From Cancún, a 20-minute ferry crosses to Isla Mujeres. Then it's along the Riviera Maya to Akumal, and finally inland to Valladolid. The longest leg, from Akumal to Valladolid, takes almost two hours.
17 Days / 16 Nights
November–April
4 stops
Why This Route?
For families who want to spend ample time by the water with short drives, and also discover Maya culture.
Hidden Gems
Punta Sur at Isla Mujeres' southern tip early morning
Yal-Kú Lagoon north of Akumal
Cenote Zací in central Valladolid
Getting there and back
Round trip, returning to where you started
Arrival
Flight · Cancún (CUN)Ferries to Isla Mujeres leave from Puerto Juárez, north of downtown Cancún, and take 15 to 20 minutes.
Departure
Flight · Cancún (CUN)From Valladolid it is just under two hours back to Cancún airport, or take the Tren Maya to Cancún Aeropuerto station.
Itinerary
Stop 1 • 2 Nights
Cancún
City
Perfect for unwinding and relaxation. For adventure seekers and Perfect for an exciting city trip.
Planned as a 1970s resort, Cancún is now Quintana Roo's largest city, home to nearly 900,000. Its two worlds: the Zona Hotelera, on a narrow isthmus between the Caribbean and the lagoon, and El Centro (downtown), where residents live and work. The airport is the most important gateway to the peninsula.
11 Sights
14 Restaurants
History and Daily Life
A Planned CityUntil the late 1960s, only a few fishermen lived on the headland. The Mexican government selected the location via computer analysis as a new tourism hub, and the first hotels opened in 1974. Workers came from all over the country, many from Yucatán, Tabasco, and Chiapas.Maya HeritageWithin the hotel zone are the small sites of El Rey and San Miguelito; to the north is El Meco. The Museo Maya showcases regional finds.
Isla Mujeres is located approximately 13 kilometers northeast of Cancún and can be reached by ferry in about 20 minutes. The island is about seven kilometers long and less than a kilometer wide at its widest point. In the north lies the small town with colorful houses and Playa Norte, while the south features a rocky coast and the lighthouse of Punta Sur.
4 Sights
4 Restaurants
History and Island Life
Mayans and SeafarersThe island was dedicated to the Mayan goddess Ixchel. Its name comes from female figures found by Spanish seafarers in her sanctuary in the 16th century. For a long time, fishing sustained the island; later, smugglers and traders like Fermín Mundaca arrived.TodayTourism shapes daily life, but many fishing families live in the village. Local life revolves around the church and main square, especially in the evenings.
Akumal is located on the Riviera Maya between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, about a half-hour drive from both places. Its name means "Place of the Turtles" in Maya. In the protected bay, Green Sea Turtles feed in seagrass meadows, making it one of the coast's most famous snorkeling destinations.
3 Sights
3 Restaurants
Protecting the Bay
Turtles and RulesHigh visitor numbers have stressed seagrass and reefs. Since March 2016, the bay has been designated a protected area (Área de Refugio) for sea turtles. Swimming with turtles is only permitted in groups of max six people with an authorized guide, wearing a life vest, and between 9 am and 5 pm. Do not touch, chase, or feed the animals, and only use biodegradable sunscreen.Centro Ecológico AkumalThis non-profit organization by the bay conducts research on turtles and reefs and informs visitors about the bay's protection.
Rich in culture and history. Perfect for an exciting city trip and Stunning nature and outdoors.
Valladolid, located in the east of the state of Yucatán, is a colonial city with nearly 57,000 inhabitants, colorfully painted houses, and a lively main square. It lies approximately 40 kilometers from Chichén Itzá and is surrounded by cenotes, making it a peaceful base between Cancún and Mérida. Valladolid holds the title of Pueblo Mágico.
Day trip to Chichén Itzá (just over 40 km), ideally for the 8 am opening
7 Sights
5 Restaurants
Culture & Character
HistoryThe Spanish founded Valladolid in 1543 by the Chouac-Ha lagoon and relocated the city in 1545 to the Maya settlement of Zací. The execution of Maya leader Manuel Antonio Ay in Valladolid in 1847 marked the beginning of the Caste War, a decades-long uprising of the Maya against Creole rule. 1910 saw one of the first uprisings of the Mexican Revolution here. To this day, the region is heavily influenced by Maya culture; you'll hear a lot of Yucatec in the market.
