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Mexico road trip with a rental car

Itinerary Travel price Request a travel proposal More inspiration

22 days – from €7,041 per person

off the beaten track – nature – history – archaeological sites – rental car – beach

  • Take the ultimate road trip through Mexico, visiting both well-known and lesser-known places
  • Buy traditionally crafted pottery from the Uriarte family in Puebla
  • Wander through the market in the culinary capital of Oaxaca and treat yourself to some Pollo con Mole Negro
  • Marvel at the exquisite carvings of the most beautiful Mayan temples in Palenque
  • Soak up the Caribbean atmosphere in the coastal town of Campeche and on the tropical island of Holbox

Itinerary

Day 1 | Amsterdam – Mexico City

Your trip of Mexico begins today. In Amsterdam, you’ll board your intercontinental flight to Mexico City. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by one of our local staff and taken to your accommodation. You’ll be staying at the Hotel Galería Plaza Reforma, situated in the Juárez district, just a half-hour’s walk from Chapultepec Urban Park.
Overnight stay: Hotel Galería Plaza Reforma | bed and breakfast

Day 2 | Mexico City

Today you will be collected from your hotel to explore the city’s historic centre and the Anthropological Museum. Accompanied by your English-speaking private guide, you will discover the country’s colonial and revolutionary history. Among other things, you’ll visit the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Presidential Palace, where the famous Mexican artist Diego Rivera created a huge mural depicting the history of Mexico. You’ll be taken along some iconic little streets towards the Palacio de Bellas Artes (the Palace of Fine Arts), where you can explore the diverse architecture. Finally, after lunch, you’ll be taken to the National Museum of Anthropology, situated in the beautiful Chapultepec City Park. Here, the anthropological history of Mexico is recounted from the very beginning. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your hotel. The evening is at your leisure.
Overnight stay: Hotel Galería Plaza Reforma | bed and breakfast

Day 3 | Mexico City

This is a free day, during which you can explore Mexico City at your leisure. On Sunday mornings, the main thoroughfare, the Paseo de la Reforma, is closed to traffic, allowing the residents of Mexico City to go jogging, cycling and walking there. You can also head out on a bike. From around 8.00 am (sometimes a little later if the bike hire operator hasn’t quite woken up yet), bikes are available from one of the many stalls. Bikes are hired out free of charge for around two hours; after that, a small fee is charged. Do make sure you get there in good time, as the free bikes are in high demand.
Accommodation: Hotel Galería Plaza Reforma | bed and breakfast

Day 4 | Mexico City – Puebla

(approx. 140 km | 3-hour drive)
Today you’ll set off in your rental car. You’ll be collected from your accommodation and taken by an English-speaking private guide to the car hire company’s office. Once you have collected your rental car, you’ll drive to your accommodation in Puebla. On the way to Puebla, you can stop off in Cholula. The town, with the Popocatépetl volcano in the background, offers a stunning view as you approach.
Overnight stay: Hotel Banyan Tree Puebla | bed and breakfast

Day 5 | Puebla

Today, you can explore the ‘City of Churches’ at your leisure. Puebla is surrounded by the Popocatépetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanoes and snow-capped mountain peaks, and boasts no fewer than 70 churches in its historic centre. The city was founded by the Spanish, and to this day many Spanish influences can still be seen, such as the colonial architecture and the painted ceramics. A good example of the latter is the family-run business Uriarte Talavera. In 1824, Mr Dimas Uriarte set up a small workshop. Here, they produce various earthenware items using traditional methods dating back to the 16th century, which resemble the Dutch Delft Blue techniques. If you are an art lover, you should definitely visit the city’s Museum of Baroque Art.
Accommodation: Hotel Banyan Tree Puebla | bed and breakfast

Day 6 | Puebla – Oaxaca

(approx. 340 km | 5 hours’ drive)
After breakfast, you’ll drive on to Oaxaca. In Oaxaca, you’ll stay at Hotel de la Parra, the former home of the hotel owners. You’ll receive a warm welcome here, and the friendly staff will ensure you soon feel at home. You can easily explore the city, as the hotel is situated a short distance from the centre. Thick walls and double glazing create an oasis of tranquillity amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. The swimming pool has a rustic feel, with exposed brickwork, palm trees, a freestanding terracotta chimney and sun loungers, where you can retreat after a day of strolling through the city.
Accommodation: Hotel de la Parra | bed and breakfast

Day 7 | Oaxaca

Discover the historic centre of Oaxaca. Lined with narrow streets and colonial buildings, it boasts a vibrant arts and music scene and an abundance of high-quality restaurants. Oaxaca produces a wide variety of handicrafts and boasts countless markets and specialist shops offering unique creations. There are also various activities to enjoy in the area around Oaxaca. For example, visit the ruins of Monte Albán and Mitla, or explore the small, picturesque villages in the surrounding area.
Accommodation: Hotel de la Parra | bed and breakfast

Day 8 | Oaxaca – Puerto Escondido

(approx. 270 km | 7 hours’ drive)
In the morning, you’ll drive south from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, a beach resort on the Pacific coast. It’s a long but very scenic route. You’ll start at around 1,500 metres above sea level and drive all the way down to the coast. As you do so, you’ll see the landscape change from mountainous terrain with coniferous trees, to coffee plantations and vast valleys, and finally to banana plantations set amongst lush, tropical forests. You’ll be staying at Hotel Escondido, situated about a 45-minute drive from the town of Puerto Escondido. Hotel Escondido is an adults-only hotel, comprising stylish bungalows with a small private plunge pool and sea views. The hotel also has a 50-metre outdoor swimming pool. Situated on a quiet beach, Hotel Escondido certainly lives up to its name – ‘escondido’ means ‘hidden’ in Spanish.
Accommodation: Hotel Escondido | half-board (accommodation, breakfast and dinner)

Day 9 | Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido has long been known as a surfer’s paradise, particularly because of the world-famous tunnel-shaped waves at Playa Zicatela. But even if you’re not really looking for action and sport, you can still have a lovely time and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere.
Accommodation: Hotel Escondido | half-board (accommodation, breakfast and dinner)

Day 10 | Puerto Escondido – Salina Cruz

(approx. 250 km | 4-hour drive)
Today you’ll drive on to the town of Salina Cruz, a great stopover to break up the long journey to San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Accommodation: Hotel Misión San Jose | bed and breakfast

Day 11 | Salina Cruz – San Cristóbal de las Casas

(approx. 390 km | 5.5 hours’ drive)
In the morning, you’ll get back into your rental car and drive to San Cristóbal de las Casas. San Cristóbal is renowned for its colonial architecture. You’ll find remarkable churches here, such as the brightly coloured cathedral on Plaza 31 de Marzo, where you can sit on a bench and get a good sense of life in the town. The Santo Domingo church, with its impressive façade, is also a highlight, particularly in the evening when the 16th-century church is illuminated. The interior is richly decorated with gold elements. Every day, Maya people in traditional dress come to San Cristóbal from the various nearby mountain villages to sell their handmade goods at the market. The market is very colourful: hand-woven clothing, tablecloths, jewellery and other Mayan products are sold there.
Accommodation: Hotel Sombra del Agua | bed and breakfast

Day 12 | San Cristóbal de las Casas

Day off. San Cristóbal de las Casas was founded by the Spanish in 1528 and is named after Bartolomé de las Casas, a clergyman who championed the rights of the indigenous population. A charming little town with colonial influences, narrow streets, colourful houses and cosy squares. A large proportion of the population is Maya, but the Spanish influence is also very much in evidence. In the beautiful surroundings of San Cristóbal, you can, amongst other things, visit (possibly with a guide) the indigenous villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán. There are also various activities to enjoy from San Cristóbal. For example, you can opt for guided mountain bike tours and take salsa lessons in the evenings.
Accommodation: Hotel Sombra del Agua | bed and breakfast

Day 13 | San Cristóbal de las Casas – Palenque

(approx. 215 km | 5.5-hour drive)
In the morning, you’ll get back in the car to continue your journey to Palenque. You’ll be staying at the Boutique Hotel Quinta Chanabnal, situated just 3 km from the archaeological site of Palenque, amidst a lush forest, giving you the feeling of staying in a palace from the ancient Mayan city. This luxury hotel features an authentic design and is equipped with all modern facilities.
Overnight stay: Boutique Hotel Quinta Chanabnal | bed and breakfast

Day 14 | Palenque

Free day planned. You can visit the archaeological site of the Maya civilisation, Palenque. As a site, Palenque is of moderate size compared to other archaeological sites of the Maya culture, such as Tikal in Guatemala or Copán in Honduras. However, the artefacts found at Palenque are of great value. The finest architecture, sculpture and stucco reliefs can be found there. It is not without reason that Palenque is often described as the most beautiful and best-preserved Mayan site. If you’re looking to cool off, you can visit the Misol-Há waterfalls.
Accommodation: Boutique Hotel Quinta Chanabnal | bed and breakfast

Day 15 | Palenque – Campeche

(approx. 360 km | 5.5 hours’ drive)
After breakfast, you’ll drive on to Campeche. Campeche has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so it’s certainly worth taking a stroll or a cycle through the old town. The clean streets lined with colourful houses give the town a Caribbean feel. There are also a number of Mayan ruins around Campeche, the largest of which is Edzná. You can easily book a day trip there from the town. Of course, you can also choose to relax here and enjoy a lovely spot on a terrace in the Campeche sunshine.
Accommodation: Hotel Boutique Casa Don Gustavo | bed and breakfast

Day 16 | Campeche – Chichén Itzá

(approx. 175 km | 3-hour drive)
Today you’ll drive on to your next accommodation, near the remarkable archaeological site of Chichén Itzá. The hotel has a lovely, peaceful garden and features an outdoor swimming pool and a relaxing spa. It also offers various activities, such as the Maya nature trip or birdwatching. A few minutes’ drive away is the small village of Piste, where you’ll find a few Mexican eateries and charming souvenir shops.
Overnight stay: Hacienda Chichén | bed and breakfast

Day 17 | Chichén Itzá

On this day, you can explore the archaeological site of Chichén Itzá at your leisure or visit Mérida. Mérida is known, amongst other things, for its cathedral with its impressive Baroque façade. Construction was completed in 1559, making it the oldest cathedral in Latin America. Inside the cathedral stands the statue ‘Jesus with the Blisters’. The statue was carved from a tree that was once struck by lightning and burnt for an entire night. Miraculously, the tree suffered no damage whatsoever. Alongside the cathedral, the Anthropological Museum is well worth a visit, where you can view many Mayan artefacts. Furthermore, the city and its surroundings are ideal for cycling trips. In the historic centre of Mérida, you will also find the Paseo de Montejo, a boulevard lined with various colonial buildings that will remind you of the Champs-Élysées in Paris. In the central square, you’ll find the elegant Casa Montejo and the famous murals of the Palacio Nacional.
Accommodation: Hacienda Chichén | bed and breakfast

Day 18 | Chichén Itzá – Cancún – Holbox

After breakfast, you’ll drive your rental car to Cancún (approx. 315 km | 4-hour drive), where you’ll return your rental car. You will then continue on to Holbox. To do this, you will be taken to the port of Chiquilá, about a 2.5-hour drive away. At the port, you will be welcomed by a local representative who will take you to your hotel on Holbox. On Holbox, you’ll travel to your hotel by golf buggy. These golf buggies are the local means of transport, as cars are banned here. You’ll be staying at Ser Casasandra, a lovely hotel to round off your trip. It was once simply a large family home, where the owner had a number of guest rooms so that the whole family could stay there. Now it is a small-scale luxury hotel, situated right on the breathtakingly beautiful coastline of Isla Holbox, where you will be thoroughly pampered.
Accommodation: Ser Casasandra | bed and breakfast

Days 19 and 20 | Holbox

Some days off are planned at this delightful spot. Now is the time to forget the daily grind. No to-do lists here – just enjoy the surroundings, the climate and the hotel’s facilities. The staff at Ser Casandra will do everything they can to make your stay as pleasant as possible.
Accommodation: Ser Casasandra | bed and breakfast

Day 21 | Holbox – Cancún – Amsterdam

After breakfast, you will be picked up and taken to Cancún Airport. Here, you will board your flight to Amsterdam.

Day 22 | Amsterdam

You’ll be arriving in Amsterdam today.

"We offset all travel through the Black Jaguar Foundation's reforestation project "

Travel price

Trip price: from €7,041 per person

  • Based on two people travelling together
  • Subject to the time of booking, accommodation availability and the travel period

Included:

  • 20 nights’ accommodation, meals as stated
  • 12 days’ car hire (Toyota RAV4 or similar), starting in Mexico City and ending in Cancún, including comprehensive insurance, 2 drivers and unlimited mileage
  • All transfers and excursions as stated
  • local taxes, where applicable
  • entrance fees, where applicable
  • Public levy Calamity Fund travel; €2.50 per booking
  • SGR contribution of €5 per person per booking
  • 24/7 our backup; locally and in the Netherlands
  • comprehensive travel pack with small gift

Not included:

  • International flights, we will book them for you if required
  • Early check-in/late check-out, based on availability sometimes given by hotel. If you want to make sure you have this, please enquire with us about the extra cost.
  • travel and cancellation insurance

Request a travel proposal - Mexico Trip

Would you also like to take this roundtrip? We can of course arrange the above trip for you, but we would also be happy to put together a programme based on your wishes and ideas. Please feel free to contact us, call +31 73 610 62 04, send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl or request a tailor-made quote below. We will be happy to help you.

Request a travel proposal

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