Mexico Family Journey: The Heart of the Yucatan

G Adventures · 8 days

Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply

Mexico Family Journey: The Heart of the Yucatan
Mexico Family Journey: The Heart of the Yucatan
8 Days
From AUD $4994 Was AUD $5549
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Light

Rating

Mexico Family Journey: The Heart of the Yucatan

Mexico Family Journey: The Heart of the Yucatan

G Adventures · 8 days

Use code BONUS10 to get an extra 10% off all tours — for a limited time only. T&Cs apply

Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

The Yucatán Peninsula is the perfect destination for your family to explore.

Includes

Activities

  • Your G for Good Moment: Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve Excursion, Sian Ka'an Your G for Good Moment: Yaxunah Community Visit, Yaxuná Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group, Playa del Carmen Your Family Journeys Moment: Family Tour of Chichén Itzá with an Expert Guide, Chichén-Itzá Your Family Journeys Moment: Santa Bárbara Cenotes, Mérida Your Foodie Moment: Traditional Cochinita Pibil Meal Experience, Sotuta de Peón Your Discover Moment: Playa del Carmen
  • Complimentary arrival transfer
  • Private tour of a working Hacienda
  • Visit Izamal’s Mayan pyramid and climb the many steps
  • Enjoy an ice cream before the drive back to Playa del Carmen
  • All tips included for activities and meals, except for Expedition Leader and porterage
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodation

  • Hotels (7 nts).
  • 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

  • Private vehicle, boat, walking.

Group Leader

  • National Geographic Expedition Leader throughout, local guides.

Highlights

  • Embark on a visit to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve for a boat ride with a Maya-owned cooperative followed by a float through mangrove-lined canals past ancient ruins
  • Channel your inner explorer at Chichen Itzá the site of the iconic El Castillo pyramid and a treasure trove of Maya ruins
  • Enjoy a private tour of a historic working hacienda and take part in a hands-on cochinita pibil cooking experience rooted in tradition
  • Swim in a cenote—natural sinkholes that were sacred to the ancient Maya
  • Participate in communal life in the Maya community of Yaxunah where you’ll prepare a historical dish incorporating ancient Maya techniques.
Mexico Family Journey: The Heart of the Yucatan

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

Private vehicle, boat, walking.

Guide Language

English

Starts

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Finishes

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Family, National Geographic Journey, Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

1

Day 1: Playa del Carmen

Welcome to Playa del Carmen! Your arrival transfer to the hotel is included. Check in and get excited to meet your fellow travelers during a welcome meeting this evening where all families can bond before the Journey ahead.


Exclusive inclusions: Transport - You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.Activity - Your opportunity to meet your Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group on the morning of day two.Accommodation - Hotel Acanto Playa del Carmen
2

Day 2: Day trip to Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve

Today we travel towards Sian Ka'an. This Biosphere Reserve is one of the most beautiful places along Mexico's Caribbean coast, designated as a UNESCO Heritage Site for its vast biodiversity and wetlands. Join the G Adventure-supported Community Tours Sian Ka'an — a Maya-owned cooperative rooted in protecting the natural environment while celebrating cultural heritage and the bonds between humans and nature. Explore by boat along a network of canals dug out by the Mayans and search for wildlife like monkeys and tropical birds. Then, strap on a lifejacket and cool off in the crystal clear water of one of the canals as you float down through mangrove forests. Dig into a delicious local lunch after your explorations. Return to the hotel in Playa del Carmen where dinner will be at your leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is one of Mexico’s most important protected areas due to its diversity in bird and animal species and its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Reserve uses ecologically responsible technologies, including systems for wetland waste management, rainwater collection, and solar and wind energy generation to protect the environment. Visit the reserve and take a boat ride across the lagoon with Community Tours Sian Ka’an — a Maya-owned cooperative rooted in the heart of the reserve. Since 2000, the community has been committed to offering regenerative tourism experiences that protect the natural environment and celebrate cultural heritage. This G Adventures-supported initiative practices conservation while honouring the sacred bond between humans and nature. After the boat ride, hop into the crystal clear water of one of the canals. Next, enjoy nature's lazy river as you float past Mayan ruins and mangrove forests, letting the current slowly bring you down stream.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Hotel Acanto Playa del Carmen
3

Day 3: Playa del Carmen/Mérida

After breakfast, begin the journey to Merída. The first stop along the way will be to Chichen Itzá. National Geographic has ranked Chichen Itzá as the best Mayan ruin to visit in Mexico. This significant archaeological site is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, and houses 26 ruins in one location. Join an expert guide who will teach you about the site, including the pyramid, known as El Castillo or El Caracol. You'll also see the largest Maya ball court in the Americas–Tlachtli.

Your next stop is the small Maya community of Yaxunah. Join a knowledgeable guide and learn more about this vibrant community and their rich cultural history. Together, learn how Escabeche is made during a hands-on demonstration. Sit down for a delicious lunch alongside your hosts afterwards. Arrive in Merída in the early evening and have dinner on your own.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Meet up with a local expert and explore Chichén Itzá on a family-focused tour. Follow your trusty guides through this dramatic site, including a 30m (98 ft) high temple, known as the Pyramid of Kukulcan. This significant archaeological site is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and houses 26 Mayan Ruins in one place. Identify ruins like the Chichen Itza Pyramid also known as El Castillo, or El Caracol, the Observatory, the Temple of The Warriors, and the largest Maya ball court in the Americas–tlachtli. Wander around the ruins as your guide shares stories of the beliefs and rituals that defined this ancient Mayan civilization and use those imaginations to step back in time for a glimpse of what it might have been like to experience this sacred city and religious centre during its glory days.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle between Chichén Itzá and Mérida. There will be a short stop along the way at a G for Good Community Project.Activity - The community of Yaxunah is located in the central part of the state of Yucatán, México about 19km southwest of the great Maya ruins of Chichén Itzá. This location itself is historical with ruins of colonial era haciendas and a nearby church. During your visit here, the group will be given an introduction to the community's history as well as you’ll be welcomed with an explanation of Yucatecan food and their ingredients, then learn how "Escabeche" is prepared and then come together and enjoy lunch with the community. More than just tasting, this experience will provide travellers with a deeper understanding of the story behind each ingredient, connecting with the people who prepare it, and experiencing Yucatán with all your senses.Accommodation - Hotel Wyndham Merida
4

Day 4: Mérida

Head into the jungle and marvel at the cenotes, giant holes in the earth filled with clear blue water. Considered sacred to the ancient Maya, cenotes have been studied by National Geographic Explorers like Dr. Guillermo de Anda extensively. Dive in with your family and channel your inner archeologist while exploring these waterways. Santa Barbara is home to 4 different pools to choose from, offering truly unique swimming experiences with the bonus of using a colorful small train as transport between. Return to Merída in the early evening for a free evening.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle between Mérida and the Santa Barbara cenotes.Activity - It’s a kid’s dream! Think massive sinkholes full of cool, inviting water, surrounded by blue sky above. It’s no wonder it feels like you’ve entered another realm. Spend the day visiting different cenotes in Santa Bárbara and travel between them by the iconic Santa Bárbara express train, a unique experience for the entire family. Lunch will be served in between the adventurous swimming, and the spread will be Yucatán Regional staples like, Papadzules, Poc Chuc, and Sopa de Lima.Transport - After an adventurous day at the cenotes, settle in to your private vehicle and return to Mérida.Accommodation - Hotel Wyndham Merida
5

Day 5: Day Trip to Sotuta de Peón

Embark on a full day exploration into the heart of the Yucatan with an immersive experience at a living ranch. Start things off right with a hands on cooking experience learning to prepare Cochinita Pibil. Enjoy the cochinita for lunch alongside other regional delicacies before taking a tour of the hacienda. On this guided experience, learn about the history of henequen production and its use during the 20th century when these haciendas were dotted all throughout the region. Then hop aboard a traditional truck and make your way down the rails towards a cenote for a refreshing dip in the water. Return to Merida after your day's adventures.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Learn all about the traditional techniques of the preparation of cochinita pibil, one of the region's most beloved and delicious dishes. The method involves marinating pork in citrus and adding annatto seed which gives it a deep red colour, before then wrapping it in a banana leaf and slow-roasting it underground beneath a hot fire. Not into pork or meat? No problem, there are plenty of other delicious local delicacies available.Activity - This immersive day trip includes a private tour of a nearby working hacienda, where you will learn the history of the ranch, Sip on a welcome drink as the staff takes you around the grounds. Then, visit the traditional rope-making factory and enjoy a refreshing swim in a private cenote. Later, you will attend a traditional Cochinita Pibil experience to learn the ancient Mayan art of preparing pork.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Hotel Wyndham Merida
6

Day 6: Mérida/Playa del Carmen

Ascend the pyramid steps of Kinich Kak Moo, Izamal's Mayan pyramid and witness the excitement on your kids' faces as they conquer the ancient steps and take in the panoramic views from the top. Spend time here amid the buildings of uniform yellow and enjoy some ice cream before the drive back to the coast and white sand beaches of Playa del Carmen. Return to the hotel and relax with a swim in the pool or take advantage of some of the hotel's many amenities to unwind after your day's journey.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Visit Izamal and the The Kinich Kakmó Pyramid, dedicated to the Sun God or "Fire Macaw". Spread across a sprawling three acres. Climb the steps to the top of this 110 ft / 34 m tall pyramid and enjoy views of the surrounding site. Dating back to the Pre-Classic period this is one of the oldest Mayan structures. The structure was also built over a cave which holds an important place in the religion and mythology of the Maya. After exploring head to town amid the yellow buildings and enjoy a nice cold ice cream.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle. Please note you will cross a time zone along this route.Accommodation - Hotel Acanto Playa del Carmen
7

Day 7: Playa del Carmen

Enjoy a day on your own, taking advantage of the optional activities in the area, lounging by the hotel pool, or building sandcastles on the beach. You can also choose to pre-book a visit to the Mayan city of Tulum, the only Mayan city built on a coast and one of the few protected by a wall of limestone. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for an included farewell dinner where everyone can swap stories and reflect on a week of fun and engaging exploration.
In the evening there will be an included final group dinner where everyone can swap stories and reflect on a week well spent in a deeply historical part of the world.

Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Enjoy a full free day as a family in Playa del Carmen. From hanging out on the beach to taking a day trip to Tulum, there are endless options to get out and enjoy this slice of paradise.Accommodation - Hotel Acanto Playa del Carmen
8

Day 8: Playa del Carmen

Depart at any time.

Meals included: Breakfast
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 $5549

AUD $4,994
(Tour only)
Offer ends 01 Apr, 2026 Per Person Standard
10% Off

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

The Yucatán Peninsula is the perfect destination for your family to explore.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 12 Jul 2026

Tour Operator

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.

In Business Since 1990