Trip Highlights
Recorrido por México: de cultura a playas.. ¡como nos gusta!
mexico df
En el corazón de México, historia, arte y modernidad se mezclan en una ciudad vibrante llena de museos, sabores únicos y energía que no duerme.
We were very well surprised and that's why we have included it in the guide as a cool stop!
Mexican Paradise
Holbox es una isla sin coches donde el tiempo se detiene. Playas infinitas, bioluminiscencia y un ambiente bohemio que invita a desconectarte de todo..
Ideal for couples or family trips!
our favorite
We are not impartial: It is our favorite for the combination of diving and good food. 
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Arrecifes coloridos, aguas cristalinas y una isla aún con naturaleza viva hacen de Cozumel el destino perfecto para bucear, relajarse y reconectar con el mar.
Tulum
White sand beaches, turquoise waters and a vibrant nightlife.
Tulum se ha desarrollado muchísimo en los últimos años y ahora combina lujo, diversión y naturaleza en un solo lugar.
Stop recommended to go with friends or as a couple!
Under the stars
The wild heart of the Sian Ka'an Reserve. A corner where the jungle, the sea and tranquility meet in natural harmony.
Nosotros dormimos en un glamping en plena playa bajo las estrellas y el sonido de las olas. Un lugar secreto que desvelamos en The Explore TV.
Between blues
Conocida como la Laguna de los Siete Colores en Bacalar deslumbra con sus tonos turquesa, su calma infinita y su espíritu mágico.
We were a bit disappointed, if you have to skip anything on this itinerary we recommend skipping Bacalar.
But we have included it because it can be a good option to spend a few days relaxing overlooking the lagoon.
Index
Travel Guide to Southern Mexico in 14 days
Mexico in 14 days: from vibrant Mexico City to Bacalar. Culture, beaches and nature on a route that passes through spectacular destinations.
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Mexico City 3 daysMexico City is a universe of contrasts: pyramids, museums, murals and exceptional cuisine. A must-see destination to start your route through Mexico with energy and culture.
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2. Holbox 2-3 daysHolbox invites you to relax among endless beaches, pure nature and a relaxed atmosphere.
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3. Cozumel 2-3 daysCozumel has some of the best reefs in the world, paradisiacal beaches and unique local cuisine. Ideal for diving, exploring and enjoying the Mexican Caribbean.
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4. Tulum 2 daysTulum for us is the epicenter of Caribbean tourism: turquoise waters, dream hotels and activities for all tastes. From total relaxation to nightlife, it has it all.
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5. Allen Point 2 daysPunta Allen is the wildest corner of the Riviera Maya. Surrounded by jungle and sea, it is the ideal place for nature lovers, photography and total disconnection.
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6. Bacalar 2 daysBacalar is a natural paradise of turquoise tones and infinite calm. We highlight its lagoon of the seven colors, cenotes and ecological lodgings.
Stop 1. Mexico City
(3 days)
Mexico City is the starting point of this trip. Its mix of tradition and modernity sums up the spirit of the country.
What we liked most were its museums, its colonial architecture and one of the best gastronomic scenes in the world.
For us it is an essential stop, if you don't visit it on your way to the Mexican Caribbean be sure to come back later because I promise you it is worth it.
what to see in Mexico City?
Our favorites:
Explore the Historic Center, the Palace of Fine Arts and the Templo Mayor.
Visit Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul in Coyoacán. Probably the "easiest" museum in the city.
Enjoy the sunset from the Torre Latinoamericana.
Escape to the Pyramids of Teotihuacan. It is an excursion that can be done in one day and is well worth it.
Treat yourself to an authentic Mexican restaurant. We tried Pujol, a Michelin experience.
- Take a guide and immerse yourself in the rich history of the National Museum of Anthropology.
Best area to sleep in Mexico City
In Roma Norte or Condesa, neighborhoods full of cafes, galleries and nightlife. We also recommend Polanco but if you can choose between them all, Roma Norte definitely takes the cake: Barecitos, lively streets, many charming cafes and an atmosphere that will not leave you indifferent.
Where to eat
Take an uber (we recommend uber over cab for safety) and get to any of these magnificent sites:
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Pujol - Mexican haute cuisine (Top 10 worldwide). Get your checkbook ready my friend, they will give you a good review of this great michelin experience.
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Los Cocuyos - Legendary street tacos. You know what they say about Mexico, you should eat tacos as long as your body can take it!
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Mercado de San Juan - Gourmet and exotic products. For a different experience.
Spot 2. Holbox
(3 Days)
We recommend visiting the island of Holbox before the ever-increasing tourism loses its magic.
It is still a paradise without paved roads or cars, its sandy streets and crystal clear waters invite you to disconnect.
Holbox Island Recommendations
What to do?
If you go in season you can swim with the whale shark (June to September). Remember to do it always in a respectful way.
Observe the bioluminescence at night: you can do it with a guide, we recommend you simply move away from the light sources and look at the sea or drag your foot on the sand to see the bioluminescence.
We like Punta Mosquitos best for spending the day, it is undoubtedly the most beautiful of the two points. On the opposite point we recommend you to enjoy the sunset(Punta Cocos).
Walk or cycle around the island, it is a pleasure to get lost on its sandy beaches or have a red eye in a bar in the village.
Lobster Pizza?
This is one of the typical dishes of the island. The truth is that to us it doesn't seem to have too much hype but whenever we go we always take one 😜.
Breakfast
Clandestino has the best specialty coffee in Holbox. We highly recommend breakfast here!!!!
Complement
Painapol
Mandarins
Olita de Mar
Amaite
Food
Zoomay
Ñañas Beach
cool beach club
Hammocks
Beach Club Carolinda
The panchas
Tamashi
Alma Bar
ArteSano
Dinner
Aluxes
Rooftop 14
Amaité
Luuma
Roots: It is very typical for lobster pizza.
The pinsa
Quartieri
Monono
Grill House
Maiztro
Desserts
Clandestino
Capriccio Marquesitas* Capriccio Marquesitas
Tierra Mia
#HOTEL EXPLORE
Do you want to know how were our three dreamy days in this beautiful hotel in this paradisiacal island?
Te contamos nuestra experiencia en Casa Peregrino, un hotel céntrico con encanto, buen wifi y jacuzzi con vistas al mar.
From the paradise of Holbox, we went to .....
Spot 3. Cozumel
(2 days)
Cozumel is our favorite island, we are biased by its diving which is TOP World.
But understand us, if you discover a place with good food, good diving, good weather, perfect size because it allows you to visit the island for several days and good people... you will be delighted. And that's what happens to us every time we go there.
It has to be in our definitive guide to Mexico.
What a paradise you are Cozumel!
Cozumel Recommendations
How to visit Cozumel?
Rent a motorcycle, it will allow you to move around the island like a local.
If you are not a motorcycle person, no problem, you have small cars at your disposal or you can always use cabs - too expensive for our taste, but they will get you around. Important: No uber, no cabify, no lift and the island is big enough that you need wheels to get to know it.
What to do in Cozumel?
Our must-haves are:
- Diving. According to our friend Diego, taking the Discover Open Water in Cozumel with the friends of Agua Clara Diving has been the best thing that has happened to him in his life. We, who are used to dive in the best places on the planet, verified that Cozumel as a diving destination is a success. They have the biggest coral mountains we have ever seen, multicolored reef life, crystal clear waters that make you feel like you are in a fish tank, turtles and nurse sharks (we always like to see big life too) and if you try it you will not regret it.
- SunsetsBring your camera to take pictures of the sunsets or let yourself be carried away by the moment and watch it in 4k with your eyes. We recommend the restaurants and bars on the west side of the island while sipping a "ojos rojos" or a michelada or a margarita.
- Dining at "La innombrable": Any dish is good but trying their tacos de tuetano is an AUTHENTIC SPECTACLE. The best tacos we have tasted in all of Mexico. Congratulations !!!! I leave you a link to Google Maps of the site here.
Diving: of course!
Diving in Cozumel is a spectacle. Lose yourself in the coral reefs of Cozumel and thank us later 😉.
We have also found the perfect dive club, they give you specialty coffee in the morning before you leave so you can see the little fish while you are awake.
They have their own boat, TOP instructors and take the appropriate security measures between good vibes and the best: they give you some great taquitos to eat between dives. You will feel like in a dream diving with them, they have it all. And the diving in Cozumel is from another planet. We leave you a link with more information about diving in Cozumel below.
our opinion of Agua Clara Diving
"Hemos encontrado el mejor club de buceo en Cozumel, te ponen café de especialidad por la mañana antes de salir para que veas los pececitos bien despierto. Cuentan con barco propio, toman las medidas de seguridad adecuadas, monitores TOP con muy buen rollo y lo mejor: te ponen unos taquitos buenisimos para comer entre buceos. Te sentirás como en un sueño buceando con ellos, lo tienen todo"
RECOMMENDATION THE EXPLORE TV
The hotel that combines luxury with the most magical and historic place in India
#HOTEL EXPLORE
Evolve Back Hampi is a luxury resort located in the heart of Hampi, India. Surrounded by the majestic landscapes of Hampi, a World Heritage Site, this resort is ideal for those seeking an exclusive stay full of comfort, elegance and serenity. It offers an unforgettable experience where contemporary luxury merges with the rich history and culture of ancient India.
It takes you on a journey back in time without sacrificing modern comforts with a construction and design that reflects the splendor of the Vijayanagara empire.
Stop 4. Tulum
(2 days)
Tulum is the perfect balance between nature, culture and wellness. Walk among Mayan ruins facing the Caribbean, explore crystal clear cenotes and enjoy its bohemian and relaxed atmosphere. But don't worry if you want busy modern restaurants with top cuisine or if you are looking for a party you will find it here too.
Tulum Recommendations
Explore ancient temples to experience history
As soon as we arrived in Tulum, the first thing we did was to go straight to the Mayan ruins. We had already seen them a thousand times in photos, but seeing them with the Caribbean Sea in the background is another level: stone temples, iguanas sunbathing and that brutal contrast between history and the turquoise blue of the sea.
We got up early (before 8:00, important to avoid the heat and the groups!) and went in almost alone.
You walk among the ruins of the Temple of the God of the Wind, the Castle and the Temple of the Frescoes, and you can imagine how the Mayas lived here looking at the horizon and the stars (what cracks!).
After touring the archaeological site, we walked down the path that leads to the hidden beach just below the ruins - it's touristy, we won't fool you. But getting into the water knowing that you are swimming under Mayan temples is one of those travel moments that stays with you, mostly because of what you have just experienced! It is from another planet.
How crazy to think that in Egypt and in Mexico, thousands of miles away, they had the same idea, to build mountains.
Sleep in a hotel with a Cenote - or if you can't afford it - visit them.
If there's one thing about Tulum that you won't forget, it's the cenotes. Sleeping in a hotel with one of your own is a magical experience - you literally wake up, take a dip and are floating in crystal clear water surrounded by jungle.
In Tulum we slept at Uman Glamping & Cenote Tulum, and it was a real gem.
Imagine sleeping in a safari tent, surrounded by jungle, and waking up to the sound of birds. The best part was that we had a private cenote inside the lodge.
In the mornings we would go down in our bathing suits straight from the bed to the water, coffee in hand, and take a dip in that crystalline and silent corner. It was one of the most magical moments of the trip - without a doubt, one of those places that make you reconnect with yourself and with nature.
If your budget is tighter, no problem. You can visit several spectacular cenotes near the center of Tulum:
Cenote Calavera, with its three holes perfect for jumping into the water.
Gran Cenote, famous for its caverns and the light that filters in like a natural cathedral.
Cenote Dos Ojos, ideal for diving among stalactites (one of the most beautiful we have seen).
Lay down on the beach for a day and do nothing
After so much exploring ruins and cenotes, we decided to dedicate a whole day to do absolutely nothing.
We went to Playa Paraiso, spread out our towel, ordered a cold coconut and let ourselves be carried away by the sound of the sea.
The sand is so fine it looks like flour, and the water has that electric blue that looks filtered from how beautiful it is. We were there all morning reading, dozing, getting into the water from time to time and watching how the sky changed tones. There can be sargassum but in many areas they clean it in the morning, the truth is that we were very lucky and there was hardly any (it depends on the season).
At noon we had a light lunch at a beach bar with chill music, and in the afternoon we walked to the south side, where there are fewer people and a quieter atmosphere.
Watching the sunset from the sand, with a beer in hand, was the perfect ending to a day with no plans.
💡 Tip: For the ruins: bring a hat, water and swimsuit. And if you can, hire a local guide - they tell Mayan stories that totally transport you.
Stop 5. Allen Point
(2 days)
We leave behind the "hustle and bustle" of Tulum and enter the Sian Ka'an reserve, that strip of jungle and sea that seems to have no end.
The road becomes a dirt road, the cell phone signal disappears, and every kilometer we go we feel that we are moving a little further away from the world and closer to something more authentic.
Getting here is not easy, but therein lies its magic: the harder it gets, the more enjoyable it is.
Punta Allen Recommendations
How to get to Punta Allen?
The path is called the hinca massage.
If we learned anything from Punta Allen, it is that getting there is part of the adventure.
We left Tulum with a coffee in hand and the illusion ahead of us, but we did not know that the famous Sian Ka'an road awaited us, the one that everyone describes as "rustic". And, not rustic... it is a massage that you will never forget.
For almost two hours we drove along a dirt and mud track with our Peugeot 205, dodging potholes and puddles, with the sea on one side and the jungle on the other.
We won't deny it, getting there is horriiiiiiiiiiible!!!!
When we finally saw the "Punta Allen" sign, we felt as if we had arrived at the end of the world.
In the end we realized it was worth every jump.
Sleeping at Cielo y Selva Glamping
We stayed at Cielo y Selva Glamping, and we can't think of a better name. IT'S AWESOME!!!
After the hellish journey, getting there was like finding an oasis: safari tents with comfortable beds, the sea a few meters away and a breeze that lulls you at night.
We were greeted with a smile and a cold coconut water (pure blessing).
Electricity comes and goes, wifi is a legend, but it doesn't matter.
In the evening, we dined on fresh fish in the small restaurant next to the camp, lit only by candles and stars.
There was a moment when we turned off the flashlights and looked at the sky... we could not remember seeing so many stars in our lives.
Sleeping at Cielo y Selva is back to basics, but with charm.
You shower in the open air, fall asleep to the sound of the waves, and wake up to birdsong.
And when you open the store in the morning, the first thing you see is the Caribbean Sea greeting you.
💡 Tip: get an all-terrain vehicle if you're going to get here. If not, arm yourself with patience and good vibes to get the real hinca massage!
A place almost no one gets to
Punta Allen is one of those places where tourism has not yet changed the rules.
Only the wildest Caribbean and a local community that lives to the rhythm of the sea.
Just the sound of the wind and our footprints in the sand.
Sitting on a log, with your feet in the water, and thinking that luckily there are places where mass tourism has not yet arrived.
Stop 6. Bacalar
(2 days)
Bacalar is a natural jewel in southern Mexico, famous for its lagoon that changes color depending on the depth and sunlight.
For us it is not an essential destination, if we had to remove something from the route it would be Bacalar. But if you have days to spare it is a good destination to visit.
Bacalar Recommendations
Above all... Enjoy its blues
When you arrive suddenly, it appears: an expanse of water so blue it looks painted. They call it the Lagoon of Seven Colors, but when you see it you understand that no name does it justice.
In Bacalar everything revolves around the lagoon and it makes sense.
Sailing the lagoon: the seven colors of paradise
The first day we rented a kayak and went paddling. With some wind it is uncomfortable so we recommend looking for the best day to do it without wind.
Seeing how its blues change is a beautiful sensation. Stepping on the mud at the bottom of the lagoon not so much, they don't tell you that, but that's ok... you are in paradise.
Sleeping in front of the water
As we were saying, everything revolves around the lagoon. Also the accommodations.
We stayed in a small eco-hotel on the shores of the lagoon, one of those where you don't need much more than a hammock and a breeze.
At night, the frogs and crickets made their concert, and in the morning we opened the door and the water was right next door, waiting for us.
