Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights

Intrepid Travel · 8 days
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights
8 Days
From AUD $5995
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Light

Rating


(20 reviews)

Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights

Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights

Intrepid Travel · 8 days
Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Unknown

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Vibrant in every way, Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula features turquoise waters, pastel-hued buildings and traditional culture that’s still alive and kicking.

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (3), Dinner (3)
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel (4 nights), Feature Stay (3 nights)

Highlights

  • Experience the old-world charm of your Feature Stay hotel in Merida – a converted 17th-century mansion with elegant decor and traditional touches.
  • Visit the spectacular ruins of Chichen Itza (one of the new Seven Wonders of the World), Muyil, Uxmal and Tulum, where your local leader and expert guides will bring thousands of years of Maya history to life.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of local life during a Signature Experience in the secluded Laguna Chabela Maya community, where you’ll learn how modern Maya people preserve the traditions of their ancestors and try your hand at making a tortilla before a delicious feast in the jungle.
  • Enjoy a Signature Experience at the Celestun Bird Sanctuary and Biosphere Reserve – a bird-lover’s dream. Learn about conservation efforts while looking out for colourful flora and fauna on a boat ride and see the natural springs before stopping by the Gulf of Mexico for a swim.
  • Swim in a cenote, float down the Muyil canals created by the Maya over 1000 years ago, take a guided tour of a traditional, family-run ceramics workshop and visit a laid-back beach club in Tulum to make the most of the Yucatan peninsula.
Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

Private vehicle, Boat

Guide Language

English

Starts

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Finishes

Tulum, Mexico

Accommodations

Unknown

Travel Style

Explorer, Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Playa del Carmen
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Mexico. Your adventure begins in Playa del Carmen – a coastal resort town on the Yucatan Peninsula, known for its turquoise waters and nightlife. You’ll be met at Cancun International Airport and transferred to your hotel. Here, you’ll meet your local leader and fellow group members at your welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, you might like to stroll along Quinta Avenida while perusing handmade hammocks, jewellery and crafts. After your meeting, head into town for your first dinner in Mexico at a local restaurant.

Included Activities:

  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
  • Playa del Carmen - Welcome Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Hotel Indigo or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Valladolid
After breakfast, depart Playa del Carmen and head to the secluded Laguna Chabela to meet a local Maya family who have lived here for generations. Gain a deeper understanding of their way of life as you walk through the low jungle full of medicinal plants, see what they grow and learn how they live off the land. Watch a demonstration on how to make delicious tortillas in the Coba style with the family matriarch, then sit down to a traditional lunch prepared using a 1000-year-old mortar and pestle found in the nearby ruins. You’ll feel like you’ve travelled back in time, with stones from ancient Maya structures emerging from the jungle and the sounds of birds as your backdrop. In the afternoon, continue to the city of Valladolid, known for its pastel-coloured buildings. Set on the city’s main square, your hotel was converted from a 16th-century house and offers a perfect base for your explorations. This evening, you’ll visit the atmospheric Cenote Zazil, which lies 20 m underground. Cenotes (limestone sinkholes) were viewed by the Maya as doorways to the underworld. Gaze up at the stalactites covering the ceiling (including the largest stalactite in all of Yucatan!), take in the natural surroundings illuminated by candlelight and perhaps go for a swim.

Included Activities:

  • Valladolid - Home-cooked lunch
  • Valladolid - Tortilla making demonstration
  • Valladolid - Mayan homestead visit
  • Valladolid - Cenote night visit

Accommodation:

  • Hotel El Meson del Marques or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Merida
This morning will be spent exploring the complex of Chichen Itza. Named as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza is considered the most important archaeological vestige of the Maya-Toltec civilisation in Yucatan by UNESCO. Meet with a local guide for a tour to uncover the secrets of what is perhaps the most famous Maya site, dominated by the Temple of Kukulkan, or El Castillo – a Mesoamerican step-pyramid. After, you’ll have a home-cooked lunch with a local family in the town of Piste. Tuck into a traditional Pibil feast – a Maya style of cooking that involves barbecuing underground, which the family have perfected over generations. After lunch, visit a local cenote for a swim. Continue to Merida – founded in 1542, this city is the Yucatan capital and retains much of its old-world charm. Your Feature Stay accommodation for the next three evenings is in the historic Hotel Casa Lucia. Spacious rooms feature traditional touches, surrounding a courtyard that features a swimming pool. Join your leader for a stroll to get acquainted with Merida and make a stop to try marquesitas (a traditional dessert of crispy, rolled crepes filled with cheese, chocolate or caramel).

Included Activities:

  • Chichen Itza - Cenote swim stop
  • Chichen Itza - Home-cooked pibil lunch
  • Chichen Itza - Archaeological site with local guide
  • Merida - Marquesitas stop

Accommodation:

  • Hotel Casa Lucia (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Merida
Today, join a local guide for a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Uxmal ruins. This is considered one of the most important ancient Maya sites in Mexico, showcasing Puuc architecture. See the highlights like the Pyramid of the Soothsayer, the Governor's Palace and the House of the Tortoises while your expert guide points out the typical features of Puuc design like the references to Chaac (the Maya god of rain) and decorative friezes. Have some traditional regional cuisine for lunch at a nearby restaurant, then visit the Los Ceibos ceramics workshop. At this family-run workshop, you’ll be welcomed by one of the family’s artisans – Patricia Morales, who paints the sculptures. Patricia will take you on a guided tour of the workshop, explaining the pigments she uses and demonstrating the carving techniques used in sculpting process. Patricia has been crafting these sculptures for more than 40 years and has made a significant contribution to preserving traditional Maya ceramic techniques. Learn about how these techniques and cultural traditions have been passed down through generations, then you’ll have some free time this afternoon for you to make your own discoveries. You might like to relax in the green and shady Plaza Grande or browse the outdoor market selling Maya replicas. Regroup for dinner at Teya Santa Lucia – a local restaurant serving up Yucatan specialties with a contemporary twist, located in Merida’s historic centre.

Included Activities:

  • Merida - Ceramics workshop visit
  • Uxmal - Archaeological site guide tour

Accommodation:

  • Hotel Casa Lucia (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Merida
After breakfast, you’ll head out for another Signature Experience at the Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve and Bird Sanctuary. One of the first places migratory birds arrive for the winter, the reserve offers a birdwatching experience like no other. Tour the area by small boat while you learn about its unique flora and fauna. Look out for the Yucatan woodpecker, Mexican sheartail, tropical mockingbird and depending on the season (usually December to March), you might witness the thousands of flamingos streaking across the landscape. Hop off the boat for a quick walk to see bubbling springs, then cruise back through the mangrove canals. Stop in a fishing town where you’ll have some time for lunch – maybe grab some fresh seafood and eat it on the sand. Take a dip in the Gulf of Mexico before returning to Merida for a free afternoon.

Included Activities:

  • Merida - Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve tour

Accommodation:

  • Hotel Casa Lucia (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Tulum
Depart Merida this morning and head towards Muyil, stopping for lunch in the village of Coba. Continue to the lesser-known Muyil archaeological site – this ancient Maya trading post is one of the oldest formerly-inhabited sites in the country, with a history stretching back to 350 BC. Explore the ruins with your leader who will explain what life here once looked like. Next, head to the banks of the Maya River and board a small boat to explore the canals and lagoons of the Sian Ka'an biosphere. One of the largest protected areas in Mexico, this UNESCO World Heritage site covers more than 400,000 hectares of land, lagoon and marine areas, including countless flora and fauna. You’ll be joined by guides from the local community who will help you get the most out of this experience. Admire the ruins on the riverbanks before disembarking in the waters of the ancient Mayan mangrove canals, where you’ll experience a natural ‘lazy river’ and float through the peaceful canals in a slow but steady current. After, carry on to Tulum.

Included Activities:

  • Tulum - Muyil river float
  • Tulum - Muyil archaeological site with local guide

Accommodation:

  • Motto Hotel Tulum or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Tulum
In the morning, head to the Tulum archaeological site to learn about the history of the ruins and take in views of the ocean. This was one of the last cities built by the Maya, and your leader will paint a picture of how life played out here as you explore the complex against the ocean backdrop. Spend the afternoon soaking up the sun at a beach club, where you can swim in the Caribbean Sea or nap in a comfortable lounge chair. Tonight, dine at one of Tulum’s best restaurants. With laid-back vibes and fresh local produce and seafood, this final dinner with your newfound friends will certainly be one to remember.

Included Activities:

  • Tulum - Archaeological site visit
  • Tulum - Farewell Dinner
  • Tulum – Beach Club Visit

Accommodation:

  • Motto Hotel Tulum or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Tulum
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to spend some more time in Tulum, 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.
AUD $5,995
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Vibrant in every way, Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula features turquoise waters, pastel-hued buildings and traditional culture that’s still alive and kicking.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 03 Apr 2027

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
4.5
Rebecca
Traveled, April 2024

04/17/2024

I had a wonderful time on the tour of the Yucatán. Susana is very warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable.

4.5
Carolyn
Traveled, April 2024

04/14/2024

I loved this trip. A great mix of historical sites and cities, natural attractions, culture and delicious food. Susana our tour leader was knowledgeable, efficient, helpful and ensured we had a fantastic trip.

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