A land of rapid colors, ancient civilizations, and dramatic natural landscapes, Mexico’s travel experience can little be termed second-class. The following 10-day Mexico itinerary has been thoughtfully curated to take one on a momentous journey through the treasure trove of most iconic and breathtakingly beautiful sights that the country has on offer. Immerse in its cultural, historic, and adventurous spirits.
Mexico Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Mexico City – The Cultural Gaiety Begins.
Welcome to Mexico City, one of the most extensive-if not one of the liveliest-cities in the world. Upon your arrival, you would want to spend a little time going around the historic heart of the city-what is better known as the Zócalo. You will see the Metropolitan Cathedral, quite an imposing structure from colonial times, and later visit the Palacio Nacional that houses the famous murals by Diego Rivera dealing with the history of Mexico.
Afternoon: The tour will take you to some of the nicest neighborhoods in Roma and Condesa: tree-lined streets, eclectic boutiques, pulsating nightlife. You will have dinner at one of the restaurants and taste the typical dishes: tacos al pastor or chiles en nogada.
Day 2: Teotihuacán – The City of the Gods
Day 2: Take a full-day trip to Teotihuacán-one of Mexico’s most famous archaeological sites-only an hour out of Mexico City. Visit this ancient city for the Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon. Pyramid of the Sun is a must-to-climb; the views are incredible over the whole site and the valley around it.
Follow the Causeway of the Dead back into the heart of the complex and explore the beautifully carved Temple of Quetzalcoatl. Later today return to Mexico City, stopping to see the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, one of the most important sites of pilgrimage and religion in the country.
Day 3: Puebla – colonial charm and culinary delights
Then, on the third day, take yourself to the city of Puebla, which is a pretty city mostly known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and most of all for its food. Go for a morning walk around the Zócalo de Puebla, where you’ll see the imposing Puebla Cathedral and Rosary Chapel, in this case two buildings that include the eighth wonder of the world.
Puebla is also a real food treat; for sure try the chicken smothered in mole poblano, a rich sauce of chocolate and chilies. Later this afternoon take a day visit to the nearby town of Cholula and see what is still the largest pyramid in the world by volume. You can go right to the top for a spectacular view of the surrounding volcanoes including Popocatépetl.
Day 4: Oaxaca – A Journey into Ancient Cultures
The fourth day starts the transfer to Oaxaca. It is a city deeply impregnated with indigenous culture, amazing arts, and delicious food. The adventure in Oaxaca can be started from the main square of the city-the Zócalo-surrounded by fabulous colonial buildings; among them, Iglesia de Santo Domingo is an impressive representative of the baroque style, and just next door is the Museum of Oaxacan Cultures.
Afternoon: Visit Monte Albán, the ruined Zapotec hillside city that crowns a ridge rising 1,300 feet above the valley floor. Explore this magnificent ancient site of temples, palaces, and squares, taking in the history of the Zapotecs.
Day 5: Oaxaca – Mercados and Mezcal
On day two of your town, immerse yourself in the vibrant Oaxaca markets and the food scene. Start at Mercado Benito Juárez; in addition to local handicrafts and textiles, you really should be able to get some traditional specialties from Oaxaca: quesillo, or stringy cheese, and grasshoppers.
Continue on to a local mezcal distillery to learn about the process behind this traditional Mexican spirit and sample varieties to discover the complex flavours that are making it popular around the world. For dinner, opt to try one of the eclectic local restaurants, serving up everything from tlayudas to mezquite grilled meats to mole negro.
Day 6: San Cristóbal de las Casas – An Highlands Retreat
Day 6 Transfer flight to the island city of San Cristóbal de las Casas in the State of Chiapas. Nestled within highlands, this little town is full of well-preserved colonial architecture and oozes with indigenous culture. First stop should be Plaza 31 de Marzo since that is where the central square of the city is located. Then head on over to the nearby San Cristóbal Cathedral.
Take a colorful walk around town, including visits to local markets, where indigenous artisans sell their hand-loomed textiles and handicrafts. In the afternoon, take a boat tour down the Grijalva River lined by towering cliffs and abundant wildlife through the stunning Sumidero Canyon, part of a national park.
Day 7: Palenque – Mystical Ruins in the Jungle
Day 7 Today, take a tour of one of the most mystical and best-preserved sites in Mexico, Maya ruins of Palenque. Located right in the middle of the thick heart of the jungle, Palenque stands, manifesting an amazingly stunning group of temples with a number of interesting carvings. Explore in the rainforest, Temple of the Inscription, The Palace, and Temple of the Cross Complex.
From here, take a tour to the nearby Agua Azul Waterfalls and swim in one of many turquoise pools created by cascading waterfalls. Overnights in Palenque, wakeup with jungle sounds.
Day 8: Mérida – The White City
On the eighth day, head to Mérida, which is a white city and the capital of Yucatán on the Peninsula. The town is quite bustling, has great cultural richness from the time that its buildings were colonial, constructed with white limestone. A good way to spend your day could be around Plaza Grande – the main square of Mérida. It is visiting Mérida Cathedral and Palacio de Gobierno, where you see the murals illustrating the history of the Yucatán.
Alternatively, you can also take an afternoon stroll along the Paseo de Montejo-with its wide avenue lined with great mansions-or visit the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya to learn about the ancient Maya civilization that surrounded this region. Try dinner at one of the many restaurants serving typical Yucatecga dishes like cochinita pibil and panuchos.
Day 9: Chichén Itzá, Cenote Ik Kil – Wonders of the Yucatán
No trip to Mexico could ever be complete without a visit to the New Seven Wonders of the World: Chichén Itzá. On day nine, take a tour to this iconic archaeological site, home to the Temple of Kukulcán-a big step pyramid that dominates the site. Go on a tour and get acquainted with more interesting history of the Maya Indians on a tour to other main structures of the place, including Temple of Warriors and the Great Ball Court.
Later, swim in the nearby Cenote Ik Kil-natural sinkhole of crystalline limpidity, framed by lush vegetation. To be sure, even for the Maya, this cDMI was a sacred place. Actually, this is one of the most beautiful cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Day 10: Tulum-ruins and beaches
On the last day, go to Tulum, a town on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, popular with picture-postcard white sandy beaches and historic well-preserved Mayan ruins. The day can begin in the Tulum Archaeological Site: the houses of the ancient city are on the cliff over the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. Among the main sights are Temple of Frescoes and Temple of the Descending God.
After visiting the ruins, it is allowed to stay on Tulum Beach. Because of fine white sand and crystal-clear water, some lonely hours on the beaches can be spent, named Playa Paraiso or Playa Ruinas, both very spectacular because the atmosphere is always tranquil.
Conclusion
This ten-day tour to Mexico strikes just the right balance between peeps into history, cultural immersion, and natural splendor. From the frenzied streets of Mexico City to the sun-kissed beaches of Tulum, this whirlwind tour of Mexico leaves one with lifetime memories of a country full of rich heritage and stunning landscapes.
