2 Weeks in Mexico: The Complete Itinerary

Two weeks is the right amount of time for a thorough Mexico trip. With 14 days, you can cover Mexico City, the colonial and indigenous south (Oaxaca and Chiapas), and the Yucatán Peninsula without feeling hurried. Use flights rather than overland travel for the big jumps.

Days 1–3: Mexico City

Arrive CDMX. Three days covers the main areas without overloading.

Day 1: Roma Norte, Condesa, and Chapultepec. Walk Parque México, visit the Museo Nacional de Antropología (allow 3–4 hours; focus on the Aztec and Maya halls). Evening in Roma Norte.

Day 2: Centro Histórico — Zócalo, Metropolitan Cathedral, and Templo Mayor ruins. Afternoon at the Palacio de Bellas Artes (exterior and murals by Rivera and Orozco). Evening at Mercado de Medellín (international food market) or dinner in Polanco.

Day 3: Xochimilco (canal trip by trajinera, book in advance on weekends), afternoon in Coyoacán (Frida Kahlo Museum). Evening in the city.

Day 4: Teotihuacán day trip

Early departure for the pyramids (bus from Terminal Norte from 6am). Arrive at opening (8am), climb the Pyramid of the Sun before the heat and crowds build. Return by midday; afternoon is a light CDMX day. Evening flight to Oaxaca.

Days 5–7: Oaxaca City

Three nights in Oaxaca, based in the historic centre.

Day 5: Arrive and orient. Walk the Andador Turístico, visit Mercado 20 de Noviembre and its covered meat-grilling section. Evening at a mezcalería.

Day 6: Monte Albán in the morning (bus at 8am, back by noon). Afternoon free for the market streets, the Museo Textil de Oaxaca (textile traditions of the state’s many indigenous communities), and dinner with mole negro.

Day 7: Day trip to the Tlacolula Valley — mezcal distilleries at Santiago Matatlán, Zapotec ruins at Mitla, and Hierve el Agua (petrified waterfall formations). Most tour operators in Oaxaca offer this circuit (~MXN 400–600 per person including transport).

Days 8–9: San Cristóbal de las Casas (Chiapas)

Fly Oaxaca → Tuxtla Gutiérrez or take overnight bus (10 hours, if you want the route). From Tuxtla, 1.5 hours by bus to San Cristóbal.

Day 8: Arrive, walk the historic centre. Markets, the Na Bolom museum, and evening on Real de Guadalupe.

Day 9: Day trip to Cañón del Sumidero (via Tuxtla Gutiérrez, boat through the 1,000m-deep canyon). Or: village visits to San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán for indigenous Tzotzil culture (combined tour from San Cristóbal, ~MXN 350).

Day 10: Palenque

Bus from San Cristóbal to Palenque (3.5 hours). Visit the archaeological zone — the Temple of the Inscriptions (Pakal’s tomb), the Palace, and the Group of the Cross. Return to the town. Stay overnight.

Days 11–13: Yucatán Peninsula

Fly from Villahermosa (1 hour from Palenque) to Mérida, or take overnight bus. Base in Mérida.

Day 11: Arrive Mérida. Centro histórico, Paseo de Montejo, Palacio Municipal murals.

Day 12: Uxmal ruins (1 hour, go early) — the Pyramid of the Magician and Governor’s Palace. Evening sound-and-light show.

Day 13: Chichén Itzá (2 hours by bus, depart 7am, arrive early) + lunch in Valladolid on return. Back in Mérida by evening.

Day 14: Tulum and departure

Bus or colectivo from Mérida to Cancún (4 hours), with a stop in Tulum (2 hours from Cancún). Swim at Tulum beach or visit the clifftop ruins before the bus south. Fly home from Cancún.

Practical notes

• Total flights: CDMX → Oaxaca; Oaxaca → Tuxtla; Villahermosa → Mérida (3 internal flights).
• Budget: mid-range (guesthouses, local restaurants) ~USD 80–120/day per person excluding flights.
• Flexibility: Chiapas (days 8–10) can be dropped if Yucatán-only is the preference; substitute with a cenote circuit day from Mérida.