Yucatan Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide

Are you ready to plan your own Yucatan road trip adventure? The best way to explore Mexico’s Yucatan region is through a road trip. There are so many amazing beaches, historical sites, and pueblos magicos (Mexico’s designated magic towns) to visit.

While you can book tours to visit all of these places, if you want to be able to take your time and get off the beaten path a little, renting a car and exploring on your own is the way to go. It is also a great way to save money as the entrance fees to most attractions is far less than the cost of a tour.

Updated 4/12/23

Here’s an itinerary for a one week Yucatan road trip:

Itinerary for a one week Yucatan road trip:

Day 1: Arrive in Cancun, drive to Puerto Morelos, visit the cenotes

Day 2: Scuba diving in Puerto Morelos

Day 3: Drive to Chiquila and take the ferry to Isla Holbox

Day 4-5 Isla Holbox 

Day 6: Ferry back to Chiquila and drive to Valladolid

Day 7: Valladolid and Ek Balam ruins

Day 8: Drive back to Cancun, flight home

Stop One on Your Yucatan Road Trip: Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos is the first stop in your Yucatan road trip. This small beach town is located only 20 minutes from Cancun. It is much less crowded than nearby Cancun as well.

Puerto Morelos is located near the Meso-American Reef—one of the best dive locations in the world.  I’d been diving in Cozumel a few months before, and diving in nearby Puerto Morelos with Aquanauts Dive Adventures did not disappoint. I lucked out and was the only diver the morning I went out for my 2-tank dive and got my own private underwater tour! 

Here you can enjoy the pristine beaches as well as explore nearby cenotes. You can even book an Airbnb with its own private cenote here.

The Airbnb Casa Kin-Ha is located just outside Puerto Morelos along the Ruta de Cenotes.  Admission to the cenote on-site and a neighboring one are included in your stay.  

The first cenote was almost completely enclosed except for a small hole in the ceiling, which several kids were jumping into (We were too scared of heights to give it a try.)  

The second was not enclosed at all and almost like a small lake.  Adventure enthusiasts—this one is for you.  They have not one, but three zip-lines hanging over the water at various levels.  Also there was a multi-story diving tower, from which I jumped off just the two lowest levels.  Again, the kids put us to shame on this one.  There was a ten-year-old jumping off the highest zip-line. (I was too afraid to even jump off the lowest one).

Stop Two on Your Yucatan Road Trip: Isla Holbox

The next stop on your Yucatan road trip is Isla Holbox. This island is the perfect place to relax and unplug. The entire island is so small that there are no cars, so you’ll need to park your vehicle in Chiquita while visiting the island.

How to get to Isla Holbox:

To get to Isla Holbox, you’ll take the ferry from the town of Chiquita. Chiquita is a 2 hour drive from Cancun.  If you’ve got a car, don’t worry about finding parking, as you drive into town, parking lots line both sides of the road.  You’ll easily be able to find a secure, paid lot or garage to park in for the duration of your stay in Isla Holbox.

Once you’ve parked, make your way over to the ferry ticket office to purchase your tickets. The ferry from Chiquita to Holbox operates once every hour from 6:30 am – 9:30 pm and costs $220 Mexican pesos per person each way. The ferry ride lasts 30 minutes.

Getting around on Isla Holbox

There are no cars on Isla Holbox, and it’s small enough to get around by foot most places.  But there are several golf-cart taxis around if you’re in need of a ride.  

Where to Eat and Drink on Isla Holbox:

Some must-try restaurants are Roots for some AMAZING lobster pizza and Raices on the beach for an incredible grilled seafood platter.

For drinks with an incredible view, head to the rooftop bar Alma. You’ll be rewarded with an incredible view of the beach from the rooftop infinity pool. Definitely make it up here for sunset.

Have a fun night out at Hot Corner!  If you’re looking for a fun night out, grab some drinks and enjoy the music at Hot Corner

 It’s aptly named as it was indeed the Hot Corner that night.  Earlier in the night there was a live salsa band when we’d arrived around 10.  There were some couples dancing but mostly a chill vibe.  

A couple hours later the DJ played a mix of reggaeton and bachata and the place got lit. People were buying beer in the convenience store nearby and dancing and partying in the street in front of the bar. We made some new friends and ended up staying out until the wee hours of the morning and shut the place down. (Maybe things haven’t changed too much since those college days?)

Things to do in Isla Holbox:

Get a massage on the beach!

This trip was all about relaxing and getting a massage on the beach took that up to a whole new level.  When you’re on the beach, there will be several opportunities to book a massage.

Bioluminescence:

Unfortunately, we missed out on this one as we visited during a full moon which makes seeing the glowing plankton much more difficult.  If you’re able to schedule your trip during a new moon, you should definitely plan to take a bioluminescent kayak tour.  Check the moon cycle before your trip and plan your visit during the new moon for the best chance at seeing bioluminescent plankton.

Stop Three on Your Yucatan Road Trip: Valladolid

The final destination in your one week Yucatan road trip is the city of Valladolid. This city is inland, and the weather is quite hot, so you’ll want to find a hotel that has a swimming pool or plan to spend your afternoons cooling off in one of the many nearby cenotes.

Things to do in Valladolid:

Visit Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is one of the most popular and impressive ancient Mayan cities in Mexico. It is located about 45 minutes from Valladolid and is a must-see attraction for visitors to the region.

Entrance fees:

The entrance fee for Chichen Itza is around $26 USD per person. Children under 13 years old are free.

What to see:

Some of the most notable structures at Chichen Itza include the iconic El Castillo pyramid, the Temple of the Warriors, and the Great Ball Court. Visitors can also see the Sacred Cenote, which was once used for human sacrifices.

Tips for visiting:

It is recommended to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the crowds and the heat. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat. It’s also a good idea to hire a guide so you can learn more about the history and significance of the site.

Visit Ek Balam:

Ek Balam is another impressive ancient Mayan city that is located about 30 minutes from Valladolid. It is known for its well-preserved frescoes and impressive architecture. It is also much less crowded than Chichen Itza.

Entrance fees:

The entrance fee for Ek Balam is around $5 USD per person.

What to see:

Visitors to Ek Balam can explore the impressive Acropolis, which is the largest structure at the site. The Acropolis is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures and offers stunning views of the surrounding jungle. Visitors can also see the impressive arches and buildings of the central plaza.

Visit a Cenote:

The Yucatan Peninsula is known for its unique natural formations known as cenotes, which are natural swimming holes formed by collapsed limestone caves. These cenotes offer a refreshing way to cool off on a hot day and are a must-see attraction for visitors to the region. Here is some information about visiting cenotes:

Entrance fees:

Entrance fees for cenotes can vary depending on the location and amenities offered. Some cenotes may charge around $5 USD per person, while others may charge closer to $20 USD per person.

What to see:

Some of the most popular cenotes in the Valladolid area include Cenote Samula, Cenote Ik Kil, and Cenote Xkeken. Each cenote offers a unique experience, but you can expect to see crystal-clear waters, unique rock formations, and a chance to see fish and other wildlife.

Where to eat in Valladolid:

La Joyita:  

We stumbled upon this traditional Mexican cantina exploring the street around our hotel.  We were the only tourists, and the only girls at the bar, though we did see some women sitting at tables.  We ordered some beers and, in the style of traditional Mexican cantinas, your drinks come with free snacks!  The bartenders were super nice and excited to have us try the different traditional snacks they had to offer—as well as some tequila. 

Conato:  

Traditional Yucatan food with an eclectic, artistic atmosphere.  The artwork and décor of the restaurant make this place very unique.  I loved the colorful décor and Kahlo prints.  It’s got such a whimsical vibe as well with bird cages and colorfully painted antique furniture.  

I ordered Cochinita Pibil—a traditional Yucatan dish of slow cooked pork.  It was delicious, but come with an appetite—the portions were huge which was perfect for us after spending the day exploring the Mayan Ruins at Ek Balam. 

Sit on the colorfull rooftop and enjoy some cocktails while watching the sunset before dinner. 

Cafeina:

We stopped here twice while we were exploring.  Once for a delicious lunch and then again later in the evening we sat in their courtyard for drinks.  It’s a great spot to stop by in the evening for some yummy cocktails and live music. 

Final Thoughts on my Yucatan Road Trip

Our Yucatan trip ended with an early Saturday morning drive to the Cancun airport.  The drive to the airport from Valladolid took about 2 hours.  

Keep in mind, there is a time zone change when passing from the Mexican state of Yucatan to Quintana Roo. Yucatan is 1 hour behind Quintana Roo, so keep that in mind when planning to return to the airport.

If you’ve got an early flight, I’d recommend staying in or near Cancun your last night. 

If you’ve got more time in your trip, add on a domestic flight to Mexico City to explore another side of this beautiful country. See my Mexico City Weekend Guide for some ideas!