Yucatan & Quintana Roo: the Mexican dream

An immense limestone plateau overlooking the Caribbean Sea, Quintana Roo offers dream landscapes worthy of the most beautiful postcards. The Yucatán Peninsula is the land of the Mayas; the land of dense jungle and henequen fields, as far as the eye can see, will never cease to dazzle you throughout your stay.

Live a unique experience in Mexico in 2 weeks!

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Day 1: Cancún- Cancún (Center)

Arrival in Cancún and car rental pick-up at the rental counter.

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

A French-speaking guide will be waiting for you at the rental counter. They will assist you with your steps and provide you with a regional route map.

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Includes: car rental, local guide, room and breakfast.

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

The black jaguar pyramids “Ek Balam”

Recently explored, Ek Balam remains the greatest discovery of late 20th-century Maya archaeology. We will appreciate the pyramids and enjoy an impressive view of the surrounding jungle.

Note: the entrance fee to the Ek Balam site will be paid on-site.

Swim in the forest at the X'Canche cenote

After our lunch break, departure by bike from the site entrance (1.5 km, 20 minutes) to the X’canche cenote. If we are lucky, we may see the famous bird Maya "Toh" with its bright colors. Reach the cenote and swim in this sacred space where we can zipline or rappel. The capital of Eastern Maya – Valladolid

On the way to Valladolid, today's stage (30 min). This small and authentic Mexican city invites you to stroll through the zócalo, near the San Bernardino convent. We will enjoy pastel-colored houses and have an ice cream at the end of the day in the central square.

Option includes: entrance to Xcanche, car rental, entry(ies) to sites mentioned in the program, room and breakfast.

Day 3: Valladolid- Chichén Itzá- Cenote Yokdzonot- Izamal

Chichen Itza, Maya wonder

Built by the Mayas and later reworked by the Toltecs, Chichén Itzá symbolizes the unification of both religious cultures. The largest archaeological site in Yucatán was at its peak the main religious center of the peninsula.

Swim in Cenote Yokdzonot

After visiting Chichen Itzá, there's nothing like going to a cenote to cool off. 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 stopping for lunch at a restaurant right next to the cenote.

The yellow city of Izamal

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

Included option:

• Entrance Chichen Itza
• Entrance Yokdzonot
• Local guide in Chichen Itza

Includes: car rental, entries to sites mentioned in the program, English-speaking guide, room and breakfast.

Day 4: Izamal- Mérida

Suggestion of the day:

Meeting with Izamal artisans.

Gabriel will open his doors and show you how he works wood to make statues in jaguar shape, traditional Mexican toys or fine chess pieces.

Then it will be Don Esteban's turn to explain his work on Cocoyol and Hennequen, with which he makes jewelry. The colorful character, nicknamed "the Indiana Jones of Yucatán" tends to captivate his guests' attention with stories and legends… A beautiful encounter.

Then we take the road to Mérida.

Mérida, the white city

Visit Mérida, Yucatán's capital. In full economic development, it has nevertheless retained a bewitching colonial charm and a strong personality.

The historical monuments are numerous and well-highlighted, pleasant little squares invite you to have a drink to the sound of a marimba orchestra, and its craft market will offer you many souvenirs: famous huipiles, embroidered and very colorful women's tunics, an authentic "panama", an authentic Yucatan hammock made of pure cotton.

Includes: car rental, room and breakfast.

Day 5: Mérida – Cenote Tour – Mérida

Cenotes are natural pools of fresh and translucent water where sun rays create a magical play of light. On the way, we cross a typical Maya market where fruit and vegetable colors compete with those of women's traditional clothing. Exploration of 2 cenotes, refreshing bath in the forest. One thing is certain; you will leave transformed.

Maya craft workshop

In the afternoon, we will have a pleasant meeting with Pedro, a passionate and recognized artisan from Yucatán. He will talk about his career and present his work.

We sit at the sculptor's table and get to work. Children will make a rain stick and parents will work on "Jicara", a traditional Yucatecan fruit with multiple uses.

We leave with our "handmade in Mexico" souvenir.

Included option:

• local craft workshop
• lunch
• Spanish local guide to accompany you during the day (meeting at 09:00 am at your hotel entrance)

Includes: car rental, entries to sites mentioned in the program, local guide, room and breakfast.

Day 6: Mérida- Hunucmá- Mérida

Sharing life with a Mexican family

Departure in the morning towards the small village of Hunucmá for a pleasant day of exchanges and discoveries with a Mexican family.

Upon arrival in town, we will meet a family member who will welcome us. We will visit the market and naturally buy all necessary local products for your cooking class.

With shopping bags full, we head out 10 minutes from town to discover the beautiful family farmhouse. After welcoming us and visiting their ranch, we will learn how to prepare a typical dish.

During cooking time, we will visit honey production. We will also have an opportunity to see and taste very rare honey from Melipona Maya bees.

It's time for tasting. After lunch and some time sharing and relaxing together, it will be time to say goodbye to family before heading back to Mérida late afternoon.

Included option:

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

Includes: car rental, entries to sites mentioned in program guide room breakfast .

Day 7: Mérida – Uxmal – Campeche

Conquering Uxmal city

Head out towards Uxmal site. The site is quiet little frequented, guaranteed love affair! Uxmal means "Built three times" Maya reality built five times region dry rain god images omnipresent .

on way stop visit hacienda Yaxcopoil (only exterior).

entra Uxmal Spanish-speaking local guide . day 8 Campeche Chicanna morning discover . pastel harmonious enhance colonial period style installation accommodation near Chicanna site possibility visit road Xpujil Chicanna .note hotel nature , 10 minutes drive Xpujil village .includes car rental room breakfast day 9 Chicanna Calakmul Chicanna ruins early morning walk Biosphere Reserve large number jaguars similar Tikal years ago possible observe wild animals roaming freely site tucans monkeys oco-pheasants jaguars come night never know free visit Calakmul site included located state reserve takes its name means "two twin mountains" walk four hours discover unknown jewel culture rival Tikal Guatemala note hotel nature drive Xpujil village includes car rental room breakfast day 10 Chicanna Chetumal Bacalar morning departure Chetumal village border Belize state discovery foot magnificent museum closed Monday learn count read kids beautifully represented models majority archaeological sites invite compare note entrance included unless otherwise indicated stop Azul cenote forty minutes swimming water late afternoon arrival Bacalar includes car rental room breakfast day 11 Bacalar Mahahual Bacalar road Mahuahual short distance Belize small paradise Caribbean includes car rental room breakfast day12 Bacalar Tulum north coast advised visit archaeological site testimony settlers Juan Grijalva Spanish conqueror anchored beach astonished Batab governor time free visit old port known built disappeared end sixteenth-century afternoon peace tranquility coastal town NB consult family room supplement two queen beds .includes car rental room breakfast Day13 Tulum free Suggested Activities : Enjoy beach sun recommend visit archaeological site foot Caribbean Sea Akumal village snorkel observe turtles rent gear place km Sac Actun filled fresh galleries longest discovered date Mexico swim magical blue ray finally inland old grandiose Cobá largest cities ruins intact heart rainforest NB consult family room supplement two queen beds .includes car rental room breakfast Day14 Cancun Goodbye Mexico leave hotel five hours before takeoff Cancun airport return vehicle agency counter check international flight---