Tour

Mexico City to Tulum
from USD 1775

Contiki Holidays

Tour Code: CA2MXTU27
Vacation Type:
Brochure:
Duration: 15 Days
Country: Mexico

This 15-day trip takes you from CDMX’s food, art and big-city energy to Oaxaca’s markets, mezcal and slow afternoons, before heading through Chiapas, Mérida, Chichén Itzá and Valladolid. Expect jungle ruins, turquoise waterfalls, cenote swims, overnight buses, local flavours and free time to follow your own curiosity. You’ll finish in Tulum, with beach time built in and plenty of free time to keep exploring. Expect simple stays and both public and private transport.



Mexico City to Tulum Trip Map

Gold Seal Protection

  • Gold Seal Protection

Dining Summary

1 Lunch (L)

Faqs

Mexico City: How can I purchase Free Time Add-Ons? You’ll now book and pay for your Free Time Add-Ons through WeTravel — a simple website link where you can browse all the FTAs, pick what you’re keen on, and pay directly by card, in any currency. You’ll get the link in your Welcome Email, usually 3–5 days before your trip starts. Once you’re in, it’s easy: check out the pics, descriptions and prices, add your chosen experiences to your cart, then check out online. You can book before your trip starts or while you’re on the road, up until each activity’s booking deadline.Missed the link? No stress. Your Trip Manager can share it with you on trip too.

Included Experience

  • Mexico City: Explore Mexico City’s historic centre, from the Templo Mayor and Metropolitan Cathedral to the huge Zócalo plaza. Walk past Diego Rivera murals, grand civic buildings and Bellas Artes for a fast, fascinating first look at CDMX.
  • Oaxaca: Walk into Oaxaca’s historic centre with your Trip Manager, passing Santo Domingo, the Museo de las Cultures and the lively Zócalo. We'll finish near the cathedral and dinner spots, with the city’s colour, music and street life doing most of the talking.
  • Oaxaca: Head into the countryside for a community-based mezcal experience at a rural palenque.Ride out to the maguey fields, learn how agave is grown and harvested, then taste several mezcals before sitting down to a traditional lunch.
  • San Cristobal: Start at Plaza de la Paz and the Zócalo, where the colourful cathedral, cafes and street art give you a quick feel for the city. Wander along Real de Guadalupe to the hilltop Templo de Guadalupe, then loop back past Santo Domingo and the artisan market for craft stalls, cobbled streets and big local flavour.
  • Agua Azul: Cool off at two of Chiapas’ standout waterfall stops. Agua Azul brings turquoise cascades and natural pools. And Misol-Ha delivers a dramatic 35-metre drop and a walk-behind-the-falls moment.
  • Palenque: Step into the jungle and explore Palenque’s ancient Maya ruins with a guide. Expect impressive temples and intricate stone carvings
  • Roberto Barrios Waterfalls: Swim, chill or snap your way through a series of turquoise pools surrounded by jungle. It’s an easy nature reset after a morning of ruins.
  • Merida: Start at Plaza Grande, home to Catedral de San Ildefonso, the colourful Mérida sign and some of the city’s key historic spots. Then walk along Paseo de Montejo to see grand mansions, the Monumento a la Patria and Mérida’s old-school elegance in full swing.
  • Chichen Itza: Explore Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, with a local guide.You’ll see the Temple of Kukulkan, the Great Ball Court and other iconic structures while learning about Maya astronomy, architecture and mythology.
  • Cenote Ik Kil: Take a dip in Cenote Ik Kil, one of the Yucatán’s most famous natural sinkholes. Think deep blue water, hanging vines and limestone walls.
  • Valladolid: Walk through Valladolid with your Trip Manager and see highlights like San Gervasio Cathedral and the 16th-century Convent of San Bernardino of Siena. Keep an eye out for street food vendors too — your future snack self will thank you.

  • Viajero CDMX Centro Hostel (or similar)
  • Viajero Oaxaca Hostel (or similar)
  • Overnight bus to San Cristóbal
  • Che San Cristobal Hostel (or similar)
  • Cabañas Kin Balam (or similar)
  • Overnight Bus to Merida
  • Che Hostel Merida (Or Similar)
  • Che Valladolid Hostel (Or Similar)
  • Che Tulum Hostel (Or Similar)
Day 1 Mexico City

Welcome to Mexico City! Once you make your way to the hostel, you'll have the rest of the day to settle in, explore the neighbourhood, or take it easy. In the evening, meet your Trip Manager and fellow travellers at the Welcome Meeting.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Viajero CDMX Centro Hostel (or similar)

Day 2 Mexico City

Kick off with an orientation through Centro, getting a feel for the heart of CDMX. After that, you’ll have time to explore more your way — whether that’s checking out museums and landmarks or making your way to Roma Norte for cafes and a change of pace. Plus, there’s an option to join a gourmet taco tour for lunch, which is a pretty great way to get into Mexico City’s food scene.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Viajero CDMX Centro Hostel (or similar)

Day 3 Mexico City To Oaxaca

Leave the capital behind this morning and travel south by private transfer, swapping big-city buzz for a slower pace and a new side of Mexico.The rest of the day free to settle in or head out and explore. You might want to wander the historic centre, browse the local markets, or ease into the city with dinner and a mezcal.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Viajero Oaxaca Hostel (or similar)

Day 4 Oaxaca

Swap the city for the countryside, and visit a traditional mezcal palenque for an experience rooted in local culture and craft. After learning how it all comes together, you’ll enjoy a tasting and a local lunch before heading back to Oaxaca. There’s the option to experience the world-famous Lucha Libre later tonight.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Viajero Oaxaca Hostel (or similar)

Day 5 Oaxaca & Overnight Bus To San Cristobal

You’ll have a free day to enjoy Oaxaca your way, whether that means market browsing, museum stops, artisan workshops, or just taking it slow in a cafe around the historic centre. Later this evening, we'll jump on public transport for a overnight journey to San Cristóbal de las Casas. Settle into your seat, grab some snacks for the road, and get some rest as you travel through the mountains into Chiapas.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Overnight bus to San Cristóbal

Day 6 San Cristobal

You’ll arrive in San Cristóbal early this morning and transfer to the hostel. Then your Trip Manager will show you around and help you get your bearings. After that, the rest of the day will be free to explore, relax, or ease into the city’s mountain-town pace.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Che San Cristobal Hostel (or similar)

Day 7 San Cristobal

Today's a free day to explore San Cristóbal however you like. Spend the day wandering artisan markets, finding a good cafe, or taking in more of the town’s relaxed pace and local culture. You also have the option to join a Sumidero Canyon and Chiapa de Corzo experience if you want to get out and see more of the region.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Che San Cristobal Hostel (or similar)

Day 8 San Cristobal To Palenque Via Agua Azul And Misol-ha

Time to leave San Cristóbal behind and travel through the Chiapas mountains by private transfer, with some seriously good scenery along the way.First stop? Agua Azul, where you’ll have time to walk the trails, take in the turquoise cascades, and cool off with a swim.Next up is Misol-Ha, a dramatic waterfall surrounded by lush jungle, with time to explore and enjoy the setting before continuing on.By afternoon, you’ll arrive in Palenque. With a pool and proper jungle surroundings, it’s a pretty ideal place to relax for the evening.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Cabañas Kin Balam (or similar)

Day 9 Palenque & Overnight Bus To Merida Via Roberto Barrios Waterfalls

This morning, head out on a guided tour of the Palenque ruins, one of the most impressive Maya sites in Mexico, set deep in the jungle.Later, you’ll visit Roberto Barrios, where turquoise pools and waterfalls make for a solid change of pace. There’ll be time to swim, relax, or just enjoy the setting before heading back.In the evening, board your overnight bus to Mérida. Grab dinner and snacks before you go, then settle in for the journey across to the Yucatán.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Overnight Bus to Merida

Day 10 Merida

Arrive in Merida early this morning and transfer to the hostel, where you can freshen up before heading out for breakfast. Once you’ve settled in, your Trip Manager will give you an orientation of the town. Then you’ll have free time to explore the city at your own pace. Join a Yucatán home cooking experience with local hosts if you’re keen to get straight into the local food scene.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Che Hostel Merida (Or Similar)

Day 11 Merida To Valladolid Via Chichen Itza And Cenote Ik Kil

Leave Merida behind this morning and head out by private transfer towards Chichen Itza - one of Mexico’s most famous landmarks.Explore this ancient site on a guided tour and get a closer look at the history, architecture, and stories behind this ancient Maya city.Afterwards, you’ll stop at Cenote Ik Kil for a quick cool off and swim in one of the region’s best-known natural sinkholes.Later on, continue to Valladolid and check in on arrival. Once you’ve settled in, the rest of the day will be free to relax or head out and explore this smaller colonial town.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Che Valladolid Hostel (Or Similar)

Day 12 Valladolid To Tulum

Enjoy a day in Valladolid. Optionally, join a full-day trip to Río Lagartos and Las Coloradas if you want to see more of this side of the Yucatán.Later in the afternoon, you’ll collect your bags and take the public bus to Tulum. Once you arrive and check in, the evening will be free for dinner and a first taste of this laid-back Caribbean stop.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Che Tulum Hostel (Or Similar)

Day 13 Tulum

You’ll have a full free day to enjoy Tulum however you like. Head for the beach, visit the cliffside ruins, check out a cenote, or just take it slow around town with cafes, shops, and plenty of time to do your own thing.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Che Tulum Hostel (Or Similar)

Day 14 Tulum

Another free day to enjoy Tulum your way, whether that means more beach time, a last cenote stop, or just taking it easy around town.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Che Tulum Hostel (Or Similar)

Day 15 Tulum

And just like that, our Mexican adventure has officially come to an end. Say goodbye to your crew, swap details, and perhaps get planning on our next getaway.

Duration: 1 Day

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