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Yucatán Peninsula Heritage Loop: Route Guide

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The stepped pyramid of El Castillo at Chichén Itzá
Photo: Daniel Schwen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

A seven-day self-drive heritage loop linking Cancún’s Maya collections, Tulum’s walled coast, Valladolid, Chichén Itzá and Mérida with an explicit return to Cancún.

Yucatán Peninsula Heritage Loop is a 724 km loop (self-drive). It works best as a 7-day trip; the plan below is the 7-day version for February, built from 531 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

7
days
724km
distance
7
Stops
531
curated stops

Plan your own version → 7-day plan · best time to go

The route

Cancún orientation day→ 132 kmTulum archaeology day→ 103 kmValladolid heritage day→ 45 kmChichén Itzá core day→ 5 kmChichén Itzá museum day→ 120 kmMérida historic day→ 319 kmCancún Maya Museum return

What you'll see

El Meco Archaeological Site
Climb the steps of a grand pyramid overlooking the ocean.
Cancún orientation day
Tulum Archaeological Site
Marvel at Mayan ruins perched above the sea.
Tulum archaeology day
Chichén Itzá
Stand in awe before the grand, iconic Maya stone structures.
Valladolid heritage day
Old Chichen
Gaze at ancient buildings on private Hacienda Chichen property.
Chichén Itzá core day
The Pyramid of Kukulcan
Behold the iconic temple-pyramid, nicknamed 'The Castle'.
Chichén Itzá museum day
Dzibilchaltún
Discover the Temple Of The Seven Dolls and other ancient structures at this occupied site.
Mérida historic day
Yamil Lu'um
Gaze upon the quiet stones of a hidden Maya temple.
Cancún Maya Museum return
Playa Las Perlas
Feel soft white sand and see turquoise waters lapping gently.
Cancún orientation day

Choose your length

7-day plan42 stops · 19.6 h transit6 stops/day · 2.8 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: January, February, March, November, December

Dry season: cenotes at their clearest and 30°C days — this is the window.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

Plan your own version →