Mexico Family Holiday

Intrepid Travel · 7 days

4.5

10 Reviews

Duration

7 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Take the kind of tropical holiday your kids will talk about for years on this 7-day Yucatan adventure that takes you from the sunny beaches to lush cenotes, lost ruins and bustling cities along the way.

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (6), Lunch (2), Dinner (1)
Accommodation: Hotels (6 nights)

Highlights

Revel in the beach vibes of Playa del Carmen, where you’ll have some free time to spend with your family however you wish – maybe go snorkelling, sample your way through the local cuisine or simply kick back on the beach.
Explore ancient Maya ruins at the 13th-century port town of Tulum, perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean, and Chichen Itza – a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Discover the charm of Merida’s leafy plazas, captivating museums and vibrant city streets. Go on a walking tour of the city and try marquesitas – a traditional dessert of rolled crepes with fillings like chocolate or caramel.
Meet local Maya families, learn how to make your own tortillas and dine on a pibil feast – a traditional Maya cooking method in which pork is slow-cooked underground.
Swim in the clear waters of a cenote (underground cave) and learn about the fascinating local legends behind how some of them were formed.

Trip Details

Duration

7 days

Transportation

Private Mini Bus

Guide Language

English

Starts

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Finishes

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Family, Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Playa del Carmen

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Mexico. Your adventure begins in Playa del Carmen – a great destination for families. You may like to arrive early to explore the local area and the many activities on offer. You and your family could go snorkelling among the mangroves, relax on white sandy beaches or even take a ferry to the island of Cozumel for some diving! You’ll have a welcome meeting at 5 pm, where you'll meet your local leader and the other families joining you for your trip. After the meeting, you’ll head to a nearby restaurant for a welcome dinner where you can get to know the other families and tuck into some authentic Mexican cuisine.

Accommodation:

Hotel Kinbe (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Playa del Carmen

Today, you’ll travel down the coast for a daytrip to the Tulum archaeological site – a well-preserved ancient Maya city backed by the Caribbean Sea. Tulum was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya and reached its pinnacle during the 13th and 15th centuries. The city stood for about 70 years after the Spanish occupation began. Get the lay of the land on a guided tour with your leader in the morning, then spend the afternoon either at the beach or stay in town, where you can rent some bikes and explore on two wheels. Return to Playa del Carmen later in the day for a free evening to spend as you wish.

Included Activities:

Tulum - Archaeological Site (incl. entrance & national park fee - no guide)

Accommodation:

Hotel Kinbe (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Izamal

Head inland to the small city of Izamal, stopping at the village of Laguna Chabela along the way. Here, you’ll meet a local Maya family who have lived in this village for many generations. On a tour of their farm, you and the kids will see what produce they grow and learn how they live off the land. You’ll also learn how to make Coba-style tortillas and enjoy a traditional lunch using your creations. Continue to Izamal, where you’ll quickly learn why some call it the ‘City of Yellow’ as you pass the many bright yellow buildings. See the town’s highlights on an orientation walk with your leader, then enjoy some free time to explore more of the town with your family or maybe head to the hotel for a swim.

Included Activities:

Laguna Chabela - Mayan homestead visit
Laguna Chavela - Tortilla making demonstration
Laguna Chavela - Home cooked lunch
Izamal - Leader-led orientation walk

Accommodation:

Hotel Tuul or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Merida

Continue to Merida, the capital of the state of Yucatan. Merida blends Spanish and Mayan influences, which is perhaps best illustrated in the Plaza de la Independencia – the city’s heart. Explore the city’s architecture – many of these buildings were constructed using the original stones of the temples that once stood in their place. Join your leader for an orientation walk and stop by a street vendor to buy some sweet marquesitas (a Yucatan specialty, these rolled crepes are filled with caramel, jam, chocolate or cheese and are sure to be a hit with the kids). The rest of the day is free for you to spend however you like.

Included Activities:

Merida – leader led orientation walk

Accommodation:

Hotel Maria Jose or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Merida

Travel west to the Gulf of Mexico coast and take a boat ride to visit the Celestun Bird Sanctuary and Biosphere Reserve, home to vast flocks of flamingos and herons. This region is the first stop on the migratory path of birds heading from North to Central America. If you’re visiting at the right time of year (December to March), you'll likely witness thousands of flamingos painting a pink streak across the landscape, framed by coconut trees lining the shoreline. Later, return to Merida, where you’ll have some free time to relax. Maybe go for a swim in the hotel pool or head out on one last walk around town to soak up the atmosphere.

Included Activities:

Merida - Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve tour

Accommodation:

Hotel Maria Jose or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Playa del Carmen

Say farewell to Merida and begin your journey back to Playa del Carmen. Along the way, you’ll stop at Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage site and possibly the most famous Maya temple in all of Mexico. Marvel at the Temple of Kukulcan (AKA El Castillo), then explore the nearby Great Ball Court. Next, get to know a local family over a special lunch in the town of Piste. Here, you’ll sit down to a pibil feast – this traditional Maya style of cooking involves wrapping food (typically pork) in banana leaves and barbecuing it underground. You’ll also have a chance to cool off with a swim in one of the many hidden cenotes which are dotted all over the Yucatan peninsula. These are natural sinkholes created when underground limestone collapses, exposing the groundwater beneath. The cenote you’re visiting today was developed by a group of local Mayan women as a locally owned source of employment for people in the community.

Included Activities:

Chichen Itza - Home-cooked pibil lunch
Yokdzonot - Cenote visit and swim
Chichen Itza - Archaeological site (entrance fee, no guide)

Accommodation:

Hotel Kinbe (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Playa del Carmen

With no further activities planned, today marks the end of your Mexico adventure. If you’d like to extend your stay for even more beach days and exploring, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

From
AUD $2560

AUD $2,048

(Tour only)

Offer ends 19 Dec, 2026 Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 7 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 19 Dec 2026

View Map

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

Alan

Traveled, December 2025

12/25/2025

Great family friendly trip suitable for all ages.

4.5

Penny

Traveled, December 2025

12/26/2025

Fun trip. Lovely mixture of seeing towns across Yucatán, as well as a Mayan settlement, with Mayan archaeological sights included. Our leader was friendly and knowledgeable. 078888888

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

Book Now