Self-Launched Best of Mexico: Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca & Cancún
8 days · Mexico
Agate Travel charges £3,270
No-markup version: ~£870 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched version of Agate Travel's popular Mexico circuit takes you from the buzzing streets of Mexico City through colonial Puebla, vibrant Oaxaca and into the Yucatán for Chichen Itza and Cancún — all at a fraction of the guided-tour price. Swap the private car and guide for comfortable ADO buses, shared shuttles and the odd budget flight, and replace the 4-star hotels with well-reviewed boutique guesthouses and design hostels. You'll hit every landmark on the original itinerary, eat far better street food, and pocket around £2,500 per person in savings. All costs below are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Mexico City
Mexico City
Fly into Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX). Take the authorised airport taxi or the MetroBús Line 4 into the city centre (£2–4). Check into your hostel or guesthouse in the Historic Centre or Roma neighbourhood, both well-connected and safe for solo and family travellers. Spend the evening strolling Avenida Madero, grab tacos from a street stall, and soak up the buzz of the Zócalo at night.
🚌MetroBús Line 4 from airport or authorised sitio taxi (~£2–4)
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Centro Histórico or Roma — e.g. Casa Comtesse or Hotel Isabel (~£18–30/night)
- →Arrive at MEX — take MetroBús Line 4 or authorised taxi to city centre (~£2–4)
- →Check in to hostel/guesthouse in Centro Histórico or Roma
- →Evening walk along Avenida Madero to the Zócalo
- →Street tacos dinner in Centro Histórico (~£4–6)
Mexico City: Anthropology, Zócalo & Palaces
Mexico City
A full day exploring Mexico City's unmissable historic core. Start at the world-class National Museum of Anthropology in Chapultepec Park (entry ~£4), then head to the Zócalo — one of the world's largest public squares — to see the Metropolitan Cathedral exterior, the Templo Mayor Museum (entry ~£5) and the National Palace with Diego Rivera's famous murals (free entry with passport). Ride the Metro throughout — it's one of the cheapest city metros on earth at ~£0.20 per trip.
🚌Mexico City Metro throughout (~£0.20/trip)
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Centro Histórico or Roma (~£18–30/night)
- →National Museum of Anthropology, Chapultepec (~£4 entry, book on GetYourGuide or direct)
- →Metro to Zócalo (Plaza de la Constitución) — ~£0.20
- →Metropolitan Cathedral exterior (free)
- →Templo Mayor Museum (~£5 entry)
- →National Palace — Diego Rivera murals (free with ID)
- →Lunch at Mercado de San Juan (~£5–8)
Basilica, Teotihuacan & On to Puebla
Mexico City to Puebla
An action-packed day starting at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (free entry, tip the taxi ~£6 return from centre), then out to the awe-inspiring Teotihuacan pyramids. Take a shared combi van from the Autobuses del Norte terminal (~£2 each way). Climb the Pyramid of the Sun and Moon, wander the Avenue of the Dead and visit the on-site Teotihuacan Culture Museum (combined entry ~£5). In the late afternoon, board an ADO bus to Puebla (~2hrs, ~£6). Check in and walk the illuminated historic centre at night.
🚌Shared combi to Teotihuacan (~£2), ADO bus to Puebla (~£6)
🛏Budget boutique hotel or guesthouse in Puebla Centro — e.g. Hotel Boutique El Sueño or Mesón Sacristía de la Compañía (~£20–35/night)
- →Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe (free entry)
- →Shared combi to Teotihuacan from Norte bus terminal (~£2 each way)
- →Teotihuacan archaeological site: Pyramid of the Sun, Pyramid of the Moon, Avenue of the Dead, Culture Museum (~£5 entry)
- →ADO bus Mexico City → Puebla (~2hrs, ~£6)
- →Evening stroll of Puebla's Centro Histórico
Puebla Highlights & Travel to Oaxaca
Puebla to Oaxaca
Spend the morning exploring Puebla's stunning Baroque architecture: the Church of Santo Domingo and its extraordinary Rosary Chapel (free), the Zócalo and Puebla Cathedral (free exterior, small entry for towers), and the excellent Amparo Museum (~£4). Browse the Callejón de los Sapos (Alley of the Frogs) antique market. Then hop on an ADO bus to Oaxaca (~4.5–5hrs, ~£12–15). Check in and grab a mezcal on the Zócalo.
🚌ADO bus Puebla → Oaxaca (~£12–15)
🛏Guesthouse or boutique hostel in Oaxaca Centro — e.g. Casa Arnel or Hostal Pochote (~£15–25/night)
- →Church of Santo Domingo and Rosary Chapel (free)
- →Puebla Cathedral and Zócalo (free)
- →Amparo Museum (~£4 entry)
- →Browse Callejón de los Sapos antique market
- →ADO bus Puebla → Oaxaca (~4.5–5hrs, ~£12–15)
- →Arrive Oaxaca — mezcal and tlayudas on the Zócalo (~£6)
Oaxaca: Monte Albán, El Tule & Weaving Villages
Oaxaca
A classic Oaxaca day trip taking in three unmissable sights. Catch a shared colectivo to Monte Albán (~£1.50 each way from Calle Mina) to explore the hilltop Zapotec archaeological site (entry ~£4). Back in the city, join a shared GetYourGuide or Viator day-tour to El Tule (the world's stoutest tree) and Teotitlán del Valle to visit a Zapotec family weaving workshop — tours run from ~£18pp and include transport. End the day with a mole negro dinner in the Mercado 20 de Noviembre (~£6).
🚌Shared colectivo to Monte Albán (~£1.50), shared tour minibus (~included in tour)
🛏Guesthouse or boutique hostel in Oaxaca Centro (~£15–25/night)
- →Shared colectivo to Monte Albán (~£1.50 each way)
- →Monte Albán archaeological site (entry ~£4)
- →Shared day-tour to El Tule and Teotitlán del Valle weaving workshop via GetYourGuide (~£18pp)
- →Dinner at Mercado 20 de Noviembre — mole negro (~£6)
Fly Oaxaca to Cancún & Settle In
Oaxaca to Cancún
The original tour takes a private car between these distant cities — the self-launched equivalent is a budget domestic flight, which is faster and often cheaper. Book in advance with Volaris or VivaAerobus (Oaxaca OAX → Cancún CUN, ~1.5hrs direct, typically £35–65 if booked ahead). Take the ADO bus from Cancún airport to the Hotel Zone or downtown (~£4). The afternoon is free to explore the Cancún Malecon, sample seafood and watch the sunset. Evening dinner with a sea view on the Hotel Zone (~£10–15).
🚌Budget flight OAX → CUN (~£35–65), ADO bus airport → city (~£4)
🛏Budget hotel or hostel near Cancún Hotel Zone or downtown — e.g. Hostel Natura or Hotel Xbalamqué (~£20–35/night)
- →Volaris/VivaAerobus flight OAX → CUN (~1.5hrs, ~£35–65 booked in advance)
- →ADO bus from Cancún airport to Hotel Zone or downtown (~£4)
- →Afternoon free — Malecon walk and beach
- →Seafood dinner with ocean view (~£10–15)
Day Trip to Chichen Itza
Cancún to Chichen Itza
Book a shared day-tour from Cancún to Chichen Itza via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£35–50pp including transport, guide and entry fee) — these depart early morning (around 07:00) to beat the crowds and heat. You'll see all the major landmarks: the Temple of Kukulcán (El Castillo), the Great Ball Court, Temple of the Warriors, the Observatory (El Caracol) and Las Monjas (The Nunnery). Many tours also include a stop at the Ik Kil cenote for a swim (~included or £5 extra). Return to Cancún for a celebratory final evening dinner.
🚌Shared tour minibus included in day-tour price (~£35–50pp)
🛏Budget hotel or hostel near Cancún Hotel Zone or downtown (~£20–35/night)
- →Shared guided day-tour Cancún → Chichen Itza via GetYourGuide/Klook (~£35–50pp, includes transport, guide & entry)
- →Temple of Kukulcán (El Castillo)
- →Great Ball Court (Gran Juego de Pelota)
- →Temple of the Warriors
- →The Observatory (El Caracol) and Las Monjas (The Nunnery)
- →Optional: Ik Kil cenote swim (~£5 if not included)
- →Farewell dinner in Cancún (~£10–15)
Cancún Farewell & Departure
Cancún
Final morning free — grab breakfast at a local café, take a last dip in the Caribbean, or browse the Mercado 28 for souvenirs. Head to Cancún airport by ADO bus (~£4) for your onward or return flight. The ADO desk is directly inside the airport terminal. Depart with memories of ancient civilisations, mole negro, and mezcal.
🚌ADO bus to Cancún airport (~£4)
- →Last breakfast at local café (~£4–6)
- →Optional: souvenir shopping at Mercado 28
- →Optional: final swim at a public beach in the Hotel Zone
- →ADO bus to Cancún airport (~£4)
Self-launched vs. Agate Travel
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Agate Travel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£870 | £3,270 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,400 per person (73%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Agate Travel-style trips? Check them out here.~£870
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.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Best of Mexico: Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca & Cancún cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £870 per person for 8 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 Agate Travel?+
Yes — Agate Travel charges around £3,270 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £870 — a saving of roughly £2,400 (73%) per person.
How long is the Mexico trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 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, adventure, city-breaks 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?
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