Yucatan & Quintana Roo: the Mexican dream

Vast limestone plateau overflowing into the Caribbean Sea, Quintana Roo offers you dreamlike landscapes worthy of the most beautiful postcards. The Yucatan Peninsula is the land of the Mayas; the land of thick jungle and endless sisal fields will continue to dazzle you throughout your stay!

Live a unique experience in Mexico in 2 weeks!

Day 1: Cancún - Cancún (Downtown)

Arrival in Cancun and collection of your vehicle at the rental counter. Go directly to the counter located at the back of the parking lot opposite terminal 2.

The rental agency will offer you additional insurance, be careful, they can sometimes be very expensive.

A French-speaking guide will be waiting for you at the rental counter. He will help you with your procedures and give you a road map of the region.

Overnight at the hotel

Day 2: Cancún (Downtown) - Ek Balam - X’Canché - Valladolid

The black jaguar pyramids “Ek Balam” Recently explored, Ek Balam remains the major discovery of Mayan archaeology at the end of the 20th century. We will enjoy being able to climb the steps of the pyramids to enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding jungle.

Swimming in the forest at cenote X’Canche

After our lunch break, departure by bicycle from the entrance of the site (1.5 km, 20 minutes) to cenote X’canche. If we are lucky, we may catch a glimpse of the famous Mayan bird "Toh" with its shimmering colors. Arrival at the cenote and swimming in this sacred space where we can do ziplining or even rappelling.

The capital of the Mayan East – Valladolid After this swim, drive to Valladolid, our stop for the day (30 min). This authentic Mexican small town invites you to stroll on the zocalo, near the San Bernardino convent. We will enjoy the pretty pastel-colored houses and eat an ice cream at the end of the day on the central square.

Overnight in Valladolid

Day 3: Valladolid - Chichen Itza - Cenote Yokdzonot - Izamal

Chichen Itza, Mayan wonder

Built by the Mayas and then modified by the Toltecs, Chichen Itza symbolizes the unification of the two religious cultures. The largest archaeological site in Yucatan was at its peak the main religious center of the peninsula.

Swimming at Cenote Yokdzonot

After visiting Chichen Itza, nothing better than to cool off in a cenote. 3 kilometers from the site is cenote Yokdzonot, off the beaten path (possibility to swim). A water basin where it is pleasant to swim in a natural environment. We suggest you stop for lunch at a restaurant right next to the cenote.

The yellow city of Izamal

Then departure to discover the authentic colonial village of Izamal, a magnificent town colored in bright yellows, whose Franciscan convent San Antonio de Padua, built on a Mayan ceremonial center, remains the largest monastic complex on the continent. Lunch on site.

Overnight at the hotel

Day 4: Izamal - Mérida

Free day

Suggestion for the day:

Meeting with the artisans of Izamal This morning, departure to discover the authentic colonial village of Izamal, a magnificent town colored in bright yellows, whose Franciscan convent San Antonio de Padua, built on a Mayan ceremonial center, remains the largest monastic complex on the continent.

Gabriel will open the doors of his house to you and teach you how he works wood to make jaguar-shaped statues, traditional Mexican toys, or fine chess pieces.

Then it will be Don Esteban's turn to explain his work on the ... and ... from which he makes jewelry. A colorful character, the one nicknamed ... tends to captivate his guests' attention with stories and legends… A beautiful encounter.

Then we head towards Mérida.

Mérida, the white city

Visit Mérida, capital of Yucatan. In full economic development, it has nevertheless retained an enchanting colonial charm and a strong personality. There are many historical monuments, well highlighted, and pleasant little squares invite you to have a drink to the sound of a marimba orchestra. Its craft market will offer you many souvenirs: the famous huipiles, very colorful embroidered women's tunics, an authentic "panama", a real Yucatecan hammock in pure cotton.

Overnight at the hotel

Day 5: Mérida - Cenote Tour - Mérida

Off the beaten path cenote tour

Cenotes are natural pools of fresh, translucent water, where the sun's rays create magical light effects. On the way, we travel through a typical Mayan market where the colors of fruits and vegetables compete with those of the women's traditional clothing. Exploration of 2 cenotes, refreshing swim in the middle of the forest. One thing is certain, you will come out transformed.

Mayan craft workshop

In the afternoon, we will have a wonderful meeting with Pedro, a passionate and renowned Yucatecan craftsman. He will tell us about his journey and present his work.

We take our place at the sculptor's table and get hands-on. The children will make a rain stick and the parents will work on the “Jicara”, a traditional Yucatecan fruit with multiple uses. We leave with our souvenir "hecho a mano en Mexico".

Included option:

• local craft workshop
• lunch
• local French-speaking guide to accompany you during your day (meeting at 09:00 at the entrance of your hotel)

Overnight at the hotel

Day 6: Mérida - Hunucmá - Mérida

Share the life of a Mexican family

Departure in the morning to the small village of Hunucmá to enjoy a wonderful day of exchanges and discoveries with a Mexican family.

Upon our arrival in the village, we will meet a family member who will welcome us. We will visit the market and, of course, buy all the local products needed for your cooking class.

With our shopping bags full, we leave 10 minutes from the village to discover the family's beautiful country house ... After the welcome and the visit of the ranch, we will learn to prepare a typical dish.

While the food is cooking, we will visit the honey production. We will also have the chance to see and taste the very rare honey of the Mayan Melipona bees.

It's time for tasting. After the meal and a time of sharing and relaxation, it will be time to say goodbye to the family for a return to Mérida at the end of the afternoon.

Included option:

• cooking class
• local French-speaking guide for the day (meeting in the hotel lobby)

Overnight at the hotel

Day 7: Mérida - Uxmal - Campeche

Conquering the city of Uxmal

Departure for the site of Uxmal. The site is peaceful and little visited… guaranteed favorite! Uxmal means "Built Three Times" in Mayan, but in reality it was built five times. The region is very dry, and images of the rain god, Chac, are omnipresent.

On the way, we will stop to visit the Yaxcopoil hacienda (exterior only).

Early in the afternoon, we head towards Campeche. Arrival at the end of the day.

Included option:

• Uxmal entrance, local French-speaking guide at Uxmal
• Meeting at XXXX in the lobby of The Lodge hotel opposite the main entrance

Overnight at the hotel

Day 8: Campeche - Chicanna

This morning you will discover Campeche, the city with pastel and harmonious colors that enhance the colonial style.

Check-in at your lodge not far from the Chicanna site, possibility to visit the sites of Xpujil and Chicanna on the way.

Overnight at Casa Ka’an hotel. Breakfast is prepared in your room. Note: The hotel is in the middle of nature, 10 minutes by car from the village of Xpujil.

Day 9: Chicanna - Calakmul - Chicanna

Calakmul ruins

Early in the morning, you can take a walk in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve where a large number of jaguars are recorded. As in Tikal a few years ago, it is possible to observe wild animals roaming the site freely (toucans, monkeys, ocellated turkeys). Jaguars will come rather at night, but you never know?

In the afternoon, free visit of the Calakmul site (not included), located in the state of Campeche. This reserve takes its name from Mayan and means "the 2 twin mountains". Throughout this 4-hour walk, you will discover this still little-known site, one of the jewels of the Mayan culture which was, at its peak, the direct rival of Tikal in Guatemala.

Return to your hotel in Chicanna.

Overnight at the hotel. Breakfast is served in your room.

Note: The hotel is in the middle of nature, 10 minutes by car from the village of Xpujil.

Day 10: Chicanna - Chetumal - Bacalar

Departure in the morning for the city of Chetumal, border with Belize, in the state of Quintana Roo. Discover the city on foot and especially the superb museum of Mayan culture (closed on Mondays) where we will learn to count and read in Mayan… child's play. Very beautiful models of most archaeological sites are displayed and invite us to compare them with each other.

Then stop at cenote Azul (40 minutes), swim in this water point.

Arrival at the end of the afternoon in Bacalar.

Overnight at the hotel on the edge of the Bacalar lagoon. Air-conditioned casita with garden view.

Day 11: Bacalar - Mahahual - Bacalar

Road to Mahahual. A few steps from Belize, this small village is a little paradise along the Caribbean.

Overnight at the hotel on the edge of the Bacalar lagoon. Air-conditioned casita with garden view.

Day 12: Bacalar - Tulum

This morning, we head north to reach the Caribbean coast. It is recommended to visit the archaeological site of Tulum which was the testimony of the arrival of the first settlers in 1518, when Juan de Grijalva, Spanish conquistador, dropped anchor on the beach under the astonished eyes of Batab (Mayan governor of the time). Free visit of this ancient port (the only known one) built in 1200 and which disappeared at the end of the 16th century.

Let's spend our afternoon in peace in the magnificent seaside town of Tulum.

Overnight at the hotel in the village of Tulum 5 km from the beach. Air-conditioned room with a king size bed. NB: contact us for family room supplement (with 2 queen size beds)

Day 13: Tulum

Free day

Suggested activities:

Enjoy the beach and the sun. We recommend you visit the archaeological site of Tulum at the foot of the Caribbean Sea.

In the village of Akumal (30 km from Tulum): you can go snorkeling with your mask and snorkel to observe the turtles. Equipment can be rented on site.

About 30 km from Tulum, the Cenote Sac Actun. Cenotes are cavities filled with fresh water. With more than 150 km of underwater galleries, Sac Actun is the largest underground river network discovered to date in Mexico. You can swim in this magical place crossed by a blue beam.

Finally, inland is the ancient grand city of Cobá (41 km from Tulum). It is one of the largest Mayan cities whose ruins are almost intact in the heart of the tropical jungle.

Overnight at the hotel in the village of Tulum 5 km from the beach. Air-conditioned room with a king size bed. NB: contact us for family room supplement (with 2 queen size beds)

Day 14: Tulum - Cancún

Hasta luego México

Departure from the hotel 5 hours before the departure time for Cancun airport.

Return of the vehicle at the rental agency counter then check-in for your international flight.