Epic 9-Day Yucatan Peninsula Road Trip in Mexico: 1,000 Kilometres of Adventure & Best Kept Secrets

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This Yucatan road trip in Mexico is an unforgettable adventure through one of the most breathtaking regions of the country. Home to the world’s largest concentration of cenotes—natural sinkholes formed over thousands of years. The Yucatan Peninsula is steeped in both natural beauty and rich history. It boasts the iconic Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and the stunning Bacalar Lagoon, famously known as the “Lagoon of Seven Colors.”

The best way to truly experience the magic of Yucatan, Mexico? A road trip that takes you through its vibrant cities, ancient ruins, and pristine beaches. Over nine incredible days, we indulged in mouthwatering traditional dishes, explored can’t-miss sights, and created lifelong memories. Visiting in January allowed us to escape London’s winter and soak up perfect warm temperatures. Below, we’ve detailed our full itinerary, along with essential tips, to help you plan the ultimate Yucatan Mexico road trip of your own.

Hot Tips To Help You On Your Way

Don’t have the time to read through the details? Here are our hot tips for those who just want to get straight to the point!

• Make sure you get an eSIM to avoid costly data roaming charges. We went with Mayamobile, which was easy to use and easy to top up.
• Brush up on your Spanish. Some simple phrases and a translator app on your phone will help in areas where English may not be spoken
• Don’t drink tap water, don’t even brush your teeth with it. Bottled water is cheap and plentiful. We used bottled water to brush our teeth and refill our reusable water bottles.

There are four standard time zones so bear this in mind for your Yucatan Mexico road trip. Flying from Oaxaca to Cancun, the clock advanced an hour. Driving along the east coast to Playa Del Carmen from Cancun Airport took an hour of elapsed time, but the two hour drive inland to Valladolid turned into an hour of elapsed time because the clock adjusted back an hour. As we then made the drive down to Bacalar, the clock advanced forward an hour again. Keep this in mind if making any reservations!

• If you want to avoid toll charges, turn on ‘Avoid Tolls’ in your navigation app. We forgot and paid a MX$322 toll from Playa Del Carmen to Valladolid.
• Driving is on the right side of the road.
• Get full car insurance if hiring a car for peace of mind. There are A LOT of massive potholes stretching across freeways and roads, and many axle breaking speed bumps (topes). Some of these aren’t marked and indistinctly are the same colour as the road. I went with Alamo via Discover Cars and had no issues.
• Check your rental conditions. Some indicate you may need to purchase an International Driving Permit (IDP). The type to get is 1926 for Mexico, but one wasn’t needed with Alamo.
• When filling up petrol in Mexico, stay in the car. The service attendant will ask whether you want the tank filled to full and proceed with cleaning your windscreen. The attendant probably thought me a fool when I first filled up, as I proceeded to exit the vehicle, open the petrol door and stand awkwardly making small talk as he connected the nozzle.
• Don’t keep all cash on you, split the rest amongst yourselves and amongst your luggage. Keep a small amount in your wallet in case you’re stopped at a military checkpoint and have a photocopy of your passport on you in case you’re asked for ID. Unfortunately, there are stories of corruption (which thankfully didn’t happen to us at all but better be on the cautious side of course) so do this to avoid losing all your cash.
• Avoid driving at night where possible. Along some country roads, there are no street lamps to aid visibility.
• Parking is generally available throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, with the sign “E” (Estacionamiento) indicating an available allotment. Do not park where a sign indicates a crossed out “E”.

Featured on the Netflix show, Chef’s Table, this Mayan culinary experience is not to be missed. It might be one of the best highlights of your Yucatan road trip in Mexico like it was for us! A 45 minute drive from Chichen Itza, Rosalia takes your tastebuds on a tantalising journey where she shares the recipe passed down from generations. For US$100 per person, it is definitely a pricey meal when you factor in the average spend in Mexico. However, Sherry and I agreed that for the unique experience and learning about Mayan culture, it was well worth it. It is more than just a meal, it is a remarkable culinary experience that you will not forget. Make it a perfect day by visiting Chichen Itza early in the morning, then go to Chef Rosalia’s for lunch!

Book a Cozumel snorkelling tour with a company along 10 Avenida Norte in Playa Del Carmen. We pre-booked our tour on Get Your Guide and for a slightly cheaper price, but then found a deal that involved a catamaran with a bathroom on board, and was inclusive of reef taxes and the ferry cost to get to Cozumel. Unfortunately it was too late to cancel but hopefully you can strike a good deal!

• There is a MX$50 fee for anyone bringing a goPro or photography equipment like a gimbal into Chichen Itza. Your bag is checked before entrance when you scan the ticket and they will look out for these items.
• Tour companies reach Chichen Itza from 10am, with the area opening from 8am. It is best to get there early if you want to avoid the crowd and have the best photo opportunities. We got there at 8.30am and it was perfect timing with plenty of photo opportunities.

• Check out Los Rapidos – a natural lazy river!
• Rent kayaks and explore the various colours of the beautiful lagoon.
• Book a boat tour to explore the lagoon, with unlimited drinks options.

For access to a private beach in Tulum, head to Delek Tulum. There will be parking lots along the way but if you tell the valet you’ll eat/drink at the restaurant, the valet will allow you to park in their car park. You’ll have to show your receipt when you leave.

Our Average Meal Spends (for 2 hungry people)

• Street vendors (Tacos etc) – MX$120
• Breakfast/Lunch at restaurants (including a couple coffee/drinks) – MX$900
• Dinner at restaurants (including a couple drinks) – MX$1000

A Tailored Yucatan Road Trip in Mexico

Cancun is a major international airport with well established infrastructure which is a perfect starting point for your Yucatan road trip in Mexico. We chose to fly into here instead of Tulum or Merida as it provided a wider selection of rental vehicles at better prices. Check in at the rental desks near baggage claim, and staff will direct you to the transfer van. As I picked up the car, the attendant showed me the spare tire. Perplexed having never been shown this with a rental, I would come to know why – topes. Topes are speed bumps throughout Mexico which effectively regulate speed. Be careful and be on the look out as some aren’t marked and are indistinctly the same colour as the road

I read a lot about how Third Party Liability insurance is legally required. Rental companies will get you to purchase it at the counter because they won’t accept your existing credit card insurance to cover it. This will also be at inflated rates. In fact, when returning our vehicle, I overheard a customer having this very argument at the counter. Pre-purchase full insurance when booking for peace of mind.

We went with Alamo via Discover Cars and had no issues, even though I thought I had a tiny scratch on the front rims because of a speed bump I didn’t notice.

• Nights: 2
• Driving time: 1 hour
• Clock adjustment: None
• Highlights:
  • 10 Avenida Norte for shopping and restaurants
  • Snorkelling in Cozumel
  • Tacos at El Fogon
  • Jungle themed courtyard for breakfast at La Cueva del Chango
  • Sun bathing at Coco beach

If you’re anything like us, you’d rather fill your holiday with adventure and culture than stay confined to a resort. That’s why we skipped the all-inclusive scene in Cancun and drove an hour south to Playa del Carmen.

On our first day, we kicked things off with lunch at one of the many restaurants along 10 Avenida Norte, then spent the evening wandering the main strip, browsing the vibrant street vendors and market stalls. As the sun set, the energy of this beach town only amplified—Playa del Carmen truly comes alive at night, with its bustling shops, lively bars, and endless dining options.

The next day, pick up for our snorkelling tour was at noon on Cozumel island, which meant we had to get ourselves across separately. There are three ferry operators whose tickets you can buy at the terminal. As you walk along 10 Avenida Norte however, there will be vendors trying to sell you tickets.

Return tickets start from MX$560 depending on the frequency of the return services. We went with Winjet, which had a ferry back every 2 hours compared to 1, but we wanted to chill out after the snorkelling activity and have some food to eat so the timing worked well. It takes 45 minutes on the ferry, and there is a live singer on the Winjet services while you soak in the beauty of the scenery.

The snorkelling tour takes you to four spots to see fish, turtles, star fish and stingrays. We were blessed to see a lot of marine life. Sherry isn’t a strong swimmer but they provided a lifebuoy ring for extra support. They served really tasty ceviche and tortilla chips directly on the water at the final spot accompanied with drinks, whilst stingrays drifted amongst us. It is definitely a must do activity, the tour crew had many good photo shots and videos which we ended up buying for US$30 per person.

After making the return drop offs along the way, we were back to shore and wandered across the road to the Thirsty Cougar for fish tacos and some drinks. These were definitely on the pricier side but were a good filler before the ferry journey back to Playa Del Carmen. You can also rent scooters and ride around the island to explore the beaches on the opposite side. Staying in Cozumel is an option, but we heard from some fellow travellers that it can be more expensive.

After making our way back and showering off the ocean essence, we set forth to El Fogon for tacos. Oh let us tell you, this place is popular, and for good reason – it made it onto our Top Delicious Tacos list and is a must visit! There was a queue when we got there at around 8pm but it moved quickly. Everything we tried was so delicious, the al pastor is a staple!

On the next morning, we visited La Cueva del Chango and dined in the jungle themed courtyard. This place has lots of options for breakfast and the jungle scene is refreshing. We then went to Coco Beach and did some sun bathing before the noon check out.

• Nights: 1
• Driving time: 1 hour 45 mins via toll or 2.5 hours without toll
• Clock adjustment: 1 hour back
• Highlights
  • Cochinita pibil tacos at El Tigrillo taco stand
  • Swim in Cenote Zaci

Now off to the next stop on this Yucatan road trip in Mexico! We forgot to select the ‘avoid tolls’ option in our Google Maps and had to pay MX$322 at the booth, so make sure to turn this on unless you want to deliberately save some time. We checked into our hotel, changed into our bathing suits, and headed to El Tigrillo taco stand for lunch. This stand specialises in cochinita pibil – pork cooked by a Mayan technique (more on this later) and ranks third in our Top Delicious Tacos list. The meat is so tender and juicy that we devoured our tacos amongst the throng of happy customers. Total cost: MX$120 – what a bargain for a satisfying lunch!

We walked off our lunch by visiting the city park just up the road, featuring a fountain in the middle and facing a Catholic Church. There were market stalls around the park selling food and souvenirs. Surrounding the square, there are terraces which offered some good sunset views. We left the park and made a 10 minute walk to Cenote Zaci, where we spent the remainder of the afternoon.

Cenotes are formed when the limestone bedrock collapses to reveal a natural sinkhole of crystal clear water. Cenote Zaci closed at 5pm, with last entry at 4pm – a MX$150 entrance fee providing you a wristband and a life jacket. There are no lockers available so people were leaving their items on the bank. There are steps leading down into the cenote, but the braver ones were jumping off a 20m ledge.

Floating in the cenote was such a peaceful feeling, and the best way to beat the heat of the day. Staring up into the sky, the visual is framed by the crater from which the cenote was formed. There aren’t any showers available or towels provided so we headed back to freshen up before dinner at Yukanaj Cocina Mexicana. This restaurant was bookmarked because I wanted to try the tangerine cheesecake dessert, which although looked nice, fell flat in taste and had too much gelatin.

• Nights: 0
• Driving time: 45 minutes
• Clock Adjustment: None
• Highlights:
  • Get to Chichen Itza as soon as it opens at 8am

This ultimately turned out to be the best day of our Yucatan Mexico road trip. It is a 45 minute drive from Valladolid, one of the main reasons we chose to stay there for 2 nights. We left at 7am to arrive just after 8am (the site opens at 8am). It’s best to get there early to have the best photo opportunities, as tour companies tend to reach Chichen Itza from 10am. When we were leaving around 10am, there were already plenty of tour buses lining up.

As you approach the site, several people will try to direct you to parking areas. These all have a fee ranging from $MX50 but are less than the closest parking area which is $MX120. When you get to the ticket office, the entrance fee of MX$648 is made in two payments at separate counters. They took card payments when we were there but we also heard that the card machines sometimes do not work so make sure you bring some cash with you. The queues did not seem to be that organised when we were there, so make sure to observe and ask the staff on which line to join.

Guides are available to explain the history and significance of the site, for a fee. However, with Chef Rosalia Chay’s cooking experience booked for 11am, we just explored the site ourselves. Arriving early, we were able to absorb the wonder of El Castillo and take some wonderful photos. We heard people clapping at the base of the temple and only learned from a friend afterwards that the resulting echo sounds like the call of the sacred Quetzal bird. Make sure to bring some hats with you as the sun can be very strong with little shaded areas around the touristy spots.

Along with the main site, there are temples, courts and the Sacred Cenote to explore. Market stalls were being set up to welcome the throng of tour buses looking to descend upon site, with a few selling whistles mimicking the growl of a panther. We left just after 10am as it became crowded to start our 45 min journey to Yaxunah for lunch.

• Nights: 0
• Driving time: 45 minutes
• Clock Adjustment: None
• Highlight:
  • Traditional Mayan cochinita pibil at Chef Rosalia Chay’s cooking experience

If you’ve watched the Chef’s Table BBQ series on Netflix, you’ll recognise Chef Rosalia Chay Chuc, who lives in the rural town of Yaxunah. The roads leading to it had plenty of massive potholes, making for a slow, careful drive but the experience was all worth it. The dish we all ventured to Yaxunah for is her famous cochinita pibil, which ended up to be one of our best highlights during this Yucatan road trip in Mexico!

The cochinita was made from rare black, hairless pigs raised by the Mayans and the pibil references the underground oven used. Rosalia demonstrated how she prepares her recados (spice pastes), the hand made corn tortillas, and salsa as we got a little taste to whet our appetite. She signalled for her son Carlos to unearth the cochinita, as we congregated around the pibil site. He had dug the hole, strategically placed some big stones in its cavity and covered the site with big banana tree leaves before setting it all ablaze earlier in the day.

The tortillas were handmade using an open oven in her backyard kitchen—thicker than the ones we had been eating throughout Mexico. Our host Claudia explained that these were the traditional style, whereas the thinner ones commonly found at taco stands are mass-produced, which is why street vendors double up on tortillas to prevent breakage.

We were then led to a beautiful dining setup and served an incredible two-course meal. The cochinita pibil came with two different variations—with and without recado negro—alongside fresh tortillas and incredible homemade salsa so we could assemble our own tacos. The best part? They kept refilling the cochinita pibil until we were absolutely stuffed.

Chef Rosalia, who is slowly learning English, greeted us warmly and proudly shared some of her new phrases, making the experience even more personal. Her hospitality was amazing, making this a truly memorable highlight—a must-visit for any foodie in Mexico!

• Nights: 1
• Driving time: 1 hour
• Clock Adjustment: None
• Highlights:
  • Swim in Cenote Xkeken
  • Dinner at Casa Oaxaca Antojitos

After being well-fed, the plan was to visit Cenote Il Kil on the way back. However, I’d forgotten to pack my swim trunks so unfortunately we had to go back to our accommodation (remember to pack these!). Arriving back in Valladolid around 4:30pm, we were looking for any cenotes that were still open and fortunately, we stumbled upon Cenote Xkeken. This cenote is right next to Cenote Samula, so if you’re visiting with more time, you can easily visit both. Entrance for the two cenotes is MX$220, but as we were short on time, it was only MX$150 per person for the one.

Cenote Xkeken is within an underground cave, such a contrast to the open air Cenote Zaci of yesterday. You had to rinse in the outdoor showers before picking up your life jacket. There were fish swimming amongst the stalactites draping from the cavernous ceiling. I’m pretty sure I saw some bats fluttering about as I floated, completely relaxed.

As we made it back to the hotel, we passed Casa Oaxaca Antojitos which was a small place but full of locals, so we decided to make a reservation for dinner. Thankfully we did, as it was busy throughout the evening with people being turned away, and this restaurant made it to our 5 Top Restaurants in Mexico. Our host Julia is from Valladolid but her husband, the chef, is from Oaxaca and hence the restaurant was born. We started with the rib tacos and the guacamole, our first guacamole of the trip surprisingly and it was so freshly yummy! A frosted pint glass came with a cold beer really helped with the heat!

For our main, we ordered a tlayuda which is often referred to as Oaxacan pizza, which turned out to be massive – befitting of the Mexican pizza analogy. Having longed for the tlayuda we had back in Oaxaca, we were so happy to find it again here. Even after finishing this monster, we still had room for flan. It was beautifully presented and capped off an amazing meal and an amazing day.

Our hotel came with breakfast so we made our way to the dining area by the pool before check out the next day. I ordered the trusted chilaquiles, this time with Valladolid sausage, as I hadn’t tried it yet. Our hotel was nice, conveniently located where we walked to most places, and had parking allocated in the lot across the road. The only downfall was that the soundproofing could be better.

• Nights: 3
• Driving time: 4 hours
• Clock adjustment: 1 hour forward
• Highlights
  • AirBnB with private lagoon access
  • Drinks and ceviche with lagoon views from La Playita
  • Breakfast in the garden at Enamora
  • Boat tour around the lagoon
  • Marquesitas for desserts
  • Breakfast at the lush outdoor courtyard of Picaflor Bacalar
  • Kayaking to watch magical sunrise in the lagoon
  • Let ourselves float down the natural lazy river of Los Rapidos
  • Swim in Cenote Azul
  • Tuna tartare and grilled octopus at La Cabañita Grill and Cantina

After a 4-hour drive from Valladolid, we reached Bacalar, also known as the Lagoon of the Seven Colors. It’s a dream come true for water lovers, and luckily we secured an AirBnB right by the lagoon. This reminded us of our honeymoon in the Maldives as Bacalar is often referred to as the Maldives of Mexico. After several days of continuous driving throughout this Yucatan Mexico road trip, we were super excited about spending the next few days relaxing in this beautiful town.

As we exited Valladolid, we were stopped at a military checkpoint for the first and only time on the trip. I rolled down my window and greeted the officer who gave me one look and ushered me past. I’d read online these is nothing to worry about but we stayed on the cautious side since there were also stories of corruption. Thankfully we did not experience that but better to be on the cautious side.

Along the route, there were vendors at the bigger speed bumps (reductor de velocidad), as you slow down they would approach to try selling you items. Don’t be alarmed as they approach you as they shouldn’t have any harmful intention. Make sure you have enough petrol to make the journey as there aren’t many gas stations along the way.

We arrived in Bacalar and checked in to our AirBnB. We rented out the bottom floor, whilst the owners occupied the top. It is also home to 9 rescue dogs and a cat, the place was overall very well maintained and the animals were super friendly. The main perks were the beautiful backyard and private dock, with kayaks and bikes free to use.

We explored the zocalo and visited La Playita for pre dinner refreshments. We grabbed some mezcalitas and a prawn ceviche then just sat back to take in the beautiful lagoon. Afterwards we headed to dinner at Mr Taco, though it was a disappointment as the tortillas didn’t live up to expectations and they tasted a bit stale.

We checked out the breakfast and brunch joint, Enamora to start the next day. It was a good spot to soak in some morning sunshine in their beautiful garden setting. We had an afternoon boat tour to look forward to, which was a 10 minute bicycle ride down the road. Our AirBnB had bicycles that we were free to use, so the plan was to ride to lunch, and then ride to the tour.

For lunch, we wanted to try aguachile after the taste of ceviche the day before. Aguachile and ceviche are both popular Mexican dishes that feature raw seafood marinated in citrus juices. Ceviche is more about the freshness of the seafood and a mild citrus flavor, while aguachile adds more heat and a tangy, spicy intensity. Upon inspecting the bikes, we found they had no brakes! Sticking to the original plan, we rode to Bacacrudo Cruderia Mazatleca slowly along the mostly flat route and using our feet to brake where required, reminiscent of the Flintstones. Sherry did not like that one bit so after lunch, we rode slowly back to the AirBnB and drove to the boat tour meet up point instead.

As for the aguachile, the salmon was very tender but the dish was too sour. There was BYO beer which could be bought from the convenience store across the road. We made our way to the boat tour where they took us on a catamaran to different parts of the lagoon to spot its different colours. There were plenty of opportunities to swim in its beautiful turquoise waters.

We later found out the sun sets on the other side as we headed back to shore. The boat company had an observation deck which we quickly climbed up to soak in the views. They also had kayaks available to use, included in the tour price. Afterwards, we headed back home to freshen up and set forth for the zocalo to find some, yes you guessed it, tacos! We came across Taqueria El Trompo De K’los, and ordered a few tacos to start. The chorizo and al pastor tacos were the winners so we reordered some more.

Bacalar at night offered a peaceful and serene atmosphere—definitely not a party destination, but the calm vibe was the perfect escape after our action-packed itinerary. In our walk back, we stopped by an unassuming marquesitas stand, Guerra’s at the zocalo. A marquesita is a dessert originating in the Yucatan region consisting of a thin crepe filled with spread and fruit and rolled into a thin pipe and topped with cheese. If you’re a sweet tooth like me, you’d LOVE this – it made our Top Mexican Food to Try.

Waking up early isn’t always easy, but when you have a private dock, free kayaks, and a couple of friendly furry landlords (aka our AirBnB’s resident dogs) to keep you company, it’s well worth it.

Sunrise kayaking is one of Bacalar’s most magical experiences, and while there are plenty of guided tours available, we were lucky to have everything we needed right at our doorstep. As the lagoon lay perfectly still, we paddled out into the calm waters, soaking in the uninterrupted view of the sky transforming with hues of pink and gold. It was a surreal, almost meditative moment—just us, the silence, and the rising sun painting the horizon. We might have just experienced one of the most magical moments in this Yucatan Mexico road trip, and we felt incredibly blessed!

Afterwards, we rewarded ourselves with a well-earned breakfast in the lush outdoor courtyard of Picaflor Bacalar, the perfect way to refuel after a dreamy start to the day.

Today we were checking out Los Rapidos – a natural lazy river! Amongst the beautiful waters is a narrow channel with stromatolites (oldest living fossils on Earth!), where a current allows you to float downstream. The MX$200 entry per person grants you a lifejacket, with kayaks available to hire. With drinks served along the bank, it was a perfect way to relax and watch the world drift by. Please take extra care not to step on the stromatolites, you would notice lots of warning signs for this along the river.

To get into the stream, there is a wooden pathway along the channel so as to not disturb the stromatolites. You’ll then effortlessly drift with the rapids to the other end of the channel, where you’ll need to swim a short distance to then repeat as many times as you like. We ordered a couple of mezcalitas and guacamole on one of the sun lounges to enjoy the setting and the weather.

With more water activities lined up in the afternoon, we left Los Rapidos in search of tacos. We came across a restaurant on the highway and ordered some tacos by pointing at the menu. The tacos were much better than Mr Taco so we ordered some more to get our fill. Satisfied, we headed to Cenote Azul to get our cenote fix. Cenote Azul in Bacalar is massive in an open air setting, and costs only MX$30 for entry. Lifejackets were not mandatory and required an extra $MX50 each for rent. There is a restaurant and clean changing facilities on site, as well as stalls selling souvenirs.

We spent the rest of the afternoon here basking in the nice winter sun. Afterwards, we headed back home to refresh before heading to La Cabañita Grill and Cantina for dinner to end the night. They specialise in seafood and grilled dishes, we would recommend their tuna tartare and grilled octopus!

For our last day in Bacalar, we wanted to utilise the private dock as much as possible so we rolled out the provided mats and did some relaxing yoga by the lagoon. The dogs, of course, joined and made it a casual session. Then we headed across the road to look at Hotel Makaaba Eco-Boutique’s breakfast options and to our surprise we saw cochinita pibil! Crestfallen, they didn’t have any available so I ordered my favourite chilaquiles and Sherry got an omelette.

• Nights: 1
• Driving time: 2 hours
• Tolls: None (with ‘avoid tolls’ now switched on)
• Clock Adjustment: None
• Highlights:
  • Private beach access at Delek Tulum with parking included
  • Cheap and delicious tacos at Taqueria La Chiapenca

Saying goodbye to Bacalar to now be back on the road for the last few legs of this Yucatan Mexico trip, we made our way to Tulum and reached our hotel without issues after two hours. We talked to reception about the best beach to visit and he provided us a hot tip: for access to a private beach in Tulum, head to Delek Tulum. After checking in and freshening up, we headed towards Tulum beach, which had long stretches of white sand and the most turquoise water.

We spent the rest of the afternoon sun baking and hearing the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore. You have to experience it yourself! True to our word, we ordered some food and drink at the restaurant right on the beach. Our disappointment from the morning quickly disappeared because to our surprise, we saw cochinita pibil on the menu again (by this point I’m sure you know how much we love this Mexican dish!). We ordered three tacos and two drinks, which turned out to be MX$1000, definitely Tulum prices. The cochinita pibil wasn’t as good as the ones we had in Valladolid or Chef Rosalia of course, but it definitely hit the spot.

We showed the receipt to the valet and headed back to the rooftop pool of our hotel to soak in the sunset. They had 2 for 1 cocktails and some banging tunes. After freshening up, we hit the town in search of tacos and headed to Taqueria La Chiapenca. The tacos here were really cheap (which is a surprise for Tulum), yet oh so good – it makes our Top Delicious Tacos list and is a must visit! We couldn’t stop ordering their al pastor tacos and empanadas, there was also a salad bar that you could replenish the toppings.

• Driving time: 1.5 hours
• Tolls: None (with ‘avoid tolls’ now switched on)
• Clock Adjustment: None

The drive back to Cancun is 1.5 hours which was where we caught a flight to Mexico City, sadly ending the amazing road trip through the Yucatan Peninsula. There were plenty of gas stations to refill the tank before returning the vehicle.

So there you have it, a nine day, thousand kilometre journey touching Quintana Roo and Yucatan states of the Yucatan Peninsula. A perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and culinary delights that will leave all your senses satisfied.

Let us know what you think about this Yucatan road trip in Mexico! Happy road trippin’!