Between Mayan History and Caribbean Dream Beaches…
My 3 weeks in Mexico and Belize positively surprised me in many ways: the friendly people, the tasty food, the whole culture, and the atmosphere! Especially Belize appears to be a country that is way too unknown and underrated! Even though it’s a small country, it offers a variety of nature gems – the Belize Barrier Reef in particular.
I decided to discover the South-East tip of the Mexican country, including the provinces of Yucatán, Quintana Roo, and Campeche as well as the north and some islands of Mexico’s neighboring country Belize. 3 weeks in Mexico and Belize have been the perfect combination of culture, adventure & relaxation and I wouldn’t have done it any other way!
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Quick Facts about Mexico & Belize
| Mexico | Belize | |
| Capital | Mexico City | Belmopan |
| Population | 129 Million | 408 Thousand |
| Language | Spanish | English |
| Currency | Mexican Peso (1 USD = 19 Pesos) | Belize-Dollar (1 USD = 2 BD) |
| Best time to visit | Dry season (Dec-May), Whale shark season (Jun-Sep) | Dry season (Nov-Apr) |
Route for 3 weeks in Mexico and Belize
A: Cancún
B: Valladolid
C: Pisté/ Chichén Itzá
D: Mérida
E: Campche
F: Chetumal
G: Belize City
H: Caye Caulker
I: San Pedro
J: Tulum
How to get around
Traveling on a budget, we decided to use the Bus as our only mode of transport. Did we regret it? Definitely no! The Bus provider ADO, Mexico’s leader in the bus industry, was super reliable – always on time and very convenient, offering large seats and AC. I can recommend getting around with the bus as it is not only cheap but also safe and comfortable. Even in Belize, we have chosen the bus option and have not had any negative experiences. We always booked our bus tickets online via the platform Busbud.
Itinerary for 3 weeks in Mexico and Belize
Day 1: Arrival in Cancún
After almost 11 hours on the plane (coming from Frankfurt), we finally arrived in Cancún and headed straight to our hotel. Except for a dinner in the downtown area, we wanted to spare our energies for the following 3 weeks in Mexico and Belize.
Day 2-3: Valladolid
Valladolid is a rather small town, about two hours from Cancún, which is known for its beautiful cenotes. Even though the town has become increasingly popular in recent years, it still belongs to the hidden gems in Mexico! The town itself emits a special charm, which perfectly welcomes you to Mexican life. I recommend taking a walk through the streets and letting yourself drift away together with the locals around you. If you want to learn more about this charming town, make sure to check out my post about the best things to do in Valladolid. For me, Cenote Zaci has been my highlight in Valladolid. It is a beautiful outdoor cenote, in which you can go swimming as well. Cenote Suytun (photo below), which can be found near Valladolid, is one of the best cenotes in Mexico!
Day 4: Pisté
Pisté is a tiny village that is mostly known for being located next to Chichén Itzá, one of the new 7 wonders of the world. Chichén Itzá was formerly one of the largest Maya cities. Nowadays, the ruins, including the popular temple El Castillo, are one of the most visited archaeological sites around the world. Tourists have to pay 250 Mexican Pesos for entry. As always, being early not only has the advantage of avoiding the burning sun in the middle of the day but also avoiding the tourist masses.
You can buy your tickets here: Skip the line tickets for Chichén Itzá
Day 5-6: Mérida
Old colonial architecture and historic buildings, local markets and shops, Mayan culture – a colorful hustle and bustle. This is Mérida – the beautiful capital of the Mexican state Yucatán and one of the best cities in Mexico according to many visitors. A must-see in Mérida is the city’s cathedral and the Plaza Grande in the city center as well as the impressive Jose Peon Contreras theatre and the city’s most popular market named Lucas de Galvez Market. Traveling in this city doesn’t get boring easily as there are so many options for things to do in and around Mérida. Another great thing about Mérida: your pesos are worth more compared to other popular and more tourist Mexican cities like Cancún or Tulum.
Day 7-8: Campeche
When walking through the streets of Campeche you will easily understand why this place is called the rainbow city of Mexico. All the houses are painted in different colors and give the city a cheerful and dreamy atmosphere. I especially liked the marketplace with the San Francisco church in the middle of Campeche. Other recommended activities include strolling around the waterfront or visiting Fort San Miguel.
Day 9: Chetumal
Chetumal is located right at the border to Belize and thus serves as a transfer point for most tourists. We only stayed in Chetumal for one night to rest from the long drive from Campeche as well as to get prepared for the upcoming journey to Belize City. As far as we noticed, there are not a lot of attractions or things to do in Chetumal itself.
Day 10: Belize City
Before our 3 weeks in Mexico and Belize, we read a lot on the internet about the difficulties that might occur on the Belizean border, such as long waiting times or unnecessary fines. However, the border crossing was quite an easy and uncomplicated process. We had to exit the bus twice, once a passport control on the Mexican side, followed by a second passport control and a completion of a form as we entered Belize. We didn’t see much of Belize City – however, we got the impression that it is not the prettiest and safest city. That’s why we only went to have dinner nearby and decided to return to our hotel early that night.
Day 11: Caye Caulker
The small island Caye Caulker is a short water taxi drive from Belize City. In case you are not already in the vacation mood when entering the small island Caye Caulker, you will get into the Caribbean vibes when stepping the first foot on the island. There are a few things to know before visiting Caye Caulker such as how to get to the ferry terminal in Belize City and where to stay on the island. Make sure to book your accommodation in advance, so that you do not have to care about anything when arriving. “Go slow” is the well-known motto of the tiny island paradise – and you can feel it! Grab a cocktail, relax in one of the many beach bars on Caye Caulker, and enjoy life to the fullest!
Day 12: San Pedro
San Pedro is only a one-hour water taxi drive away from Caye Caulker. However, the islands differ very much. San Pedro is much bigger than Caye Caulker – more infrastructure, more people, more opportunities – but less calm, less relaxing, and less clean. So, we decided to explore the beautiful underwater world – one of the things Belize is famous for. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest reef in the world and home to thousands of beautiful species. The snorkeling tour was one of the highlights of the entire trip! Swimming in the crystal clear and turquoise water, there is a high chance of not only seeing colorful fishes and corals but also sea turtles or little sharks.
Day 13-15: Tulum
Tulum, a formerly small fisherman village, has undergone a drastic change into a popular tourist destination within the past 20 years. The vibrant charm of Tulum is noticeable all around the town and the opportunities in terms of what to eat and where to stay are countless. We decided to stay in a lovely apartment downtown. There are numerous beautiful boutique hotels in the Riviera Maya and Tulum has some of the best! As Tulum is a rather small town, you can easily get around by bike (they can be found for rent at every corner).
The famous archaeological ruins, located directly on the Caribbean coast, are a must-see when visiting Tulum. Again, make sure to go early and take a lot of water as well as a sun hat with you. There is almost no shadow and the sun during the daytime is burning! Once in the area make sure to not miss the opportunity to visit some of the best cenotes in Tulum! Every single one of them is fascinating in its own way.
Day 16-18: Cozumel
Without a doubt: Cozumel is a paradise on Earth! The island has everything you can ask for. Beautiful beaches, clear water, nice bars, great restaurants, preserved nature, countless leisure activities, you name it. One of the best activities in Cozumel is renting a scooter and exploring the island on your own. Take the route leading all the way south to Punta Sur Eco Beach Park, a national reserve with white beaches, lagoons, and beautiful flora and fauna. The dreamy white lighthouse, Faro Celarain, at the island’s most southern point, is the perfect stop to explore this area. Unfortunately, compared to other places in Mexico, Cozumel is rather expensive. Make sure to book your accommodation early in advance and try to get around by scooter or bike instead of taking a taxi.
Day 19-20: Playa del Carmen
Besides all the fun things to do in Playa del Carmen, this place will always remind me to be the starting point of one of the greatest adventures I have experienced so far: swimming with whale sharks in the Caribbean Sea! If you are planning your trip to Mexico between June and September, you will have the chance to meet the so-called gentle giants in their natural habitat. During this season, they are swimming relatively close to the coast as they can find a lot of seaweed, their main nutrition, over there. There are numerous options for organizations offering the whale shark encounter. We have chosen Eco-Tours and can absolutely recommend their work. Visit their website for more detailed information about the tour.
Day 21: Back Home
After the whale shark experience and before flying back, we spent the last day of our impressive trip relaxing at the pool, seeking in all the sunshine, and reflecting on the amazing memories we have made during our 3 weeks in Mexico and Belize. There’s no doubt that I want to come back to this outstanding country one day. There are so many things to do in Mexico City and the rest of the country that I can’t wait to pack my bags again and start exploring!
To wrap it up, I hope I could inspire and convince you to book a trip to Mexico and Belize! Please let me know in the comments down below if you have any further questions about our 3 weeks in Mexico and Belize or if you want to know more details.
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