Cancún
Your journey begins in Cancún on the Yucatán Peninsula. On this Caribbean sunny side of the country, you can enjoy beach life and really get into the holiday mood.
On Yucatán, there is also a lot of cultures to discover. The temple complex of Chichén Itzá is considered one of the most important archaeological sites of the Mayan civilisation.
Throughout a day tour, you will explore the site of the Kukulcan ruins (El Castillo), which includes a magnificent and imposing stepped pyramid.
Another highlight of the tour is the visit to the underwater cave Ik Kil. Here you will be able to swim in sacred underground rivers and strolling through the historic colonial city of Valladolid. The entire experience amounts to only 60€ per person and includes round-trip transportation, lunch and a guide.
Back in Cancún, you can stay at Mezcal Hostel in a six-bed dorm for only 15€, where you can sunbathe by the pool and enjoy free breakfast and dinner.
Tulum
For about 5€, a bus will take you to your next stop: Tulum.
Here you will once again discover a lot of well-preserved Mayan architecture, with buildings located directly on the coast – a breath-taking sight.
Besides the incredibly beautiful snow-white sand beaches, diving in the Cenotes will be another memorable highlight of your trip and a golden opportunity for those who have always wanted to try cave diving. The fascinatingly colourful underwater world of the Cenotes can also be admired through snorkelling.
Do not miss out on the historic harbour too, where you can enjoy the countless culinary hotspots and the beats provided by sensational Mexican live music in the many bars.
For 13€, you can spend the night in Tulum at Mama's Home in an eight-bed dorm.
Mérida
Next stop: Mérida. For about 15€, a bus will take you to ‘The White City’.
Mérida owes its nickname to its white limestone houses and the traditional clothing of its inhabitants. At the centre of the former colonial city are the city hall (Palacio Municipal) and Plaza Grande with its twin-towered Saint Ildefonso Cathedral, which was made of stones of an old Maya temple.
If you happen to be in Mérida on a Sunday, you may want to visit the cultural street festival 'Mérida en Domingo'. This festival has numerous musical and artistic performances and street food stalls, which offer delicious local specialities. It’s also worth taking a trip to nearby Celestún National Park, famous for its mangrove forests and flamingo colonies.
You can spend the night at Hostal Catedral in an eight-bed dorm for only 7€.
Palenque
For about 25€, a bus will take you to the next stop: Palenque.
Amid a tropical rainforest, one of the most beautiful and intriguing Mayan sites in the world is located in a clearing.
Palenque is a good starting point for your personal visit to the ruined city, which was built sometime between 600 and 800 BC. The amount of perfection evident in the beautiful architecture of the buildings with their large structures and detailed reliefs and sculptures is more than impressive.
The most famous building of Palenque is the Temple of the Inscriptions – a 20-meter-high stepped pyramid adorned with hieroglyphs. Other popular destinations in the region include the Agua Azul and Misol-Há waterfalls, where you can refresh yourself after a visit to the Mayan temples.
You can spend the night at At Kin Balam Hostel in an eight-bed dorm for as little as 7€.
San Cristóbal
On to San Cristóbal de las Casas! The bus ride into the Mexican mountains is about 10€.
With its gorgeous colonial architecture, San Cristóbal impresses its visitors from the very first moment. The old city is littered with colourful houses, magnificent churches, green parks and charming cafés. Colourful street markets offer everything from textiles to ceramics to fruit, vegetables and spices.
The best view of San Cristóbal is from the Cerro de Guadalupe, where you can ascend the hundreds of steps of Guadalupe Church: the breathtaking panoramic view is definitely worth the climb!
Not far from the city, Cañón del Sumidero offers countless viewpoints which allow you to stare down the rocky gorge of the massive canyon from a height of more than 1,000 meters and marvel at the fascinating landscape.
Posada del Abuelito Hostel offers a cheap overnight stay in a ten-bed dorm for as little as 7€.
Mexico City
The last stop on the trip to Mexico City. The bus ride to the megacity is about 35€. Here, you will get to know a completely different side of Mexico.
With more than 20 million inhabitants, Mexico's capital is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. The heart of the city is its Centro Histórico, where you will encounter cultural remnants of Aztec, colonial and pre-revolutionary times. Also located there is Templo Mayor, the excavation site of the largest temple of the Aztec Empire.
Just outside Mexico City, you can explore the Aztec city of Teotihuacán with its well-known Pyramids of the Sun and Moon. The National Museum of Anthropology in Chapultepec Park and the Xochimilco canals are also well worth a visit. This is a good opportunity to escape the urban jungle and relish the floating gardens of the Aztecs on a boat trip.
In the central Suites DF Hostel, you can stay in a six-bedroom for 11€.
