Mexico & Belize: Mayan wonders and Caribbean beaches

Seaside escape

Mountain panorama

3 stops

6 nights

1274 miles

From the capital, Mexico City, to the Yucatán Peninsula, southern Mexico is home to some of the most archaeologically important Mayan cities. This Route du Bonheur road trip blends this unique legacy with the chance to relax on the stunning shores of the Caribbean. Then, south of Tulum, the small nation of Belize offers a lush escape, with limitless diving on its astonishing barrier reef.

Departure

Recommended duration : 2 nights

Mexico City

Hotel - Restaurant

Roma NorteArt Nouveau mansionIntimate settingContemporary elegance

Mexico City, Mexico

El Cortés

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Things to do, see, and discover

During your stay

Quintonil Restaurant

This discreet destination in the upscale Polanco district is home to Quintonil Restaurant, one of the most sought-after dining destinations in Mexico City. Chef Jorge Vallejo and his wife and partner, Alejandra Flores, welcome guests drawn as much by his cuisine as by his reputation. Following a career shaped on the international stage, Chef Vallejo has redefined a contemporary interpretation of Mexican cuisine that is both personal and deeply rooted in local terroir. The Quintonil tasting menu–paired with a cellar of 700 labels–is constantly evolving, and celebrates forgotten ingredients, such as endemic varieties of condiments and maize. At times, it surprises guests with more unexpected components, such as insects, which feature in dishes such as tuna with lacto-fermented mushrooms, accompanied by a smoky chintextle with grasshoppers.

During your stay

Pujol Restaurant

Created in 2000, Pujol is first and foremost a restaurant, one considered among the best in Mexico. But it is also a stunning space, a house whose architecture rings with echoes of modernism — abound with angles, glass and wood — where light caresses the plates and subdues the air. And then there is the Pujol of Enrique Olvera, its renowned chef, and his contemporary cuisine inspired by traditional Mexican recipes and ingredients. The brilliant source behind several notable restaurants in Mexico and the United States, Enrique has made Pujol an international reference of Mexican cuisine. With two tasting menus, each boasting seven dishes, discover the true essence of Mexico with one composed around corn and the other around the sea. That is, unless you prefer the taco counter, where the chef’s ever-evolving creativity is sure to surprise you.

During your stay

Stroll through Constitution Square (Zócalo)

This vast square is unquestionably the beating heart of the Mexican capital. Known as El Zócalo, Plaza de la Constitución features a constant stream of street vendors, traditional pre-Hispanic conchero dancers, protesters and worshippers making their way to the cathedral. Facing this immense masterpiece of religious architecture is the National Palace, from which the country’s president re-enacts the famous El Grito de Independencia–‘The Cry of Independence,’ which triggered the Mexican War of Independence against Spanish rule–every September 15th.

During your stay

Explore the pre-Columbian city of Teotihuacán

Located about 30 miles from the capital, the ancient city of Teotihuacán was the capital of the largest pre-Columbian empire. Set within a meticulously planned grid, two colossal pyramids–the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon–still preside over what remains of a once-thriving metropolis that was home to an estimated 200,000 people. A walk along the 1.5-mile-long Avenue of the Dead in the early morning light feels like taking a journey back in time.

964 milesCar

Recommended duration : 2 nights

Tulum

Hotel - Restaurant

Pristine beach and lush jungleBohemian atmosphereExclusive retreatFamily-run property

Tulum, Mexico

Jashita Hotel Tulum & Villas

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Things to do, see, and discover

On the road

Huniik Restaurant

Nestled in the center of Mérida, in the heart of Yucatán, Mexico, gastronomic restaurant Huniik is the home of chef Roberto Solís. His promise: to immerse guests in Yucatec heritage, its traditions and the land. With architecture and decoration inspired by the region’s cenotes – unique natural rockpools – conceived by Cuban artist and co-owner Jorge Pardo, the property brings to life the philosophy and desire to share that drives Chef Solís. Amid the choreographed ballet of the kitchen, Chef Solís and his team prepare dishes that combine Yucatec influences with a touch of modernity. Demonstrating a responsible and sustainable approach to cooking, the restaurant works closely with local producers and only showcases seasonal products that best represent the region on the menu.

On the road

Explore the Sian Ka’an Reserve

In the local language, its name means 'where the sky is born' –a reference to its sheer natural beauty, where the horizon seems to disappear as land, sea and sky merge into one, mirrored on its calm waters. Designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1986, this Garden of Eden is home to tropical forests, coral reefs, Mayan archaeological sites, vast prairies, lagoons and mangroves. Along the way, you might spot spider monkeys, hummingbirds, manatees and crocodiles.

On the road

Visit the Mayan city of Chichén Itzá

Considered one of the new wonders of the world, the Mayan city of Chichén Itzá is one of Mexico’s most visited sites, with a spectacular archeological panorama that impresses all that visit. Since its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988, its temples and pyramids–blending both Mayan and earlier Toltec cultural influences–have been extensively restored. Dedicated to the Feathered Serpent deity, the iconic Kukulcán pyramid (also known as El Castillo) continues to fascinate with its mathematical precision, including 365 steps that make it an architectural calendar of stone.

311 milesBoat

Recommended duration : 2 nights

Placencia Caye (Belize)

Hotel - Restaurant

Private island locationOcean views3,200-square-foot spaReef-to-forest adventures

Placencia Caye, Belize

Prana Maya Island Resort

Discover

Things to do, see, and discover

On the road

Diving on the coral reef

Just off the coast of Belize lies one of the world’s most beautiful barrier reefs, offering diving enthusiasts–whether snorkelers or scuba divers–the chance to swim amid manta rays, turtles, sharks, manatees and an incredible diversity of colorful fish. It was here, some 60 miles off the coast of Belize, that Jacques Cousteau introduced the immense cenote known as the Great Blue Hole to the world.

On the road

Visit a jaguar reserve

Belize is home to the world's largest population of jaguars. In 1990, in the center of the country, authorities created the 128,500-acre Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary in an effort to protect this endangered species. Conservation awareness programs and guided night hikes through this tropical rainforest reserve offer a chance to encounter these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.