Destination:
Days: 11This dynamic, 11-day adventure links the three states of the Yucatán Peninsula, taking you on a journey through pre-Hispanic and colonial history, lesser known and emblematic cities, and incredible natural wonders that are native to the peninsula. Dive into ancient Maya culture at archaeological sites, from the iconic Chichen Itzá, to secluded Uxmal, to jungle-clad Calakmul and Xpuhil. Explore the Spanish colonial architecture of Mérida and Campeche, and feel rejuvenated by the crystalline waters of Bacalar’s cenote and mesmerizing “seven colors” lagoon. End the journey with the boho-chic ambiance and pristine beaches of Tulum, a hub of wellness rituals and dance parties on the sand.
As you get immersed in the best of the Yucatán, stay at beautiful properties that give a sense of place, from historic haciendas and lagoon-side luxury cabins to oceanfront hotels surrounded by the tropical beauty of the Riviera Maya. This itinerary blends adventure, history, and culture with some well-deserved relaxation, creating an unforgettable vacation in southern Mexico.
HIGHLIGHTS
1N Chichen Itza – Enjoy your first night in Mexico at a charming hacienda hotel just outside of Chichen Itza archeological site, allowing for early access to witness one of the New Seven Wonders of the World without the crowds.
2N Hacienda Xcanatun – Located just outside downtown Mérida, this beautifully renovated hacienda will be your home for two nights and speaks to the grandeur of its past life as an 18th century sisal hacienda.
2N Campeche – Stay in this colorful, UNESCO-designated city for two nights, exploring the walled-in historic center with a private guide – a typical example of a harbor town from the Spanish colonial period.
1N Calakmul – Stay the night and feel like an explorer at Calakmul archaeological site, hugged by thick jungle. Learn about its cultural and historical significance to the area with your guide.
1N Bacalar – Spend a night beside the spellbinding blue hues of Bacalar lagoon and cruise the tranquil waters by boat.
3N Tulum – Soak up the hipster-meets-spiritual vibes while basking in the sunshine for 3 nights. Tulum’s background of lush jungle, powder sands, and Caribbean Sea is picture perfect.
Uxmal – This Mayan archaeological site’s size and uniqueness are impressive, with less crowds due to its rural location. Uncover its amazing structures and rich history with your guide.
Izamal – Marked as a ´Magic Town’ for it’s fusion of pre-Hispanic, colonial, and contemporary elements, Izamal delights with bright buildings painted in yellow and its 16th Century Franciscan monastery, built on the base of a huge Maya pyramid.
Xpuhil – Observe and learn about the unusual structure of this small, and only partially discovered, Maya archaeological site with your guide. This one’s off the beaten path!
Cenote Azul Bacalar – Relax at this large, open cenote, a natural limestone sinkhole with clear fresh water that makes for the perfect swimming spot.
Day 1: Arrive in Cancun and Enjoy a Private Transfer to Chichen Itza
Welcome to Mexico! Your private driver will meet you after landing in Cancun. Be driven to the archeological site of Chichen Itzá to check in your hotel to relax and rejuvenate ahead of the next day’s adventure.
Overnight: Hacienda near Chichen Resort
Day 2: Chichen Itza Archaeological Zone & Private Tour to Izamal – Drop off Merida
Your personal, expert guide will meet you at your hotel lobby and you will be driven to Chichen Itzá, Mexico’s most visited archaeological site. Learning about the cosmology, religion and everyday life of the Maya, your guide will help you get a feel for what Chichen Itzá was like before the Spanish arrived.
Exploring the site, you will learn how duality played a huge role in Mayan cosmology. One of the first structures you will see is the “Castillo” or Pyramid of Kukulkan, classed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World due to its ingenious architecture that results in a figure of a snake descending and ascending the steps during the equinox. Your guide will help you to understand just how the shadowy serpent appears.
Having explored pre-Hispanic Mexico, be driven to Izamal to discover more about the colonial period in the region. Izamal, once a Maya settlement meaning ‘Place of the God of Medicine,’ is now a pueblo mágico or magic town. The town, in which every building is painted yellow and white, is known for the 16th Century Franciscan monastery that was built upon the base of a huge Maya pyramid. Upon conclusion of your visit you will be driven to your hotel in Mérida.
Overnight: Hacienda Xcanatun by Agnsana
Day 3: Day at Leisure
Take advantage of the property or take time to explore town on your own and discover the local traditions our suggested experiences are:
- Celestun Biosphere Reserve Private Experience
- Mangrove Kayaking Adventure & Hidden Beach Experience
Overnight: Hacienda Xcanatun by Agnsana
Day 4: Private Tour to Uxmal – Drop off Campeche
Explore the ancient Maya city of Uxmal, with its rounded architecture and intricate latticework. Your private guide will lead you in discovering the site and tell you of the Pyramid of the Magician myths and Maya cosmology in the Nun’s Quadrangle. Climb the Great Pyramid to get a birds-eye view of this extensive city that peeked in 700CE and whose downfall may have been a result of its success. The journey continues towards Campeche to end the day at a lovely new property.
Overnight: Hotel in Campeche
Day 5: Guided Walking Experience in Campeche
Enjoy this colorful walled city and discover the port city of yesteryear and the Campeche of today.
Campeche City lures visitors with its picture-perfect colonial town of Spanish Baroque architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, colorfully restored buildings, and majestic mansions. Many people describe it as they are walking through a fairytale! The walled-in historic center is a typical example of a harbor town from the Spanish colonial period, but beyond those barriers, travelers will find a genuine Mexican city where the people are incredibly friendly. The city’s central location makes it ideal for day trips to visit the archaeological sites of Calakmul and Edzná and the nearby Gulf beaches.
With a vehicle at disposal, you may like to explore the Malecón, stroll down the recently-renovated waterfront boardwalk known as the “malecón is always a great highlight when visiting Campeche. Here travelers and campechanos alike can enjoy local cuisine and catch incredible sunsets.
Or explore Edzná, a Maya archeological site that was one of the most important ceremonial centers in the pre-Classic Maya period. Various temples, including the Pyramid of the Five Floors, are remarkable structures that give insight into this mysterious era. This site is believed to have been used for agriculture products.
Overnight: Hotel in Campeche
Day 6: Private transfer to Calakmul
Your private driver will meet you in your hotel lobby for the drive to your hotel in Calakmul.
Overnight: Ecological hotel in Calakmul
Day 7: Explore the Archaeological Sites of Calakmul & Xpuhil – Drop off Bacalar
The Calakmul archaeological site is located in the southeast of the state of Campeche, just 18 miles (30 km) from the Guatemalan border. The extensive pre-Hispanic city known as Calakmul, a Mayan name that means “Two Adjacent Hills”, was discovered at the end of 1931. Between the years 250 to 750 of our era, Calakmul was the center of the so-called “Kingdom of the Serpent’s Head” which comprised of diverse sites throughout the Mayan low-lands, like Peru, Dos Pilas and Naranjo among others, as well as Caracol, which, in the 500’s came to be the main ally of Calakmul in the constant confrontations with its rival: The great Tikal.
You will then continue to the site at Xpuhil. The earliest evidence of human occupation at the site date from 400 BC, within the period known as the Late Preclassic period; its rise, mainly reflected in its architecture, seems to have been during the Late Classic (AD 600-800 years), and its decline was to the Early Postclassic in 1200 or so. After visiting Xpuhil, you will be driven to your hotel in Bacalar.
Overnight: Our Habitas Bacalar
Day 8: Explore Bacalar & Cenote Azul – Drop off Tulum
This morning, your exploration will begin by visiting Cenote Azul Bacalar, one of the region’s deepest cenotes. With a depth of 90 meters, it resembles a small lake in size. Surrounded by vegetation and the turquoise waters of the laguna beyond. It’s an excellent cenote for a swim, to kayak or just to relax around. Restaurants and amenities are on-site, making it great for a day out.
Later in the day, board a private boat and navigate the Bacalar Lagoon. Enjoy incredible landscapes and observe the lagoon in all its splendor with its different blue shades that make it so unique. Pass over cenotes inside the lagoon until you reach the pirates’ canal, where you can refresh in the crystal clear waters.
Return to Bacalar to enjoy time in town for lunch in a local restaurant, you may also want to visit the Bacalar Fort, a colonial military building that served as a defense against pirates and rebel Maya and now houses a fascinating museum. Having enjoyed a full day in Bacalar lagoon, the journey continues to your hotel in Tulum, your final destination.
Overnight: Hotel in Tulum
Day 9 – 10: Day at Leisure
Enjoy the beauty of the Riviera Maya with two days at leisure. Relax in the lovely surroundings and take advantage of the many amenities and activities available in this tropical paradise or our suggested experiences not included are:
- Tulum and Yal-ku Lagoon Private Experience
- Rio Secreto Private Experience
Overnight: Hotel in Tulum
Day 11: Tulum Private Transfer to Cancun
Your private driver will meet you at your hotel in Tulum, and you will be driven to Cancun for your flight back 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 $1,800 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.
