2 Weeks in Mexico - 4 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Family Trip to Chiapas & the Yucatán Peninsula

Discover picturesque beaches and lush jungles on this two-week family excursion across southern Mexico. Explore the lost Maya cities of Chiapas and dive into the secret cenotes of the Yucatán Peninsula before soaking up the sun along the sandy shores of Holbox Island. 

Welcome to Mexico! Begin your family-friendly adventure in the southern state of Chiapas. Learn about the ancient Maya people while the kids explore the jungle-bound ruins and waterfalls of Palenque. Travel to Nahá, where the whole family will learn to craft handmade bows and arrows. Spot wildlife, including turtles and crocodiles, on a boat tour through the Nahá Reserve. On the way to the walled city of Campeche, stop for a dip in one of the region's cenotes, pools formed by limestone erosion. Cap off your first week in Uxmal, where a local will lead you on a family hike focused on nature conservation. 

Week two begins with a tour of Uxmal's archaeological site, including the Pyramid of the Magician. In the afternoon, sample a traditional chokoj ha drink during an interactive, kid-friendly experience at the Choco-Story Museum. Take a day to explore the monuments, museums, and barrios of Merida, Yucatán's capital. Then, journey east to the Maya wonder of Chichén Itzá, stopping on the way in a colonial town and an ecotourism site. For the final three nights of your trip, bask in the white sand beaches and turquoise waters of Holbox Island, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxation. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Family Adventure on Mexico's Costa Maya

Explore the beautiful beaches of Mexico's Costa Maya on this two-week itinerary ideal for active families. Snorkel in coral reefs, zipline through the jungle, and sail across lagoons while experiencing the region's culture and cuisine.

Kick off your trip in Mahahual, a tranquil fishing village in the heart of Costa Maya. Discover colorful reefs and spot turtles and manta rays on a family-friendly snorkeling tour of Mexico's ecological reserves. Travel to the Maya community of Chunhuhub, where you will visit a traditional home and learn to extract chicle (gum) from chicozapote trees. Return to the coast for free time on the beaches of Tulum before indulging in a taste of Mexico in an all-ages cooking class. The following two days bring active adventures as you bike through the beachfront town of Chemuyil, explore the Tulum ruins, and take a dip in cenotes.

Journey to the Riviera Maya, where you'll don lifejackets and helmets to explore the ancient caverns and underground rivers of Río Secreto on a tour best suited to older children. The adventure continues in the following days with a visit to the Yucatán Peninsula's largest pyramid, Nohoch Mul, ziplining through the jungles of the Punta Laguna Nature Reserve, and a tour of Chichén Itzá. Conclude your trip with three days in the "magic town" of Bacalar near the Belize border, known for its seven-colored lagoon. Experience Bacalar's natural beauty via sailboat and make the most of your last full day with a sunrise paddle tour. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Family Tour of "Magical" Mexico: From Mexico City to the Pacific Coast

On this captivating two-week tour, your family will journey from Mexico's capital city to the paradise of Huatulco on the Pacific Coast. Along the way, experience natural and cultural wonders, from historic city streets to active volcanoes and sea turtle sanctuaries.

Your family's introduction to the "magic" of Mexico begins with four days in Mexico City. Stroll the cobblestone streets of Coyoacán and visit local museums before treating the kids to churros and ice cream. Depart for a day trip on Day 3 to Teotihuacán, known for its towering pyramids, then finish your time in the capital by exploring the Xochimilco canals on a colorful trajinera boat. Travel to Puebla, with free time to tour the city center and sample Mexican cuisine. Then, head to Cholula, where the Popocatépetl volcano provides a striking backdrop to the oldest continually inhabited town in the Americas.

After departing Puebla, stop for a family hike through the cactus forest of the Tehuacán-Cuicuitlan Biosphere Reserve. Arrive in Oaxaca, where the kids can discover the city's colorful streets and markets and taste its famous hot chocolate. After a full day of city sights, immerse yourself in nature by visiting the 2,000-year-old Tree of Tule. Then, fly to the coastal area of Huatulco, where snorkeling and sandcastle-building await. Treat your kids to an unforgettable experience watching sea turtles lay eggs at a turtle sanctuary. Finish your trip with the crystal-clear waterfalls of the Sierra Madre del Sur. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Southern Baja California Sur for Nature-Loving Families

Nature-loving families will delight in this action-packed two-week tour of Baja California Sur that features hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and more. Dive into Mexico's stunning biodiversity, from beaches and coral reefs to waterfalls and desert sand dunes. 

Arrive in the natural paradise of La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur. Stroll along the Malecón La Paz waterfront promenade with your kids in tow, watching for gray whales. Then embark on an ocean adventure at Espíritu Santo Island, where you'll visit a sea lion colony and snorkel in coral reefs. Active families will love sandboarding down the Mogote Dunes and learning about local flora and fauna on a guided hike in the Sierra de la Giganta Mountains. On Day 5, drive south to the white-sand beaches of Punta Arena, where your family can relax along the shore before more hiking and mountain biking through the desert.

Begin week two in Santiago, the perfect launch point for exploring the mineral-rich hot springs of Santa Rita and swimming in the Sol de Mayo Waterfall. Dive into the striking colors of Navajas Reef on an all-ages snorkeling trip. Then, you're back on the road to Los Cabos, the peninsula's southernmost point. Take a free day to sunbathe before jumping back into active adventures with an ATV tour of Spider Road and horseback riding in Todos Santos. Squeeze in a few final destinations, including San Rafaelito Lighthouse and the Balandra Mushroom Rock formation, before you and the gang travel onward. Learn more

More Great 2-Week Destination Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Mexico? Check out these other two-week Mexico itineraries, with foodie excursions, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.