5 days in Cancun, Tulum & Playa del Carmen Itinerary

Few destinations in Mexico dazzle visitors quite like Cancun, a modern resort town filled with glitzy hotels sitting on picturesque and well-developed Caribbean beaches.

On the 25th (Fri), browse the different shops at La Isla Shopping Village.

For reviews, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Cancun trip planner .

Mexico City to Cancun is an approximately 5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of bus and flight; or drive. The time zone difference moving from Central Standard Time to Eastern Standard Time is 1 hour. Prepare for a bit warmer weather when traveling from Mexico City in October: high temperatures in Cancun hover around 35°C and lows are around 26°C. You will have some time to spend on the 26th (Sat) before leaving for Tulum.

The only Mayan site built to overlook the ocean, Tulum remains a coastal paradise preserving the last vestiges of a pre-Hispanic civilization.

You'll get in some beach time at Paradise Beach and Akumal Beach. Popular historic sites such as Tulum Archaeological Site and Cobá Zona Arqueológica Cobá are in your itinerary. Next up on the itinerary: stop by Kaahal Home Tulum.

For traveler tips, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, read Tulum trip itinerary planner .

Getting from Cancun to Tulum by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: take a shuttle; or take a bus. In October in Tulum, expect temperatures between 34°C during the day and 25°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Mon) early enough to take a bus to Playa del Carmen.

The tourist hub of the popular Mayan Riviera, upscale Playa del Carmen remains the jewel of Mexico's Caribbean coastline.

To find photos, reviews, and tourist information, read Playa del Carmen trip tool .

Getting from Tulum to Playa del Carmen by bus takes about an hour. Other options: drive. In October in Playa del Carmen, expect temperatures between 34°C during the day and 25°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 29th (Tue) to allow time to travel back home.