A two week or 10 day family trip to Mexico doesn’t have to mean staying exclusively at a resort. In fact, there are plenty of things you can pack into a 10 day Mexico itinerary that doesn’t involve setting foot in a resort during your Mexico family trip!
We’ve been visiting Mexico with kids since 2018, spending a total of over 13 months traveling through the country. My family and I have been to over 23 cities in more than 11 states. So we’ve had a chance to really experience the wonderful things Mexico has to offer. And now I want to share it with other families.
For families planning a family vacation to Mexico, I’ve used our family’s Mexico travel experiences to compile five amazing itinerary ideas to help you figure out how to plan a trip to Mexico. Whether you love the beach life, or enjoy exploring the mountains, you can mix and match the right travel itinerary for your Mexico trip with kids. From historic archaeological sites to vibrant modern cities, there is so much that families can enjoy about Mexico!
This article was originally published on June 21, 2021.
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Table of Contents
Before getting started on the itineraries, here are our family’s favorite activities for you to consider for your 10 day Mexico itinerary:
The following 10 day Mexico itinerary options offer different ways to enjoy Mexico with kids. The first itinerary showcases the best of Mexico, while the next 3 itineraries focus on specific regions of Mexico. The last itinerary provides an off the beaten path option for more adventurous families.
For the regions highlighted in this article, itinerary option 2 highlights Central Mexico, itinerary option 3 focuses on the Yucatán Peninsula, and itinerary option 4 explores the beaches along the Pacific coast. For all of these 10 day Mexico itinerary options, feel free to mix and match, based on your family's tastes, needs, and budget.
This 10 day Mexico itinerary includes highlights of the best parts of Mexico: its vibrant cities, cultural wonders, and beautiful beaches.
This itinerary takes families through Central Mexico and into the Pacific Coast. Families also have a chance to experience the Yucatán Peninsula before returning back to Central Mexico. The best way to get from city to city for this 10 days in Mexico itinerary is by airplane.
Start your 10 day Mexico itinerary by arriving in Mexico City. The capital of Mexico, Mexico City is filled with historic architecture, museums, and cuisine from all over the country.
Spend the first day exploring Mexico City’s sites with an open top bus tour from Turibus. Stay overnight and head over to El Templo Mayor on your second day to see Aztec ruins in the city. Spend the second part of the day visiting Frida Kahlo’s House.
Book your tickets to the Frida Kahlo Museum ahead of time here: Frida Kahlo Museum
After Mexico City, fly to Puerto Vallarta. Located along the Pacific coast in the state of Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta is full of colonial charm, but also possesses a laid-back beach attitude. The city is a good mix of historical and modern elements. It’s also a popular tourist destination for families.
Start your first day in Puerto Vallarta with a walk through Centro and Zona Romántica. In between the two neighborhoods is Isla Cuale Flea Market, which is a great spot for buying artisan souvenirs.
On the next day, take a tour with Ecotours de Mexico to view wild dolphins. Or head out to nearby Yelapa with La Vida Bella Private Boat Tours. On your third day in Puerto Vallarta, take a cooking class with Cookin’ Vallarta, or take an excursion on a pirate ship.
From Puerto Vallarta, catch a flight to Oaxaca City. Situated inland in southern Mexico in the state of Oaxaca, the city of Oaxaca is known throughout the world for its culinary culture.
Spend your first day in Oaxaca City visiting the markets and sampling Oaxacan cuisine. The next day, take a trip out to Monte Alban archeological site and visit the artisan villages in the region. Alternatively, take a trip out to the archeological site of Mitla.
Visiting a site like Monte Alban with a guide is a great way to gain an understanding of its history and significance.
Book this guided tour of Monte Alban: Half-day Monte Alban guided tour.
Skip the craziness of Cancun and explore the laid back beach town of Playa del Carmen. This town has the amenities of a big city without all the traffic or people. It’s about an hour taxi ride from Cancun airport.
Start your first day in Playa del Carmen with a walk along Quinta Avenida, a pedestrian walkway lined with shops and restaurants. Be sure to walk down to Parque Los Fundadores, near the ferry terminal. On your second day, spend the day at the beach just at the end of Calle 38. End your day with tacos at El Fogón.
End your 10 day Mexico itinerary back in Mexico City. Spend the day visiting the city’s many museums and attractions, including the Museum of Chocolate, Museum of Memory and Tolerance, and Kidzania.
If you appreciate food, book this private food tour from Mexico City locals: The 10 Tastings of Mexico With Locals
This next itinerary explores the historic cities of central Mexico and introduces you to Mexican culture. Visit pre-colonial sites, and also dive deep into Mexican colonial history. During this itinerary, you’ll visit four UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The best way to experience this 10 day Mexico itinerary is to rent a car in Mexico, so you can go at your own pace from city to city. You can also take a bus from city to city.
Mexico City was once the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan. On your first day of your 10 day Mexico itinerary, learn about the city’s history at the Museum of Anthropology. Then take a walk through El Templo Mayor, the ruins of one of the main temples of the Aztecs of Tenochtitlan.
During your second day in Mexico City, continue learning about Aztec culture and history with a trip to Teotihuacán. On your last day in Mexico City, head over to the ancient canals at Xochimilco, built by the Aztecs. You can rent one of the colorful boats to explore canals. At the time of this writing, renting a boat costs 500 pesos per hour.
Book this full-day Teotihuacan tour for your Mexico trip: Full-Day Teotihuacan and Basilica Guadalupe Tour
The old silver mining city of Guanajuato holds a strong historical significance to Mexicans, and it’s a great place to visit during your 10 day Mexico itinerary. Guanajuato is a 5 hour drive from Mexico City by car or bus. The city played a role in the Mexican War of Independence, where many of the indigenous people working as miners rose up against the Spanish in protest.
During your first day in Guanajuato with kids, explore the city’s Centro and take the funicular up to the Pípila Statue. Be sure to take a nighttime tour with the Callejoneadas Guanajuato. These musical tours will take you through the alleys of Guanajuato, singing and playing music along the way.
On your second day in Guanajuato, take an excursion to the Ex-Hacienda San Gabriel de Barrera. And if you have time, and the stomach for it, visit the Museum of Mummies. The next day, end your time in Guanajuato with a horseback riding tour from Turismo Alternativo de Guanajuato.
Book a horseback riding tour: Mexico Equestrian Experience
San Miguel de Allende is just an hour and a half away from Guanajuato. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is filled with colorful buildings and colonial architecture. Named the best city in the world by Travel + Leisure, San Miguel de Allende is full of beautiful colonial architecture. There are also historic ruins and natural hot springs nearby.
Start your time in San Miguel de Allende with a tour around Centro and a visit to the Artisanal Market. End your first day at Mercado del Carmen, a food court with cuisine from all around the world.
Spend your second day in San Miguel de Allende with a visit to the mask museum, toy museum, or relax for the afternoon at Fabrica La Aurora. Alternatively, choose an excursion to one of the following: El Charco del Ingenio Botanical Garden, La Gruta Hot Springs Spa, or Cañada de la Virgen archaeological site.
On your last day in San Miguel de Allende, take a San Miguel food tour with Taste of San Miguel. This walking tour will introduce you to cuisines from all around Mexico.
Book a food tour with Taste of San Miguel: Downtown San Miguel de Allende Food Tour
End your 10 day Mexico itinerary by driving back to Mexico City and exploring more of the city’s museums. Take a visit to Frida Kahlo’s House or the Museum of Chocolate. You can also visit the Museum of Popular Art.
Don't forget to enjoy some down time with a stroll through the plazas of the Zocalo, or play time at one of the city's many playgrounds and parks.
Bask in the tropical climate of the Yucatán Peninsula with this 10 day Mexico itinerary. This itinerary takes you through the cities of the Yucatán Peninsula. Explore colonial cities, visit ancient Mayan ruins, swim in cenotes, and relax on the beach in the beautiful coastal towns.
You will need to rent a car to do this itinerary. Drive times between cities will generally be 1-5 hours. The longest distance, from Celestun to Playa del Carmen, is around 5-6 hours. Renting a car in the Yucatan peninsula will cost between $40-$70 per day.
Fly into Cancun and start this 10 day Mexico itinerary with beach time. This city is one of the most visited cities in Mexico, and is a popular beach destination for tourists.
Head to Playa Langosta, a public beach near the hotel zone. The beach has plenty of white sands and blue water. And there is a playground for kids.
On your second day, drive to Valladolid, an old colonial city. If you have time, visit the famous Mayan city of Chichen Itza. It’s one of Mexico’s most famous UNESCO World heritage sites.
Additionally, you can take a stop at one of the many cenotes outside of Valladolid. After the cenote, drive into Valladolid and take lunch at one of the loncherias in the Mercado de Comida. Then spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Centro.
An all-inclusive tour of Chichen Itza, Valladolid, and nearby cenotes is a great way to experience this part of the Yucatan peninsula in one day.
Book a tour of the area: Chichen Itza, Cenote and Valladolid Tour
After Valladolid, take a drive to the city of Mérida, the capital city of Yucatán state. Like Valladolid, Mérida is an old colonial town. You’ll find colonial mansions and several plazas surrounding cathedrals scattered throughout the city.
On your first day in Mérida, take a carriage tour of Centro and explore some of the neighborhoods in Mérida. If you have time, take a visit to the Centenario Zoo. The next day, take an excursion to the ancient Mayan city of Uxmal. Be sure to stop at nearby Choco-Story, where you can learn about the history of cocoa and chocolate.
Book this tour of Uxmal and Choco-Story to experience these sites with a guide: Uxmal and Kabah Ruins Tour with Chocolate History
On the fifth day of your 10 day Mexico itinerary, head north from Mérida to the beach side town of Progreso. An up and coming cruise port of call, Progreso offers aquamarine waters and plenty of outdoor water activities for families to enjoy.
Start the day with a visit to El Corchito ecological reserve in the morning. In the afternoon head over to the beach. Then enjoy dinner along the Malecón, Progreso’s boardwalk.
Book this tour to have a guided experience of El Corchito cenotes and the nearby pink lakes: Costa Esmeralda tour
The next day, drive west to the town of Celestún. Visit the Ría Celestún, where you can see flamingos in the wild. These flamingos, and the river itself, get their pink color from the red algae that live in Ría Celestún.
You can rent boats to see the flamingos at Parador Turistico Celestun. But if you want a guide, you can book a tour to Celestun from Merida: Celestun Beach and Mangrove Boat Ride
Return back to the eastern side of the Yucatán Peninsula with a visit to Playa del Carmen. Like Cancun, Playa del Carmen is a popular destination for families and tourists. In fact, this part of the country (stretching from Puerto Morelos to Tulum) is often called the Riviera Maya because of its beautiful beaches. Playa del Carmen is very walkable, and is filled with restaurants from around Mexico and the world.
On the way to Playa del Carmen, avoid the toll road and drive through the Mayan villages. You can stop at some cenotes along the way. End the day in Playa del Carmen with a walk and dinner along Quinta Avenida.
The next day, take the ferry to Cozumel and spend the day at one of the many beach clubs on the island. During your final day in Playa del Carmen, spend the day on the beach at the end of Calle 38.
Finish off the last day of this 10 day Mexico itinerary with another beach day in Cancun. Spend the day in Playa Delfines, in the southern part of Cancun.
If you want to splurge on your last day in Mexico, book one of these unique boat tours from Cancun:
If your family is all about beach life, take a look at this itinerary that explores the beach towns of the Pacific coast. Enjoy swimming with whale sharks and sea turtles, and try your hand at surfing!
This 10 day Mexico itinerary will require flights to get from one city to another. Each city has an airport and is serviced by the locally owned Mexican airlines.
Start this 10 day Mexico itinerary with a visit to Puerto Vallarta. This city played a role in trade among Spain, Mexico, and the Philippines, bringing goods back and forth across the Pacific Ocean. Puerto Vallarta was also a hideout for pirates.
During your first day in Puerto Vallarta, take a glimpse into the city’s pirate history with the pirate ship excursion and dinner cruise. On your second day in Puerto Vallarta, learn about the marine life of the area with a dolphin tour with Ecotours de Mexico. Spend your third day in Puerto Vallarta with a surfing or paddle board lesson from Xiutla Riders.
Continue on to the city of La Paz, in Baja Sur. During your first day in La Paz, spend an afternoon at the Malecón. You can rent bikes to ride along the boardwalk. On your second day take an excursion to Todos Santos, one of the “Pueblos Magicos” of Mexico. Or visit Cabo San Lucas.
During your final day in La Paz, take a tour with Todos Santos Eco Adventures. You can take a sailing trip to Espiritu Santo Island, located in the biosphere reserve around Baja California. Or take a snorkeling trip to see sea lions. During the winter months, you may also be able to see whale sharks in La Paz.
After spending time in the northern part of the Pacific Coast, head south to Puerto Escondido. This city is known for its surf, but the city also has calm beaches that are perfect for families.
During your first day, head to Carizalillo Beach for an afternoon of beach play. In the evening, head to Zicatella Beach to watch the sunset and the surfers, while enjoying a meal at one of the many restaurants along the beach.
The next day, take a dolphin watching, whale watching, or fishing excursion with Omar’s Sportfishing. On your third day in Puerto Escondido, learn about baby sea turtles and bioluminescent creatures with a tour from Eco Adventures Puerto Escondido.
Alternatively, book this bird-watching tour from Eco Adventures Puerto Escondido: Birdwatching Lagoon Tour
Return to Puerto Vallarta for the final day of this 10 day Mexico itinerary. Here, you can learn about the wonderful food culture of Mexico, and try your hand at making some traditional dishes.
We love spending the day with a cooking class from Cookin’ Vallarta. Their classes include a market tour, where you can learn all about the different food products of Mexico.
Book this cooking class: Puerto Vallarta Cooking Class and Market Tour
If you’re ready to ditch the resorts and experience a more authentic side of Mexico, then this 10 day Mexico itinerary is right for you. This 10 days in Mexico itinerary takes you off the beaten path to the cities that offer the best examples of Mexican culture.
Experience colorful art, indigenous traditions, and historical sites to give you a deeper appreciation of Mexico.
Start your 10 day Mexico itinerary in Oaxaca City. Located in the state of Oaxaca, this city is world-renowned for its food. But it’s also rich with history and culture too!
Spend your first day meandering through the markets and plazas of Centro. Book this cooking class to get to know Oaxacan cuisine: Traditional Oaxacan Cooking Class
On your second day, take a visit to Monte Alban, an archeological site of the Zapotec people. Book this half-day tour: Guided Monte Alban Tour
For your third day in Oaxaca City, take a day trip to the nearby artisan villages selling hand woven fabrics, black stone pottery, or hand carved wood sculptures (known as alebrijes). Book this day trip: Tour to Artisan Towns of Oaxaca
For your next destination on your 10 day Mexico itinerary, fly to the city of San Cristobal de las Casas. Located in the state of Chiapas, the city of San Cristobal is an off the beaten path destination for most tourists.
You’ll find great points of interest to visit in San Cristobal de las Casas, such as the Mirador de La Escuela Solmaya (a viewpoint at the top of a set of steps), Plaza de La Paz, and the Mayan Textile Museum. Spend two of your three days in San Cristobal de las Casas experiencing the day.
Be sure to also include a day trip to San Juan Chamula. It’s a small town outside of San Cristobal de las Casas that has held onto its indigenous culture and practices.
Book this tour to experience the indigenous culture of Chiapas: Visit to San Juan Chamula and Zinacatan Indigenous Communties
As you continue on your 10 day Mexico itinerary, head over to the historic city of Veracruz in the state of Veracruz. Known officially as Heroica Veracruz, this city is Mexico’s oldest port city. It’s also teeming with culture, drawing from its indigenous, Spanish, and Afro-Cuban communities, and it's a great spot for safe places in Mexico to travel.
There are plenty of activities for families in Veracruz, including an aquarium, beaches, the boardwalk, and artisan markets. Spend your first day in Veracruz with a city tour, and the second and third days experiencing the markets and beaches.
Book this city tour that takes you through Veracruz and to the old fortress of San Juan de Ulua: City Tour With San Juan de Ulua
End your 10 day Mexico itinerary where it all started: in Oaxaca City. One of the things we love doing in Oaxaca is riding bikes through the city’s historic center.
You can rent bicycles from Bicibella Oaxaca on an hourly or daily basis. They have bikes for adults and kids. Alternatively, book a bicycle tour of Oaxaca City.
This tour, offered by Coyote Aventuras, takes small groups to see the amazing street art of Oaxaca City: Street Art Bike Tour
Before planning your 10 day Mexico itinerary, there is some basic Mexico family travel information that you’ll need to know. This includes information about money, how to get into Mexico, health, safety, and transportation.
Here are some tips for how to plan a trip to Mexico.
Mexico uses the peso for their currency. At the time of this writing, 20 pesos is roughly the equivalent of $1 USD. Many larger businesses will accept credit cards, but Mexico is still primarily a cash economy.
Several banks allow foreigners to withdraw cash at their ATMs. Banorte and Santander will often have the best exchange rates. Keep this in mind as you're preparing your vacation budget.
Read more Mexico travel budget tips here.
All international travels require a passport to enter Mexico. There are around 99 countries and territories, including the U.S., Canada, and countries in Europe, where nationals of that country do not need a visa for stays of up to 180 days.
All travelers, including travelers from visa-free countries, need to fill out a form, called an FMM, before entering the country. Most inbound flights will provide this form to you before landing. Check the Mexican government website for specific entry requirements.
In general, there are many parts of Mexico that are perfectly safe for families to travel. Families who are planning a 10 day Mexico itinerary can refer to the Mexico Travel Advisory page on the U.S. State Department website to see which cities are safe for travel.
The U.S. State Department website lists out states with travel advisories, but also points out destinations that are safe to visit within those states.
Getting around the country is relatively easy. Mexico has airports throughout the country. Popular domestic airlines include AeroMexico, AeroMar, Volaris, and VivaAerobus.
There is also a fairly extensive bus system. Popular bus companies include ETN and Primera Plus in Central Mexico and ADO in the Yucatán Peninsula. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time online.
If you’re planning on renting a car, you should also purchase insurance along with the rental. For families driving into Mexico with their own car, you will need a Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit (TIP).
When preparing for your 10 day Mexico itinerary, it's important to make sure you have the basic travel essentials. Here are some basic supplies you should buy before your trip:
Osprey Sojourn Wheeled Luggage
Shacke Pak 5 Set Packing Cubes
Besides buying travel supplies, there are also other ways that you can mentally prepare for your Mexico family vacation. Here are some suggestions to help you prepare your kids for a Mexico family travel experience.
The Lonely Planet Mexico guide book is a great resource to give you ideas of where to stay and where to eat during your 10 day Mexico itinerary. You can also use the basic phrases section of the guide book to learn a few helpful Spanish phrases.
Buy the Lonely Planet Mexico guide book here.
There’s more to Mexico than purely entertainment. The country has a rich history that is worth learning about. Before visiting Mexico, take some time to learn about Mexican history with books.
Here are some great books you can buy to learn about Mexican indigenous history:
The Fifth Sun (Aztec history)
The Maya (Mayan history)
You can also encourage your kids to learn more about Mexico by reading some kids books about Mexico before your 10 day Mexico itinerary.
During your time in Mexico, plan to take some workshops or classes such as a Mayan cacao workshop or Mexican cooking class. You can also visit museums that showcase Mexican history and culture to learn more about Mexico.
Don't forget to brush up on some basic Spanish phrases for travel before and during your 10 day Mexico itinerary. And take some time to learn some Mexican food phrases too, to make ordering at a restaurant easier.
A successful family vacation is one that every member of the family can enjoy, young or old. There is so much diversity in throughout Mexico. Some regions are mountainous and dry, while others are lush and tropical.
Explore the many regions of Mexico here to get more ideas for your 10 day Mexico itinerary.
As you plan your 10 day Mexico itinerary, choose destinations that the whole family can enjoy. Also remember to include activities that various family members can enjoy as well.
The best thing about travel is that the unknown can often lead to the most pleasant surprises. As you experience your 10 day Mexico itinerary, be sure to take some time to try something new and unknown to you. It will certainly make your vacation much more memorable!
A family vacation to Mexico is a gateway to creating valuable family memories. With these itinerary suggestions, your kids will be talking and reminiscing about your Mexico family vacation for years to come!
Have you done some Mexico family travel recently? Share your Mexico itinerary with us on our Facebook page!
Ready to visit Mexico? Take a look at these tips for planning a Mexico family vacation.
