Itinerary Summary
The trip opens with two days in Mexico City's historic centre and a day at Teotihuacan's Sun and Moon pyramids, then flies to Merida for Uxmal and the Chichen Itza equinox-style pyramid near Valladoli…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Mexico City arrival and a slow first evening at altitude
14:00
2.5h
Arrival at Benito Juarez and Centro transfer
Land at MEX, clear immigration and pick up a pre-booked transfer or an authorised airport taxi at the desk inside arrivals. The 6 km ride to a Zocalo hotel takes 30-45 minutes in traffic.
📍 Benito Juarez International Airport to Centro Historico
17:00
1.5h
Zocalo orientation walk at easy pace
Circle the square slowly, looking at the National Palace and the floodlit cathedral, and stop for a light dinner nearby. Keep the pace gentle for the first evening at 2,240 m and drink bottled water.
📍 Plaza de la Constitucion, Centro Historico
💡 Pro Tip: Benito Juarez airport sits about 6 km east of the centre; use the authorised taxi desk inside arrivals or a pre-booked transfer rather than hailing on the street. Mexico City is at 2,240 m, so keep the first day light, drink bottled water and go easy on alcohol. Central Mexico runs on UTC-6 all year. Entry formalities depend on your passport, so check the Mexico visa section before booking.
Days 2-11 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$1,15035%
Mid-range hotels, 10 nights
Food & DiningUS$66020%
Street food, market meals and restaurants
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for Mexico on this 11-day Maya route?+
Visa rules depend on your passport. US, Canadian, EU, UK, Australian and Japanese holders usually enter visa-free for up to 180 days, while other nationalities may need a Mexican visitor visa. Check the Mexico visa section and confirm the stay length stamped at entry.
When should I book this Mexico City to Cancun route to avoid hurricanes?+
Plan for November to April, the dry season, with 25-30C on the coast and clear days at the pyramids. May to October is humid with afternoon rain, and September to October carries the highest hurricane risk on the Caribbean side. Christmas, New Year and Easter are the busiest and priciest weeks.
How much should I budget for the 11-day Maya Mexico tour?+
The guide's comfort tier is about $2,690-3,890 (roughly EUR 2,340-3,380) per person excluding international flights. That covers mid-range hotels, internal flights between Mexico City, Merida and Cancun, ADO first-class buses and ruin entries. Add food, tips and travel insurance on top.
How do I get between Mexico City, Merida and Cancun on this itinerary?+
The route uses two internal flights, Mexico City to Merida and Merida to Cancun, plus ADO first-class buses for Uxmal, Chichen Itza and Valladolid. Book internal flights early for lower fares, and reserve ADO seats a day ahead in high season. An open-jaw ticket into Mexico City and out of Cancun saves backtracking.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 11 days
- Budget: Comfort · approx. $2,690–3,890 (≈ €2,340–3,380), excl. int'l flights
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best for: History & Culture
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