Mexico Travel Itinerary
A journey through time, taste, and tradition
This Mexico travel itinerary is like no other. You’ll discover some of the off-the-beaten path treasures that are tucked away near popular tourist attractions and see Mexico in a whole new light. From tiny villages with famed cuisines (which you can learn to cook!) to stunning natural hot springs and giant, 2000 year old trees, there’s no shortage of stunning sights to see.
Mexico is a captivating country if you know where to look and that’s our specialty. We’ll make sure you taste the local treats, meet amazing people, and get hands-on with markets and handicrafts. You’ll walk away from this Mexican adventure ready to jump back on the plane and come back for more.
Teotihuacan
A lost civilization
Colorful traditions
Oaxaca
Monte Alban
Archaeological site
Hierve el Agua
Nature preserve
Highlights.
Ready for a true Mexican adventure? This Mexico travel itinerary gives you 10 days of sightseeing and experiences that you won’t want to miss. From the petrified waterfalls and soothing pools of Hierve el Agua to the ruins of Monte Alban, there’s plenty to see here. If you thought Mexico was all beaches and palm trees, think again. This is a country rich with culture and history.
You’ll tour around Mexico City and Oaxaca, visit Xochomilco, the Museum of Cultures, the Museum of Anthropology in Chapultepec Park, and explore Puebla with a guide. The Magical Town of Cholula and the Palacio de Bellas Artes, you’ll visit multiple places that are alive with creativity and art. Make the most of it with this amazing tour.
Itinerary
Your flight will land at Mexico City International Airport, where our driver will meet you and take you to your hotel. If you arrive earlier in the day, you’ll settle in and then take a city tour.
Founded in 1325 by the Aztecs, Mexico City is the oldest capital city in the Americas. It was originally called Tenochtitlan, but was renamed Cuidad de Mexico in 1585, after the Spanish conquered the area and rebuilt the city. Today, Mexico City is a fascinating city known for being culturally rich. In fact, aside from London, it has more museums than any other city in the world.
Your guide will take you to the historic center which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area is filled with old churches, palaces, and busy markets. One of the must-see sites is the Zocalo, the largest central plaza anywhere in Latin America.
You’ll also visit Palacio de Bellas Artes, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Casa de Los Azulejos, and Templo Mayor as you tour the city. Later, we’ll head to the Roma and La Condesa districts and take a calming walk through the green streets. You can stop in at bars, art galleries, or any of the charming coffee shops that line the streets.There is so much to see in the city that we’ll spend several days here, just exploring some of the best sights in Mexico.
- Four nights in Mexico City.
After breakfast today, we’ll head to the ruins of the most important city in Mesoamerica, Teotihuacan. These ruins are best known for the pyramids built here. Three pyramids tower over the site: the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, and the Temple of the Feathered Serpent (Quetzalcoatl). It’s believed that the city was multi-ethnic with a mix of Nahua, Totonac, Maya, Oto-Pamean, and Nahua people.
You’ll have time to explore the site and check out the massive residential compounds that indicate how the city was organized socially. You’ll also see some impressively preserved murals that still show life from that time period. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts the most visitors out of all archeological sites in Mexico.
Next, we’re off to the Shrine of Guadalupe, also known as the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Tucked away at the foot of Tepeyac Hill in the northern part of Mexico City, this site is one of the most visited shrines anywhere in the world. It’s believed that the Virgin Mary appeared four times on this same hill, revealing herself to Juan Diego and asking him to build a church. She imprinted her image on Juan Diego’s cloak, which you can see in the shrine. Hourly masses are attended by pilgrims who come to see the shrine and the surrounding gardens and chapels.
Today, we’ll spend the morning at Xochimilco, originally the site of a pre-Hispanic city on the shores of Lake Xochimilco. The area was a prominent agricultural hotspot where locals grew flowers and crops like corn, squash, and beans on mud-covered rafts. Today, it’s a popular tourist destination.
We’ll start the day off with a boat ride on one of the famous trajineras, flat-bottomed boats that move through the canals. Live mariachi music plays as you enjoy drinks and snacks from the restaurant boats and look out over the floating gardens.
Next, you’ll move on to Coyoacan, a bright Bohemian district that is well worth a visit. This part of Mexico City is one of the oldest inhabited sections. The original plazas and cobblestone streets are still intact, and many of the buildings date back to the 16th century. This is where artists and intellectuals began to gather in the 1920s, making Coyoacan a fun, interesting space where creativity and culture thrive.
Not surprisingly, Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera once lived here. We’ll finish up the tour with a visit to the Casa Azul, where Frida was born and raised. She lived here in her final days, as well. Now, the house is a museum filled with not only artwork from Friday, but also pre-Hispanic artifacts and indigenous jewelry. You’ll enjoy learning more about the woman behind the art as you walk through her old home.
Mexico is filled with rich history, and one of the best places to learn more about that history is at Chapultepec Park. It’s one of the oldest urban parks in the world, as well as one of the largest. It was a retreat for Aztec rulers in pre-Columbian times and was considered a sacred space for the elites of the time.
We’ll start our visit with a stroll through the park to the National Museum of Anthropology, the most visited museum in Mexico. The world-renowned museum is filled with exhibits that cover the entire history of the human race. Each civilization and culture has its own section and exhibits showcasing the history of Mexico. You’ll see the Aztec calendar stone, a recreation of Pakal the Great’s tomb, items from the Sacred Cenote at Chichen Itza, Olmec heads, and the jade mask of the Zapotec Bat God, among many other treasures.
The next stop on our tour is Chapultepec Castle, set atop Chapultepec Hill. It started out as a summer home for the Spanish viceroy, but over the years, it has been used for many purposes. This is where Los Niños Heroes, young cadets, made their final stand in the Mexican-American War, and it was also used as an observatory, a military academy, and now houses the National Museum of History.
Take some time to wander the beautifully landscaped lawn, get some photos of the sprawling metropolis that is Mexico City, and explore the echoing halls of this stunning castle. It will give you a good view of what life was like here in times past.
Keep your camera on hand for the drive to Cholula, because you’ll spot both the Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanoes. The town of Cholula is one of the Pueblos Magicos, or Magical Towns, and for good reason. Its vibrant culture, rich history, and friendly locals make it a nice place to visit, but the real treasure lies in the archeological side of town.
We’ll visit the ruins of the old area of Cholula where the Great Pyramid of Cholula or Tlachihualtepetl, stands. This Mexican pyramid is larger than the Great Pyramid of Giza. You’ll have the chance to go inside the pyramid, which has several miles of tunnels running through it. If you head up to the top, you’ll find a domed church on the tip of the pyramid, with stunning views of the area.
We’ll also visit Santa Maria Tonantzintla, a church not far from the ruins. There was a temple built to the indigenous mother goddess Tonantzin before the Spanish razed it to build a church. The building has been rebuilt and expanded over the years and is now an incredible example of indigenous Baroque architecture. The unique blend of European Baroque and indigenous symbols makes this church truly fascinating. Take the time to examine the colorful plaster moldings and the images around the interior, as you won’t see anything quite like it anywhere else.
Finally, we’ll make our way to Puebla, a city once known for being very Catholic and staid. It has since become a symbol of change, showcasing the history of the people here. In recent years, the city has become known for its art scene and nightlife, drawing in locals and tourists alike.
- Two nights in Puebla.
Often, culture is expressed through art and food. Today, you’ll experience both. We’ll head into historic downtown Puebla for a culinary tour that will give you a taste of authentic Mexican food. Puebla is known for its impressive cuisine, particularly mole poblano (which is also considered to be Mexico’s national dish by most people). You’ll also have a chance to taste tacos, tamales, and molotes, among other foods, as you walk through the streets.
This is a wonderful way to combine a love of local food with an interest in history and architecture. This downtown area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has more than 5,000 buildings cataloged as such. You may not have time to see them all, but you’ll definitely get a feel for the city’s past as you walk and eat. We’ll finish up this part of the tour on Calle de Dulces (Sweets Street), where you can taste test some traditional sweet foods.
Next, we’re headed to Barrio del Artista, a neighborhood created by two brothers who were teachers in the Academy of Fine Arts. They held outdoor painting classes here and eventually had the area designated for artists. There are now 45 art studios where art of all types is on display, including dance, music, and theater. While here, you’ll taste pasitas, a local raisin liqueur, and flan from a traditional pastry shop.
If you’re still hungry after a day of sightseeing and munching on local delights, we recommend dinner at El Mural de los Poblanos. This stunning restaurant is filled with impressive murals to enjoy while you taste their complex mole.
Today you’ll travel to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Oaxaca. The city is the capital of the state of Oaxaca and is best known for the colonial buildings that have been very well preserved over the years. The historic center is the UNESCO site, with its beautiful old buildings, but the area is also home to a number of archaeological sites.
Upon arrival, we’ll take a walking tour that starts at the Monastery of Santo Domingo de Guzman, which is now the Museum of Cultures. The museum spans 10,000 years of local history, with 14 permanent exhibits. Even the museum is a treasure in itself, with incredible Baroque architecture.
From there, we’ll head to the Cathedral, with its impressive stained glass and stunning architecture before walking to the Plaza de la Constitucion. Along the way, you’ll see everything from street art and street markets to touristy bars and more. There’s a mix of cultures here that will keep you enthralled as you explore.
After the tour, take some time to check out the art galleries and shops yourself, or grab a coffee in one of the Bohemian cafes. You can enjoy dinner at any one of dozens of restaurants in the area.
- Three nights in Oaxaca.
Some of Mexico’s most impressive treasures are rarely spoken about. We’ll visit the village of El Tule today to see the Tule Tree, a massive specimen that is over 2,000 years old. The tree, a Montezuma cypress, has the widest trunk in the world at somewhere between 164-190 feet around. It may look like a cluster of trees that have grown together, but DNA tests proved that it is just one single tree.
Next up is Hierve el Agua, a unique site made possible by the mineral rich water that bubbles up from underground springs. Natural infinity pools top the cliff and offer amazing views, but over centuries, the water ran over the edge, forming petrified mineral waterfalls that look like frozen water. Only two such waterfalls exist in the entire world and they continue to grow and change as more mineral deposits are added. Enjoy the hike to the pools and then relax and experience the healing minerals for yourself.
After a nice soak and some amazing views, we’ll head to Teotitlan del Valle, an artisan village. The village was founded in 1465, making it one of the oldest Zapotec towns in the area, though it was later settled by the Spanish in 1527. Here, you’ll find handicrafts and art created by local indigenous people. Many use natural dyeing techniques and do their own weaving, so you can see how this is done, as well as purchase their work to take home.
We have a day of fun today, to finish off your trip to Mexico. First, you’ll meet up with a local cook to participate in a cooking class. This way, you can take a little piece of Mexico home with you in the form of cuisine. You’ll head to the market first to shop like a local. After purchasing the freshest ingredients possible, you’ll return to the kitchen where your teacher will guide you through making the famous dish, mole.
In the afternoon, you’ll explore Monte Alban, a pre-Columbian ruin atop a hill that overlooks the valley below. It was built here as a defensive site, but today it provides amazing views for tourists who visit. You’ll find some unique details in Monte Alban, including painted tombs, an impressive observatory, a ball court, and Los Danzantes, carved stone reliefs that depict life during war.
Monte Alban is unique for several reasons. You’ll see that the inhabitants built terraces and dams, as well as creating canals that show a strong knowledge of hydraulic engineering. While the city was later abandoned, it has found new life as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Your amazing Mexican adventure has come to an end, but you can extend your trip or plan your next one with us. Your driver will take you to the Oaxaca international airport, where you will catch your flight home.
map, expenses & price
Mexico Travel Itinerary
Expenses included:
-All private transportation.
-Nine nights of hotel accommodations.
-Professional certified guides.
-All park entrance fees.
-Tours and excursions as listed.
-Daily breakfast.
Extension
ADD-ON
Want to see even more of this amazing country? Let us take you to San Miguel de Allende for a tour of this colorful town. The original name was San Miguel el Grande, so named by Franciscan monk Juan de San Miguel, who also founded the city. In the early 1800s, the name was changed to honor Ignacio Allende, who was considered a war hero from the Mexican War of Independence.
The architecture here is a mix of Baroque and Neoclassical, with a number of palaces, churches, and mansions built in a massive 64-block area that makes up the historic center. However, the city is most famous for the vibrant art scene. It’s home to Instituto Allende, an art school so renowned it has attracted artists from around the world.
You’ll tour the areas off the beaten path where few tourists ever go, taste food from family-owned cafes and street stalls, and visit the stunning churches that make this town so unique.
