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Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights

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Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights

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Description

Vibrant in every way, Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula features turquoise waters, pastel-hued buildings and traditional culture that’s still alive and kicking. Soak up the region’s best on an eight-day Premium adventure, from the bountiful coastline of Riviera Maya to the colourful city of Valladolid, the historic town of Merida and the white sand beaches of Tulum. Learn the ancient secrets of the Maya during visits to Chichen Itza – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – and the Muyil, Uxmal and Tulum archaeological sites. Swim in the underground Cenote Zazil under the soft glow of candlelight and learn the secrets of traditional Maya craftmanship. Travelling with an expert local leader, you’ll meet local Maya families, conservationists and historians to uncover a side of the country most don’t get to see.

Trip Name
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
8
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Experience the old-world charm of your Feature Stay hotel in Merida – a converted 17th-century mansion with elegant decor and traditional touches.
  • Visit the spectacular ruins of Chichen Itza (one of the new Seven Wonders of the World), Muyil, Uxmal and Tulum, where your local leader and expert guides will bring thousands of years of Maya history to life.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of local life during an Exclusive Experience in the secluded Laguna Chabela Maya community, where you’ll learn how modern Maya people preserve the traditions of their ancestors and try your hand at making a tortilla before a delicious feast in the jungle.
  • Enjoy an Exclusive Experience at the Celestun Bird Sanctuary and Biosphere Reserve – a bird-lover’s dream. Learn about conservation efforts while looking out for colourful flora and fauna on a boat ride and see the natural springs before stopping by the Gulf of Mexico for a swim.
  • Swim in a cenote, float down the Muyil canals created by the Maya over 1000 years ago, take a guided tour of a traditional, family-run ceramics workshop and visit a laid-back beach club in Tulum to make the most of the Yucatan peninsula.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Playa del Carmen
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Mexico. Your adventure begins in Playa del Carmen – a coastal resort town on the Yucatan Peninsula, known for its turquoise waters and nightlife. You’ll be met at Cancun International Airport and transferred to your hotel. Here, you’ll meet your local leader and fellow group members at your welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, you might like to stroll along Quinta Avenida while perusing handmade hammocks, jewellery and crafts. After your meeting, head into town for your first dinner in Mexico at a local restaurant.
Day 2 - Valladolid
After breakfast, depart Playa del Carmen and head to the secluded Laguna Chabela to meet a local Maya family who have lived here for generations. Gain a deeper understanding of their way of life as you walk through the low jungle full of medicinal plants, see what they grow and learn how they live off the land. Watch a demonstration on how to make delicious tortillas in the Coba style with the family matriarch, then sit down to a traditional lunch prepared using a 1000-year-old mortar and pestle found in the nearby ruins. You’ll feel like you’ve travelled back in time, with stones from ancient Maya structures emerging from the jungle and the sounds of birds as your backdrop. In the afternoon, continue to the city of Valladolid, known for its pastel-coloured buildings. Set on the city’s main square, your hotel was converted from a 16th-century house and offers a perfect base for your explorations. This evening, you’ll visit the atmospheric Cenote Zazil, which lies 20 m underground. Cenotes (limestone sinkholes) were viewed by the Maya as doorways to the underworld. Gaze up at the stalactites covering the ceiling (including the largest stalactite in all of Yucatan!), take in the natural surroundings illuminated by candlelight and perhaps go for a swim.
Day 3 - Merida
This morning will be spent exploring the complex of Chichen Itza. Named as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza is considered the most important archaeological vestige of the Maya-Toltec civilisation in Yucatan by UNESCO. Meet with a local guide for a tour to uncover the secrets of what is perhaps the most famous Maya site, dominated by the Temple of Kukulkan, or El Castillo – a Mesoamerican step-pyramid. After, you’ll have a home-cooked lunch with a local family in the town of Piste. Tuck into a traditional Pibil feast – a Maya style of cooking that involves barbecuing underground, which the family have perfected over generations. After lunch, visit a local cenote for a swim. Continue to Merida – founded in 1542, this city is the Yucatan capital and retains much of its old-world charm. Your Feature Stay accommodation for the next three evenings is in the historic Hotel Casa Lucia. Spacious rooms feature traditional touches, surrounding a courtyard that features a swimming pool. Join your leader for a stroll to get acquainted with Merida and make a stop to try marquesitas (a traditional dessert of crispy, rolled crepes filled with cheese, chocolate or caramel).
Day 4 - Merida
Today, join a local guide for a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Uxmal ruins. This is considered one of the most important ancient Maya sites in Mexico, showcasing Puuc architecture. See the highlights like the Pyramid of the Soothsayer, the Governor's Palace and the House of the Tortoises while your expert guide points out the typical features of Puuc design like the references to Chaac (the Maya god of rain) and decorative friezes. Have some traditional regional cuisine for lunch at a nearby restaurant, then visit the Los Ceibos ceramics workshop. At this family-run workshop, you’ll be welcomed by one of the family’s artisans – Patricia Morales, who paints the sculptures. Patricia will take you on a guided tour of the workshop, explaining the pigments she uses and demonstrating the carving techniques used in sculpting process. Patricia has been crafting these sculptures for more than 40 years and has made a significant contribution to preserving traditional Maya ceramic techniques. Learn about how these techniques and cultural traditions have been passed down through generations, then you’ll have some free time this afternoon for you to make your own discoveries. You might like to relax in the green and shady Plaza Grande or browse the outdoor market selling Maya replicas. Regroup for dinner at Teya Santa Lucia – a local restaurant serving up Yucatan specialties with a contemporary twist, located in Merida’s historic centre.
Day 5 - Merida
After breakfast, you’ll head out for another Exclusive Experience at the Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve and Bird Sanctuary. One of the first places migratory birds arrive for the winter, the reserve offers a birdwatching experience like no other. Tour the area by small boat while you learn about its unique flora and fauna. Look out for the Yucatan woodpecker, Mexican sheartail, tropical mockingbird and depending on the season (usually December to March), you might witness the thousands of flamingos streaking across the landscape. Hop off the boat for a quick walk to see bubbling springs, then cruise back through the mangrove canals. Stop in a fishing town where you’ll have some time for lunch – maybe grab some fresh seafood and eat it on the sand. Take a dip in the Gulf of Mexico before returning to Merida for a free afternoon.
Day 6 - Tulum
Depart Merida this morning and head towards Muyil, stopping for lunch in the village of Coba. Continue to the lesser-known Muyil archaeological site – this ancient Maya trading post is one of the oldest formerly-inhabited sites in the country, with a history stretching back to 350 BC. Explore the ruins with your leader who will explain what life here once looked like. Next, head to the banks of the Maya River and board a small boat to explore the canals and lagoons of the Sian Ka'an biosphere. One of the largest protected areas in Mexico, this UNESCO World Heritage site covers more than 400,000 hectares of land, lagoon and marine areas, including countless flora and fauna. You’ll be joined by guides from the local community who will help you get the most out of this experience. Admire the ruins on the riverbanks before disembarking in the waters of the ancient Mayan mangrove canals, where you’ll experience a natural ‘lazy river’ and float through the peaceful canals in a slow but steady current. After, carry on to Tulum.
Day 7 - Tulum
In the morning, head to the Tulum archaeological site to learn about the history of the ruins and take in views of the ocean. This was one of the last cities built by the Maya, and your leader will paint a picture of how life played out here as you explore the complex against the ocean backdrop. Spend the afternoon soaking up the sun at a beach club, where you can swim in the Caribbean Sea or nap in a comfortable lounge chair. Tonight, dine at one of Tulum’s best restaurants. With laid-back vibes and fresh local produce and seafood, this final dinner with your newfound friends will certainly be one to remember.
Day 8 - Tulum
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to spend some more time in Tulum, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
15-08-202622-08-2026AUD $ 4,076-
10-10-202617-10-2026AUD $ 4,471-
07-11-202614-11-2026AUD $ 4,616-
21-11-202628-11-2026AUD $ 4,616-
12-12-202619-12-2026AUD $ 4,471-
19-12-202626-12-2026AUD $ 4,556-
09-01-202716-01-2027AUD $ 6,535-
23-01-202730-01-2027AUD $ 6,305-
06-02-202713-02-2027AUD $ 6,305-
13-02-202720-02-2027AUD $ 6,305-
20-02-202727-02-2027AUD $ 6,305-
06-03-202713-03-2027AUD $ 6,305-
20-03-202727-03-2027AUD $ 6,535-
03-04-202710-04-2027AUD $ 6,535-
10-04-202717-04-2027AUD $ 6,305-
24-04-202701-05-2027AUD $ 7,245-
15-05-202722-05-2027AUD $ 7,245-
12-06-202719-06-2027AUD $ 7,245-
10-07-202717-07-2027AUD $ 7,245-
14-08-202721-08-2027AUD $ 7,245-
11-09-202718-09-2027AUD $ 7,245-
25-09-202702-10-2027AUD $ 7,245-
09-10-202716-10-2027AUD $ 7,245-
23-10-202730-10-2027AUD $ 6,305-
06-11-202713-11-2027AUD $ 6,535-
13-11-202720-11-2027AUD $ 6,535-
20-11-202727-11-2027AUD $ 6,535-
11-12-202718-12-2027AUD $ 6,550-
18-12-202725-12-2027AUD $ 6,535-
08-01-202815-01-2028AUD $ 5,970-
22-01-202829-01-2028AUD $ 5,970-
05-02-202812-02-2028AUD $ 5,970-
12-02-202819-02-2028AUD $ 5,970-
19-02-202826-02-2028AUD $ 5,970-
04-03-202811-03-2028AUD $ 5,970-
18-03-202825-03-2028AUD $ 5,970-
01-04-202808-04-2028AUD $ 5,970-
08-04-202815-04-2028AUD $ 5,970-
22-04-202829-04-2028AUD $ 5,970-
13-05-202820-05-2028AUD $ 5,970-
10-06-202817-06-2028AUD $ 5,970-
08-07-202815-07-2028AUD $ 5,970-
12-08-202819-08-2028AUD $ 5,970-
09-09-202816-09-2028AUD $ 5,970-
23-09-202830-09-2028AUD $ 5,970-
07-10-202814-10-2028AUD $ 5,970-
21-10-202828-10-2028AUD $ 5,970-
04-11-202811-11-2028AUD $ 5,970-
11-11-202818-11-2028AUD $ 5,970-
18-11-202825-11-2028AUD $ 5,970-
09-12-202816-12-2028AUD $ 5,970-
16-12-202823-12-2028AUD $ 5,970-

Accommodation

Comfortable Hotel (4 nights), Feature Stay (3 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat

Map

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