Highlights of Mexico & beach holiday in Tulum

Today, you'll depart from your chosen airport, embarking on a tour to Mexico with connecting flight(s) along the way. Upon arrival at Mexico City airport, you'll be greeted by a driver who will transfer you to your hotel.

Today brings an exciting city tour of Mexico City, one of the world's largest cities, situated at an elevation of 2,240 meters, making it one of the highest-located metropolises globally, surrounded by volcanoes.

Look forward to exploring Mexico's colonial centre, where you’ll encounter the central square, the Zocalo, encircled by the National Palace and Mexico’s grand Cathedral, the largest in the country. Also located here is the Templo Mayor, the remnants of the ceremonial centre of the former Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán (entry not included). From here, you’ll proceed to Alameda Park, home to the nation's stunning cultural hub, Palacio de Bellas Artes, where you can enjoy opera, ballet, drama, and concerts. You'll continue along the broad avenue, Paseo de la Reforma, which runs through the heart of Mexico City to Chapultepec Park. Here, you'll find the Museo de Antropologia, an anthropological museum boasting a vast collection of pre-Spanish artefacts. It's a fascinating museum offering intriguing insights into the country's diverse cultures.

You'll return to your hotel in the late afternoon with the evening at your leisure.

An extension to the city tour is available, allowing you to experience The Frida Kahlo Museum, where you'll learn more about the renowned artist’s life and view some of her famous works.

Today is yours to explore at leisure. Discover this vibrant metropolis or opt for one of our excursions, whether you're intrigued by historical ruins or the Mexican cuisine.

You can take an excursion to one of Latin America's largest archaeological sites, the temple city of Teotihuacán, or experience the world’s largest man-made pyramid, Tlachihualtepetl, at the Cholula ruins in Puebla.

If the culinary aspects of Mexico City appeal to you more, we recommend our gastronomic excursion, offering a chance to savour a variety of Mexican dishes.

Today, you will depart Mexico City and fly to Tuxtla, located in the state of Chiapas. Upon arriving in Tuxtla, you'll be collected at the airport and taken to the stunning Sumidero Canyon. Here, an exhilarating two-hour speedboat tour awaits, taking you through the canyon with towering rock faces looming on either side. You might even spot monkeys, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species during the trip.
Following this, you'll continue by bus to San Cristóbal de las Casas, with the remainder of the day at your leisure.

The city is situated at approximately 2,100 meters above sea level and is considered one of Mexico's most beautiful cities. This charming city was once known simply as "San Cristóbal"; "de las Casas" was added in honour of Bartolomé de las Casas, a Spanish priest who advocated for the rights of indigenous people.

The city is particularly renowned for its well-preserved colonial architecture. Adjacent to the central square, Plaza 31 de Marzo, stands the most beautiful of the city's churches, the Templo de Santo Domingo.

Additionally, the following places are definitely worth a visit: Templo del Carmen with its distinctive tower, the local market offering foods and handicrafts, and Na Bolom, the home of the Danish explorer and archaeologist Frans Blom. Na Bolom has now been converted into a hotel and museum, showcasing exhibitions on his lifelong work studying indigenous tribes.

Unfortunately, an English-speaking guide is not available on this day (though this is not necessary).

Today offers an exciting insight into Mayan culture with visits to the villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán. These villages are just a short drive from San Cristóbal, and you'll have a knowledgeable guide with you all day to provide fascinating information about the villages and their inhabitants, as well as to guide you in visiting the towns respectfully, considering their traditions and values — for instance, you should always ask for permission before taking photos of the locals.

San Juan Chamula is home to around 50,000 original Mayans, primarily Tzotzils and Tzeltals. The Mayans are very keen on preserving their traditions and cultural heritage, as evidenced by their own language, police, and regulations. You'll visit the unique church in the town's central plaza, which is definitely worth a visit. The church is a great example of the fusion between the original Maya faith and Catholicism. The Mayans pray to the Maya god or saint relevant to the ailment or wish that prompted their visit. The church has no benches, so people kneel and pray on the floor among many lit candles. The air is thick with incense, and wooden figures of their saints and John the Baptist, the town's patron saint, stand along the walls.

Both San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán are renowned for their weaving techniques, and each village has its own traditional costumes with carefully thought-out patterns and colours.

Here, you will have the opportunity to purchase colourful clothing and rugs as souvenirs at very reasonable prices whilst also supporting the local villagers.

You'll return to San Cristóbal in the afternoon and have the rest of the day at your leisure.

Today, you'll set off very early from San Cristóbal to Palenque. The route winds through mountain roads and contains speed bumps, but sit back in your seat and enjoy the mountain views as part of the experience. Stops will be made at two enchanting waterfalls, each unique in its own right. Here, you’ll have time to yourself to take a refreshing dip, grab a bite to eat, or simply enjoy the breathtaking natural landscape. Remember to pack swimwear and a towel in your hand luggage if you wish to take a dip along the way.

The first stop is at the Agua Azul Falls (the Blue Falls), a series of cascading waterfalls where turquoise waters rush over white limestone terraces in multiple tiers. The characteristic colour of the water is due to the high mineral and limestone content reflecting sunlight, creating an almost magical backdrop. The falls are nestled within lush rainforest, where small natural pools form along the river, allowing you to take a refreshing dip. The next stop is the Misol-Ha waterfall, a single drop of about 35 metres plummeting dramatically into an emerald-green lagoon in the midst of the rainforest. A small path leads behind the waterfall, where you can stand sheltered from the roaring cascade and truly feel the power of nature up close.

In the afternoon, you'll arrive in Palenque, a relatively small local town that primarily serves as a base for visitors to the famous Maya ruins of the same name.

Unfortunately, an English-speaking guide is not available on this day (though this is not necessary).

*Currently, gov.uk has a travel advisory on the road from San Cristóbal to Palenque via Agua Azul and Misol Ha waterfalls (Route 199) because it is often affected by demonstrations and roadblocks. As long as gov.uk advises against this route, we will change your program for this day and take you to Palenque by a different route via the town of Villahermosa. Unfortunately, you will not be able to visit the two waterfalls with this route change.

Feel free to unleash your inner Indiana Jones on today's excursion! The Palenque ruins are hidden within the dense jungle, like a lost world where ancient temples and ruins suddenly emerge from the rainforest. Your guide will give you an exciting tour of the site, including the impressive Temple of the Inscriptions, which houses the tomb of the mighty Maya king, King Pakal. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to explore the ancient ruins at your leisure.

You'll return by midday and have the rest of the day to yourself in Palenque. You can also choose to extend your visit to the Mayan ruins and purchase an optional trip to the Roberto Barrios Falls, featuring several small waterfalls and different natural pools for swimming.

Today's journey is a long one, but you'll be travelling by first-class coach to Mérida, so simply sit back in the comfortable seats and enjoy the passing scenery. You'll need to make your own way from the hotel to the bus station in Palenque, either on foot or by taking a taxi (at your own cost). Upon arrival in Mérida, a taxi will be waiting to take you to the hotel.

You have the rest of the day free to relax or explore this exciting city. Mérida, the capital of the Yucatán state, is renowned for its rich history, cultural diversity, and charming colonial architecture, which you'll undoubtedly notice as you stroll through the city's streets.

The journey takes approximately 8 hours.

There are no scheduled excursions today, but if you fancy adding more experiences to your trip, you can opt to join one of our extra excursions. Visit the flamingo colony in Celestún, swim in impressive cenotes, explore the stunning Mayan ruins at Uxmal, or learn to cook Mexican food in our cooking class.

You might also choose to explore the city independently. Mérida is a charming city founded in 1542 on the remnants of the former Mayan city Tihó. It is known both as 'The White City' for its many whitewashed buildings and 'The Paris of Mexico' by locals since it's the most European city on the Yucatán Peninsula. Last century, it gained wealth from henequen (sisal) production, and its former prosperity is still reflected in the city's many impressive edifices.

Mérida is also renowned for its cuisine, offering a wealth of culinary experiences. Yucatán cuisine is particularly known for dishes like cochinita pibil (slow-cooked pork) and sopa de lima (lime soup), as well as the use of unique spices like habanero chili and achiote. Don't miss out on a refreshing agua de chaya drink (made with chaya leaves, lime, and sugar) and a marquesita (a crisp pancake often filled with Nutella and cheese) for dessert.

Today promises another day full of experiences. The journey continues towards Tulum on the Caribbean coast — Mexico's celebrated Riviera Maya. But before reaching this beach paradise, you’ll stop at two of the Yucatán Peninsula's most iconic attractions: the magnificent ruins of Chichén Itzá and the scenic cenote San Lorenzo Oxman.

The first stop is Chichén Itzá, one of Mexico's most renowned attractions and part of the UNESCO world heritage list. The ruins hold remnants from two historical periods, the original Maya and the later Itzá period, making it recognised today as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

The Maya's impressive knowledge of both astronomy and architecture is vividly displayed in the structures. You'll see the iconic, 25-metre tall pyramid El Castillo, designed as a physical representation of the Maya calendar. Twice a year, at the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sun creates a spectacular light effect that makes it appear as though a serpent is descending the pyramid—a tribute to the feathered serpent god Kukulkán.

You’ll also visit Mexico's largest ancient ball court, with its impressive dimensions of over 180 x 70 metres, a testament to the site's grandeur and cultural importance. The tour then moves to the Temple of the Warriors, famous for its characteristic Chac-Mool figure, and further to The Observatory, which the Maya used to map celestial bodies and develop their advanced calendar system.

One of the tour's most fascinating features is the visit to the sacred well Cenote Sagrado. Initially serving as a water source, it also played a central role in Maya religious rituals. Offerings and, in some cases, humans were sacrificed here to the rain god Chaac. Archaeological excavations have uncovered both human bones and valuable artifacts in the well's depths.

After a brief lunch pause, continue to the cenote San Lorenzo Oxman, which offers a refreshing stop amidst the tropical landscape. A cenote is a natural freshwater hole formed when the limestone collapses to reveal the underground groundwater. It is a geological formation unique to the Yucatán Peninsula.

The Oxman cenote is open to the sky, allowing sunlight to shine directly into the clear waters, highlighting the green hues. Tree roots and lush vegetation grow along the walls, creating an almost magical atmosphere. You can take a dip, relax, or simply enjoy the view. There are toilets and changing rooms available, and you can rent a locker for your valuables and a life jacket for a small fee.

In fact, there are over 6,000 cenotes on the Yucatán Peninsula. You can read more about cenotes on our blog here.

There’s also the opportunity to purchase snacks and drinks both at Chichén Itzá and the Oxman cenote.

Today's journey ends in the laid-back, atmospheric beach town of Tulum, famed for its chalk-white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and the azure Caribbean Sea. Here, a few relaxing days of beach life, culture, and scenic surroundings await you.

You have the next few days to explore Tulum and its surrounding areas independently. Look forward to a dip in the turquoise sea or take a siesta in the shade of a swaying palm tree on the chalk-white sandy beach. Tulum exudes a laid-back bohemian atmosphere and offers a perfect blend of nature, culture, and beach life.

Visit the nearby Mayan ruins and discover the iconic temples proudly overlooking the Caribbean Sea. You can also hire a bike and visit the town's main street, bustling with colourful cafés, Mexican restaurants, and quaint little shops.

About an hour’s drive by car from Tulum lie the Coba ruins, an impressive archaeological site set amidst the lush Yucatán jungle. The Coba ruins originate from one of the most important Maya cities and can be explored on foot or by bicycle taxi.

The area around Tulum is also known for its fascinating nature. If you wish to visit more cenotes, there are plenty of options including the Gran Cenote, La Calavera, and Dos Ojos cenotes. You can also take a taxi to the Kaan Luum lagoon with its beautiful crystal-clear water or visit the Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve, an exciting UNESCO-protected natural area with jungle, mangroves, and rich wildlife.

Along Tulum's beautiful white sandy beach, there are several hotels with charming beach bars and atmospheric restaurants, where you can savour authentic Mexican flavours and a cool cerveza—all in tropical surroundings.

Tulum caters to everyone's tastes and is the perfect place for those who wish to end their tour by fully unwinding.

It's time to bid farewell to Mexico. You will be transferred to Cancún Airport, where your journey back home begins.

You will arrive at your chosen airport after a delightful and exciting tour of Mexico.