16 days in Mexico City, Villahermosa & Playa del Carmen Itinerary

Breathtakingly large, Mexico City provides a home for almost 9 million people living in nearly 1,700 distinct neighborhoods.

Popular historic sites such as Zocalo and Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de Mexico are in your itinerary. Your cultural itinerary includes sights like Museo Nacional de Antropologia and Palacio de Bellas Artes. Change things up with a short trip to Zona Arqueológica de Teotihuacan Estacionamiento Puerta 5 in San Juan Teotihuacan (about 1h 15 min away). There's still lots to do: explore the ancient world of Museo del Templo Mayor, indulge in some culinary diversions at a local gastronomic tour, steep yourself in history at Basilica de Santa Maria de Guadalupe, and delve into the lush surroundings at Bosque de Chapultepec.

For other places to visit, reviews, photos, and tourist information, go to the Mexico City trip planning tool.

Bogota, Colombia to Mexico City is an approximately 7.5-hour flight. You'll gain 1 hour traveling from Bogota to Mexico City due to the time zone difference. In December, plan for daily highs up to 26°C, and evening lows to 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Sat) so you can drive to Villahermosa.

Villahermosa is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of Tabasco, and the municipal seat of the Centro municipality. Kick off your visit on the 6th (Sun): learn more about the world around you at Museo de Historia Natural, then take an in-depth tour of Museo Regional de Antropologia Carlos Pellicer Camara, then see the interesting displays at Drupa Museo Interactivo del Chocolate, and finally explore the ancient world of Comalcalco. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Catedral del Senor de Tabasco, then get engrossed in the history at Casa Museo Carlos Pellicer, then get a new perspective on nature at Parque Museo La Venta, and finally stroll around Parque La Choca.

To see where to stay, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, read Villahermosa trip planner.

Traveling by car from Mexico City to Villahermosa takes 9.5 hours. Expect a bit warmer weather when traveling from Mexico City in January: highs in Villahermosa hover around 30°C, while lows dip to 21°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Mon) so you can drive to Playa del Carmen.

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

Satisfy your inner culture vulture at Tulum Archaeological Site and Zona Arqueologica de Coba. Museum-lovers will get to explore Museo de la Prehistoria Parque Dos Ojos and Art Gallery Miniature. Change things up with these side-trips from Playa del Carmen: Akumal Beach (in Akumal), Tulum (Spas & Wellness, Paradise Beach, &more) and Xel-Ha Park by Xcaret (in Solidaridad). On the 8th (Tue), enjoy an adventurous day among the treetops at Xplor Park by Xcaret. The adventure continues: get in on the family fun at Xcaret, don't miss a visit to Quinta Avenida, kick back and relax at Playa Delfines, and buy something for everyone on your list at La Isla Shopping Village.

To find more things to do, maps, reviews, and tourist information, use the Playa del Carmen trip itinerary planning tool.

Drive from Villahermosa to Playa del Carmen in 11 hours. The time zone changes from Central Standard Time (CST) to Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is usually a 1 hour difference. Expect a daytime high around 30°C in January, and nighttime lows around 22°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Tue) early enough to catch the flight back home.