Yucatan Peninsula Adventure
8 days from Playa Vicente to Tulum beach
From $ 1590
Duration8 days
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From beach to jungle to beach again, explore the ruins, waters and jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula on this eight-day adventure. Adventure across the Yucatan Peninsula from paradisiacal beaches to the dense jungle. Lose yourself among ancient Maya ruins and bustling street markets before finding yourself in clear coastal waters and turquoise lagoons. Learn about the Maya culture in colonial Merida and explore their lost cities then take the plunge in Bacalar, a laid-back lake town famous for its ever-changing shades of blue water. Thousands of years of history mixed with a modern, laid-back lifestyle means Mexico, and the Yucatan in particular, should be high on everyone’s bucket list.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 8 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Starts in: Playa Vicente
    Physical Grading: Light
  • Ends in: Tulum beach
    Ages: 15+
Yucatan Peninsula Adventure - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Playa del Carmen

Start place: Playa Vicente

Bienvenido! Meet your leader and fellow travellers at 6 pm welcome meeting, then tuck into some Mexican magic for dinner. Playa del Carmen is popular resort town famed for its coral reef and sparkling warm waters, so feel free to arrive early and kick back with a book, take a stroll along the white sands or go for a dip before the welcome meeting.
Day 2: Chichen Itza / Merida
Depart early by private minivan towards Merida, learning some Spanish from your leader on the way and stopping at Chichen Itza, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, for a guided tour. This is perhaps the most famous Maya site in Mexico and dominated by the Temple of Kukulkan, or El Castillo, a Mesoamerican step-pyramid. Continue on to Merida, where your leader will take you on an orientation walk upon arrival. Founded in 1542, Merida is the capital of the Yucatan region and retains so much of its old-world charm. Wander the streets and take in the colonial buildings, learn about the town’s Maya heritage and don’t forget to visit Mercado 60, a buzzing food market with international and local fare, margaritas and live music.
Day 3: Merida
Take today to explore the many sights of Merida. Your leader will have some good recommendations and there are several museums including the Regional Museum of Yucatan, located in the stunning Palacio Canton. Chill out in the shady Plaza Grande, surrounded by the 16th-century cathedral, City Hall, the State Government Palace and Casa Mantejo, or stroll through the outdoor markets selling hammocks, Maya replicas and mouth-watering local food including cochinita pibil, a Yucatan specialty. There’s also the option of visiting the Celestun Bird Sanctuary where, depending on the season, you can catch a flamboyance of flamingos painting pink streaks across the landscape. Merida is a people-pleaser when it comes to nightlife and has something for all tastes, whether you’re after a low-key bar, cultural show or live music and dancing.
Meals: B
Day 4: Calakmul
Today you’ll transfer five hours to Calakmul by private vehicle and have dinner at the hotel. There’s no town centre in Calakmul as it’s a remote archaeological site located deep in the jungle.
Meals: B, D
Day 5: Calakmul
Visit the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve to explore the incredible Maya site. This World Heritage site is part of the largest area of tropical forest after the Amazon and played an important role in the region’s history for over 1200 years. The well-preserved structures are surrounded by thick jungle teeming with exotic creatures and you’ll have time to explore this lost city for yourself once the tour finishes.
Meals: B, D
Day 6: Bacalar
Transfer 2.5 hours to the laidback town of Bacalar. Stop at Cenote Azul on the way, a beautiful fresh-water rockpool, and swim in the perfect blue water while marvelling at the stalactites and stalagmites. Or are they stalagmites and stalactites? Continue to Bacalar, also known as the Lake of Seven Colours thanks to the various stunning shades of blue it adopts throughout the day. Your leader will take you on an orientation walk around town then the evening is free for you to do as you wish. Cerveza, anyone?
Meals: B
Day 7: Tulum
Enjoy a free morning relaxing around the lake before taking a taxi to the bus station to board a public bus to Tulum. Keep working on that Spanish with the locals, then take an orientation walk with your leader on arrival. This is your last evening so maybe plan a farewell dinner with your group at one of Tulum’s many bars or restaurants, and there may also be time to fit in a visit to another cenote or Tulum’s Maya ruins.
Day 8: Tulum
Your trips ends this morning after breakfast, but that’s no reason to stop exploring. Tulum is famous for its crystal water, snorkeling and diving, ancient ruins and general magnificence, so no-one can blame you for wanting to stick around for a few more days.

End place: Tulum beach

Inclusions

Included

  • Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
  • Chichen Itza - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
  • Merida - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Calakmul Biosphere Reserve - Archaeological site (Entrance fee & Transport)
  • Cenote Azul - Natural rock pool with option to swim (Entrance fee & Transport)
  • Bacalar - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Tulum - Leader-led orientation walk

  • Transport

    Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi

  • Accommodation

    Hotel (5 nights), Lodge (2 nights)

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