If you're looking for a two-week toddler friendly itinerary to explore Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, you're in the right place! This is an overview of our 14-day road trip including Downtown Cancun, Chichen Itza, Valladolid, Tulum, Akumal and Playa del Carmen. This was a self-drive trip for us, but could also be achieved by booking transfers or by taking advantage of public transport, if you would prefer not to drive.
If you are considering a Mexican road trip, check out our top tips for hiring a car and driving in Mexico.
Yucatán Road Trip Overview:
Day One: Arrive in Cancun International Airport and either collect your hire car or book a transfer to your hotel. Our 30-minute private transfer (with Happy Shuttles) to Downtown Cancun was quick and easy, and we arrived in time to pop our toddler in bed and have our first taste of authentic Mexican tacos while she slept.
Day Two: If you're anything like us (and are travelling from Europe) you're likely to wake up very early due to the time difference! We managed to stay in bed until 4am, then killed time with lots of pre-packed snacks (a toddler travel essential), books, Bluey (always) and showers until an excellent breakfast buffet at Hotel Adhara Hacienda.
This was a relatively slow paced day as we acclimatised to the time difference and to the Mexican sunshine. We walked to Parque de la Palapas, where Wren really enjoyed the slides, swings and climbing frames. We also visited a supermarket to stock up on nappies, drinking water and snacks. After an afternoon splashing in the hotel pool, we had an delicious dinner at Taqueria Coapenitos (amongst the best tacos we ate in the Mexico).
Day Three: After one last dip in Hotel Adhara Hacienda's gorgeous pool, we took a taxi to America Car Rental in the Hotel Zone and collected our pre-booked hire car. With our travel car seat installed, Google Maps ready on our phone and snacks on hand, we were ready for the drive to Chichen Itza (2hr 30min).
If you are not travelling with a toddler, or have less time available to spend in Mexico, you could visit Chichen Itza as a day trip from further afield (Valladolid, Tulum or Playa del Carmen). However, given we were travelling with an 18-month old, we decided to spend the night before in the neighbouring town of Piste so we only had to drive 10 minutes to get to Chichen Itza at opening time the next day.
We had a late lunch (and our first taste of conchinita pibil) at Hotel Puerta Chichen and spent the rest of the very hot day cooling off in the pool.
Day Four: We had a very tasty breakfast at our hotel before driving to Chichen Itza for 7:45am. We bought tickets on site but did not go with a guide, as we felt it would be too slow for our toddler. After spending around two hours exploring the ruins, we were all very dusty, hot and tired! Wren was more than ready for a nap back at the hotel, and we refuelled with ice creams and cold drinks from the local grocery store while she slept.
The 45-minute drive from Piste to Valladolid is quick and easy along a well-maintained toll road. We checked in to the beautiful Casa Valladolid and spent a relaxing afternoon playing by the pool. In the evening, we watched traditional Mexican dancing in the square and had a wonderful vegetarian dinner at Nena Nena.
Day Five: After a yummy breakfast at our hotel (including a bircher muesli I still think about) we set off for our first cenote - Cenote Zaci. This cenote is in the centre of Valladolid and is therefore super accessible and popular. We walked 20 minutes from our hotel and arrived ready for opening. Despite her initial trepidation, Wren had a great time splashing and really enjoyed watching Michael and other swimmers jumping in from the steep sides.
After lunch from an excellent local bakery and a swim in the hotel pool, we explored the beautiful streets of Valladolid and had one of our top meals in Mexico at vegetarian restaurant Le Kaat.
Day Six: We packed up the car, filled up on petrol and drove to Coba Ruins for 9am. After discovering there was a 1km walk to reach the main pyramid, we opted to take a bicycle taxi - and if you have a toddler, I highly recommend that you do the same! For just 200 peso/£5, we had a relaxing ride through the jungle, stopping off at every point of interest, while Wren squealed with delight and yelled "weeeeee!"
After returning from Coba, we drove to Cenote Choo-Ha - a fully enclosed cave cenote. We didn't swim here because we didn't have enough time and weren't sure whether Wren would be scared of the cave environment. However, she loved exploring the cave and spotting all of the birds and bats flying inside. After picnic lunch which we'd picked up in Valladolid, we drove down to Tulum while Wren had a short nap in the car.
Upon checking in to H20 Villas in Tulum, we had our daily play in the pool and headed to Playa Central for dinner - an excellent street food hub complete with a playground, to the delight of parents and toddlers everywhere.
Day Seven: Seeking a slower pace to the morning, we headed to downtown Tulum for a spot of souvenir shopping. Hoping for some authentic artwork, we probably should have stopped at Francisco Uh May on our drive from Coba to Tulum. However, we did find some beautiful linen dungarees for Wren and a small macrame wall hanging. We treated ourselves to an excellent brunch at Campanella Creamerie (including an amazing biscoff waffle).
That afternoon, we drove to our third cenote - Gran Cenote. This semi-enclosed cenote is comparatively expensive but highly popular for good reason, with crystal blue water and freshwater turtles. After lots of snorkelling, we couldn't resist returning to Playa Central for the second evening in a row.
Day Eight: Following a quick hotel breakfast, we headed to Tulum Ruins. I would definitely recommend that you arrive for opening time at 8am. We arrived at 9am, coinciding with numerous tour groups, and it felt pretty crowded. It is a long walk from the ticket office to the ruins; we looked for a train that we'd read about online that skips out this walk but we couldn't see any sign of it. I would suggest you either hire a bike or bring a carrier for your little one.
After heading back to the hotel for Wren's nap, we spent the afternoon at La Zebra Hotel's beach club. With a minimum spend of $50 per person (babies not included), this is a luxurious and convenient way to experience Tulum Beach with access to sun beds, changing rooms, toilets, a playground and a swimming pool.
Day Nine: After checking out of the hotel, we drove to artisan coffee shop Story Horse (the best coffee we had in Mexico by far), picked up snacks and nappies at Super Aki and headed to Cenote Yax Kin. This open cenote is absolutely beautiful, with shallow areas for splashing in. We enjoyed a picnic lunch before driving to Villas de Rosa Beach Resort in Akumal. Upon realising that we were visiting during turtle nesting season, we upgraded our room to a beachfront condo and crossed our fingers that we would see a turtle laying her eggs. That evening, we enjoyed an excellent dinner at beachfront restaurant La Buena Vida, and grabbed ice creams and breakfast supplies from Akumal General Store.
Day Ten: The name Akumal means 'birthplace of turtles' in Mayan, and these incredible marine creatures are the main reason hundreds of tourists flock to Akumal Bay every day. We entered the marine park at opening time and tried our luck snorkelling in the unrestricted area, with Michael getting lucky and seeing three green sea turtles. After ordering lunch back at the hotel, we spent the afternoon swimming in the sea and playing on the beach. We couldn't resist returning to La Buena Vida for our evening meal - both the sea view and the mahi mahi tacos were calling our names.
That evening, we seriously hit the jackpot as a female loggerhead turtle came to nest on the beach outside our condo at 8:30pm. Under the supervision of conservation volunteers, we were able to watch the turtle dig her nest, lay her eggs and eventually make her way back to the sea.
Day Eleven: With the turtles on the brain, we headed back to Akumal Bay and I took tour with Akumal Ecological Guides, seeing eight huge green sea turtles. We enjoyed a tasty brunch at Turtle Bay Bakery and picked up some hand painted Christmas baubles at Akumal Artisan Market. Then it was time to drive to Playa Del Carmen to drop off our car at America Car Rental. From there, it was easy to take a taxi to our all-inclusive resort, Sandos Caracol.
Days Eleven to Fifteen: After eleven days exploring the Yucatán peninsula with our toddler, we were ready to switch off and enjoy a few days of all-inclusive fun before flying home to the UK. Sandos Caracol offered us the stress-free fun that we were looking for, in a gorgeous jungle environment that in our eyes set it apart from other resorts. With waterslides, kids club, a farm, cenotes, nature trails and extensive food options, Sandos Caracol was a great all-inclusive resort to visit with a toddler.
On our final day, we took a private transfer back to Cancun airport with Happy Shuttles ready for our flight back to the UK. Wren even snuck in a quick nap on the way, which was a bonus.
Our Yucatán road trip was our first taste of travelling with a toddler and an incredible experience that left us wanting more adventures as a family. If you have any questions about our trip, please feel free to get in touch.
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