Ultimate Mexico: Self-Launched

Fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN). From the airport, take the ADO bus directly to the Cancun city centre or hotel zone — tickets cost around £4 and run frequently. Check into your hostel, get your bearings and head out to explore. Cancun's Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera) is touristy but fun for a first night — grab a margarita, meet fellow travellers at the hostel bar and ease yourself into Mexico.

🚌ADO airport bus to city centre, ~£4

🛏Mango Hostel Cancun or Hostel Quetzal — well-rated social hostels in central Cancun, dorm from ~£12/night

• →Arrive at Cancun International Airport (CUN)
• →Take the ADO bus to the city centre or Hotel Zone (~£4)
• →Check in and explore the Hotel Zone
• →Evening drinks and dinner on Avenida Yaxchilan in the city centre for cheaper eats

Head to the ADO bus terminal and take a bus to Chiquila (~2.5 hrs, £8). From Chiquila, jump on the public ferry to Isla Holbox (~£4, 25 mins). On the island, ditch the luggage at your hostel and spend the afternoon swimming in turquoise waters and swinging in the iconic sea hammocks. Wander the sandy streets and find a beachfront bar for sundowners.

🚌ADO bus Cancun→Chiquila ~£8; public ferry ~£4

🛏Tribu Hostel Holbox or Hostel Ida y Vuelta — lively social hostels steps from the beach, dorm from ~£15/night

• →ADO bus from Cancun to Chiquila (~2.5 hrs, ~£8)
• →Public ferry from Chiquila to Isla Holbox (~£4)
• →Swim at Holbox beach and lounge in the sea hammocks
• →Evening drinks at a beachfront bar

Book a 3-island boat tour directly through a local operator on the island (available from the main square or via GetYourGuide). The tour visits Bird Island (Isla Pájaros), Eye of the Water cenote island (Isla de la Pasión's cenote), and Passion Island — seasonal home to pink flamingos. Prices are significantly cheaper when booked locally rather than through a tour operator. Spend the afternoon back on the beach or exploring Holbox's colourful street murals.

🚌Boat tour included in activity cost; golf buggy taxi around island ~£2–4

🛏Tribu Hostel Holbox or Hostel Ida y Vuelta

• →Book a 3-island boat trip locally or via GetYourGuide (~£25–30pp)
• →Visit Bird Island wildlife sanctuary
• →Swim in the Eye of the Water cenote
• →Spot flamingos on Passion Island (seasonal)
• →Afternoon free on Holbox beach

Take the early ferry back to Chiquila, then an ADO bus toward Merida — book a stop-off at Chichen Itza en route (or take a direct Chichen Itza bus from Cancun). Entrance to Chichen Itza is self-guided and costs around £17; budget audio guides or join a local guide at the gate for ~£8. Afterwards, head 3km to Cenote Ik Kil for a swim (entry ~£7). Continue by ADO bus to Merida (2 hrs, ~£6). On arrival, do a self-guided walk around Plaza Grande and the historic centre.

🚌Ferry + ADO bus Holbox→Merida via Chichen Itza ~£18 total

🛏Nomadas Hostel Merida or Hostel Zocalo — iconic backpacker hostels in the historic centre, dorm from ~£14/night

• →Ferry back to Chiquila, then ADO bus toward Merida
• →Stop at Chichen Itza — entry ~£17, optional local guide ~£8
• →Swim at Cenote Ik Kil — entry ~£7
• →ADO bus to Merida (~£6)
• →Self-guided orientation walk around Plaza Grande and the Cathedral

Book a self-guided or small-group cenote cycling tour from Merida via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£25–35pp) — these visit three cenotes outside the city (Oxman, Samula and Dzitnup are popular). You cycle between them and swim at each stop, with lunch included or available locally. The afternoon is free to explore Merida's markets and colonial streets. In the evening, head to the Mercado 60 food court for cheap and authentic Yucatecan food, then join a tequila and mezcal tasting tour (~£20) and finish the night with live salsa at one of the bars on Calle 62.

🚌Cycling included in day trip; local collectivo taxis ~£1–2

🛏Nomadas Hostel Merida or Hostel Zocalo

• →Cenote cycling day trip via GetYourGuide (~£25–35pp, includes 3 cenotes)
• →Lunch at a roadside comedor near the cenotes (~£4)
• →Afternoon exploring Merida's markets and artisan shops
• →Dinner at Mercado 60 food court (~£6–8)
• →Tequila and mezcal tasting tour (~£20)
• →Salsa at a live music bar on Calle 62

Take an ADO bus from Merida to Bacalar (~4.5 hrs, ~£12). Bacalar is a small, laid-back town on the shores of the stunning Laguna de Bacalar — the 'Lake of Seven Colours'. Check into your hostel, most of which have direct lagoon access or a dock. Spend the afternoon swimming, kayaking (usually free or cheap via your hostel) or simply floating in the impossibly blue water. Find a waterfront spot for sundowners — the terrace bars along the lagoon are magical at dusk.

🚌ADO bus Merida→Bacalar ~£12

🛏Hostel Yak Bacalar or Akalki Hostel — lagoon-front or lagoon-view hostels with docks, dorm from ~£14/night

• →ADO bus Merida to Bacalar (~4.5 hrs, ~£12)
• →Check in and head straight to the lagoon
• →Swim and kayak in the Laguna de Bacalar (kayak hire ~£5/hr or free via hostel)
• →Sundowners at a waterfront bar

Join a local shared boat tour of the Laguna de Bacalar — these depart daily from the town dock and can be booked locally or via GetYourGuide (~£15–20pp). The tour stops at the most photogenic points on the lagoon including the Magic Canal (Canal de los Piratas), the Black Cenote (Cenote Negro) and the shallow sandbar area where the seven colours are most vivid. Plenty of stops to swim and snap photos. Afternoon free to explore the small town, visit the Fort of San Felipe (~£2 entry) or relax on the dock.

🚌Walking and local boat tour included in activity cost

🛏Hostel Yak Bacalar or Akalki Hostel

• →Shared lagoon boat tour (~£15–20pp, book locally or via GetYourGuide)
• →Swim at multiple lagoon stops including the Black Cenote
• →Photos at the Magic Canal sandbar
• →Visit Fort of San Felipe (~£2)
• →Relaxed afternoon on the lagoon dock

Take an ADO bus from Bacalar to Tulum (~2.5 hrs, ~£10). Tulum is effortlessly cool — split between the beach strip (Zona Hotelera) and the town centre (Pueblo). Budget travellers stay in the town, which is a short bike ride or collectivo ride from the beach. Spend the afternoon exploring the town or renting a bike (~£5/day) to cycle down to the beach. Evening drinks and street food in the town.

🚌ADO bus Bacalar→Tulum ~£10; local collectivos ~£1; bike hire ~£5/day

🛏Mango Tulum Hostel or Hostel Che Tulum — social hostels in Tulum Pueblo, dorm from ~£13/night

• →ADO bus Bacalar to Tulum (~2.5 hrs, ~£10)
• →Check in and explore Tulum Pueblo
• →Rent a bike to cycle to the beach (~£5/day)
• →Afternoon on Tulum's white sand beaches
• →Evening street food and bars in Tulum Pueblo

Head to the Tulum Archaeological Zone in the morning before the crowds arrive (opens 8am). Entry is ~£5 and the site is self-guided — the clifftop Mayan ruins overlooking the turquoise Caribbean are absolutely stunning. After exploring, descend the steps to the small beach inside the site for a swim, or exit and walk 10 minutes north to Playa Paraiso for a longer beach day. Grab a cocktail at one of the beach clubs (many have free entry with a minimum spend) or bring your own drinks and find a free stretch of sand. Head out to a beach club or bar in the evening.

🚌Bike or collectivo to ruins ~£2; collectivo along beach road ~£1

🛏Mango Tulum Hostel or Hostel Che Tulum

• →Tulum Archaeological Zone — entry ~£5, self-guided
• →Swim at the beach inside the ruins
• →Beach afternoon at Playa Paraiso or a beach club
• →Optional: book a cenote tour (Gran Cenote or Dos Ojos) via GetYourGuide (~£20–30)
• →Evening drinks at a beach club or Tulum Pueblo bar

Take a short ADO bus or collectivo north to Playa del Carmen (~45 mins, £3–5). Check in and head straight to the beach or 5th Avenue (La Quinta Avenida) for some shopping and people-watching. Playa has excellent snorkelling — rent gear and head to the local reefs, or book a snorkelling tour via GetYourGuide (~£20). In the evening, the group reconvenes for a farewell dinner — head to one of the excellent taco spots on Calle 38 or splurge at a rooftop restaurant on 5th Avenue. Dance the night away on 12th Street.

🚌ADO bus or collectivo Tulum→Playa del Carmen ~£3–5

🛏Hostel Che Playa or The Spot Playa del Carmen — lively party-friendly hostels near 5th Ave, dorm from ~£13/night

• →ADO bus or collectivo Tulum→Playa del Carmen (~£3–5)
• →Beach day on Playa del Carmen's main beach
• →Browse 5th Avenue (La Quinta Avenida) boutiques and street food
• →Snorkelling gear hire or book a snorkelling tour via GetYourGuide (~£20)
• →Farewell dinner on Calle 38 or a rooftop on 5th Ave
• →Nightlife on 12th Street

Check out of your hostel and make your way to Cancun International Airport (CUN). The easiest option is the ADO bus from Playa del Carmen bus terminal direct to CUN (~1 hr, ~£8). Alternatively, share a taxi with other travellers (~£20 split). If your flight is late, leave your bags at the bus terminal and spend a final morning on the beach or grabbing breakfast on 5th Avenue. ¡Hasta luego, México!

🚌ADO bus Playa del Carmen→CUN Airport ~£8

• →Check out of hostel
• →ADO bus Playa del Carmen→Cancun Airport (~1 hr, ~£8)
• →Optional: final breakfast on 5th Avenue
• →Depart from Cancun International Airport (CUN)