Looking for a one month Mexico itinerary combining the biggest cultural hubs, stunning natural cenotes, wild dolphin and sea turtle encounters, relaxing beach towns, wild nightlife, mouth-watering food, and more? You’re in the right place!
Planning to spend one month backpacking around Mexico? I am SO STOKED for you. Mexico is a diverse and enchanting country and my favourite destination in the world. In this one month Mexico itinerary, you’ll discover the best the country has to offer, from top-rated towns to criminally under-rated places to visit.
This complete guide covers everything from where and for how long to spend your time, the best things to do in each area, where to stay, and more
Table of Contents
- The Ultimate One Month Mexico Itinerary and Complete Guide
- Mexico City (Days 1 – 4)
- Mexico City to Oaxaca City (Day 5)
- Oaxaca City (Days 6 – 8)
- Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido (Day 9)
- Puerto Escondido (Days 10 – 14)
- Chacahua (Days 15 – 17)
- Puerto Escondido to Isla Holbox (Day 18)
- Isla Holbox (Days 19 – 21)
- Isla Holbox to Valladolid (Day 22)
- Valladolid (Days 23 – 25)
- Valladolid to Bacalar (Day 26)
- Bacalar (Day 27 – 29)
- Transportation to Cancun (Day 30)
- Other Mexico Destination Considerations
- When to Visit Mexico:
- Plan Your Trip to Mexico – Logistical Tips:
The Ultimate One Month Mexico Itinerary and Complete Guide
Mexico City (Days 1 – 4)
This one month Mexico itinerary begins in the vibrant heart of the country: Mexico City. As the largest city in North America and Mexico’s largest cultural hub, this metropolis is the perfect starting point for your backpacking adventure.
In Mexico City, you’ll discover a blend of ancient history and modern innovation. From the historic centro with its grand Zocalo Square and ancient Aztec ruins to the trendy neighbourhoods of Roma and Condesa, Mexico City is full of stunning contrasts. There are hundreds of museums, centuries-old cathedrals, and colourful colonial streets. Mexico City is the perfect first stop to immerse yourself in Mexican culture and history.
⭐️ Highlights – The Best Things to Do in Mexico City:
- 🇲🇽 An unforgettable night of Lucha Libre and Tacos.
- Explore Templo Mayor, an ancient Aztec temple complex that was unearthed in 1978.
- Wander Zocalo Square (one of the largest squares in the world).
- 💦 Take a day trip to Tolantongo Hot Springs.
- Watch the sunrise from a hot air balloon over the Teotihuacan pyramids.
- 🌮 Sample traditional Mexican cuisine on a food walking tour.
- Learn about Mexican history and culture at the National Museum of Anthropology.
- 🌴 Enjoy the many green spaces of Mexico City, like Chapultepec Park.
How to Spend 4 Days in Mexico City:
Day 1 – Sightseeing in Centro Historico and Sampling Mexican Cuisine
Spend the morning exploring the sprawling Zocalo Square (one of the largest in the world), the beautiful metropolitan cathedral, and the Templo Mayer Aztec ruins. In the afternoon, take a walking tour to see more of the historical sights and learn more about the ones you visited in the morning.
For dinner, choose between dining at one of the world’s top-rated restaurants to sample innovative Mexican cuisine, Pujol, or opt to join a street food tour where you can sample all the best local specialties.
Day 2 – Visit Tranquil Green Spaces and Dive Further into Mexico’s Culture and History
The second morning of your one month Mexico itinerary, visit Chapultepec Castle. The castle stands high on a hilltop in one of the city’s most stunning green spaces. You’ll have panoramic views of the city from above. Spend time exploring the castle and wander the beautiful park.
In the afternoon, visit the National Museum of Anthropology to learn more about Mexican culture and history. There are 23 exhibit halls with over 600,000 artifacts to explore so you should dedicate a few hours to it. Some highlights to see include the Aztec sunstone, the disc of Mictlantecutli (the Aztec God of the Dead), and the ancient Mayan ball hoops where players would play for the honour of being sacrificed to their gods.
After a full day of exploring, join a Lucha Libre night to watch famous Mexican wrestling with beers and tacos.
Day 3 – Day Trip to Tolantongo Hot Springs
For your third day in Mexico City, take a day trip to the bucket list attraction, the Tolantongo hot springs. Tolantongo features thermal pools emerging from cave walls to form a series of cascading pools. The entire complex is surrounded by lush vegetation and looks out over a steep canyon valley. Tolantongo is a must for nature lovers. The hot springs are remote, so it is best to take a guided tour for efficiency.
You Can Find the Best Guided Tour of Tolantongo Hot Springs Here!
Day 4 – Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Ancient Pyramids, Canals, and Trendy Restaurants
For your final day in Mexico City, join a morning hot air balloon ride over the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan. The pickup for this tour is at 4 am to enjoy the amazing views illuminated by the sunrise. You’ll receive a traditional Mexican breakfast buffet and have the adventure of a lifetime. The tour takes about 5 hours total, so you’ll arrive back in the morning.
After a quick nap, head out for a Trajinera ride in the Xochimilco canals. Xochimilco is known for its floating gardens. The Trajinera boats are decorated in vibrant colours and meander slowly down the canals. You’ll pass many boat vendors selling you their goods as you float by.
For your final evening in Mexico City, grab drinks and enjoy the nightlife in Roma.
Where to Stay in Mexico City:
Centro Historico
Also known as the old town, this is a great neighbourhood to stay for easy access to major historical attractions like Zocalo Square and Templo Mayor. The historical centre is filled with old colonial architecture and local markets to immerse yourself in the local cultures.
Best Budget Place to Stay: Viajero CDMX Centro Hostel – In the heart of Centro Historico on a pedestrian street. They have comfortable rooms, a great central patio, food and cocktails, and planned social events every night if you want to participate.
Best Mid-Range Place to Stay: Hotel Ritz Ciudad de Mexico – Clean and comfortable rooms located right in the centre of the city’s best attractions. The price is affordable and there is breakfast available
Roma and Condesa
These two neighbourhoods sit side-by-side and are great for first-time visitors. Considered a hip and laid-back part of the city, you’ll find tree-lined streets, Art Deco architecture, trendy restaurants, and great nightlife. Roma and Condesa are known for their walkability. This part of town does come at a slightly higher price point due to its popularity.
Best Budget Place to Stay: Hostel Home – Considered one of the best hostels in the entire city. It was built in an old house, giving it an authentic and homey vibe. The rooms are filled with colourful murals, and it has a great social scene. Strategically located in Roma, this hostel is surrounded by trendy restaurants and amazing nightlife just a short walk away.
Best Mid-Range Place to Stay: Marbella Mexico City – One of the highest-rated hotels that comes with an affordable price in this part of town. The rooms are comfortable and clean and the location is excellent.
Mexico City to Oaxaca City (Day 5)
The next stop on your one month Mexico itinerary is Oaxaca City. There are two ways to get there:
1. Bus – The bus ride takes 7 hours and costs about $40 USD. The best bus line to use is ADO and you can purchase your tickets in advance online or in person at the bus terminal.
I purchased all my bus tickets around Mexico using Bus Bud.
2. Internal Flight – Direct flights run several times per day from Mexico City to Oaxaca City. They are relatively cheap. The numerous times I’ve booked a flight between the two, the prices were between $50 – $100 USD. The flight takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Oaxaca City (Days 6 – 8)
Spend 3 full days exploring my favourite Mexican city, Oaxaca City. Filled with colonial architecture, Oaxaca is an absolute gem. The buildings are painted in colourful pastels, there are vibrant murals around every corner, something exciting happens every night, there is a plethora of delicious food, and mountainous hills surround it all.
⭐️ Highlights – The Best Things to Do in Oaxaca City:
- 👙 Swim on top of a petrified waterfall at Hierve el Agua
- Do a tour and tasting of a local Mezcal Distillery
- 🔥 Watch fire dancers outside of Santo Domingo Church
- 🌈 Wander the colourful streets and murals of Jalatlaco
- 🍫 Sample authentic Oaxacan chocolate at Corazon de Cacao in Xochimilco
- Take an authentic cooking class or food tour
How to Spend 3 Days in Oaxaca City:
Day 1: Walking Tour of Oaxaca Centre, Local Markets, and Oaxaca’s Best Murals
On your first day in Oaxaca city, join a free walking tour to get the lay of the city. The walking tours are great for catching your bearings and learning about the city’s historical and cultural significance from a local. The tour will bring you through the historic center seeing sights like Teatro Macedonia, Santo Domingo Church, cobblestone streets, the best local food stands, and more. After departing from the group, head over to grab some lunch and explore Mercado Benito Juarez, the city’s largest market.
In the afternoon, wander the streets of the Jatatlaco neighbourhood. This is the most colourful portion of the city, with vibrant murals around every corner and beautiful decorations hanging over the streets.
In the evening, grab dinner at __ and then spend some time wandering north from Zocalo square on the pedestrian street. The city comes alive after sunset and you might catch some fire dancers putting on a show in front of Santo Domingo Church.
Read More: The 19 Best Tours in Oaxaca City For Every Interest
Day 2: Authentic Chocolate Tasting, Street Food, and a Cooking Class
For your second day in Oaxaca, head to the Xochimilco neighbourhood. Stop at the Corazon de Cacao store, a family-owned store steeped in history that has been making chocolate the traditional way since the shop owner’s grandmother taught her decades ago. They offer samples to try each of the different chocolates and provide information on how they are made.
After sampling some chocolate, and maybe purchasing some souvenirs, wander the Xochimilco neighbourhood to enjoy the morning light illuminating the many murals that decorate the old buildings.
For lunch, head back into Centro and get tacos from Taco del Carmen. This is one of the best food stands in the city for delicious homemade tacos.
In the afternoon, join a traditional cooking class where you’ll head to the market with a local to shop for your ingredients, and then hear tales of life in Oaxaca as you learn to cook some of its traditional dishes.
Book a Cooking Class with a Local: Flavours of Oaxaca Traditional Cooking Class
Day 3: Swim Atop a Petrified Waterfall and Do a Mezcal Tasting
For your third and final full day in Oaxaca City, embark on a tour to Hierve el Agua and a tour of a Mezcal Distillery. Hierve el Agua is a bucket list adventure that has to be on everyone’s Oaxaca City itinerary. There are only two petrified waterfalls in the world, and Mexico’s is the only one that you can actually walk upon. There are pools on top that you can swim in to enjoy the views and short hiking trails to see the waterfall from the bottom.
Afterwards, visit a Mezcal distillery where you can learn about the importance of this drink in Oaxaca, discover the fascinating way it is made, and even take part in a tasting.
I opted for this tour because it allowed for enough time to enjoy both of these attractions without feeling rushed through the day. We spent 3 whole hours at Hierve el Agua which felt perfect after a hike, some swimming, and enjoying local food at the small market. The tour is also run by local guides so you’ll learn more about the area as well.
The Tour I Loved: Hierve El Agua and Mezcal Distillery Tour
Where to Stay in Oaxaca City:
Centro
Centro is one of the two best areas to stay in Oaxaca City. Oaxaca City is a very walkable city, so staying in Centro means you’ll be able to walk to all the best things to do. The city centre is always bustling and is considered a safe part of town.
Best Budget: Hostal Central – A highly rated hotel with a superb central location, organized events, high-quality free breakfast, and even affordable private rooms. This is one of the best hostels in Oaxaca city.
Best Mid-Range: Suites Parador Santo Domingo – An incredible boutique hotel on a quiet street in centro. The rooms are large and stylish, there is a lovely pool oasis to relax, the staff are known for being incredibly friendly, and it is in a great location!
Jalatlaco
Jalatlaco is another great place to stay in Oaxaca city if you want to be in a quieter area within walking distance of the city centre. This part of the city is the most colourful, with bright murals, picturesque streets, old churches, and lots of small restaurants and ice cream shops. It takes about 15 minutes to walk from here to Santo Domingo church, so its a great balance of being where the action is and feeling removed from the bustle.
Best Mid-Range: Paraje la Huerta – This cozy boutique hotel is family-run by locals offering a more authentic feel. The rooms are comfortable and spacious and it feels like a garden oasis in the bustling city.
Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido (Day 9)
The easiest way to get from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido is by bus or colectivo van. A new highway through the mountains was opened in Winter 2024, turning the 7+ hour bus ride into a simple 3 hours.
There are direct buses with ADO with comfortable coach seating and bathrooms. For a smaller vehicle, you can also take a colectivo van with Lineas Unidas. Both run the same amount of time and cost 300 pesos. You can book tickets online through Bus Bud or at the station on the day of.
Puerto Escondido (Days 10 – 14)
After a bustling first week and a half sightseeing, enjoy 5 full days in my favourite beach town in Mexico, Puerto Escondido. Puerto Escondido is located on the Pacific Coast and is known for its beautiful beaches, great surfing, wild dolphin and sea turtle encounters, and the best sunsets. It has a chill surf town vibe with amazing restaurants and nightlife. I loved it so much, I ended up staying for 6 weeks!
⭐️ Highlights – The Best Things to Do in Puerto Escondido:
- 🐬 Take a boat tour to swim with wild dolphins
- 🏊♀️ Snorkel to spot sea turtles at Playa Carrizalillo
- 🏄♀️ Take a surf lesson with Javier at La Punta Zicatela
- 🥳 Party at Mar y Wana or Cactus
- 🌮 Enjoy delicious food at Fish Shack, Malagua, Chili Garden, Espacio Cometa, and Spirulina
- 🌊 Watch expert surfers ride the Mexican Pipeline at Playa Zicatela
- 🐢 Release Baby Turtles on Bacocho Beach
How to Spend 5 Days in Puerto Escondido:
For your time spent in Puerto Escondido, you can easily hit everything on the list up above and still find time to relax on the many beautiful beaches. Spend time at La Punta Zicatela beach admiring the rocky point, swim and drink fresh coconut water at Playa Carrizalillo, watch baby turtles stumble to the waves at Bacocho beach, and enjoy the hundreds of trendy restaurants and boutiques in La Punta.
For a full breakdown of how to spend your time in Puerto Escondido, I already have a detailed itinerary that you can find here:
The Perfect Puerto Escondido Itinerary For 3 – 10 Days
Where to Stay in Puerto Escondido:
There are three main areas stay in Puerto Escondido. The city is relatively spread out along the coast with far distances in between attractions. Therefore, it especially important to strategically choose where you want to stay.
La Punta
La Punta is the most popular area for backpackers looking to be surrounded by the action. With dirt roads, trendy restaurants, and hip boutiques, La Punta is the hippie beach town place to stay. The beach here is one of the best for sunset.
Budget: Hostal Akumal La Punta – Right in the heart of the action in La Punta, Hostal Akumal is a social place to meet other travelers and enjoy the activities of Puerto Escondido. The hostel organizes BBQs, surf lessons, and group tours, they provide free towels and snorkeling equipment, and are a close walk to La Punta Zicatela Beach.
Mid-Range: Nectar – This was one of my favourite places in the city to work my remote job and enjoy their dance socials. They have a gorgeous courtyard with a pool and a cafe. The rooms and decor in the hotel are stunning. Nectar also hosts yoga and fitness classes on their upper open-air deck and dance classes with socials that are famous in the city every Saturday night.
Another Beautiful Mid-Range Option: Casa de Olas Boutique Hotel – This hotel is ridiculously picturesque and only 300 metres from Zicatela Beach. The highlight is the massive yoga deck and yoga deck with views over the city.
Zicatela
Zicatela is between La Punta and Centro. This part of town offers some of the best nightlife in the city, with the famed Mar Y Wana and Cactus clubs staying open every night until the early morning hours. You can still find quieter accommodation if you stay slightly off the main street. The beach in Zicatela is home to the Mexican Pipeline, a famous wave only for expert surfers. There is no swimming at this beach due to dangerous rip tides. I stayed in Zicatela and loved feeling removed from the busy tourist vibes of La Punta but still close to it all.
Budget: Selina Puerto Escondido – Selina is a well-known hostel chain all over the globe. Their location in Zicatela is particularly stunning. They have beautiful common spaces with a pool, hammocks, and an onsite bar. They organize group tours and host daily yoga sessions. They are a short walk to Playa Zicatela.
Mid-Range: Hotelito Swiss Oasis – Near Zicatela Beach, this hotel feels like a garden oasis with a pool. There is a big communal kitchen if you choose to cook some of your own meals and the hotel organizes tours like dolphin watching.
Rinconada
Rinconada is a neighbourhood North of Centro known for having some great restaurants, bars, and its close proximity to some of the city’s best beaches. You’ll be really close to Carrizalillo, Playa Angelito, and Bacocho.
Budget: Vivio Escondido Hostel – Located just 5 minutes walk from Carrizalillo, this hostel is a trendy villa with a bar onsite and great social scene. They also have great AC which is not overly common to find in Puerto Escondido.
Mid-Range: Suites La Hacienda – Walking distance to Carrizalillo, the hotel is set in a lush tropical environment with comfortable rooms. They have a pool, a bar on-site, and the staff are friendly and ready to help.
Chacahua (Days 15 – 17)
A hidden gem near Puerto Escondido, Chacahua is a remote island paradise for nature lovers. This tiny beach village is in Chacahua National Park. It has stunning lagoons, mangroves, and windswept wide open beaches. It is the perfect place to relax in a hammock all day on the beach or head out for some surfing. You can only get there by boat so you’ll feel completely removed from civilization.
⭐️ Highlights – The Best Things to Do in Chacahua:
- 🏖Relax in a hammock on the pristine beaches
- 🌊 Swim in the lagoon
- 🌅 Watch the sunset from the rock arch across the lagoon
- 🏄♀️ Take a surf lesson or rent a board
How to Spend 2 Days in Chacahua and How to Get There:
You can access Chacahua from Puerto Escondido. It takes a little bit of a journey to get there, including a boat ride, but that’s part of the fun!
In my Puerto Escondido Itinerary, days 8 – 10 detail exactly how to get to and from Chacahua. You’ll also find a detailed itinerary on how to spend your time there. It’s a magical place to relax and enjoy the untouched nature.
Read About Chacahua on Days 8 – 10 of: The Perfect Puerto Escondido Itinerary For 3 – 10 Days
Where to Stay in Chacahua:
Chacahua is a very tiny town so no matter where you choose to stay it’ll be great. You don’t even have to book accommodation in advance. I personally just showed up and rented a hammock on the beach for 50 pesos / night. It was one of my favourite travel experiences yet.
Best Mid-Range: Chacahua Surf House – My friends stayed in this hotel while I slept in a hammock and they loved it. They have a nice covered area out front with comfortable hammocks to relax in. The rooms are comfortable and clean. And they offer surf lessons and board rentals. You can book by sending them a dm on Instagram or Whatsapp.
Puerto Escondido to Isla Holbox (Day 18)
The second half of your one month Mexico itinerary will take place in the Yucatan Peninsula. Located in southeastern Mexico, the Yucatan peninsula separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico. It is renowned for its stunning beaches, natural wonders like cenotes and the Bacalar lagoon, and rich Mayan heritage. There are famous archaeological sites, vibrant colonial cities, and a tropical climate.
Day 17 includes journeying back to Puerto Escondido so this is where you’ll depart from to your next destination: Isla Holbox.
The best way to get there is to fly domestically from Puerto Escondido to Cancun. There is a small airport in Puerto Escondido. The flight will likely have you stopping over on a short layover back in Mexico City, taking about 6 hours total.
After arriving in Cancun, take a bus directly from the airport to Chiquila. From there you can catch a quick 25 minute ferry ride to Isla Holbox. The ferries depart every 30 minutes.
Isla Holbox (Days 19 – 21)
Isla Holbox is a tiny island off the Mexican coast with dirt roads, pristine blue water, and adorable cafes. This car-free haven, accessible only by ferry, is a stark contrast to the bustling tourist cities you explored previously. It has a laid-back atmosphere, great beaches, and a fascinating biodiversity. You’ll spend a dreamy few days riding around in golf carts, bouncing between stunning cafes and restaurants, and adventuring in the islands nature.
⭐️ Highlights – The Best Things to Do in Isla Holbox:
- 🐋 Swim with whale sharks (from June to September)
- Paddleboard over the sandbar to spot sting rays
- 🚲 Ride a bike to Punta Cocos to watch the sunset on this remote beach
- ✨ Witness magic on a bioluminescence tour
- Enjoy fresh seafood at Cafe del Mar – my favourite beach restaurant
- 💦 Hike on the sandbar through the ocean to Playa Mosquito
- 🐕 Walk shelter dogs on the beach
- 🌴 Enjoy one of the many amazing cafes like Mr Happy
How to Spend 3 Days in Isla Holbox:
Spend your three full days on Isla Holbox enjoying its exceptional cafe culture and restaurant scene, relax on the beach, and partake in the best activities. I already have a detailed itinerary for Isla Holbox that breaks down how to spend your days there. The one I have is for four days, but you can easily condense the days down into three or simply pick the days that appeal to you the most.
The Perfect 4 Days in Holbox (Full Itinerary)
Where to Stay in Isla Holbox:
With the island being so small, you really can’t go wrong with where you choose to stay. You’ll always be within walking distance of the beach and the main part of town. I personally recommend staying at:
Hostel – Tribu Hostel
Tribu Hostel is a 30-second walk from the beach. They run daily activities and tours to take part in, such as yoga classes, dance classes, group shelter dog walks, and more. They also have private rooms available if dorms aren’t your style.
Isla Holbox to Valladolid (Day 22)
On day 22 of your one month Mexico Itinerary, catch a 25-minute ferry back to Chiquila. They depart back every 30 minutes. After reaching Chiquila, take a bus to Valladolid. The ride takes about 2.5 hours.
I recommend booking your bus ticket in advance for this one because there was no open ticket booth when I arrived at the bus station.
Valladolid (Days 23 – 25)
Valladolid is often overlooked by tourists traveling to the Yucatan and it blows my mind. The town is small, walkable, and adorable with pastel-coloured colonial buildings. There are so many natural wonders called cenotes accessible from the town. Plus some of the best archaeological sites in all of Mexico are a short drive away. A full 3 days in Valladolid is a must for your one month Mexico itinerary.
⭐️ Highlights – The Best Things to Do in Valladolid:
- Visit one of the 7 Wonders of the World – Chichen Itza
- 🌿 Swim beneath hanging vines in Cenote Ik Kil
- 💦 Tour Cenote Secreto Maya, Cenote Xcanahaltun, and Cenote Sac Aua
- Wander through an ancient civilization at Ek Balam
- ✨ Stroll the main streets photographing the colonial city buildings
- 🌴 Enjoy the evening scene in Parque Principal Francisco Cantón Rosado
How to Spend Your Time in Valladolid:
Valladolid was a close second to my favourite cities in Mexico. You can easily check off all of the highlights above and a little more in three days. I already have an in-depth itinerary on how to spend these days in Valladolid.
The Best 3 Day Valladolid Itinerary (and Full Guide)
Where to Stay in Valladolid:
Valladolid is a small and walkable town. You can stay pretty much anywhere near the centre and be in a good position.
Budget Hostel: Oryx Hostel Valladolid – A stunning hostel with a pool and comfortable common area just steps from downtown.
Mid-Range: Casa Valladolid Boutqiue Hotel – I stayed in this hotel and loved it. It’s located right near the city centre but somehow remains a quiet garden oasis with a stunning courtyard. The rooms are large and comfortable, the staff are great, and they have an incredible breakfast menu available.
Valladolid to Bacalar (Day 26)
The final destination on your one month Mexico itinerary is the incredible Bacalar. The best way to get there is by taking an ADO bus route. The bus has one changeover in Tulum and takes a total of 5 hours. The buses are so comfortable though that this ride goes pretty fast.
You can book your bus ticket in advance online or buy it at the bus station.
Bacalar (Day 27 – 29)
Bacalar is a small town in the southern part of the Quintana Roo state, known for its natural beauty. It is famous for its stunning lagoon known as the “Lagoon of Seven Colours” and in recent years in been referred to as the “Maldives of Mexico.” It is a quiet town where you’ll basically be in the water for the entire three days you are there!
⭐️ Highlights – The Best Things to Do in Valladolid:
- ☀️ Take the famous sunrise paddleboarding tour on Laguna Bacalar
- Visit Cenote Azul
- 💦 Float down the natural lazy river at Los Rapidos
- 🚤 Take a sunset boat tour to see the seven colours
- Relax at Cenote Cocalitos and see stromatolites
- 🌮 Eat at Mr Taco for the best food in town
How to Spend 3 Days in Bacalar:
Fill your three full days in Bacalar with all the water activities. I have all the best things to do in Bacalar detailed in this 3 day itinerary.
The BEST 3 Day Bacalar Itinerary (and Full Guide)
Where to Stay in Bacalar:
I recommend staying within walking distance of the city centre because that is where you’ll find the best restaurants and tour operators. The biggest thing to look for when choosing accommodation is that it is waterfront. Bacalar does not have beaches, although they do have a few public docks, so the waterside place to stay is what makes Bacalar feel so beachy.
Budget Hostel: The Yak Lake House Hostel – I stayed in a private room in this hostel and was so glad for it. They are right on the water with a common area deck with lounge chairs, ping pong, tables, and an on-site restaurant/bar. They also have a tour company on-site making it really easy to book and meet tour groups. It is a social hostel so the only thing to keep in mind is that it can be a little bit loud, although they turn the music off by 12pm each night, except on Wednesdays when they host their famous party.
Mid-Range Option: Amigos Hotelito – Located on the waterfront with its own dock and swimming area, this hotel has basic comfortable rooms and great views of the lagoon. It is within walking distance of the town centre.
Transportation to Cancun (Day 30)
After one month backpacking in Mexico, it is time to journey back to Cancun to fly out. Cancun is one of the best places to fly in and out of Mexico. Take the 5 hour direct bus to Cancun where you’ll spend the evening organizing your things to move onward.
Other Mexico Destination Considerations
San Cristobal de las Casas
In the Chiapas, San Cristobal is known for its charming town centre, bohemian atmosphere, and INCREDIBLE waterfalls and nature nearby. The town sits at a higher altitude so it has a cooler climate compared to the rest of the Mexican towns on this itinerary. The highlights of visiting San Cristobal are day trips to the Sumidero Canyon, El Chiflón Waterfall, Agua Azul waterfalls, and the Palenque ruins.
The reason this isn’t included on this one month Mexico itinerary is because of how far it is from the rest of the destinations. The bus ride from Oaxaca City is 12 hours long. However, I thought I’d mention it in case you want to adjust the itinerary to add it.
Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is in the Yucatan off the coast of Cancun. The island is an alternative to Isla Holbox if you want there to be a little more happening. There are beautiful beaches, an underwater museum for snorkeling, some Mayan temples, a sea turtle sanctuary, and a nightlife scene. The reason I opted for Holbox is because of the more quiet remote feeling, whereas Isla Mujeres is known to be a little more touristy. It’s really up to personal preference.
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is a vibrant coastal city in the Riviera Maya. It is a bustling tourist and resort destination in Mexico, blending beach vibes with an urban environment. It is known for its nightlife and proximity to some ancient Mayan ruins. I personally opted to avoid places like Playa like the plague because of how overly touristy it feels. I wanted to mention it for people wondering about it because it is considered a top destination in Mexico. Again, personal preference is a big one here so check it out if it sounds appealing to you!
When to Visit Mexico:
The best time to travel to Mexico for your one month Mexico itinerary is between December and April. This is the high season, when the temperatures are warm and reasonable, and the precipitation is at its lowest. The rainy season runs from May to October, although if you are interested in whale sharks, it might be best to visit during this time. The rains typically happen in the afternoon so you could still enjoy your time there.
Plan Your Trip to Mexico – Logistical Tips:
📱 Stay Connected Without Expensive Roaming Fees
I never travel without an E-Sim now. Stay connected at a fraction of the price of roaming fees, and my favourite part, you can simply down the E-Sim to your phone and don’t have to switch SIM cards around. The service I always use is Airola.
🚍 Book Your Buses in Mexico
The local bus websites are often only in Spanish and are very glitchy. I used Busbud to book all my bus tickets in Mexico because they actually offered the exact same rates as buying them in person with the added bonus of your tickets being secured in advance.
🏠 Book Your Accommodation
Hostelworld is the best place to book hostels, whether you are staying in a dorm or a private room. They offer great environments to meet people and many will also offer activities. If you prefer hotels, Booking.com is great for finding the cheapest rates.
🏄♀️ Book Your Tours and Excursions
The best search tool I use to book tours in Mexico is Viator. It has the largest selection of tours with local operators and offers flexible cancellation.
Final Thoughts on the Ultimate One Month Mexico Itinerary
Whether you’re drawn to Mexico for its vibrant culture, colourful city streets, delicious food, stunning beaches, or natural wonders, this one month Mexico itinerary covers it all. With this complete guide and one month Mexico itinerary, you’re well-equipped to explore the best of Mexico’s diverse natural environment and cultural treasures. Happy adventuring!
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