6 Days in Cancun, Tulum and the Yucatan: A Day-by-Day Itinerary

Get ready for turquoise water, Maya ruins on a cliff above the sea, cenotes you can swim in and a colonial town painted in sorbet colours. This six-day plan covers the best of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula without a rental car. You get Cancún’s beaches and Maya museum, a ferry trip to Isla Mujeres, two nights in charming Valladolid for Chichén Itzá, and a Caribbean finale in Tulum.

The pace is relaxed but purposeful, with plenty of time to swim and soak it all in. You change base three times (Cancún, Valladolid, Tulum), and each move is a bus or train ride. The big archaeological sites are planned for early mornings, when the light is soft and the crowds are thin. It suits first-timers, couples, families with older kids and anyone who wants culture and beach time in the same trip.

At a glance

Day	Base / area	Highlights
1	Cancún Hotel Zone	Museo Maya de Cancún, San Miguelito ruins, beach sunset
2	Isla Mujeres (day trip)	Ultramar ferry, Playa Norte, the island’s southern tip
3	Valladolid	Cenote Zací, Convento de San Bernardino de Siena, main square
4	Chichén Itzá + Valladolid	El Castillo, Great Ball Court, Sacred Cenote, cenote swim
5	Tulum	Transfer, Parque del Jaguar beaches, Tulum town
6	Tulum to Cancún Airport	Tulum archaeological zone at opening time, ADO to the airport

Day 1: Cancún’s beaches and Maya museum

Morning

Welcome to the Caribbean! Land at Cancún International Airport and let the ADO bus do the work. ADO runs direct from Terminals 2, 3 and 4 to its Hotel Zone stop at Punta Cancún, near km 9 of Boulevard Kukulcán. ADO lists the trip at about 45 minutes, with one-way fares from around MXN 170. If you’re staying downtown, choose the ADO service to the downtown Cancún terminal instead.

Drop your bags and head straight for the sand. The Hotel Zone is one long strip between the Caribbean and the Nichupté lagoon, so the sea is never far away.

Afternoon

Ride south along Boulevard Kukulcán to the Museo Maya de Cancún at km 16. It’s one of INAH’s flagship museums, with galleries on the archaeology of Quintana Roo and the wider Maya world. A trail from the museum leads into the San Miguelito archaeological zone in the jungle behind it.

• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 to 18:00. Closed on Mondays.
• Last entry to the galleries: 17:00. Last entry to San Miguelito: 16:30.
• Price: MXN 210 for foreign visitors, including the archaeological zone.

We suggest arriving by 15:00 so you have time for both. If Day 1 falls on a Monday, simply swap Days 1 and 2.

Afterwards, continue a little further south to the public beaches along the boulevard, such as Playa Delfines, for that postcard view of the Caribbean.

Evening

Trade the Hotel Zone glitz for downtown Cancún. Parque de las Palapas, the main square, is a lively spot for street snacks and people-watching on a warm evening. Hotel Zone buses run along Boulevard Kukulcán to downtown. Pay the driver in cash, and check the current fare locally.

Day 2: Island time on Isla Mujeres

Morning

Today is pure island time. Catch an Ultramar ferry to Isla Mujeres. You have three departure points:

• Puerto Juárez (downtown Cancún side), best if you’re staying downtown.
• Playa Tortugas (Hotel Zone, km 6.5).
• Playa Caracol (Hotel Zone, km 9.5). The dock fee here isn’t included in the ticket and is paid at the pier.

Ultramar’s published adult fare is MXN 290 one way or MXN 580 return. For children from 1 year old up to 1.20 m tall it’s MXN 220 one way or MXN 440 return. Ultramar notes that prices and departures can change without notice, so check its routes page for the day’s timetable.

Walk from the island dock to Playa Norte, the island’s famously calm, shallow beach, and settle in for a long swim.

Afternoon

Explore the rest of the island by golf cart, bike or taxi. Head south to the island’s rocky southern tip for sweeping sea views. If you visit the park there, check the entrance fee when you arrive. Stop for fresh seafood in the little town on the way back.

Evening

Take the ferry back to Cancún before the last departure, and confirm that time on Ultramar’s site in the morning. Enjoy a sunset drink in the Hotel Zone, then get an early night, because tomorrow you head inland.

Day 3: Colourful Valladolid

Morning

Swap the beach for a colonial gem full of colour. Travel from Cancún to Valladolid. You have two good options:

• Tren Maya, from Cancún Aeropuerto station to Valladolid station. Book only through the official booking site linked from trenmaya.gob.mx, and check live times and fares there.
• ADO bus from the downtown Cancún terminal. Check times and fares on ado.com.mx.

Pack with the train in mind. Tren Maya allows up to three pieces of luggage weighing up to 50 kg in total, each no bigger than 75 x 40 x 33 cm. On top of that you can bring a cabin bag of up to 55 x 40 x 25 cm and 10 kg, plus a small personal item.

Afternoon

Valladolid is a 16th-century colonial town with brightly painted mansions and old barrios. Start with Cenote Zací, a cenote right in town (pay the entry fee at the gate). Then walk along the pretty Calzada de los Frailes, one of the most photogenic streets in the Yucatán, to the Convento de San Bernardino de Siena in the Sisal neighbourhood.

Evening

Stroll to the main square for sunset and admire the Iglesia de San Servacio and the Palacio Municipal. Valladolid is known for its leatherwork, so browse the craft shops before a Yucatecan dinner.

Day 4: Chichén Itzá, a wonder of the world

Morning

Today is the headline act. Chichén Itzá is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the most powerful city on the Yucatán Peninsula in its heyday. Aim to be at the gate when it opens to beat the heat and the tour buses. Even ADO times its direct tourist service from Cancún so passengers arrive before the midday heat.

• Opening hours: daily, 08:00 to 17:00. Last entry is 16:00, and staff start clearing visitors from 16:30.
• Price for foreign adults: MXN 105 (INAH federal fee) plus MXN 592 (Yucatán state fee) = MXN 697. INAH says you buy the state ticket at the site’s ticket office.

From Valladolid you can check Tren Maya (Chichén Itzá has its own station) or ADO for current departures, or take a taxi for an early start. Tren Maya says its connecting shuttle service (called “intermodal”) links some stations with town centres and nearby airports. Ask about it at the station.

Must-sees are El Castillo (the Temple of Kukulkán), the Great Ball Court and the Sacred Cenote, which was central to religious life in the city. Allow at least three hours.

Afternoon

Cool off on the way back. The X’Kekén and Samulá cenotes near Valladolid are among the area’s best-known swimming cenotes. Pay at the entrance and follow the posted rules for swimmers.

Evening

Back in Valladolid, treat yourself to a relaxed dinner around the square. You’ve earned it.

Day 5: On to Tulum

Morning

Ease into the day with a slow breakfast in Valladolid. Early risers who still have energy for ruins can visit Ek Balam, a smaller INAH site north of town. Check the entry fee on INAH’s site.

Then move to Tulum. Services vary by date, so compare ADO buses and Tren Maya connections on ado.com.mx and the official Tren Maya booking site.

Afternoon

Check in, then head for the coast. The Parque del Jaguar surrounds the Tulum archaeological zone and the Parque Nacional Tulum. It has beaches, trails and the Museo de la Costa Oriental. Good news: the Quintana Roo state government says entry to the Parque del Jaguar and its beaches is free for everyone, whether you come on foot, by bike or with a pushchair. Spend the afternoon swimming and save the ruins for tomorrow morning.

Evening

Tulum town (Tulum Pueblo) has casual taquerías and lively bars, at friendlier prices than the beach strip.

Day 6: Tulum ruins and farewell

Morning

Save the most beautiful ruins for last! Be at the Tulum archaeological zone for 08:00. This walled city stands on a cliff above the Caribbean and is one of very few Maya sites on the seashore. Early light on the sea is pure magic.

• Opening hours: 08:00 to 17:00, last entry 15:30.
• Price for foreign visitors: MXN 265. Mexican nationals pay MXN 80 and get in free on Sundays.

Allow about two hours, then take a final swim at one of the park’s beaches.

Afternoon

Head back to Cancún Airport with ADO, which links the Tulum bus terminal with airport Terminals 2, 3 and 4. ADO lists the trip from the airport to Tulum at about 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours 5 minutes, with fares usually around MXN 475. Plan for a similar time in the other direction and leave a generous buffer before your flight.

Evening

Fly home with sand still in your shoes, or stay on for a few lazy nights in Playa del Carmen.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving. Cancún International Airport (CUN) is the main gateway. ADO runs only from Terminals 2, 3 and 4, and each has an ADO customer service desk. ADO recommends booking a bus that leaves at least 90 minutes after an international landing, to allow for immigration and baggage. It also says tickets can be changed up to 30 minutes before departure, and that buying online in advance can save money.

Route (ADO, one way)	Typical fare	Journey time (ADO)
Cancún Airport to Hotel Zone (Punta Cancún)	from around MXN 170	about 45 min
Cancún Airport to Playa del Carmen	around MXN 270	about 1 h 30 to 1 h 50
Cancún Airport to Tulum	around MXN 475	about 2 h 45 to 3 h 05
Cancún to Chichén Itzá (direct tourist service)	from around MXN 496	about 2 h 45

Tren Maya. Stations include Cancún Aeropuerto, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Tulum Aeropuerto, Valladolid and Chichén Itzá. Buy tickets only through the official booking site linked from trenmaya.gob.mx. To change the date or time, you must ask at least 48 hours in advance. Fares depend on the type of passenger, so check live prices when you book.

Ferries. Ultramar runs from Cancún to Isla Mujeres from Puerto Juárez, Playa Tortugas and Playa Caracol (see Day 2).

Getting around town. Buses run the full length of Boulevard Kukulcán in Cancún’s Hotel Zone. Valladolid’s centre is compact and easy to walk. In Tulum, taxis and bikes connect the town with the beaches. There’s no regional transport card, so pay cash on local buses and buy ADO and Tren Maya tickets online or at the station.

Entry to Mexico. Entry rules depend on your passport. Check the Mexican government’s official immigration portal (Instituto Nacional de Migración, gob.mx/inm) or your nearest Mexican consulate well before you fly. Quintana Roo also charges foreign visitors a state fee called Visitax. Check the amount on the official Visitax portal.

Where to stay

• Cancún Hotel Zone: best for beach lovers and first-timers. ADO’s Punta Cancún stop makes the airport trip easy, and Ultramar’s Playa Tortugas and Playa Caracol piers are right there.
• Downtown Cancún: better value and more local food. It’s close to the downtown ADO terminal (handy for Valladolid) and the Puerto Juárez ferry pier.
• Valladolid centre: stay within walking distance of the main square, so evenings are easy and you can get to Chichén Itzá quickly in the morning.
• Tulum town vs. the beach: the town is practical, cheaper and close to the ADO terminal. The beach area is dreamier, but you’ll need a taxi or bike for everything else.

Budget

These are the verified fixed costs per adult for this route. The table leaves out accommodation, food, local buses, taxis, cenote entry and the Cancún to Valladolid and Valladolid to Tulum legs. Those vary widely by season and travel style, so check prices when you book.

Item	Typical cost
ADO Cancún Airport to Hotel Zone	from around MXN 170
Museo Maya de Cancún + San Miguelito	MXN 210
Ultramar ferry to Isla Mujeres, return	MXN 580
Chichén Itzá (INAH + state fee)	MXN 697
Tulum archaeological zone	MXN 265
Parque del Jaguar	Free
ADO Tulum to Cancún Airport	around MXN 475 (based on the airport to Tulum fare)
Tren Maya, cenotes, Ek Balam	Check official sites
Total fixed costs	about MXN 2,400 (roughly MXN 400 per day)

Practical tips

• Closing days: the Museo Maya de Cancún is closed on Mondays. Chichén Itzá opens every day of the week.
• Start early: last entry is 16:00 at Chichén Itzá and 15:30 at Tulum, so mornings are your friend.
• Money: Mexico uses the peso (MXN). Carry some cash for local buses, cenotes, taxis and small stalls, and use cards where they’re accepted.
• Booking ahead: reserve Tren Maya and ADO seats online, especially in high season and around holidays.
• SIM/eSIM: get a Mexican SIM or buy a travel eSIM before you fly so you always have maps and booking details. Make sure your phone is unlocked.
• Sun and swimming: pack a hat and a refillable water bottle, and always follow the rules posted at each cenote.
• Weather: the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November. If you travel then, keep an eye on forecasts from Mexico’s national weather service and your airline.

Heads-up

A few friendly warnings so nothing spoils the fun:

• Afternoon cut-offs catch people out. According to INAH, last entry is 15:30 at Tulum, 16:00 at Chichén Itzá and 16:30 at San Miguelito. Don’t plan a late-afternoon visit.
• Monday museum closure. The Museo Maya de Cancún is closed on Mondays, so check your dates.
• Don’t pay to enter the Parque del Jaguar. The Quintana Roo government says entry to the park and its beaches is free. The only charge is for the archaeological zone.
• Use the official Tren Maya booking site. Several lookalike websites show up in search results. Start from trenmaya.gob.mx and follow its “Compra tus boletos” link.
• Airport transport. Stick to ADO’s counters inside Terminals 2, 3 and 4, or a transfer you booked before landing. Avoid negotiating a ride in the arrivals hall.
• Ferry extras. Leaving from Playa Caracol means paying a separate dock fee, and Ultramar says prices and timetables can change without notice.
• Midday heat. The sun at open archaeological sites is intense. Even ADO plans its Chichén Itzá service to beat the midday heat. Go early and carry water.
• Safety advice. Before you go, read your own government’s travel advice for Mexico and the state of Quintana Roo, for example from the US State Department or the UK FCDO.

FAQ

Is six days enough for Cancún, Chichén Itzá and Tulum?

Yes. Six days lets you see the three highlights plus Isla Mujeres and Valladolid without rushing. The trick is to stay near each site instead of doing everything as day trips from Cancún.

Do I need a rental car?

No. ADO buses, the Tren Maya, Ultramar ferries and taxis cover this whole route. A car only adds flexibility for remote cenotes.

How much does Chichén Itzá cost for foreigners?

According to INAH, it’s MXN 697 for foreign adults: MXN 105 for INAH plus MXN 592 for the Yucatán state fee. It’s open daily from 08:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:00.

Is the Parque del Jaguar in Tulum free?

Yes. The Quintana Roo state government says entry to the park and its beaches is free for everyone. You only pay for the Tulum archaeological zone, which costs foreign visitors MXN 265.

Should I book the Tren Maya in advance?

We suggest it, especially in peak season. Book on the official site, and remember that changes need at least 48 hours’ notice.

Can I start this itinerary on a Monday?

Yes. Just swap Days 1 and 2, because the Museo Maya de Cancún is closed on Mondays. Chichén Itzá is open every day.