Mexico Trip Itinerary: Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca, Pacific Coast

Hi there,

We’re planning a 15-day family trip in February 2026 (with 3 teens). We’ll be visiting friends who live in Puebla. Initially, I was thinking of the Yucatán, but after reading up on it, I don’t think it’s the right fit for us (too crowded, too touristy). So, we’re leaning toward something like this: - Mexico City: 2 days (Teotihuacán + city) - Puebla: 3 days - Tehuacán: 2 days (to break up the trip—is this a good choice? Is there enough to do for 2 days?) - Oaxaca: 3 days (Hierve el Agua, Monte Albán, city/tours) - Pacific Coast: 4 days (snorkeling, excursions)

Does this seem balanced? We’d like to end on the coast for some relaxation, ocean time, and fun for the kids. I’ve seen lots of excursions offered along the coast but can’t decide where to stay. Puerto Escondido? Huatulco? The beaches seem better for snorkeling in Huatulco, but I’ve read mixed things, and it’s farther away. What do you think?

For transportation, is this doable by bus? I’m struggling to find a decent bus between Tehuacán and Oaxaca (overnight schedules), and I’m not sure how to get around the coast. Also, how do we handle luggage between cities? We usually rent a car.

Finally, I’d love feedback on the Pacific Coast excursions—I get the feeling some are worth it and others aren’t. Is bioluminescence really magical? Are dolphin-watching tours ethical and not too "factory-like"? (We skipped them in Quebec and just watched whales from shore.) Can you see sea turtles up close?

Thanks for your help!

Hello

- Puebla 3 days

If you love volcanoes and hiking, Popocatepetl isn't far. I climbed it in my youth and have great memories of it! The starting point is around 4,000m. Even if you don’t go all the way to the summit (at 5,400m), the area is amazing!

Personally, I much preferred the Caribbean coast (Yucatán, Quintana Roo) to the Pacific coast—but since my trips to Mexico (in the 80s), things have probably changed a lot in terms of crowds. Back then, the Pacific coast was as busy as the Caribbean, but there are more sights to see and more beautiful beaches on the Caribbean side. Puerto Escondido? Meh... Plus, in Yucatán, you’ve got Mayan sites (Palenque, Uxmal, etc.), San Cristóbal de las Casas and its indigenous villages, cenotes, and more... Snorkeling: Xel-Há, Tulum, and plenty of other spots!

The Oaxaca region is also really interesting.

Regarding transport, is it doable by bus?

Buses are fast and go almost everywhere!

Hi Marie,

First off, you're absolutely right not to consider the Yucatán Peninsula for the reasons you mentioned.

Does this seem balanced?

No, you don’t have enough time to properly see everything you’re planning.

- Two days in Mexico City and its surroundings (Teotihuacán) is clearly not enough for one of the world’s largest metropolises. You’d need at least double that time. - Three days in Puebla: if it’s to spend time with your friends, that’s fine, but otherwise two days is enough.

Tehuacan for 2 days (to break up the trip—is this a good choice? Is there enough to do for 2 days?)

Great idea. There’s plenty to do for two days, or even more (hiking), but strictly speaking, one day/one night is more than enough to visit the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve.

Oaxaca for 3 days: Hierve el Agua, Monte Albán, city/tour

Three days is the bare minimum for this stunning colonial city.

I can’t give you much info on the Pacific Coast since we haven’t been there, but just so you know, the mountain road to get there is long and challenging and takes nearly a full day (or an overnight stop!).

Our trip is recent—it’s from 2023. You can check out the stops you mentioned via these links:

- Mexico City: - Puebla and Cholula - Tehuacán-Cuicatlán - Monte Albán - Hierve el Agua - Oaxaca

Thanks for your reply. I figured that if the Yucatán is so popular, it must be incredibly rich in landscapes and sites, and the photos of "deserted" sites are dreamy. But we really prefer a place that’s a little less stunning but less crowded and more "authentic." Plus, fitting the Yucatán into 15 days along with Mexico City/Puebla would force us to rush too much.

For Puebla, I’ll let our friends advise us, but I did quickly spot a few things, including the volcano.

For snorkeling, we were maybe thinking of doing a trip to Huatulco.

Hi there,

Thanks for your feedback.

You're right, we're only spending a short time in Mexico City. Mainly because we prefer to devote more time to places that are more "natural" and we're not big fans of big cities, but also because time is limited. I was thinking of 2 full days—1 in Teotihuacán and 1 just in the city. What do you absolutely recommend seeing in the city?

The 3 days in Puebla are actually to spend time with our friends. The plan was to see Puebla, Cholula, get a closer look at the volcano, and just relax with them by their pool :-) I was considering skipping Tehuacán to gain 2 days and either doing it as a day trip from Puebla (but isn’t that too long?) or cutting it out entirely. But now you’ve made me doubt. Is it really worth it, and is it completely different from the rest? What else would you recommend in Tehuacán besides the walk in the "cactus forest"?

I understood that a highway now connects Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido, making the trip much more pleasant and faster. The bus ride seems short now. We really want to end our trip by the sea—for the kids, but also for us. As long as it’s not too crowded. I have no idea which beach town to choose, though. The idea is to spend 3 full days there, do some snorkeling, and take a few excursions.

As long as it’s not too crowded. I have no idea which beach town to pick, though—the plan is to spend 3 full days there, do some snorkeling, and take a few excursions.

Puerto Ángel was quieter than Puerto Escondido… and better for snorkeling, especially at Playa Estacahuite.

Hi Marie,

What do you absolutely recommend seeing in the city?

You’ll understand that it’s impossible to answer such a question, since my answer would inevitably be subjective.

I’d considered skipping Tehuacán to save 2 days and doing it as a day trip from Puebla

That would be a shame! A round trip from Puebla in one day just isn’t practical or doable.

I really think you should simply drop Mexico City and Teotihuacán (two days is a waste of time) and head straight to Puebla, then focus your trip entirely on the states of Puebla and Oaxaca. Trust me, there’s plenty to do, and you’ll barely have enough time—especially if you also want to get close to Popocatépetl.

Book a multi-destination ticket: France–Puebla, then Oaxaca–France on the way back, without stopping in Mexico City. And go directly through the airline.

I was actually hoping for a subjective answer about Mexico ;-) Of course, I’ll still look into the recommended spots to see if they match our tastes.

It bums me out to skip Teotihuacán—it seems like such a grand site. And taking three flights in a row to go straight to Puebla makes me a little nervous. For Tehuacán, what do you recommend that would make a longer stay worthwhile?

Good evening,

I was really looking for a subjective answer about Mexico

Well, in my opinion, if you’re absolutely set on seeing Teotihuacán, make sure to visit the stunning National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, the essential companion for understanding Mexico’s pre-Hispanic cultures. It’s one of the most important museums in Latin America. It’s a bit out of the way and will take you a whole afternoon. In the morning, you’ll only have time to see the Zócalo and its surroundings, especially Diego Rivera’s murals in the presidential palace—paintings we couldn’t see because it was closed that year. Lucky you! 😛

Watch out! The museum and the Teotihuacán site are closed on Mondays, like all museums and archaeological sites in Mexico.

For Tehuacán, what do you recommend that would encourage a longer stay?

The problem is, you can’t squeeze into a size 35 shoe if you wear a 42! You’ll have to make choices. So, head straight to Puebla after your two quick days in Mexico City!

Have a great trip in Mexico! 🙂

Hi Marie, I did this trip in 2022. Briefly: 2 days for Mexico City + Teotihuacan is really too short. Three would be a minimum. Puebla: take advantage of your hosts' local knowledge (you can get closer to Popo from Puebla). Tehuacan: you can skip this stop. We took the direct Puebla-Oaxaca bus, which was very comfortable. There are several bus categories in Mexico, some with all the comforts—like a movie screen on the back of the seat in front of you, just like on a plane—for not that much more. However, Oaxaca-Puerto Escondido is a bit of a hassle because it's a mountain road. Plan for at least 8 hours, and most are overnight buses (forget the usual bus comfort). I think the road to Huatulco is better. If you want a comparison between Huatulco, the Mazunte area, and Puerto Escondido, I can do that—I’ve been there. Happy planning!

Oh! I just found out that the highway connecting Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido has been open for a year now, cutting the trip from 8 hours down to 2 or 3. That’s really great!

Hi, Thanks for the info. We actually saw that the highway was open, which is why we liked the bus option—it’s not that long. But I get the feeling that getting around along the coast isn’t so easy without a car. We’re thinking about renting one for the last few days of our trip. We’re planning to head to Huatulco because we really want to finish with some snorkeling.

My friend who lives in Puebla just did a day trip to Teotihuacan, round-trip. She thinks it’s still worth it. We’ll probably decide when we’re there...

Since we’re not big fans of big cities, I’d rather skip Mexico City than the rest. I know my kids won’t be thrilled, except for the pre-Columbian site. I’ll see if adding one more day is doable—that’s the most I can manage.

Did you mean Tehuacan, which is between Puebla and Oaxaca? If you're referring to the (magnificent) ruins of Teotihuacan, it all depends on your arrival time from France. You might be able to arrange a visit by checking with your hotel and thus cut one night from your stay in Mexico City.

You can also skip Mexico City by taking an ADO bus directly from the airport to Puebla. https://www.reservamos.mx/autobuses-de/t-ciudad-de-mexico-aeropuerto-a-puebla.

I'll get back to you soon about transportation between Puerto Escondido and Huatulco...

Yes, sorry—I was talking about a day trip from Puebla to Tehuacán and back.

Actually, I keep changing my mind these days. Renting a car in Mexico City with a return to Mexico City is really cost-effective, but it means a lot more driving. I’m checking if we can do: - 2 days in Mexico City - 3 days in Puebla - 3 days in Oaxaca - 3 days in Huatulco - 1 or 2 days in Puerto Escondido - 2 days in Tehuacán And then fly out of Mexico City.

But that makes for a pretty rushed return!

For the car, it's definitely more complicated to return it in Mexico City. If you're renting a car anyway, why not from Puebla? The Mexico City-Puebla trip is nothing. And traffic in Mexico City is pretty hellish.

Below, I’ll share my public transport route to Huatulco, with descriptions of the different spots. Puebla-Oaxaca: Comfortable buses—I think it’s ADO. Check with friends once you’re in Puebla. Oaxaca-Puerto Escondido: In 2022, there was only one local company, and all departures except one were overnight (but the highway wasn’t open yet). That might’ve changed. Maybe it’s also possible to rent a car in Oaxaca and drop it off in Puerto Escondido without having to return it. Worth looking into. There’s an ADO bus that goes from Puerto Escondido to Huatulco. Make sure the bus actually goes to Bahías de Huatulco. Huatulco-Mexico City: Take a flight. There are discount airlines that offer this route. Viva Aerobus and Volaris both do it.

A few words about Puerto Escondido. The two main beaches: a long beach stretching south (Playa Zicatela) with huge waves, very popular with surfers and the crowd that hangs around them (early 20s). Gorgeous beach, but the waves are *massive*. A smaller beach (Playa Carrizalillo) where you can swim without risking a broken neck, with perfect waves for beginners. Instructors give hour-long lessons, which could be great for your teens. You access this beach from downtown Puerto Escondido via a staircase with about a hundred steps (which you’ll have to climb back up). Since the beach is small, it’s often packed. People set up at a shaded table at a little eatery (just order something) and go back and forth to the ocean.

A few words about Huatulco The main village is La Crucecita (pretty), which leads to a small, often crowded but very local beach (Bahía de Santa Cruz), or Playa Chahue (less crowded but big waves).

Huatulco is a series of small beaches and coves, and you can get to them by taxi—the fares are posted at the taxi company. Huatulco is also where Mexican families go, which makes a nice change from beaches full of only tourists.

For snorkeling: Playa La Entrega, Playa La India, Playa El Maguey—all easily accessible by taxi at a good price. They’re very popular, though, so they get crowded, which scares off the fish.

Playa San Agustín, in a national park, is more recommended for snorkeling, as long as you don’t arrive at the same time as the dozen tourist boats that go there every day. Since it’s 45 minutes from Huatulco, renting a car would be best.

My favorite snorkeling spot was Bahía Conejos. It’s super quiet. You go down a trail from the road, end up at one end of the beach, and have to walk to the other end, where there are beautiful corals and lots of fish. There’s just one big hotel in the distance—nothing else. Absolute tranquility.

There you go—I think I’ve given you a better idea. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate!

Hello,

I came across your post about Huatulco and Puerto Escondido. I thought this thread was long gone! Thank you so much for all this info—it’s been a huge help. I’ve kept researching since our trip is taking shape, and we’ll be booking our tickets very soon. For now, I’ve found some for 820 € including baggage from the provinces. That seems like a good price to me.

I think we’ll make two stops along the coast: - Oaxaca → Puerto Escondido area by bus - Car rental there + 2 nights - Head to Huatulco for 3 days - Return the car in P. Escondido, then catch a flight to Mexico City to connect with our return flight.

Thanks for the snorkeling-friendly beach names! I saw that boat tours are also organized to reach secluded beaches, like La India. Do you recommend them? There are so many options that I’m not sure how to pick a reliable one. From Huatulco, I saw there’s an excursion to waterfalls, but it seems really long and rough—I’m not sold yet. Is it worth it?

Finally, I’m looking for where to stay for the 2 days near P. Escondido. Accommodations seem cheaper there than in Huatulco, and we might be able to find something by the sea. There are places in Puerto Ángel—it looks like a nice village and not too crowded. I’d love your thoughts if you know it. Is it lively enough to easily find somewhere to eat in the evening?

Thanks again for your help!

I saw that boat tours are also organized to reach isolated beaches, especially La India. Do you recommend them? There are so many options that I’m wondering how to choose someone reliable.

There aren’t any truly isolated beaches. For La India, finding a boat will be very easy—you’ll have plenty of choices, but you won’t be alone, far from it. With a car, you’ll have more freedom. I’d recommend Playa Conejo again for its tranquility and the best snorkeling I’ve done in the area.

Finally, I’m looking for where to stay for 2 days near P. Escondido. Accommodations seem cheaper there than in Huatulco, and we might be able to find something by the sea. There are places in Puerto Angel—it seems like a nice village and not too crowded. I’d love your thoughts if you know it. Is it lively enough to easily find somewhere to eat in the evening?

Puerto Angel is nice for an afternoon visit, but I’m not sure it’s lively enough for dinner in the evening. My recommendation in the area is San Agustinillo.

Noted for San Agustinillo, thanks! I'm actually looking for accommodations now, since we've finally booked our tickets 😎 By the way, I'd love some advice on the best areas to stay in, especially for:

Oaxaca (given we'll visit Monte Alban, the waterfalls, and want to explore the city on foot and reach restaurants easily). We’ll likely have a car. Huatulco: The goal here is to be within a reasonable walking distance of a beach (if possible), not in the mega-touristy hotel zone, but still able to walk to a "lively center." We’ll have a car. Mexico City: We’ll only be there briefly, just long enough to see Teotihuacan and a quick tour of one or two neighborhoods. We’re looking for a well-connected area with good transport options, family-friendly and pleasant.

There’s a small change in our plans since we arrive at 3:30 AM in Mexico City. We’ll head straight to Puebla to stay with friends—it’ll be easier to settle in with the kids. We’ll save Mexico City for the end. I haven’t decided yet between flying back or taking the overnight bus (from Puerto Escondido to Mexico City). I’m trying to find out about nighttime "safety" and whether it’s possible to sleep or if it’s too uncomfortable.

Hi Marie,

For accommodation: Oaxaca: There are plenty of options, and the city isn’t very big, so it’s easy to walk to restaurants. Huatulco: I suggest staying in La Crucecita, a charming village about 1 km from Santa Cruz Beach. You can walk there via a flower-lined pedestrian path. It’s livelier in the evenings than Santa Cruz, with more restaurants. Mexico City: It’s huge. The Condesa and La Roma neighborhoods are the most vibrant at night. The metro covers the whole city. For Teotihuacan, check with your hotel—most offer tours.

Return trip Puerto Escondido–Mexico City: I’d go with flying. Volaris and Viva Aerobus have cheap flights.

Hi there, I was there in September '24 solo. Flew and took buses.

For Oaxaca, stay in the city center. You can do everything on foot. Some great restaurants there.

In Mexico City, stay near the Palacio de Bellas Artes. The other neighborhoods aren’t as nice. You’ll be able to visit everything on foot.

As for the return trip from Puerto to Mexico City, you’ll need to change your bus plan. I went from Oaxaca to Puerto, and it took 4.5 hours instead of the promised 3. Lots of mountains and roadwork. So, I’d recommend flying instead—it’s much better.

Are you landing and leaving from Mexico City NLU?

Djalma. Totally agree with you about the Yucatán. Escondido—meh.

Thanks to both of you for your replies. I’ll check out the neighborhoods you mentioned for Mexico City.

For the Pacific Coast, I’m struggling to find what I’m looking for in terms of accommodation. I’ve given up on the idea of spending 2 days in P. Escondido and 3 in Huatulco because it’ll mean moving around too much. I’d rather settle in one place and explore from there. So, I’ve been looking around San Agustinillo or Huatulco (near Crucecita). But it’s not easy to find a house that’s big enough, within walking distance of the beach, and at a reasonable price.

Around San Agustinillo, I find more options, but it seems like there’s a lot more "wildlife" in that area because of all the vegetation. One of us really can’t handle geckos if they manage to sneak inside the house. I’ve also read there are quite a few scorpions. It’s a shame because the houses look amazing with ocean views and great amenities. But I get the feeling Crucecita is less wild and might have fewer of these issues... The downside is that Huatulco is more on the edge, so it’ll be harder to explore the other side of the coast... Ugh, what a headache.

Do you know of any sites other than Airbnb, Abritel, etc., for rentals in the area?

Hello, If you're no longer staying in Pto Escondido, it might be better to leave via Huatulco Airport, which is located between La Crucecita and Mazunte.

I did think about that, but for now, I'm more interested in the schedules from Puerto Escondido. We'll see, depending on where we rent the car.

I have a few questions, still about accommodations, specifically in Huatulco: - The city is divided into sectors, which are often mentioned in listings. I found a map of the sectors to better understand, but I’m not sure which ones to prioritize for rentals. Do you have any tips? - I’ve read that it gets *really* hot on the coast in February/March. Is having outdoor space—like a terrace or patio—still important, like it is in the south of France, for example? Or will it just be too uncomfortable because of the heat? I can’t quite wrap my head around how intense the heat and humidity will be.

Thanks!

Huatulco is located in the center of a series of small beaches easily accessible by car, which shouldn’t cause any issues for you. The main village is La Crucecita, well situated for exploring the beaches on both the north and south sides. Two nearby beaches: Chahue, which is hard to swim in due to huge waves (but very pretty), and Santa Cruz, a favorite spot for Mexican families, with a great local vibe. It gets crowded in the afternoon and can be a bit dirty at times, but it empties out completely in the evening. There are a few accommodation options in Santa Cruz—I stayed there but wouldn’t recommend the place I stayed. It’s *brutally* hot on the west coast at this latitude (worse in April). If you can, opt for a place with a pool and some shade, either in Santa Cruz or near Playa Chahue. But since you’ll have a car, you might find something elsewhere (avoid Santa María de Huatulco—it’s a dull, uninteresting town).

I finally found accommodation in La Crucecita in the east, with a pool. And we’ll have a car. I’m looking for a family-friendly discovery activity. I came across Yoo'Nashi (an ecotourism and community project that organizes hikes and workshops with local communities). Have you heard of it? I’m struggling to find reviews.

Is it worth taking a day trip to Mazunte from Huatulco in your opinion?

Yoo'Nashi, I don’t know them, but I checked out their website—seems good to me!

Since you’ll have a car, you can explore the many small beaches in the area. Very Mexican vibe. Beaches are busier to the north, quieter to the south. I recommend La Bocana—it’s the prettiest in my opinion (though the waves are huge).

As for the detour to Mazunte, it depends on how much time you have. Here’s a quick rundown of the area. Mazunte’s beach isn’t very big, and the vibe is pretty granola-cool. Personally, I prefer San Angustinillo—a fishing village with a gorgeous beach. Further south, there’s Zipolite, Mexico’s only nudist beach, with a pretty colorful crowd, thanks. It’s a major spot for hippie babas cools but is turning into a gay destination. Then there’s Puerto Angel, a small, charming fishing port.

Speaking of which, I’m reconsidering whether to rent a car or use buses/taxis/Uber. Car rentals seem really expensive for just 5 days, plus the insurance terms aren’t very clear.

If anyone knows a reliable rental company in the area (Puerto Escondido or Huatulco), I’d love to hear about it!

Just a quick practical tip about Huatulco right now—the road out of Huatulco toward Zipolite, Mazunte, etc. is under construction and closed to traffic for part of the day. This morning, we left Zipolite and the road was closed from 8 AM to 1 PM, then again from 3 PM to 6 PM.

Thanks for the info! Hope it’ll be done by March! Did you end up renting a car for your trips?

The "rapid" buses??? I wouldn’t say that. For example: Mazatlán–Puerto Vallarta = 9 hours by bus for just over 400 km. I get the feeling it’s like that everywhere—don’t be in a hurry.

Ouch!!!

If you compare it to getting around in Quebec, you might say it’s not fast, but in many places around the world, locals would love to be able to cover 400 km in 9 hours! Besides, why rush when you're traveling?

Actually, it’s part of the fun. It gives us a chance to appreciate the scenery even more.

You're absolutely right. Except that the buses are often overnight when the trips are long.