Perfect 10-Day Riviera Maya Itinerary: Complete Route with Prices
Plan your Riviera Maya vacation with this detailed 10-day itinerary: Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar and Holbox. Includes transport, lodging and real budget.
The ultimate 10-day Riviera Maya itinerary
The Riviera Maya is one of the world's most important tourist destinations. With over 300 km of Caribbean coastline, dozens of cenotes, Mayan ruins, islands, lagoons and magical towns, ten days is the ideal time to see the best of the region without feeling rushed. This itinerary is designed for independent travelers looking to combine beach, culture, nature and a bit of adventure while maintaining a reasonable budget.
The route begins in Cancun (arrival airport) and works its way down the coast to Bacalar, near the Belize border, with a final getaway to the paradisiacal Holbox Island. Everything can be done using public transport (ADO) or shared vans, though in some legs a rental car is very useful.
Day 1-2: Cancun (arrival base)
After landing at Cancun International Airport (CUN), Mexico's second busiest, you have two options: stay in the Hotel Zone (more expensive, beachfront resorts) or in Downtown (much cheaper, bus to the beach in 20 minutes).
For the first day, we recommend recovering from the flight and enjoying the beach. Must-see free beaches: Playa Delfines (km 18 of the Hotel Zone, with a viewpoint for the iconic "CANCUN" sign) and Playa Tortugas (ideal for swimming and sunset toward the lagoon).
For day 2, take an excursion to Isla Mujeres. Catch the Ultramar ferry from Puerto Juarez (every 30 minutes, $300 MXN round trip, 25 minute crossing). On the island, rent a golf cart ($900 MXN/day) and drive Playa Norte (considered one of the world's best beaches), Punta Sur and the cliffs. Eat fresh seafood on Playa Norte for $250-400 MXN.
Budget days 1-2: Downtown lodging 2 nights $1,600 MXN, meals $700 MXN, complete Isla Mujeres $1,200 MXN, transport $200 MXN. Total: $3,700 MXN (approx $210 USD).
Day 3-4: Playa del Carmen and Cozumel
Take an ADO in the morning from downtown Cancun to Playa del Carmen. The trip is 1 hour 15 minutes and costs $180-220 MXN. Buses leave every 30 minutes.
In Playa del Carmen, stay near Fifth Avenue, the main pedestrian street with restaurants, shops and bars. Lodging ranges from $800 MXN to thousands of pesos per night. Spend the afternoon walking Fifth Avenue, shopping at craft markets and dining at one of the many international restaurants.
Day 4 is dedicated to Cozumel, Mexico's best diving island. Take the Ultramar or Winjet ferry from Playa del Carmen ($450-500 MXN round trip). On Cozumel, the must-do is snorkeling or diving in the Marine National Park, home to the world's second-largest coral reef. A three-stop snorkel tour costs around $900 MXN. If you don't dive, rent a car or scooter to tour the east coast of the island, with wild beaches and seafood restaurants.
Budget days 3-4: Lodging $2,400 MXN, ADO Cancun-Playa $200 MXN, complete Cozumel $1,800 MXN, meals $1,000 MXN. Total: $5,400 MXN (approx $310 USD).
Day 5-6: Tulum and cenotes
Continue south by ADO from Playa del Carmen to Tulum (1 hour, $150 MXN). Tulum has two very different areas: the town (where budget lodging is, $800-2,500 MXN) and the coastal zone (luxury boutique hotels in the jungle, from $3,500 MXN).
Spend the morning of day 5 at the Tulum archaeological ruins, unique in Mexico for sitting on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Arrive at opening (8 am) to avoid heat and crowds. Entrance: $95 MXN. Afterward, walk down to the beach directly below the ruins for a swim and lunch.
In the afternoon, visit a cenote. The most famous near Tulum are the Gran Cenote ($500 MXN entry), Cenote Dos Ojos ($350 MXN, great for snorkeling) and Cenote Calavera ($250 MXN, less touristy).
Day 6 you can explore the Sian Ka'an Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with tours to Muyil (ruins + lagoon as a natural lazy river, $1,200-1,800 MXN) or go directly to Bacalar if you're not interested in diving cenotes all day.
Budget days 5-6: Town lodging $2,000 MXN, ADO Playa-Tulum $150 MXN, ruins + 2 cenotes $850 MXN, meals $1,000 MXN, shared vans $200 MXN. Total: $4,200 MXN (approx $240 USD).
Day 7-8: Bacalar, the lagoon of seven colors
Bacalar is 3.5 hours by ADO from Tulum ($350 MXN). Its lagoon is famous for displaying up to seven different shades of blue thanks to stromatolites (unique bacterial formations). It's far less touristy than the rest of the coast and prices drop considerably.
For day 7, take a boat ride on the lagoon (3-4 hours, $400-600 MXN per person) to the Rapids, Cenote Negro and Bird Island. You can also rent a kayak or paddle board for $200-300 MXN per hour from any lakeside club. The water is warm, crystal clear and white-sand bottomed. It looks like a postcard.
Day 8 visit Cenote Azul (4 km from Bacalar, free entry, with seafood restaurant), the San Felipe Fortress (18th century Spanish fort, $150 MXN), and wander downtown Bacalar, full of colorful houses. At night, the sky is ideal for stargazing, with no light pollution.
Budget days 7-8: Lodging $1,800 MXN, ADO Tulum-Bacalar $350 MXN, activities $900 MXN, meals $900 MXN. Total: $3,950 MXN (approx $225 USD).
Day 9-10: Holbox, the car-free island
Take the ADO back toward Chiquila (6 hours from Bacalar, $600 MXN), the gateway port to Holbox. The Holbox Express or Nueve Hermanos ferry leaves every 30 minutes ($300 MXN round trip, 25 minute crossing).
Holbox is a sand island with no cars: only golf carts, bicycles and motorcycles. The vibe is bohemian, relaxed, zero luxury. Lodging is more expensive than Bacalar but cheaper than Tulum ($1,500-4,000 MXN).
Day 9, spend it walking the beach (very long and shallow), watching sunsets from Punta Coco and trying the famous lobster pizza of the island. If you travel between May and September, don't miss swimming with whale sharks: tours leave at 7 am and last 5-6 hours ($2,500 MXN per person). It's one of Mexico's most incredible experiences.
Day 10, do the three-islands tour: Bird Island (endemic birds), Passion Island (for relaxing) and the Cenote Yalahau with fresh water ($600 MXN per person). At night, if there's a new moon between July and January, you can see bioluminescence in the sea, a magical phenomenon.
Budget days 9-10: Lodging $3,000 MXN, ADO + ferry $900 MXN, whale shark or islands tour $2,500 MXN, meals $1,500 MXN. Total: $7,900 MXN (approx $450 USD including whale shark).
Total estimated budget
For 10 days, the average total per person is $25,000-35,000 MXN ($1,400-2,000 USD), not including international flights. This includes mid-range lodging, 3 meals a day, all mentioned activities, all land transfers and tips.
It can be done cheaper by staying only in hostels ($400-600 MXN per night) and cutting tours: it would drop to $15,000 MXN. Or more expensive if you choose boutique or all-inclusive hotels: can reach $60,000-100,000 MXN.
Final tips
- Book tours 2-3 days in advance, especially in high season (December-April).
- Bring cash (Mexican pesos): many shared vans, cenote entries and small restaurants don't accept cards.
- Use biodegradable sunscreen (mandatory in cenotes and reefs).
- The best time to visit is November or May: perfect weather, fewer crowds and reasonable prices.
- Avoid August-October if possible: hurricane season and frequent sargassum.
With 10 days you can truly immerse yourself in the Riviera Maya and discover it's much more than all-inclusive resorts. Each area has its own character, and combining Caribbean beaches, Mayan ruins, cenotes, Bacalar lagoon and Holbox Island will give you a complete and unforgettable experience.