Foodie Alert!! Visiting Mexico is going to be foodie heaven, you’ve been warned bring your stretchy pants.
Mexico Lindo, meaning Beautiful Mexico! From the landscapes to the people and let’s not forget the cuisine. Mexico is a gem.
Traveling to the known Tulum or Playa del Carmen is nice, any vacation is usually a good vacation but if you want to discover the true Mexico, do yourself a favor and follow this itinerary.
This itinerary will have you exploring beautiful beaches, wandering through romantic cities, eating extraordinary cuisine and learning and living first handedly all about the beautiful Mexican culture.
This one of a kind itinerary and guide will have you planning a second trip to Mexico in no time.
This post is all about Mexico Lindo-The Ultimate Itinerary & Guide.
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MEXICO FUN FACTS
- Official Language: Mexico has no official language but Spanish is the most popular.
- Currency: Mexican Peso
- Population: 127.5 Million
- Capital City: Mexico City
- Major International Airport: With over 100 airports, depends where you’re flying to.
- Best Time to Visit: December-April
- 69 different languages are spoken in Mexico.
- Mexico is home to the world’s largest pyramid called The pyramid of Cholula.
- Mexico is home to Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
- Cinco de Mayo IS NOT Mexico’s Independence Day. The official Independence date is September 16.
- Mexico is the 4th most biodiverse country.
- Chocolate originated in Mexico.
- Mexico is the world’s largest beer exporter.
- Mexican Food is UNESCO approved and declared an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mankind”.
Exploring Mexico Itinerary & Guide
Merida: DAY 1-4
Fly into Mérida International Airport.
From the airport take the bus into town which should run you about $2.50 per person. This will drop you off at the historical center of Merida.
Mérida International Airport to Mérida Center Duration: 20 mins.
Mérida is the state capital of Yucatan and is considered one of the safest cities in all of Mexico.
Centered around the Yucatan Culture allows for some of the most unique and delicious Yucatan meals you’ll ever have.
This colorful capital is the perfect first stop and ideal location for exploring the surrounding sites, including mystical cenotes and famous archeological sites.
THINGS TO DO IN MERIDA
- Take a free walking tour of Merida
- People watch at Plaza Grande
- Vist Palacio del Gobierno “The Government Palace”
- Take a look inside Casa de los Montejo
- Snap a photo of the beautiful Catedral de Mérida – San Ildefonso (considered the oldest cathedral built in Latin America )
- Enjoy Traditional Music Performance at ‘Serenatas En Santa Lucia ( usually held every Thursday at 9pm )
- Hang at the lively La Negrita Cantina
- Sunset Stroll along Paseo de Montejo
- Visit the Local Market Lucas Galvez
- Explore Homun and The Ring of Cenotes
- Go back in Time and Wander Through Cenotes Hacienda Mucuyché
- Birdwatch at Celestun Wildlife Refuge
- Explore The Beautiful Mayan City Of Uxmal
- Walk the Sacred Grounds of Chichén Itzá
Mérida is very walkable and we rarely used a taxi. Taxi’s are easily available and affordable if needed. For day trips I recommend booking a tour or private driver.
WHERE TO EAT IN MERIDA
- La Chaya Maya
- Museo de la Gastronomia Yucateca
- SOCO Mérida
- Los Trompos on Calle 59 #502, Centro Merida
- Nuevo San Fernando Cochinita Y Lechon
- Taqueria La Lupita
- Cheen Cocina Yucateca
- Manjar Blanco
- Catrín
- Micaela Mar & Leña
- Trattoria La Pasta Montejo
- Pizza E Core
- Picheta (Rooftop Drinks)
- Dulcería y Sorbetería Colón
- Paleteria las Rellenas de la 60
Holbox: day 5-8
Isla Holbox ( pronounced hole-bosh ) is an island approximately 26 miles long and 1 mile wide, located in Quintana Roo State.
This rustic tropical island is the perfect stop for relaxation and slow paced living. Crystal blue waters, pristine beaches and no car policy is one of the few reason why we fell in love with Holbox.
While in Merida purchase a bus ticket from ADO Bus Terminal. Purchase a ticket to Chilquila, the closet town to Holbox. When you arrive in Chilquila purchase a round-trip ferry ticket to the Island of Holbox.
Bus Duration: 5 hours, Bus Cost: ~$25 USD
Ferry Duration: 30mins, Ferry Cost: ~$11 USD-one way
You can buy your ferry ticket at the ticket window located right in front of the dock from one of the two Holbox ferry companies — 9 Hermanos and Holbox Express.
Once you get off the ferry, depending on where your hotel is located and luggage amount, you’ll want to grab one of the golf cart taxis. (CASH ONLY)
Golf carts, motor bikes, and bicycles make up all the transportation in Holbox.
THINGS TO DO IN HOLBOX
- Ride a Cruiser Bike Along the Beach
- Take a night walk and swim in Bioluminescence water
- Take a Three Islands Tour
- Book a Cabo Catoche Tour
- Swim with Whale Sharks (mid-May to mid-September)
- Lounge in a Sea Hammock
- Watch sunset at the Whaleshark Pier
- Visit Punta Cocos
- Walk to Mosquito Point
- Try Kitesurfing
- Hit the Beach
- Chill at a Beach Club
WHERE TO EAT IN HOLBOX
- Roots Pizza a Leña (try the Lobster Pizza)
- Painapol (for breakfast)
- Ceviches La Chingada
- Las Panchas
- Taco Queto
- Los Tacos De Barbacoa Stand (only available after sunset)
- Taqueria Mateo
- Sunset Holbox Official
- The Hot Corner (drinks and live music)
- Order a Marquesita from one of the Many Street Vendors.
TIP: Rent a cruiser bike for the duration of your stay, this is how you’ll get around the island.
Bacalar: day 9-12
Catch the first ferry back to Chilquila and proceed to Bacalar.
Ferry Duration: 30mins, Ferry Cost: ~$11 USD
I highly recommend booking a private driver to take you to Bacalar. The shared transportation involved too many stops along the way and several more hours added to travel time. If budget doesn’t allow for this, shared transpiration can be booked at one the several tour agency in the main square in Holbox.
We booked our transportation with our hotel.
Chilquila to Bacalar Duration via Private Driver: 5 hours, Private Driver Cost: ~$200 USD
Bacalar is known as The Maldives of Mexico, it’s a stunning freshwater lake offering visitors seven shades of blue water. It’s truly stunning.
Mexico’s Department of Tourism named Bacalar a Pueblo Mágico in 2006.
You will find more locals than foreign tourists here, but like with everything magical that is quickly changing.
THINGS TO DO IN BACALAR
- Take a sailboat tour of the Bacalar Lagoon
- Go For A Sunrise Kayak Or Paddleboard Adventure
- Head To Xul-Ha instead of Los Rapidos
- Visit Fort San Felipe and the Pirate Museum
- Visit Cenote Cocalitos
- Stroll around Bacalar Town
- Check out the shipwreck on the Canal de los Piratas
- Visit Kohunlich & Dzibanche Ruins
We mostly walked in Bacalar but we saw many tourist renting bikes which is also a great alternative. Taxi’s are easily available and affordable if needed. For day trips book through one of the few tour operators available near the docks.
WHERE TO EAT IN BACALAR
- Damajuana Bacalar
- Pizzeria Bertilla
- Barbanegra Bacalar
- Mi Burrito Bacalar
- La Playita
- Pollos Chingones Asados a la Leña
TIP: Keep the Lagoon in mind and book a SAILBOAT tour instead of a Catamaran or Boat tour. One, it’s so much more enjoyable and two, it helps reduce pollution. Preserve the gorgeous and sensitive environment of Bacalar Lagoon.
TIP: Please don’t touch, sit or walk on the stromatolites. They are living organisms similar to ocean coral and like coral, they can die from being touched.
Mexico city: day 13-17
Grab a taxi and take the 30 minute drive to Chetumal International Airport.
Bacalar to Chetumal International Airport Taxi Cost: ~$15 USD
Flight Time: 2hrs 20mins
CDMX Airport to Centro Historico or nearby neighborhoods Duration: 25mins, Taxi Cost: ~$20 USD
This sinking beauty of a city is one of my favorite stops, there is just so much to do and so many restaurants to try!
The oldest city in the Americas has evolved from an Aztec city on a lake into one of the wealthiest, most populated and most important metropolises in the world.
With over 150 museums, an abundance of parks and taco stands every 400 meters, this city is one of a kind.
THINGS TO DO IN MEXICO CITY
- Take a walk through the main square “Zócalo” and stop by Templo Mayor Museum, Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral & National Palace
- Snap a picture of the gorgeous Palacio Postal
- Take a Food Tour
- Watch Ballet Folklórico de México at Palacio de Bellas Artes
- Stroll through the Trendy neighborhoods of Condesa, Roma, Polanco and Zola Rosa
- Book a Frida Kahlo Museum & Coyoacan Bike Tour
- Watch a Lucha Libre Show with a Local
- Head to the top of the Torre Latinoamericana for a View of the City
- Visit Mexico National Museum of Anthropology
- Visit Soumaya Museum
- Spend the afternoon wandering around Bosque de Chapultepec, Latin Americas biggest park
- Cruise through the canals of Xochimilco
- Take Hot Air Ballon Ride over Teotihuacan
We like to walk and I believe CDMX is very walkable but some sites are a bit far from each other. For those instances we used Uber which we found to be extremely affordable. We used Get Your Guide or Viator for a lot of our activities in Mexico City.
WHERE TO EAT IN MEXICO CITY
- Eat Tostadas at Mercado Coyoacan
- Enjoy the most delicious breakfast at one of the stalls in Mercado Coyoacan ( don’t forget to order a cafe de olla )
- Churrería El Moro ( grab your churros at the Centro Histórico location )
- Taquería Orinoco
- Taquería los Cocuyos
- El Patriarca Taquería Centro
- Tacos Don Juan
- Contramar
- Panadería Rosetta
- Lardo
- Azul Historico
- Pujol
- Restaurante Cafe de Tacuba
- Cafe Nin
- Lalo!
- Licorería Limantour
- La Clandestina
TIP: Please do not be afraid to order food from the street vendors. They offer some of the most amazing food, if you see locals in line you know it’s going to be delicious!
Guanajuato: day 18-21
Take an early bus with Primera Plus to Guanajuato.
CDMX to Guanajuato Duration: 5 hours, Bus Ticket Cost: ~$33 USD
The bus final stop is at the Guanajuato Bus Station which is about a 15-20min drive from the city center. I recommend pre-booking your taxi with your hotel. When we arrived there was a surprisingly low number of taxis available and took us a good 20 minutes to finally flag one down.
Guanajuato is located in the center of Mexico and was once a well-known, silver mining city.
This beautiful city of Guanajuato is one of only 1,052 properties that have been given the distinction of being on the Unesco World Heritage List.
THINGS TO DO IN GUANAJUATO
- Take a Guanajuato Historic Tour
- Admire all the Beautiful Architecture
- Wander The Colourful Streets
- Visit Callejón del Beso
- Have a Coffe at Plaza San Fernando
- Visit Museo de las Momias de Guanajuato
- Ride the Funicular Panorámico, walk to Monumento Al Pipila and Enjoy the Scenic City Views
- Explore Cerro de La Bufa with a Local
- Take a Tour of La Valenciana Mine
- Join a Callejoneada
- Visit Museo Casa Diego Rivera
- Enjoy a Cantarito Cocktail
- Take a Day Trip to San Miguel de Allende
Once you’re in the Guanajuato City Center you will never really need a Taxi or Uber. The only time we used a taxi was to take us back to the bus terminal for our self guided tour of San Miguel de Allende.
WHERE TO EAT IN GUANAJUATO
- Mercado Hidalgo ( Must Try: Guacamayas, Shrimp Cocktail, Seafood Tostadas )
- Enchiladas de Lupe
- An’ca Carmen
- Los Huacales
- Taqueria el Sazón Oaxaqueño
- Tacos “El Paisa II”
- Empanadas MiBu ( Try the arroz con leche empanada *chefs kiss )
- Café Conquistador
- La Clave Azul ( Cocktails and Tapas between from 2-5:30PM Tuesdays to Saturdays )
- Nigromante Rooftop
- Black Mamba 61
- Nieves Aguilar
TIP: The street vendors like to come out at night, don’t forget to give these small business owners a chance. You won’t regret it.
Oaxaca: day 22-25
Grab a taxi and take the 30 minute drive to Guanajuato International Airport.
Guanajuato City Center to Guanajuato International Airport Taxi Cost: ~$25 USD
Flight Duration to Oaxaca: 2hrs 20 mins
Take a shared collectivo “shared shuttle” from Oaxaca International Airport to your Oaxaca City Center Hotel. Collectivo Duration: 30+ mins, Collectivo Cost: ~$5
Oaxaca is the culinary and culture capital of Mexico and is best known for it’s one-of-a-kind local gastronomy, such as the very famous seven classic varieties of mole.
Oaxaca offers authentic mercados, amazing street food, colorful colonial architecture, ancient culture, petrified waterfalls, unique Oaxacan artisan handicrafts and is home to the very delicious Mezcal.
THINGS TO DO IN OAXACA CITY
- Take a Free Walking Tour
- Visit the Templo de Santo Domingo
- Visit Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca
- Take a tour of The Botanical Gardens ( English Tours available only at 11am Mon-Sat for $5 USD )
- Explore the Zocalo
- Wander the Mercados ( Mercado 20 de Noviembre, Mercado Benito Juárez & Mercado de Abastos )
- Taste the 7 moles at Restaurante Coronita
- Visit Monte Alban
- Tour Mitla
- Visit Hierve el Agua
- Book a Mezcal Tasting Tour (In Centro: Cortijo La Mezcaleria, Outside of Centro: Gracias a Dios Mezcal )
- Immerse yourself in all the Local Gastronomy
- Take a Cooking Class
Oaxaca City Center like all the previous stops is walking friendly. For day trips outside the city center you will need to book a tour or a private driver.
WHERE TO EAT IN OAXACA CITY
- Mercado 20 de Noviembre ( Must Try: Tlayudas & Pasillo de Carnes Asada )
- Mercado Benito Juárez ( Must Try: Tejate from La Flor de Huayapam, Chapulines, Horchata with Tuna from Aguas Frescas Susi )
- Tacos de Carmen
- Empanadas del Carmen
- Chefinita (tostada’s, pozole y tacos) and/or Taqueria Amigo Sorroza Food Stands
- Memelas San Agustín
- Nieves Manolo Jr
- Teocintle-Tika’aya
- Los Danzantes
- Casa Oaxaca el Restaurante
- Boulenc
- Fonda Rosita
- Café Brújula Alcalá
- La Mezcalerita
- MEZCALOGIA
- Sabina Sabe ( for cocktails )
TIP: If you have more time, I highly recommend heading to Oaxaca’s Coast and exploring some of the beach towns like Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, Zipolite or Zihuatanejo.
This post covered Mexico Lindo-The Ultimate Itinerary & Guide.
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travel resources
Here you can find all the travel site links that we personally use and recommend.
ACCOMMODATION: We find the best deals with BOOKING.COM. The more you book the better the perks like free breakfast with your stay, room upgrades and even higher discounted room rates.
CAR RENTALS: We have always used RentalCars.com and find them to have the best deals, customer service and selection of locations.
FLIGHTS: Our go too for booking flights has always been SKYSCANNER. We always find the best prices on this site.
TOURS/EXCURSIONS: GET YOUR GUIDE and VIATOR are two very reputable sites with easy and hassle free bookings.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: It’s so important to travel with insurance and for this we use World Nomads or Safety Wing.
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