Yucatan Peninsula and Caribbean

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1:

  Flight to Mexico

  

  Welcome and transport time to the hotel.Meals: lunch and dinner on your own.Overnight in Cancun near the airport.Cumulative transportation time: 20 minutes.

• day 2:

  The Mayan world of yesterday and today

  

  Visit the archaeological site of Coba by bicycleVisit Punta Laguna Nature Reserve (hike through the jungle in search of monkeys and other wildlife, canoe on the turquoise lake, zip line, participate in a Mayan ceremony)Spend the afternoon and night in the nearby Mayan community of Nuevo Durango. We will stop at the home of a local family who will show us their gardens, medicinal plants and their project that reintroduces endangered animals into the wild. And of course, enjoy delicious homemade meals made from local ingredients.Meals: Breakfast (hotel), lunch and dinner included (homestay). Overnight stay in Nuevo Durango  Cumulative travel time: 2 hours  

• day 3:

  Ria Lagartos and visit of Valladolid by bike

  

  After breakfast, departure for Ria Lagartos, a small fishing village on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico: take a boat tour to discover mangrove forests, salt water canals, the pink lagoons of Las Colorada, observation of pink flamingos and other bird species, and crocodiles. Return to Valladolid. Afternoon to get to know the charming city of Valladolid by bike - the plazas, churches, colourful alleys, ex-Hacienda, cenote, colonial architecture and daily life. Dinner in the garden of a colonial houseMeals: breakfast, lunch and dinner included.              Overnight in Valladolid: Hotel Mesón del Marques                                           Total travel time: 3 hours

• day 4:

  Chichen Itza and the Mayan community of Yaxunah

  

  On this fourth day of exploration, we visit the enigmatic Mayan site and newly voted wonder of the world, Chichen Itza from its opening. The fascinating history is brought to life by your expert guide and the impressive restoration work carried out over the last century. Chichen Itza is a must-see for history buffs and is unparalleled in New World archaeology for the insight it provides into Mesoamerican thought, culture, architecture and engineering. (Possibility to do the activity at sunrise once the restrictions are lifted)Visit to the community of Yaxunah, a jewel of Mayan culture, where we will participate in activities such as the preparation of typical foods, a visit to a botanical garden, diving in an impressive cenote, a community museum and a traditional meal. We will travel by bicycle to tour the village.Meals: Breakfast, lunch included and dinner on your own. Night in Merida. Hotel Medio Mundo Total travel time: 2 hours

• day 5:

  Merida, cultural capital of the Yucatan

  

  After breakfast, walking tour to discover the splendid downtown of the Yucatan capital: traditional food and handicrafts market, "City Hall" with its historical murals, charming squares full of colour and history, the cathedral, el Paseo de Montejo and the Palacio Canton museum, an old historical house.  Free time in the afternoon to resume at 6pm with a visit to the Museum of Yucatecan Gastronomy, followed by dinner in the same place. A day full of culture, history and gastronomy.Meals: Breakfast included, free lunch and dinner included.Overnight Merida: Hotel Medio Mundo

• day 6:

  Archaeological site of Uxmal, village of Muna and discovery of a Hacienda

  

  Visit to Uxmal and the hacienda of Yaxcopoil as planned with a stop at the village of Muna for lunch and discovery of a very special family of Mayan artisans: they recreate pre-Hispanic clay vases, painted as in the ancient Mayan pictographic codex.Departure to CampecheMeals: Breakfast, lunch included and dinner on your own. Overnight in Campeche: Plaza Campeche  Cumulative travel time: 3.5 hours

• day 7:

  From the colourful streets of Campeche to the jungle of Calakmul

  

  Walking tour of Campeche UNESCO heritage site, San Miguel Fort Museum (Campeche State Museum of Archaeology and History) - a fascinating look at the most valuable artifacts found in Mayan sites (including Calakmul). Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Overnight in the jungle of Calakmul. Casa Ka'an. Cumulative travel time: 3.5 - 4 hours  

• day 8:

  

  Visit to the archaeological site of CalakmulTransfer to BacalarMeals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Night in Bacalar: Villas Ecotucan Cumulative transportation time: 3.5 hours

• day 9:

  Bacalar Lagoon, Kayaking at sunrise and swimming

  

  The fascinating Bacalar Lagoon is renowned for its seven shades of blue. Fed by underground springs, the huge lagoon has a variety of depths and vegetation that change the colour of the surface to wonderful effect. Sunrise Kayak TourBreakfast and restTransfer to Tulum (lunch break en route at Felipe Carillo Puerto).Meals: Breakfast, lunch included and free dinner. Overnight Tulum: Don Diego de la Selva  Cumulative travel time: 2.5 hours

• day 10:

  Visit of the archaeological site of Tulum by bike, beach and snorkel Puerto Morelos

  

  Morning visit to the archaeological site of Tulum, overlooking the Caribbean Sea. (Possibility to do the activity at sunrise once the restrictions are lifted)(visit to an underground river 100% private if visiting the ruins at sunrise)Transfer to Puerto Morelos Snorkeling excursion to the coral reef of Puerto MorelosMeals: Breakfast, lunch included and dinner on your own. Overnight Puerto Morelos: Hotel Amar Inn. Cumulative travel time: 1.5 hours

• day 11:

  Adios! Return flight

  

  Free mealsTransport time: 30 minutes