39 days in Mexico Itinerary

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

Your day by day itinerary now includes Skydive Playa as well as Shark Diving. Step off the beaten path and head to Xpu-ha Beach and Avenida Kukulkan. Venture out of the city with trips to Ecopark Kantun Chi (in Puerto Aventuras) and Cancun (Playa Delfines, Scorpion’s Temple, &more). There's much more to do: take in the waterfront activity at Puerto Aventuras Marina, tour the pleasant surroundings at Parque Los Fundadores, explore the world behind art at Gaston Charo Art Gallery Playa del Carmen, and stop by Little Bali.

For reviews, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, use the Playa del Carmen trip site.

Zurich, Switzerland to Playa del Carmen is an approximately 13-hour flight. You'll gain 6 hours traveling from Zurich to Playa del Carmen due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Zurich in February, expect Playa del Carmen to be warmer, temps between 31°C and 21°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 26th (Sun) so you can catch the ferry to Cozumel.

Thanks to the island's outstanding scuba diving and snorkeling options, Cozumel tourism sector remains a major employer and the main source of income for this Caribbean getaway.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Palancar Reef and Spas. And it doesn't end there: explore the gorgeous colors at Santa Rosa Wall, see what you can catch with a fishing tour, view the masterpieces at BALAM Art Painted on Feathers, and head outdoors with Paradise Beach Cozumel.

To find traveler tips, photos, reviews, and more tourist information, read Cozumel driving holiday planner.

Ride a ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel in 1.5 hours. February in Cozumel sees daily highs of 31°C and lows of 21°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 3rd (Fri) early enough to travel 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.

Explore hidden gems such as Cenotes Sac Actun and Two Eyes Cenote. Get out of town with these interesting Tulum side-trips: Casa de los Venados (in Valladolid), Yal-ku Lagoon (in Akumal) and Ek Balam (in Ek Balam Village). Spend the 4th (Sat) among aquatic life with a scuba or snorkeling tour. Next up on the itinerary: see the sights as you ascend with a climbing tour, contemplate the waterfront views at Casa Cenote, Head underground at Gran Cenote, and stroll through Paradise Beach.

Make your Tulum itinerary with Inspirock to find out what to see and where to go.

Traveling by combination of ferry and car from Cozumel to Tulum takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of ferry and bus. In March, daytime highs in Tulum are 32°C, while nighttime lows are 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Wed) so you can drive to Bacalar.

Bacalar is the municipal seat and largest city in Bacalar Municipality (until 2011 a part of Othón P. Blanco Municipality) in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, about 40km north of Chetumal, at 18° 40' 37" N, 88° 23' 43" W. In the 2010 census the city had a population of 11,084 people. Kick off your visit on the 9th (Thu): steep yourself in history at Fuerte San Felipe Bacalar and then find your balance on the water with some of the best stand-up paddleboarding in the area. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: stroll through Santuario del Manati and then contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Bacalar.

For where to stay, traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, go to the Bacalar online road trip planner.

Getting from Tulum to Bacalar by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a shuttle; or take a bus. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Tulum in March: highs in Bacalar hover around 38°C, while lows dip to 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Fri) to allow time to drive to Mahahual.

A growingly popular destination on Mexico's Caribbean coast, for most of its history Mahahual remained a tiny fishing village well off the beaten path.

Kick off your visit on the 11th (Sat): take in the waterfront activity at Costa Maya Port, then take advantage of the amenities at Maya Chan Beach, and then stroll through Playa Mahahual. On the next day, stop by Colleen's Magnetic Jewelry and then get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports.

To find reviews, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Mahahual holiday builder tool.

You can drive from Bacalar to Mahahual in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In March in Mahahual, expect temperatures between 38°C during the day and 24°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sun) to allow enough time to fly to Oaxaca.

Capital city of the eponymous state, Oaxaca relies heavily on its colonial charm, its core a maze of tree-shaded alleys flanked by photogenic mansions, government buildings, and old churches.

Kick off your visit on the 13th (Mon): browse the exhibits of Museo del Palacio-Espacio de la Diversidad, then explore the galleries of Zona Arqueologica de Monte Alban, and then make a trip to Zocalo. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: admire the natural beauty at Jardin Etnobotanico de Oaxaca, then pause for some serene contemplation at Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman, and then look for gifts at Galeria Tierra Quemada.

For more things to do, reviews, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Oaxaca route planner.

You can fly from Mahahual to Oaxaca in 7 hours. Other options are to drive; or take a bus. The time zone difference moving from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Central Standard Time (CST) is minus 1 hour. Traveling from Mahahual in March, Oaxaca is a bit cooler at night with lows of 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Tue) to allow time to fly to Puerto Vallarta.

Boasting a coastline made for perfectly framed photographs of romantic sunsets, Puerto Vallarta continuously ranks among the world's top tourist resorts.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Kayaking & Canoeing and Nuevo Vallarta Beach. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Puerto Vallarta: Luna Layne (in San Francisco) and Vallarta Botanical Gardens (in Cabo Corrientes). There's much more to do: learn the secrets of beer at a beer tour and tasting, pause for some serene contemplation at Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, and appreciate the extensive heritage of Centro Historico.

To see maps, ratings, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Puerto Vallarta trip planner.

Fly from Oaxaca to Puerto Vallarta in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. When traveling from Oaxaca in March, plan for a bit cooler days in Puerto Vallarta, with highs around 31°C, while nights are somewhat warmer with lows around 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Sun) so you can drive to Mazatlan.

Fine beaches remain a top reason to take a trip to Mazatlan, a developed resort city with a high concentration of hotels and restaurants.

Kick off your visit on the 20th (Mon): stop by Sea Shell City Museo de Conchas, don't miss a visit to Malecon de Mazatlan, get to know the fascinating history of Plaza Machado, then admire the landmark architecture of Catedral Mazatlan Basilica de la Inmaculada Concepcion, and finally view the masterpieces at Escarabajo Azul Galeria de Arte. On the 21st (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: kick your exploration up a notch at some of the top local zipline courses and adventure parks and then take a stroll through Old Mazatlan.

For photos, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, you can read our Mazatlan road trip website.

Drive from Puerto Vallarta to Mazatlan in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time (CST) to Mexican Pacific Standard Time (MST), which is usually a -1 hour difference. Traveling from Puerto Vallarta in March, plan for a bit cooler nights in Mazatlan, with lows around 15°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Tue) to allow time to fly to La Paz.

It's no coincidence that La Paz means "peace" in Spanish, as this tourist center with a small-town vibe offers a tranquil atmosphere and blissfully pleasant weather throughout the year.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Isla Espiritu Santo and Malecon. Spend the 25th (Sat) peacefully gliding across the water with some of the best stand-up paddleboarding in the area. There's still lots to do: kick back and relax at Balandra Beach, view the masterpieces at Tamal Gallery, don't miss a visit to Casa Del Artesano Sudcaliforniano, and explore the galleries of Diaz Castro Galeria.

For where to stay, ratings, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the La Paz day trip site.

Traveling by flight from Mazatlan to La Paz takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry; or do a combination of car and ferry. In March, daytime highs in La Paz are 36°C, while nighttime lows are 17°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Sat) to allow time to drive to Cabo San Lucas.

One of Mexico's premier vacation spots, Cabo San Lucas lures pleasure seekers with its trendy restaurant scene, raucous nightlife, and, of course, picture-perfect beaches.

Step off the beaten path and head to Santa Maria Beach and Marina Cabo San Lucas. Explore Cabo San Lucas' surroundings by going to San Jose del Cabo (101artgalleries, Plaza Mijares, &more). There's still lots to do: get up close to creatures of the deep with a dolphin and whale watching tour, look for gifts at Tequila Town, enjoy the sand and surf at Chileno Beach, and stroll through Divorce beach.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Cabo San Lucas day trip tool.

You can drive from La Paz to Cabo San Lucas in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. While traveling from La Paz, expect a bit cooler days and somewhat warmer nights in Cabo San Lucas, ranging from highs of 31°C to lows of 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Thu) early enough to fly back home.