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The Most Mexico: Central Mexico, Yucatan & Cancún

16 days, Mexico City to Cancún

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The itinerary on this trip has been improved! View the new itinerary.

Can’t decide where to travel in Mexico? Then just, you know, don’t and choose this epic 16-day adventure that hits all the best parts instead. Travel from one oh so beautiful hostel to the next as you venture from Mexico City all the way to Cancún. You’ll discover the cultures, landscapes, and flavours (tacos and tequila just scratch the surface) of Central Mexico before heading to the jungles, ruins, and white sand beaches of the Yucatán Peninsula. Cap things off with a few incredible days of classic Cancún good times, and you’ve got yourself a Mexico adventure you’ll never forget.

This specific trip is no longer running.

Trip Code: CMMCHW

Can’t decide where to travel in Mexico? Then just, you know, don’t and choose this epic 16-day adventure that hits all the best parts instead. Travel from one oh so beautiful hostel to the next as you venture from Mexico City all the way to Cancún. You’ll discover the cultures, landscapes, and flavours (tacos and tequila just scratch the surface) of Central Mexico before heading to the jungles, ruins, and white sand beaches of the Yucatán Peninsula. Cap things off with a few incredible days of classic Cancún good times, and you’ve got yourself a Mexico adventure you’ll never forget.

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: Roamies by Hostelworld & G Adventures

Immersive, social, wallet-friendly adventures where epic hostels are your home-base.

Service Level: Basic

Simple and clean hotels and hostels; affordable public and private transport; lots of optional activities.

Physical Rating: 2 - Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 24, avg 16

Age requirement: 18-35

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This specific trip is no longer running.

Trip Code: CMMCHW

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Trees for Days

Help us spread love around the world — with trees! Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 16

Map of the route for The Most Mexico: Central Mexico, Yucatan & Cancún

Places visited

Itinerary

Day 1Mexico City

Arrive at any time, and kick back at the hostel or head out to explore the city before meeting up with fellow Roamies in the evening. Grab a drink on the hostel rooftop terrace or check out the nearby main plaza, which is always buzzing at night.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Welcome Moment Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Day 2Mexico City

Mexico City is so huge that it's hard to know where or how to start exploring, but stick with us, we've got your back! Set off in a private ride with a local expert and head to the Monument to the Revolution to get great views from the top and learn a thing or two about Mexico's history. Continue to the iconic "El Angel" statue for the obligatory photos and then head to the trendy area of Colonia Roma Norte to visit a local market and find some mouth-watering tacos al pastor to devour for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is yours to continue exploring the city or maybe take a trip out to visit the ruins of Teotihuacán. Lucha libre in the evening, anyone?

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 3Mexico City/Puebla

You’re not done with Mexico City quite yet! Head out to the colourful neighborhood of Xochimilco where you'll float along in a typical "trajinera" boat along the canals of this ancient water system built by the Aztecs. Browse the floating markets for souvenirs and snacks and maybe hear some mariachis along the way before hopping back on the bus. Arrive in the colonial city of Puebla in the early afternoon and brush up on your Spanish with the CEO before having some time to explore a bit or to relax at the hostel.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 4Puebla/Oaxaca

Head south today on a bus to Oaxaca, (pronounced "Wah-ha-cah" in case you were wondering), a city packed full of culture and incredible food. You'll dive straight into the regional cuisine in the evening with a big spread of delicious local dishes like tamales, tlayudas or some of the ridiculously delicious mole. Throw in some local tequila and you’ve got yourself a party in your mouth.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 5Oaxaca

Freedom! Enjoy a full day in Oaxaca where you can choose from a heap of fun things to do. Want to see some ancient ruins? Visit the nearby site of Monte Albán. Want to stay local? Take a city tour or channel your inner chef with a cooking class. Ultimately the day is yours so if that means having a few more sips of mezcal at a local tavern or chilling at the hostel then that is a-ok by us too.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 6Oaxaca/Puerto Escondido

Road trip to the beach! Head out today on a windy road up through the mountains, bound for the Pacific coast. Stop along the way at the town of San Jose del Pacifico for you to stretch your legs on a short hike to a lookout point across the mountains and valleys below. After finding some lunch we'll continue on out of the mountains to the relaxed beach town of Puerto Escondido and settle in for some serious R&R and beach time, you deserve it.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 7Puerto Escondido

Take a day to do as much or as little as you want, there's no judgement here. Maybe it's the beach or a surf class that's calling your name or possibly it's a 'hang-around'-the-hostel' kind of day with the crew. Your CEO is always on hand to make recommendations or to pull up a seat at the bar with, the choice is yours. Did someone say fish tacos?

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 8Puerto Escondido/Mérida

Peel yourself off the beach and catch a flight north to Mérida via Mexico City. Head to the hostel and relax with a cold drink or explore the surroundings before meeting some newly-joining Roamies in the evening for the next leg of the adventure.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 9Mérida

Ok, so every day on this trip is amazing but we'll venture to say that this one is ridiculous. You'll explore some of the many cenotes in the area, giant sinkholes in the earth formed by underground freshwater rivers. Hop on a bike to cycle between a few of them and swim in the crystal-clear waters to take a break from the heat. After a yummy lunch, return to Mérida and spend the rest of the day wandering the city or relaxing in a hammock at the hostel. Sound about right?

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 10Mérida/Valladolid

Ready for another epic day? Keep your sunscreen and the camera handy today as you'll be checking a major bucket item off of your list. Head into the jungle to the massive Mayan ruins of Chichen Itzá for a guided tour and time to walk around on your own. Then continue to Valladolid to drop off your stuff at the hostel and chill for a bit before heading out for dinner, where you’ll learn about the Mayas and have a chance to devour a spread of delicious Yucatan dishes cooked over the fire, like pollo pibil and tamales with fresh handmade tortillas.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 11Valladolid/Tulum

Pile into the bus and head to the white sand and turquoise waters of the Mayan Riviera. But before you hit the beach we have more ruins to see - Tulum! The only of the Mayan temples to be built right next to the ocean, you will be filling your feed with jaw-dropping photos in no time. Spend the rest of the day on the beach, hanging out at the hostel or at one of the many bars and cafes in town.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 12Tulum

The beach at Tulum is pretty stellar that's for sure, and today is yours to do with it what you want. Feeling active and want to explore more? Go snorkelling at the natural waterpark of Xel-Há or visit some more cenotes. Feeling the ocean vibes instead? Stay local and hit the beach before shoring up at the hostel bar for a cold beverage. After dinner head to one of the beach clubs to dance the night away under the stars.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 13Tulum/Cancún

Squeeze in a bit more beach time in Tulum before heading north to Playa del Carmen in the late morning. Have lunch at El Hongo, a community project that supports youth art initiatives that also happens to have delicious food. After, take some time to browse the shops along the vibrant pedestrian strip of "la quinta." Next stop, Cancún - where more beach, adventure and nightlife await! Check into the comfy hostel in the hotel zone and laze about by the pool with a cold beverage before deciding what's on for the evening.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your G for Good Moment El Hongo Mexican Community Restaurant & Youth Art Program

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 14Cancún

Day trip! Head away from the tourists into the jungle of the Yucatán to a local community. You'll learn all about the delicious regional cuisine and help prepare some of the dishes before scarfing it down on the spot for lunch. Later, top it all off with a swim in a nearby cenote to cool off from the midday heat. Don’t worry, you’ll still have time to hit the beach or hang out at the hostel pool when we get back to Cancún in the afternoon.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Foodie Moment Yucatecan Community Lunch Experience and Cenote Swim

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 15Cancún

A free day in Cancún, how good does that sound? If you're craving more adventure you could head out on a day trip to Isla Mujeres or Playa del Carmen, or stay local and squeeze every last moment out of that white sand beach or the hostel hang-out spots. Your CEO is always on hand to give recommendations or to show you the best local stretches of beach, the rest is up to you. Ready to party? Of course you are! Your CEO knows all the best bars and clubs Cancún has to offer. Who needs sleep anyways?

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 16Cancún

Depart at any time, or maybe decide to add on a few more nights at the beach.

Meals included:

Breakfast
View full itinerary

What's Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: El Hongo Mexican Community Restaurant & Youth Art Program, Playa del Carmen
  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Foodie Moment: Yucatecan Community Lunch Experience and Cenote Swim, Cancún
  • Insiders tour of Mexico City with included street food lunch
  • Boat ride along the ancient canals of Xochimilco
  • Typical food experience meal in Oaxaca with tequila and mezcal tastings
  • Hike to a viewpoint over the mountains en route to the beach
  • Beach time at Puerto Escondido
  • Excursion from Mérida to cycle between and swim in cenotes
  • Guided tour of Chichen Itzá and Tulum ruins
  • Dinner inside a cenote near Valladolid
  • Beach time at Tulum and Cancún
  • Visit to an insect museum
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Hostels (14 nts), Hotel (1 nt)

Meals

15 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners
Allow USD280-365 for meals not included.

Transportation

Private vehicle, public air-conditioned bus, taxi, plane.

Staff & experts

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Make it a private tour

Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.

The Most Mexico: Central Mexico, Yucatan & Cancún

| 16 days - Mexico City to Cancún - from $12539 HKD