14 days in Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary

The tourist hub of the popular Mayan Riviera, upscale Playa del Carmen remains the jewel of Mexico's Caribbean coastline.

To see where to stay, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Playa del Carmen trip planner.

La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica to Playa del Carmen is an approximately 5.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of taxi, bus, and ferry. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from La Fortuna de San Carlos to Playa del Carmen. In March, daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen can reach 32°C, while at night they dip to 22°C. On the 31st (Fri), you'll travel to Tulum.

The only Mayan site built to overlook the ocean, Tulum remains a coastal paradise preserving the last vestiges of a pre-Hispanic civilization.

On the 1st (Sat), see the vivid underwater world at Two Eyes Cenote, explore the ancient world of Tulum Archaeological Site, and then kick back and relax at Paradise Beach.

For traveler tips, reviews, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Tulum road trip planning site.

Traveling by car from Playa del Carmen to Tulum takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 32°C in March, and nighttime lows around 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Sat) early enough to drive to Bacalar.

Bacalar is the municipal seat and largest city in Bacalar Municipality (until 2011 a part of Othón P. Blanco Municipality) in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, about 40km north of Chetumal, at 18° 40' 37" N, 88° 23' 43" W. In the 2010 census the city had a population of 11,084 people. On the 2nd (Sun), contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Bacalar, then explore the striking landscape at Stromatolites in Bacalar Rapids, and then get engrossed in the history at Fuerte San Felipe Bacalar.

For photos, ratings, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Bacalar sightseeing planner.

You can drive from Tulum to Bacalar in 2.5 hours. Other options are to take a shuttle; or take a bus. While traveling from Tulum, expect somewhat warmer days and about the same nights in Bacalar, ranging from highs of 39°C to lows of 28°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Mon) so you can drive to Merida.

Yucatan's busy capital, Merida remains a mid-sized urban center offering an impressive list of cultural activities, eclectic nightlife, and a chance to see tropical examples of French and Italian architecture.

Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Mon): explore the ancient world of Dzibilchaltún, then take a tour by water with Yucatan Snook, then steep yourself in history at Palacio de Gobierno del Estado de Yucátan, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Cathedral de Merida. Here are some ideas for day two: explore the fascinating underground world of Cenotes Cuzama, then explore the ancient world of Mayapan Archaeological Zone, and then admire the striking features of Plaza Grande.

For where to stay, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, use the Merida road trip tool.

You can drive from Bacalar to Merida in 4.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Traveling from Bacalar in April, you will find days in Merida are a bit warmer (43°C), and nights are about the same (26°C). Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Valladolid.

One of the gateways to the ruins of Chichen Itza, Valladolid boasts plenty of historic charm and offers a range of tourist-oriented services that ensure pleasant holidays in this area.

Start off your visit on the 5th (Wed): take in the dramatic natural features at Cenote Zaci, delve into the distant past at Ek Balam, and then explore the fascinating underground world of Cenote Xkeken. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: make a trip to Palacio Municipal, delve into the distant past at Chichen Itza, then contemplate the waterfront views at Cenote Samula, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Convent of San Bernardino of Siena, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Iglesia De San Servacio.

To see photos, more things to do, maps, and more tourist information, use the Valladolid online journey maker.

Traveling by car from Merida to Valladolid takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. When traveling from Merida in April, plan for a bit cooler days in Valladolid, with highs around 39°C, while nights are somewhat warmer with lows around 30°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Fri) to allow time to take a shuttle to Holbox Island.

Visiting Playa Punta Cocos and Punta Mosquito will get you outdoors.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, reviews, and tourist information, read Holbox Island road trip planning app.

You can take a shuttle from Valladolid to Holbox Island in 2 hours. Another option is to do a combination of bus and ferry. Expect slightly colder temperatures when traveling from Valladolid in April; daily highs in Holbox Island reach 34°C and lows reach 27°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Sun) to allow time to do a combination of to Cancun.

Few destinations in Mexico dazzle visitors quite like Cancun, a modern resort town filled with glitzy hotels sitting on picturesque and well-developed Caribbean beaches.

Start off your visit on the 10th (Mon): take a tour by water with Boat Tours & Water Sports, then explore the ancient world of Zona Arqueologica El Rey, then kick back and relax at Playa Delfines, and finally browse the different shops at La Isla Shopping Village. On the 11th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Parroquia de Cristo Resucitado, then look for gifts at Tattoo Studio Henna, and then kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks.

For where to stay, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Cancun travel site.

Traveling by combination of from Holbox Island to Cancun takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or do a combination of ferry and bus. April in Cancun sees daily highs of 34°C and lows of 27°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Tue) to allow enough time to fly back home.