9-day Yucatan Family Vacation Discovering Nature and Ruins

The Yucatan Family Adventure is a customizable itinerary that combines the history, adventure, culture, luxury, and many natural wonders of the Yucatan Peninsula.

On this trip, enjoy a fun and educational family scavenger hunt around the ancient Maya city of Uxmal, see the pink flamingoes of the Celestún Biosphere Reserve, and take expertly guided tours around some of Mexico’s most famous ruins including Chichen Itza.

You will also head to the incredible beach-side ruins at Tulum and one of Mexico’s most important biosphere reserve, the Sian Ka’an. The tour culminates in a memorable private sailing trip on a 34-foot catamaran.

Despite being designed with families in mind, this itinerary can also be adapted for solo travelers or any other group vacation.

HIGHLIGHTS

Merida – Explore the charming Yucatan capital, a gorgeous colonial city of local markets, busy squares, and a bustling commercial center

Uxmal – Head to this Maya archeological site and marvel at the achievements and mysterious demise of the Maya

Celestún Biosphere Reserve – Head on to the salt-water lagoon to see its magical, mysterious, and majestic flock of flamingos

Chichen Itza and Ek Balam – Tour these world-famous archeological site visiting towering pyramids and learning about Maya history

Sian Ka’an – Go on an adventure in one of the most important protected areas in Mexico, looking out for its marvelous wildlife

Izamal – Explore the magical Yellow City taking a ride in a horse-drawn carriage

Private 51” Catamaran – A snorkeling adventure awaits you on a luxury catamaran designed for ultimate comfort to explore the mysteries of the Mexican Caribbean.

Day 1: Arrival to Merida

Your family will be greeted at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel, a lovely and historic hacienda. Spend the evening relaxing with the little ones before the following day’s adventure.

Overnight: Hacienda Xcanatun

Day 2: Uxmal and family scavenger hunt

Experience an extraordinary day starting at 8:00 am as we collect you from your hotel lobby. Uxmal awaits, granting you exclusive access to the revered Maya ball courts and temples. With expert guidance, you’ll delve into the remarkable achievements and enigmatic decline of the Mayan civilization. The iconic Pyramid of the Magician will leave you awe-inspired by its engineering marvels.

Embark on an engaging scavenger hunt, utilizing your knowledge of this magical region to uncover various clues. A blend of intellect, resilience, agility, and creativity will lead you to success. Following the hunt, savor a traditional Yucatecan meal at a local restaurant (lunch not included).

In the afternoon, the Choco-Story Museum beckons – an unconventional, interactive space that shares the cocoa history. Wander through botanical gardens and cocoa trees, exploring six dedicated rooms that chronicle crucial cocoa milestones. This is your chance to immerse yourself in discovery and history.

Overnight: Hacienda Xcanatun

Day 3: Privately Excursion to Biosphere Reserve of Celestun and Merida City Tour

Experience the Yucatán’s natural world at Celestún Biosphere Reserve and explore Mérida city center.

Your private guide will pick you up at your hotel, driving around 1.5 hours to Celestún. Take a boat ride on the saltwater lagoon, home to flamingos and diverse bird species. Discover cenotes under the surface for refreshing swims, amidst red mangroves, bird species, fish, prawns, and alligators.

Explore Mérida’s Zócalo, home to the oldest cathedral in the Americas, Government House, and Municipal Palace. Drive along Paseo de Montejo, Mérida’s tree-lined avenue, passing grand mansions of wealthy hacienda owners.

Upon conclusion, you´ll be driven back to your hotel.

Overnight: Hacienda Xcanatun

Day 4: Visit a Hammocks Artisan’s Home workshop in Tixkokob, Izamal

Experience the vibrant culture of Yucatán through a series of immersive encounters. Begin by visiting the traditional Maya village of Tixkokob, where over 700 local families continue the age-old art of hammock weaving. A local artisan will welcome you to his family’s workshop, revealing the intricacies of hammock crafting and even allowing you to engage in a hands-on demonstration. Immerse yourself in the artisan culture as you observe and learn from the craft’s skilled practitioners.

Enrich your journey further with a stop at a local “tortillería,” witnessing the fascinating process of tortilla-making and gaining insights into the cultural significance of corn, or maize, in Mexican cuisine and heritage.

Next, venture to Izamal, a captivating pueblo mágico (magic town) known for its yellow and white painted buildings. Explore the 16th-century Franciscan monastery, built atop a grand Maya pyramid base, possibly larger than Chichen Itzá’s Castillo. Guided by an expert, discover Maya stones, original wooden roof work, murals, and tombs, while also learning about the loss of Maya written history that coincided with the monastery’s construction.

Overnight: Hacienda Chichen 

Day 5: Explore the Ancient Maya Cities of Chichen Itzá, Ek Balam and Mayan Cenote

Today, the family will explore two world-famous Maya archaeological sites: Chichen Itzá and Ek Balam. With a private entrance from the hotel, your family will beat the crowds entering Chichen Itzá, Mexico’s most celebrated archeological zone. Explore the site visiting its greatest ruins including the ball court and El Castillo.

Depart, just as the crowds and mid-day heat are arriving to enjoy lunch and a refreshing swim in a cenote.

Next is Ek Balam, with its striking feature: a palace with a façade intricately decorated in the form of a snake. Your expert guide will lead the family in traversing the two sites and will explain all about Maya cosmology, religion, and everyday life.

The day ends as your family is dropped off at a stunning luxury hotel located on the idyllic Mexican Caribbean coast. This resort is family-friendly and stands out for its Rosebud Kids’ Club which features a wide-range of activities for kids.

Overnight: Rosewood Mayakoba

Day 6: Explore the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

Visit the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, the largest protected area on the Mexican Caribbean coast and home to big cats, whales, and crocodiles among many other creatures.

Along with your expert guide, explore the reserve by boat, discovering a cenote, as well as looking out for the wildlife swimming past or hiding in the trees. Time permitting, your family may also have a chance to swim in the clear waterways or float along the ‘lazy river’.

A short jungle hike unveils remnants of a Mayan temple, followed by a serene float along a 900-meter-long freshwater channel through the wetlands. Conclude with a traditional seafood lunch at a local eatery and leisure time by the beach. As the day wraps up, your guide will escort you back to your hotel.

Overnight: Rosewood Mayakoba

Day 7: Explore Tulum and Yal-Ku Lagoon

Begin your day by meeting your private, bilingual guide at your hotel, who will drive you to the Tulum Archaeological Site.

Discover Tulum’s ancient city alongside your private bilingual guide, the sole Mayan site overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Traverse the archaeological zone, absorbing Mayan history and cosmology, and marvel at the temples constructed centuries ago to honor wind and rain gods.

Post your archaeological exploration, a 35-minute drive takes you to the serene Yal-ku Lagoon in Akumal. Immerse yourself in a tranquil mix of fresh and saltwater, where swimming and snorkeling reveal a diverse array of fish.

Following a refreshing aquatic adventure, your guide will return you to your hotel.

Overnight: Rosewood Mayakoba

Day 8: Half-Day Tropical Reef & Swim – Private 51” Catamaran

Set out on a snorkeling adventure, delving into the mysteries of the Mexican Caribbean’s underwater realm aboard a luxurious private 51″ catamaran.

Venture approximately an hour north from Puerto Aventuras Marina to the tranquil INAH Reef. Dive into the crystal-clear waters to marvel at vibrant reef fish and the chance to swim alongside majestic sea turtles – a tradition passed down through generations.

Your journey continues to a serene, rock-protected area with chest-deep waters. Drop anchor and savor the picturesque surroundings as service staff and an onboard chef attend to your needs. Indulge in specialty cocktails and a delicious meal as you’re pampered on this luxury catamaran.

Designed for ultimate comfort, the catamaran boasts a smooth ride with its double hull, a spacious deck with sunbathing nets, and panoramic views from the fly bridge. Whether you prefer shaded seating or cooling off inside, this vessel ensures your enjoyment with air-conditioned cabins, four bathrooms, a kitchen, and a generous living room.

Overnight: Rosewood Mayakoba

Day 9: Departure from Cancun

You will transfer to Cancun Airport for your homeward-bound flight. Alternatively, speak to a Journey Mexico advisor if you would like to extend the trip to see more of Mexico’s wonders.

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.