Destination:
Days: 10Take an unforgettable journey through the Yucatán Peninsula, staying at charming boutique hotels and haciendas.
During this specially crafted, 10-day itinerary, you’ll get to connect with the history, culture, and natural wonders of the Yucatán. Enjoy guided visits to ancient Mayan cities in lush jungle, swim in beautiful freshwater cenotes, and try the tasty taquerias of Mérida.
You’ll visit several archaeological sites, from off-the-beaten-path Ek-Balam to the iconic ‘Castillo’ of Chichen Itza. Get ready to stroll the pretty streets of laid-back Valladolid, and take a speedboat through the protected biosphere of Celestún.
This is a wonderful trip to explore the best of the Yucatán, and get immersed in its treasures.
HIGHLIGHTS
Maya Ruins – Enjoy privately guided visits to the archeological sites of Coba, Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Kabah, and Ek Balam
Pueblos Magicos – Explore the delights of Valladolid and Izamal, two of Mexico’s Pueblo Magicos
Tulum – Discover the delights of Tulum with its boho-chic vibe, white sands, and turquoise seas
Celestun Biosphere Reserve – Tour this gorgeous natural habitat, home to flocks of flamingos
Day 1: Arrival at Cancun
Arrive at Cancun Airport and take a private transfer to the hotel Coqui Coqui Coba. Enjoy a tranquil evening with stunning views of the ancient Maya pyramid at Cobá. Dinner is included on the property.
Overnight: Coqui Coqui Coba
Day 2: Private tour to Cobá and a Maya cenote
Enjoy a privately guided tour of the ancient Maya city of Coba, where an estimated 6,500 structures remain to be excavated. Along the way, an expert tour guide will unravel the mysteries of the ancient Maya by discussing their engineering, architecture, and societal structures. After, enjoy time to swim and cool off in a Maya cenote.
After, continue to Valladolid for a city tour of, the first capital city of the Yucatan. You may want to take the chance to visit the Coqui Coqui Perfumery, a place born and inspired by the charm of the Yucatan Peninsula and its tropical aromas.
Overnight: Hacienda Chichen
Day 3: Privately Guided Experience in Chichen and drop off Merida via Izamal
An early start allows for a visit to Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, before the crowds arrive from Cancun. Here, an expert guide will dive even further into the ancient Maya world and explain all about Chichen Itza’s most famous ruin, the stepped pyramid known as El Castillo or the Temple of Kukulkan.
Afterward, head to the mysterious yellow city of Izamal for a privately guided tour and to visit its magical Franciscan monastery.
Overnight: Hacienda Xcanatun
Day 4: Merida Private Excursion and Celestun Biosphere Reserve
Your personal guide will meet you at your hotel lobby and you will be driven to Celestún.
Known for its large population of flamingos during the winter months, Celestún is a large salt-water lagoon awash with pink birds. The area is well protected and preserved by local people as well as the local authority, ensuring that is remains the ideal habitat for the 2,000 or more flamingos and hundreds of other species of birds that flock there.
Arriving at Celestún, you will take a boat ride into the lagoon that also has various cenotes (sinkholes) under the surface that create springs in the water. Celestún is home to an abundance of flora and fauna, including red mangroves, many fish, prawns and alligators, some or perhaps, all of which you will see from the boat.
Following your speedboat tour you’ll explore Merida’s historic city centre. The city was founded in 1542 by the son of Conquistador Francisco Montejo, who was from Mérida in Spain, and gave this capital city of Yucatán state its name.
You will start in the main square of the city (Zócalo), visiting all four corners, exploring the oldest Cathedral in the Americas, the Government House with paintings by Fernando Castro and the Municipal Palace.
You will then return to the car and head down Paseo de Montejo, the main thoroughfare into the city, modeled on the Champs-Elysees and lined with trees and large colonial houses, once the city homes of rich Hacienda owners.
**Don’t forget your bathing suit.
Please note: The flamingo-watching experience is subject to weather conditions; very few can be seen during the rainy season.
Overnight: Hacienda Xcanatun
Day 5: Privately Guided Adventure to Uxmal and Kabah
Today, explore two ancient Maya archeological sites with the benefit of a private, expert guide. First, visit Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the famed Pyramid of the Magician – a rounded pyramid with a mystical and mythical foundation story.
After touring Uxmal’s fascinating ruins and some free time for lunch, head to Kabah, a smaller Maya site home to the Palace of Masks. Returning to Merida, enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.
Overnight: Hacienda Xcanatun
Day 6: A Taste of the Merida – Culture, Markets and Flavors
Meet your local expert guide at your hotel lobby for a very unique foodie adventure and orientation in Mérida. Your guide will spend time with you sharing their local knowledge about the city’s gastronomic hidden treasures. Get to know the flavors of the Yucatán as you explore Mérida’s ornate streets, vibrant markets, and favorite traditional eateries.
The day begins with a delicious taco sampling at Wayan’e, a locally famous taqueria offering over 30 traditional Yucatecan stews to try wrapped in fresh tortillas. You can accompany your tacos with some fresh flavored water, made from seasonal fruits, as you soak up the atmosphere.
The experience continues exploring a couple of buzzing local markets starting at the commercial heart of the city, where you’ll sample traditional regional dishes at Mercado Lucas de Gálvaz. Feast your eyes on the market’s seasonal fruits and vegetables, sombrero stalls, hand-made hammocks and religious articles. Peek into the tortilla factory to see a staple of Mexican cuisine in the making, as you take in the aromas of mixed spices in the air. Next, visit the Santiago neighborhood’s local market where you’ll get to taste dishes like cochinita pibil and el lechón, prepared using a Mayan pit-style oven that’s made in the ground.
After taking in the sights and colors, head to Los Trompos, an authentic local gem serving up Mexican Tacos. Washing down the vibrant regional flavors with an artisanal beer is highly recommended!
To end the experience, a visit will be made to El Colón on the elegant Paseo de Montejo Avenue. The traditional candy and sorbet shop, founded in 1907, serves up tangy sorbet and refreshing champola, a classic frozen drink made from milk and fresh fruit.
At the conclusion of your visit, you will be driven back to your hotel
Overnight: Hacienda Xcanatun
Day 7: Merida to Riviera Maya with Ek Balam Archeological Site
In the morning, head to the Ek Balam Archeological Site for a privately guided tour of its ruins nestled within lush jungle. Take the chance to swim and cool off in Cenote X´canche, which is also located in Ek Balam.
After, head south to Tulum for a tranquil evening in Nomade Tulum, a boutique boho hotel on the Caribbean Sea.
Overnight: Nomade Tulum
Day 8-9: Days at leisure
For days eight and nine, take the time to relax and enjoy the beauty of Tulum and its beaches. Relax in the lovely surroundings and take advantage of the many amenities on property.
Overnight: Nomade Tulum
Day 10: Departure day
On departure day, enjoy a private transfer to Cancun International Airport for onward 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 website. Itineraries are customized prior to final pricing.
