21 days in Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary

Few destinations in Mexico dazzle visitors quite like Cancun, a modern resort town filled with glitzy hotels sitting on picturesque and well-developed Caribbean beaches.

Cancun is known for nightlife, wildlife, and adventure. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: buy something for everyone on your list at La Isla Shopping Village, indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, don't miss a visit to El Parque de las Palapas, and kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks.

For photos, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Cancun trip itinerary planner.

Medellin, Colombia to Cancun is an approximately 6.5-hour flight. Traveling from Medellin in December, Cancun is a bit warmer at night with lows of 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 12th (Mon) to allow time for the combination of to Holbox Island.

On the 13th (Tue), step off the mainland to explore Holbox Island, get some thrills on the water with a speed boat tour, and then stop by Lolita Boutique Holbox. On your second day here, contemplate the waterfront views at Yalahau Lagoon.

To see more things to do, where to stay, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read Holbox Island trip itinerary builder.

You can do a combination of from Cancun to Holbox Island in an hour. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or do a combination of bus and ferry. In December, daytime highs in Holbox Island are 32°C, while nighttime lows are 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 14th (Wed) to allow time for the combination of to Playa del Carmen.

The tourist hub of the popular Mayan Riviera, upscale Playa del Carmen remains the jewel of Mexico's Caribbean coastline.

Kick off your visit on the 14th (Wed): admire the masterpieces at Gaston Charo Art Gallery Playa del Carmen and then browse the exhibits of Sol Jaguar.

To see more things to do, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Playa del Carmen online vacation planner.

Do a combination of from Holbox Island to Playa del Carmen in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or do a combination of ferry and bus. In December in Playa del Carmen, expect temperatures between 31°C during the day and 23°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Akumal.

The heart of Mexico's Riviera Maya, small but busy beach town of Akumal represents one of the world's premier diving locations.

Kick off your visit on the 16th (Fri): explore the fascinating underground world of Aktun Chen, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Akumal Beach, and then view the masterpieces at Galeria Lamanai. On the 17th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: Head underground at Ecopark Kantun Chi and then see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

Planning Akumal trip won't be overwhelming when you use Inspirock's itinerary maker.

You can drive from Playa del Carmen to Akumal in an hour. Another option is to take a bus. In December, daily temperatures in Akumal can reach 31°C, while at night they dip to 23°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 18th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Tulum.

The only Mayan site built to overlook the ocean, Tulum remains a coastal paradise preserving the last vestiges of a pre-Hispanic civilization.

Change things up with a short trip to Zona Arqueologica de Coba in Coba (about 48 minutes away). And it doesn't end there: explore the ancient world of Tulum Archaeological Site, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, browse the exhibits of Balam Art On Feathers, and enjoy the sand and surf at Paradise Beach.

For maps, more things to do, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Tulum road trip planning website.

Tulum is just a short distance from Akumal. December in Tulum sees daily highs of 31°C and lows of 23°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Wed) to allow enough time to take a shuttle to Valladolid.

One of the gateways to the ruins of Chichen Itza, Valladolid boasts plenty of historic charm and offers a range of tourist-oriented services that ensure pleasant holidays in this area.

On the 21st (Wed), tour the pleasant surroundings at Xkopek Parque Apicola, Head underground at Cenote Xkeken, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Convent of San Bernardino of Siena. On your second day here, browse the exhibits of Casa de los Venados, see the interesting displays at Museo de Ropa Etnica de Mexico, then explore the ancient world of Ek Balam, and finally make a trip to Palacio Municipal.

For ratings, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, go to the Valladolid trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by shuttle from Tulum to Valladolid takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Plan for somewhat warmer nights when traveling from Tulum in December since evenings lows in Valladolid dip to 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Fri) early enough to drive to Izamal.

Izamal is a small city in the Mexican state of Yucatán, 72 km (about 40 miles) east of state capital Mérida, in southern Mexico.Izamal was continuously occupied throughout most of Mesoamerican chronology; in 2000, the city's estimated population was 15,000 people. Kick off your visit on the 23rd (Fri): make a trip to Piramide de Kinich Kak Moo, explore the ancient world of Zona Arqueologica de Izamal, and then pause for some serene contemplation at Convento de San Antonio de Padua. On the 24th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: Head underground at Tsukan Santuario de Vida, then explore the fascinating underground world of Cenote Yokdzonot, then look for gifts at Taller Maya Izamal, and finally explore the world behind art at Centro Cultural y Artesanal Izamal.

To see more things to do, photos, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Izamal online tour itinerary planner.

Drive from Valladolid to Izamal in 1.5 hours. Expect a bit cooler evenings in Izamal when traveling from Valladolid in December, with lows around 24°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 25th (Sun) early enough to go by car to Merida.

Yucatan's busy capital, Merida remains a mid-sized urban center offering an impressive list of cultural activities, eclectic nightlife, and a chance to see tropical examples of French and Italian architecture.

Kick off your visit on the 25th (Sun): delve into the distant past at Dzibilchaltún, then see the interesting displays at Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, and then make a trip to Paseo de Montejo. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 26th (Mon): examine the collection at Casa Museo Montes Molina, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Cathedral de Merida, steep yourself in history at Palacio de Gobierno del Estado de Yucátan, then admire the landmark architecture of Plaza Grande, and finally view the masterpieces at Nahualli Casa de los Artistas.

To find more things to do, maps, reviews, and tourist information, refer to the Merida online journey planner.

Getting from Izamal to Merida by car takes about an hour. In December in Merida, expect temperatures between 36°C during the day and 24°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Campeche.

Campeche holidays draw a growing number of visitors interested in discovering a historical fairyland that stands in stark contrast with Cancun and the Maya Rivera on the opposite side of the Peninsula.

Kick off your visit on the 27th (Tue): see the interesting displays at Fuerte-Museo San Miguel, take in the spiritual surroundings of Zona Arquelogica Edzna, then stop by Tukulna Campeche, and finally go for a walk through Malecon de Campeche. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 28th (Wed): contemplate the long history of Puerta de Tierra, take an in-depth tour of Centro Cultural "El Palacio" (Museo de Fortificaciones, Comercio y Navegación), then make a trip to Centro Cultural Casa No. 6, then pause for some serene contemplation at Catedral de Campeche, and finally wander the streets of Centro Historico de San Francisco de Campeche.

To find photos, traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Campeche day trip planning tool.

Getting from Merida to Campeche by car takes about 2.5 hours. In December, plan for daily highs up to 36°C, and evening lows to 23°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Thu) to allow time to travel back home.