Are you looking for a road trip that is a somewhat different or off-the-beaten-path? Are you considering your next trip to Yucatan and wondering what you haven’t seen yet or how to shake things up? This 10 day road trip itinerary is for people who already know Mérida, Progreso and Valladolid, have already been to see the flamingos at Celestun and maybe even the pink lakes of Las Coloradas.

This ten day off the beaten path Yucatan itinerary will introduce you to some other interesting places, sights and people in the place I love best in the world.

What are the Highlights of Off the Beaten Path Yucatan?

Think small towns, wild cenotes and archaeological sites that no one but you will be visiting that day. I highly recommend this road trip into the interior of the state of Yucatán, to places you may not even have heard of yet.

❓ Are you wondering whether to visit Mérida or Valladolid on your trip around Yucatán?

🐾 If you’re travelling with your dog, you could base your road trip around the best pet friendly hotels in Yucatán.

_{There are affiliate links in this article. If you click and make a purchase I could make a small sum at zero cost to you. Thank you!}

Is Off the Beaten Path Yucatan Safe?

Yes, traveling off the beaten path in Yucatan is safe. Speed bumps and potholes on roads might be your enemy if you’re not paying attention but otherwise, traveling around Yucatan is perfectly safe. Yucatan is the safest place in Mexico.

➡️ Read more about how safe Yucatán is here

🚗 It would be extremely difficult to follow this itinerary and really make the most of it using public transportation. If you’re interested in this 10 day trip I highly recommend renting a car.

Off the Beaten Track Yucatan 10 Day Itinerary

Off the Beaten Track Yucatan: Days 1 – 3 Ruta Puuc and More

For Suggestions on Where to Stay ➡️ Check Hotel Options Around Santa Elena

Day 1

🚗 Drive from Mérida to Santa Elena (100 km 1 hr 20)

En Route: Stop at Hacienda Yaxcopoil or a visit a cenote for a swim

Top Secret: Take a short detour to see the Estacion de Trenes de Yaxhá (this is one of my favourite ruined buildings in all of Yucatán)

🍽 Eat lunch at La Finca Puuc (Muna)

Once in Santa Elena visit the Museo de las Momias – one of the smallest museums you’ll ever see

Day 2 – Explore the Ruta Puuc

If you have never been to Uxmal, you could start here. It is well known but it is also a gorgeous site.

If you have already visited Uxmal then it’s time to begin your exploration of the incredible Ruta Puuc Maya archaeological sites: Kabah, Sayil, Xlapak and Labná (and, of course, Uxmal, which is technically part of the Ruta Puuc).

The distances between the sites are small so you’ll be spending most of your time exploring these quiet and barely visited sites.

➡️ Read more about the Ruta Puuc

🏆 The Ruta Puuc makes it onto my list of the top 10 ruins to visit on the Yucatán Peninsula.

⭐️ This would make an excellent Yucatán Spring Break option ⭐️

Day 3: Visit the Pueblos of Becal and Pomuch

Technically these two pueblos are both just over the border into Campeche. If you wanted to make this a much longer day you could actually keep on driving all the way to the incredible city of Campeche.

⭐️ Becal is a tiny town that is famous for being home to the jipijapa hat. The plaza is a good spot for a cooling ice-cream. Take a peek inside the church. If the museum is open, stop by and definitely take the time to go in some of the hat shops.

⭐️ Pomuch is one of my favourite small towns in the region. The main thing to see here is the cemetery since Pomuch is one of the few places in the world that keeps the bones of the dead on display rather than burying them. While this is particularly fascinating in the run-up to Hanal Pixan (Day of the Dead), when the bones are removed by their families and cleaned, it’s pretty interesting to visit the cemetery all year round. Just, please, remember to be respectful, just because the bones are on display doesn’t mean they aren’t loved.

🍽 Stop for lunch in Mesón Santa Rosa just outside Pomuch.

🚗 1hr30 to Pomuch via Becal (remember, this is a round trip)

⭐️ Campeche – the capital city of Campeche state, this city (actually San Francisco de Campeche) is a great place to explore. It is like a smaller version of Mérida with colourful streets, plenty of excellent museums, and great restaurants. It’s also fronted by the ocean and has city walls you can explore.

🚗 Campeche is a 2 hour drive from Santa Elena.

⭐️ On the way back to Santa Elena, visit Oxkintok archaeological site and the Grutas de Calcehtok (don’t reply on google maps for the last section, follow the signs on the road)

Off the Beaten Track Yucatan: Days 4 – 5 Tekax

Stay: ➡️ Check hotel options around Tekax

Day 4: Drive to Tekax/Tzubcacab

🚗 1hr 10 mins

TOP TIP: Book a few nights in Via Neshima. This is  NOT  an affiliate link, this is just my absolute favourite Airbnb experience. It is located outside the pueblo magico of Tekax in a village called Tzubcacab and is one of the most relaxing and delicious airbnbs I’ve ever had the pleasure to stay.

Either spend the afternoon relaxing at your new place or head into Tekax for a walk around town. Check out the Palacio  Municipal, La Ermita and the art gallery.

If you have time and energy, I highly recommend visiting Chacmultún (archaeological site) too.

Day 5:  Tekax Adventure Day

⭐️ Visit the eco-tourism sites of Kaalmankal or Chocantes for excellent caving opportunties and for the kids to have fun with ziplining, tarzan swings and more.

⭐️ Consider this packing list if you’re visiting Mexico with kids

🍽 It’s possible to camp and eat at both these sites with advance warning. If you haven’t booked food, head back into Tekax town for lunch.

Off the Beaten Track Yucatan: Days 6 – 8 Izamal

Stay ➡️ Check Izamal hotel options now

Day 6 – Drive to Izamal

🚗 2hr 30 from Tekax to Izamal via Mayapan

Drive from Tekax to another fabulous pueblo magico, the famous yellow city of Izamal via the stunning archaeological site of Mayapán.

It’s true that Izamal has become better known as a tourist destination in recent years but most people just go and see the convent and maybe Kinich Kakmo pyramid. Even then, most people don’t climb this utterly delightful and actually enormous pyramid. Did you know there are at least four more archaeolgical sites to visit in Izamal?

➡️ Read more about Izamal here

⭐️ If you have energy, there are also plenty of cenotes in this area.

Day 7: Izamal

Everyone tends to begin their time in Izamal at the magnificent yellow convent. I also implore you to not miss the pyramid or other archaeological sites, they’re just fascinating.

Day 8: Free Times (Options Below)

⭐️ If you’re staying somewhere like Hacienda Sacnicte, now would be a good opportunity to take a rest day and enjoy the luxury of your experience.

⭐️ If you’re after a busy day, take a drive into Valladolid but assuming you’ve already seen all the main sites, why not book a tour at Xkopek, a lovely bee-keeping park on the edge of town. They offer great tours of their land as well as honey tasting opportunities.

⭐️ Or maybe visit the fascinating tiled church at Uayama.

🚗 Valladolid is 1hr 30 drive from Izamal

Off the Beaten Path Yucatan: Day 9 – 10 Ake

Stay ➡️ I highly recommend spending the night relaxing in style at  Hotel Hacienda Ticum.  Everything about this hotel is just perfect for a relaxing end to your trip.

Day 9: Ake

🚗 40 minutes

Drive onto Ake, your final location. The archaeological site of Ake may be small but it’s so wonderfully peaceful. There’s a small hennequin museum next door that’s worth a visit.

Did you know that Izamal and Ake were once linked by a sacbé (sacred path)?  That’s why I suggest visiting them in this order.

Day 10: Drive back to Mérida

After a gentle time relaxing at the hacienda, drive back to Mérida.

🚗 40 minutes

⭐️ If you already know Mexico pretty well then this would make an excellent choice for a spring break vacation, away from the crowds.

📍 If you’re interested in more detail for this itinerary or would like to book my itinerary/road trip planning service, please do get in touch. There’s little I love more in life than planning trips around the Yucatán Peninsula and then living vicariously as you have the time of your life.