Backpacking Mexico 3 Weeks Itinerary (+ Map)
TL;DR
Our Mexico travel itinerary takes you from Mexico City over Oaxaca and Chiapas to Yucatan, visiting the country's best cities, ruins, beaches, and natural wonders – all by public transport only.
Planning a 3 weeks Mexico itinerary can feel overwhelming. Mexico is huge, and most guides either focus on flying a lot or road trips. After backpacking Mexico ourselves, we've put together the ultimate itinerary that covers cities, ruins, colonial towns, stunning beaches, and incredible nature – all using buses and public transport only. If you're looking for a practical Mexico travel itinerary that maximises your time while keeping travel straightforward, this is the exact route we'd recommend – including day by day breakdowns and realistic travel times.
3 Weeks Mexico Itinerary
Mexico Travel Itinerary Map
Day 1-3: Mexico City
Day 1: Centro Histórico, Roma & Condesa
Spend your first morning exploring Centro Histórico, where Mexico City's Aztec and colonial history come together. Visit the Zócalo with the Cathedral and the Templo Mayor, and stroll down the pedestrian Calle Madero.
If you have extra time, head up Torre Latinoamericana for one of the best views over the city.
In the afternoon, explore the hip neighbourhoods of Roma and Condesa. Wander through their parks, admire the Art Deco architecture, browse independent shops, and finish the day with dinner or drinks in one of the many excellent restaurants.
Here’s our full three day Mexico City itinerary:
Day 2: Coyoacán, Xochimilco & Lucha Libre
Start the day in Coyoacán, one of Mexico City's oldest neighbourhoods. Wander its colourful streets, relax on Plaza Hidalgo, and visit Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo's former home.
In the afternoon, head to Xochimilco for a ride on its famous colourful trajineras. Cruising through the canals while enjoying food, music, and drinks is one of the city's most unique experiences.
In the evening, you have the time to fit in a Lucha Libre match.
Day 3: Teotihuacán & Bus to Oaxaca City
Begin your final day in Mexico City with an early trip to Teotihuacán, one of Mexico's most impressive archaeological sites. We recommend an express guided tour to avoid unnecessary shopping stops and save time.
We have written a full review of our tour:
Back in the city, spend the afternoon however you prefer. Visit the National Museum of Anthropology, browse Mercado de San Juan, or enjoy dinner with live mariachi music before boarding the overnight bus to Oaxaca.
Here’s our full bus travel guide to Mexico:
Day 4-6: Oaxaca City
Day 4: Historic Centre & Food Markets
After arriving in Oaxaca, spend the morning wandering the compact historic centre. Visit the Zócalo, Templo de Santo Domingo, and the colourful streets of Jalatlaco.
Here’s our full 3 day Oaxaca City itinerary:
Later, dive into Oaxaca's incredible food scene. Explore markets like the Mercado 20 de Noviembre, Mercado de la Merced, or Mercado Hidalgo, and don't leave without trying tlayudas, mole, and local chocolate.
Day 5: Hierve el Agua, Tule Tree, and Mitla
Dedicate today to one of Oaxaca's best day trips. Visit the famous petrified waterfalls of Hierve el Agua, where you can swim in natural infinity pools overlooking the mountains.
Cool stops along the way are the Tule Tree and the archaeological site of Mitla.
Day 6: Monte Albán & Bus to Puerto Escondido
Spend your final day in Oaxaca City exploring Monte Albán, the most important Zapotec archaeological site in Mexico. Sitting high above Oaxaca Valley, the ruins combine fascinating history with incredible panoramic views.
In the evening, board the bus to Puerto Escondido. The ride should take around 3 hours.
Day 7-9: Puerto Escondido
Day 7: Beach & Turtle Release
Spend the morning relaxing at the beach. Surf (or watch surfers tackle) the famous waves at Playa Zicatela, or head to Carrizalillo if you'd rather swim.
In the evening, join a baby sea turtle release, one of Puerto Escondido's most memorable wildlife experiences and a great way to support local conservation projects.
Day 8: Whale Watching & Bioluminescent Lagoon
Get up early for a whale and dolphin watching tour (November to March offers the best chance of spotting humpback whales, but dolphins are common year-round). The calm morning waters make this the ideal time to head out.
After a relaxed afternoon in town or at the beach, end the day with a visit to Laguna Manialtepec. Swimming in the glowing bioluminescent water is one of Puerto Escondido's most unforgettable experiences.
Day 9: Temazcal & Nightlife
Start your final day with a traditional Temazcal ceremony, an ancient Mesoamerican sweat lodge ritual that offers a fascinating insight into local culture.
Spend the afternoon relaxing before enjoying your final evening in La Punta or Zicatela, where beach bars, live music, and sunsets create the perfect backpacker atmosphere.
Here’s our our full three day Puerto Escondido itinerary:
Day 10-11: Huatulco
Day 10: Bus to Huatulco & Chill
Take the morning bus to Huatulco, which takes around 3 hours.
After checking in, spend the rest of the day enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. Wander around Santa Cruz, relax on one of the nearby beaches, and simply recover after the busy pace of Oaxaca.
For more ideas, check out our Huatulco Travel Guide:
Day 11: Seven Bays Boat Tour & Bus to San Cris
Spend the day exploring Huatulco's stunning coastline on a Seven Bays boat tour. Most tours include several scenic bays, a snorkelling stop at Chachacual Bay, and lunch at Maguey Bay.
Here’s our full Bays of Huatulco tour review:
In the evening, board the overnight ADO bus to San Cristóbal de las Casas. Currently, three night-buses are going from Huatulco to San Cristobal de las Casas. One of them is an ADO GL. The ride takes around 10 hours.
Day 12-13: San Cristobal de las Casas
Day 12: Explore San Cristóbal
After arriving from the overnight bus, take it easy exploring one of Mexico's most charming colonial towns. Wander the colourful streets, browse the lively local market, admire the street art, and walk up to Guadalupe Church for panoramic views over the city.
Finish the day at Plaza de la Paz, where locals gather every evening.
Here’s our full San Cristobal de las Casas travel guide:
Day 13: Sumidero Canyon
Take a day trip to Sumidero Canyon, one of Chiapas' most spectacular natural attractions. A boat tour takes you through the dramatic canyon while giving you the chance to spot crocodiles, monkeys, and countless birds.
Most tours also stop in the colourful colonial town of Chiapa de Corzo, making it an easy and worthwhile day trip.
Day 14: Palenque
Day 14: Sightseeing Transfer to Palenque
Instead of taking a direct bus, book a sightseeing transfer to Palenque. Along the way, you'll stop at Agua Azul and Misol-Ha, two of southern Mexico's most impressive waterfalls.
The journey finishes at the magnificent Palenque Ruins, one of the country's most atmospheric archaeological sites, surrounded by dense jungle.
After exploring the ruins, take the bus to Mérida. Currently, one ADO day bus and two ADO night buses make the journey from Palenque to Merida. We highly recommend to take one of the night buses as there is not a ton to do in Palenque and you might want more time in Merida.
Day 15: Merida
Day 15: Explore Mérida
Arrive in Mérida, the cultural capital of Yucatán. Spend the day wandering the colourful historic centre and people watching on Plaza Grande.
Before leaving, don't miss trying a marquesita, Yucatán's famous crispy waffle filled with cheese and sweet toppings.
Day 16-18: Valladolid
Day 16: Bus to Valladolid & Cenote Zací
Take a morning bus to Valladolid before exploring one of Yucatán's prettiest colonial towns. Buses from Merida to Valladolid run more than once per hour during the day. The rides takes around 3 hours.
Check out the Zocalo, wander colourful streets, stroll along Calzada de los Frailes to Convent of San Bernardino de Siena, and browse the local markets.
In the afternoon, cool off with a swim in Cenote Zací, located right in the centre of town.
Here’s our three day Valladolid itinerary:
Day 17: Las Coloradas, Río Lagartos & Ek Balam
Spend the day exploring the northern Yucatán coast. Visit the famous pink lakes of Las Coloradas, take a wildlife boat tour through the mangroves of Río Lagartos, and stop at the impressive Mayan ruins of Ek Balam on the way back.
Day 18: Chichén Itzá & Bus to Tulum
Leave early for Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Besides the famous El Castillo pyramid, make time for the Great Ball Court, Temple of the Warriors, and Sacred Cenote.
Hop on a bus to Tulum in the evening. The direct bus from from Valladolid to Tulum takes around 2 hours.
Day 19-21 Tulum
Day 19: Tulum Ruins & Akumal
Start your visit in Tulum at the spectacular Tulum Ruins, dramatically perched above the Caribbean Sea.
In the afternoon, head to Akumal, where you can snorkel with wild green sea turtles before relaxing on the beach.
Day 20: Cenotes & Tulum Beach
Spend the morning cenote hopping around Tulum. Some of our favourites include Gran Cenote, Cenote Calavera, and Zacil-Ha.
In the afternoon, slow the pace and relax on one of the beaches. Thanks to several free public access points, it's now much easier to enjoy Tulum's famous white sand beaches and turquoise water.
Here’s our full 3 day Tulum itinerary:
Day 21: Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
End your three-week Mexico itinerary with a visit to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. Explore the ancient ruins of Muyil, take a boat through mangroves and lagoons, and float down the reserve's crystal-clear natural lazy river.
It was one of the most memorable experiences of our entire trip and the perfect way to finish three incredible weeks backpacking Mexico.
