Do you want to experience the best mix of Mexico by passing through several states from Mexico City to the Riviera Maya? Then this is the trip you are looking for!
Do you want to experience the best mix of Mexico by passing through several states from Mexico City to the Riviera Maya? Then this is the trip you are looking for!
Included
All hotel nights based on room and breakfast in a double room
All the aforementioned excursions with a Dutch-speaking guide
Transport in a van with AC (group of max. 16 people)
All entrance fees to the places mentioned
Not included
Travel insurance
Cancellation insurance
International flights
Tips
Personal expenses
Dinner and lunch
Airport of departure – Cancún. 1n Cancún
Today you will arrive in Cancún from you airport of departure. No activities planned for today. Just relax in the hotel an get some rest to get started tomorrow!
Hotel: room type
Breakfast included
Cancún – Mexico City. 1n Mexico City
After reaching Mexico City from Cancún, you will be exploring the city centre with an experienced and licensed guide. Based on your interest, your guide will take you to the most interesting places the historical center has to offer.
Some of the options you should visit, are:
– Cathedral at Zócalo square
– Palacio de Bellas Artes (and the Torre Latino you can admire from the square)
– Templo Mayor (the city center is built upon ruins of a Meso American city called Tenochtitlan)
– Palacio Nacional (with the famous murals of Diego Rivera)
– Museo de Correos
Just allow the guide to take you through the streets of Mexico City and enjoy the fine architecture, which we are sure you will recognize if you have been to Spain, the history of the City, which used to be one huge lake, etc. Also notice the way the buildings are standing. Because the city was built on a lake, you can see some cracks in the houses, or some houses tilted to a side, like they are sinking.
After the tour, we recommend you to go the Casa de Azulejos on the Avenida 5a de Mayo and have a drink or your dinner in the magnificent interior, or have the guide recommend a place for you.
If you like, we can arrange for a Lucha Libre tour for the evening, where you will be getting a Mezcal tasting, along with a guided tour to a Lucha Libre fight night in the largest fighting arena in Mexico. Only available on certain days, so please check with us if you are interested! Also be advised that this tour will take place in group and not privately!
Hotel: type room
Breakfast included
Mexico City – Teotihuacan – Basilica de Guadalupe – Mexico City . 1n in Mexico City
Today you will explore together with us the city where men converted themselves into Gods, also known as the ancient city of Teotihuacan (literal Nahuatl translation). Still a lot of questions are unanswered regarding the Teotihuacans. Where they came from, why they abandoned the city, etc. This is because there were not too many writings found on the site, while on other archeological sites, you could find stories on the stela’s etc., such as in Palenque. That makes this city so impressive. Also the size is huge, compared with the size of ancient Babylon or Constantinople, holding about 200.000 inhabitants, making it a bigger city than ancient Rome! Explore the housing structure, the pyramid of the Sun, the pyramid of the Moon and the hidden Pyramid of the feathered snake (Quetzalcoatl). This site is together with Chichén Itza the most visited archeological site in Mexico. You will be in awe and inspired after visiting this place!
After visiting the archeological site, you will either have lunch, if you have included this option in your tour. If not, you will continue to the Basilica de Guadalupe. The second most visited Basilica in the world, after the Vatican in Rome. A lot of Mexicans come to the Basilica as a pilgrimage paying their tributes and respects to our Lady of Guadalupe. On weekends, and special occasions, such as Easter, Christmas etc. this place is packed with devote believers. You will notice on the square the old Basilica, and the new Basilica built be a famous Mexican architect in the 70ies. The new Basilica holds about 10.000 people.
You will go back to Mexico City with a better understanding of the Teotihuacan civilization and the importance of our Lady Guadalupe for the Mexicans.
Hotel: type room
Breakfast included
Mexico City – Museo Antropología – Chapultepec – Puebla. 1n Puebla
Today is packed with history as you will visit the most important and most visited museum of the Museum, el Museo de Antroplogía, where you will get the learn a lot more about the pre-hispanic civilizations, such as the Aztecs, the Teotihuacans, the Toltecs, the Mayas, … Very interesting, and it will give you a great insight on why the Mexican people are the way they are right now.
After that, you will go to the Castillo de Chapultepec. Built end of the 18thcentury, the castle has a rich history, hosting a lot of emperors and presidents as their residence. In 1945, the Mexican president opted to choose another presidential palace, and Castillo de Chapultepec became a National Historical Museum.
After all that culture and history, you will head to the city of Puebla. You can enjoy the remaining of the day and evening in the city and enjoy the many restaurants and bars near the Zócalo area.
Hotel: type room
Breakfast included
Puebla – Cholula – Oaxaca. 1n Oaxaca
Today you will a guided tour around the city of Puebla. A very important city for the Spanish in their conquest of Mexico. As they entered via the Gulf of Mexico, they needed a route to reach Tenochtitlan (which is know called Mexico City), the capital of the country. Puebla in right in the middle of that road, so it had a very big strategic importance. Before the Spanish, there was no city at that place. In the city you can still see signs indicating Puebla de Zaragoza. Let the guide take you through the narrow streets and squares, and show you the many churches Puebla has. Puebla is a charming city that you will love instantly.
After the guided tour, you will go to Cholula. A very interesting archaeological site, in the shadow of the volcanoes. After the visit, your trip continues to the city of Oaxaca!
Hotel: type room
Breakfast included
Oaxaca – Tule – Hierve el agua – Oaxaca. 1n Oaxaca
You will start your day with a visit to Tule. Tule is known for a tree. This tree has over 1.000 years of age and is the largest tree in the world, with a diameter of 11,62m. Even though the record is controversial, it is still amazing to visit this place and watch this ancient tree and the quaint little town.
Next on the list is Hierve El Agua. Hierve el Agua was created by mineral water that pushed through karstic limestone, depositing the falls onto the mountain’s edge. While the waterfalls are white, two mineral pools sit at the edge of the cliff. The name literally translates as “Boiling water”. Don’t get too excited though, the pools are NOT hot at all. The name comes from the fact that minerals bubbled out from the middle of rocks, slowly calcifying over thousands of years into the rock formations that you see today. This site is tremendously popular with tourists and Instagrammers. You will immediately notice why as soon you arrive.
To end off the day, we will visit a traditional Mezcal distillery in Matatlán, the most important place where Mezcal is produced. Just like Tequila, Mezcal is made of the agave cactus. However, Tequila can only be made with blue agave and has to be originally from the state of Jalisco. If it is a mix of agave or not coming from Jalisco, it is not Tequila. The Mezcal has a slightly different flavor, because of the mix of agaves. You will see the whole process, and afterwards have a nice tasting off course! Some Mexicans say that Tequila is for kids, but Mezcal is the real deal, as alcohol levels can reach higher than Tequila. Good luck 😉!
Optional to be added in the tour:
Visit to archaeological site of Mitla
Hotel: type room
Breakfast included
Oaxaca – Monte Alban – Oaxaca – Tuxtla. 1n in Tuxtla
Also today will be a fully packed day. First of all, you will head to Monte Alban. The most visited archeological site of the Zapotec empire, with Mitla being the second most visited. Contrary to Mitla, this city was more a political center in the Zapotec empire. It shows from the structures you will find. You will find that Mitla is more heavily decorated as it was built for honoring the death. Let the guide inspire you with the tales of the Zapotec empire, learn about the structures, the ball game, etc. Some say these archeological sites hold some sort of energetic power. Curious if you will sense it as well, and leave the place inspired and happy.
After that visit, you will be heading out to get this inspiring city a little bit better. During a guided tour of the city, you will visit Templo de Santo Domingo, the regional museum of Oaxaca, the city center square (zocalo), Mercado 20 de noviembre and Mercado Benito Juarez. Oaxaca is known for its culture and food. That’s why the city boasts a lot of regional markets. Each market has a different specialty: textiles, fruit and vegetables, fish and meat, … Also, make sure to taste an ice cream called nieve at the square in front of the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad.
No time to waste, as we need to catch our flight to the city of Tuxtla in the state of Chiapas. The flight will be in the late afternoon/beginning of evening.
Hotel: type room
Breakfast included
Tuxtla – Cañon del Sumidero – San Cristóbal. 1n in San Cristóbal
You will be picked up to get to the Cañon del Sumidero. A very large canyon that you will visiting for about 2u on a boat ride. On the way, you can spot some monkeys, crocodiles and variety of birds. At the end of way, you will visit the Chicoasén-dam, where 20% of the whole Central Americas is getting their energy from. Needless to say that the view is spectacular.
After the boat tour, you will head to Chiapa de Corzo to enjoy some viewpoints which will allow you to enjoy the canyon from a different angle. At a certain point, you will be standing 1km above the ground below, where you can see the canyon taking its turn. Impressive sight to take in.
After visiting these viewpoints, you will be taken to San Cristóbal de las Casas, where you can enjoy the evening in the cosy streets of the city boasting a wide variety of restaurants and bars. Many places have live music, so sit back, relax, and enjoy!
Hotel: type room
Breakfast included
San Cristóbal – San Juan Chamula – Zinacantán – San Cristóbal. 1n in San Cristóbal
Today will be very interesting. You won’t have to travel far away, and it will be packed with culture.
We will be visiting the indigenous villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán. 2 villages where the people are still living according to the traditions of the Maya Tsotsil tribes. They still speak Maya Tsotsil here, next to Spanish off course. In San Juan Chamula we will visit the local church. Don’t be afraid, it will not be boring one bit, as the church shows an incredible mix between catholic reverence of saints with traditional indigenous rituals being performed in the church. Very interesting to see how the 2 different things are mixed. After that, you will visit Zinacantán, where you will visit a women’s association. Here you can see the traditional way the use to make clothes . Get to know the local and traditional kitchen, and prepare yourself a delicious taco, as if you were part of the community.
After this experience, you will head back to San Cristóbal, where you can have some lunch. You will go afterwards on walking city. Ideal to get to know the beautiful San Cristóbal a little bit better, along with its history. Your guide will be a local from San Cristóbal who knows all the interesting artisan spots, the history, and will show you the most important tourist spots of the city centre.
Hotel: type room
Breakfast included
San Cristóbal – Agua Azul – Misol-Ha – Palenque. 1n in Palenque
Today, you will be on the road for a long time. Luckily, there are some interesting stops on the way.
On the road, you will visit the waterfalls of Misol-Ha and Agua Azul. First of all, you will visit Agua Azul. You will notice a bit more people here, but it is a stop really not to skip, just because of the sheer size of the waterfalls. At some places, you will see some locals that will want to guide you through the waterfalls to allow to explore the waterfalls in a more adventurous way. After that, you make your way towards the Misol-Ha waterfalls, a 35 meter waterfall that breaks down in 3 main streams before dropping down to the natural pool. After that, you will continue further to Palenque.
In Palenque you can enjoy some relaxation time, because of the long time you will have been on the road. Stay nice and cosy in the hotel, go out to the city centre, or go to a place near the archaeological site that offers live music and shows on some evenings.
Hotel: type room
Breakfast included
Palenque – Roberto Barrios – Campeche. 1n in Campeche
You will leave early in the morning to discover the ruins of Palenque. It is one of the most impressive archaeological sites. Not just because you can still access every temple and climb them, but especially because these ruins are in the middle of the jungle. If you get lucky, you will get to spot some monkeys and other species that are common in this region. It truly is a marvellous archaeological site, that you simply cannot miss!
From Palenque you will travel straight to the waterfalls of Roberto Barrios. They are less known than the waterfalls of Agua Azul, but they are most definitely worth visiting, because the place is still unspoiled nature and has not been tainted by mass tourism yet. The fact that the waterfalls are in the middle of the jungle, add to the popularity of the place. Channel your inner Tarzan and Jane and discover this magnificent place, where time is moving faster than expected because you are exploring the whole time.
After this refreshing activity, you will be heading to Campeche, which is quite some time driving. In Campeche you can walk around the city centre, or head over to the Malecon to catch a breeze. This colonial little city is mainly known for its romantic streets and colourful houses.
Hotel: type room
Breakfast included
Campeche – Uxmal – Mérida. 1n in Mérida
Take some time in the morning to explore the city a little bit before getting on the road to the archaeological site of Uxmal. Learn a little bit about the origin of the city, which is greatly linked with pirate stories!
After that, you will visit the archaeological site of Uxmal, one of the best conserved Maya sites on the whole peninsula of Yucatán. Climb the palace of the Maya rulers where you can take one of the most breath-taking pictures with views of the jungle surrounding the Maya site. After visiting the Uxmal ruins, you can visit the local chocolate museum and decide for yourself whether the local Mexican chocolate is better than the Belgian or Swiss chocolates.
You will then continue your road towards Mérida.
Hotel: type room
Breakfast included
Mérida – Chichén Itza – Valladolid. 1n in Valladolid
An early wake up call, but who would not be excited to visit one of the seven world wonders! Upon arrival your private tour starts so you can beat the crowds, and more important, the heath of the sun. Discover the secrets of Maya civilization and glance at the most known pyramid, known as the pyramid of the feathered snake, or Kukulcán, in awe.
After that amazing visit of Chichén Itzá, you will get to know the colonial city of Valladolid a little bit better. Discover how day to day life is lead here by visiting the local market. Your guide will explain with a lot of enthusiasm the history of the city, about the coloured streets, how Valladolid got its name and what the previous Maya name was and what it meant to the Maya community.
For those wanting to enjoy a sound a light show in the evening, they have to go the San Bernardino Monastery. Each night, they host a light and sound show depicting the history of the city on the walls of the monastery. First version is in Spanish, the second version is in English. Really worth while checking it out for yourself!
Hotel: type room
Breakfast included
Valladolid – Tulum – Puerto Morelos. 1n in Puerto Morelos
Today you will have a final busy ahead of you before you can relax at the Caribbean.
You are headed for Tulum, where you will get a private guided tour in English. This mythical place by the ocean gives you a good idea how well the Maya have evolved, and how ingenious they were. Get to know El Castillo that towers above the ocean a make a beautiful snapshot of this unique view, since Tulum is the only Maya settlement by the ocean. Admire the way Maya people learned how to build smarter and better, as this is a Post-Classical Maya settlement, just like Chichén Itza.
After these discoveries, you will visit one the many cenotes that surround the area of Tulum, so you can have a refreshing dip after all the walking you have done that day. You will stay here about an hour or so. The cenote is a holy place for the Maya people. It was their source of water, and their connection with their God of Rain callad Caak. There are over 5.000 cenotes on the peninsula, and about 2.000 are open to visitors. Please make sure to shower before entering to wash off all sunscreen and repellent as it can affect the ecosystem. The legend goes that all cenotes in Yucatán are connected below the ground.
Afterwards, you go to Puerto Morelos, where you can enjoy the evening.
Hotel: type room
Breakfast included
Puerto Morelos. 1n in Puerto Morelos
Today you will have a free day in Puerto Morelos to enjoy the beach and some relaxation time.
If you do want something active to do, we can arrange:
-Snorkelling trip
-Visit of a cenote on the Ruta de los cenotes
-Day trips to Holbox, Sian Ka’an, Isla Mujeres etc.
However, we do recommend to take some time to contemplate your travels, take in all the moments and relax on the beach while drinking some cocktails, eating some ceviche, and catch up on some reading.
Hotel: type room
Breakfast included
Puerto Morelos – Cancún – Airport of arrival
A sad day today, as you will head to Cancún airport to return back home. Spend those last pesos you have on souvenirs so you will remember this amazing trip in this unique country forever!
- Your trip will be in only one language
- Very small group up to 12 persons
- Possible to extend your trip