Highlights of Yucatán

Today, your journey begins with a flight from your selected airport, heading towards Cancún on the Yucatán Peninsula in marvellous Mexico.

Once you’ve collected your luggage and made your way through immigration, you’ll be greeted by your driver, who will take you directly to your hotel in Valladolid. The drive takes around 2 hours.

The next few days are yours to enjoy as you wish in Valladolid. Wander the colourful streets at your leisure or choose from our selection of exciting optional tours.

Valladolid is one of the oldest and most charming colonial cities on the Yucatán Peninsula. Renowned for its rich history, stunning architecture, and laid-back atmosphere, it’s an ideal place to experience authentic Mexican culture.

Founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1543 and named after the city of Valladolid in Spain, this Mexican colonial town was originally established where Campeche now stands. Valladolid was moved to its current location in 1545 to take advantage of a better water supply and to avoid the many mosquitoes.

Soak up local life as you stroll the cobbled streets, and don’t miss a walk down the beautiful Calzada de los Frailes, where rows of brightly painted houses stand shoulder to shoulder. You can also visit the historic San Bernardino de Siena convent and the fascinating Zaci cenote, a natural underground pool right in the city itself—perfect for a refreshing swim at midday. In fact, there are more than 6,000 cenotes dotted across the Yucatán Peninsula. Read more about cenotes on our blog here.

Spend your afternoon in the city’s lively central square, Parque Francisco Cantón Rosado, which is always buzzing with activity. Here, you’ll also find the beautiful Catedral de San Gervasio, its towers rising majestically above the square.

If you’re curious about what lies beyond Valladolid itself, we highly recommend joining one of our optional tours. For example, you can explore the Ek Balam ruins—an undiscovered gem featuring remarkable details, including the chance to climb some of the ancient temples. This tour can be combined with a visit to Ria Lagartos, a breathtaking natural area where you can spot flamingos and crocodiles in their natural habitat.

If you’d like to discover more about the hidden cenotes, you also have the option of joining our tour, which takes you to three impressive waterholes, each steeped in mystery and inviting you for a cooling dip. The adventure continues with a visit to a local Maya village, where age-old traditions are still very much alive.

Today is set to be packed with unforgettable experiences as your journey continues towards Mérida – the cultural heart of the Yucatán. Before you arrive, you'll visit two of the peninsula’s highlights: the magnificent ruins of Chichén Itzá and the vibrant yellow city of Izamal.

Your first stop is Chichén Itzá, one of Mexico’s most iconic attractions and a UNESCO world heritage site. The ruins are a testament to two historical eras: the original Maya civilisation and the later Itzá period. Today, Chichén Itzá is counted among the new Seven Wonders of the World.

The Mayans’ remarkable knowledge of astronomy and architecture is reflected in these ancient buildings. Among the most striking is the 25-metre-high pyramid, El Castillo, designed as a physical representation of the Maya calendar. Twice a year, during the spring and autumn equinoxes, the position of the sun creates a breathtaking light effect that makes it appear as if a serpent is descending the pyramid’s steps – a tribute to the feathered serpent god, Kukulkán.

You’ll also visit Mexico’s largest ancient ball court, which, with its vast dimensions of over 180 by 70 metres, bears witness to both the grandeur and profound cultural significance of the site. Next, explore the Temple of the Warriors, renowned for its distinctive chac-mool statue, before moving on to the Observatory, where the Maya charted celestial bodies and developed their advanced calendar system.
At the Sacred Cenote, or Cenote Sagrado, you’ll gain unique insight into the spiritual world of the Maya. This well was originally a source of water, but it also played a key role in religious rituals, where the Maya sacrificed valuable objects – and, at times, people – to Chaac, the rain god. Human remains and ceremonial items discovered at the bottom of the cenote reinforce the dramatic and symbolic importance of this place.

After a short break for lunch (which is included), your tour continues on to Izamal – also known as The Yellow City.

Izamal is among the most enchanting colonial towns in Yucatán, characterised by its distinctive yellow-painted buildings and relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Here, you’ll have the chance to visit the impressive San Antonio de Padua convent, built atop a former Maya pyramid. Climb the Kinich Kakmó pyramid for panoramic views of the town or simply wander through the charming golden streets, allowing yourself to discover where they might lead.

Your journey then continues to Mérida, renowned as Yucatán’s cultural capital.

The next couple of days are yours to enjoy in Mérida as you wish. You can explore the city independently, unwind by the hotel pool, or add one of our optional tours if you’d like even more adventures to take home. Our offerings include a visit to the flamingo colony at Celestún, a refreshing swim in fascinating cenotes, a trip to the impressive Maya ruins at Uxmal, and an exciting cookery class where you’ll learn to prepare authentic Mexican dishes.

Mérida is renowned for its rich history, vibrant cultural tapestry, and charming colonial architecture – all of which are impossible to miss as you stroll through the city’s enchanting streets.

The city was founded in 1542 on the ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Tihó. Known as 'The White City' due to its many whitewashed houses, Mérida is often nicknamed 'the Paris of Mexico' by locals, as it’s considered the most European city on the Yucatán Peninsula. In the last century, Mérida grew wealthy from agave fibre production, and this past prosperity is still reflected in the many magnificent buildings gracing the city.

Mérida is also a food lover’s paradise, packed with culinary delights. The Yucatán cuisine is especially famous for dishes such as cochinita pibil (slow-cooked pork) and sopa de lima (lime soup), alongside its distinctive use of spices like the habanero chilli and achiote. Be sure not to miss a refreshing agua de chaya drink (made from chaya leaves, lime, and sugar) and indulge in a marquesita (a crunchy pancake, often stuffed with Nutella and cheese) for dessert.

Today promises another day of adventure as you journey from Mérida to the holiday haven of Playa del Carmen. On the way, you’ll enjoy exciting experiences, stopping to explore the impressive Maya ruins at Cobá and the beautiful Choo-Ha cenote.

Your first stop is Cobá, once one of the region’s largest and most significant Maya cities. The Cobá ruins are tucked away in the jungle, giving the site a magical, almost secretive atmosphere – the perfect setting to channel your inner Indiana Jones! The ruins are spread across a vast area, linked by ancient pathways known as sacbé. You’ll be taken around by cycle taxi along winding trails through lush vegetation, discovering mysterious temples and the imposing Nohoch Mul pyramid – at around 42 metres high, it’s the tallest pyramid on the Yucatán Peninsula, rising majestically above the treetops.

After exploring the ruins and enjoying a short lunch stop (lunch is included), your tour continues to the nearby Choo-Ha cenote – an atmospheric underground freshwater cave featuring crystal-clear water and gorgeous stalactite formations. Here, you’ll have time for a refreshing swim in peaceful surroundings. The cenote offers changing rooms with showers, toilet facilities, and the option to hire a life jacket.

In the late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Playa del Carmen, where you can look forward to unwinding by the Caribbean Sea and soaking up the vibrant atmosphere of this ever-popular beach town, filled with cosy cafés, boutique shops, and lively streets.

For a supplementary price, you can swap your beach stay from Playa del Carmen for Tulum. Alternatively, you might like to upgrade your hotel in Playa del Carmen. Check out your upgrade and optional add-on possibilities below:

The final days of your tour are yours to spend as you wish, giving you the perfect opportunity to enjoy Playa del Carmen’s laid-back vibe and reflect on your latest adventures. The broad, powdery white-sand beach is the ideal place to completely unwind beneath the swaying palms, but if you’re keen to keep active, you’ll find plenty of water sports on offer, such as windsurfing and jet skiing. You could also set off on a snorkelling or diving trip to Cozumel Island, famed worldwide for its coral reefs and underwater caverns. The ferry to Cozumel departs straight from the beach and takes just 30–45 minutes.

At the heart of Playa del Carmen lies Plaza Mayor, the town’s central square right by the beach. From here, you can set off to explore Avenida 5 – the lively main street brimming with everything from modern shops to charming craft stalls, cosy cafes, restaurants, and bars.

As the sun begins to set, there’s no better way to round off the day than with a refreshing juice or a cocktail at one of the laid-back beach bars – the perfect spot to unwind, enjoy a relaxed atmosphere away from the main street, and soak up your last hours by the Caribbean Sea before it’s time to return home.

You also have the option to extend your tour to the paradisiacal islands of Isla Holbox and Isla Mujeres.

Today it’s time to bid farewell to Mexico. You’ll be transferred to Cancún airport, where your departure day begins.

You will arrive at your selected airport after an exciting tour of Mexico.