This itinerary explores the southern Yucatán Peninsula, through the states of Quintana Roo and Yucatán. On this trip, we focused on Mayan archaeological sites, lagoons, colonial cities, and some of the lesser-known historical routes of the region.
We completed this journey using public buses, colectivos, and local taxis. The route begins in Chetumal and continues through Valladolid, Mérida, and Ticul, using a small number of overnight stops to reduce travel time and allow early visits to major archaeological sites.
At a Glance
| Duration | 8 days, including arrival |
| Bases | Chetumal, Valladolid, Mérida, Ticul |
| Transport | Public buses (ADO, Mayab), colectivos, and local taxis |
| Pace | Moderate to full |
| Approximate budget (2 people) | €600, excluding flights and accommodation |
Best for: Archaeology, Maya history, colonial towns and lagoons
Day 1 – Chetumal and Laguna Milagros
We used Chetumal as the starting point for exploring southern Quintana Roo. After arriving, we headed to Huay-Pix and spent a relaxed afternoon at Laguna Milagros, enjoying the water and delicious cocktail de camarones and ceviche.
In the evening we returned to Chetumal and walked along the Boulevard Bahía, between the Muelle Fiscal and the Mega Escultura. The waterfront made for an easy first evening after travelling, and the walk took us around two hours at a relaxed pace.
Day 2 – Kohunlich, Dzibanché and Kinichná
On this day we visited the Corredor Arqueológico linking the Mayan sites of Kohunlich, Dzibanché and Kinichná. These sites are not easily accessible by public transport, so we hired a taxi for the day. The turned out to be the best way to move easily between sites and spend as much time as we like to each of them. The three sites can be visited together and provide a much quieter experience than Chichén Itzá (later in the trip), with fewer visitors and a more remote atmosphere.
We spent roughly 2–3 hours at Kohunlich, 1.5–2 hours at Dzibanché and about an hour at Kinichná, which filled the day comfortably.
Day 3 – Bacalar
Bacalar is best known for its lagoon, often referred to as the Lagoon of Seven Colours, but the town itself is worth exploring too. We began at Fuerte de San Felipe, where we spent around two hours learning about the region’s history, including the Guerra de Castas that had major impacts across the Yucatán Peninsula during the XIX century.
Afterwards, we spent the rest of the day by the lagoon. Depending on your interests, Bacalar can easily adapt to your own pace: half a day can be enough if you mainly want to swim, while a full day allows time for a boat tour or kayaking.
Day 4 – Laguna Guerrero and Valladolid
On our final morning in Chetumal, we took a taxi to Laguna Guerrero to visit the Santuario del Manatí. The sanctuary includes a small pier and observation areas from which visitors can observe manatees undergoing rehabilitation and learn about local conservation efforts. The visit took us about three hours before returning to Chetumal.
From Chetumal we travelled by public transport to Valladolid. There, we spent the evening walking around the historic centre and the main square. By chance, there were local music and dance performances that evening, creating a particularly lively atmosphere.
Day 5 – Valladolid and Ruta de las Iglesias
We spent the morning exploring Valladolid on foot, wandering through the historic centre, plazas, and surrounding streets. While many travellers use Valladolid primarily as a stopover before Chichén Itzá, we found it worthwhile as a destination in its own.
In the early afternoon, we rented a car for a very different excursion along the Ruta de las Iglesias, a route connecting a series of Mayan communities and historic churches linked to history of the Guerra de Castas.
Our main stops along the route included Tepich, Xcabil, Huaymax, Sacalaca, Sabán and Tihosuco.
Day 6 – Chichén Itzá
Staying overnight in Valladolid allowed us to reach Chichén Itzá early in the morning. We started with a guided tour, which gave us historical context and pointed out details we would otherwise have missed on our own.
The archaeological site is larger than many first-time visitors expect. If your goal is to focus on the main highlights, including El Castillo (Temple of Kukulcán), the Gran Juego de Pelota, the Templo de los Jaguares y Escudos, and the Plaza de las Mil Columnas, then 3-5 hours are sufficient.
We chose to dedicate a full day to this UNESCO World Heritage Site to be able to visit also the Sacred Cenote, El Caracol (the observatory), and the Edificio de las Monjas.
In the evening, we travelled onward to Mérida.
Day 7 – Mérida
We spent the day exploring the historic centre of Mérida, the capital of Yucatán State. Compared with Valladolid, Mérida feels larger and more metropolitan while still preserving its colonial character. Its plazas, markets, churches, and historic avenues make it one of the most interesting urban stops of the itinerary. To make the most of the limited time available, we joined a guided tour of the city.
Later in the day we reached by public transport Ticul, which served as the ideal base for visiting Uxmal and the Ruta Puuc.
Day 8 – Uxmal and the Ruta Puuc
From Ticul, we hired a taxi for the day to explore Uxmal and the Ruta Puuc, which comprises several archeological sites. This proved to be the most efficient way to visit the area without requiring a rental car for the entire trip.
We began at Uxmal, where we spent around two to three hours. While Chichén Itzá is larger and more famous, Uxmal felt noticeably quieter and became one of our favourite archeological stops of the trip.
From there we continued along the Ruta Puuc, including Kabah (1 hour), Labná (45 minutes), Sayil (45 minutes) and Xlapak (1 hour). The smaller sites required far less time individually, but visiting them as a loop made the whole day feel coherent rather than repetitive.
How It Worked for Us
The overnight stops in Valladolid, Mérida, and Ticul reduced travel times and made early visits to major archaeological sites much easier.
Public transport was sufficient to move between larger towns, while local taxis or short car rental were more practical for visiting less known sites. Using a combination of transport modes allowed us to complete the trip without hiring a car for the entire journey.
If we planned it again, we would allow more time to Mérida, which felt like the one stop where a single day only gave us an introduction.
After completing this route, we returned to Chetumal and continued our travels with a separate itinerary through the Riviera Maya.
One response to “8 Days in Yucatán & Southern Quintana Roo”
[…] Riviera Maya offers a very different experience from the archaeological routes of Yucatán and southern Quintana Roo. While Maya history still plays a role, this itinerary focuses more on beaches, cenotes, nature […]