1 Week in the Yucatán - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Escape to Chichén Itzá & Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula

Discover the cultural richness of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula on this seven-day tour that takes you from the colonial city of Valladolid to the ancient Maya ruins at Chichén Itzá and the stunning cenotes of Yalcobá. Perfect for history enthusiasts and foodies looking for a quick but well-rounded trip, this itinerary includes a street food tour in Mérida, a visit to the Gastronomy Museum, and a chance to learn about traditional Maya cuisine.

Welcome to Mexico! Your adventure begins with a transfer from Cancún to Valladolid, one of the country's celebrated Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns). Get your bearings while joining a guide on a city tour, complete with stops at the San Servacio Church and the colorful Calzada de Los Frailes. Then, spend the following day admiring Ek' Balam, a Maya city dating back to the 10th century, and biking to Cenote X'Canché, a limestone sinkhole, for a refreshing dip. Before packing your bags and leaving Valladolid, you'll visit the Maya community of Yalcobá to join handicraft and gastronomic workshops.

Next on your agenda is a visit to Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and home to the impressive pyramid of Kukulkán (El Castillo), and an overnight stay in Izamal, the famous yellow city of the Yucatán. Then, continue to Mérida and spend the day strolling around the Centro Histórico, checking out the mansions along Paseo de Montejo, and enjoying a culinary experience at the Museum of Yucatecan Gastronomy. Your last full day will be spent indulging in a delicious street food tour followed by a free afternoon to join a tequila and mezcal tour or swim at the Cenotes Hacienda Mucuyché. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Discover Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula: Valladolid & Mérida

Delve into the rich history and culture of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula on this immersive weeklong tour. Crafted especially for those eager to learn about the ancient Maya history of the region, you'll use Valladolid and Mérida as a base to explore Ek' Balam, tour Uxmal, and learn about the history of cacao production at Choco-Story. There's also time set aside to visit Chichén Itzá and Izamal and join a flavor-packed culinary adventure in Mérida's Centro Histórico.

After arriving in Cancún and meeting your driver at the airport, you'll leave behind the buzzy resort town and transfer to Valladolid. Get right to the sightseeing with a guided walking tour of the city's historic landmarks, including San Servacio Church and the Convent of San Bernardino de Siena, followed by a day trip to Ek' Balam to admire the ruins of this ancient Maya city. Following an evening on your own, you'll be ready for another day trip, this time to Yaxunah. Here, you'll learn all about maíz (corn) production and head to the Lol-Ha cenote for a refreshing swim.

As you wake on Day 4, it'll be time to pack your bags and transfer to Mérida, the capital of Mexico's Yucatán region. En route, stop by Chichén Itzá for a two-hour tour of the pyramid of Kukulkán and at Izamal for a guided exploration of the ancient town's cobblestone streets. Once in Mérida, you'll indulge in a three-hour culinary adventure from Plaza Grande through the Centro Histórico. Then, enjoy a day trip to Uxmal to admire its sixth-century structures and learn about the history and production of cacao at the Choco-Story before transferring back to Cancún for your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Insider's Yucatán: Yaxunah, Valladolid & Mérida

Experience Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula like a local on this nature and culture-filled seven-day tour. Starting in Yaxunah, you'll immerse yourself in hammock-weaving workshops and cenote swims before heading to Valladolid to explore the ancient ruins of Ek' Balam. Throughout the tour, you'll also have time to wander Mérida on your own, dive into the clear waters of the Yokdzonot cenote, and visit the unspoiled nature of the Celestun Biosphere Reserve.

Upon landing in Mérida, you'll be whisked from the airport to the thriving Maya village of Yaxunah, where you'll spend your first day at the Káabal Kuxtal workshop learning the craft of hammock making. After a relaxing evening, you'll be ready for more cultural immersion, this time during a visit to a milpa field to learn about this ancient farming method. Then, enjoy a dip in the Lol-Ha cenote before transferring to Valladolid for an evening savoring traditional Yucatecan dishes. With one more day based in Valladolid, you'll tour Ek' Balam and visit a local community for an embroidery and tortilla-making experience.

Next, discover the archaeological site of Chichén Itzá and the tranquil Yokdzonot cenote before transferring back to Mérida for an evening strolling Centro Histórico and indulging in traditional Yucatecan cuisine. Over the following two days, you'll delve into the incredible natural wonders near Mérida. Start with a memorable diving excursion in a local cenote, then head to Celestun Biosphere Reserve for a thrilling boat trip along the Río Esperanza in search of flamingoes, parrots, and pelicans. Finally, enjoy one last morning in Mérida until it's time to catch your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Yucatán History, Culture & Natural Treasures

Adding Tulum to this self-drive itinerary, you'll split your time between its nearby wildlife-filled forests and jungles and Valladolid's historical and cultural wonders. Throughout the tour, you'll get a thorough introduction to life in the Yucatán while visiting the peaceful Yokdzonot Cenote and joining a cooking class at a local's home. Then, discover the mangrove forests of Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and end your stay ziplining, snorkeling, and cliff jumping at Parque Tankah.

After picking up your rental car in Cancún, you'll hit the road to Valladolid, check into your hotel for three nights, and treat your travel legs to a walking tour of Valladolid's historical center. The following day will be spent sightseeing, including a  visit to the archaeological site of Ek' Balam, biking to a beautiful cenote for a refreshing swim, and enjoying a lunch of regional food. Then, head out on another exciting day trip the next morning, this time to the famous Chichén Itzá, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by a swim in the Yokdzonot Cenote, which has remained off the main tourist path.

Your journey then takes you to Tulum, your base for your last four days. Spend your first afternoon in a local chef's kitchen, learning to cook an authentic Mexican meal; then, discover the picturesque lagoons and mangroves of Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve by boat. A guided tour of the Tulum ruins awaits you next, followed by an exciting visit to Parque Tankah, an adventure park featuring cenotes, ziplines, lagoons, snorkeling, canoes, and cliff jumps. Somehow, your week in the Yucatán is already ending, and it'll be time to transfer to Cancún to catch your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Self-Drive Adventure on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula: Valladolid & El Cuyo

Perfect for those who prefer the freedom of a self-drive tour, this road trip features the charming colonial city of Valladolid and the coastal village of El Cuyo. Between a tour of Ek' Balam, a stop by Chichén Itzá, a visit to the small village of Nuevo Durango, and a boat ride through the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, you'll experience firsthand how nature and culture in the Yucatán Peninsula intertwine. Plus, you'll no doubt feel refreshed and rejuvenated after a free day in El Cuyo, relaxing on the beach and kitesurfing.

Your self-drive adventure in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula begins in Cancún, where you'll pick up your rental car and drive to the charming colonial city of Valladolid. After enjoying an evening touring the city's highlights, you'll spend the following day admiring the ancient Maya ruins at Ek' Balam, biking to the beautiful Cenote X'Canché for a refreshing swim, and indulging in a traditional Yucatecan lunch in Yalcobá. More fantastic sightseeing is on the itinerary on Day 3, this time at the famous Chichén Itzá to admire the pyramid of Kukulkán, followed by a visit to the maize production center of Yaxunah.

Next, hop back in your rental car and spend a day discovering Cobá's ancient Maya city ruins and learning about village life alongside a friendly local in Nuevo Durango. After an evening back in Valladolid, your self-drive trip continues to El Cuyo, where you'll base yourself for your final two nights. Here, you'll take a boat tour of the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, known for its flamingo population and beautiful salt ponds of Las Coloradas, and end your stay relaxing on the beach and getting an adrenaline kick while kitesurfing before catching your flight home from Cancún. Learn more

More Great 1-Week Mexico Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Mexico? Check out these other one-week Mexico itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.