Grand Yucatán Peninsula Loop
A complete road trip starting and ending in Cancún, looping through three states from white cities and fortified towns to the deep rainforest of Calakmul and the Lagoon of Seven Colors.
A clockwise road trip covering Valladolid, Merida, Campeche, Xpujil, Bacalar, and Tulum. Highlights include the city walls of Campeche, the canopy of Calakmul, and the Lagoon of Seven Colors. The drives from Campeche to Xpujil and the round trip to Calakmul are the longest; start early and make sure you have plenty of fuel and cash. Ideal for road trippers with ample time who are comfortable with basic accommodations.
Road conditions in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve deteriorate during the rainy season; the dry season is highly recommended.
Day by day
Day 1 · Drive from Cancún to a colonial town
Valladolid & Chichén Itzá（Valladolid Historic Centre、Calzada de los Frailes）
Pick up your car at the airport and take the 180D toll highway to Valladolid (approx. 2 hours). Explore the Old Town in the evening.
If your flight arrives late, stay in Cancún first to avoid driving at night.
Stay: Valladolid Old Town
Day 2 · Chichen Itza and cenotes
Valladolid & Chichén Itzá（Chichén Itzá、Cenote Ik Kil）
Drive early to Chichen Itza (approx. 45 minutes). Head to the cenote in the afternoon, and return via the free road (approx. 1 hour).
Aim to enter at 8:00 AM. Climbing the pyramids is not allowed.
Stay: Valladolid Old Town
Day 3 · Ek Balam to Merida via Izamal
Valladolid & Chichén Itzá（Ek' Balam、Izamal） → Mérida
Drive to Ek Balam (approx. 40 minutes), then to Izamal (approx. 1.5 hours), and finally to Merida (approx. 1 hour).
Stay: Historic Center
Day 4 · Merida's Old Town and avenues
Mérida（Plaza Grande (Plaza de la Independencia)、Mérida Cathedral (San Ildefonso)、Casa de Montejo、Paseo de Montejo、Palacio Cantón (Regional Museum of Anthropology)）
Leave your car at the hotel and explore the Old Town on foot. You can take a taxi to Paseo de Montejo and Canton Palace (approx. 10 minutes).
Stay: Historic Center
Day 5 · Flamingos at Celestun
Mérida（Celestún (Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve)）
Drive from Merida to Celestun (approx. 1.5 hours). Take a boat tour with a local cooperative through the mangroves, and return in the afternoon.
Flamingo populations vary by season, with more during winter and spring. Morning light is best.
Stay: Historic Center
Day 6 · Uxmal and south to Campeche
Mérida（Uxmal、Kabah） → Campeche
Drive from Merida to Uxmal (approx. 1.5 hours), then continue via Kabah to Campeche (approx. 2.5 hours).
Allow a full half-day for Uxmal; entry stops relatively early in the afternoon.
Stay: Historic Center
Day 7 · Campeche's walls and historic streets
Campeche（Historic Fortified Town of Campeche、Calle 59、Puerta de Mar、Baluarte de San Carlos、Puerta de Tierra、Malecón de Campeche）
Explore the Old Town entirely on foot. Take a stroll along the malecon (waterfront promenade) in the evening (approx. 10 minutes to the shore).
Stay: Historic Center
Day 8 · Edzna Ruins and the sea fort
Campeche（Edzná、Fuerte de San Miguel）
Drive to Edzna (approx. 1 hour). Return to the city in the afternoon, then drive to Fort San Miguel (approx. 15 minutes).
Stay: Historic Center
Day 9 · Across the peninsula to Xpujil
Calakmul (Xpujil)（Becán、Chicanná）
Drive via Escarcega to Xpujil (approx. 300 km, 4 hours). Visit Becan and Chicanna in the afternoon.
Fill up your tank in Escarcega, as gas stations become scarce ahead.
Stay: Xpujil Town
Day 10 · Deep in the rainforest at Calakmul
Calakmul (Xpujil)（Calakmul Archaeological Zone）
Drive west to the reserve entrance (approx. 40 minutes), then follow the narrow forest road (approx. 1.5 hours). This is a full-day round trip.
Set off at dawn. The road inside the reserve is narrow, potholed, and has no signal; avoid driving after dark.
Stay: Xpujil Town
Day 11 · Kohunlich and on to the Lagoon of Seven Colors
Calakmul (Xpujil)（Xpuhil Archaeological Site） → Bacalar（Kohunlich、Fort of San Felipe）
After visiting the Xpujil ruins, drive east to Kohunlich (approx. 1 hour), then continue to Bacalar (approx. 1.5 hours).
The clock moves forward 1 hour as you enter Quintana Roo.
Stay: Bacalar Town Centre
Day 12 · A day of boating on the Lagoon of Seven Colors
Bacalar（Bacalar Lagoon、Pirates' Channel、Cenote Azul）
Take a boat tour or kayak from the town dock (approx. half a day). Drive to the cenote in the afternoon (approx. 10 minutes).
The stromatolites in the lake are fragile; do not step on them, and do not wear regular sunscreen.
Stay: Bacalar Town Centre
Day 13 · North along the coast to Tulum
Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen & Tulum)（Gran Cenote）
Take Highway 307 to Tulum (approx. 210 km, 2.5 hours). Swim in a cenote in the afternoon.
Stay: Tulum Pueblo
Day 14 · Tulum Ruins and car return
Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen & Tulum)（Tulum Archaeological Site） → Cancún
Visit the ruins early in the morning (approx. 2 hours), then drive to Cancún Airport (approx. 2 hours) for an evening flight.
The ruins open at 8:00 AM; the parking lot fills up early in the morning.