An Exciting 2 Weeks in Mexico Itinerary (Mexico City, Chiapas + Yucatan)

Mexico is both enormous and endlessly captivating to visit. When planning a 2 week Mexico itinerary, you have almost limitless cities, towns, mountains, deserts, and, of course, beaches to choose from… so how do you narrow it down?

After spending 6 weeks carving a Mexico backpacking route through some of the country’s most beautiful spots, ranging from wildly popular places to those almost totally devoid of tourists, we put together this itinerary for first-time visitors to Mexico.

Since then, we’ve returned to Mexico on more multi-week trips, becoming even more passionate about Mexico trip planning in the process.

We recommend this Mexico itinerary to first-timers for a few reasons. First, this Mexico itinerary samples cities, towns, waterfalls, ruins, and beaches. In other words, you can see a little bit of everything!

Second, it’s fairly simple to get to each destination while still allowing you to see a wide variety of what the country has to offer.

Will you be able to cover everything in the country with only 2 weeks in Mexico? Absolutely not: we have a personal Mexico travel bucket list that is several lifetimes long.

But if you’re looking to fall in love with Mexico in 2 weeks, this is how to do it.

How We Structured This Itinerary for Mexico

Like many of the suggested travel itineraries here on Our Escape Clause, this one doesn’t cover 14 solid days but instead provides a plan for 11 days.

This is to allow some flexibility, as you’ll need a few days to serve as travel days between regions and to enter and leave the country.

This 2 week Mexico itinerary can also be enhanced by completing parts of it (the Yucatan, for example) as a road trip.

Ultimately, we designed this route with both backpackers and mid-range travelers in mind (and we have personally traveled through Mexico extensively at both price points, and have also sampled the all-inclusive scene).

If you’re planning a trip to Mexico and hoping for a vacation that feels very adventurous but is also fairly accessible, while also introducing you to the incredible diversity of the country, this is the itinerary for you!

If you’d like to stick to one particular region of the country, we absolutely adore road tripping the Yucatan Peninsula, and have a detailed suggested route for that here.

The Best 2 Weeks in Mexico Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Stop 1 in Mexico: Mexico City for 3 Days

The Highlights of Visiting Mexico City

Mexico City is one of our favorite cities in the world, and the perfect place to begin your 2 week Mexico trip.

The city is enormous, bustling, full of delicious food, and home to the only castle in North America that was actually home to sovereign rulers.

With more than 9 million residents in the city center and more than 20 million in the metro area, it’s the largest city in North America!

While you’re in town, don’t miss visiting the famous Anthropology Museum, checking out the ruins of Templo Mayor and the Cathedral right next door that was built from the materials of the temple, admiring the beauty of Palacio de Bellas Artes, and, of course, eating as many tacos al pastor as you can.

Other highlights can include a visit to the Frida Kahlo Museum (book a month or more in advance and/or sign up for a guided tour), and a trip to Xochimilco (the area is very touristy now, but is home to lots of history!).

We highly recommend a day trip to Teotihuacan, home to mysterious pyramids that predate the Aztecs and incredible views.

You can visit independently (we did), but guided tours are also popular, and some include a hot air balloon ride over the pyramids!

Things to Consider in Mexico City

Though Mexico City is generally safe for travelers (like many large cities, it has some dangerous neighborhoods, but as a tourist, you’ll have no reason to ever be near them), if you’re not used to traveling in large cities or in Latin America in general, you may consider signing up for a walking tour on your first day in town to help ease you into the city and get your bearings.

Typically speaking, Mexico City’s public transportation is the best way to get around. Their subways and buses may be crowded, but they are incredibly inexpensive, efficient, and considered safe. We used them almost exclusively!

It is recommended to avoid hailing taxis on the street for safety reasons. If you need one, call an Uber instead. As an alternative, Didi is a local ridesharing app, but Uber is still wildly popular in Mexico City.

Where to Stay in Mexico City

The Centro Historico neighborhood is home to many of Mexico City’s tourist attractions and makes a great, central location to stay in during your first time in Mexico City.

If you’d prefer something a little trendier, the neighborhoods of Roma and Condesa are wildly popular with people seeking a slightly more residential feel and plenty of access to pretty parks and delightful coffee shops.

Here are a few well-reviewed Mexico City hotels that feature excellent reviews and location scores, free wifi, and mid-range prices!

Centro Historico: Hotel Catedral — Less than 400 meters from the Zocalo that the hub of Mexico City tourism, this hotel makes a great choice for a first-time visitor to Mexico.

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Catedral!

Roma: Nido Roma — Want to feel at home in Mexico City? This beautiful, modern aparthotel allows you to combine the best of a private apartment rental with the convenience of a fully-staffed building in an incredible location.

Check rates & book your stay at Casa Colima!

Condesa: Casa Condesa Amatlan 84 — If you’re looking for something midrange in the trendy neighborhood of Condesa, this is your spot! Both the location and staff at this property have glowing reviews.

Check rates & book your stay at Casa Condesa Amatlan 84!

Mexico Itinerary Stop 2: Chiapas for 4 Days

The Highlights of Visiting Chiapas

Chiapas is one of our absolute favorite states in Mexico, and probably the most off-the-beaten-path destination included on this itinerary.

Quiet and less touristy than some other Mexican destinations, while still featuring plenty of tourism infrastructure to accommodate first-time visitors, Chiapas is home to incredible nature.

Don’t leave Chiapas without staring up at the magnificence that is the El Chiflon waterfall (and ideally, several other waterfalls in Chiapas), or taking a horseback ride to the Templo de San Juan to step foot inside what is still the most unique house of worship we have ever entered.

Other top things to do in Chiapas include climbing over the ruins of Palenque, riding a boat through Sumidero Canyon, and swimming in the beautiful Agua Azul waterfalls.

Chiapas is the Mexico we dream about: home to friendly people, incredible nature, tasty food, and the lowest prices for foreign travelers that you’ll find during your couple of weeks in Mexico, Chiapas is a gem of a destination.

Don’t be surprised if it becomes your favorite stop on this itinerary!

Things to Consider in Chiapas

Chiapas is fairly rural, so for a first-time visitor to Mexico, we recommend seeing most of the above highlights on a guided tour.

That is easier and more affordable than it sounds! The city of San Cristobal de las Casas, where we recommend you base yourself in Chiapas, is home to dozens of small tourist agencies willing to book you on tours to any and all of the above destinations with little notice.

Simply stop by an agency during the afternoon and arrange what you want to do the next day, and you’re good to go!

Don’t be afraid to shop around, either! While prices are generally similar throughout the city, you may want to stop in a few shops before committing to ensure who you book through is selling at a fair price.

If you’d like to plan ahead in order to save money and stress, we love booking tours and attractions through Viator and Get Your Guide.

They’re both very reliable and we use them constantly around the world. However, we found online tour prices inflated in Chiapas compared to many other places in Mexico or across the world.

In Chiapas, you’ll definitely get better deals by waiting and booking your tours on the ground!

Where to Stay in Chiapas

With only 4 days in Chiapas, the question of where to base yourself is fairly easy: San Cristobal de las Casas, with a possible switch to Palenque for 1-2 nights.

As the largest city in Chiapas and capital of the region, San Cristobal de las Casas is easy and comfortable to travel in, while also being colorful and beautiful in its own right.

In San Cristobal de las Casas, you’ll find plentiful food options from grocery stores to restaurants to street food, ATMs, big box stores if you need to pick up anything in particular, tourist agencies to book excursions through, and plenty of places to stay.

If you want to spend a larger chunk of time in Palenque, you could also consider spending a night or two there. We go into the pros and cons of that in more detail in this blog post.

In Palenque, we stayed at Hotel Chablis and really enjoyed the convenience, service, and pool!

Though we stayed in an Airbnb during our time in Chiapas, if we visited Chiapas again, we’d probably stay somewhere like this:

Hotel Posada Primavera — Set a mere 200 meters from the San Cristobal Cathedral and featuring an adorable courtyard, Hotel Posada Primavera is another great option for a base in Chiapas.

Check rates & book your stay at Hotel Posada Primavera!

Stop 3 in Mexico: The Yucatan for 4 Days

The Highlights of the Yucatan Peninsula

The Yucatan Peninsula is made up of 3 Mexican states (Yucatan, Quintana Roo, and Campeche), and it’s this peninsula where a lot of Mexico’s most popular attractions are found.

Tourism hot spots like Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Cozumel, and Tulum are all located here, as is Chichen Itza, the pink lakes of Mexico, and more cenotes than you can count.

Your time on the Yucatan peninsula is perfect for soaking up the sunshine on the beach, going scuba diving or snorkeling, sailing in the Caribbean, swimming in cenotes, climbing ruins, and enjoying delicious seafood.

There’s absolutely no way to see it all in 4 days, but we recommend prioritizing at least one visit to a Mayan ruin site and at least one visit to a cenote, in addition to beach time.

Things to Consider When Visiting the Yucatan

These four days will undoubtedly be among the most expensive and crowded of your 2 weeks in Mexico.

The Yucatan peninsula is beautiful, exciting, and has an international reputation for being safe, so tourists flock there and tourism-driven services follow.

This is not a reason to stay away, but it is something to be aware of.

Expect higher prices and bigger crowds wherever you go!

If you’re comfortable with independent travel, you might want to consider renting a car to visit lesser-known ruins in the area, such as Coba or Ek Balam (or you can use your wheels to beat the crowds to the ruins of Tulum and Chichen Itza).

A car also gives you access to more offbeat cenotes, and if you’re willing to drive a few hours out of the way, Mexico’s famous pink lakes.

If you’d prefer to keep it simple and stick with groups in this part of Mexico, don’t worry: tours abound in the area for just about anything you can imagine.

We adored our in-depth Yucatan peninsula road trip and, if you’re considering driving, highly recommend searching for the best rates and inclusions through Discover Cars (and don’t skip the extra insurance!).

Where to Stay in the Yucatan

Choosing where to stay during your time in the Yucatan Peninsula is one of the hardest choices for structuring your 2 weeks in Mexico itinerary.

We recommend Playa del Carmen for new travelers or those who want to be close to plenty of tours and resources, Tulum for those looking for the ultimate trendy atmosphere (and willing to pay for it: Tulum is incredibly pricey, crowded, and traffic-laden), and the island of Cozumel if scuba diving is your goal.

Isla Holbox is perfect if you’re looking for an out-of-the-way, more laid-back destination, far away from high rises and resorts, and Isla Mujeres is a delight if you’re looking for relaxing beach time with a side of light sightseeing (and maybe diving).

Cancun, though not the prettiest town, does undeniably have some of the best beaches in the region (they built Cancun where they did for a reason!).

For travelers hoping to experience what Tulum used to be (or so they say!), Bacalar is magnificent.

Not invested in beaches and more interested in ruins and cenotes? Valladolid is one of our personal favorite places in Mexico and a fabulous option (your life will be much easier with a car here, though what you’ll save on hotel fees will likely more than make up the cost).

Keep in mind that the area’s largest (and generally cheapest to fly in and out of) airport is in Cancun, though Cozumel does have its own airport as well.

Here are a couple of well-reviewed Yucatan Peninsula hotels that feature excellent reviews, locations, and wifi, with mid-range prices. We have more individual recommendations for places like Valladolid and Bacalar in this blog post.

Playa del Carmen

Suites Corazon — Only a 1-minute walk from Playa del Carmen’s 5th Avenue and featuring a rooftop pool, you can’t ask for a better location at a better price in Playa del Carmen!

Check rates & book your stay at Suites Corazon!

Tulum

Azura Boutique Hotel — Set in the heart of downtown Tulum, this location is within easy walking distance to shops & restaurants, and a quick 15-minute bike ride to the nearest beach!

Check rates & book your stay at Azura Boutique Hotel!

Have More Than 2 Weeks in Mexico?

You could spend a lifetime uncovering gems in Mexico.

If you have more time, our first recommendation would be to consider adding on some time in Oaxaca to your Mexico itinerary.

Both Oaxaca City and the Pacific coast (we based ourselves in Puerto Escondido) are incredible places to visit.

Oaxaca City is home to some of Mexico’s best food, and the Pacific coast offers a rugged beauty distinct from the Caribbean coast in the east, plus some amazing surfing.

If you’d prefer to head further north, Puerto Vallarta is a Pacific beach town popular with expats and travelers alike.

From there, you could travel all the way to Baja California and hit up Cabo San Lucas.

Though you have to be cautious with your safety and we wouldn’t recommend it to first-time visitors to Mexico unless they are very experienced in Latin America, the stunning Copper Canyon (larger than the Grand Canyon by some measures!) is also in the north.

Near Mexico City, consider visiting popular Puebla, beloved San Miguel de Allende, and colorful Guanajuato, known for its brightly colored architecture nestled amongs the hills.

In the Yucatan Peninsula itself, your options are limitless, but consider stops in Merida and Valladolid. Both offer great access to attractions like ruins and cenotes with fewer of the crowds that the Yucatan often brings, as they don’t have immediate beach access.

For a different kind of Mexico experience, head to Bacalar! This small town is set on a lake so bright, you’ll think you’re looking at the Caribbean, and it’s a great launching pad for mini-trips to lesser-visited ruins like Becan and Calakmul.

Getting Around During 2 Weeks in Mexico

During most of your 2 weeks in Mexico, you’ll find that you have a couple of different choices for traveling between regions.

For most travelers, the best choice will be either using ADO buses, which are comfortable and more affordable but eat into your Mexico vacation time, or flying on a domestic flight, which is faster but much more expensive.

Check prices on both before deciding what to do!

We used the ADO buses for the bulk of our travels through Mexico, as we weren’t on a strict timeline, but with limited days in Mexico, flights might be a smoother option.

Mexico has many domestic carriers that offer flights, but Volaris (for budget flights) and AeroMexico (for a full-service/legacy carrier) are among the most popular.

When to Plan a Trip to Mexico

Mexico is fabulous to visit at any time of year, but for this 2 week Mexico itinerary specifically, there are a couple of specific seasonal tips to keep in mind.

Fall brings heavy rainfall to Chiapas, making certain rural attractions harder to access, and that time also coincides with hurricane season on the Yucatan Peninsula, which takes place between roughly June and November.

For those reasons, you may want to be hesitant about planning a trip using this Mexico itinerary during those months.

Also, keep in mind that December through April (AKA, Christmas through Spring Break/Easter) is the high season on the Yucatan Peninsula, when crowds will be at their heaviest and prices at their highest.

We’ve visited during this time and didn’t have a problem, but if you are wary of visiting during peak season, it’s something to keep in mind.

Safety When Traveling in Mexico

There’s no getting around it: any post about planning a travel itinerary for Mexico requires a discussion about safety.

In the international media, Mexico does not have the best reputation for safety.

Yes, the Mexican government and people do still have to grapple with the very real issues that the cartels create for Mexico.

And yes, no destination, Mexico included, is immune to occasional tragedy that touches tourists.

That being said, generally speaking, as a cautious visitor, there should be no reason to worry excessively about cartel violence when visiting touristic parts of Mexico.

By using common sense, planning a route through safe areas, and not engaging in any socially risky and/or illegal behavior, you can lower your statistical risk of violence at the hands of a cartel to roughly zero during your 2 weeks in Mexico.

Mexico is an enormous country, the 16th largest in the world by geography.

What happens in Juarez or Acapulco is not going to impact you as a tourist in Playa del Carmen, San Cristobal de las Casas, or Mexico City.

Yes, traveling in Mexico requires caution, and there are certain specific places in Mexico that no tourist should currently visit, but I’m willing to guess that you’ll end up feeling safer in Mexico than you think before you arrive.

Like with visiting all countries, we recommend researching up-to-date recommendations for the specific places you plan to visit within a country as your trip approaches, as situations on the ground do change.

Here is the US travel advisory for Mexico, which offers a state-by-state, and in some cases town-by-town, breakdown of current recommendations.

Do You Need to Speak Spanish in Mexico?

Can you travel through Mexico without speaking Spanish?

Yes.

Would it make your 2 weeks in Mexico immensely easier and more fruitful to learn even a little Spanish before you go?

Again, yes, absolutely.

Jeremy speaks quite a bit of Spanish, and I speak some (I can hold short conversations for a few minutes, he can talk for hours at a time), and it has definitely made our trips to Mexico easier than they otherwise would have been.

Unlike in many parts of the world where people speak at least some English, Mexicans tend to speak Spanish only.

After all, Mexico is dominated by the Spanish language and is surrounded in large part by other Spanish-speaking countries. Like in the US to the north, there’s little motivation to learn additional languages in Mexico compared to in, say, Switzerland.

(And, it’s worth noting that for many Mexicans, Spanish is not their first language, either: listen closely, and you’ll probably hear Native languages on your trip, in Chiapas in particular).

If you don’t speak Spanish now, start learning! Even basic phrases and numbers can help.

If all else fails, remember that Google Translate and writing phrases down in advance to show people can go a long way.

We’ve found that Mexicans are almost always willing to help you get around!

What to Pack for 2 Weeks in Mexico

Our suggested Mexico packing list covers everything you’ll need for this trip!

To get you started, though, here are a few things we’d be sure to put in your bag:

Travel Insurance — We don’t ever recommend traveling without travel insurance–anything can happen, and an epic 2 week trip to Mexico is definitely a case of better safe than sorry.

Traveling to Mexico is generally safe, but it also likely involves stepping outside your comfort zone and trying out new adventures in a foreign land… where you may or may not speak the language.

Pacsafe — The best way to keep your belongings safe in hotel rooms!

Simply fill it with your valuables and attach and lock it to the sturdiest thing in your room (we usually use a pipe or the base of a sink or toilet), and voila!

Reef-Safe Sunscreen — Sunscreen can often be more expensive on the road than at home, especially in beach areas. Better to bring at least some of your own!

On the beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula, be sure that your sunscreen is reef-safe!

Portable Phone Charger — For long bus rides when one round of charge on your phone simply isn’t enough.

Comfortable Day Bag — We currently use Pacsafe’s sleek anti-theft backpack and love it, but if you don’t want to shell out the cash for this trip, that’s totally understandable.

Just aim for something comfortable to wear, not flashy, and medium-sized. We used a Northface backpack leftover from my school days for years and loved it as well.

Swim Goggles — Swim goggles are small, lightweight, inexpensive, and make swimming in crystal-clear water so much more fun!

We’ve been carrying ours ever since we started backpacking and consider them a must-have in beach destinations.

Dry Bag — Planning on taking any ferries? Visiting the beach? Going on a boat tour?

You’ll want to have a dry bag on your Mexico packing list!

A dry bag will allow you to safely bring your electronics, passports, etc., onboard without fear of damage, and will even allow you to swim to shore from a boat with your camera if you plan to visit any islands via boat!