From CAD 4,060
Guarantee
Small Group
Light
Rating
(20 reviews)
Experience Overview
When it comes to vibrant culture and varied cuisine, there’s nowhere quite like Mexico. Get a taste of the country’s best on an eight-day Premium adventure through Mexico City, Puebla and Oaxaca. Join expert local guides to uncover the ancient secrets of Teotihuacan, Cholula and the Mitla ruins and see the world’s widest tree, over 1500 years old! Take your taste buds on a trip, from the beckoning street food stalls of the capital to a home cooked Zapotecan lunch and a creative dining experience in Oaxaca and attend some local artisan workshops, working with obsidian and beeswax. Your experienced local leader will show you the heart of a country that is sure to leave you captivated.
Highlights
- Visit the spectacular ruins of Chichen Itza (one of the new Seven Wonders of the World), Muyil 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 Exclusive Experience to the secluded Laguna Chabela Maya community, where you’ll learn how modern Maya people preserve the traditions of their ancestors and try your hand and making a tortilla before a delicious feast in the jungle.
- Experience the old-world charm of your Feature Stay accommodation in Merida – a historic 17th century mansion turned boutique hotel with elegant decor and traditional touches.
- Enjoy an Exclusive 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 crystal-clear Muyil canals created by the Maya over 1000 years ago and visit a laid-back beach club in Tulum to make the best of the Yucatan peninsula.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2421
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Unknown
Transport: Private vehicle,Boat
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: QBPN
Starts: Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
Finishes: Tulum, Mexico
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (3), Dinner (3)Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel (4 nights),Feature Stay (3 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 4060 (CAD 508 /day)
Itinerary
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 pedestrian avenue while perusing handmade hammocks, jewellery and crafts. The Yucatan’s bountiful Caribbean coastline means it’s home to some of the freshest seafood in the country, and after your meeting, you’ll head to a local restaurant and sit down for a traditional feast of fresh fish, mussels, shrimp and clams.
Included Activities:
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Playa del Carmen - Welcome Dinner
Accommodation:
- Thompson Playa del Carmen Main House or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, depart Playa del Carmen and head to the secluded Laguna Chabela. Here, you’ll 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 by hand using a mortar and pestle found in the nearby ruins, still used after 1000 years. 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.
Included Activities:
- Valladolid - Home-cooked lunch
- Valladolid - Tortilla making demonstration
- Valladolid - Mayan homestead visit
Accommodation:
- Hotel El Meson del Marques or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
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. These limestone sinkholes were viewed by the Maya as doorways to the underworld. 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 hat features a swimming pool.
Included Activities:
- Chichen Itza - Cenote swim stop
- Chichen Itza - Home-cooked pibil lunch
- Chichen Itza - Archaeological site with local guide
Accommodation:
- Hotel Casa Lucia (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you’ll join your leader on a walking tour of downtown Merida to learn more about the Maya heritage of the town. Visit the market for a look at local life and stop by the city museum, Montejo's House and the cathedral. Step inside the Palacio del Gobierno to admire the murals by Fernando Castro Pacheco – a famous Mexican artist from Merida. The paintings depict the history of the city and interactions between the Maya and the Spanish. The afternoon is free for further 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 a local restaurant serving up Yucatan specialties – the sopa da lima (lime soup) is especially delicious here.
Included Activities:
- Merida - Leader-led orientation walk
Optional Activities:
- Merida - Regional Museum of Yucatan (95 MXN)
- Merida - Uxmal Ruins tour (inc. shared transport and guide) (1470 MXN)
Accommodation:
- Hotel Casa Lucia (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, you’ll head out for another Exclusive Experience at the Celestun Bird Sanctuary and Biosphere Reserve. 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 view bubbling springs then cruise back through the mangrove canals. Stop in a fishing town for some time for lunch – maybe grab some fresh seafood and eat it with your toes in the sand. Take a dip in the Gulf of Mexico before returning to Merida for a free afternoon.
Included Activities:
- Merida - Celestun Biosphere Reserve tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel Casa Lucia (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Depart Merida this morning and head towards Muyil, stopping off for lunch in the village of Coba. Continue to the virtually unknown Muyil Archaeologic Site – this ancient Maya trading post is one of the oldest once-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 45 minutes of floating, carry on to Tulum.
Included Activities:
- Tulum - Muyil river float
- Tulum - Muyil archaeological site with local guide
Accommodation:
- Niik Tulum or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
In the morning, head to the Tulum archaeological site and learn about the history of the ruins and their views of the ocean. One of the last cities built by the Maya, 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 inspired by the freshest 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:
- Niik Tulum or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
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.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
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
Reviews
Rebecca - Traveled, April 2024
I had a wonderful time on the tour of the Yucatán. Susana is very warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/17/2024
Carolyn - Traveled, April 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.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/14/2024
Emma - Traveled, March 2024
We really enjoyed this trip. It was a good mix of seeing things, interacting with the local community, and relaxing on the beach or by the pool. We found this part of Mexico beautiful but expensive, so it was definitely beneficial to book this trip which had lots of great activities (and meals) included!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/01/2024
Colleen - Traveled, February 2024
Out trip was well-planned with activities and where to stay, our guide was super fantastic! She was very knowlegeable and approachable and a great resource through the whole trip. I loved it! Mexico is definitely worth many visits and the Yucatan was really special being able to see the surrounding water, jungle, as well as city sites.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/06/2024
Shane - Traveled, February 2024
As I learnt more and more from Susana our tour guide, I was able to imagine when walking throughout the fascinating sites of Chichén Itzá, Tulum and numerous other ancient Mayan archaeological, cultural and beautiful environmental sites. Those ancient Mayans flourishing in what is now Yucatán in Mexico. Plus, the ancient Mayans and their descendants contributing toward Yucatan having its own unique culture today.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/05/2024
Ellen - Traveled, February 2024
Our leader's love for her country was infectious and her competence unmatched! With the details taken care of, my partner and I could relax and simply enjoy learning and adventuring together. Its hard to decide which activity was most magical, we'll definitely come back to Mexico.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/05/2024
Paula - Traveled, November 2023
Our intrepid trip premium trip was fantastic in relation to amazing activities & experiences however not premium in relation to hotels which was a shame , hotels were safe & well located however needs improvement, Our tour guide was fantastic Thankyou
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/26/2023
Jane - Traveled, October 2023
A wonderful holiday, so many inclusions, knowledgeable tour leader and great local guides. Truely an unforgettable experience!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/28/2023
Alan - Traveled, September 2023
A great experience to a new country. A good balance between history and ruins, and natural features such as bird sanctuary, Mayan canals Cenote and beach clubs.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/09/2023
Clazina ( Claartje) - Traveled, September 2023
This trip was a great introduction to this area of Mexico. A good mix of ruins and water activities.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/09/2023
Rachael - Traveled, June 2023
Our Intrepid tour in Mexico was one that I'll remember for a lifetime. An unbeatable itinerary, a great group and leader, and inclusions that you just couldn't do elsewhere! Review submitted 01 Jul 2023
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/01/2023
Thu Trang - Traveled, June 2023
Very well curated tour and thoroughly enjoyable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/03/2023
Taylor - Traveled, May 2023
This trip has a very chill slow pace with lots of free time. There are some really cool parts. The accommodation is nice but not a huge step up from basic. Also the food and drinks are not necessarily cheap especially in Tulum.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/09/2023
Christine - Traveled, February 2023
A great tour of the Yucatan with our excellent leader Alex. We had a great variety of experiences and thoroughly enjoyed it all. The only downside were the two very poor hotels at Puerto Morelos and Tulum which were definitely not 'Premium' and need addressing by Intrepid. Otherwise we would highly recommend this week as a second leg of a tour of Mexico after the Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca week.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/03/2023
Wafaa - Traveled, December 2022
The itinerary of this trip was excellent and varied and is the main reason why this trip is recommended . We got to visit mainly Merida and Tulum , 3 great archeological sites including Chichén Itzá , swim in a beautiful cenote , swim at a beach club in Tulum and do a Muyil River float (one of the many highlights of the trip). The hotels were not bad but were average and certainly less than what is expected of a premium trip. The hotel in Tulum had a distant very inconvenient location from downtown/ the beach. The van used for transport was modern and clean but not very comfortable as the seats were narrow and there was little legroom. The tour leader was enthusiastic, friendly and accommodating.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/11/2022
Peter - Traveled, September 2022
Whilst the knowledge of the tour guides and the itineraries are excellent be aware of the accommodation it is not of the premium standard advertised
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/20/2022
Anamika - Traveled, July 2022
Had an amazing time in Mexico and our lovely Guide Karla and Driver Gil made all the difference to it with their knowledge and love! They treated us like family and shared their culture so candidly! On an improvement side… an intrepid fan, but would like to see more out of the PREMIUM marketed tours, especially accommodation level and facilities in hotels. They felt more like the comfort tours that I have done in the past - Experiences during the tour were premium though :)
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/04/2022
Taylor - Traveled, May 2023
This is a chill little trip. Accomodations are nice but not a huge step up from basic. The food is delicious, its pretty slow paced, my group only had 2 people, and the food & drinks are not cheap.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/07/2023
Gordon - Traveled, April 2023
Wonderful trip leader with a great agenda. Lodging was terrible for the cost of the trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/03/2023
Linda - Traveled, April 2023
Here are the events of our trip to Mexico. When we arrived at Puerto Morelos we were to be met by our tour Guide. When we arrived the Hotel only had one person at the desk who spoke no English we had a hard time checking in and they had no staff to support the hotel. The bathroom windows in our room were broken the room was dirty and no towels. The grounds were dirty and you couldn’t use the patio furniture because they had bird droppings all over them. The restaurant was closed we were informed by the one person there. It was so far from town and no way to make contact to make other arrangements. There was no internet service or phone service available. Days 2 through 5 went off without a hitch. Day 6: upon arrival again the hotel was far from town without internet service. The gates were locked and no one was at the property. Our Guide Karla was so surprised and made some calls and someone came and opened the gates and assigned our group rooms. Again the rooms were dirty with lots of dust everywhere no towels stains on the bed sheets water glasses were dirty. We were to have meals at the hotel which had appliances all wrapped in plastic wrap. Pool was dirty the grounds were covered in debris including a dead snake outside of our room. It looked as tho the property was completely abandoned. It was suppose to be a Wyndham property but the sign was taken down and laying on the main desk. Our tour guide Karla made serval calls to arrange for meals in town. Had there been an emergency we would have been in trouble. We couldn’t even check in for our return flights due to no internet. We had to go to a restaurant so we could do so. Our tour guide Karla Zenteno was a champ in making the best of everything. The group sat in the lobby the night before our departures discussing our problems during the trip an how very unprofessional the accommodations were. I’ve traveled to Mexico many times using other tour operators and never encountered these types of accommodations. Therefore, we are requesting compensation for these 3 nights.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/03/2023
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