Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Mexico – Puerto Morelos – Valladolid – Tulum – Bacalar – Mexico City – Puebla – Oaxaca – Puerto Escondido
100% customisable for you
Your Mexican adventure begins today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and beeline to the lounge for drinks and nibbles before boarding your 11-hour flight to Cancun.
On arrival, collect your hire car and make the easy half-hour drive south to the laid-back fishing town of Puerto Morelos. Check into your hotel, swap travel clothes for flip-flops, then head straight to the beach or the pool. This is your soft landing: a first swim in the turquoise Caribbean waters, a cold drink as the light fades, and an early night before your road trip properly begins tomorrow.
After breakfast, it’s time to head inland as you drive to the colonial city of Valladolid, about two hours away. Check in for two nights at a small, friendly hotel before stretching your legs with a first wander.
Compact, easy-going and deliciously moreish, Valladolid’s pastel facades, shady squares and unshowy charm are as quietly addictive as its signature cochinita pibil tortas (pulled pork sandwiches). The food scene here punches above its weight, with street vendors worth queuing for and atmospheric cantinas to suit every budget. There’ll be plenty to choose from nearby, so you don’t have to stray far from your doorstep, but the city centre and its main sights are within easy reach too.
Today, you’ll discover Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, with a private guide. An incredible example of Mayan architecture and astronomy, Chichen Itza’s headline act is the Pyramid of Kukulcan: the temple of the feathered serpent. At each equinox, light and shadow combine to 'animate' the serpent god sliding down the steps, a piece of ancient stagecraft that has to be seen to be believed.
Back in Valladolid, visit the San Bernardino de Siena convent, the Mercado Central and then the Zocalo, the city’s main square and social hub, for people-watching and a marquesita (crepe) or two. Later, cool off, Yucatan-style, with a dip in a nearby cenote – a natural limestone sinkhole fed by ancient underground rivers. Once revered by the Mayans as gateways to the underworld, these spectacular cave systems are now popular swimming spots. Valladolid has several nearby, with one, Zuci, right in the city itself.
After breakfast, hop back in the hire car and head south to Tulum. It’s a straightforward drive of just over an hour-and-a-half, giving you plenty of time for an en route refresh at the Multum Ha cenote, near Coba. Together with the Choo Ha and Tamkah Ha cenotes, it forms a trio of natural pools, but unlike its neighbours, it boasts a large overwater platform and is bathed in natural light all day.
Afterwards, continue to Tulum and check in for two nights at a charming beachfront hideaway. Soothed by a soundtrack of breaking waves and rustling palms, the rest of the day is devoted to doing very little: think a first barefoot walk on the sand, a late, lazy lunch that extends into sunset and maybe a margarita or two…
Tulum may have lost its hippy hideaway status, but with its electric-blue water, powder-soft sand, tenacious iguanas, and Maya ruins perched above the sea, it still has a vibe of its own. Step off the beaten track, and you’ll find unexpected treasures too – and that’s what today’s all about.
Led by an English-speaking guide, head off this morning on a breezy half-hour cycle to the village of Chemuyil. Here, a group of young locals have set up a community project to champion cenote protection and help travellers understand why these limestone pools are so culturally and ecologically important. Together, explore three very different cenotes, learning all about their history and slipping into their clear, cool waters for restorative swims along the way.
Alternatively, swap freshwater for saltwater with a private guided snorkelling trip in Soliman Bay.
Enjoy one last beachside breakfast, then leave the Riviera Maya in the rear-view mirror and drive around two-and-a-half hours south to Bacalar. Designated as one of Mexico’s Pueblo Magicos (magic towns), life here revolves around the Laguna de los Siete Colores (lagoon of seven colours), a colour-shifting sweep of water that flips from tourmaline to topaz.
Spend some time settling into your new home, then head out to explore. Artsy Bacalar is a quirky little town with plenty of laid-back spots for drinks and dinner, but keep one eye on the clock: come sunset, you’ll want to be back by the water, watching the lagoon as it’s bathed in a golden glow.
And, relax… you’re on Bacalar time. Start today with a gentle potter around the village, visiting the San Felipe Fort, an 18th-century fortress built by Spanish conquistadors to keep pirates at bay. Then, as the heat builds, follow the only sensible plan: get back on the lagoon. Swim straight from the shore, paddle board across the shallows or hop on a boat to drift between the lake’s quieter corners and open-water views.
Bacalar also has four open-air cenotes to dip into, three of which are directly linked to the lagoon. While they’re all pretty staggering, the best for uninterrupted swimming is the standalone Cenote Azul. Formed when the roof of an underground aquifer collapsed, the vast cenote’s cool waters are 300 feet deep, making it perfect for snorkelling.
If you’re up and raring to go, a guided sunrise kayak – when the lagoon is at its stillest and the loudest visitors are the birds – makes a magical start to the day.
Get set to switch things up a bit. After breakfast, drive one hour south to Chetumal Airport, return your hire car and board your two-hour flight to Mexico City.
On arrival, you’ll be met by one of our friendly airport team and privately transferred to your home for the next three nights. Drop your bags and settle in before heading out to explore your surroundings, where street-food stands and corner taquerias rub shoulders with trendy museums, galleries and some seriously good dining. If you’d like to stretch your legs even further, you could also stroll to El Angel de la Independencia, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Aztec Tenochtitlan history beneath your feet, colonial grandeur above, and modern Mexico thrumming all around: welcome to Mexico City.
Today, explore the city’s many layers at your own pace. Start in the Centro Historico, where the Templo Mayor and Catedral Metropolitana sit side by side, a snapshot of centuries colliding. Then, go big on art and politics, marvelling at muralist masterpieces at the National Palace and Palacio de Bellas Artes.
When you want green space, Chapultepec Park delivers, and the nearby National Museum of Anthropology allows you to dive into Mexico’s past and present. Next, flip the mood in glossy Polanco with a visit to the sculptural Soumaya Museum and chic shopping on Avenida Presidente Masaryk.
After cafes, galleries and a breezy local buzz? La Roma and La Condesa offer leafy squares, Art Deco curves and people-watching made for lingering. If you’d like to explore these bohemian neighbourhoods in more depth, we can also arrange a private guided bike tour.
On today’s agenda is a visit to two of Mexico City’s most famous markets with a private guide. First up is Mercado de Jamaica, open daily and famous for its flowers. Beyond the blooms, Jamaica is also a truly local market, boasting stalls piled high with everything from tropical fruits and traditional snacks to kitchenware and pinatas. Grazing on the go is a given, so come with your appetite intact, ready to sample some spicy street food or juicy fruit.
Next up is the distinctly different Mercado de Sonora: dedicated to herbalism and traditional remedies, this is the go-to shopping spot for indigenous shamans and healers. Offering a fascinating window into the folk traditions that still run through the city, stalls here brim with all manner of curious ingredients. Don’t panic if you haven’t a clue what you’re looking at – your guide will decode it all…
This morning, collect your new hire car and head to Puebla, a stunning colonial city around two hours away. Located right in the city’s UNESCO-listed historic centre, tonight’s hotel is brilliantly situated for seeing the best out of this beautiful city.
The birthplace of mole poblano, Mexico’s classic chocolate-infused sauce, and Talavera pottery, Puebla’s rich, artsy vibe is perfect for a wander. Look out for townhouses dressed in ornate Talavera tiles before gazing at the outrageously opulent Capilla del Rosario inside the Church of Santo Domingo. Detour through Barrio del Artista to watch creatives at work, browse Callejon de los Sapos for antiques and round off the day at the Zocalo, Puebla’s beautiful main square, to watch the evening unfurl against a baroque backdrop.
If you’re not sure where to start, we could also arrange a tour of the city with a friendly local guide.
Hit the road again this morning as you head to Oaxaca. It’s a solid five-hour drive, so stop midway at the UNESCO-listed Tehuacan Biosphere Reserve to stretch your legs and soak in the surroundings. Explore this beautiful sanctuary with a knowledgeable guide from the Popolca community, who’ll turn this seemingly arid valley into a living story, pointing out cactus forests and endemic plants you’d otherwise breeze past.
Tehuacan is also home to the time-travelling Coxcatlan Cave and Purron Dam, important archaeological sites that provide evidence of crop farming and water management as far back as 750 BC. Add dinosaur tracks, fossils and big-sky scenery, and you’ve got a fascinating trek that feels like stepping through chapters of deep history.
Continue on to Oaxaca (pronounced 'wah-HAH-kah') and check in for three nights at a characterful hotel. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing after the drive before enjoying a tasty dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Granted city status in 1532, Oaxaca has been charming the socks off travellers for centuries. Despite the region’s regular seismic rumbles, the city’s UNESCO-listed historic centre is beautifully intact and, thanks to its neat grid of low-rise streets, made for strolling.
Today is yours to explore at your own pace. Spend the morning crisscrossing Oaxaca’s 16th-century heart, pausing in grand squares, shady courtyards and the ornate cathedral. Next, head to the lavish Santo Domingo, a magnificent Baroque church and former convent complete with an adjoining museum showcasing key finds from the UNESCO-listed Monte Alban archaeological site. If you’d like to visit Monte Alban itself with a private guide, just say the word.
Later, follow the city’s independent galleries and contemporary museums to nearby Jalatlaco for vibrant street art, hip cafes and cool boutiques. Finally, grab a table back at the Zocalo, order an ice-cold cerveza and let the local bands set the evening’s tempo.
Oaxaca is often described as Mexico’s culinary and cultural capital. Here, Indigenous culture is at the fore, powering the region’s food, festivals and fabulous markets. Wednesday means the food stalls of Etla, Thursday brings Zaachila’s bountiful blend of fruit, veg and livestock, while Friday in Ocotlan de Morelos delivers handwoven textiles and crafts. But Sunday in Tlacolula de Matamoros is the main event: every weekend, Oaxacans turn out like clockwork to browse streets brimming with fresh produce, sizzling snacks and local crafts.
Staying in town? Start at Benito Juarez Market, a sprawling anything-goes maze of ceramics, leather goods, textiles and edible souvenirs. Then head to 20 de Noviembre for lunch: a specialist food market with a Pasillo de Humo (smoke alley) lined with butchers, who grill your chosen cut on the spot in a blast of smoke and spice.
After the whirl of the past week, it’s time to slow things right down. This morning, drive 30 minutes to Oaxaca Airport, return your hire car and hop on a short domestic flight to the laidback Pacific surf resort of Puerto Escondido.
On arrival, you’ll be met and whisked to your base for your final three nights. Spend the rest of the day soaking up the sun on the beach, taking a dip in the pool or diving into your holiday read, ready for sundowners and dinner later.
Today is all about enjoying Puerto Escondido’s coastal charms. The town’s proximity to the waves means that surf culture is stitched into daily life here, so make your way out to the water and dive in. Despite its growing popularity, Puerto Escondido still boasts a low-key, salty-around-the-edges vibe, perfect for sunbathing, strolling and soaking up the scenery.
Tonight, the magic moves underwater for a spellbinding light show. After dark, head out onto the lagoon by small boat, slip gently into the water, and watch the bioluminescent plankton begin to illuminate the waves. Your every move sends a soft, glittering light spiralling around your body like an aquatic aurora – allowing you to see Mother Nature at her most enchanting.
Want to ramp up the memories? We can also arrange a visit to a turtle sanctuary, where you can get up close and personal with these cute sea creatures and learn all about local conservation efforts.
Whether you’re here for thrills or to chill, Puerto (as it’s affectionately known) has a beach to suit, so today is devoted to finding your perfect patch of coastline. For serious surf, there’s no beating Zicatela: known as the 'Mexican Pipeline' for its powerful waves, it’s one for the pros. For newbies and bodyboarders, La Punta makes for a mellower, much kinder classroom. Calmer still are the twin coves of Manzanillo and Angelito, both of which offer safe swimming, and Bacocho, where fine, uncrowded sands make for a perfect sunset-watching spot.
Divers, meanwhile, can head to volcanic reefs, where turtles, stingrays, reef sharks and large shoals of tropical fish are regular visitors. Over winter, the marine life goes A-list, with migrating humpbacks, giant manta rays and even the occasional whale shark adding to the excitement.
The bad news is it’s time to head home. The good news? Your flight isn’t until later today, so enjoy one last unhurried morning before the two-hour private transfer to Huatulco International Airport.
There are no direct flights back home, so you’ll need to switch planes en route (most likely in Mexico City). You’ll touch down in London tomorrow with salt still on your skin, sand in your bag, and the Pacific’s roar still echoing faintly in your ears.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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