Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
8 Days Starting in Playa del Carmen and ending in Tulum
Visiting: Playa Del Carmen, Valladolid, Merida - Chichen Itza, Merida, Tulum
Tour operator:
Tour code:
QBPN
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Physical rating:
Low, Low
Age range:
15-99 years
Trip Styles:
Interests:
From:
$3250
$2845 (USD)
Operator discount: -$325
The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$80
-12%
Tour Overview
Vibrant in every way, Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula delights with its bright turquoise waters, pastel-hued buildings and traditional culture that’s still alive and kicking today. Soak up the region’s best on an eight-day Premium adventure, from the bountiful coastline of Riviera Maya to the colourful city of Valladolid, the colonial town of Merida and the white sand beaches of Tulum. Learn the ancient secrets of the Maya during visits to Chichen Itza, Muyil and the Tulum archaeological site, and travel with a local guide, meet local Maya families, conservationists and historians to uncover a side of the country most don’t get to see.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Playa Del Carmen
Location: Playa Del Carmen
Accommodation: Thompson Playa del Carmen Main House or similar
Meals Included: dinner
Welcome to Mexico! Your adventure begins in Playa del Carmen, a coastal resort town on the Yucatan Peninsula, known for its stunning turquoise waters and lively nightlife. You will be collected on your arrival at Cancun International Airport and transferred to your hotel. Here you will meet your local leader and fellow members of your group for a 6pm welcome meeting. If you arrive with time to spare, you may like to stroll along the famed pedestrian avenue through town while you peruse a range of handmade hammocks, jewellery and crafts - or relax and enjoy the views at your hotel's rooftop pool. The Yucatan’s bountiful Caribbean coastline means it is home to some of the freshest seafood in the country, and after your meeting you will head to a favorite local restaurant to sample some yourself. Here you can enjoy a traditional feast of fresh fish, mussels, shrimp and clams.
Included Activities:
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Day 2: Valladolid
Location: Valladolid
Accommodation: Hotel El Meson del Marques or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
After breakfast, depart Playa del Carmen and head to the secluded Laguna Chabela. Here you will have a truly special experience as you meet a local Maya family who have lived here for generations. Gain a deeper understanding of their way of life as you walk through the low jungle full of medicinal plants, see what they grow and learn how they live off the land. Enjoy a demonstration on how to make delicious tortillas in the Coba style with the family matriarch then sit down to a traditional lunch, prepared by hand using a mortar and pestle found in the nearby ruins, still used after 1,000 years. You’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time, with stones from ancient Maya structures emerging from the jungle and the sounds of birds as your backdrop. In the afternoon, continue to the city of Valladolid, known for its delightful pastel coloured colonial buildings. On arrival, settle in to your hotel. Set on the city’s main square, the charming hotel was converted from a 16th century colonial house and offers a perfect base for your explorations. The main square is flanked by excellent local restaurants serving up classic Yucatan cuisine – you may like to try one out for dinner this evening.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Merida - Chichen Itza
Location: Merida - Chichen Itza
Accommodation: Hotel Casa Lucia (Feature Stay) or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
This morning will be spent exploring the fascinating complex of Chichen Itza. Named as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza is considered the most important archaeological vestige of the Maya-Toltec civilization in Yucatan by UNESCO. Meet with a local guide for a tour to uncover the secrets of what is perhaps the most famous Maya site in Mexico, dominated by the Temple of Kukulkan, or El Castillo, a Mesoamerican step-pyramid. After your visit, you will be treated to a special lunch with a local family in the town of Piste. Here you will enjoy a traditional Pibil feast, a Maya style of cooking that involves barbecuing underground, which the family have perfected over generations. After lunch, visit a beautiful cenote for a swim. These limestone sinkholes were viewed by the Maya as doorways to the underworld. You’ll feel transported to another world as you float in the delightfully cool water as tropical birds flit through the dappled sunlight and dangling vines. Next, continue to Merida. Founded in 1542, the city is the Yucatan capital and retains much of its old-world charm. Your Feature Stay accommodation for the next three evenings is the historic Hotel Casa Lucia. Spacious rooms feature colonial decor with traditional touches, surrounding a glowing courtyard with a wonderful swimming pool. Enjoy the peaceful garden and a privileged location in the heart of the city.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Merida
Location: Merida
Accommodation: Hotel Casa Lucia (Feature Stay) or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
This morning you will join your leader on a walking tour of downtown Merida to take in the splendour of its many colonial buildings and learn more about the Maya heritage of the town. Visit the market for a look at local life, and stop by the city museum, Montejo's House and the cathedral. Step inside the Palacio del Gobierno to admire the murals by Fernando Castro Pacheco, a famous Mexican artist from Merida. The paintings depict the history of the city and interactions between the Maya and the Spanish. The afternoon is free for further discoveries – you may like to relax in the green and shady Plaza Grande, or browse the outdoor market selling Maya replicas. Regroup for dinner at a fantastic local restaurant serving up Yucatan specialties – the sopa da lima (lime soup) is especially delicious here.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 5: Merida
Location: Merida
Accommodation: Hotel Casa Lucia (Feature Stay) or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast, you’ll enjoy another Exclusive Experience at the Celestun Bird Sanctuary and Biosphere Reserve. One of the first places migratory birds arrive for the winter, the reserve offers a birdwatching experience like no other. Here you will tour the area by small boat while you learn about its unique flora and fauna. Look out for the Yucatan woodpecker, Mexican sheartail, tropical mockingbird and depending on the season (usually December–March), you may be lucky enough to witness thousands of flamingos painting a pink streak across the landscape. Hop off the boat for a quick walk to view bubbling turquoise springs before cruising back through the mangrove canals. Stop in a fishing town for the freshest seafood lunch (lunch on own) and a refreshing margarita, all while seated beachside under a canopy of coconut palms, with your toes in the sand. Take a dip in the Gulf of Mexico before returning to Merida for an afternoon at leisure. For a taste of Merida's 19th-century glory, you may like to take a walk along the mansion-lined Paseo de Montejo. Be sure to ask your leader for some great local recommendations for dinner this evening.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Tulum
Location: Tulum
Accommodation: Niik Tulum or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Depart Merida this morning and head towards Muyil, stopping off for lunch in the quaint village of Coba along the way. Look closely, and you’ll be able to see the tops of Mayan ruins from the nearby archaeological site peaking through the trees as you dine. Continue to today’s highlight: the virtually-unkown Muyil archaeologic site. This ancient Maya trading post is one of the oldest once-inhabited sites in the country, with a history stretching back to 350BC. Explore the ruins with your leader who will explain what life here once looked like. Next, head to the banks of the Maya River and board a small boat, from which you’ll explore the canals and lagoons of the Sian Ka'an biosphere. One of the largest protected areas in Mexico, this UNESCO heritage site covers more than 400,000 hectares of land, lagoon, and marine areas, including countless flora and fauna. You will be joined by guides from the local community who will help you get the most out of this tranquil experience. Admire Maya ruins on the riverbanks before disembarking in the crystal-clear waters of the ancient Mayan mangrove canals, where you’ll experience an adventure like no other: a natural “lazy river” where you will float through the peaceful canals in a slow but steady current. After 45 minutes of floating in the tranquil waters, carry on to Tulum, home to pristine beaches and ancient Maya history.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Tulum
Location: Tulum
Accommodation: Niik Tulum or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
In the morning, head to the Tulum archaeological site for a visit, allowing you to appreciate the incredible history of the ruins and their gorgeous views of the ocean. One of the last cities built by the Maya, your leader will paint a picture of how life played out here as you explore the complex against a spectacular ocean backdrop. Spend the afternoon soaking up the sun at a beach club, where you can enjoy a swim in the Caribbean Sea, or nap in a comfortable lounge chair. This evening you will dine at one of Tulum’s delicious restaurants. With laid back vibes and inspired by the freshest local produce and seafood, this final dinner with your newfound friends will certainly be one to remember.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Tulum
Location: Tulum
Meals Included: breaksfast
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to spend some more time in Tulum, additional accommodation can be booked ahead of time (subject to availability).
What's Included
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Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
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Puerto Morelos - Welcome Dinner
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Valladolid - Home-cooked lunch
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Valladolid - Tortilla making demonstration
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Chichen Itza - Home-cooked pibil lunch
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Valladolid - Mayan homestead visit
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Chichen Itza - Cenote swim stop
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Chichen Itza - Archaeological site
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Merida - Leader-led orientation walk
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Tulum - Muyil river float
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Transport
- Private vehicle , Boat
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
Important Information
- 1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
- 2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room?on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip?and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 3. It is recommended that you keep your main luggage weight around 15kg and certainly no more than 20kg. A small or medium-sized backpack (45-50 litres) is another good option.
- 4. Travel is always an adventure and, as destinations reopen, there are a few challenges as everyone gets back up to speed and adjusts to the new normal. Our leaders are experts when it comes to dealing with anything unexpected along the journey, so pack your understanding and flexibility, sit back and relax while they take care of the rest.
Check out our Q&As
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Are international flights included in this tour?
No
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Is this trip right for you
Some included activities, such as guided tours of archaeological sites can involve a lot of walking. Please ensure you bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes. To make the most of the trip, it's best if you have at least a moderate level of fitness.
The tropical climate of Central America means conditions can be hot and humid. Always carry plenty of water with you and stay hydrated, especially on walking tours. -
Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes, Complimentary arrival airport transfer
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes if aged 15+ and accompanied by an adult
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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COVID Protection
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details. -
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