Journey Overview
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On this Mayan Tour to Mexico immerse yourself in ancient cultures, World Heritage Sites, and delicious cuisine. Discover the history of the Mayan people with guided tours of Chichen Itza, Coba, and Tulum. Since the Spanish conquest, the Yucatan has been the cultural & culinary capital of the entire Mexican Peninsula. It's steeped in colonial history, with narrow streets, broad central plazas, and some of the country's best cuisine. Learn about the music, art, and cuisine of Mexico’s Modern (and ancient Mayan) people - and even have some spare time to pamper yourself on palm-fringed beaches of Tulum.

Day 1: USA to Mérida
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Arrival: Merida International Airport (MID) Hola Mexico! After arriving at the airport and checking into the hotel, we’ll adjust to the time change with an introductory lesson on Mexico, it's Mayan culture, and it's delicious cuisine. In the evening we will come together to dine on a traditional welcome dinner. With stomachs’ full of tasty food, we’ll be prepared to really begin our adventure! Accommodation: Hacienda Teya or similar

Day 2: Mérida City
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After a delicious buffet breakfast, we’ll walk to the city center along Paseo de Montejo, a famous tree-lined boulevard that aimed to rival Mexico City’s Paseo de la Reforma. We’ll admire the many beautiful houses, museums, and landmarks on the way, stopping at the iconic Monumento a la Patria. Mérida is known as “The White City,” a title derived from the stately homes and mansions adorning the street, standing opulently in gleaming white stone. After a busy day of sightseeing, we’ll end the evening with a cooking demo, dining on classic Yucatán dishes at the hotel. Accommodation: Hacienda Teya or similar

Day 3: Mérida City
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We’ll start our day with a culinary class and early morning stroll downtown. Our guide will point out the significant buildings overlooking the main square as we head towards one of the city’s main markets, Lucas de Galvez. Our guide will speak in-depth about the regional fruits and vegetables, as well as the popular spices, including recado rojo and habanero and xcatic chili peppers. We’ll buy fresh produce to cook with, and after a hard day’s work, we’ll gather round the table are share our creations. Accommodation: Hacienda Teya or similar

Day 4: Valladolid City & Chichén Itzá
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We’ll venture on an exciting day trip to Chichén Itzá, one of Yucatán's most important pre-Hispanic towns. It’s Mexico's largest and best-restored archaeological site, and for centuries it served as the political and religious capital of the Maya empire. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s one of the region's most-visited attractions and, given its size, can take the better part of a day to explore. Highlights include El Castillo, a step-pyramid reaching almost 100 feet in height, and the impressive Temple of the Warriors. After an exciting day wandering through the ruins, we’ll unwind with our last dinner in Mérida before visiting Tulum the next morning. Accommodation: Hacienda Teya or similar

Day 5: Tulum
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The Yucatán is a place of adventure, and Tulum is at the heart of it! We’ll stay in a luxurious accommodation, dine on traditional Riviera cuisine, and immerse ourselves in the town’s lifestyle. Today we’ll snorkel in crystal clear waters, keeping an eye out for the diverse marine life. We’ll see an abundance of colorful, tropical fish and hopefully a sting ray or sea turtle, too! After a day spent splashing in the sea, we’ll return to the hotel for a savory dinner. Accommodation: Hacienda Teya or similar

Day 6: Tulum & Ceynotes

On our final day in paradise, we’ll explore gorgeous cenotes and tour ancient Mayan ruins. We’ll start at the cenotes—secluded underground caves formed from caved in limestone. They possess an ethereal quality, with sparkling turquoise waters sheltered by lush greenery. Next, it’s on to the famous Tulum ruin—considered by many to be the area’s most beautiful. The site is small but exquisitely poised on a 50-foot cliff overlooking vibrant azure waters and a blinding white sand beach. Facing the rising sun, the ruins offers unparalleled views of the Caribbean that are nothing less than spectacular. Tulum means "wall" in Mayan, and the city was named for the stone walls protecting it on all sides. With so much beauty to see, we’ll spend the day on a guided tour of this magical place.
Accommodation: Hacienda Teya or similar

Day 7 Tulum Airport
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Adiós Mexico! Our Yucatán adventure has come to an end, but the memories of our wondrous experience will last a lifetime. We’ll return to the airport for our flights back home. Departure: Cancun International Airport (CUN)

5-day Extension to Belize & Guatemala
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Day 7: We will set out from the beautiful city of Tulum towards our destination of Caye Caulker in Belize. This stunning Caribbean island sits just off the coast of Belize and is a beautiful destination. Enjoy the evening on the beach, relaxing to the sound of crashing waves on the shore. Accommodation: Anchorage Resort, Colindas Cabanas or similar

Day 8: Today we will explore the wonders of Caye Caulker. This place offers excellent snorkeling and is home to an incredible array of marine life. Enjoy a full day snorkeling excursion to Hol Chan Marine Reserve (a protected reef) with a delicious lunch. This is a fantastic way to experience the world heritage site that is the Belize Barrier Reef and the country’s most bio-diverse reef. Accommodation: Anchorage Resort, Colindas Cabanas or similar

Day 9: As we journey southward through Belize we will explore the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich, an ancient site dating back hundreds of years. Along the way we will stop at the popular San Ignacio city, visiting the the Belize rescue center for environmental and animal conservation. We will enjoy a relaxing day at our hotel, and we’ll have free time to explore the most popular city for visitors! Accommodation: Cassia Hill Resort or similar

Day 10: Today we journey to Guatemala to see the incredible wonders of Tikal. 1500 years ago Tikal was considered to be one of the largest cities in the world, and is an awe-inspiring Mayan ruin. We will wander the ancient structures and learn about the history, culture, and people that make Tikal a world-famous travel destination and a UNESCO world heritage site. Accommodation: Tikal Jungle Lodge or similar

Day 11: It’s time to say goodbye to an incredible experience in Belize and Guatemala and depart for home. Be sure to grab your bags and as many souvenirs as you can fit along the way and we hope to see you on your next Acanela Expedition!