10 Days in Mexico - 6 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Mexico Family Adventure: Mexico City to Oaxaca City

Between hot air ballooning, dinosaur footprint searching, and fun-filled food tours, this 10-day highlights itinerary is perfect for the entire family. Settle into family-friendly accommodations with multinight stays in Mexico City, Puebla, and Oaxaca. During the day, learn about Aztec culture, delight in local treats, and stargaze at the Tehuacán-Cuicuitlán Biosphere Reserve.

Welcome to Mexico! After transferring to your hotel in Mexico City, you'll take a walking tour to Arena Mexico to watch the dramatic Lucha Libre (Mexican wrestling). Then, over the next two days, you'll take in the sights, sounds, and tastes of Mexico City with a food tour in Centro Histórico, a float down the canals of Xochimilco, and a tour packed with history in the vibrant neighborhood of Coyoacán. Early the following day, enjoy a sunrise hot air balloon adventure over the top of the ancient Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacán and the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon.

The second half of your trip begins with a walking tour of Puebla, known for its impressive Puebla Cathedral and the kid-friendly Calle de Los Dulces ("Sweets Street"). Another short transfer brings you to San Juan Raya, where you'll embark on an evening hike in the Tehuacán-Cuicuitlán Biosphere Reserve. The following day, search the reserve for dinosaur footprints before continuing to Oaxaca City. You'll spend your last three nights here, allowing time to head out on a guided walking tour, enjoy a day exploring as a family, and search for unique souvenirs until it's time to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Mexico's Riviera Maya: Adventures in Nature for Active Families 

Spend your days between soft sandy beaches, impressive underground caves, ancient ruins, and culture-rich cities on this nature-filled Mexico itinerary perfect for active families. With Tulum and Playa del Carmen as your home bases, you'll soak up quality family time, challenge each other to try new activities, and visit Tulum Archaeological Zone, the pyramid of Nohoch Mul, and the "magical" town of Valladolid.

After arriving in Cancún and transferring to Tulum, your home for the first five nights, your nature and sun-filled family adventure begins with a fun afternoon at the beach and an evening feast alongside a live Mariachi band. Over the next three days, you'll tick off engaging family-friendly activities, including cycling between local cenotes (natural swimming holes) in Chemuyil and visiting Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve to boat through mangroves. Plus, a full-day adventure visiting the ancient sites of Cobá, Nuevo Durango, Punta Laguna, and iconic Chichén Itzá.

Before leaving Tulum, spend a day snorkeling in Puerto Morelos Reef National Park and visit the UNESCO-listed Tulum Archaeological Zone. Then, it's off to Playa del Carmen, your home for your last four nights. After a relaxing evening swimming in the Caribbean Sea, you'll be ready for another adventure, this time caving through the Río Secreto. Next, head out on a walking tour of Valladolid, one of Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos ("Magical Towns"), and spend a day on a family-friendly activity of your choice (perhaps Cirque du Soleil JOYÀ?) until it's time to transfer to Cancún to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Flavors of Mexico Family Tour: Mexico City, Puebla & Oaxaca

Foodie families will love this 10-day food-focused itinerary filled with cooking classes, bustling markets, and walking tours. Children and adults of all ages can try their hand at making tortillas in Cholula, sample traditional street food at a taco night market, cycle through Aztec relics, and learn about the culture and stories behind Mexican cuisine. 

Hopefully, you packed along your appetite, as your family Mexico adventure starts with a food tour in Mexico City's Narvarte neighborhood, complete with a visit to a taquería (taco shop). The next day, you'll continue sampling the capital city's fantastic cuisine at the San Juan Market, then walk off the food with a walking tour through Alameda Central Park and Diego Rivera Mural Museum. Next, on your way to Puebla, immerse your family in ancient Aztec history with a biking tour in the Valley of Teotihuacán, then hop off and check out the Causeway of the Dead on foot. 

Take advantage of your full day in Puebla with a tortilla-making workshop in Cholula. Then wake up early the next morning for a guided hike through the impressive cactus forest in Tehuacán-Cuicuitlan Biosphere Reserve before transferring to the foodies' paradise of Oaxaca. With four more days left on your adventure, you and the family will have time to head out on a guided city tour, take part in a rural cooking class, and hike around the scenic village of Teotitlán del Valle. Well-fed and full of memories, you'll transfer to Oaxaca International Airport to catch your flight home from Mexico City. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Family Fun on the Yucatán Peninsula

Make memories of a lifetime on this family fun itinerary as you snorkel, hike, and boat your way around the Yucatán Peninsula. Get an authentic introduction to Mexican culture as you stay in the remote villages of Puerto Morelos and Valladolid, then delight in the bustling streets, ancient ruins, and incredible nature Mérida and Tulum are so loved for.

Upon arriving at Cancún airport, your family adventure starts with a scenic transfer to the small fishing village of Puerto Morelos. You'll spend your first day with kids in tow, strolling through town or visiting the lush Botanical Garden of Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin. While in Puerto Morelos, you'll discover the fantastic underwater world in Puerto Morelos Reef National Park, then a luxury bus ride will bring you and the gang to Mérida. With three nights in the colonial city, you can wander Paseo de Montejo street, head out to explore the archaeological site of Chichén Itzá, and spot fascinating animals at Parque Zoológico del Centenario.

Leaving Mérida, enjoy a fun-filled day in Valladolid, where you'll discover the flamingo colony in Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve and try a traditional Maya mud bath. Then, your final destination brings you to Tulum, where you'll embark on an exciting jungle adventure in Parque Tankah, home to monkeys and parrots, complete with a zipline through the jungle. Before packing your bags, spend your last full day exploring Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve on foot and by boat, then it's off to Cancún airport to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Make Family Memories in Mexico City & the Yucatán Peninsula

Soak up the vibrant culture of Mexico City and explore the beautiful waters surrounding the Yucatán Peninsula on this 10-day family itinerary perfect for adventurous families. After spending three nights in Mexico's busy capital city, you'll embrace the slower pace of life in Valladolid and Holbox Island and see firsthand the impressive wildlife of Yum Balam Nature Reserve, including a chance to swim with whale sharks.

Your family adventure begins in bustling Mexico City, where you'll get your first taste of Mexico's vibrant art, food, and culture as you roam the cobblestone streets of San Ángel and walk through Chapultepec Park. Get yourself and the kids to bed early, as the next day, you'll embark on a sunrise hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacán, followed by a walking tour of this ancient Mesoamerican city. Then, enjoy a guided family food tour in Centro Histórico, taking in Alameda Central Park and Constitution Square before flying to Valladolid the next day.

With three nights in this Yucatán Peninsula hidden gem, Valladolid is the perfect base to cool off in the natural Cenote Zaci pools, learn how to prepare traditional foods at a cooking workshop in Yalcobá, and go in search of flamingoes in the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve. You'll then ferry from Chiquilá to Holbox Island, known for its exceptional swimming and snorkeling. Unpack your bags and embrace the slower-paced life and incredible wildlife within the Yum Balam Nature Reserve. You'll even get to swim with whale sharks before transferring back to Cancún to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #6: Family Trip to Mexico: Oaxaca & Mazunte

Take a deep dive into Mexico's unique history and stunning coastlines on this 10-day family trip, perfect for those seeking an immersive vacation away from the crowds. As Oaxaca and Mazunte as your base, you'll be able to unpack your bags and roam the ancient city of Monte Albán, horseback ride to Playa Manialtepec, release sea turtles at La Escobilla, and sail through the wondrous bioluminescence waters near Puerto Escondido.

Your family's Mexico adventure starts in the culturally-rich city of Oaxaca, where you'll dust off any jetlag with an afternoon roaming the Ethnobotanical Garden and sampling traditional foods. Next, discover the city's historical and gastronomic highlights on a guided city tour, which takes you from Mercado de la Merced to the Plaza de la Constitución before heading out on a day trip to the ancient Mesoamerican city of Monte Albán. With two more days in Oaxaca, you'll have time to get your hands dirty learning to make traditional food at a rural cooking workshop and searching for fun souvenirs at Benito Juárez Market.

Day 6 of your family vacation begins with a transfer to Mazunte, where you'll settle into life on the Pacific Coast with a free afternoon at the beach. Rested, you'll make a day trip to Huatulco National Park to help release turtle hatchings into the wild, then saddle up for a horseback ride to Playa Manialtepec, where you'll explore the lagoon by kayak and spend quality time as a family watching the sun sink into the ocean. Before saying your goodbyes at the Oaxaca Airport, spend your last evening sailing through the bioluminescence waters near Playa Puerto Suelo—sure to delight the whole family! Learn more

More Great 10-Day Mexico Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Mexico? Check out these other 10-day Mexico itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.