Yucatán Loop

Arrive at Mérida airport or by ADO bus from Cancún (4 hours). Check in and spend the afternoon exploring the Paseo de Montejo boulevard, the imposing Cathedral on the Plaza Grande, and the evening mercado. Dinner at the Mercado Lucas de Gálvez for sopa de lima and cochinita pibil.

• Arrive and check in
• Walk the Paseo de Montejo
• Visit Plaza Grande and the Cathedral
• Dinner at Mercado Lucas de Gálvez

Stay: Mérida — boutique hotel in the Centro Histórico

Early ADO bus from Mérida (6:30 AM, 1.5 hours) to arrive at Chichén Itzá at opening (8 AM). Hire a licensed guide at the entrance for a 2.5-hour tour covering El Castillo, the Great Ball Court, the Observatory, and the Sacred Cenote. Continue to Valladolid by bus (30 min) and swim in Cenote Zací in the afternoon.

• 6:30 AM: ADO bus from Mérida
• 8:00 AM: Chichén Itzá opens — hire a local guide
• See El Castillo, Ball Court, Observatory, Sacred Cenote
• 12:30 PM: Bus to Valladolid (30 min)
• Afternoon: swim at Cenote Zací in town
• Evening: explore Valladolid's colonial streets

Stay: Valladolid — mid-range colonial hotel

Getting there: Early bus from Mérida essential — the site gets very crowded from 10 AM.

Morning visit to Izamal — the 'Yellow City', a completely ochre-painted colonial town built on and around Maya pyramids. The Kinich Kakmó pyramid at the centre of town is the third largest in Mexico. Return to Mérida in the afternoon for a rest day — the city has excellent museums, markets, and restaurants.

• Morning bus Valladolid → Izamal (1 hour)
• Visit Kinich Kakmó pyramid and the Franciscan convent
• Explore Izamal's yellow streets
• Afternoon bus back to Mérida (1.5 hours)
• Visit Mérida's Museo del Mundo Maya

Stay: Mérida — same hotel as Day 1

Rent a car or book a Puuc Route tour from Mérida (80 km south). Uxmal is the finest example of the Puuc architectural style — the Magician's Pyramid and the Governor's Palace are extraordinary. If time allows, continue to the smaller Puuc sites of Kabah, Sayil, and Labná. Return to Mérida before dark.

• Early start: drive or tour to Uxmal (1.5 hours from Mérida)
• Spend 3–4 hours at Uxmal
• See the Pyramid of the Magician, Governor's Palace, Nunnery Quadrangle
• Optional: continue to Kabah and Sayil (Puuc Route)
• Return to Mérida

Stay: Mérida

Getting there: Rental car recommended for flexibility on the Puuc Route.

ADO bus from Mérida to Tulum (4–5 hours, via Cancún or direct). Check in to your beach hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure — swim, read, walk the beach. The evening has excellent restaurants on the beach road and in Tulum Pueblo.

• Morning ADO bus: Mérida → Tulum (4–5 hours)
• Check in to beach or jungle hotel
• Afternoon: beach, cenote, or rest
• Evening: restaurants on Tulum's beach road or in Pueblo

Stay: Tulum — beach eco-hotel or jungle boutique

Getting there: Book Tulum accommodation well in advance — popular hotels sell out months ahead.

Morning visit to Tulum ruins (open from 8 AM) — arrive early before the day-tour buses. The clifftop setting above the turquoise Caribbean is unlike any other Maya site. Afternoon taxi or colectivo to Cobá (45 km inland) — you can still climb the Nohoch Mul pyramid, the tallest climbable Maya pyramid, for a panoramic jungle view.

• 8:00 AM: Tulum ruins (walk from hotel if on beach road)
• Spend 1.5 hours at the site
• Midday: back to beach / cenote swim
• Afternoon: taxi to Cobá ruins (45 km, 1 hour)
• Climb Nohoch Mul pyramid (42 m) for jungle panorama
• Return to Tulum for dinner

Stay: Tulum

Colectivo or ADO bus from Tulum to Cancún airport (1.5–2 hours). Alternatively, spend a final morning at a cenote near Tulum (Dos Ojos or Gran Cenote are both outstanding) before heading to the airport.

• Optional morning: cenote swim at Dos Ojos or Gran Cenote
• Colectivo or ADO to Cancún airport (1.5–2 hours)
• Depart

Getting there: Allow 3 hours before your flight for the Tulum–Cancún transfer plus check-in.