Epic Yucatan Peninsula Road Trip for Families: Our 4 Week Itinerary

Imagine your kids’ eyes lighting up as they snorkel with turtles in Akumal, chase iguanas among ancient ruins in Xpujil, and splash into crystal-clear cenotes beneath jungle foliage.

Planning a Yucatán Peninsula road trip with kids isn’t difficult because there isn’t enough to do. The problem is deciding what actually deserves a place on your route without cramming so much in that everyone is exhausted halfway through.

We spent a full month exploring this vibrant peninsula with our kids, and we built this route on everything that actually worked, and didn’t work.

From stress-free driving routes to off-the-beaten-path stops we discovered along the way, and exactly how we navigated it all with a 17 and 4 year old in tow.

Whether you’ve got 4 weeks to roam or just 2 or 3 to make it count, this itinerary helps you tailor your journey, mixing iconic highlights with hidden gems you won’t find in typical guides.

4 Week Yucatán Peninsula Family Road Trip Itinerary

Now let’s dive into the 4-week itinerary. Note that this Yucatan Peninsula road trip with the kids fits within 4 weeks only when you drive yourselves.

When using public transport it might take you longer. In that case you might need another extra week to do it all.

Yucatán Peninsula Itinerary Map

This itinerary is a round trip that starts and ends in Cancun. See the Yucatán Peninsula road map above for all the locations we will touch upon.

Here’s the 4 week day-by-day itinerary:

Quintana Roo

For the first 12 days, you’ll work your way south along the Mexican Caribbean coast.

You start in Cancún, ease into the Mexican vibe in Playa del Carmen and hop over to Cozumel for a day, before heading further down the Riviera Maya to Akumal, Tulum and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

Expect white sandy beaches, snorkeling with sea turtles, your first Mayan ruins, cenotes and plenty of wildlife.

Then you leave the Riviera Maya behind for the Lake of 7 Colors in Bacalar, and end this part of the route in Chetumal.

Day 1: Cancún

When you visit the Yucatán Peninsula the best starting point is Cancún. It’s also 1 of the 3 best places to base yourselves in while exploring the Riviera Maya. Playa Del Carmen and Tulum are the other 2 best places to stay in the Riviera Maya with kids.

Cancún has a worldwide reputation as a party town. And not just during spring break. Year round, travelers looking for the next party fill Cancún’s Hotel Zone. Not just at night, but also during the day.

If you’re here with kids, there are probably only 2 reasons to stay here. To spend some time at an all-inclusive resort to get pampered and chill after the plane ride to Mexico or to spend 1 night here after a long flight to ease into the Mexican vibe, before starting your road trip.

When you’re not the resort type of family, then Cancún probably isn’t your cup of tea. All family-friendly activities here revolve around the beach and the water.

Cancún: A Slice of USA in Mexico

As you might have guessed from my review of Cancún, in short: we were underwhelmed. We didn’t feel like we were in Mexico at all. Pretty much everything caters to US travelers. Considering Mexico lies in North America, that’s not weird.

And don’t get me wrong. I’m not bashing the USA or Americans! What I mean is that our family travels to get to know a country and its people. When that’s your goal, Cancún is not going to be your favorite destination in the Yucatán.

But that’s our personal experience. I’ve heard from lots of other families that they absolutely loved their time in Cancún. Especially with teens. Lots of the things to do are a lot of fun for kids aged 10 to 18.

Best Things to Do in Cancún with Kids

The top things to do in Cancún with kids are:

• stay at a family-friendly resort with a water park, like All Ritmo Cancún Resort & Water Park
• explore the water, everything is possible: diving, snorkeling, parasailing, you name it
• enjoy Captain Hook Dinner Cruise

If these kinds of activities aren’t your thing, keep your visit here short. Let Cancún be the city where you spend the night after a long flight, have a meal somewhere in the Hotel Zone, do some last-minute shopping for your trip and hit the road.

Top Tours In Cancun

Day 2-4: Playa del Carmen

Next up is Playa del Carmen. It’s a 1 hour drive from Downtown Cancún to Playa del Carmen. A beach town with laidback vibes, swimming holes and some of the best beaches in the Riviera Maya.

Unlike Cancún, it’s much more relaxed, less loud and less big. And the other thing is that you’re closer to nature here. You get your first taste of what the peninsula has to offer and it kinda eases you into the experience you’re going to have in the coming weeks.

We loved Playa del Carmen and got over our jet lag here easily. In the morning we’d bike around and enjoy all that Playa has to offer. In the afternoon we’d hang by the pool or at the beach and didn’t do anything else but swim, play, nap and eat.

We had the best dinners here. Family-friendly restaurants are everywhere, so you don’t have to worry about that. Restaurants welcome kids with open arms.

Best Things to Do In Playa Del Carmen with Kids

The top things to do in Playa del Carmen with kids are:

• stroll along La Quinta, aka 5th Avenue and buy a souvenir
• rent a bike and explore the center
• ride in a Colectivo
• chill at a roof top pool and enjoy the views
• spend some time at the beach amongst the locals
• try a Marquesita
• visit the Frida Kahlo Museum
• explore the underground world at Rio Secreto
• check out the Portal Maya Statue in Parque Fundadores
• go on an eco friendly whale shark tour

Day Trips from Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen offers a great base from which to explore some destinations and sites worthy of a visit. Let’s list some of the best ones:

• visit to the Cobá ruins
• visit to nearby cenotes, like Cenote Jardín del Edén, Cenote Azul (not the same as the Cenote Azul near Bacalar) and Cenote Ik Kil

Here are all your accommodation options in Playa Del Carmen

Top Tours In Playa Del Carmen

Day Trip to Cozumel

I’d like to give special attention to Cozumel. Cozumel is 1 of the highlights in the Riviera Maya, a ferry ride away from Playa del Carmen.

We visited Cozumel as a day trip from Playa del Carmen rather than changing accommodation again. We highly recommend that over a night at the island.

There are 2 reasons to visit Cozumel. To visit Punta Sur Ecological Park where you can enjoy a tour and check out the natural habitat, like crocodiles and colorful birds. And 2nd, to visit 1 of the many beach parks for a day.

Unfortunately, we only had time to pick 1 of the 2 and since our boys really wanted to beat the heat and play in the water we opted to buy tickets to 1 of the many beach parks. 

We bought ferry tickets with 1 of the 2 operators, Ultramar. The ferry ride from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel took 35 minutes.

Top Tours In Cozumel

Day 5: Akumal

The coastal town of Akumal is a 40-minute drive from Playa del Carmen. We included one night in Akumal for one main reason: the sea turtles.

Like Playa del Carmen, Akumal is the place to be if you want to relax and soak up some sun. The sparkling waters that surround the town are home to sea turtles, rays and colorful fish. Snorkel and diving fans will have a great time here.

Yal-Kú Lagoon

IIf you’re looking for an off the beaten path experience in the Riviera Maya, a visit to the secluded Yal-Kú lagoon is worth it. It’s a great snorkel spot.

You can spot the many fish even before dipping your head in the water. Pay a visit to the Yal-Kú Lagoon if you are looking for a place away from the crowds.

Turtles in Akumal

But the main reason to visit Akumal is to spot turtles. Sea turtles feed on the seagrass in the bay year round, and from May to November they also nest on the beach.

Turtle spotting in the bay starts at 8.00am. Arrive at the small bay as early in the morning as you can and chances are high that you’ll spot more than 1.

Since lots of the things to do here are also on offer in Playa del Carmen or Tulum, I would make your visit to Akumal short but sweet.

Top Tours In Akumal

Day 6-7: Tulum

Next destination is 1 of the most famous places in the area: Tulum! Only a 1 hour drive from Playa.

If you’re on Instagram and follow travel accounts, Tulum is a place you must’ve heard about. It’s arguably the most Instagram-worthy place along the Riviera Maya and maybe even the entire Yucatán Peninsula.

With Mayan ruins, delicious food, jungle surrounding the beaches and cenotes to cool off in, Tulum is an amazing place for a family holiday.

Stay in Aldea Zama

When you’re looking for a rental home with a pool, you’ve got thousands of options. With a shared pool and often your own plunge pool.

We rented a home in the Aldea Zama area. It was in an apartment building with about 10 to 15 apartments. The communal pool was never crowded and therefore a great place to avoid the heat. When it was too hot we used the plunge pool in our apartment, where the upper apartments made sure we could swim in the shade.

We highly recommend renting an apartment in Aldea Zama. It’s the perfect area to enjoy peace and quiet with lots of space and a pool to enjoy.

Best Things to Do In Tulum with kids

The top things to do in Tulum with kids are:

• visit the Tulum ruins
• hit up all the Insta spots for some amazing family photos
• visit Laguna Kaan Luum
• dip your feet in a cenote or two
• take a selfie with one of the many Black Spiny Tailed Iguanas
• get tacos from a food truck
• visit the SFER IK museum
• have dinner at a private beach club at Tulum’s South Beach Road
• check out all the colorful street art
• take a catamaran cruise

Day 8-9: Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

After some lazy downtime, it’s time for some nature exploring. Next stop is the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. 

There are miles of untouched beaches to wander around, and you’ll feel as if you have the whole place to yourself. We enjoyed 1 of the best family picnics of our lives here.

If wildlife is your thing, Sian Ka’an is perfect. The reserve is home to an abundance of wildlife, ranging from colorful birds to majestic marine creatures.

You can go on guided tours and learn about all the different species of birds and fish. If you’re really lucky, you can spot animals like jaguars, tapirs, monkeys, and manatees. We weren’t, but I hope you are!

Water activities are also popular in Sian Ka’an. You can try kayaking through the mangroves or go scuba diving.

When driving up here from Tulum, and again when driving onwards to Bacalar, in a 2wd car take Highway 307. This way you avoid the unpaved road from the Punta Allen side of the park. 

A standard car can make it, but it’s tough on the suspension. Some rental car companies don’t allow it with 2wd, so check before you drive out here.

You can stay in Punta Allen for the night. We got picked up by our host in a 4wd. Or you can drive up there yourselves in a rental. The entire road is unsealed and full of potholes. It’s 42 km (26 miles) from the reserve entrance to the village, and the drive takes about 2.5 hours.

There’s no phone signal and no gas station along the way, so fill up in Tulum.

Reserva de la Biosfera Sian Ka’an is the last destination of the Riviera Maya road trip. We leave the Riviera Maya behind and move a little more inland for the next part of this Yucatán Peninsula trip.

Top Tours In the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

Day 10-12: Bacalar

While Mexico awards the title Pueblo Mágico (aka Magical Town) to lots of cities and towns, Bacalar truly is a magical destination. 

Bacalar is a town where you can easily stay for a few nights.

Bacalar Lagoon

The main attraction is Bacalar Lagoon, the Lake of 7 Colors. Those 7 colors vary from the lightest of greens to the deepest of blues. Stay at 1 of the lakeside resorts and feel like you’re in the Maldives. I don’t think we’ve ever seen a lake this beautiful.

An absolute must-do is a boat tour. Make sure that the tour you pick takes you to the best spots and that the guide can tell you all about the area’s history. We went on a private tour and could pick the spots where we wanted to swim, and we felt like we were alone on the lake. It was magical.

So what are the best spots to check out while on a boat tour? Stops at Cenote Negro and Cenote Esmeralda. And also Cenote Cocalitos to check out the stromatolite formations.

Bird Island is a great place to watch the sunset and see 1000s of birds arrive here. But it’s also a beautiful spot to check out during the day.

We had lunch at La Playita. Here you can eat in the shade in a very picturesque setting and enjoy the view of Lake Bacalar. Do book ahead, because this place always fills up.

Top Tours In Bacalar

Day 13: Chetumal

It’s time to drive to Chetumal in the morning, but please make sure you make at least this 1 pit stop along the way.

About 4 km (2.5 miles) from Bacalar, you’ll find Cenote Azul. For about 30 MXN (about €1.50/$1.75 USD), you can get in, take a dip in the refreshing cool water and after that have lunch at the restaurant.

We had a great meal here! With a full belly, you get back to the car and drive to Chetumal in about 35 minutes.

Chetumal is commonly used as a jumping-off point for Belize, but that’s not why it’s on our route. We used it as a one-night stop between Bacalar and Xpujil.

5 Things to Do In Chetumal with Kids

But what is there to do? Here are some nice things to do in Chetumal with kids:

• learn about history at the Museum of Mayan Culture
• check out the Oxtankah Mayan Ruins
• visit the Manatee Sanctuary
• eat local food at the Mercado de Chetumal
• take a stroll along the Boulevard Bahia

It takes about 2 hours to get from Chetumal to Xpujil. On the way, you cross into Campeche, which is 1 hour behind Quintana Roo. So set your clock back 1 hour.

Xpujil is a nice little town with not a lot of tourists. We really felt like we experienced local life here. And while we stayed in a cabin in the jungle, we loved driving back into town to get some groceries and eat freshly grilled meat on the barbecue.

Calakmul

After a day in Xpujil, we went to bed early. The drive to the turnoff for Calakmul is only 1 hour, but it takes about 2.5 hours to get to the site. At the turnoff, you buy your first ticket. Then you can drive up to 60 km/h for the next 20 km. After that, it’s only 30 km/h for the last 40 km, to keep all the wildlife safe.

A little off the beaten path, and for this reason it’s a place that you and only about a dozen of other visitors will have to yourselves if you visit it early in the morning.

You can easily enjoy Calakmul for a full day. There are lots of shady places. You’ll only feel the full heat when you hike up a temple ruin. Bring lots of water, hats and sunscreen, and don’t forget to cover yourselves in bug spray.

Day 16-17: Palenque (Chiapas)

Palenque is outside the Yucatán Peninsula, but with 4 weeks we think it’s worth the detour into Chiapas.

The drive from the border of Campeche to the border with Chiapas takes about 1 hour. Here you’ll find modern-day Palenque.

From the jungles around Xpujil, this drive takes about 5 hours and 15 minutes. But this detour is worth it. In our opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful ancient Mayan ruins we’ve seen during our trip.

It’s not as quiet and serene as a visit to Calakmul. Buses unload 100s of tourists as early as 9.00am. But it’s a huge site and therefore it didn’t feel like we were there with as many people as we were.

Enjoy Palenque for a few hours. You can get inside some of the bigger ruins, which the kids loved. And for us it was also a highlight. We didn’t get to do this at other Mayan sites.

Top Tours In Palenque

Day 18-19: Campeche

Time to get back on topic. This is a Yucatán Peninsula road trip after all. Let’s drive back to the coast. This time to the Gulf of Mexico.

Half of your trip is already behind you, but there are still some absolute gems left on this itinerary. Campeche is one of these gems.

We absolutely loved Campeche! We stayed in the city center, and from there you can walk to all the main attractions. You instantly feel happy walking around a colorful town like Campeche, otherwise known as Mexico’s Rainbow City.

The whole historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you feel like you’re walking around in a fairy tale. The people here are relaxed, and when they’re not working, they hang out on the boulevard or in the parks, or have a drink and a bite at one of the many restaurants in town.

10 Things to Do in Campeche with Kids

Our family loved Campeche. We stayed here for 2 nights and felt sad that we had to leave. As the youngsters say: this town is a vibe (I know my eldest will scold me for this cringe comment by an old person).

Let’s share the top things to do in Campeche with kids:

• get lost in the streets of the city center and admire the architecture and the colors
• check out the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción
• get tickets to the pirate light show at the Puerta de Tierra
• have dinner on the street at one of the restaurants along Calle 59
• wander around the Old City Wall
• enjoy all the street art in town
• watch the sunset on a stroll along the boulevard
• book a room in the center of it all to make the most of your trip
• visit Fuerte San José and its Museo de Arquelogía Subacuática
• pause at a bench at Plaze De La Independencia and watch the locals go about their day

Top Tours In Campeche

Planning This Part of Your Route

With 2 to 3 nights at each stop, you get time to explore between the long drives. And there are a few. The longest is Xpujil to Palenque, at just over 5 hours.

Calakmul is the most demanding day of this chapter. It’s a long drive in and out, and you’ll climb temples in the heat.

Go early, bring lots of water and don’t forget the bug spray. Same goes for Palenque.

Campeche, Tabasco and Chiapas all run 1 hour behind Quintana Roo. Once you’ve set your clock back on the way to Xpujil, you’re good for the rest of this chapter. Just keep it in mind for opening times, like Calakmul’s.

If you need to shorten this part of the trip, Palenque is the stop we’d leave out. It’s a long detour, and not located in the peninsula. It’s definitely worth it, but not if you’re short on time. You can see lots of other amazing ruins within the peninsula.

Yucatán

For the next 6 days, you’ll explore Yucatán with kids.

You stop at Uxmal on the way to Mérida, Campeche’s big sibling.

From there, you head east to Valladolid, the city of cenotes, before driving north to the coast at Río Lagartos.

Expect the most famous Mayan ruins of the trip, including one of the New 7 Wonders of the World (Chichén Itzá), colorful colonial cities and a cenote or 2 to cool off in after all the sightseeing.

And to wrap up this family trip to Yucatán: flamingos and pink lakes in the Río Lagartos Biosphere Reserve.

Day 20: Uxmal – Mérida

After a destination without Mayan ruins, it’s time for our next fix in Uxmal. Get in the car and take the 2-hour drive from Campeche to Mayan city Uxmal.

From exploring the mystical pyramid ruins to admiring the intricate artwork, there’s lots to explore for children and their parents.

The main reason to visit Uxmal is the Pyramid of the Magician. The shape was different from all the other pyramids we’d seen before.

Also make sure to visit the Governor’s Palace. With its intricate stonework and ornate carvings, the craftsmanship of the ancient Maya is truly visible. The Nunnery Quadrangle and the House of the Turtles are also interesting to check out, if you can still stand the heat.

When you’re done exploring, drive on to Mérida, 80 km (50 mi) away. 

Want to get a first glimpse of the city? Head to the center for a meal and an evening stroll.

Top Tours In Uxmal

Day 21-22: Mérida

Mérida felt like the big sibling of Campeche to us. It’s a city where you can easily stay for a week if you also use it as a base to visit nearby attractions like Chichén Itzá, Las Coloradas (the pink lakes), and Uxmal.

The rest of your time here, you can enjoy all that Mérida has to offer.

Mérida is the kind of city we imagined all the cities in the Yucatán Peninsula would be. Big, colorful, lots of traffic, delicious food, but overall still a relaxed vibe. It was our favorite city in the entire peninsula, because there was so much to do. Our top thing to do here is visit the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya.

10 Things to Do In Mérida with Kids

What are the best things to do in Mérida with children? Way more than the 10 I mention below, but we’ve got to start somewhere:

• get a selfie with the Pueblo Magico sign of Mérida
• stroll around the Plaza Grande with an ice cream in hand
• check out the Paseo de Montejo and walk around this huge roundabout
• learn about history at the Gran Museo Del Mundo Maya
• beat the heat and go shopping in the biggest mall in Southeast Mexico: La Isla
• on Sundays rent a bike and enjoy Biciruta when Paseo de Montejo and Calle 60 are closed to traffic
• check out worn down trains at El Museo de los Ferrocarriles Yucatan
• relax at the Parque San Juan
• bite into the best marquesitas in the Yucatán
• visit chocolate museum C.A.C.A.O.

Day 23: Chichén Itzá – Valladolid

Set your alarm. Chichén Itzá is about 120 km (75 mi) from Mérida, a 1.5 to 2-hour drive, and you want to be at the gate at 8.00am, when the site opens.

One of the New 7 Wonders of the World

Mexico is home to one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. And it so happens that you can find this world wonder in the Yucatán.

I’m talking about what was once 1 of the greatest Mayan cities in the world: Chichén Itzá. Consistently part of every traveler’s Yucatán itinerary. And with good reason.

It’s amazing to walk around here and think about all the people who have visited this city. How many people walked where you walked?

There are lots of highlights to visit. The most famous being El Castillo, the Temple of Kukulkan. This is the pyramid we’ve all seen in pictures. And what a magnificent sight to see!

Things to See In Chichén Itza with Kids

• El Castillo
• Temple of the Warriors
• El Caracol
• Temple of the Skulls
• The Main Ball Court

Go as early as you can to avoid the heat and the crowds. This was the busiest site we visited during our time in the Yucatán Peninsula. We arrived at 8.00am (when the site opens) and left at 10.30am. Around 10.00am, the crowds suddenly doubled in size.

After a morning of exploring ruins in the heat, it’s time to cool off. Drive on to Valladolid, only 40 minutes (43 km / 27 mi) from Chichén Itzá.

We like to call Valladolid the city of cenotes. You’ll find them all over the city. So check in, grab your swimsuits and dip in a cenote (or 2) before dinner.

Top Tours In Chichén Itzá

Day 24: Valladolid

Valladolid is bursting with charm, with all its colonial buildings painted in vivid colors and cenotes everywhere.

You won’t have a problem finding things to do here. What we found the most fun is that there are cenotes spread out all over the city. 

It was great to jump into the water after a morning of exploring.

5 Things to Do In Valladolid with Kids

What are the top things to do in Valladolid with children:

• explore one of the many cenotes
• have an awesome chocolate experience at Choco-Story
• enjoy the hop on hop off bus driving through insanely small streets
• visit the Cathedral of San Servacio
• learn about bees at Xkopek Beekeeping Park

Top Tours In Valladolid

Day 25: Ek Balam – Río Lagartos

Ek Balam

Ek Balam is only a 30-minute drive (27 km / 17 mi) from Valladolid, so it’s easy to be there at 8.00am, when the gates open.

If at this point you still can’t get enough of Mayan ruins, it’s a great stop on your way to Río Lagartos.

By Day 25, our kids had officially hit Maya-ruin fatigue, so we skipped Ek Balam. If yours are feeling the same, I’d do exactly that rather than forcing another archaeological site into the itinerary.

From Ek Balam, it’s about 1 hour (80 km / 50 mi) north to Río Lagartos.

Río Lagartos

The reason to visit Río Lagartos is the nature and wildlife in the Río Lagartos Biosphere Reserve. The stars of the show? The flamingos.

Take a boat tour through the lagoon in the late afternoon to spot them. The best time to see them is from March to September.

Other Things to Do in Río Lagartos with Kids

• see the pink lakes of Las Coloradas (you can’t swim in them)
• visit the local fish market
• check out the salt pans
• hike through the mangrove forest:

Planning This Part of Your Route

This part of the route is all about big cities and big ruins. You get 3 nights in Mérida, 2 in Valladolid and 1 in Río Lagartos, with Uxmal, Chichén Itzá and Ek Balam as stops along the way.

The good news? None of the drives take longer than 2 hours.

Your kids might be done with ruins by now. Ours were, and we skipped Ek Balam. So pick the ones that excite your family most, and go early to beat the heat and the crowds.

If you feel like your kids can only handle a few Mayan ruins, make sure Chichén Itzá is on your list, because it’s a must.

If you need to shorten this part of the trip, Río Lagartos is the stop we’d skip.

Isla Holbox & Departure Cancún (Quintana Roo)

There’s no better way to end a busy family road trip with a little beach vacay.

For the last 3 days, you drive back into Quintana Roo, and hop on the ferry to Isla Holbox. 

Expect laid-back island life, exploring by bike, birds and crocodiles at every turn, and, with a bit of luck, whale sharks. Then it’s back to Cancún to catch your flight home.

Day 26-27: Isla Holbox

From Río Lagartos, it’s about a 2.5-hour drive (170 km / 105 mi) to Chiquilá, the small port town where the ferry to Holbox leaves. 

Since we wanted a place near Cancún for our last beach days, we chose Isla Holbox. And I’m glad we did.

This tiny island lies off the north coast of Quintana Roo, about 2 hours from Cancún.

This island’s lifestyle is laid-back. It’s not a place for rushing around or feeling stressed out. For the most part, you’ll relax and chill!

Holbox is relatively small, so you can cycle around the entirety of it in just a few hours. We loved exploring the island by bike. You’ll see wildlife at every turn, from birds soaring overhead to crocodiles floating in the lagoon.

You can also take a boat trip to nearby Yalahau Lagoon, a pristine natural pool surrounded by jungles and mangroves.

Some of the most popular beaches include Playa Punta Coco and Playa Holbox, but there are plenty of hidden coves and secluded spots for you to discover too.

Whale Sharks

The best time to swim with whale sharks is from May to September.

These gentle giants visit the waters around the island every year, and you can book a tour to snorkel alongside them. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you’ll never forget.

We swam with whale sharks in Western Australia, and I promise you, it’s a magical experience.

So if you’re here while they are too, go for it! Just pick an operator that keeps its distance and never lets anyone touch them.

Where Is the Yucatán Peninsula Located?

You can find the Yucatán Peninsula on the southeastern edge of Mexico. And while a lot of people think that it’s only the Yucatán state, that’s not true.

Yucatán is 1 of 3 states within the peninsula. Quintana Roo and Campeche are the other states.

And that’s just in Mexico. It also stretches into the north of neighboring Belize and a part of another neighbor, Guatemala.

Road Tripping the Yucatán Peninsula with Kids

Road tripping through the Yucatán is easy. The infrastructure in the Yucatán Peninsula is great. Driving was a breeze. The only really rough stretch is the dirt road to Punta Allen in Sian Ka’an, and even that works in a regular car if you take it slow.

In my opinion, it’s not necessary to rent a 4wd. Not only because a 2wd car gets you to all the sights in this itinerary, but also because you don’t want to drive into unknown territory.

Stick to the main highways and don’t take shortcuts along unmarked dirt roads. We felt totally safe driving around the peninsula.

Renting a car gives you the freedom to book accommodation outside of the touristy areas. We switched it up regularly: a hotel in the city center, a home away from the crowds and among the locals, or an Airbnb in a quieter part of town.

Getting Around the Yucatán Peninsula

Renting a Car

Mexican law requires every driver to have third-party liability insurance. It only covers damage you cause to others, not to your rental car, so full coverage is well worth it.

Check exactly what’s included before you book, because some rental companies only show the extra costs at the counter.

Watch out for topes, Mexican speed bumps. You’ll find them everywhere, often without a sign.

At gas stations, make sure the pump starts at zero. And download offline maps before you go, because there’s no phone signal in remote areas like Calakmul and Sian Ka’an.

Get your rental car here

Bus

Don’t want to rent a car? That’s OK. You’ll have no trouble getting from A to B. There are many bus companies in Mexico, the most popular being ADO.

Their buses travel just about anywhere in the peninsula, and are comfortable and clean.

Train

The Tren Maya train network connects most stops on this itinerary. From Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Bacalar to Xpujil, Palenque, Campeche, Mérida, Chichén Itzá and Valladolid.

But it doesn’t reach Akumal, Sian Ka’an, Río Lagartos or Isla Holbox.

Heading to Calakmul? Book your ticket to Xpujil, not to the Calakmul station. That station is isolated, with no services or taxis. 

FAQ

Ready to Plan Your Own Epic Yucatán Family Road Trip?

Our biggest takeaway after spending a month road-tripping the Yucatán with our kids? Don’t try to squeeze everything in. The best version of this route is the one that leaves enough time for your family to actually enjoy it.

Planning a family road trip can be kind of a pain. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the planning process, I’ve got your back. My free eBook, The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide: Planning a Family Road Trip, will walk you through every step, from paperwork and packing to plotting your perfect route.

Love this route, but don’t have the time or headspace to turn it into a plan? That’s where I come in.

You share what’s important for your family, and your do’s and dont’s. And then I’ll create a custom family travel itinerary including accommodation and tour tips for every destination, transportation options and things to do.

I do the research, you stay in control. Planned for you. Booked by you. 

TRAVEL PLANNING SERVICES

Want more help planning your family trip? Do you know where you want to go, but don’t have the time or energy to create an itinerary, find things to do and places to stay? Or are you ready for the trip of a lifetime and you need help creating the best travel experience.

I can help you plan your family trip and create an itinerary that checks off your boxes and fits your travel style.

Visit my travel planning services page for more info about what a travel planner does and doesn’t do and find more info about all our packages.

If you just want to pick my brain about family travel or about a destination you can also opt for email consultation or a 1:1 family travel coaching call.

👉 Learn more about my family travel planning services

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