Backpacking Mexico – 4 Week Mexico Itinerary

Planning on backpacking Mexico?! That’s awesome, and I’m already very excited for you!

Putting together your Mexico itinerary can be very overwhelming, and believe me, I’ve been there… But fear not, because in this post I’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about backpacking in Mexico!

Mexico is a much larger country than you think and I recommend spending at least 1 month to experience some of the top places to see in Mexico!

Backpacking Mexico for one month is a decent amount of time to discover the country’s most beautiful beaches, raging waterfalls, ancient Mayan ruins, delicious cuisine, rich culture, and many more fantastic things that Mexico has to offer. 

In this guide, you will find my recommended 1-month backpacking route beginning in Mexico City and ending in Cancun, plus all of the best things to do in each location.

Also in this Mexico Travel Guide, I have included some useful information on the best way to get around, recommended places to stay, and the best time to visit. 

 

 

BACKPACKING MEXICO OVERVIEW

There is no wrong or right way to go backpacking in Mexico as people have different tastes and different interests.

This 4 week Mexico Itinerary is based on my own experience with a mixture of cities, beaches, waterfalls, cenotes, and islands which I visited and that I’m sure you will enjoy too!

Here is a quick overview of how to spend 4 Weeks In Mexico:

• Mexico City – 3 days
• Oaxaca – 2 days
• Puerto Escondido – 3 days
• Tuxtla Gutiérrez – 2 days
• San Cristobal De Las Casas – 3 days
• Comitan – 2 days
• Bacalar – 3 days
• Tulum – 4 days
• Valladolid – 2 days
• Cozumel Island – 2 days
• Cancun – 2 days

 

Some other places to visit in Mexico which I haven’t listed down on this Mexico itinerary are Puebla, Palenque, Campeche, Merida, Holbox, and Playa del Carmen. 

Feel free to chop and change things around on my suggested itinerary with some of the locations I have listed above. 

If I had more time, I would’ve loved to have checked out more of these top places to see in Mexico. Unfortunately, I didn’t, but now I have a good enough reason to go back!

 

MEXICO BACKPACKING ROUTE

WANT TO TRAVEL FULL-TIME? CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW!

 

HOW TO GET AROUND MEXICO

The two best ways of getting around Mexico are by bus or renting a car.

BY BUS:

The most common means of transport for the majority of people backpacking Mexico is by bus. The major roads between each location are generally well maintained, although, they can be windy in some mountainous areas which might make your gut churn… Just make sure to take a motion sickness tablet before setting off and you’ll be just fine!

The average bus journey will cost around 300-400 pesos for a 10-12 hour journey. There are many overnight buses available which are common among backpackers to save money on 1-night accommodation.

Some of the major long-distance Mexican bus companies are ADO, ETN, OCC, and Primera Plus.

I personally traveled mostly with ADO as they seemed to be the most frequent and reliable. You can check the bus times and prices with ADO Buses Mexico online and book ahead of time. 

If for some reason you can’t book the bus online, you’ll have to head to the ADO Bus Station in whichever town you’re in and purchase a ticket. It’s best to go in the day before you intend to travel to secure a seat on the bus. 

RENT A CAR:

Renting a car is another option, although it will cost you a lot more as opposed to taking the bus. I don’t recommend this option as the distances between the locations are very long.

The upside to renting a car in Mexico is having the freedom to explore off-the-beaten-path locations that aren’t on the typical tourist trail.

Search All → Car Rentals in Mexico

Traveling by bus in Mexico

 

DAY 1, 2 & 3: MEXICO CITY

Mexico City is most famous for being one of the oldest and largest cosmopolitan cities in the world and what better place to begin your Mexico itinerary than right here in the country’s capital!

There is no shortage of things to do in Mexico City such as experiencing the rich cultural heritage, marveling at the colonial architecture, discovering unique street art, checking out the Teotihuacan Pyramids (UNESCO World Heritage site), and much much more!

TOP THINGS TO DO IN MEXICO CITY

Here is a list of top places to see and fun things do in Mexico City which will be sure to keep you busy for 3 days:

• Metropolitan Cathedral in Constitution Square
• Palacio de Bellas Artes
• Xochimilco
• Coyoacan
• Frida Kahlo Museum (La Casa Azul)
• Arena Mexico (Lucha libre wrestling)
• Teotihuacan Pyramids

Palacio de Bellas Artes – Mexico Backpackers

Frida Kahlo Museum

Streets of Coyoacan in Mexico City

Teotihuacan Pyramids

Lucha libre fight at Arena Mexico

 

MY EXPERIENCE IN MEXICO CITY

I happened to be in Mexico during the time of Dia de Los Muertos (the Day of the Dead festival) and I spent my 3 days in Mexico City enjoying all of the festivities around this!

Click Here to see the full blog post of my experience at the Day of the Dead festival in Mexico City!

Day of the Dead Festival

Dia de Los Muertos

 

 

DAY 4 & 5: OAXACA

Oaxaca, pronounced wah-hah-kah, is one of my favorite cities to visit when backpacking Mexico!

Located in the Central Valley Region of the state, this incredible city within Mexico is full of hidden gems, amazing architecture, and beautiful cobbled streets.

Oaxaca is most popular for its vibrant street scene, tequila and mezcal distilleries, the ancient Monte Alban and Mitla ruins, Hierve El Agua petrified waterfalls, and much more!

BEST THINGS TO DO IN OAXACA

There are a number of epic things to do in Oaxaca so I recommend booking a tour to make the most out of your time during your visit and ensuring you get to see and experience as much as possible. 

I’ve written a separate blog post of 7 Awesome Tours In Oaxaca that you can check out and see which tour best suits you, otherwise scroll down to see my top recommended tour of Oaxaca. 

I’ve also written two more detailed guides of Hierve El Agua and Mitla Ruins, both of which are located in Oaxaca. 

Vibrant streets in Oaxaca Mexico

Hierve el Agua

Mitla Ruins in Oaxaca

The world’s widest tree El Tule

 

Full-Day Tour of Oaxaca:

Embark on a day of adventure around the city of Oaxaca. Take in the sights, learn about the city, and explore everything from historical monuments, traditional cultures, and the natural wonders this incredible city has to offer.

This tour in Oaxaca is perfect for you to experience basically everything Oaxaca has to offer, in just one day. A few of the highlights en route include Hierve el Agua petrified waterfalls, Mezcal factory, El Tule Tree, and the archeological zone of Mitla.

Air-conditioned transportation is included as well as a bilingual tour guide, entrance fees, and Mezcal tasting.  All this for around $56 USD!

Book Now → Full Day Oaxaca Tour

  

Monte Alban Ruins – Mexico Backpackers

Hierve el Agua petrified waterfall

Textiles factory in Oaxaca

Old Cathedral in Oaxaca City

Hierve el Agua – Travel Mexico Blog

Mezcal distillery in Oaxaca

 

 

DAY 6, 7 & 8: PUERTO ESCONDIDO

Puerto Escondido is one of the most popular destinations to see which is located on the southwest coast in Oaxaca state. There are many awesome things to do in Puerto Escondido and I guarantee that once you arrive, you won’t want to leave!

Puerto Escondido has made its mark on the map for its world-renowned surf beaches, but there are plenty of other great things to do other than surfing.

From secluded beaches to raging waterfalls and everything in between, Puerto Escondido is definitely not to be missed!

Puerto Escondido Mexico

Zicatela Beach

Cascada La Reforma

 

THINGS TO DO IN PUERTO ESCONDIDO

Here is a list of 11 Best Things To Do In Puerto Escondido:

• Sunset on Zicatela Beach
• Beachbum at Playa Carrizalillo
• Take a stroll at Playa Bacocho
• Cool off at Playa Coral
• Turtle releasing on Bacocho Beach
• Watch a movie at the beach cinema
• Visit Cascada la Reforma
• Zicatela viewpoint
• Snorkeling at Playa Angelito
• Go surfing at Punta Zicatela
• Glowing plankton at Manialtepec Lagoon

FULL BLOG POST → 11 THINGS TO DO IN PUERTO ESCONDIDO

Playa Carrizalillo – Mexico Backpacking

Sunset at Zicatela Beach

Playa Bacocho in Puerto Escondido

Cascada La Reforma in Puerto Escondido

Playa Zicatela

Playa Coral in Puerto Escondido

 

 

DAY 9 & 10: TUXTLA GUTIÉRREZ

Tuxtla Gutiérrez often gets overlooked by most travelers but it’s not to be missed, in my opinion. 

Home to the incredible Sumidero Canyon and Cascada El Aguacero, an overnight stay in Tuxtla to visit these two epic locations is 100% worth adding to your Mexico itinerary. 

CASCADA EL AGUACERO 

Cascada El Aguacero is one of the most impressive waterfalls I have ever seen! Located just 1-hour drive from Tuxtla City, El Aguacero Waterfall features a downpour of silvery curtain-like falls with multiple tiers that flows seamlessly into Cañon Río La Venta.

I guarantee you will be in complete awe once you take your first steps upstream and see the towering canyon walls that envelope the river. Cascada El Aguacero will soon present itself as you come around the bend, so be prepared for that also!

El Aguacero is broken up into different streams that flow down the cliff face in a curtain-like way and a number of freshwater rock pools have been formed because of this. 

My friends and I climbed up to explore the multiple cascades beneath the main falls. We also found some epic little caves and tunnel shoots behind the curtain of falls and enjoyed a natural shower while we were at it.

I have put together a separate blog post on El Aguacero Waterfall which includes a detailed guide of how to get there, how much it costs, and what to expect.

FULL BLOG POST → CASCADA EL AGUACERO

Walking upstream to Cascadas El Aguacero

El Aguacero Mexico

 

SUMIDERO CANYON

Sumidero Canyon (Cañon Del Sumidero) is one of the best day trips to be had from Tuxtla! Cruise along the river in a boat between the towering Sumidero Canyon walls and drive the road at the top of the canyon to 5 different panoramic viewpoints.

Canñon Del Sumidero is widely known for its abundance of wildlife including monkeys, birds, and even crocodiles that reside in and around the canyon, and for its grandeur size which is something you just have to see with your own eyes!

The Sumidero Canyon Tour is a full-day activity that begins at 9:30 am with a hotel pick-up, a short 45-minute drive west to Cañon de Sumidero, a visit to the 5 panoramic viewpoints, a boat trip along the river ‘Rio Grijalva’ down inside the canyon and a stop into the magical town of Chiapa de Corzo before returning to Tuxtla in the afternoon.

You can book the Sumidero Canyon Tour online in advance with Get Your Guide which has great reviews and hundreds of bookings. This will save you from having to haggle for a good price with the local tour companies in the city. 

Book Now → Sumidero Canyon Tour

Cañon del Sumidero 

Panoramic viewpoints at Sumidero Canyon

Towering canyon walls

 

 

DAY 11, 12 & 13: SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS

San Cristobal de las Casas is definitely not to be missed on your itinerary! Boasting European architecture, vibrant street art, artisan markets, buzzing nightlife, nature parks, cultural experiences, and much more!  

THINGS TO DO IN SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS

Here is a list of the top things to do in San Cristobal that will keep you entertained for a few days:

• Climb the stairs to Guadalupe Church
• Try the wine and tapas at La Viña de Bacco
• Buy souvenirs at the Artisan Market
• Wander through the Municipal Market
• See the natural archway at Arcotete Park
• Day trip to Cascada El Chiflon
• Visit the Casa Na Bolom Museum
• Chocolate tasting at the Kakaw Museum
• Get lost in the streets of San Cristobal
• Cañon Del Sumidero Tour
• Have lunch at Casa De Familia
• Check out the De Dulces Artisan Market
• Discover the many churches in San Cristobal

FULL BLOG POST → 13 THINGS TO DO IN SAN CRISTOBAL

Arcotete Park in San Cristobal de las Casas

Cascadas El Chiflon

La Viña de Bacco

Beautiful Casa Na Bolom

Streets of San Cristobal – Mexico Highlights

Guadalupe Church

 

 

DAY 14 & 15: COMITAN

Comitan is the fourth largest city in Chiapas state, but it’s not the city that you come here for, it’s the nearby lagoons, waterfalls, and ancient ruins that make this place a worthy addition to your itinerary of Mexico!

2 days in Comitan is a decent amount of time to get a taste of this beautiful region when backpacking in Mexico.

THINGS TO DO IN COMITAN

The 3 main tourist spots to check out in Comitan are:

• Cascadas El Chiflon
• Lagunas de Montebello
• Archaeological Zone Chinkultic

I personally only visited one of these locations, Cascadas El Chiflon, which is easily one of the most incredible waterfalls I have ever seen! Boasting not just one but five EPIC waterfalls and turquoise-colored cascades flowing down a lush green valley which can all be explored via an easy walking trail.

FULL BLOG POST → Cascadas El Chiflon

Cascadas El Chiflón

El Chiflon Waterfall

Turquoise-colored cascades at El Chiflón

El Chiflon Chiapas

Cascadas El Chiflón – Mexico Backpackers

 

 

DAY 16, 17 & 18: BACALAR

Bacalar is home to the biggest and most beautiful lagoon in all of Mexico! Bacalar Lagoon is commonly referred to as Laguna de Siete Colores (lagoon of 7 colors), boasting 7 different shades of blue and it’s truly one of the country’s best-kept secrets.

Bacalar is one of only a few Pueblos Magicos (Magical Towns) in the country, located less than one hour from the Belize border in Quintana Roo, Southeast Mexico. 

THINGS TO DO IN BACALAR

There are plenty of things to do in Bacalar to keep you entertained for a few days!

See the list below of 9 Awesome Things To Do In Bacalar:

• Sunrise kayaking on Bacalar Lagoon
• Visit Fort San Felipe 
• Have dinner at La Playita
• Go sailing on Bacalar Lagoon
• Watch the sunrise in Bacalar
• Visit the Bacalar Cenotes
• Eat vegan burgers at Mango y Chile
• Take a photo at the Bacalar sign
• Visit the Pirates Channel Shipwreck

FULL BLOG POST → 9 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN BACALAR

Bacalar Lagoon

Castle of San Felipe

Sailing in Bacalar

Delicious dinner at La Playita

Shipwreck at Pirates Channel Bacalar

Sunrise in Bacalar – Travel Mexico Blog

Drone shot of Bacalar Lagoon

 

 

DAY 19, 20, 21 & 22: TULUM

Next up on this Mexico backpacking itinerary is Tulum! Full of tropical beaches, amazing cenotes, Mayan ruins, and vibrant nightlife, it’s no wonder everyone seems to be flocking to Tulum as it’s one of the must-see places in Mexico!

THINGS TO DO IN TULUM

There are many things to do in Tulum that you could easily spend weeks or even months here!

See the list below of 15 Epic Things To Do In Tulum: 

• Swim at Playa Paraiso
• Visit the Tulum Ruins
• Take a photo of the bent palm tree
• Visit Grand Cenote
• Watch the sunrise at Sunrise Beach
• Clan Destino Bar & Cenote
• Mirador Tulum Beach
• Raw Love art installation
• ‘Follow That Dream’ sign
• Discover El Cenote Encantado
• Have lunch at Tunich Cafe
• Dive into Cenote Calavera
• Check out the Azulik Museum
• Fly the drone at Laguna Kaan Luum
• Sunset & live music at Mateo’s

FULL BLOG POST → 15 EPIC THINGS TO DO IN TULUM

Playa Paraiso

Tulum Ruins

Gran Cenote – Mexico Travel Guide

Raw Love art installation

Cenote Calavera – One month in Mexico

Sunrise in Tulum

Follow That Dream

Drone shot of El Cenote Encantado

 

 

DAY 23 & 24: VALLADOLID

The small charming town of Valladolid is another one of my favorite places to visit in Mexico! Widely known for its colorful street scenes, colonial architecture, and phenomenal Cenotes, Valladolid is totally worth exploring! 

Oh and I forgot to mention, Valladolid was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. So yeah, another great reason to check this place out!

THINGS TO DO IN VALLADOLID

During your visit, I recommend doing these few things to make the most of your experience in Valladolid:

• Explore the town on foot
• Visit the Valladolid Cenotes
• Discover the Chichen Itza ruins

Streets of Valladolid

 

VALLADOLID CENOTES

If you don’t know what a Cenote is, it’s basically a natural sinkhole filled with fresh groundwater which is typically a vibrant blue or crystalline color due to the surrounding limestone rocks. Pretty awesome right?!

The 4 Best Cenotes in Valladolid that you absolutely must-see are:

• Ik Kil Cenote
• Suytun Cenote
• Cenote Oxman
• Cenote Zaci

Click on the links above to see detailed guides of each of these Valladolid Cenotes including where to find them, how much they cost, and what to expect!

Ik Kil Cenote in Valladolid

Suytun Cenote

Cenote Oxman Valladolid

Cenote Zaci

 

CHICHEN ITZA TOURS

Chichen Itza is one of the most impressive and the most preserved Mayan ruins in Mexico and it’s definitely not to be missed. You can visit these incredible ruins near Valladolid either DIY or with a tour.

See below the Best Chichen Itza Tours and book online in advance.

 

 

DAY 25 & 26: COZUMEL ISLAND

Cozumel Island is one of the best tropical island destinations in the country and a must-visit when backpacking Mexico.

Daily ferries depart Playa del Carmen bound for Cozumel Island and the journey takes around 45 minutes. 

THINGS TO DO IN COZUMEL ISLAND

See the list below of 9 Fun Things To Do In Cozumel Island to help you plan your trip: 

1. Rent a Jeep and drive around the island
2. Cozumel snorkeling tour
3. Watch the sunrise at the beach
4. Check out Chen Rio Mirador
5. Beach hop on the east coast
6. ATV and Cenote adventure tour
7. Live music at Woody’s
8. Visit Punta Sur Eco-Park
9. Swim out to the Cozumel shipwreck

FULL BLOG POST → THINGS TO DO IN COZUMEL ISLAND

Cozumel Island

Cozumel snorkeling tour

Exploring the island by Jeep

ATV adventure – Mexico Backpacking

East coast beaches in Cozumel Mexico

The beautiful Cozumel cenote

 

 

DAY 27 & 28: CANCUN

Last but not least on this backpacking Mexico travel guide is Cancun, one of the most well-known destinations in Mexico and perhaps the entire world.

Cancun is most famous for its buzzing nightlife scene, pristine white sand beaches, and all-inclusive resorts. Safe to say that Cancun is an awesome place to spend your last couple of days!

I personally didn’t check out the town or book any activities in Cancun, I simply booked into an all-inclusive beach resort, put my feet up, and enjoyed the sun, the sand, and the ocean!

If you are wanting to explore more of what Cancun has to offer, scroll down to see a list of recommended tours.

Cancun Beach Mexico

All-inclusive resort in Cancun

 

BEST CANCUN TOURS

 

 

VISA FOR MEXICO

Mexico is visa-free to travelers from over 65 countries and you can stay in Mexico for up to 180 days. 

Click Here to see the full list of nationalities that are eligible for the free tourist visa. 

 

BEST TIME TO VISIT MEXICO

The best time to go backpacking in Mexico is in the dry season which is between the months of December and May. Temperatures are moderate and there is minimal rainfall.

The wet season in Mexico is from June to November and it can get quite chilly during these months. The upside to backpacking in Mexico in the wet season is that things are generally quite cheaper as it’s their low season. 

 

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

The currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXN) and the exchange rate is approximately $1 USD = 24 MXN.

Mexicans generally prefer to receive cash for goods rather than a credit or debit card payment. For any online bookings such as tours, accommodations, or private shuttles, using your bank card is fine.

There are plenty of ATMs in Mexico where you can easily withdraw cash. To be on the safe side, I recommend purchasing a Hidden Money Belt to keep your cash out of sight.

Sunrise in Tulum

 

AIRBNB MEXICO

Another great option when searching for accommodation in Mexico is to stay in an Airbnb which generally has some great deals!

WANT TO SAVE $$$ ON AIRBNB? GET MY AIRBNB MONEY SAVING GUIDE

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Having only done only a little bit of research before backpacking in Mexico, I can honestly say this incredible country exceeded expectations.

The epic landscapes, kind people, delicious food, and perfect weather were just some of the reasons that made this a trip to remember!

If you have any questions about Mexico or wanting help with your Mexico itinerary, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can!

 

LONELY PLANET MEXICO

One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Mexico Guide!

BUY NOW ON AMAZON → LONELY PLANET MEXICO

 

MORE CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA TRAVEL GUIDES

• Guatemala: 2 Week Guatemala Itinerary
• Cuba: 10 Day Cuba Itinerary
• Peru: Backpacking Peru – 3 Week Itinerary
• Bolivia: Things To Do In Bolivia
• Brazil: 2 Day Rio De Janeiro Itinerary
• Argentina: Things To Do In Argentina
• Chile: Things To Do In Chile

 

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