Destination: Mexico

LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION

Itinerary: Deep South

ONE MONTH

This 2800km, one-month adventure takes you from Mexico's geographic and cultural center through the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas – with their colorful indigenous populations, pre-Hispanic ruins and dramatic scenery – to the ancient Mayan cities and beaches of the Yucatán Peninsula.



This magnificent classic journey leads travelers from Mexico’s colonial heartland to its glorious Caribbean beaches. Start by exploring fascinating Mexico City, including a visit to the awesome pyramids of Teotihuacán. Then head east to colonial Puebla before crossing the mountains southward to Oaxaca, a lovely and lively colonial city with Mexico’s finest handicrafts, at the heart of a beautiful region with a high indigenous population.

If you have time, divert south to one of the sun-baked Pacific beach spots south of Oaxaca, such as Puerto Escondido, Zipolite or Bahías de Huatulco. Then move east to San Cristóbal de Las Casas, a beautiful highland town surrounded by intriguing indigenous villages, and Palenque, perhaps the most stunning of all ancient Maya cities, set against a backdrop of emerald-green jungle.

Head northeast to the Yucatán Peninsula, with a stop at historic Campeche before you reach colonial, cultural Mérida, the base for visiting Uxmal and other fine Maya ruins nearby. Next stop is Chichén Itzá, the Yucatán’s most awesome ancient Maya site. Now head directly to Tulum on the Caribbean coast, a Maya site with a glorious beachside setting, and then make your way northward along the ‘Riviera Maya’ toward Mexico’s glitziest resort, Cancún. On the way, halt at lively Playa del Carmen or take a side trip to Cozumel for a spot of world-class snorkeling and diving.