New

Mexico's Yucatán Adventure

Activity

Culture

Overview

Experience the Yucatán’s greatest adventures, chosen by the people who know them best

There’s the Yucatán Peninsula of the guidebooks, then there’s the one we’ll show you on this activity-packed adventure. Guided by an expert tour leader, we explore the ruins of the Maya, swim in the fresh waters of a rainforest cenote, drive a classic Land Rover around a historic hacienda, discover the secrets of Yucatán cuisine, and see the pink flamingos of Ría Lagartos. We finish in the beautiful but little-known beach town of El Cuyo, the perfect end to the adventure.

Key Information

Trip Code: AYN
Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Countries: Mexico
Carbon Footprint: 66.1kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

All breakfasts, four lunches and three dinners
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Group arrival and departure transfers available
Tips for hotel staff

Highlights

Explore the Maya world at the ruins of Chichén Itzá, Ek’ Balam and Uxmal
Drive a classic Land Rover around one of Mexico’s historic haciendas
Stay in three diverse locations: colonial Valladolid, rural Uxmal and the beachtown of El Cuyo
Learn the secrets of Yucatán cuisine in an immersive cooking class
Take a boat onto Ría Lagartos reserve with a Maya cooperative
Discover the wonders of Izamal on a fun bike tour

Itinerary

First Destination: Valladolid
Next Destination: El Cuyo

Meals included:Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Valladolid
Next Destination: El Cuyo

Begin your adventure in the tranquil colonial city of Valladolid.

Around 6pm, say hola to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

Your tour leader then ensures a big Mexican welcome by arranging dinner at the hotel, which serves traditional Yucatecan cuisine.

Want more time in Valladolid? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation: El Mesón del Marqués (or similar)

Meals included:Dinner

Journey into the Maya world today at the ruins of Ek’ Balam, a 30-minute drive away. Navigating the jungle-shrouded archaeological site with our tour leader, we enjoy our first introduction to the civilisation, while also keeping an eye out for various birdlife and iguanas.

Visit the nearby Xcanché cenote after, a rainforest sinkhole filled with deep-blue fresh water. Before taking a refreshing swim, you need to descend 50ft (15m) via steep wooden stairs – or overcome the distance by rappelling, mountaineer-style.

We then return to Valladolid for downtime at the hotel. Refreshed, we explore the city on a guided tour, walking cobblestone streets, seeing Franciscan churches and monasteries, and soaking in the romantic atmosphere of the main square (zócalo).

Accommodation: El Mesón del Marqués (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Explore an icon of Mexico today: Chichén Itzá, one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. Just a one-hour drive away, it’s home to some of the most impressive surviving ruins from the Maya civilisation, including: the 80ft (24m) tall pyramid of El Castillo (also known as the Temple of Kukulcan); the Great Ball Court; Sacred Cenote; and El Caracol observatory.

Our tour leader shows us the incredible structures, while also sharing the secrets and extraordinary planning that went into building the city.

After, we transfer (3hr 20min) to Uxmal, where we visit the Ecomuseo del Cacao, exploring the beautiful gardens and traditional Maya houses to learn all about growing and cultivating cocoa plants and producing chocolate. Also try a traditional Maya drink made from cocoa beans and spices, enjoying the sweet and spicy taste.

Finally, we head to Hacienda Uxmal. Built in 1683, its former guests include Queen Elizabeth II and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, though you’ll be the VIP guests for our three-night stay.

Accommodation: Hacienda Uxmal (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

We visit the Uxmal ruins this morning, our next great foray into the Maya world. Though not as well known as Chichén Itzá, the buildings here, which include the towering Pyramid of the Magician, Nunnery Quadrangle and Ball Court, are equally impressive.

Returning to Hacienda Uxmal, we explore in style, taking turns to drive classic Land Rovers around the extensive grounds, where they grow a wide range of fruit and vegetables. As we head to a lookout point for a view over the tropical forest and Uxmal ruins, learn about the cultivation of limes, Maya pumpkins, broccoli and tomatoes, with a chance to try some of the produce. Feeling brave? Test yourself against the habanero, the hottest chilli in the Yucatán.

Accommodation: Hacienda Uxmal (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Transfer (1hr 35min) to Mérida this morning, capital of the Yucatán state with a fascinating mix of Maya heritage and colonial influences.

Here, we learn the secrets of Yucatecan cuisine in an immersive six-hour cooking class. It starts at the local market, where we taste delicious local fruits, learn about Yucatecan customs, and purchase our ingredients.

Then, we take a public bus to our chef’s home, where our host shows us how to cook a traditional menu. To increase everyone’s enjoyment and learning, the specific menu is tailored to the dietary requirements of the group, but is generally a starter, main course (such as pollo pibil or papadzules) and a dessert.

After, we have a relaxed walking tour of downtown Mérida, before returning to Hacienda Uxmal.

Accommodation: Hacienda Uxmal (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

We’re off to Izamal (a 1hr 40min drive), named a Pueblo Mágico by the Mexican tourism board and known for its collection of bright-yellow buildings. Here, we visit a centre for traditional medicine to learn about Maya healing under the expert tutelage of Anilú Patrón Canché, who shares her ancestral knowledge with you.

After, tuck into traditional Yucatán dishes at Kinich restaurant for lunch – the homemade salsas are particularly good.

Then, we stretch our legs on a bike tour of the city. Visit the main streets and central square, climb the Kinich Kakmó Pyramid for views over the city, explore the Itzamatul Pyramid, and visit the former railway station.

We also stop at three traditional workshops (where they make papier-mâché products, hammocks, and woodcraft/miniatures) for a first-hand look at the artisanal heritage of Izamal.

Finally, we transfer (3hr 30min) to the little-known beach town of El Cuyo, our last base of the adventure.

Accommodation: Mexhe Hotel Boutique (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Head into nature today, driving (1hr 50min) to Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, where mangrove forests, vast swamps and saline wetlands protect numerous wildlife, including crocodiles, sea turtles and flamingos.

Here, we join a Maya cooperative on an educational boat tour through the winding mangrove channels and past the pink salt ponds of Las Coloradas (where you might want to take a mineral-rich mud bath!).

After the tour, we have a boxed lunch before returning to El Cuyo, where you can enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, before we head out for a final group dinner, a chance to relive our adventures together!

Accommodation: Mexhe Hotel Boutique (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The adventure ends today after breakfast and we begin our return journeys home. If you’d prefer a little more time to relax beachside in El Cuyo, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

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Call us on 0203 733 5948

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Accommodation

Hotels

We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines.

Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we pair solo passengers together in a room. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Essential Information

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page.

Hacienda Uxmal drive: If you’d like to drive the Land Rover around Hacienda Uxmal, you must be over 21 years old with a valid manual driver’s license (which you must bring along with you as proof).

Key information

Start hotel: El Mesón del Marqués, 203 X40, Calle 39 203 X40 Y 42, C. 39 Y 42, Centro, 97780 Valladolid
Phone: +52 985 856 2073
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There is a welcome briefing around 6pm.
Airport: Cancún International Airport (CUN)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately a 1hr 45min drive from the airport. We provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel, which you can join at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

There’s one group transfer to Cancún International Airport, which you can join at no extra cost. Please speak to your sales representative for the time of the transfer. If the group transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative.

Departure tax for international visitors

The state of Quintana Roo charges all international travellers a departure tax. This tax is approximately US$21 per person. The fee can be paid and a receipt obtained by visiting www.visitax.gob.mx/sitio prior to arrival or during the visit. The payment must be verified prior to leaving Quintana Roo. Once travellers have concluded their stay in Quintana Roo, they must show their receipt at the airport checkpoint before boarding. Travellers who do not have a receipt will receive assistance to make the payment at that time.

Mexico

Visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

If you are travelling via the USA and are eligible to transit under the Visa Waiver Program, you are required to register in advance for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). There is a US$21 charge, which is only payable online. Please see our website www.exodus.co.uk/usvisa for further information.

Please note, not all nationalities have the same eligibility for travel to or transit via the USA, and you may not be covered by the visa waiver program. Regulations stipulate that any person who has travelled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011, or have dual nationalities of these countries, may no longer qualify. In addition, if you have travelled to Cuba since 12 January 2021 you will not be eligible for the visa waiver program and should instead apply for a visa.

If you are in doubt of your eligibility, please check the visa requirements with your local US embassy.

Breakfast generally consists of fruits, cereals, beans and eggs.

Budget around 255-340 Mexican pesos (US$15-US$20) for lunch and 255-510 pesos (US$15-US$30) for dinner for meals not included. A beer costs about 70 pesos (US$4).

Drinking water is provided on the bus from large containers to reduce the amount of single-use plastic bottles used; please bring a refillable bottle with you.

There is little variation in temperature between seasons on the coast and in the lowland areas. Expect 28C-33C (82F-91F) average daytime maximum and 18C-23C (64F-73F) nighttime minimum. On the coast, the heat and humidity are moderated by sea breezes, but inland it is likely to be quite humid.

The wet season is from June to October, when it normally rains on average one day in three. The rains tend to be short and heavy, alternating with pleasant clear spells. During the other months, rain is much less likely, but there is the chance of an occasional storm at almost any time.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.