19 days in Mexico Itinerary

One of Mexico's premier vacation spots, Cabo San Lucas lures pleasure seekers with its trendy restaurant scene, raucous nightlife, and, of course, picture-perfect beaches.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Dolphin & Whale Watching and Old Town Gallery. You'll get in some beach time at Chileno Beach and Medano Beach. And it doesn't end there: fulfill a lifelong dream with Cabo Adventures, stop by Cactus Blown Glass Factory, and indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas.

To see where to stay, ratings, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Cabo San Lucas trip itinerary planning website.

Riga, Latvia to Cabo San Lucas is an approximately 22-hour flight. The time zone changes from Eastern European Standard Time (EET) to Mexican Pacific Standard Time (MST), which is usually a -9 hour difference. Expect warmer temperatures when traveling from Riga in December; daily highs in Cabo San Lucas reach 29°C and lows reach 21°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Fri) so you can catch the flight to Puerto Vallarta.

Boasting a coastline made for perfectly framed photographs of romantic sunsets, Puerto Vallarta continuously ranks among the world's top tourist resorts.

On the 10th (Sat), stroll through Nuevo Vallarta Beach, then take in nature's colorful creations at Vallarta Botanical Gardens, and then explore the striking landscape at Los Arcos de Mismaloya. On the 11th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: appreciate the extensive heritage of Zona Romantica, then pause for some serene contemplation at Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Centro Historico, and finally fulfill a lifelong dream with a swim-with-the-dolphins experience.

For more things to do, maps, and other tourist information, read Puerto Vallarta trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by flight from Cabo San Lucas to Puerto Vallarta takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry; or drive. The time zone changes from Mexican Pacific Standard Time (MST) to Central Standard Time (CST), which is usually a 1 hour difference. In December, daily temperatures in Puerto Vallarta can reach 32°C, while at night they dip to 22°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Sun) so you can fly to Oaxaca.

Capital city of the eponymous state, Oaxaca relies heavily on its colonial charm, its core a maze of tree-shaded alleys flanked by photogenic mansions, government buildings, and old churches.

Start off your visit on the 12th (Mon): contemplate the long history of Ex-Convento de Santa Catalina, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Basilica de Nuestra Senora de la Soledad, and then identify plant and animal life at Coyote Aventuras. Here are some ideas for day two: enjoy the sand and surf at Playa La Bocana, then examine the collection at Museo de Filatelia de Oaxaca, A.C., and then take in the exciting artwork at Voces de Copal.

To find other places to visit, photos, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Oaxaca trip planner.

You can fly from Puerto Vallarta to Oaxaca in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Plan for little chillier nights when traveling from Puerto Vallarta in December since evenings lows in Oaxaca dip to 11°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Tue) so you can fly to Cancun.

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.

Start off your visit on the 14th (Wed): pause for some serene contemplation at Parroquia de Cristo Resucitado, then stroll through Playa Langosta, and then see the interesting displays at Ka'Yok' Planetario de Cancun. On the next day, look for gifts at Alma Libre Bookstore, then see the vivid underwater world at National Reef Park of Puerto Morelos, and then identify plant and animal life at Wildlife Areas.

For photos, ratings, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Cancun attractions planner.

Traveling by flight from Oaxaca to Cancun takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Oaxaca to Cancun. Traveling from Oaxaca in December, plan for a bit warmer nights in Cancun, with lows around 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Thu) early enough to ride a ferry to Isla Mujeres.

Tiny municipal seat of an eponymous island, each season Isla Mujeres swells to bursting with international tourists coming here to swim, snorkel, dive, fish, and sail.

On the 16th (Fri), tour the pleasant surroundings at Playa Lancheros, enjoy the sand and surf at Shark Beach, then pause for some serene contemplation at Iglesia Del Sagrado Corazon, and finally pause for some serene contemplation at Capilla de Guadalupe.

To see ratings, other places to visit, reviews, and tourist information, you can read our Isla Mujeres travel website.

Traveling by ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres takes an hour. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry. Expect a daytime high around 32°C in December, and nighttime lows around 24°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 16th (Fri) so you can drive to Uxmal.

On the 17th (Sat), get engrossed in the history at Choco Story uxmal, see the interesting displays at Museo de Las Momias de Santa Elena, delve into the distant past at Zona Arqueologica de Kabah, then explore the ancient world of Zona Arqueologica Uxmal, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Mirador de Muna.

To see photos, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, refer to the Uxmal trip itinerary website.

Traveling by car from Isla Mujeres to Uxmal takes 5.5 hours. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Isla Mujeres in December: highs in Uxmal hover around 36°C, while lows dip to 24°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Sat) so you can drive to Ek Balam Village.

On the 18th (Sun), delve into the distant past at Ek Balam and then explore the fascinating underground world of X'Canche Cenote.

To find photos, other places to visit, traveler tips, and other tourist information, refer to the Ek Balam Village travel itinerary planner.

You can drive from Uxmal to Ek Balam Village in 3 hours. Other options are to do a combination of bus and taxi; or take a bus. Traveling from Uxmal in December, expect somewhat warmer with lows of 28°C in Ek Balam Village. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sun) so you can drive to 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 explore and learn at 3D Museum of Wonders and Art Gallery Miniature. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Two Eyes Cenote and Shark Diving. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Tulum: Akumal Monkey Sanctuary & Rescued Animals (in Akumal), Little Bali (in Playa del Carmen) and Ecopark Kantun Chi (in Puerto Aventuras). There's still lots to do: kick back and relax at Mayan Beach, make a trip to Tulum Tower, and explore the world behind art at Mystika Immersive.

For ratings, more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, read our Tulum trip maker tool.

Drive from Ek Balam Village to Tulum in 2 hours. Traveling from Ek Balam Village in December, expect Tulum to be little chillier, temps between 31°C and 23°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 21st (Wed) early enough to travel to Cozumel.

Thanks to the island's outstanding scuba diving and snorkeling options, Cozumel tourism sector remains a major employer and the main source of income for this Caribbean getaway.

Start off your visit on the 22nd (Thu): stroll through Paradise (Paraiso) Reef, then see the vivid underwater world at Paseo El Cedral Reef, and then make a trip to Felipe Xicotencatl Shipwreck. On your second day here, see the vivid underwater world at Yucab Reef, then stroll through San Francisco Reef, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at San Miguel Church (Iglesia de San Miguel).

For where to stay, reviews, other places to visit, and more tourist information, read our Cozumel trip website.

You can do a combination of car and ferry from Tulum to Cozumel in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and ferry. Expect a daytime high around 31°C in December, and nighttime lows around 23°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Fri) so you can catch the flight back home.