How To Spend 3 Weeks In Mexico - Five Unique Itineraries

Welcome to the captivating world of Mexico, a country that boasts a rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and a vibrant spirit. If you're planning a three-week adventure in this enchanting land, you're in for an unforgettable experience. In this guide, we'll present you with five unique itineraries that will take you on a journey through Mexico's diverse regions, revealing the hidden gems and iconic landmarks along the way.

Itinerary #1: Enchanting Mexico: from the capital to the beaches

Explore Mexico's highlights in a 3-week journey. Begin in Mexico City, and tour its historic centre and UNESCO sites like Zócalo and the National Palace. Discover Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul and Xochimilco on day three. Fly to Puerto Escondido for beach days on days five and six.

Transition to the Yucatan Peninsula on day seven, flying from Puerto Escondido to Cancun. Explore Ek Balam on day eight and reach Mérida on day nine, visiting Chichen Itza en route. Day ten reveals Mérida's charm, while day eleven offers an optional Celestun excursion.

Day twelve entails a self-drive to Campeche via Uxmal's archaeological site. Enjoy Campeche's day thirteen freedom, then drive to Xpujil on day fourteen and explore Becan on day fifteen.

Day sixteen leads to Bacalar's lagoon, followed by leisure or exploration on day seventeen. Day eighteen offers a self-guided trip to Playa del Carmen or Tulum's archaeological site. Relax and explore Playa del Carmen on days nineteen and twenty.

Curious? Check prices and availability or customize this trip to your needs.

Tulum Playa del Carmen beach, Mexico © Shutterstock

Tulum Playa del Carmen beach, Mexico © Shutterstock

Puerto Escondido's Playa Zicatela is reportedly one of the finer surfing beaches in southwestern Mexico © Shutterstock

Puerto Escondido's Playa, Zicatela © Shutterstock

Mariachi on streets colonial Campeche city, Mexico © javarman/Shutterstock

Mariachi on streets colonial Campeche city, Mexico © javarman/Shutterstock

Itinerary overview

Check this overview of the 3 weeks Mexico itinerary.

Day 1

  • Arrival in Mexico City.
  • Overnight in Mexico City. 

Day 2

  • City Tour of Mexico City.
  • Overnight in Mexico City. 

Day 3

  • Xochimilco and Frida Kahlo Museum Day Tour from Mexico City.
  • Overnight in Mexico City. 

Day 4

  • Flight from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido.
  • Overnight in Puerto Escondido. 

Day 5

  • Free day at Puerto Escondido.
  • Overnight in Puerto Escondido. 

Day 6

  • Free day at Puerto Escondido.
  • Overnight in Puerto Escondido. 

Day 7

  • Puerto Escondido to Cancun and self-drive to Valladolid.
  • Overnight in Valladolid.

Day 8

  • Day at leisure or self-drive to Ek-Balam.
  • Overnight in Valladolid. 

Day 9

  • Self-drive to Merida and visit Chichen Itza on the way.
  • Overnight in Merida. 

Day 10

  • Day at leisure in Merida.
  • Overnight in Merida.

Day 11

  • Day at leisure or optional tour to Celestun.
  • Overnight in Merida. 

Day 12

  • Self-drive from Merida to Campeche via Uxmal.
  • Overnight in Campeche. 

Day 13

  • Day at leisure in Campeche.
  • Overnight in Campeche. 

Day 14

  • Self-drive from Campeche to Xpujil.
  • Overnight in Xpujil. 

Day 15

  • Day at leisure to visit Becan Archaeological Site.
  • Overnight in Xpujil. 

Day 16

  • Self-drive from Xpujil to Bacalar and optional visit to Bacalar Lagoon.
  • Overnight in Bacalar. 

Day 17

  • Day at leisure in Bacalar.
  • Overnight in Bacalar.

Day 18

  • Self-drive from Bacalar to Playa del Carmen.
  • Overnight in Playa del Carmen. 

Day 19

  • Day at leisure or drive to Tulum Archaeological Site.
  • Overnight in Playa del Carmen. 

Day 20

  • Day at leisure at Playa del Carmen.
  • Overnight in Playa del Carmen.

Day 21

  • Self-drive to Cancun Airport and departure.

Ready to embark on an adventure? Book your trip now.

Tulum, Mayan ruins, Mexico © DC_Aperture/Shutterstock

Tulum, Mayan ruins, Mexico © DC_Aperture/Shutterstock

Itinerary #2: Discovering Central Mexico: from Guanajuato to Oaxaca

Experience a diverse 3-week Mexican itinerary blending history, cuisine, and relaxation. Day one begins in Mexico City for acclimatization. On day two, a shared tour unveils the Basilica of Guadalupe and Teotihuacan's pyramids. Day three brings a morning bus ride to San Miguel de Allende, leaving the afternoon free.

Day four offers leisure or a guided walk in San Miguel de Allende. Travel by city bus to Guanajuato on day five, with day six inviting exploration or optional excursions. Day seven entails a bus transfer back to Mexico City.

Day eight introduces Cuernavaca and Taxco, while day nine visits the Frida Kahlo Museum and Xochimilco's gardens. A Cholula and Puebla excursion awaits on day ten. Day eleven involves a city bus ride to Oaxaca with leisure time, followed by a sightseeing tour on day twelve and a Monte Alban excursion on day thirteen.

Day fourteen explores Hierve El Agua's petrified waterfalls and Mitla. Day fifteen flies to Huatulco, gifting beaches and activities. Days sixteen to nineteen are your time to explore Huatulco. Day twenty marks the farewell, as your driver takes you to Mexico City airport for your journey home.

Curious? Check prices and availability or customize this trip to your needs.

Beach Zipolite Oaxaca, Mexico © Shutterstock

Beach Zipolite, Oaxaca, Mexico @ Shutterstock

Monte Alban © Shutterstock

Monte Alban, Oaxaca, Mexico @ Shutterstock

Itinerary overview

Check this overview of the 3 weeks Mexico itinerary.

Day 1

  • Arrival in Mexico City.
  • Overnight in Mexico City. 

Day 2

  • Basilica of Guadalupe and Teotihuacan Pyramids from Mexico City.
  • Overnight in Mexico City. 

Day 3

  • Mexico City to San Miguel de Allende by public bus.
  • Overnight in San Miguel de Allende. 

Day 4

  • A day in San Miguel de Allende at leisure.
  • Overnight in San Miguel de Allende. 

Day 5

  • San Miguel de Allende to Guanajuato.
  • Overnight in Guanajuato. 

Day 6

  • Day at leisure at Guanajuato.
  • Overnight in Guanajuato. 

Day 7

  • Guanajuato to Mexico City.
  • Overnight in Mexico City. 

Day 8

  • Day Trip to Cuernavaca and Taxco.
  • Overnight in Mexico City. 

Day 9

  • Day Trip to Frida Kahlo Museum, Xochimilco and University City.
  • Overnight in Mexico City. 

Day 10

  • Visit Puebla and Cholula.
  • Overnight in Puebla.

Day 11

  • From Puebla to Oaxaca.
  • Overnight in Oaxaca. 

Day 12

  • Oaxaca City Tour.
  • Overnight in Oaxaca. 

Day 13

  • Day Trip to Monte Alban.
  • Overnight in Oaxaca. 

Day 14

  • Day Tour to Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree and Mitla.
  • Overnight in Oaxaca. 

Day 15

  • From Oaxaca City to Huatulco.
  • Overnight in Huatulco.

Day 16

  • Free day in Huatulco.
  • Overnight in Huatulco. 

Day 17

  • Free day in Huatulco.
  • Overnight in Huatulco. 

Day 18

  • Free day in Huatulco.
  • Overnight in Huatulco. 

Day 19

  • Free day in Huatulco.
  • Overnight in Huatulco. 

Day 20

  • Flight to Mexico City.

Feeling curious? Take a step forward and book this trip now.

The steep, colourful hills of Guanajuato © Bill Perry / Shutterstock

The steep, colourful hills of Guanajuato © Bill Perry / Shutterstock

Itinerary #3: The Magic of the Yucatan and Mexico City

This 3-week itinerary shows you the real Yucatan. Day one begins with a private transfer from Cancun Airport to your hotel in Cancun. On day two, you'll travel to Valladolid.

On day three, take a bus to Chichen Itza. On day four, transfer by bus to Mérida, the White City, and tour its main square and cathedral. Day five offers free time in Mérida or an optional full-day excursion to the scenic Celestun Biosphere Reserve.

On day six, you'll head to Campeche, stopping along the way at Uxmal. Day seven includes a visit to the remarkable town of Calakmul, after which you will travel to Xpujil. Day eight includes a public bus ride to the stunning Bacalar Lagoon.

Day nine is a rest day in the paradise town of Bacalar. On the tenth day, take a public bus to Tulum. Days eleven and twelve are free days in Tulum.

On the thirteenth day, we leave the Yucatán Peninsula and travel to Mexico City. On the fourteenth and fifteenth days in Mexico City, city tours are planned. The sixteenth day includes a visit to the popular Frida Kahlo Museum and the floating gardens of Xochimilco. The final days are free days in Mexico City.

Feeling curious? Check availability and book this trip now.

mexico-city-Palacio-Bellas-Artes-shutterstock_573127864

Mexico City, Mexico @ Shutterstock

Teotihuacan-mexico-sun-temple-shutterstock_238396660

Teotihuacan Temple, Mexico @ Shutterstock

Puebla-city-mexico-shutterstock_107461973

Puebla City, Mexico @ Shutterstock

Itinerary overview

Check this overview of the 3 weeks Mexico itinerary.

Day 1

  • Arrival in Cancun.
  • Overnight in Cancun. 

Day 2

  • Travel to Valladolid.
  • Overnight in Valladolid. 

Day 3

  • Chichen Itza Tour.
  • Overnight in Chichen Itza. 

Day 4

  • Transfer by bus to Mérida and City Tour.
  • Overnight in Mérida. 

Day 5

  • Free time in Mérida or optional full-day excursion to Celestun Biosphere Reserve..
  • Overnight in Mérida. 

Day 6

  • Transfer to Campeche, with a stop at Uxmal.
  • Overnight in Campeche. 

Day 7

  • Calakmul and Xpujil Tour.
  • Overnight in Calakmul. 

Day 8

  • Transfer to to Bacalar Lagoon.
  • Overnight in Bacalar. 

Day 9

  • Rest day in Bacalar.
  • Overnight in Bacalar. 

Day 10

  • Transfer to Tulum.
  • Overnight in Tulum.

Day 11

  • Free day in Tulum.
  • Overnight in Tulum. 

Day 12

  • Free day in Tulum.
  • Overnight in Tulum. 

Day 13

  • Transfer to Mexico City.
  • Overnight in Mexico City. 

Day 14

  • City tour in Mexico City.
  • Overnight in Mexico City. 

Day 15

  • City tour in Mexico City.
  • Overnight in Mexico City.

Day 16

  • Visit the Frida Kahlo Museum and Xochimilco.
  • Overnight in Mexico City.

Day 17

  • Free day in Mexico City.
  • Overnight in Mexico City.

Day 18

  • Free day in Mexico City.
  • Overnight in Mexico City.

Day 19

  • Free day in Mexico City.
  • Overnight in Mexico City.

Day 20

  • Departure from Mexico City.

Feeling curious? Take a step forward and book this trip now.

Chichen itza sunset, Mexico © Shutterstock

Chichen Itza sunset, Mexico @ Shutterstock

Itinerary #4: Fascinating Mexico: From Guanajuato to the Yucatan

This 3-week itinerary ensures you can make the most of discovering fascinating Mexico within 3 weeks.

The first day begins with a transfer to your hotel in Guanajuato. The second day offers free time to explore Guanajuato. The third day is a walking tour of San Miguel de Allende, followed by a leisurely morning on the fourth day.

On day five, you'll depart Mexico City for a tour of the cities of Cholula and Puebla. On the sixth day, go on a tour of the Basilica of Guadalupe. Day seven offers a visit to the Frida Kahlo Museum and the floating gardens of Xochimilco.

On day eight, transfer to Mexico City International Airport and fly to Tuxtla Gutierrez. On the ninth day, explore the Amerindian communities. On the tenth day, a general excursion to Agua Azul waterfall.

The eleventh and twelfth days involve trips to Campeche and Mérida. The thirteenth day is a free day in Mérida. On day fourteen, you can travel to Tulum.

Days fifteen and sixteen are dedicated to the beaches of Tulum. On the seventeenth day, take a ferry to Holbox Island, where you can enjoy the island on days eighteen and nineteen. The twentieth day marks the end of the trip.

Curious? Check prices and availability or customize this trip to your needs.

Tropical beach setting on Isla Holbox, Quintana Roo, Mexico © Shutterstock

Tropical beach setting on Isla Holbox, Quintana Roo, Mexico © Shutterstock

Guanajuato

Guanajuato, Mexico @ Shutterstock

Itinerary overview

Check this overview of the 3 weeks Mexico itinerary.

Day 1

  • Arrival in Guanajuato.
  • Overnight in Guanajuato.

Day 2

  • Morning at leisure in Guanajuato - Bus to San Miguel de Allende.
  • Overnight in San Miguel de Allende. 

Day 3

  • Discover San Miguel de Allende.
  • Overnight in San Miguel de Allende. 

Day 4

  • Morning at leisure in San Miguel de Allende - Bus to Mexico City.
  • Overnight in Mexico City. 

Day 5

  • Visit Puebla and Cholula.
  • Overnight in Mexico City. 

Day 6

  • Basilica of Guadalupe and Teotihuacan Pyramids from Mexico City.
  • Overnight in Mexico City. 

Day 7

  • Xochimilco and Frida Kahlo Museum Day Tour.
  • Overnight in Mexico City. 

Day 8

  • Mexico City Airport to San Cristobal and Excursion to Sumidero Canyon.
  • Overnight in San Cristobal de las Casas. 

Day 9

  • Indian Communities San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan from San Cristobal de las Casas.
  • Overnight in San Cristobal de las Casas. 

Day 10

  • Day Trip from Palenque to Agua Azul, Misol Ha and the Archaeological Site.
  • Overnight in Palenque.

Day 11

  • Palenque to Campeche by bus.
  • Overnight in Campeche. 

Day 12

  • Public bus to Merida and the rest of the day at leisure.
  • Overnight in Merida. 

Day 13

  • Free day in Merida.
  • Overnight in Merida. 

Day 14

  • Merida - Tulum by public bus and the rest of the day at leisure.
  • Overnight in Tulum. 

Day 15

  • Free day in Tulum.
  • Overnight in Tulum. 

Day 16

  • Free day in Tulum.
  • Overnight in Tulum. 

Day 17

  • Tulum to Isla Holbox.
  • Overnight in Holbox. 

Day 18

  • Holbox Island Day at Leisure.
  • Overnight in Holbox. 

Day 19

  • Holbox Island Day at Leisure.
  • Overnight in Holbox. 

Day 20

  • Holbox to Cancun Airport.

Excited to discover? Waste no time and book this trip now.

Mangrove tree in the Caribbean Sea in the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve near Tulum, Mexico © Jess Kraft/Shutterstock

Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve near Tulum, Mexico © Jess Kraft/Shutterstock

Itinerary #5: Marvelous Mexico: From Yucatan to Mexico City

This 3-week trip starts on the wonderful coast of Yucatan, exploring the beaches and archaeological highlights like Chichen Itza and Tulum. Day one welcomes you to Cancun. Day two offers an excursion to Tulum's archaeological site, Coba's pyramid, and Playa Paraiso's beauty.

Days three and four invite relaxation on Cancun's beaches. On day five, embark on a tour of Ek Balam's ancient city. Day six takes you to Merida via Chichen Itza. Day seven explores the Puuc Route's Mayan hills and Uxmal City.

Day eight involves a transfer from Merida to Campeche, with a cenote dip and a Uxmal site visit. Day nine brings a journey to Palenque. Day ten explores Yaxchilan and Bonampak Archaeological Sites.

Day eleven offers a tour of the Palenque Archaeological Site, Misol Ha pools, and Agua Azul waterfalls. Day twelve delves into the Indian communities of San Juan Chamula.

Day thirteen takes you to Oaxaca. Day fourteen features a tour of Mitla and Teotitlan del Valle. Day fifteen explores Monte Alban's ancient Zapotec capital.

Days sixteen through nineteen offer a diverse Mexico City experience. Day twenty concludes your journey.

Excited about this trip? Waste no time and book this trip now.

mexico-xochimilco-shutterstock_1129089542

Xochimilco, Mexico @ Shutterstock

mayan-ruins-tulum-yucatan-mexico-shutterstock_385211842

Mayan Ruins, Tulum, Yucatan, Mexico @ Shutterstock

Itinerary overview

Check this overview of the 3 weeks Mexico itinerary.

Day 1

  • Arrival in Cancun.
  • Overnight in Cancun.

Day 2

  • Day Trip to Tulum, Coba and Playa Paraiso.
  • Overnight in Cancun. 

Day 3

  • Day Trip to Tulum, Coba and Playa Paraiso.
  • Overnight in Cancun. 

Day 4

  • Day at leisure in Cancun.
  • Overnight in Cancun. 

Day 5

  • Day at leisure in Cancun.
  • Overnight in Cancun. 

Day 6

  • Shared Excursion to Ek Balam and Cenote Maya.
  • Overnight in Cancun. 

Day 7

  • From Cancun to Merida.
  • Overnight in Merida. 

Day 8

  • Shared Puuc Route.
  • Overnight in Merida. 

Day 9

  • From Merida to Campeche with cenote and Uxmal.
  • Overnight in Campeche. 

Day 10

  • From Campeche to Palenque by public bus.
  • Overnight in Palenque. 

Day 11

  • Day Tour to Bonampak and Yaxchilan Sites.
  • Overnight in Palenque.

Day 12

  • From Palenque to San Cristobal visiting Agua Azul and Misol Ha.
  • Overnight in San Cristobal de las Casas. 

Day 13

  • Day tour to San Juan Chamula and Sumidero Canyon.
  • Overnight in San Cristobal de las Casas. 

Day 14

  • From San Cristobal de las Casas to Oaxaca.
  • Overnight in Oaxaca. 

Day 15

  • Day Trip to Mitla Tule and Teotitlan.
  • Overnight in Oaxaca. 

Day 16

  • Day trip to Monte Alban.
  • Overnight in Oaxaca. 

Day 17

  • From Oaxaca to Mexico City.
  • Overnight in Mexico City. 

Day 18

  • City Tour and Pyramids of Teotihuacan.
  • Overnight in Mexico City.

Day 19

  • Day Trip to Frida Kahlo Museum, Xochimilco and University City.
  • Overnight in Mexico City. 

Day 20

  • Free day in Mexico City.
  • Overnight in Mexico City. 

Day 21

  • Transfer to the airport and departure.

Excited by the possibilities? Book this trip now.

Mexico, Central America, The Yucat?n, Central Heartland, Cenote Dzitnup, limestone rock formations resembling stalactites above turquoise waters in natural cavern

Cenote Dzitnup, Mexico, Central America, The Yucatan @ Shutterstock

For more inspiration for your trip to Mexico, see The Rough Guide to Mexico. Browse our customisable Mexico itineraries, talk to our local Mexico travel experts and find out how to get to Mexico.

Also, find tons of ideas for your Mexican adventure in our guide to the best vacation spots in Mexico.

Rough Guides Editors

written by
Rough Guides Editors

updated 06.06.2024

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