Destination:
Days: 4A family weekend escape to the Yucatan is ideal as a thrilling quick getaway or as an extension to a vacation in Cancun, the Riviera Maya, or Mexico City.
This luxurious four-day itinerary includes unforgettable tours of the ancient Maya ruins at Chichen Itza and Uxmal. Also take a private trip around two gorgeous cities, Merida and Valladolid, and see the shocking pink flamingos at the Celestun Biosphere Reserve.
Also dive into the Yucatan’s colonial past with a tour of Hacienda Sotuta de Peon, a charming 19th-century estate that uncovers the world of henequen, the source of old Yucatan’s wealth.
HIGHLIGHTS
Merida – Discover the lively capital of the Yucatan, a charming colonial city filled with markets, squares, and a bustling commercial center
Maya ruins – Take privately guided visits to the amazing archeological sites of Chichen Itza and Uxmal
Hacienda Sotuta de Peon – Tour this living museum to learn about haciendas and the source of Yucatan’s wealth during the Colonial Era
Valladolid – Stroll the streets of this enchanting colonial town
Celestun Biosphere Reserve – Discover flocks of vibrant pink flamingos at this UNESCO World Heritage Site
Day 1: Merida, cenote, and Valladolid
Begin with a private transfer to Merida, the capital of the Yucatan state, which was named the World’s Best Small City 2019 by Conde Nast Traveler magazine. Stop for a refreshing swim in a cenote, a freshwater sinkhole that was once sacred to the ancient Maya people.
Continue to Valladolid, a bustling Maya city with a special colonial flavor, for lunch. Enjoy people-watching, admiring the traditional dress of the Maya, and appreciate the pastel-colored buildings around the Main Plaza. After free time for lunch, continue to Hacienda Temozon, home for the next two nights.
Overnight: Hacienda Temozon
Day 2: Uxmal and Hacienda Sotuta de Peon
In the morning, dive into the ancient Maya world with a private tour of Uxmal, a once-mighty Maya city with a stunning Governor’s Palace, Nunnery Quadrangle, and a large ball court. The kids will also love visiting the mighty Pyramid of the Magician, which has a mystical and fantastical story attached to its creation.
After, the adventure continues with a visit to the living-museum, Hacienda Sotuta de Peon. Learn about the Yucatan’s haciendas, which functioned like the plantations in the southern US, and about henequen (sisal fiber), which was the source of the Yucatan’s wealth during the Colonial Era.
Tour the processing plant, which is still in action, visit the beautiful main house, and take a mule-drawn rail cart tour of the fields. Also enjoy a delicious lunch of regional cuisine ending with a swim at the on-site cenote.
Overnight: Hacienda Temozon
Day 3: Celestun Biosphere Reserve
Head to the stunning Celestun Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and year-round home to flocks of bright pink flamingos. Hop in a speedy boat and navigate the winding canals of this vast mangrove and wetlands complex to visit the flamingos.
Return to the boat dock in the town of Celestun for a delicious meal of local seafood (not included) under the shade of a thatched-roof palapa restaurant.
After, continue to Chichen Itza to settle into an accommodation very close to the famous ancient Maya ruins.
Overnight: The Lodge at Chichen Itza
Day 4: Chichen Itza Archeological Site
Rise early to beat the crowds for a private tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza.
Under the tutelage of an expert guide, visit the site´s most fascinating ruins including the famous stepped pyramid known as El Castillo or the Temple of Kukulkan. Also see the Great Ball Court, temples, plazas, and a plunging cenote in which human sacrifices were once made.
After, take a private transfer to Cancun International Airport for flights home.
Dates
Our trips are fully customized, allowing us to build your itinerary for any time of the year.
Prices
Our custom-tailored journeys start from $1,000 USD per day for two travelers. Contact us today to discuss your travel desires and design a personalized proposal with exact pricing.
Please note, our pricing guideline is a starting from price and is not necessarily applicable to the suggested hotels contained within the suggested itineraries on this web site. Itineraries are customized prior to final pricing.
