Feedback on Mexico itinerary with kids (page 1 of 2)

Hi everyone, Back from my summer vacation, and it's already time to start planning the next one! I mean, I work to go on vacation and explore with my family—don’t you? Next destination: Mexico (Yucatán and Quintana Roo), When: February/March 2026, Duration: 17 nights there (+1 arrival night, either a layover or late in the evening), Who: Two adults and two young kids (3 and 8 years old), Transport: Rental car Interests: Culture, a little relaxation, hiking (though I’m not sure if the destination is ideal for that), and nature exploration.

The plan is to do the classic route but stay longer in each place—it’s easier to manage with kids. Here’s what I had in mind:

Valladolid = 3 nights to visit Ek Balam, Chichén Itzá, and a cenote. Mérida = 3 nights for a stop in Izamal on the way, exploring Mérida, then Uxmal + a trip to Celestún. Campeche = 2 nights to see the Xtacumbilxunaan cave and the Edzná Maya site. Calakmul = 1 night Bacalar = 3 nights for the Lagoon of Seven Colors, Fort San Felipe, some downtime, and a possible day trip to Cozumel if needed. Tulum = 5 nights to visit Cobá, Tulum, cenotes, the beach, Sian Ka’an + Muyil. Then back to the airport (1h30 drive or 2h if flying into Cancún).

Does this seem well-balanced? Could I improve it by grouping accommodations more? I’m guessing Palenque/Yaxchilán is too far (even if I cut other things from the itinerary)? It still sounds like an amazing trip... Thanks,

I was hoping for some responses... This forum never really bounced back after its COVID shutdown. Too bad!

I thought I’d get a few answers... This forum never really bounced back after its COVID closure. Too bad!

Did you do a search? The places you want to visit have already been discussed on this forum. For getting to Palenque, it depends on where you're coming from. The roads are good in Mexico. If you're passing through the state of Campeche, Villahermosa isn’t too far away.

For getting to Palenque, it depends on where you're coming from. The roads are good in Mexico. If you're going through the state of Campeche, Villahermosa isn't too far.

Is there much to see in Villahermosa? From Campeche, it's about the same distance as going straight to Palenque. Something to think about...

hi no, nothing to see in Villahermosa. I mentioned this city because it’s on the way to Palenque.

Hello, no, nothing to see in Villahermosa. I mentioned this city because it's on the way to Palenque.

Yes, so no point making a detour there.

How does this sound if I structure it like this?

Valladolid (1h 45min away) = 3 nights

Day 1 - Ek Balam (30 min away) Day 2 - Chichen Itza (45 min away)

Mérida (1h 45min away) = 2 nights

Day 1 - On the morning route, Izamal site (1h 20min away) + visit to the city of Mérida

Campeche = 2 nights

Day 1 - On the morning route, visit Hacienda Mucuyché site? + Uxmal site (1h away) then Xtacumbilxunaan cave (1h 40min from Campeche) Day 2 - Maya site of Edzná (45 min away)

Palenque = 3 nights

Day 1 - Transition day (5h drive) Day 2 - Excursion to Yaxchilán + Bonampak Day 3 - Visit Palenque site (15 min away) + surroundings (Misol Há Waterfall, Roberto Barrios Waterfall)

Xpujil = 1 night

Day 1 - Transition day (5h drive). See if we can stop at anything along the way.

Bacalar = 2 nights

Day 1 - Visit Calakmul site (departure at 5:30 AM). Then head to Bacalar in the afternoon (3h 30min drive) Day 2 - Lagoon of Seven Colors + beach or San Felipe Fort

Tulum (2h 30min away) = 4 nights

Day 1 - Morning on the way to Muyil site + Coba site in the afternoon (45 min from Tulum) Day 2 - Excursion to Sian Ka’an (50 min away) Day 3 - Tulum site + beach (Playa de Los Pescadores?) + cenote (Sac Actún or Taak Bi Ha)[/li> Day 4 - Turtle watching in Akumal + Cozumel (45 min away)

Then return to the airport (30 min drive or 2h if arriving at Cancun)[/li>

Hi there,

Sure, they're great, and I've visited quite a few myself, but I wonder if you might get tired of seeing so many Mayan sites: Ek Balam Chichen Itza Uxmal Edzna Yaxchilan Bonampak Palenque Xpujil Calakmul Muyil Coba Tulum ... PHEW, THAT'S IT!

I can only advise you to limit yourself a bit, but in the end, it's up to you to decide.

The one that left the biggest impression on me was Yaxchilan: mysterious, grand, and not very crowded. Arriving only by *lancha* adds a little taste of adventure—you could almost feel like a famous archaeologist.

Yeah, you're right, that’s a lot. When I was describing my route, I had the same feeling—it can quickly become overwhelming and make you not appreciate them for their true worth... Not sure we’ll do them all... But in that case, which ones should we prioritize?

I think Chichen, Tulum, Calakmul, and Yaxchilan/Bonanpak are essential. What about the others?

I did the trip in the opposite direction to you: Tulum, Calakmul, Palenque, Yaxchilan (skipped Bonampak), Uxmal, and Chichen Itza.

The one that might be the least impressive in my opinion is Tulum. It’s unique mainly because it’s by the sea, but it’s not that spectacular in the end. I loved Yaxchilan, Calakmul, and Chichen Itza (though for the latter, go right when it opens to avoid the crowds). Palenque and Uxmal are also really great.

I did the route in the opposite direction to you: Tulum, Calakmul, Palenque, Yaxchilan (skipped Bonampak), Uxmal, and Chichen Itza.

The one that’s maybe the least impressive in my opinion is Tulum—it’s unique mainly because it’s by the sea, but not all that spectacular in the end. I loved Yaxchilan, Calakmul, and Chichen Itza (but go right at opening for the latter to avoid the crowds). Palenque and Uxmal are also really great.

In this case, we’ll prioritize: Chichen Itza: I was thinking of going the day after we arrive. With the time difference, we should be there at opening. Uxmal Yaxchilan Bonampak Palenque Calakmul

That makes 6 sites to see over 3 weeks. I’ll look into the others to see if they’re worth it and pick 2 or 3. Ek Balam: If we skip that one, is it worth staying 2 nights in Valladolid? Edzna Xpujil: That one’s near the accommodation before Calakmul, so we’ll do it if we have time. Muyil Coba Tulum: We’ll see if we’re not overdoing it, but the fact it’s by the sea is a nice visual bonus.

et les autres ?

Hi there, if you can visit Palenque, that’s a great idea—especially going down into the first pyramid, which I think is the Temple of the Inscriptions, home to Pacal I’s crypt. What makes Palenque special is that it’s surrounded by lush jungle, unlike other sites in Mexico that are set in dry tropical forests.

Yes, the idea is to see sites that don’t all look the same—otherwise, boredom sets in (especially for the kids!)

if you have kids, archaeological sites will quickly bore them. It’s better to take them to Xel Ha, Xcaret, or other amusement parks

if you have kids, archaeological sites will quickly bore them. Better to take them to Xel Ha, Xcaret, or other amusement parks

If there's a bit of adventure, animals to see, or beautiful views, I'm not too worried—they'll love it! ;)

you can hire a guide in Palenque for a little jungle tour. But if you really want to see animals, it's better to go to Tikal—you can spot monkeys there.

if you have kids, archaeological sites will quickly bore them. It's better to take them to Xel Ha, Xcaret, or other amusement parks

It's a matter of perspective... Personally, I don't go to Mexico to visit amusement parks. In fact, it's the Americanization of the Yucatán Peninsula that I liked the least.

However, if you really want to see animals, it's better to go to Tikal where you can spot monkeys.

I saw monkeys in Calakmul, Palenque, and Yaxchilan. They're not that rare of animals.

I’ll look into the others to see if they’re worth it and pick 2 or 3. Ek Balam: if we don’t do that one, might as well just stay 2 nights in Valladolid, right? Edzna Xpujil: that one would be near the accommodation before Calakmul, so we’d do it if we have time Muyil Coba Tulum: We’ll see if we’re not overdosing on ruins, but the fact it’s by the sea is visually nice.

I don’t have opinions on the Mayan sites I haven’t visited.

True, 2 nights in Valladolid seems enough.

I didn’t particularly like Mérida either—it’s a big city with lots of traffic, and it takes time to get out of the city center and back when you’re staying there. Personally, I wouldn’t go back.

If you go to Celestun, I recommend a mangrove tour with Guardianes de los Manglares de Dzinintún.

For staying in Palenque, I recommend Los Susurros Casa, lovely bungalows set in nature with a gorgeous garden. Beyond the amazing welcome, they rescue orphaned or injured animals, especially monkeys. The best accommodation of my trip!

Okay, thanks.

I’ll remove one night from Valladolid. Where should I add it back? Bacalar? And what would we do there? Do you have any lodging ideas for 4 people to visit Calakmul?

Updated itinerary version:

Valladolid (1h45 away) = 2 nights

Day 1 – Chichen Itza (45 min away) Day 2 – Cenote (Xcanahaltun?) + visit Valladolid. Still deciding whether to keep Ek Balam (30 min away).

Mérida (1h45 away) = 2 nights

Day 1 – On the morning route, Izamal site? (1h20 away) + visit Mérida. Day 2 – Celestún excursion (1h20 away)

Campeche = 2 nights

Day 1 – On the morning route, visit Hacienda Mucuyché site? + Uxmal site (1h00 away), then Xtacumbilxunaan cave (1h40 from Campeche) Day 2 – Edzná Maya site? (45 min away)

Palenque = 3 nights

Day 1 – Transition day (5h00 drive) Day 2 – Excursion to Yaxchilán + Bonampak Day 3 – Visit Palenque site (15 min away) + surroundings (Misol Há Waterfall, Roberto Barrios Waterfall)

Xpujil = 1 night

Day 1 – Transition day (5h00 drive). See if we can stop at any sites along the way.

Bacalar = 3 nights

Day 1 – Visit Calakmul site (departure at 5:30 AM). Then head to Bacalar in the afternoon (3h30 drive) Day 2 – Seven Colors Lagoon + beach or San Felipe Fort Day 3 – ?

Tulum (2h30 away) = 4 nights

Day 1 – Morning on the route, Muyil site (?) + Coba site in the afternoon (45 min from Tulum) Day 2 – Excursion to Sian Ka’an (50 min away) Day 3 – Tulum site + beach (Playa de Los Pescadores?) + cenote (Sac Actún or Taak Bi Ha) Day 4 – Turtle watching in Akumal + Cozumel (45 min away)

Then return to the airport (30 min drive or 2h00 if arriving in Cancún)

If you go to Celestun, I recommend a mangrove tour with Guardianes de los Manglares de Dzinintún.

With a 3-year-old, kayaking might not be the best idea...