Itinerary Mexico City, Oaxaca & Riviera Maya

November is one of the best months to visit Mexico: the rainy season is ending, temperatures are pleasant throughout the country, and you can enjoy vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and culinary delights with fewer crowds.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	1900 USD
🏨 Accommodations	1500 USD
🧳 Gear	100 USD
🗺️ On-site	1300 USD
Total	4800 USD

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇲🇽 Mexico City - 5 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏙️ Centro Histórico & Zócalo ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)
  • Heart of the city, historic buildings, street life. Walkable area, watch for pickpockets.
• [ ] 🛕 Templo Mayor ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Fascinating Aztec ruins buried under the city. Spanish/English signage.
• [ ] 🏛️ Palacio de Bellas Artes ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Iconic art nouveau palace, murals by Rivera. Rooftop cafe nearby.
• [ ] 🏛️ Museo Nacional de Antropología ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)
  • World-renowned pre-Hispanic treasures. Audio guides available.
• [ ] 🎨 Museo Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul) ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Birthplace of Frida Kahlo. Book tickets in advance.
• [ ] 🌳 Bosque de Chapultepec ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Vast city park with lakes, museums, castles.
• [ ] 🏙️ Barrio Roma & Condesa ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Trendy districts for cafes, architecture, galleries.
• [ ] 🏛️ Castillo de Chapultepec ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Historic castle & panoramic views over Mexico City.
• [ ] 🌳 Xochimilco Canals ⭐⭐ (~3h)
  • Colorful boat rides among floating gardens. Weekends best.
• [ ] 🏙️ Coyoacán Neighborhood ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Bohemian squares, artisanal markets, cobbled streets.
• [ ] 🎨 Museo Soumaya ⭐ (~1h)
  • Striking modern building, eclectic art collection.
• [ ] 🏛️ Basilica de Guadalupe ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Major religious pilgrimage site.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Licorería Limantour ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Award-winning cocktails, upscale yet relaxed vibe.
• [ ] 🎭 Garibaldi Square Mariachi Bands ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Lively night atmosphere, live traditional music.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Mercado de San Juan ⭐⭐⭐
  • Gourmet market, exotic foods — 10 USD for lunch.
• [ ] 🍜 El Cardenal ⭐⭐
  • Famous for breakfasts, chilaquiles — 15-20 USD.
• [ ] 🍜 Taquería El Califa ⭐
  • Great tacos al pastor — 5 USD.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Plaza de las Tres Culturas (~1h)
  • Unique blend of Aztec, colonial, and modern architecture.

🇲🇽 Oaxaca de Juárez - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Templo de Santo Domingo ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Baroque masterpiece, golden interiors.
• [ ] 🏙️ Historic Oaxaca Centro ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • UNESCO streets, markets, colonial buildings.
• [ ] 🛕 Monte Albán ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)
  • Vast ancient Zapotec city with stunning valley views.
• [ ] 🌳 Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Botanical garden of native species — guided tours only.
• [ ] 🏛️ Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Excellent cultural museum in former monastery.
• [ ] 🏙️ Mercado Benito Juárez ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Lively bustling market for crafts and snacks.
• [ ] 🎨 Museo Textil de Oaxaca ⭐ (~1h)
  • Textile design and indigenous weaving.
• [ ] 🌳 Hierve el Agua (day trip) ⭐⭐ (~5h)
  • Petrified waterfalls, mineral pools, epic views.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Mezcalería Los Amantes ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Try craft mezcals. Knowledgeable staff, lively evenings.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Mercado 20 de Noviembre ⭐⭐⭐
  • Smoky grilled meats, tlayudas — 8-15 USD.
• [ ] 🍜 Casa Oaxaca Café ⭐⭐
  • Local specialties with a modern twist — 15-25 USD.
• [ ] 🍜 Itanoní ⭐
  • Corn-based antojitos — 8 USD.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ San Bartolo Coyotepec (~2h)
  • Black pottery workshops, small town charm.

🇲🇽 Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen & Tulum) - 6 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏖️ Playa Paraiso, Tulum ⭐⭐⭐ (~3h)
  • Pristine white sand & turquoise water.
• [ ] 🛕 Tulum Archaeological Site ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Mayan ruins on cliffs, ocean views. Go early to avoid heat.
• [ ] 🏙️ Playa del Carmen Quinta Avenida ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Lively pedestrian street, shops, street performers.
• [ ] 🏖️ Akumal Beach ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Swim/snorkel with sea turtles (bring your own gear).
• [ ] 🌳 Cenote Dos Ojos ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Famous flooded caves for swimming and snorkeling.
• [ ] 🏊 Gran Cenote ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Clear waters, turtles, and caves.
• [ ] 🌳 Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve ⭐⭐ (~4h)
  • UNESCO wetlands, wildlife tours by boat.
• [ ] 🏖️ Xpu-Ha Beach ⭐
  • Less crowded beach, calm waters.
• [ ] 🏛️ 3D Museum of Wonders ⭐
  • Interactive 3D art museum, great for photos.
• [ ] 🛕 Cobá Ruins (day trip) ⭐⭐ (~4h)
  • Towering ancient pyramid, bike rental available.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Gitano Tulum ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Jungle chic cocktails, live music vibe.
• [ ] 🍸 Coco Bongo, Playa del Carmen ⭐⭐ (~3h)
  • Legendary spectacle nightclub.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 El Fogón (Playa del Carmen) ⭐⭐⭐
  • Famed grilled meats & tacos — 8-15 USD.
• [ ] 🍜 Taqueria Honorio (Tulum) ⭐⭐
  • Authentic breakfast tacos — 5 USD.
• [ ] 🍜 Hartwood (Tulum) ⭐
  • Wood-fired Yucatecan fare — 25-40 USD.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏖️ Puerto Morelos (~3h)
  • Quiet beach village with local charm.

🎬 Films & series to watch

🇲🇽 Mexico City

• [ ] 🎬 Roma (2018) — ⭐ 7.7 — Profound look at 1970s Mexico City — Netflix
• [ ] 📺 Club de Cuervos (2015–2019) — ⭐ 8.2 — Satirical series set in contemporary Mexico — Netflix

🇲🇽 Oaxaca de Juárez

• [ ] 🎬 Diarios de Motocicleta (The Motorcycle Diaries) (2004) — ⭐ 7.8 — Road trip through Oaxaca and beyond — Prime Video
• [ ] 📺 Taco Chronicles (2019–) — ⭐ 8.4 — Documentary, Oaxaca episode focuses on local cuisine — Netflix

🇲🇽 Riviera Maya

• [ ] 🎬 Spectre (2015) — ⭐ 6.8 — James Bond opening parade in Mexico City, beach scenes in Mexico — Prime Video
• [ ] 📺 Planet Earth II: Jungles (2016) — ⭐ 9.5 — Features Tulum/Yucatan's underground rivers — BBC iPlayer

🍜 Local specialties

🇲🇽 Mexico City

• [ ] Tacos al pastor
• [ ] Chilaquiles
• [ ] Tlacoyos

🇲🇽 Oaxaca de Juárez

• [ ] Mole negro
• [ ] Tlayudas
• [ ] Chapulines (grasshoppers)

🇲🇽 Riviera Maya

• [ ] Cochinita pibil
• [ ] Sopa de lima
• [ ] Marquesitas

📍 Maps - places to pin

🇲🇽 Mexico City

1. Centro Histórico & Zócalo
2. Licorería Limantour
3. Mercado de San Juan
4. Zocalo Central Hotel
5. El Cardenal

🇲🇽 Oaxaca de Juárez

1. Templo de Santo Domingo
2. Mezcalería Los Amantes
3. Mercado 20 de Noviembre
4. Hotel Parador San Agustin
5. Casa Oaxaca Café

🇲🇽 Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen/Tulum)

1. Playa Paraiso, Tulum
2. Gitano Tulum
3. Quinta Avenida, Playa del Carmen
4. Hotel Ma'xanab Tulum
5. El Fogón

✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Mexico City
• [ ] ✈️/🚌 Mexico City → Oaxaca de Juárez
• [ ] ✈️ Oaxaca → Cancun
• [ ] 🚌 Cancun → Playa del Carmen → Tulum
• [ ] ✈️ Cancun → London

🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Mexico City	5	Zocalo Central Hotel	550 USD
Oaxaca de Juárez	3	Parador San Agustin	250 USD
Riviera Maya	6	Ma'xanab Tulum (4*)	700 USD
Total	14		1500 USD