Yucatán self-drive tour in haciendas and lodges

Mexico - Yucatán Peninsula, discover this 8-day trip

Jour 4 - VILLES COLONIALES D'IZAMAL ET MÉRIDA

Trip Description

Set off to discover the Yucatan Peninsula in your car and explore the many treasures it holds. Spend the night in typical accommodations, such as haciendas and lodges. Visit the colonial cities of Valladolid, Izamal, and Mérida. Refresh yourself in the cenotes in the middle of the jungle, and travel back in time to the Mayan civilizations at the sites of Uxmal, Ek Balam, and Chichen Itza. Finally, you will end this journey in style by the Caribbean Sea, on the paradise beaches of the Riviera Maya.

Accomodation

No accomodation information available

Stay program

day 1
Day 1 - WELCOME TO CANCUN
Upon your arrival at the airport, we will give you all the necessary instructions to exit safely and join our Xplorer, which will take you to your hotel. The car pick-up will take place the next day. Arrivals generally take place in the late afternoon or even early evening. We therefore plan your first night in Cancun. We can also deliver your car to the hotel the next day. This is to be defined at the time of creating your tailor-made stay.
day 2
Day 2 - VISIT OF VALLADOLID
Departure for Ek Balam, or "black jaguar" in Mayan, an ancient religious center of great importance in the region and comprising about 40 structures. On site: rappelling, hammocks, and zip line, plenty to have fun. Lunch possible at the ecotourism center of the cenote, surrounded by jungle. Then, you will go to Valladolid, a charming little typically Yucatecan town. Visit the Zocalo and its cathedral. You will get lost in the colonial streets of the city center, passing by the municipal bazaar and the San Bernardino convent.
day 3
Day 3 - RIO LAGARTOS AND LAS COLORADAS
Departure for Rio Lagartos, a true paradise for nature lovers. About a hundred kilometers north of Valladolid, this small fishing village is the gateway to the reserve of the national park of the same name. It is an ideal place to discover Yucatán "differently". Board a "lancha", a small motorboat, and set off for a tour in the mangrove. Then, head towards the famous Las Coloradas lagoon, which owes its name to the salinity of the water, giving it an incredible pink color!
day 4
Day 4 - Colonial cities of Izamal and Mérida
Today, discover the marvelous archaeological site of Chichen Itza at opening time to avoid the crowd. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the "new wonders of the world," soak in the majesty of this site and the echo of its past glory. Next, head to the Yokdzonot cenote for a refreshing swim in its clear waters. After lunch, head to the "magical village" of Izamal and visit the Franciscan convent of San Antonio de Padua. End the day in Mérida, the cultural capital of Yucatán, famous for its cathedral and its Paseo Montejo.
day 5
Day 5 - UXMAL SITE, BIKE RIDE AND SWIMMING IN A CENOTE
After breakfast, head to Uxmal, a major site on the "Ruta Puuc," with its monuments featuring typical architecture such as the Nunnery Quadrangle and the Governor's Palace. In the afternoon, swimming in one of the region's cenotes. The more adventurous can enjoy the surrounding villages and haciendas during a bike ride through the brush. Return to Mérida at the end of the day and visit an old hacienda that contributed to the wealth of the peninsula in the past at Yaxcopoil.
day 6
Day 6 - FROM MÉRIDA TO BACALAR
Early departure for Bacalar. Known for its lagoon of seven colors, Bacalar is a Caribbean gem, close to the Belize border, in the south of the Yucatán Peninsula. Bacalar is a small town known for its history and natural riches. The lagoon is made up of 7 cenotes. Bacalar was an important commercial crossroads for the Mayas, a true place of exchange between Central America and the Yucatán Peninsula.
day 7
Day 7 - BACALAR
Renowned for its lagoon of seven colors, Bacalar is a Caribbean gem, close to the Belize border, in the south of the Yucatán Peninsula. This small town is known for its history and natural riches. The lagoon is made up of seven different cenotes, which gave it its name, and is about 42km long and 2km wide. Bacalar was an important commercial crossroads for the Mayas, a true place of exchange between Central America and the Yucatán Peninsula.
day 8
Day 8 - DEPARTURE
Enjoy your last moments of relaxation, it might be the perfect opportunity to do some souvenir shopping. Then, it's time to pack your bags before heading to Cancun airport. Don't forget the timing for returning the vehicle. It is possible to request an earlier return of the vehicle and to book a transfer back to the airport.