The Best of Mexico

Today your journey begins as you depart from your selected airport and fly to Mexico, with connecting flight(s) along the way. On arrival at the airport in Mexico City, you’ll be greeted by a driver who will take you to your hotel.

It’s time to get better acquainted with the Mexican capital—and what better way to begin than with a guided tour through this vibrant metropolis? Get ready for an exciting city tour through one of the world’s largest capitals, where history, culture, and daily life blend together in the city’s bustling streets.

Mexico City is surrounded by volcanoes and sits at an altitude of 2,240 metres, making it one of the highest major cities in the world. You’ll explore Mexico’s colonial centre, passing the main square, the Zócalo, which is encircled by the National Palace and Mexico’s cathedral—the largest in the country. You’ll also see Templo Mayor, the remains of the ceremonial heart of the former Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan (entrance not included).

Your tour continues to Alameda Park, home to the country’s magnificent national performing arts venue, Palacio de Bellas Artes, which hosts operas, ballets, dramas, and concerts. Stroll down the broad avenue of Paseo de la Reforma, spanning the heart of Mexico City, until you reach Chapultepec Park. Here, you’ll find the National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de Antropología), renowned for its exceptional collection of artefacts from before the Spanish conquest. It’s a fascinating museum offering deep insights into the country’s diverse cultures.

You’ll return to your hotel by late afternoon, with the evening free for you to enjoy as you wish.

If you fancy, you can purchase an extension to your city tour to visit the Frida Kahlo Museum. Discover more about the famous artist’s extraordinary life and view some of her celebrated works.

Today is yours to spend as you please. Venture out and explore this vibrant metropolis, or choose one of our optional tours – perfect whether you’re fascinated by ancient ruins or tempted by Mexican cuisine.

You might like to join an excursion to Teotihuacán, one of the largest archaeological sites in Latin America, or discover the world’s largest manmade pyramid, Tlachihualtepetl, at the Cholula ruins near Puebla.

If you’re more interested in tasting your way through Mexico City, we highly recommend our gastronomic tour, which gives you the chance to sample a wide array of local Mexican dishes.

Today you will travel by coach from Mexico City to Oaxaca, a colonial gem with a truly unique atmosphere. The journey takes roughly 6.5 hours, and the rest of your day is free to explore at your own pace.

Here, you’ll discover a charming town with colourful streets, colonial-era houses, and majestic churches. Take a stroll down the narrow, cobbled roads, soak up the local city life, and breathe in the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee and just-baked pan de yema (sweet bread) drifting from tiny cafés and bakeries.

Oaxaca is also renowned for its bustling markets, including Mercado Benito Juárez and Mercado 20 de Noviembre, which you’ll get to visit on tomorrow’s city tour. Here, you’ll find stalls laden with fresh local produce, spices, vibrant textiles, hand-crafted souvenirs and, at the grills, a chance to experience Oaxaca’s unique food culture and enjoy traditional specialities amongst the locals.

Spend your evening soaking up the warm atmosphere on the zócalo square, perhaps with a refreshing agua fresca (a drink made from berries, fruit, lime, and sugar) or a glass of local mezcal in hand, as you watch the lively rhythms of city life unfold around you.

Your day begins with a morning excursion to Monte Albán, followed by a city tour in Oaxaca in the afternoon.

The day starts with a half-day tour to the archaeological site of Monte Albán, located on a mountaintop 400 metres above the city. Monte Albán was constructed over a period of 2,000 years, beginning around 900 BC by the Zapotec people. Here, you’ll find courts where the Mesoamerican ball game was played, impressive pyramids, and burial sites for the rulers. Look forward to a fascinating day as your guide brings the site’s history to life and reveals the mysteries of the famous ‘dancer stones’.

After the tour, you’ll be taken back to your hotel for a couple of hours to enjoy lunch and prepare for the next experience of the day – a city tour of Oaxaca. You’ll visit the city’s central square, the zócalo, known for its cosy atmosphere, where locals gather and the sounds of marimba bands often echo across the plaza. Just a few streets away stands Santo Domingo, Mexico’s most famous baroque church. Next door, the museum of the same name houses many of the fascinating artefacts found at Monte Albán, which you visited earlier today. The tour continues through the charming streets of the old town, passing several of the city’s iconic landmarks. You’ll make a stop at the local Benito Juárez market, bursting with everything from local produce to handmade crafts, as well as Mercado 20 de Noviembre, the city’s popular food market. The tour concludes with a visit to a chocolate factory, where you’ll gain insight into the process that transforms cocoa beans into delicious chocolate.

The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy at your own leisure.

After yesterday’s exciting adventures at Monte Albán and the city tour of Oaxaca’s historic centre, today is yours to explore the city and its surroundings at your own pace.

If you still need to pick up a souvenir, or if there was a dish at the market you regret not trying, there’s still time to indulge.

If you’re keen to pack in even more experiences, you can choose from one of our optional tours. For a taste of authentic Mexican cooking, we recommend our culinary workshop, offering you a unique insight into Mexican gastronomy. If you’re curious to discover more of what Oaxaca has to offer, our full-day excursion is the perfect choice: you’ll visit some of the region’s most fascinating attractions, including the famous Tule tree—the largest trees in the world—as well as the Mitla ruins, renowned for their unique architecture, the spectacular petrified waterfall at Hierve el Agua, and Teotitlán, famous for its beautifully crafted woollen rugs woven using a truly special technique. The tour ends with a visit to a local Mezcal distillery where you’ll learn about the production of this traditional Mexican spirit.

In the evening, you’ll travel in comfort aboard a first-class night bus to San Cristóbal—a journey of around 9.5 hours.

Please note: If you’d like to keep your hotel room until departure for the night bus to San Cristóbal, we recommend booking late check-out in advance when reserving your tour. Please see the relevant hotel for prices.

This morning, you’ll arrive early in San Cristóbal de las Casas, which sits at an altitude of 2,100 metres.

You’ll be collected from the bus station and driven to your hotel. We’ve made sure that your room is ready and waiting for you upon arrival, so if you fancy a rest after the long journey, you’ll be able to unwind straight away.

No excursions are scheduled for today, so you’re free to explore the city at your own pace.

San Cristóbal blends colonial architecture, brightly coloured houses, and a vibrant local culture with deep roots in the indigenous Maya communities. Originally, the city was known simply as “San Cristóbal”; “de las Casas” was later added in honour of Bartolomé de las Casas, a Spanish priest who championed the rights of indigenous peoples.

Begin your day with a stroll through the welcoming city centre, where narrow streets lead you to the main square—the zocalo—home to the beautiful cathedral with its impressive yellow façade. Discover small art galleries, cosy cafés, and shops selling handmade crafts, textiles, and amber jewellery for which the region is renowned.

Other highlights well worth a visit include: Templo del Carmen with its distinctive tower, the bustling local market featuring both food and crafts, and Casa Na Bolom—the former residence of Danish explorer and archaeologist Frans Blom, now a hotel and museum celebrating his life’s work studying indigenous tribes.

Later in the afternoon, why not relax with a cup of local coffee at a pavement café while soaking up the city’s striking architecture and street life? The state of Chiapas is one of Mexico’s leading coffee producers, so you might be tempted to buy a little taste of the region as a souvenir to take home.

Round off your first day with dinner at a welcoming restaurant, serving local specialities inspired by both Mayan and colonial cuisine.

You will have another full day at your own pace in San Cristóbal de las Casas, giving you plenty of freedom to explore as you wish. Alternatively, you can choose to join one of our optional tours, which allow you to discover even more of what this remarkable region has to offer.

For example, you could set out on our excursion to the nearby Maya villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán, where you’ll gain a fascinating insight into the ancient traditions and distinctive culture of the indigenous peoples.
If you’re keen to experience more of Mexico’s dramatic natural scenery, we highly recommend our tour to the Sumidero Canyon. Here, you’ll enjoy a thrilling two-hour speedboat journey deep into the gorge, where the towering cliff faces rise dramatically on either side, and you may be lucky enough to spot monkeys, crocodiles, and a wide array of birdlife along the way.

Ask us about availability and pricing if you wish to book both excursions.

Today you’ll set off very early from San Cristóbal for Palenque. The journey takes you along winding mountain roads peppered with speed bumps, but simply sit back, enjoy the sweeping mountain views and savour the sense of adventure. Along the way, you’ll stop at two enchanting waterfalls, each with its own unique charm. Here, you’ll have time to do as you please—take a refreshing dip, grab a bite to eat, or just soak in the stunning surroundings. If you fancy a swim en route, don’t forget to pack your swimwear and towel in your hand luggage.

Your first stop is the Agua Azul waterfalls—the iconic ‘blue waterfalls’. This is a spectacular series of cascades, where turquoise water tumbles over gleaming white limestone ledges in multiple tiers. The characteristic colour of the water is caused by a high mineral and limestone content, reflecting the sunlight and creating a magical, almost fairytale setting. The falls are nestled within lush rainforest, and small natural pools form along the river, perfect for that invigorating swim.

Next up is Misol-Ha, a single striking waterfall about 35 metres high, plunging into a vivid emerald-green lagoon in the heart of the jungle. A narrow trail leads you behind the waterfall, where you can stand sheltered by the torrent and feel the raw power of nature up close.

In the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Palenque—a relatively small local town that serves mainly as a base for exploring the famous Maya ruins that share its name.

Please note: There is unfortunately no English-speaking guide available today (which is not strictly 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.

It’s time to channel your inner Indiana Jones on today’s excursion! The Palenque ruins are hidden away in dense jungle, like a lost world where ancient temples and ruins suddenly emerge from the rainforest. Your guide will take you on a fascinating tour of the site, including the impressive Templo de las Inscripciones, home to the tomb of the mighty Maya king, King Pakal. Afterwards, you’ll have some free time to explore the ancient ruins at your own pace.

You’ll be back by midday, with the rest of the day free to spend as you please in Palenque. If you wish to extend your adventure to the Maya ruins, you can opt for an additional visit to the Roberto Barrios waterfalls, a series of beautiful small cascades with natural pools where you can take a refreshing swim.

Today is a long travel day (approximately 8 hours), but you’ll be travelling in comfort on a first-class bus to Mérida—so just settle back in your plush seat and watch the scenery whirl by. 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 expense. Upon arrival in Mérida, a taxi will be waiting to take you to your hotel.

The rest of the day is yours to relax or head out and explore this captivating city. Mérida, the capital of the Yucatán state, is renowned for its rich history, diverse culture, and charming colonial architecture—all on display as you stroll through its lovely streets.

No excursions are planned for today, but if you’d like to add more experiences to your journey, you have the option to book one of our optional tours.
Visit the flamingo colony at Celestún, swim in breathtaking cenotes, marvel at the impressive Mayan ruins of Uxmal, or pick up the art of Mexican cuisine at our cooking class.

Alternatively, why not set out to explore the city independently? Mérida is a charming city, founded in 1542 on the remains of the former Mayan settlement, Tihó. Locally known as the "White City" thanks to its abundance of whitewashed buildings, it’s also affectionately called the "Paris of Mexico" by residents, as it’s considered the most European city on the Yucatán Peninsula. Within the past century, Mérida grew prosperous from the production of agave fibres, a wealth that is still reflected today in its many magnificent buildings.

Mérida is also renowned for its gastronomy, and you’ll find a wealth of culinary delights waiting to be discovered. The Yucatán kitchen is especially famous for dishes such as cochinita pibil (slow-cooked pork) and sopa de lima (zesty lime soup), as well as the vibrant use of spices like habanero chilli and achiote. Treat yourself to a refreshing agua de chaya (made from chaya leaves, lime, and sugar) and be sure not to miss a marquesita for dessert – a crispy pancake, often filled with Nutella and cheese.

Today promises another day brimming with new experiences. Your journey continues towards Playa del Carmen, nestled on Mexico’s Caribbean coastline – the renowned Riviera Maya. But before you reach this tropical beach paradise, you’ll stop at two of the Yucatán Peninsula’s greatest attractions: the magnificent ruins of Chichén Itzá and the scenic cenote of San Lorenzo Oxman.

Your first stop is Chichén Itzá, one of Mexico’s most iconic attractions and a UNESCO world heritage site. The ruins bear the marks of two distinct historical eras: the ancient Maya civilisation and the later Itzá period. Today, this site is recognised as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

The Maya’s remarkable knowledge of astronomy and architecture is reflected throughout these structures. Highlights include the iconic 25-metre-high pyramid, El Castillo, designed as a physical representation of the Maya calendar. Twice a year, at the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sunlight creates a spectacular visual effect that makes it seem as though a serpent is slithering down the pyramid – a tribute to the feathered serpent god, Kukulkán.

You’ll also visit Mexico’s largest ancient ball court, an impressive 180 x 70 metres in size, which stands as a testament to the grandeur and cultural importance of the site. Next, your tour will take you to the Temple of the Warriors, famous for its distinctive chac-mool statue, followed by the Observatory, where the Maya charted the stars and developed their sophisticated calendar system.

At the sacred well, Cenote Sagrado, you’ll gain unique insight into the spiritual world of the Maya. Originally a vital water source, the cenote was also central to religious rituals, where the Maya offered both precious objects and, on occasion, human sacrifices to the rain god, Chaac. The discovery of human bones and ceremonial artefacts at the bottom of the well is a stark reminder of the site’s dramatic and symbolic importance.

After a short lunch break (lunch is included), you will continue to the cenote of San Lorenzo Oxman – the perfect refreshing stop amidst the tropical scenery. Cenotes are natural freshwater sinkholes created when the limestone beneath the surface collapses, revealing clear groundwater below. This geological phenomenon is unique to the Yucatán Peninsula.

Oxman cenote is open to the sky, allowing sunlight to pour directly onto the crystal-clear water, bringing out vibrant shades of green. Tree roots and lush plants drape down the rock walls, creating an almost magical setting. You are welcome to take a swim, unwind, or simply take in the view. There are toilets and changing facilities on site, and for a small fee you can rent a locker for your belongings and a life vest.

In fact, there are more than 6,000 cenotes across the Yucatán Peninsula. Want to know more about cenotes? Check out our blog here.

Snacks and drinks are available to purchase both at Chichén Itzá and at Oxman cenote.

Your day ends as you travel onwards to Playa del Carmen, famed for its endless stretches of powdery white sand fringed with palm trees and sparkling turquoise waters. Here, you’ll have time to relax and soak up the beach life amidst beautiful natural surroundings.

The final days of your tour are yours to enjoy as you wish, giving you time to soak up Playa del Carmen’s laid-back vibe and reflect on the adventures of recent days. The wide, white sandy beach is perfect for unwinding beneath the palms, but if you fancy staying active, there’s a wide range of water sports on offer, from windsurfing to jet skiing. You could also join a snorkelling or diving trip to Cozumel, an island world-renowned for its coral reefs and underwater caves. The ferry to Cozumel departs directly from the beach and takes just 30–45 minutes.

At the heart of Playa del Carmen is Plaza Mayor, the central square facing the beach. From here, you can roam along Avenida 5, the town’s lively main street, bustling with everything from modern shops and small craft stalls to charming cafés, restaurants, and bars.

As the sun begins to set, it’s perfect to round off the day with a chilled juice or a cocktail at one of the welcoming beach bars, where the atmosphere is far more relaxed than on the busy main street – the perfect spot to savour your last hours by the Caribbean Sea before you head home.

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

You will arrive at your selected airport after a wonderful and exciting tour of Mexico.