Itinerary Yucatan road trip
12 days in Yucatan: land of Maya
Why visit Yucatan?
If you are wondering what are the reasons to visit the Yucatan by car, read my itinerary about what I think are the main stops of the tour "Yucatan road trip".
A tour of the Yucatan by car will allow you to admire the famous Mexican peninsula characterized by numerous archaeological sites belonging to the Maya people and an uncontaminated nature dominated by the jungle and enriched by the Caribbean Sea where places are hidden wonderful.
December to May is the best time to visit Yucatan.
Yucatan road trip in 12 days
DAY 1
- Cancun
Cancun is the main city of Yucatan, located on the sea and the principal center of tourism, the starting point for any itinerary in the peninsula
DAY 2
- Cancun
Isla Mujeres or Isla Contoy are two interesting islands that can be reached by boat from Cancun with one of the many tours available in the city
DAY 3
- Cancun - Coba (136 Km/82 mi)
Coba is an archaeological site immersed in the jungle which is clearly visible reaching the top of the Nohoch Mul pyramid
- Coba - Dzinup and Samula (71 Km/44 mi)
Dzinup and Samula are two splendid cenotes located a few hundred meters apart and easily accessible
Read my article "Cenotes: Limestone caves in the heart of Yucatan"
- Dzinup and Samula - Rio Lagartos (113 Km/70 mi)
Rio Lagartos is a biosphere reserve of 60000 hectares on the Caribbean Sea, inside it is possible to spot different species of birds and crocodiles
DAY 4
- Rio Lagartos - Las Coloradas (38 Km/23 mi)
Las Coloradas is a lagoon known for its particular pink color a stone's throw from the sea
- Las Coloradas - Valladolid (124 Km/77 mi)
Valladolid is a small colonial city in a strategic position because it is close to several of the major Yucatan attractions
DAY 5
- Valladolid - Ik Kill (40 Km/25 mi)
Ik Kill is the most famous and popular cenote of the Yucatan for its beauty but also for its proximity to the archaeological site of Chichén-Itzá
- Ik Kill - Chichén-Itzá (5,7 Km/3,5 mi)
Chichén-Itzá is the most important Mayan archaeological site and one of the 7 wonders of the world
- Chichén-Itzá - Izamal (70 Km/43 mi)
Izamal is a pretty colonial city that has undergone the influence of several civilizations over time
DAY 6
- Izamal - Merida (67 Km/41 mi)
Merida is a colonial city among the main cities of Yucatan and with an interesting historical center
- Merida - San Francisco de Campeche (184 Km/114 mi)
San Francisco de Campeche is a colonial city considered a World Heritage Site
DAY 7
- San Francisco de Campeche - Edzná (195 Km/121 mi)
Edzná is an important archaeological site called the capital of the Mayan kingdom
- Edzná - Santa Rosa Xtampak (98 Km/61 mi)
Santa Rosa Xtampak is an archaeological site located on a hill that was once inhabited by thousands of people
- Santa Rosa Xtampak - Sayil (69 Km/43 mi)
Sayil is a small Mayan archaeological site
DAY 8
- Sayil - Uxmal (32 Km/20 mi)
Uxmal is one of the best preserved archaeological sites in the yucatan
- Uxmal - Bacalar (318 Km/197 mi)
Bacalar is a pretty fishing village near a lagoon
DAY 9
- Bacalar lagoon
The Bacalar Lagoon is characterized by many colors, it is immersed in an ideal naturalistic context to relax
DAY 10
- Bacalar - Sian Ka'an (178 Km/110 mi)
Sian Ka'an is a biosphere reserve inhabited by different animal species and consists of lagoons, white sand and mangroves
- Sian Ka'an - Tulum (63 Km/39 mi)
Tulum is an archaeological site located on a cliff overlooking the sea
DAY 11
- Tulum - Playa del Carmen (132 Km/82 mi)
Playa del Carmen is a tourist town with beautiful white sand beaches
- Playa del Carmen - Cancun (68 Km/42 mi)
DAY 12
- Cancun
Suggest other interesting stops within this itinerary by commenting the article.
What to do in Yucatan:
- Take a bath in one of the many Cenotes along the way
- Climb the pyramid of Coba and admire the jungle from above
- Immerse yourself in the pink waters of the Las Coloradas lagoon
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