Cancún, Quintana Roo

Beloved by university students on spring break, Cancun is as renowned for its nightlife as its white-sand beaches. 

You’ll find the heart of the action at the Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone), a narrow strip flanked by a lagoon on the west and the Caribbean on the east. It’s lined with mostly high-end hotels and hosts a cadre of party-hearty clubs, including the OTT Coco Bongo, with circus acts and a pulsating disco.

For a more relaxed, local experience, check out Downtown Cancun just across the lagoon on the mainland. Mercado 28 and Mercado 23 are perfect places to shop for handicrafts and souvenirs and enjoy a casual lunch.

Cancun features a few Mayan ruins and a museum of Mayan artifacts, but its most unique site is the Museo Subacuatico de Arte (MUSA). Here, you can snorkel or scuba dive among more than 400 life-sized sculptures comprising a man-made reef approximately 30 feet below the surface.

Bus tip: The Cancun bus terminal is located on Avenue Uxmal, in the city center. It services all buses coming in and out of the Yucatan peninsula as well as departures to and from the Cancun airport, running every 30 minutes during the day. The ride is only 30 minutes and extremely convenient.

Mérida, Yucatan

Located about 30 miles inland, Merida is the colonial capital of the Yucatan state and the cultural capital of the entire peninsula. It’s also known as “the White City,” possibly because of its white limestone architecture.

Explore art and history museums, such as the Museo Regional de Antropologia. Discover the original sculptures and elegant mansions lining the Paseo de Montejo. Listen to a performance by the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra at Teatro Peon Contreras, or enjoy more casual kicks at the Plaza Grande, which hosts a weekly craft markets and live music or dancing on most evenings.  

Bus tip: Merida has three bus stations as well as a stop at the airport. The arrival and departure station depends on the route. However, the main bus station servicing most touristic routes around the Yucatan peninsula is the CAME station, located at Calle 70, 555, in the city center.

Valladolid, Yucatán

If you find yourself in Valladolid, Mexico, get ready for a charming adventure. First things first, hit up the vibrant main square, where you can soak in the local vibes, snack on delicious street food, and people-watch to your heart’s content. Then, don’t miss the chance to explore the stunning Cenote Zací, a natural sinkhole perfect for a refreshing dip on a hot day.

Feeling a bit cultural? Check out the San Bernardino Convent and learn about the city’s history. And of course, you can’t leave without trying the mouthwatering Yucatecan cuisine at one of the cozy local eateries. Valladolid’s got that laid-back charm that’ll make you want to stay forever – enjoy every moment!

Bus tip: Valladolid is right in the middle of the way between Mérida and Cancún, so it’s a good idea to spend a day here before heading to your next destination. With plenty of departures every day, he bus trip from Valladolid to Cancún lasts only about 2 hours, and it’ll cost you $14 USD.

Tickets from Valladolid to Cancun

Campeche, Campeche

Campeche is the imminently Instagrammable capital of the eponymous state of, yep, Campeche. Nestled alongside the Gulf of Mexico, it was frequently attacked by pirates in centuries past.

Thanks to the discovery of offshore oil in the 70s, this well-funded UNESCO World Heritage Site has been beautifully restored, with picturesque 18th and 19th century mansions flanking cobblestone streets, a waterfront promenade called the Malecon, still-standing sections of the city walls offering outstanding views of the port, and two nearby forts—including the Fuerte de San Miguel, which features a drawbridge, a dry moat, twenty canons, and the Museo Arqueologico de Campeche.

Bus tip: Campeche is notably easy to get to, with a main bus terminal located in the heart of town with daily services across the peninsula. The terminal is located at Av Patricio Trueba de Regil 215.

Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas

Tuxtla Gutierrez is a prime transportation hub for tourists to the state of Chiapas, but it has worthwhile sites in its own right. There’s the Museo Regional de Antropologia e Historia, the largest museum in the city; the Dr. Faustino Miranda Botanical Garden and nearby botanical museum; and the Catedral de San Marcos, where statues of the Apostles parade along the bell tower every hour.

But the city’s top attraction is ZooMAT—also known as the Zoologico Miguel Alvarez del Toro Zoo, although no one calls it that except its mother, when she’s really mad. The 247-acre zoo contains 220 species, 60 of which are endangered, including the jaguar, the macaw and the quetzal. (Yes, the quetzal—an actual bird, not an imaginary critter sprung from the fevered brain of Dr. Seuss. It’s also a very handy word for Scrabble).  

Bus tip: The Tuxtla Gutierrez bus terminal is located at 5a. Nte. Pte. 2650 with easy access to all touristic hubs of the Yucatan peninsula.

There you have it, folks. Laid-back beaches. Mysterious jungles. Ancient ruins, and sophisticated cities. So why not hit the road? Just don’t forget your out-of-office message. “Gone fishin’.”

All the bus tickets to these destinations in the Yucatan peninsula can be booked on Busbud, in your own language and currency! If you’re looking for the best way to book your tickets, Busbud makes it easy, safe and quick. Check it out now.