valle, famous for its rugs, and a mezcal tasting lead south to Tehuantepec, then up into the highlands of Chiapas for a free day in San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Leaving early for the jungle, you visit the Roberto Barrios waterfalls and the Maya city of Palenque, among the most impressive ruins in Mexico. In the Yucatán you explore Uxmal, enjoy a traditional lunch, visit the yellow town of Izamal and swim in the Yokdzonot cenote. Spending the night near Chichén Itzá lets you visit early before the trip ends in Cancún.

The physical rating is low, with some long drives. This trip suits travellers who want a broad, good-value introduction to Mexico's history, culture and food. Your leader handles every detail, and free time in Oaxaca and San Cristóbal lets you explore markets, cafés and churches at your own pace. The varied landscapes, from highland pine forests to tropical jungle and limestone plains, keep every day different.

Trip highlights

  • Frida Kahlo's house and Xochimilco (Day 2)
  • Teotihuacán and the Museum of Anthropology (Days 3–4)
  • Monte Albán and a cooking class in Oaxaca (Days 6–7)
  • A free day in San Cristóbal (Day 10)
  • Palenque and the Roberto Barrios waterfalls (Days 11–12)
  • Uxmal, a cenote swim and Chichén Itzá (Days 13–15)

Your route

15 stops from Mexico City to Cancún

15-day route: Mexico City – Puebla – Oaxaca – San Cristóbal – Palenque – Mérida – Chichén Itzá – Cancún
  1. Mexico City Days 1–3
  2. Teotihuacán Day 3
  3. Puebla Day 4
  4. Oaxaca Days 5–7
  5. Monte Albán Day 6
  6. Teotitlán del Valle Day 8
  7. Tehuantepec Day 8
  8. San Cristóbal de las Casas Days 9–10
  9. Palenque Day 11
  10. Campeche Day 12
  11. Uxmal Day 13
  12. Mérida Day 13
  13. Izamal Day 14
  14. Chichén Itzá Day 14
  15. Cancún Day 15

Why choose this tour

Mexico's highlights from the capital to the Caribbean in two weeks. Great value, with a cooking class and cenote swim included.

Best suited to

  • First-time visitors to Mexico
  • Travellers on a budget
  • Solo travellers looking for a group
  • Food and history lovers
A temple at Palenque

Day-by-day itinerary

15 days from Mexico City, Mexico to Cancún, Mexico

  1. Day 1 · Mexico City Arrive in Mexico City

    Arrive in the capital.

    Hotel
    Hampton Inn & Suites or similar
  2. Day 2 · Coyoacán, Xochimilco Coyoacán and Xochimilco

    Frida Kahlo's house and the canals.

    Hotel
    Hampton Inn & Suites or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Teotihuacán, Mexico City Teotihuacán

    The pyramids and the historic centre.

    Hotel
    Hampton Inn & Suites or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Museum of Anthropology, Puebla Museum of Anthropology to Puebla

    Visit the museum, then Puebla.

    Hotel
    Hotel Colonial Puebla or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Puebla, Oaxaca Puebla to Oaxaca

    A city tour of Puebla, then Oaxaca.

    Hotel
    Casa Conzatti or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Monte Albán, San Antonio Arrazola Monte Albán

    The Zapotec city and woodcarvers.

    Hotel
    Casa Conzatti or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Oaxaca Cooking class

    A hands-on cooking class.

    Hotel
    Casa Conzatti or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  8. Day 8 · Teotitlán del Valle, Tehuantepec To Tehuantepec

    A weaving village and mezcal tasting.

    Hotel
    Misión San José or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · San Cristóbal de las Casas To San Cristóbal

    Drive into the highlands of Chiapas.

    Hotel
    Hotel Diego Mazariegos or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · San Cristóbal de las Casas Free day in San Cristóbal

    Explore at your own pace.

    Hotel
    Hotel Diego Mazariegos or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Roberto Barrios, Palenque To Palenque

    Visit the waterfalls on the way to Palenque.

    Hotel
    Hotel La Aldea del Halach Huinic or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Palenque, Campeche Palenque to Campeche

    Explore the ruins of Palenque.

    Hotel
    Hotel Castelmar or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Uxmal, Mérida Uxmal to Mérida

    Visit Uxmal and enjoy a traditional lunch.

    Hotel
    Hotel Caribe or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  14. Day 14 · Izamal, Yokdzonot, Chichén Itzá Izamal and a cenote

    Visit Izamal and swim in a cenote.

    Hotel
    Hotel Puerta Chichén or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  15. Day 15 · Chichén Itzá, Cancún Chichén Itzá

    An early visit, ending in Cancún.

    Meals
    Breakfast
A colonial church in San Cristóbal de las Casas

Where you stay

  • Mexico City (3 nights) Hampton Inn & Suites or similar
  • Puebla (1 night) Hotel Colonial Puebla or similar
  • Oaxaca (3 nights) Casa Conzatti or similar
  • Tehuantepec (1 night) Misión San José or similar
  • San Cristóbal (2 nights) Hotel Diego Mazariegos or similar
  • Palenque (1 night) Hotel La Aldea del Halach Huinic or similar
  • Campeche (1 night) Hotel Castelmar or similar
  • Mérida (1 night) Hotel Caribe or similar
  • Chichén Itzá (1 night) Hotel Puerta Chichén or similar

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 14 nights in hotels
  • Meals 14 breakfasts and 2 lunches
  • All transport between stops
  • Coyoacán, Frida Kahlo's house and Xochimilco
  • Teotihuacán, the Museum of Anthropology and Puebla
  • Monte Albán, a cooking class and a mezcal tasting
  • Palenque, Uxmal, a cenote swim and Chichén Itzá
  • Tour leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights to Mexico City and from Cancún
  • Meals not included 11 lunches and 14 dinners
  • Optional activities
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
A clear cenote in the Yucatán

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You dislike long drives — some days are long
  • You want luxury — hotels are around three-star
  • You want a beach holiday — this is a touring trip
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–15 · Lunch: Days 7 and 13 · Dinner: none included
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Mexico
The Pyramid of the Magician at Uxmal

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £3,920 per person, twin share, tour only. 22 upcoming departures. Single travellers from £4,623 (single supplement from £704).

Offer Reduced prices on selected dates, shown with the regular price crossed out. Book by 16 Oct.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

How long are the drives?

Some days involve several hours on the road, broken up with stops.

Is the cooking class included?

Yes, in Oaxaca on Day 7.

Do I need a visa?

UK visitors do not need a visa for Mexico for a holiday stay.

Is there a Day of the Dead version?

Yes, a 16-day departure runs around the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca.

Which meals are included?

All breakfasts, five lunches and one dinner.

How many people travel together?

Between 4 and 16 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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