Mexico Itinerary 3 Weeks: Route from Mexico City to Cancún
Mexico, a stunning country filled with friendly people, rich culture, and diverse landscapes. Our complete Mexico itinerary takes you from the bustling capital, Mexico City, all the way to Cancún. Along the way, you’ll experience colorful colonial towns, tropical beaches, and lush jungle. This route covers about 3 to 4 weeks and is perfect if you want to see a mix of culture, history, and relaxation. Below you’ll find our full Mexico itinerary for 3 weeks, including how many days we recommend in each destination, plus tips for accommodation, activities, and transportation.
Mexico City (4 Days)
Accommodation: B&B in Roma Norte
Activities: citytours, exploring neighborhoods and restaurants (1)
Your trip starts in the capital, Mexico City. This vibrant city is the perfect introduction to Mexico’s culture, food, and people. We recommend staying in Roma, a hip neighborhood with plenty of cafés and restaurants. From here you can easily reach other parts of the city by metro or taxi. Roma is known for its European vibe, which makes it trendier but also a little pricier compared to the historic center. Want more details? Check out our dedicated Mexico City travel guide.
Oaxaca (3 Days)
Accommodation: Hostal de las Americas
Activities: city tour, Monte Albán (2)
From Mexico City, take the bus to Oaxaca (pronounced ‘ Wa-ha-ka’ ), which takes about a full day. We booked our tickets via Busbud and had a smooth experience. Oaxaca is a colorful, lively city with so much to see and do. With two days to explore, you’ll have plenty of time for highlights like Monte Albán. Curious about what to do in Oaxaca? We’ve written a full article with tips for Oaxaca.
Puerto Escondido (5 Days)
Accommodation: Carri Surf Studio
Activities: Beach time (3), optional: turtle release with Vivemar
Puerto Escondido is the perfect place to slow down and relax by the ocean. The bus ride from Oaxaca is shorter and smoother than the previous journey, so you’ll arrive ready to unwind.
Not all beaches here are suitable for swimming. For example, Zicatela Beach has huge waves and is marked with red flags. But it’s an amazing place to watch the surfers or enjoy a drink at Palapito’s Beach Bar, right by the water. Check our Google Maps Mexico guide to find this spot!
San Cristóbal de las Casas (3 Days)
Accommodation: Casa Tequio
Activities: City tour, Canyon del Sumidera (4)
Three days is a good amount of time to explore San Cristóbal and its surroundings. If you arrive on a night bus, we recommend adding an extra day, since you’ll probably arrive in the morning without much sleep. One of the highlights nearby is Canyon del Sumidera. For more details, see our complete San Cristóbal guide.
Palenque (3 Days)
Accommodation: Hotel Quiloma Ranch
Activities: Palenque ruins (5), Aluxes Animal Rescue, Palenque town
The journey from San Cristóbal to Palenque takes a full day, since the safer bus route avoids Highway 199. Palenque itself is small, but the main attraction is the ancient Mayan city of Palenque. From Quiloma Ranch, you can even walk to the entrance of the ruins. Another unique stop is Aluxes Animal Rescue, where animals confiscated from private owners are given a safe home, including crocodiles that would otherwise have been killed.
Mérida (3 Days)
Accommodation: T´úubul K´iin Bed & Breakfast
Activities: City center, Uxmal (6)
Mérida is larger and more touristy than Oaxaca or Palenque, and while it may feel less authentic, it’s a great base for exploring nearby Mayan ruins. We chose to visit Uxmal instead of the more famous Chichén Itzá and we didn’t regret it. Uxmal was far less crowded, with no souvenir stalls inside the site, and offered a more relaxed experience. Entry was around 600 pesos, plus parking.
Tip: rent a car for the day to visit Uxmal and combine it with nearby cenotes or even a beach stop.
Cancún (3 Days)
Accommodation: Alce33
Activities: Beaches, Isla Mujeres (7)
The final stop of this Mexico itinerary is Cancún. After one of the shortest bus rides of the trip, you’ll arrive in time to relax on the city’s stunning beaches. You can also take the ferry to Isla Mujeres (about €30 return per person), but honestly, the beaches in Cancún’s hotel zone are just as beautiful. Spend your last days here recharging before heading home.
Conclusion: Our Mexico Itinerary 3-4 Weeks
For us, this 3–4 week Mexico itinerary was the perfect way to balance cities, beaches, and jungle. Traveling by bus worked really well, though we might have rented a car if one-way rental fees weren’t so high.
Think about what works best for you (bus or car) and plan your route accordingly. Want to know more about bus travel in Mexico? Check out our separate article about our experiences.
