8 days in Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary

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.

Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Sat): identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas, then push the limits with an extreme tour, and then indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas.

To see traveler tips, maps, and tourist information, use the Cancun trip planner.

Toronto, Canada to Cancun is an approximately 7-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Expect much hotter temperatures when traveling from Toronto in December; daily highs in Cancun reach 32°C and lows reach 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Sun) to allow time to take a shuttle to Playa del Carmen.

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

Kick off your visit on the 4th (Sun): explore the fascinating underground world of Cenote Chaak Tun, then find your balance on the water with some of the best stand-up paddleboarding in the area, then cross one thing off your bucket list with a skydiving experience, and finally explore the world behind art at 3D Museum of Wonders. Here are some ideas for day two: pause for some serene contemplation at Nuestra Senora del Carmen Catholic Church, then find something for the whole family at Xcaret, and then stroll through Parque Los Fundadores.

For reviews, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Playa del Carmen trip site.

Traveling by car from Cancun to Playa del Carmen takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or drive; or take a bus. In December, daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen can reach 31°C, while at night they dip to 23°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 6th (Tue) so you can ride a ferry to Cozumel.

Thanks to the island's outstanding scuba diving and snorkeling options, Cozumel tourism sector remains a major employer and the main source of income for this Caribbean getaway.

Start off your visit on the 6th (Tue): see what you can catch with a fishing tour, get outside with Paradise Beach Cozumel, then relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, and finally admire the masterpieces at Galo Art Studio Cozumel Art.

To plan Cozumel vacation without wasting time, ask Klarna Trips to design an itinerary.

Traveling by ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel takes 1.5 hours. In December, plan for daily highs up to 31°C, and evening lows to 23°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Wed) early enough to 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.

Start off your visit on the 7th (Wed): don't miss a visit to Tulum Tower, delve into the distant past at Tulum Archaeological Site, then kick back and relax at Mayan Beach, and finally relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 8th (Thu): have unforgettable encounters with a shark diving experience, tour the pleasant surroundings at Two Eyes Cenote, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Akumal Monkey Sanctuary & Rescued Animals, and finally explore the activities along Casa Cenote.

For more things to do, ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, go to the Tulum trip planner.

You can do a combination of ferry and car from Cozumel to Tulum in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus. December in Tulum sees daily highs of 31°C and lows of 23°C at night. You will have some time to spend on the 9th (Fri) before leaving for Chichen Itza.

Featuring the largest archeological site of the ancient Mayan civilization, Chichen Itza remains one of the most visited tourist destinations in Mexico.

On the 9th (Fri), delve into the distant past at Chichen Itza and then delve into the distant past at Plataforma de Venus.

To see reviews, more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, refer to the Chichen Itza trip itinerary planning website.

Take a shuttle from Tulum to Chichen Itza in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Tulum in December, Chichen Itza is a bit warmer at night with lows of 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 10th (Sat) to allow time for travel back home.