Yucatán Peninsula Road Trip
A loop around the Yucatán Peninsula from Cancún, linking Chichén Itzá, Mérida, Uxmal, Campeche, Calakmul, Bacalar's seven-colored lagoons and Tulum.
The Yucatán Peninsula is flat with good roads, making it Mexico's best region for self-drive travel. The classic loop starts in Cancún and heads west: the colonial town of Valladolid and nearby natural cenotes (Zací, Ik Kil and Suytún); Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World; and the yellow town of Izamal. Next is Mérida, capital of Yucatán, with Paseo de Montejo and the Plaza Grande. Heading south along the Puuc Route, visit Uxmal and Kabah. Continue to Campeche, a walled city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Edzná ruins. Then cross the southern jungle to the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve to see pyramids and howler monkeys (the ruins are about 60 km beyond the end of the road). Next are Bacalar, with its seven-colored lagoon and the Pirate Canal. Follow the Caribbean coast north past the Tulum ruins, Cobá, the sea turtle bay of Akumal and Playa del Carmen, and return to Cancún. The full loop is about 1,600 km and takes 8 to 14 days. Toll roads (cuota) are better and safer. Watch for speed bumps (tope). Military and police checkpoints are common, so stay polite. Some stretches have long gaps between gas stations, so drive during the day when possible. Visit ruins right at opening to avoid the heat and tour groups.