Start your food adventure in Mexico City with a traditional breakfast of chilaquiles, a dish made with tortilla chips, salsa, and fried eggs, at Café de Tacuba. Head to the National Museum of Anthropology after your meal to learn about the country's rich history and culture. End your day with a dinner at Pujol, a restaurant famous for its modern Mexican cuisine.
Take a day trip to Puebla, a city known for its colonial architecture and culinary scene. Start your day with a visit to the Great Pyramid of Cholula, the largest pyramid in the world. Afterward, indulge in some delicious mole poblano, the city's signature dish, at Fonda de Santa Clara. Round off your day with a stroll through the colorful Puebla Cathedral.
Explore the culinary capital of Mexico, Oaxaca. Start your day with a breakfast of tlayudas, a local specialty made of a large, crispy tortilla topped with beans, meat, and cheese. Visit the bustling Mercado de Benito Juárez to sample an array of local dishes like mole negro, tasajo, and tamales. Take a cooking class to learn how to make traditional Oaxacan dishes, like tamales or mole, from a local chef.
Visit the Yucatan Peninsula for a taste of Mayan cuisine. Start your day with cochinita pibil, slow-roasted pork wrapped in banana leaves, from Taquería Mercado. Take a dip in a cenote, a natural swimming hole, then head to Chichen Itza to explore the ancient Mayan ruins. End your day with a seafood feast at La Parrilla, a popular seafood restaurant in Cancun.
Make your way to Guadalajara, the birthplace of tequila and Mariachi music. Start your day with a breakfast of birria, a spicy stew made with goat meat. Visit the Tequila distillery to learn the history of the alcoholic beverage and taste some of the best tequilas in the world. End your day with a performance of Mariachi music and dancing at Plaza de los Mariachis.
Visit Puerto Vallarta for a relaxing beach getaway and delicious seafood. Start your day with breakfast at El Brujo, a local seafood restaurant. Spend your day lounging on the beach or take a stroll through the Puerto Vallarta Old Town. End your day with a dinner at River Café, a restaurant located on the banks of the Cuale River.
Return to Mexico City for one last meal before your departure. Start your day with a breakfast of conchas, a sweet bread, at Panadería Rosetta. Take a stroll through the Chapultepec Forest and Castle, then head to El Cardenal for a final meal of enchiladas or chiles en nogada.
You can easily travel between locations by bus, which is the most popular and affordable mode of transportation in Mexico. It is advisable to book your tickets in advance to save money and secure your seats. Flights are recommended for long distances such as Mexico City to the Yucatan Peninsula. The estimated travel cost for this itinerary is approximately £250, excluding flights.
If you have more time, consider spending an additional day in Mexico City, visiting the Frida Kahlo Museum or taking a food tour. If you have less time, consider combining Yucatan and Guadalajara into one destination, or skipping Puerto Vallarta entirely.
Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez (MEX) is the main airport in Mexico City, located approximately 5 miles from the city center. There are direct flights to major cities in the US and Europe. Other major airports in the country include Cancun International Airport (CUN) and Guadalajara International Airport (GDL).