Mexico Coast-to-Coast: Self-Launched Puerto Vallarta to the Mayan Riviera
22 days · Mexico
G Adventures charges £2,950
No-markup version: ~£1,310 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 22-day coast-to-coast route across Mexico, following the same arc as G Adventures' CMVP trip: Pacific beaches in Puerto Vallarta, tequila country and mariachi in Guadalajara, the tunnel-streets of Guanajuato, colonial San Miguel de Allende, the museums and street tacos of Mexico City, Teotihuacán's pyramids, Puebla and Cholula, Oaxaca's markets, mezcal and mole, the jungle ruins of Palenque and Calakmul, Campeche, Mérida and cenotes, Chichén Itzá, Tulum and the Caribbean at Playa del Carmen. Everything is booked yourself: ADO/first-class buses for the long legs, a cheap domestic flight where it saves two days, GetYourGuide or on-site guides for ruins, and hostels plus a handful of private rooms. Costs are rough per-person estimates in GBP from budget/backpacker rates and exclude international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta
Fly into Puerto Vallarta (PVR). A local bus or Uber from the airport into Centro/Zona Romántica costs about £2-4. Check into a hostel dorm or private room in Zona Romántica and spend the evening on the Malecón boardwalk with a cheap fish taco dinner and a sunset over the Pacific.
🚌Airport bus/Uber to Centro (~£2-4)
🛏Hostel in Zona Romántica (dorm or budget private room)
- →Malecón sunset walk
- →Street tacos on the Malecón
Free day in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta
Full free day. Options include a boat trip to Isla Marietas for snorkelling (book via GetYourGuide/Klook, from about £35-45 incl. park fee), surf lessons at Playa Camarones (~£25), or simply a beach day at Playa Los Muertos. Whale watching is possible Dec–Mar (from ~£50).
🚌Local buses/colectivos (~£2)
🛏Hostel in Zona Romántica
- →Isla Marietas snorkel tour (optional, ~£40)
- →Beach day at Playa Los Muertos
Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara via Tequila
Guadalajara
Take an early first-class bus to Tequila town (about 2 hrs, ~£10) and join a distillery tour with tasting (several agave distilleries offer walk-in tours for ~£12-20). Continue by bus to Guadalajara (~1.5 hrs, ~£6) and check into a hostel near Centro. Evening orientation stroll around the Cathedral and Plaza de Armas.
🚌ADO/first-class buses Puerto Vallarta–Tequila–Guadalajara (~£16 total)
🛏Hostel in Guadalajara Centro
- →Tequila distillery tour and tasting
- →Guadalajara centro evening walk
Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque
Guadalajara
Morning free for the Mercado San Juan de Dios and Hospicio Cabañas. In the afternoon take the light rail or bus to Tlaquepaque (about 20 mins, ~£1) for its craft galleries, mariachi in the plazas and street food. Dinner option: birria or tortas ahogadas — Guadalajara's signature dishes (~£6-8).
🚌Light rail/bus to Tlaquepaque (~£1-2)
🛏Hostel in Guadalajara Centro
- →Hospicio Cabañas murals
- →Tlaquepaque crafts and mariachi
Guadalajara to Guanajuato
Guanajuato
Bus to Guanajuato (about 5 hrs via León or direct, ~£20-25). Check in and join a free or cheap walking tour (tip-based, ~£5-8) to learn the city's tunnel system and history, then eat your way through the Mercado Hidalgo and try a guanajuatense gordita.
🚌Long-distance bus Guadalajara–Guanajuato (~£22)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Guanajuato centro
- →Guanajuato tunnels and centro walking tour
- →Street food tour of Mercado Hidalgo
Guanajuato to San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende
Free morning for the Diego Rivera house museum or the Callejón del Beso. Midday bus to San Miguel de Allende (about 2 hrs, ~£8). Afternoon self-guided wander past the pink Parroquia and through the Jardín Principal, then dinner in a local fonda.
🚌Bus Guanajuato–San Miguel de Allende (~£8)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in San Miguel de Allende
- →Diego Rivera museum
- →Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel and Jardín Principal
San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende
Half-day city tour bookable locally or via GetYourGuide (~£20) covering the Parroquia, Iglesia de San Francisco and the Oratorio de San Felipe Neri. Free afternoon: optional cooking class (from ~£35) or horseback riding in the surrounding hills (~£30).
🚌Walking + taxis (~£4)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in San Miguel de Allende
- →Half-day city tour
- →Optional cooking class or horseback riding
San Miguel de Allende to Mexico City
Mexico City
Morning bus to Mexico City's northern terminal (about 3.5-4 hrs, ~£22) then metro to your hostel in Roma/Condesa or Centro (~£0.30). Afternoon free to explore the neighbourhood; evening out in Roma for tacos al pastor (~£5-7).
🚌Bus to Mexico City (~£22) + metro (~£0.50)
🛏Hostel in Roma/Condesa or Centro
- →Roma/Condesa neighbourhood wander
- →Taco dinner in Roma
Mexico City
Mexico City
Free day. Start at the Zócalo and Templo Mayor, then the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Book a street-food crawl in the evening (~£25) or DIY it in Mercado de San Juan and a taquería in Condesa.
🚌Metro (~£1)
🛏Hostel in Roma/Condesa or Centro
- →Zócalo and Templo Mayor
- →Optional street-food crawl
Mexico City: Coyoacán and museums
Mexico City
Take the metro to Coyoacán to visit the Frida Kahlo Museum (Casa Azul) — book tickets online in advance, about £16 — and the Museo Nacional de Antropología (~£4.50). Evening back in Centro or Condesa.
🚌Metro (~£1)
🛏Hostel in Roma/Condesa or Centro
- →Museo Frida Kahlo
- →Museo Nacional de Antropología
Teotihuacán to Puebla
Puebla
Early bus from Terminal Norte to Teotihuacán (~£4). Climb the Pyramid of the Sun and Moon and walk the Avenue of the Dead — a GetYourGuide guide or on-site licensed guide is ~£20. Continue by bus to Puebla (~2.5 hrs, ~£14) and do an evening stroll around the Zócalo and the Rosario chapel.
🚌Bus to Teotihuacán (~£4), bus to Puebla (~£14)
🛏Hostel in Puebla centro
- →Teotihuacán pyramids with guide
- →Puebla centro evening walk
Puebla and Cholula
Puebla
Free day. Try mole poblano (the city's signature dish, ~£6), take a local bus to Cholula to see the pyramid and church on top (~£2 plus ~£4 entry), or catch a lucha libre match at the Arena Puebla (from ~£8) if it's on. Eat a cemita before bed.
🚌Local buses (~£3)
🛏Hostel in Puebla centro
- →Cholula pyramid visit
- →Mole poblano dinner
- →Optional lucha libre
Puebla to Oaxaca
Oaxaca
Bus to Oaxaca (about 4.5 hrs, ~£22). Check in, then do a self-guided orientation of the Zócalo and the Templo de Santo Domingo, and eat tlayudas and a flight of local mezcal at a mezcalería (~£10-12).
🚌Bus Puebla–Oaxaca (~£22)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Oaxaca centro
- →Oaxaca Zócalo and Santo Domingo
- →Tlayudas and mezcal tasting
Monte Albán and Oaxaca markets
Oaxaca
Morning bus to Monte Albán (about 20 mins, ~£3 return plus ~£6 entry) or a small-group tour (~£22). Afternoon in the Benito Juárez market, plus a mezcal distillery tour (~£15-20) or a mole cooking class with market visit (~£45) — both bookable through GetYourGuide or directly with local operators.
🚌Shuttle bus to Monte Albán (~£3)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Oaxaca centro
- →Monte Albán ruins
- →Optional mezcal tour or mole cooking class
Oaxaca: artisan villages and Hierve el Agua
Oaxaca
Visit the alebrijes workshop in San Martín Tilcajete and the weavers of Teotitlán del Valle by colectivo (~£6 total). Optional Hierve el Agua petrified waterfalls day trip (~£50-55 with transport) or a Mitla ruins visit (~£10). Evening free in Oaxaca.
🚌Colectivos (~£6)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Oaxaca centro
- →Alebrijes artisan workshop
- →Textile village visit
- →Optional Hierve el Agua
Fly Oaxaca to Palenque
Palenque
Cheap domestic flight Oaxaca–Villahermosa via Mexico City or direct with Volaris/Aeroméxico (~£70-100), then an ADO bus to Palenque (~2 hrs, ~£6). Alternatively take an overnight ADO bus (~£40, ~14 hrs) to save a flight. Afternoon check-in and jungle walk near the ruins.
🚌Domestic flight (~£85) or overnight bus (~£40) + local bus
🛏Cabins/guesthouse in Palenque (El Panchán area)
- →Jungle walk near Palenque ruins
Palenque ruins
Palenque
Visit Palenque early (entry ~£5) and hire a licensed guide at the gate or book via GetYourGuide (~£20) to see the Temple of the Inscriptions, the Cross Group and the Palace. In the afternoon, optional trip to Roberto Barrios waterfalls (~£25-35) or the nearby jungle trail hike.
🚌Colectivo to ruins (~£2)
🛏Cabins/guesthouse in Palenque
- →Palenque ruins with guide
- →Optional Roberto Barrios waterfalls
Palenque to Campeche
Campeche
Bus to Campeche (about 5 hrs, ~£18). Walk the walled old town, the colourful Calle 59 and the malecón at sunset. Dinner of campechano seafood (~£8).
🚌Bus Palenque–Campeche (~£18)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Campeche centro
- →Campeche old town walk
- →Malecón sunset
Campeche to Mérida
Mérida
Optional early trip to Edzná ruins (~£10 with transport) or a slow morning, then bus to Mérida (about 2.5 hrs, ~£10). Evening in Mérida's Plaza Grande with free live music and dance in front of the Palacio Municipal, and a plate of cochinita pibil (~£5).
🚌Bus Campeche–Mérida (~£10)
🛏Hostel in Mérida centro
- →Optional Edzná ruins
- →Mérida Plaza Grande evening
Uxmal and cenotes near Mérida
Mérida
Day trip to Uxmal with a shared shuttle or local bus (~£15-20 incl. entry) — the Pyramid of the Magician is the highlight. On the way back, stop at a cenote for a swim (~£8-10). Optionally, the anthropology museum in Mérida (~£3).
🚌Shared shuttle/local bus (~£12)
🛏Hostel in Mérida centro
- →Uxmal ruins
- →Cenote swim
Chichén Itzá to Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen
Take an early ADO bus to Chichén Itzá (about 2 hrs, ~£10) to beat the crowds; entry ~£25 plus optional local guide ~£20. Continue by bus to Valladolid for a quick look at the colonial centre, then an ADO bus to Playa del Carmen (about 2.5 hrs, ~£12). Check into a hostel near 5th Avenue.
🚌ADO buses Mérida–Chichén Itzá–Playa del Carmen (~£24)
🛏Hostel in Playa del Carmen
- →Chichén Itzá guided tour
- →Valladolid quick stop
Tulum and Sian Ka'an
Playa del Carmen
Colectivo to Tulum (~£4) for the clifftop ruins overlooking the Caribbean (~£5 entry) and a swim at the public beach. Add a Sian Ka'an canal float or a cenote tour via GetYourGuide (~£40-60). Return by colectivo, and celebrate your last night on 5th Avenue with tacos and a beer.
🚌Colectivo to Tulum and back (~£5)
🛏Hostel in Playa del Carmen
- →Tulum ruins
- →Optional Sian Ka'an canal float
- →Cenote swim
Depart from Playa del Carmen / Cancún
Playa del Carmen
ADO bus from Playa del Carmen to Cancún airport (~1.5 hrs, ~£8) for your onward flight.
🚌ADO bus to Cancún airport (~£8)
🛏N/A (departure day)
- →Bus to Cancún airport
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,310 | £2,950 |
| Duration | 22 days | 22 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,640 per person (56%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,310
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
Customise with Tour BusterCreated by
Travel Crew
0 trips
Frequently asked questions
How much does Mexico Coast-to-Coast: Self-Launched Puerto Vallarta to the Mayan Riviera cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,310 per person for 22 days in Mexico. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £2,950 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,310 — a saving of roughly £1,640 (56%) per person.
How long is the Mexico trip?+
This itinerary runs 22 days, covering 23 day-by-day stops through Mexico.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, foodie, budget trip through Mexico, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
No comments yet — be the first to share your take.
Sign in to leave a comment.