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The time I spent exploring the Yucatan Peninsula wasnāt only my first time in Mexico, but also my first time traveling solo on an international level. After having graduated college only months prior, quitting my first ābig girl jobā on my second day, and having a bit of an existential crisis, I thought of no better solution to clear my head and do something that would bring a sense of purpose back to my soul than to spend some time traveling.
At first, I wasnāt even sure where I wanted to go for this first solo journey. All I knew is that I wanted to travel somewhere I had never been, and I wanted to do it on a budget. After all, I had been on a student salary for the last four years and didnāt have the means to make this a luxury vacation. Iāve always more of an immersive traveler anyway, seeking out relationships with locals, indulging in typical cultural dishes, and valuing hidden gems over resorts. So, after relentlessly scanning for cheap flights, reading up on some other travelersā blogs, and doing some research on solo travel safety, Mexico seemed like a great destination that would check all my boxes. You can read more about tips for planning a first-time solo trip here.
Within days of my spontaneous idea to take a solo trip, I had already booked my flights and made sure they were non-refundable so I couldnāt back out. Two months later, I was landing in Cancun with butterflies in my stomach, excited and anxious for all that was to come. Below youāll find my personal itinerary for this trip, along with some additional relevant information.
NOTE: if youāre an LGBTQ+ traveler, Iād suggest considering staying a couple nights in Playa del Carmen if your timeline permits. While I didnāt visit there myself, many people stop there along the journey between Cancun and Tulum. It has a reputation for being very LGBTQ+ friendly destination and is home to numerous gay clubs, bars, and more!
3 DESTINATIONS
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6-8 DAYS
ISLA MUJERES (1-2 NIGHTS)
A small but diverse island offering beautiful beaches, turquoise water, and deep history.
CANCUN (1 NIGHT)
Make a pit stop in this electric city for the evening, home to white sand beaches and wildly popular nightclubs.
TULUM (2-3 NIGHTS)
One of the last Mayan-inhabited cities full of history and ruins. Only a bus ride away from one of the seven wonders of the world, ChichƩn ItzƔ.
CANCUN (1 NIGHT)
Circle back to the popular tourist vacation destination for one last exciting (or relaxing) night before making your way to the airport the next day.
CURRENCY
The currency used in Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXD) and the current exchange rate is 1 USD = $20.67 MXD.
DAILY BUDGET
Mexico is overall a budget-friendly travel destination, with an average daily budget expected to be around $30-$40 USD. This can vary higher or lower depending on your travel habits such as eating at restaurants vs. eating street food or cooking, taking buses vs. taxis, accommodation costs, excursion costs, and if you plan to do any shopping or souveniring while you travel.
I would recommend including some buffer room in your budget if youāre like me and love to bring home gifts for friends and family, indulge in street food, and grab drinks with friends made along the way.
TRANSPORTATION
Getting from place to place in the Yucatan Peninsula is relatively cheap, efficient, and simple. Since this part of Mexico is generally very touristy, your best bet for saving money and getting a more immersive experience is to avoid taxis and opt for the public buses instead. Do keep in mind that it is best to avoid traveling at night, especially if traveling solo.
To break things down, public bus transportation in Mexico is largely run by ADO, one of the largest bus companies in the world. Their buses are clean, air conditioned, have charging outlets at each seat, generous legroom, an on-board toilet, and most have functioning WI-FI which is great for longer rides such as the one from Cancun to Tulum. Bus schedules are easy to find online, at bus terminals, and by asking locals and tour guides. Plus, buses run frequently, so itās no big deal if you miss one or two along the wayā¦I surely did. Other public buses are also easy to use and cost as little as $5 MXD (about $0.25 USD) for a ride (cash only!).
In terms of getting to Isla Mujeres from Cancun, youāll have to catch a ride to the Ultramar ferry dock located in Puerto Juarez, where you can then hop on a ferry for a roundtrip ticket cost of roughly $24 USD. Ferries run every half hour and go from 5:00am until 9:30pm.
ISLA MUJERES
After a long travel day filled with plane, bus, and ferry rides, I finally made it to my first destination: Isla Mujeres. The island is known for its stunning beaches and the surrounding clear, turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. There, youāll experience a more ālaid backā environment along with friendly locals and amazing street tacos. Isla Mujeres is also home to the second-longest coral reef system in the world and the Underwater Museum of Art, so itās a dream destination for lovers of aquatic exploration.
As soon as I arrived at my hostel on the other side of the island from the ferry dock, I wanted nothing more than to take a refreshing shower and find a bite to eat as soon as possible. Fortunately, there was a delicious and quaint street restaurant right across from my hostel and after filling up on tacos and guacamole, I spent about 20 minutes talking to the owner making plans for the following day. This is where Iāll note that being able to work through language barriers can bring about an even more welcoming and memorable experience as a traveler. Despite not having spoken any Spanish for about 9 months before this trip, I used what I still remembered and was instantly shown more hospitality from everyone I encountered.
WHERE TO STAY
NOMADS HOTEL & BEACHCLUB
For the night I stayed in Isla Mujeres, I stayed at Nomads Hotel & Beachclub. This was my first experience staying at a hostel and I truly had no idea what to expect. If this is the same case for you, check out my blog on everything you need to know about hostel life.
Nomads includes amenities such as beach access, an outdoor pool, seaside bar and restaurant, hammocks and cabanas, kitchen access, WIFI, hot showers, and more. All their rooms are also equipped with air conditioning, and you have the option to book a private room, female-only dorm, or mixed dorm. They also provide booking services for tours and rentals, as well as host events throughout the week such as socials and fitness classes. Prices vary depending on the type of room and time of year, but I paid $21.86 for the night in one of their female-only dorms.
The location of Nomads is a bit of a distance from the tourist hub of the Island, but public transportation and/or bike or golf cart rentals make it is easy enough to get where you want to go.
WHAT TO DO
SNORKELING AROUND THE ISLAND
Snorkeling in the Caribbean water around Isla Mujeres is among the top activity recommendations for tourists. You can book tours in advance from various companies, however I booked mine less than 24 hours in advance and had no issues. In a tour, youāll have the chance to see various fish species, coral reefs, ship wreckage, the MUSA, and sharks at Playa TiburĆ³n.
MUSA ā UNDERWATER MUSEUM OF ART
The MUSA is an underwater artificial art museum off the coast of Isla Mujeres. Visitors are welcome to snorkel and/or dive to observe the more than 500 sculptures at a depth of 30ft. This is an experience where a GoPro or waterproof video camera would come in handy, or you can simply opt to enjoy the experience and take in the sights your own eyes like I did.
RELAX AT THE BEACH
Like I mentioned before, Isla Mujeres is known for a more ālaid-backā lifestyle. So, why not participate? Spend a morning, afternoon, evening, or entire day relaxing at the beach, perhaps with a drink and a book in hand. There are many beaches to choose from, but I spent some time at the beach right on my hostelās property along with a short visit at Playa Posada.
CANCUN
Whether or not you spend 1 or 2 nights on Isla Mujeres, youāll inevitably make your way back to Cancun before heading to your next destination. Cancun does singlehandedly make up for a significant portion of Mexicoās tourism revenue, so expect to see larger tourist crowds when visiting.
I only spent 1 night in Cancun between visiting Isla Mujeres and Tulum, then another night after returning to Tulum and having to head to Cancun International Airport for my flight to Costa Rica the following morning. I personally opt for nature excursions and historic learning rather than extended stays in higher-traffic cities which can be quite expensive. However, if clubbing and nightlife is for you or you want to try it out for a night, then Cancun is just the place.
WHERE TO STAY
MAYAN MONKEY
The popular and high-rated hostel chain, Mayan Monkey, was a hit for me on this solo trip. I stayed here both nights in Cancun at the beginning and end of my trip, for a rate of $27/night in an 8-bed mixed dorm. It is a bit more on the costly side for a hostel, however the amenities and cleanliness make it worth the while. There are large coworking spaces, laundry facilities, free breakfast and 24/7 kitchen access, A/C, WIFI, various lodging options (private rooms, 6-12 bed mixed or female-only dorms), and SO much more.
Mayan Monkey (Cancun) is located in the heart of the hotel zone and is walking distance from the main nightclub strip. So, itās a perfect opportunity to join other hostel guests for happy hour and make some friends, then later go out and explore the bar scene together.
WHAT TO DO
HOSTEL ACTIVITIES
One of the best parts about staying in a hostel is being able to take part in any of the activities that they are almost always hosting, especially if youāre not quite sure what else there is to do. Mayan Monkey (Cancun) specifically hosts activities such as happy hour socials, sand volleyball matches, ping pong tournaments, and live poolside music events.
NIGHTCLUBS
While itās not the most budget-friendly option, checking out the outstanding nightclubs in Cancun is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The clubs are located in the heart of the hotel zone and will certainly make you want to lose yourself in the music and dance the night away. Popular clubs include Coco Bongo, SeƱor Frogs, La Vaquita, and Mandala. As a safety precaution, be sure to keep your wits about you and always keep an eye on your drink.
TULUM
The third and final destination in this Yucatan Peninsula itinerary is Tulum! The city of Tulum is more than 800 years old and dates back to Mayan civilization, actually being the only Caribbean beachside Maya settlement. Tulum is a travel destination rich in history, culture, and cuisine, and depending on the time of year, might not be too overrun by tourists.
When planning this trip for myself, I knew for sure that I wanted to stay at least a couple of nights in Tulum, and honestly wish I wouldāve had the time to extend my stay an extra night or two so I could really explore everything there was to offer. From sandy beaches to archaeological sites to an exquisite sculpture park, Tulum is a destination I highly recommend you donāt pass up.
WHERE TO STAY
MAYAN MONKEY
In case you didnāt believe my positive review of Mayan Monkey from my stay in Cancun, let me back it up here! After having quite an unsettling experience at my original accommodation plans at a private Airbnb, I researched local hostels and saw that Mayan Monkey had a location in Tulum as well. Since I had a great time in Cancun and had started to get comfortable with hostel life and social traveling, I grabbed a taxi to take me across town and booked a 2 night stay in a 12-bed mixed dorm for $23.45 USD. While I did end up eating the money from the Airbnb, I will always support the argument that personal safety and comfort are more important than money.
Mayan Monkey (Tulum) has all the same amenities as its sister location in Cancun, however, is quite larger and provides a more bohemian, nature-esque, laid-back vibe. Almost immediately, I was making friends with other travelers in my dorm and hostel employees. It is located between downtown Tulum and the hotel zone, walking and biking distance from many fruit stands, coffee shops, and restaurants, and only short distance from the beach.
WHAT TO DO
BIKE AROUND TULUM
By far, the easiest and most affordable way to get around and see the most of Tulum is by bicycle. After getting my things settled, I took a 20-minute bike ride over to the Tulum Ruins, where I parked my bike then walked around for about the next hour, reading about Mayan history, and admiring the ruins. There, I ran into another solo female traveler, and we ended up spending the rest of the day together taking photos, spending time at the beach, eating mamoncillos, and exploring a small segment of the famous hotel zone and art sculptures.
CENOTE TOUR
If youāre looking to make memories swimming and cliff jumping into cenotes, otherwise known as water-filled caves and sinkholes, thereās no better place in the world to do so than in Mexico. While the exact figures arenāt known, Mexico has been found to be home the worldās largest underwater cave system ā more than 216 miles ā and more than 6,000 cenotes.
Youāll want to block off almost an entire day in your itinerary to get a quality tour of popular cenotes. I booked my tour in advance with a local guide through an Airbnb experience, however there are other options to tour cenotes including by yourself with a little research, or through concierge desks at hotels/hostels.
CHICHĆN ITZĆ
Probably the most awaited recommendation and my personal highlight from this trip is a day trip to see one of the seven wonders of the world and the sacred Mayan city, ChichƩn ItzƔ. I booked my spot on this excursion with Baktun Tours the night before through WhatsApp, and it included transportation, an entrance ticket to ChichƩn ItzƔ, a personal guide, entrance to cenote zahamal, a traditional Mexican cuisine buffet lunch, and a short visit in the city Valladolid.
Fun fact: during the spring and fall equinoxes, the ChichƩn ItzƔ pyramid will portray a visual illusion of a snake creeping down the northern staircase. This is said to be a worthwhile spectacle, so prepare for large crowds.
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