Mexico: Rental car trip to the highlights of Mexico

After breakfast you will explore the city and first get to know the historic center. Walk the huge Zocalo and visit the Cathedral Metropolitana. It is considered the oldest and largest on the American continent and impresses every visitor with its dimensions. You’ll also get a glimpse of the Government Palace and see Diego Rivera’s impressive murals. Afterwards, visit the National Museum of Anthropology near Chapultepec Park. There you will learn more about the interesting past of the Mexican peoples until they unified as a nation. In the afternoon you have the opportunity to explore the city on your own.

• Accommodation: Plaza Revolution

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/-/-

Today you will visit the “City of the Gods” Teotihuacan. It is about 50 km north of Mexico City and is the largest archaeological site in Latin America. The large sun and moon pyramids, which can be seen from afar, are particularly impressive. The ascent to the pyramids is rewarded with a unique view of the entire complex and will remain in your memory for a long time.
On the way back to Mexico City, visit the famous Basilica de Guadalupe. It is considered the most important pilgrimage church in the country and the holiest place in Mexico. Then return to the hotel.

• Accommodation: Plaza Revolution

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/-/-

After breakfast you will be picked up at the hotel and driven to the car rental office. There you will receive your rental car and will be escorted out of the city by our representative. Now start your rental car adventure through Mexico on your own. Drive to the state of Queretaro and stop in the city of Bernal to admire the third largest monolith in the world, Pena de Bernal. A climb to the viewpoint of the high monolith (about 1 hour) gives you a breathtaking view of the city and the surrounding area as well as the Sierra Gorda. Try Bernal’s famous gorditas (corn bags with different fillings). You will then drive to the state capital of the same name. On a city tour you will get to know the colonial center of Queretaro and marvel at the many colorful buildings and the aqueduct, which has become a symbol of the city. However, the city also has an interesting historical past and played an important role in the Mexican Revolution.

• Driving distance: approx. 320 km
• Accommodation: Quinta Lucca

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/-/-

After breakfast drive to San Miguel de Allende. The picturesque town inspires with beautiful cobblestone streets and colorful alleyways as well as the imposing Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel Cathedral, which was built in the Gothic style from pink-colored stone. You will visit the birthplace of the Mexican freedom fighter Ignacio Allende, which is now open to anyone interested as a museum, and learn more about the interesting history of the Mexican revolution.

• Accommodation: La Mansion Del Bosque

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/-/-

Your next destination is the city of Guanajuato, considered Mexico’s most beautiful mining town. The image of the UNESCO World Heritage City is characterized by narrow, winding streets and colonial-style houses and has a well-developed network of underground paths that you can explore on foot. Take a city tour and visit the birthplace of the famous painter Diego Rivera, the cathedral and the famous Kissing Alley, which was the scene of a tragic love story. Afterwards you will climb to the stone monument of Pipila, from where you will have a beautiful view of the whole city. The statue depicts the Mexican miner and national hero Juan José de los Reyes Martínez Amaro, who is said to have played a crucial role in the War of Independence.

• Driving distance: approx. 150 km
• Accommodation: Hotel Posada Santa Fe

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/-/-

In the morning you have free time to visit the well-known Mummy Museum in Guanajuato. Then drive back to Queretaro. The rest of the day is at leisure in the interesting colonial city.

• Accommodation: Quinta Lucca

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/-/-

You drive to Puebla, the fourth largest city in the state of the same name. On your way you will experience a beautiful mountain landscape and enjoy the view of the active volcano Popocatepetl. Before you reach Puebla, you can stop in the “holy city” of Cholula, which with its pyramid and numerous churches also has many great photo opportunities in store for you.
Afterwards you can get to know the colonial city center and visit America’s first library. The church of Santo Domingo is particularly worth seeing. With its rosary chapel covered in gold leaf, it is a particularly beautiful example of Mexican baroque.

• Driving distance: approx. 330 km
• Accommodation: Hotel Colonial de Puebla

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/-/-

From Puebla drive to Oaxaca. Visit the famous Cathedral, the Temple of Santo Domingo and the Gold Museum. Enjoy the idyll of the city and stroll around the local markets or take part in a chocolate tasting.

• Driving distance: approx. 340 km
• Accommodation: Hotel Camba

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/-/-

Drive to nearby Mitla, which became their new capital for the Zapotecs after they were driven from Monte Alban. Admire the carved ornaments so unique to Mexico and learn about the fascinating history of the Zapotec people. On the way to Mitla, stop at the Tree of Tule. The imposing Mexican bald cypress measures 46 meters in circumference and is also known as the “tree of life” by the locals because its shapes can be interpreted as animal figures. Next, drive to the limestone waterfalls of Hierve el Agua for stunning views of the surrounding valley and a refreshing dip in the mineral-rich springs.

• Accommodation: Hotel Camba

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/-/-

Today you can take a trip to the archaeological site of Monte Alban. It is the most important ruin site in the region and also offers you a great view of Oaxaca. Visit the Zapotec city and marvel at its temples, pyramids and ball court. In the adjoining museum you can learn more about the life, rites and beliefs of the Zapotecs and admire many artefacts. Then continue your journey south.

• Driving distance: approx. 300 km
• Accommodation: Hotel Calli

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/-/-

You leave the state of Oaxaca and drive into the central highlands of Chiapas. Your destination is the tranquil colonial town of San Cristobal de las Casas. On the way, you’ll stop for a boat trip to the Canyon de Sumidero, where you can cruise between massive crevices and, if you’re lucky, spot crocodiles. Afterwards, we recommend a stop in the colonial village of Chiapa del Corzo, which was awarded Pueblo Magico in 2012. Here you can have lunch and see the church and the city’s landmark, the La Pila fountain. Eventually you’ll arrive in San Cristobal de las Casas and spend the rest of the day wandering the tranquil cobblestone streets.

• Driving distance: approx. 370 km
• Accommodation: Hotel Casa Vieja

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/-/-

Today’s route takes you via Villahermosa in the state of Tabasco to Palenque. Visit the well-known open-air museum Parque de la Venta, which explains the culture of the Olmec and has numerous finds from the archaeological site of La Venta on display for those who are interested. The Olmec colossal heads found in the Gulf of Mexico are particularly well known.

• Driving distance: approx. 470 km
• Accommodation: Hotel Chablis

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/-/-

Enjoy the wild nature of Chiapas and drive to the Misol-Ha waterfall, which falls from a height of 40 meters and has been the scene of many movies. Take a dip in the lagoon or let the waterfall’s mist cool you down by hiking behind the water curtain via a small trail. Then you can visit the waterfalls by Roberto Barrios. There you can swim in the turquoise water and enjoy nature.

• Accommodation: Hotel Chablis

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/-/-

After breakfast you can visit the archaeological site of Palenque. Be enchanted by the beauty of this ruined site, hidden by the wild lowland jungle until you discovered it. Climb the Templo del cruz and look for the fine inscriptions and illustrations of Emperor Pakal. Afterwards you drive to the picturesque Campeche. You move into your hotel room and explore the narrow cobbled streets of the UNESCO World Heritage city. Follow the restored city walls, built to protect the city at the height of pirates and seafarers, or visit one of the many museums.

• Driving distance: approx. 360 km
• Accommodation: Castelmar Hotel

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/-/-

You leave the port city of Campeche and drive on the “Ruta Puuc” to the “white city” of Merida. There are numerous temple complexes along the “Road of the Gods” as well as the second most important ruin site on the Yucatan Peninsula, Uxmal. The ruler’s palace is particularly impressive, where you can see impressive images of the rain and creator god. Unlike the pyramid at Chichen Itza and the structures at Tulum, you can still climb the Great Pyramid yourself and get a fantastic view of the complex. Afterwards you can visit the ancient Hacienda Yaxcopoil, whose architecture includes many structures from the Mayan period.
Arrived in Merida, it is worth taking an extensive tour of the city and taking a close look at the beautiful colonial architecture as well as a visit to the cathedral in the city center.

• Driving distance: approx. 260 km
• Accommodation: Hotel Del Peregrino

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
4 hours aprox.

Hiking
3 hours aprox

Meals
B/-/-

Depart Mérida early this morning and make your first stop in Izamal. In the small colonial town, which mainly consists of colonial buildings painted yellow, visit the beautiful old Franciscan monastery. Afterwards visit Chichen Itza, one of the new seven wonders of the world and the most famous archaeological site of the Yucatan Peninsula. Admire the imposing structures of the Maya and learn interesting facts about their importance and the architectural intricacies. The Kukulcan pyramid in the center of the complex is particularly impressive. The 30 meter high step pyramid is Chichen Itza’s most famous photo motif and, according to many assumptions, served the Maya as an annual calendar.

Afterwards you can refresh yourself at the nearby Cenote Dzitnup and enjoy the cooling of the bright blue water. A visit to Valladolid, the third largest city on the Yucatan Peninsula, is also worthwhile. Colourful, pastel-colored houses, well-preserved colonial buildings and romantic restaurants invite you to linger. Visit the Church of San Bernardino with the adjacent Convento de Sisal. It is the oldest church in Yucatan and used to be a fortress.

Depending on the departure time, drive to the airport in Cancun and drop off your rental car at the car rental company’s office.
An exciting journey with many unique impressions lies behind you and you will certainly take many beautiful memories home with you.

Overnight
Hotel

Driving
1 hour aprox.

Hiking
1 hour aprox

Flight
Go back home by plane.

Meals
B/-/-