Mexico: Through The Mayan Heartlands (Day Of The Dead)
Mexico: Through The Mayan Heartlands (Day Of The Dead)
16 Days
Visiting: Mexico
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MUY
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Interests:
From:
$5981
$5682 (USD)
The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$299
Tour Overview
With its rich legacy of Aztec, Mayan and Spanish Colonial architecture, Mexico is perhaps unsurprisingly home to more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country in the Americas. On this epic journey, which travels from Mexico City in the Central Highlands through the rainforests of Chiapas to the coastline of the Yucatan, we’ll not only visit the spectacular sights found on our usual Mayan Heartlands itinerary, we’ll also experience one of the most iconic celebrations in the world, the unique Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos.
A world away from the tourist resorts of Acapulco and Cancun lies a Mexico that is all too often unseen and that is richer in traditional culture than many of its smaller Central American neighbours. With more time than on many of our other trips, this tour allows our clients to tick off those world-famous highlights including Chichen Itza, Oaxaca and Mexico City as well as get lost deep within the Mexican jungles in search of hidden Mayan ruins and quiet indigenous communities. So come for the best of both worlds! Mexico has it all in abundance.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Tour Starts In Mexico City
Accommodation: Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton or similar
Meals Included: Dinner
The tour starts this evening in Mexico’s bustling capital. Rooms will be available from early afternoon for anyone arriving before the suggested group flights (see GETTING THERE section below).
Day 2: Mexico City
Accommodation: Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
One could easily spend a week or more exploring the many sights in and around Mexico’s capital so, by its very nature, our time spent here cannot be fully comprehensive. However we aim today to provide a good introduction to the city and the country by first visiting the excellent Museo Nacional de Antropologia, home to one of the largest Mesoamerican collections anywhere in the world and which will provide an important context for many of the places we will visit later on in the trip. We’ll also visit the vast expanse of the iconic Zocalo square, and take a tour through the heart of the city’s colonial past, taking in the stunning facades of the National Palace and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Day 3: Mexico City - Puebla
Accommodation: Colonial de Puebla or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we'll leave the capital for the picturesque town of Puebla. A proud feature of the historic city is the Biblioteca Palafoxiana, and for good reason too. Touted as the first library in the Americas, this morning we’ll have a guided visit through its corridors and 40,000+ archives dating back to the 15th century. Known for its local talavera tiles, a guided tour around the colonial centre affords opportunities to spot them adorning various buildings. This evening we’ll begin getting ready for the festivities to come, before heading to the small town of Atlixco for the main event. The internationally famous Day of the Dead parades in Mexico draw in thousands of visitors from all over the world and, on this tour, we’ll be substituting the huge crowds of Mexico City and Oaxaca, for the giant Catrina sculptures of the Calaveras Parade in Atlixco, brimming with colourful costumes and marching bands. Mingle with local residents of all generations as the celebrations continue on into the evening.
Day 4: Puebla - Oaxaca
Accommodation: Casa Conzatti or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Driving through magnificent Mexican countryside, we head towards picturesque Oaxaca today, renowned for its colourful colonial streets and cuisine. Driving time will be around five hours but will be broken up by a stop at the botanical gardens in Zapotitlan Salinas. Not your typical botanical gardens, the unspoiled landscape here is covered with tall cacti, palms and elephant foot trees. After exploring the vegetation via a series of footpaths and stairways, we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in, what feels like, a scene straight out of a Mexican western before heading on to our final destination.
Day 5: Oaxaca
Accommodation: Casa Conzatti or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we’ll head out to see one of the region’s most significant pre-Columbian ruins, Monte Alban, otherwise known in indigenous languages as ‘At the Foot of the Sky’ or ‘Sacred Mountain.’ This partially excavated site is characterised by several hundred terraces and a dozen clusters of mounded architecture. Later we’ll return to Oaxaca for a guided tour around this stunning city that is home to several impressive colonial buildings including the cathedral, the Templo del Carmen Alto and the Templo de Santo Domingo.
Day 6: Oaxaca - Mitla - Tehuantepec
Accommodation: Hotel Calli or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a visit this morning to the nearby Teotitlan del Valle, which is admired locally for its textiles, we’ll head into the foothills of the Sierra Madre to discover the well-preserved Zapotec archaeological ruins of Mitla, renowned for its geometric mosaics. We’ll then continue down towards the Pacific coast and the town of Tehuantepec which will provide us with our night stop.
Day 7: Tehuantepec – Sumidero Canyon - San Cristobal De Las Casas
Accommodation: Villa Mercedes or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Heading into the state of Chiapas we’ll make for the Sumidero Canyon to take a wonderful boat trip through the majestic rock walls of the canyon towering thousands of feet above the water. We hope to catch glimpses of the local wildlife such as crocodiles, spider monkeys, cormorants and herons. On our return to the dock we’ll continue into the highlands, finally arriving at the beautiful town of San Cristobal de las Casas.
Day 8: San Cristobal De Las Casas
Accommodation: Villa Mercedes or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we’ll visit the nearby local indigenous towns of San Juan Chamula and San Lorenzo Zinacantan, which are famous for their unusual religious traditions, including drinking copious amounts of Coca Cola in an attempt to ward off evil spirits! Please note that in these towns photography inside the churches and of any religious parades is strictly forbidden. Whilst in Zinacantan, we'll drop into a weaving mill run by three sisters to learn more about their lives and art form in the rural, indigenous village over some freshly prepared tortillas. In the afternoon we’ll return to San Cristobal where the rest of the day will be free to relax and enjoy the surrounds of this enduringly popular destination.
Day 9: San Cristobal De Las Casas – Las Guacamayas
Accommodation: Las Guacamayas Eco Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Eschewing the more commonly taken direct route to Palenque we instead opt to take the so-called Frontier Highway which runs along the border with Guatemala. This route will take us along rough roads into the rainforest to access the ecotourism project of Las Guacamayas, established by local villagers and which benefits from a remote jungle location. This will be our base for the next two nights.
Day 10: Las Guacamayas
Accommodation: Las Guacamayas Eco Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
With a full day in the jungle, there will be time for early morning boat rides along the Lacantun and Tzendales Rivers, both of which lie within the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, and which offer great wildlife spotting opportunities. In the afternoon we’ll also be able to go for a hike through the forest to see the flora of this protected zone as well as an area where parrots often come to feed. Las Guacamayas is a special place that offers a good insight into the natural wonders of Chiapas and is a project we are proud to support.
Day 11: Las Guacamayas – Yaxchilan - Frontera Corozal
Accommodation: Centro Ecoturistico Escudo Jaguar or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we’ll make for one of the least visited and most impressive Mayan sites – Yaxchilan – renowned for its incredible setting and ornamental facades. In the afternoon a boat ride takes us along the Usumacinta River, the natural border between Mexico and Guatemala, as the calls of large troops of howler monkey remind us just how far from modern civilization we are. We return back up the river to our overnight cabins close to our embarkation point.
Day 12: Frontera Corozal - Bonampak - Palenque
Accommodation: Chan Kah Eco Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we’ll make for Bonampak – the fascinating and well-guarded secret of the Lacandón forest. These ruins are famous for the astonishing paintings inside the Templo de las Pinturas, with vivid depictions of battles and bizarre rituals unmatched in the Mayan world. After time to take in these magnificent surroundings, we’ll head on to Palenque, aiming to arrive at our hotel in the afternoon.
Day 13: Palenque – Campeche
Accommodation: Hotel Plaza Campeche or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Early in the morning we head for the archaeological site of Palenque - one of the most spectacular Mayan sites anywhere in Mexico. Engulfed by jungle and occupying a high escarpment on the northern edge of the Chiapas Highlands, these captivating ruins span nearly a thousand years of history. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city once lay at the heart of the Mayan empire and its revered Templo de las Inscripciones is considered one of the most important burial sites ever discovered in the Americas. After a comprehensive visit, a six hour drive takes us finally into the Yucatan peninsula. Here we’ll spend the night in the wonderfully preserved Baroque city of Campeche that was built by the Spanish to protect their ports from pirates such as Francis Drake. With two forts and part of its old defensive walls still intact, Campeche contains some superb examples of 17th and 18th century Spanish military architecture, whilst its main plaza is a great place to soak up the rich ambience of modern life.
Day 14: Campeche - Uxmal - Merida
Accommodation: Gamma El Castellano or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our drive through the Yucatan this morning will take us to Uxmal to visit the stunningly preserved ruins of one of the finest Mayan cities ever built. Once one of the largest cities on the Yucatan Peninsula, Uxmal can boast the spectacular setting of the Palace of the Governors, considered by many to be one of the finest examples of classical Mayan architecture anywhere. It is also home to the mystical Pyramid of the Magician, a 38 metre high structure that is in fact five superimposed temples. This afternoon we’ll continue on to Merida, the cultural hub of the Yucatan Peninsula, blessed with some very impressive colonial architecture.
Day 15: Merida - Chichen Itza - Merida
Accommodation: Gamma El Castellano or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
To avoid the inevitable but understandable crowds, we’ll have an early start as we make for Chichen Itza, one of the most awe-inspiring attractions in Latin America. This pre-Columbian city is famed for the intricately designed Castillo pyramid where human sacrifices were made. Later there will be an opportunity to stop at a picturesque cenote (sinkhole) for a quick swim before returning to Merida for our last night. The afternoon will be free to explore the city, however in the evening we will regroup to head out for our final night in Mexico.
Day 16: Tour Ends In Merida
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour ends after breakfast.
What's Included
-
MEALS
15 x Breakfasts14 x Lunches15 x Dinners
-
TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use a combination of minibuses and boats
-
GROUP SIZE
Maximum: 12
-
CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to climate and community projects for all bookings
-
EXPERT TEAM
The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate
-
ACCOMMODATION
All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary
-
FITNESS RATING
Low / Moderate
-
ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary
What's Not Included
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour
ationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Visas
VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we
travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information,
requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that
you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa
agency. More details can be found here - www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently do
not require
a visa for Mexico. However, those travelling on the suggested group flights will require a
visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver to
transit the USA. If travelling on a British passport, you should just
need an ESTA.
Please note that as of January 2016 US policy (subject to change) has stated that anyone wishing to travel to or via the USA must have a biometric passport. In addition, anyone who has travelled to several countries including Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Cuba, Yemen or Somalia since March 2011, is required to apply for a US visa (rather than just an ESTA). If you are affected by this, the process is fairly straightforward and you can read more about it here - www.wildfrontierstravel.com/us-visa.
Passports
should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your
tour.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should
contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Mexico.
For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider.
Malaria is present in some parts of Mexico and precautions are essential.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements and the most suitable anti-malarial tablets, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Key Aspects to Consider
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour. Roads in Mexico are of mixed quality so come prepared for some smooth rides as well as some bumpy ones, especially in Chiapas. This is a big trip covering approximately 2500kms so by necessity some of the days will involve long drives, but the diversity of scenery and people that you’ll see along the way will more than make up for this.
Travelling Solo and single supplements
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation, but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
Insurance
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. If you choose to purchase the Wild Frontiers bespoke policy through Travel & General (currently available to UK residents only) then please note for this trip the minimum required level of cover will be the Standard policy. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
Travelling Solo and single supplements
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation, but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
Check out our Q&As
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2002
-
Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?
In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Dates & Availability
tourhub Discount Available - Sign In
Friday - Saturday
Oct 31, 2025 - Nov 15, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
Wild Frontiers allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 90 days before the start of the tour.
-
Low Deposit
Wild Frontiers requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wild frontiers charges.
Up to 71 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 51 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
Wild Frontiers' COVID Promise
You will have the right to transfer without any transfer fee, from any of our trips at ANY time if your trip is not Covid Viable (see below).*
We will not ask you to pay your final balance if your trip is not yet Covid Viable.
If your trip is not Covid Viable, by 30 days prior to departure at the latest, we will cancel your holiday and you can either transfer your funds to another departure or have a refund.**
We will only consider a trip Covid Viable*** if pre-departure it meets all of the following criteria:
There is no national lockdown or ban on foreign travel for the period when your trip is due to depart.
Destinations on the tour must not be on the UK’s Red List. ****
No destinations visited on the tour have in place any significant COVID-19 restrictions for travellers.
Tourist visas (if required) are available.
There is reliable airline access to/from the start/end of the trip.
Following an assessment by both Wild Frontiers and our local partners we are confident that your trip is able to run in both a safe and enjoyable manner.*****
** If you were originally booked to travel before 30 April 2020 and transferred to a later date, or if you have a tailor-made booking, there may be some irrecoverable costs which we cannot refund. Please speak to us and we will be able to advise you if this is the case for your booking.
***Since our HQ is in London, Covid Viable status for our Group Tours will be assessed on UK-based travellers. However we are fully aware that many of our clients live in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. As such, when we deem a trip to now be Covid Viable, everyone booked will have a chance to review their own personal situation before deciding whether or not to remain booked on the trip. Anyone wishing to, will have the option to transfer without fees to another trip at this time. For tailor made bookings, we may also able to consider additional countries’ travel advice when deciding if a trip is Viable. Please discuss this with us at the time of booking.
**** This relates to bookings from UK clients only. We may operate trips to destinations which the British FCDO advise against travel for Covid reasons. If this is the case, anyone wishing to will have the option to cancel with a refund or transfer to another trip. In some cases we may choose to offer a tour to a Red destination but these will be at both clients’ and Wild Frontiers’ discretion and will be subject to alternative conditions to be discussed on an ad hoc basis.
*****If a destination, that we have deemed to be Covid Viable, subsequently fails any aspect of the criteria for two consecutive weeks, you will have the right under our Covid Promise to transfer without any fees.
Why book with tourhub?
Safe & Secure
Your money is protected in an external trust until you travel.
100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.
The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.
Guaranteed Best Value
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.
(Operator terms may apply)
Expert Knowledge
Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.
Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.
Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.
Trusted Service
Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.
Don't just take our word for it...
"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."