Come along our journey: discover and learn the land of the Mayas, tequila and tacos in an authentic way.
During this very diverse journey we discover ancient temples, the wonderful beaches of Yucatan and the beautiful waterfalls in Chiapas. You also have the unique opportunity to get to know the living environment of the local population from a very close point of view thanks to numerous visits to local projects and experiences such as teaching English at a local Maya school, help to make a hammock and learn to play the Marimba (local xylophone in Chiapas).
This trip is an ideal mix: in-depth knowledge of local life of the Mexican people along with discovering all the highlights of Yucatan and Chiapas. The Mexican warmth of the locals will never let you go!
Why this interaction & immersion trip with United Amigos?
Different moments of interaction with the local population.
Teach English in a local Maya school in Yucatan.
Swim in different cenotes and recharge your batteries thanks to the revitalizing powers.
Learn how to make your own hammock and tortillas.
Visit one of the seven UNESCO world wonders: Chichen Itza and the beautiful archaeological sites of Tulum and Palenque.
Take a boat trip in the beautiful Cañon del Sumidero and take a dip in the waterfalls of Agua Azul.
Get to know the mystical Indian villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacatan where traditions have survived modern times.
Included
All overnight stays
All mentioned excursions.
Support United Amigos 24h/24h
Private bus for 10 travelers + 1 tour leader UA
All meals (breakfast / lunch and dinner excluding drinks)
Accommodation based on a double room
Not included
International flight
Drinks during meals
Personal expenses
Tips
Day 1 Cancun
Transfer to accommodation with private transport
Accommodation: hostel in Cancun
Day 2 Cancun-Valladolid
9.45 a.m: Transfer to Valladolid
1:00 p.m: Meal in a local restaurant. Here you can see how to make tortillas and you can possibly try to make them yourself.
2:00 p.m to 5:00 pm: Afternoon activities
Cenote Oxman
Meet one of the lesser-known cenotes in the Valladolid region in an authentic Yucatec hacienda. Possibility of launching into the water via a ramp and zip line.
Visit to Xkopek, local Mayan cooperative for preserving bees.
During this visit we get to know the great diversity of bees in the state of Yucatan. Following this visit there is also a tasting where people get to know the beneficial effects of the local honey.
Taco tasting in local taqueria (7:00 pm – 8:00 pm)
Free evening
Accommodation: Hostal in Valladolid
Day 3 Valladolid – Ruins of Yaxunah – City tour Valladolid
7:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m: Ruins of Yaxunah
Visit to the hidden ruins of Yaxunah with subsequent visit to local village. Here we get acquainted with the real local life that has not yet been adapted by mass tourism. We visit a local cooperative where tortillas are made where the entire preparation is explained. Then we get to know the local cenote of the village with a short demonstration of how a hammock is made. Subsequently, we take a refreshing dip in the village cenote.
3:00 p.m to – 6:00 p.m
In the afternoon we get to know the colonial village Valladolid. We explore the local market, the cenote Zaci, San Servacio church, Calzada de los frailes, San Bernandino monastery. Also we get to know the main square with the town hall and a local chocolade museum
7.30 p.m – 8.30 p.m Dinner at local restaurant
9:30 p.m Video mapping San Bernardino monastery
Thanks to a beautiful video projection in English, we are introduced to the history of Valladolid for 25 minutes.
Accommodation: Hostel in Valladolid
Day 4 Valladolid Maya School San Francisco-Chichen Itza-Merida
8:00 a.m to 12:00 a.m
Today we go to the San Francisco Mayan school in Tinum: we can see during half a day the daily likfe of 10-year-olds from the local community. Here we will teach English in 11 classes. We can see which school material the children use, how lessons are followed and we also examine what kind of dreams and wishes have these children.
1.30 p.m – 4.30 p.m: Visit to Chichen Itza
After this unforgettable experience, we will visit Chichen Itza, one of the seven wonders of the world and learn more about their astronomy and amazing architecture of the Maya. During a two-hour tour you will be explained everything about the Mayan gods and their way of life. Of course you can also fire all your questions at our expert and certified guide in English.
4:30 p.m to 6:00 p.m: Private transportation to Merida
Accommodation: with locals
Day 5 Merida – Celestun – Merida
9:00 a.m to 11:00 a.m: City Tour Merida
During this guided visit we get to know all the important points of the city. From the start at Zocalo (main square) we get to know the “White City” up from a closer look.
1:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m: Celestun bio-reserve
In the afternoon we go to Celestun by colectivo to spot hundreds of flamingos in the bio-reserve during a 2-hour boat trip.
8:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m: local spectacle
(subject to changes)
Accommodation: with locals
Day 6 Merida – Hacienda Sotuta de Peon – Uxmal – Campeche
9:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m: Hacienda
We say goodbye to the White City and will visit a real Mexican Hacienda today. During the 3.5-hour tour, we are introduced and see how real life was in the Mexican haciendas.
3:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m: Ruines Uxmal: During this visit we get the chance to visit one of the best preserved archaeological sites of the Yucatan Peninsula.
5:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m: Transfer naar Campeche
Accommodation: locals
Day 7 Campeche-Villahermosa
8:00 a.m – 10:00 a.m: Guided walk through Campeche
This morning walk will introduce you to the beautiful city of Campeche. The malecón (dike) in particular is a pleasant place to take nice pictures. We also get to know the Castillo San Felipe and the many squares that Campeche has.
11:00 a.m – 6:00 p.m: Transfer Villahermosa
We make the day transfer to Villahermosa
Accommodation: local hotel
Day 8 Villahermosa-Tuxtla
7:10 a.m-12.30 a.m : Morning transfer to Tuxtla
1:30 p.m – 5:00 p.m : Boat trip canyon of Sumidero & Chiapa de Corzo
Today is a first introduction to the beautiful state of Chiapas. First we explore the Cañon del Sumidero by boat, a huge valley where you can spot numerous birds, monkeys and crocodiles. Admire the high cliffs with nothing but special moments.
After the boat trip we take a short walk through Chiapa de Corzo which is also known as “pueblo mágico” or magical village because of the special characteristics. Here you also get the chance to play the Marimbe, a local xylophone with beautiful sounds.
Accommodation: local hotel
Day 9 Tuxtla-San Cristobal (visit to Indian villages)
7:00 a.m to 8:30 p.m; Transfer to San Cristobal
9:30 a – 12:30 p: Visit to the Indian villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacatan
We get to know the Chamula, a native people who could not even be defeated by the Spanish conquistadors. We learn about the local customs and spirituality in the two villages. The Chamula have a very distinct belief, a sincretisism that mixes Christianity with its own distinct belief. This is very well reflected in their local church.
2:00 p to 5:00 p.m City Tour San Cristobal
During this city tour we get acquainted with the most important sights of the city such as a visit to the Cathedral and the museum of ambar.
Accommodation local hotel
Day 10 San Cristobal – Lagos de Montello and Chiflón waterfalls – San Cristobal
7:00 a.m – 9:00 p.m: The beautiful lakes of Montello immediately remind us of pictures from Switzerland. On one of the lakes we will make a crossing with a raft to the island in the middle of the lake.
Then we continue our trip to the wonderful waterfalls of Chiflon to refresh a little bit.
Accomodation local hotel
Day 11 San Cristobal-Agua Azul-Palenque
5:00 a.m to 10:00 a.m Transfer to Agua Azul
10:00 a.m to 12:00 a.m Agua Azul
Anyone who knows the lakes of Plitvice can make some reference with the wonderful waterfalls of Agua Azul. During these two hours we can enjoy the different platforms where we can take beautiful pictures.
2:00 p.m to 4:30 p.m: Palenque
Palenque is one of the most mystical archaeological ruins that we discover together with our English speaking guide. We learn more about the local rulers and their society. During this visit we also enjoy the very special environment with numerous different jungle sounds of birds and monkeys that live in the jungle around Palenque.
Accommodation local hotel
Day 12 Palenque – Bacalar
8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m: Private transfer from Palenque-Bacalar
Accommodation local hotel
Day 13 Bacalar-Tulum
9:00 a.m to 12:30 p.m:
Boat trip on the Bacalar lagoon
In the morning we enjoy the beautiful lagoon of Bacalar thanks to a two-hour boat trip. Observe the environment and take a real Maya bad (rub in with clay-like substance that cleanses the skin)
2:15 p.m to 5:00 p.m: Transfer
Accommodation local hotel
Day 14 Tulum
8:30 a.m to 6:30 p.m
Today we visit the ruins of Tulum with our English speaking guide. Enjoy the beautiful view from “El Castillo” overlooking the ocean. We learn more about the “walled city” thanks to this two-hour tour.
Afterwards we go swimming in the cenote Multun Ha near Coba and after lunch we go on a pleasant bike ride through the ruins of Coba. For the brave among us, there is the largest pyramid of Yucatan (at least the local authorities say) to climb.
Accommodation local hotel
Day 15 Tulum-Puerto Morelos
10 a.m to 12.30 p.m: In the morning we will meet the second largest coral reef in the world. Thanks to the natural protection of the coral reef of Puerto Morelos it is quiet here for snorkeling and we can observe the coral and the local marine life such as stingrays. We snorkel in two different places to get as diverse a selection as possible.
1:00 p.m – 3:00 p.m
After lunch we go swimming in the cenote Verde Lucero, one of the many cenotes of the ruta de los cenotes that has not been affected by mass tourism. The wild monkeys (spider monkeys) make swimming a very special experience.
Accommodation in residential area
Day 16 Puerto Morelos
Free day
Accommodation in residential area
Day 17 Puerto Morelos-Cancun
Free morning and transfer to Cancun airport before
International flight
