5 Days in the Yucatán - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Mexico Culture & Nature Escape: Mérida & the Yucatán

Immerse yourself in Mexico's rich history, culture, and fascinating landscapes on this five-day escape exploring the highlights of the Yucatán. Ideal for history buffs and nature lovers who prefer being based in one location, you'll unpack your bags in Mérida and head out on day trips to explore Chichén Itzá, the Ría Lagartos Reserve, and the impressive archaeological site of Mayapan.

Welcome to Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula! After landing in Mérida and transferring to your hotel, you'll kick off your adventure with an exciting evening of self-guided discovery. Head to Plaza Grande to admire the storied Mérida Cathedral and sample street food, then wander down the Paseo de Montejo and take in impressive mansions. The following morning, you'll leave the city behind and travel east to the famous Chichén Itzá–one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Spend the morning learning about this pre-Columbian Maya city before transferring to Yokdzonont for a refreshing swim in a beautiful lagoon.

Another day trip awaits you on Day 3. You'll transfer north to the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve. Here you'll have the opportunity to boat past pink flamingoes in the reserve and delight in a Maya mud bath before continuing to Yaxunah to learn about traditional maíz (corn) production. The following day, the excitement continues during a visit to Tekit, a classic Yucatecan town, and Mayapan, an archaeological site known for its grand pyramids and palaces. Then, enjoy one last morning in Mérida until it's time to transfer to the airport to catch your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Maya Culture Tour in Mexico's Yucatán

Crafted especially for those looking to discover Mexico's rich history, this culture tour allows you to delve into the region's past during numerous guided tours. Start with a full-day Mérida city and street food tour, learn about Chichén Itzá storied past, and visit Yaxunah to learn about traditional agricultural practices. Throughout the trip, you'll also be introduced to Yucatán's natural beauty at the Celestun Biosphere Reserve and in Yokdzonot.

Your five-day trip begins in Mérida, Yucatán's capital city and the perfect place to base yourself to experience the region's colorful culture and rich history. Enjoy a relaxing evening as you'll embark on a full-day city excursion the following day. Start on a walking tour of Centro Histórico, then continue to Plaza Grande and along Paseo Montejo. End your day sampling street food, including traditional dishes like gorditas (fried tortillas with various fillings), salbutes (deep-fried tortillas with avocado and shredded chicken), and tamales (dough with various fillings steamed in corn husks or banana leaves).

Next on the agenda is a day trip to the archaeological site of Chichén Itzá, where you'll discover secrets of the ancient Maya world and admire the magnificent Kukulkán (El Castillo) pyramid. Then, transfer to Yaxunah for an afternoon learning about maíz (corn) production before ending your day in Yokdzonot, soaking in the jade waters of the village's cenote (limestone sinkhole). On your last full day, head out to Celestun Biosphere Reserve, a wetland sanctuary famous for its abundant flamingo population. All too soon, Day 5 has arrived, and it's time to catch your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Maya Culture Tour in Mexico's Valladolid & Mérida

Discover Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula's rich culture and history on this tour of Valladolid and Mérida. Perfect for history buffs and off-the-beaten-path adventure seekers, this itinerary combines visits to famous archaeological sites like Chichén Itzá and Ek' Balam with unique local experiences such as a chocolate tour in Uxmal and a bike ride to a cenote.

Your culture-focused trip begins in the buzzing city of Cancún, where you'll meet your driver and immediately hit the road to Valladolid. Refresh at your hotel, then join a local expert for an insightful walking tour, complete with stops at the 16th-century San Servacio Church and along the colorful street of Calzada de Los Frailes. Next, embark on a day trip to Ek' Balam to admire its ancient ruins and ride a bike along the sacbé (white road) to Cenote X'Canché, a limestone sinkhole, before ending your day back in Valladolid, sampling traditional dishes at Parque Francisco Cantón.

On the morning of Day 3, you'll transfer to Mérida, stopping along the way to join a guided hike in the Maya community of Yalcobá and explore the iconic Chichén Itzá. Spend the rest of the evening enjoying the nightlife along Paseo de Montejo, but be sure to get a good night's sleep as the following day, you'll head out on a day trip to Uxmal to admire its ancient carvings and visit the nearby Choco-Story to learn the history of the cacao crop. Then, after a leisurely morning, it'll be time to bid farewell to Mexico and catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Jungle & Culture Tour in Mexico's Maya Land

Split your time between stays in Valladolid and Tulum and discover the Yucatán Peninsula's rich culture and stunning landscapes on this adventure in Mexico. Perfect for history enthusiasts and nature lovers, this itinerary includes visits to ancient Maya ruins at Ek' Balam and Cobá, a guided hike in the jungle to spot spider monkeys, and a chance to swim in a cenote. With a blend of cultural immersion in Valladolid and Tulum and an adventurous excursion to Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, this tour offers a compelling mix of Mexico's best.

Upon arriving in Cancún, you'll wave goodbye to the resort town and continue to Valladolid, a charming colonial city and one of Mexico's celebrated Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns). Here, you'll settle into your hotel and spend the rest of the evening on a guided walking tour of the Parque Francisco Cantón and the Calzada de Los Frailes. Meet back up with your driver the following morning and head to the archaeological site of Ek' Balam to admire its ruins, then hop on a bike and ride to Cenote X'Canché for a swim and to learn how to make tortillas by hand in a nearby village.

After breakfast on Day 3, it's time to pick up a rental car and drive south to Tulum, stopping along the way at Cobá, the ruins of an ancient Maya city, and the Punta Laguna Nature Reserve for a hike through the jungle and a refreshing swim in a cenote. Next, embark on a day trip to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve to delight in a boat ride through a mangrove channel and a refreshing dip in the Chunyaxche Lagoon. Then, your fifth and final day is reserved for a leisurely morning in Tulum before driving back to Cancún to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Mexico's Yucatán in a Nutshell Tour

Uncover the ancient ruins, pristine beaches, and crystal clear waters of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula on this five-day tour, packed with unique adventures. Starting in Puerto Morelos, you'll snorkel in the National Reef Park before exploring the Maya ruins in Tulum. From there, you'll journey to Valladolid, discover the nearby Ek' Balam archaeological site, and delight in a refreshing dip in Cenote X'Canché.

After arriving in Cancún and transferring 30 minutes down the coast to Puerto Morelos, you'll dust off any jet lag while exploring the village at your leisure and relaxing on the beach. Settled in, you'll get straight to the action the following day, starting with a snorkeling tour in National Reef Park, where you'll have the chance to see octopus, starfish, turtles, rays, and more. Those who prefer diving can also opt for a tour led by a certified guide and discover the incredible sealife surrounding the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. 

Your journey continues south to Tulum, a resort town on the Caribbean coast famous for its Maya ruins. After checking into the hotel, enlist the help of a local guide and visit El Castillo, a stone fortress overlooking the sea, before spending the rest of the afternoon swimming at Playa Ruinas. From Tulum, venture inland to Valladolid and spend your last full day wandering the archaeological site of Ek' Balam and biking to the Cenote X'Canché for a swim. Then, as you wake on Day 5, it's time to transfer back to Cancún and catch your flight home. Learn more

More Great 5-Day Mexico Itineraries

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