Discover Mexico's culture and scenery on a small group adventure from Mexico City to Playa del Carmen. Visit the spectacular Chichen Itza ruins to learn about Maya history and culture, and the indigenous communities in the lovely San Cristobal de las Casas. Indulge in a feast of delectable local cuisine while developing your own cooking talents. Snorkel in the clear Caribbean waters, relax on white-sand beaches, and browse through vibrant markets. Explore waterfalls and mountains, as well as a plethora of museums, churches, and archaeological sites that offer you a taste of Mexico's rich cultural legacy.
Highlights
Tour Mexico's impressive Metropolitan Cathedral
Discover Teotihuacan ruins known as the Pyramid of the Sun and of the Moon
Visit the Oaxaca archaeological site of Monte Alban
Dive into Playa del Carmen's azure waters and pure white-sand beaches
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
Arrive at Mexico City, Benito Juarez International Airport, and be transferred to the hotel. A complimentary transfer is included with the trip. Please ensure to provide the flight details at least 14 days before the travel date to organize the transfer service. Settle in and, if you have time, take a stroll to get a feel for this vibrant and rapidly growing capital where the ancient and modern collide. Meet your leader and other members of the group this evening for a welcome meeting at 6 pm; the place of the meeting can be found at the hotel reception. This meeting will be followed by an optional group dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Included Activities
Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
*Optional tours may be available for this itinerary. Please talk to your Trip Planner about options and costs.
Enjoy a guided city tour of Mexico City. Visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, Zocalo, National Palace, and Museum of Anthropology. After that, the day is yours to spend. The Leon Trotsky and Frida Kahlo (La Casa Azul) museums are two popular sights worth checking as an optional activity. Trotsky, having come off second-best to Stalin in the race to the helm during the Soviet era, was expelled and found refuge in Mexico City, where he was eventually murdered, while Frida Kahlo is perhaps the most renowned Mexican artist in history. Both of which can be reached by Uber. Otherwise, the colorful Xochimilco gardens and canals are especially fun on weekends.
Included activities
Mexico City - Diego Rivera Murals in the Mural Museum (Entrance Fee)
Mexico City - Metropolitan Cathedral (Entrance Fee)
Mexico City - Leader-led orientation walk
Mexico City - National Museum of Anthropology (Entrance Fee) (Closed Mondays)
Depart Mexico City this morning and explore the ancient Teotihuacan ruins, once one of the world’s largest cities. Meet a local guide and discover the impressive Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon, which dominate the skyline. Stroll down The Avenue of the Dead and experience what life was like here nearly 2,000 years ago. Continue to the vibrant city of Puebla and join your leader for an orientation walk through the beautifully preserved city center. Savor Puebla’s renowned food scene, with plenty of recommendations on the best spots to try local specialties this evening.
Included activities
Puebla - Leader-led orientation walk
Teotihuacan - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
Teotihuacan - Local Guide
Your travel time today is approximately 3.5 hours.
This morning, get to know Cholula, a city close to Puebla, by joining your leader on an orientation walk. As Cholula has the most churches in Mexico, you’ll stop at a few on your journey, like Santuario de la Virgen de los Remedios, located on the top of the Great Pyramid of Cholula. Head back to Puebla after to explore the historic city at your own pace in the afternoon – maybe sit down for a dish of mole pueblano, the specialty of Puebla.
Journey to Oaxaca (pronounced wa-ha-ca), a city known for its mole and mezcal. Take an orientation walk with your leader to explore its highlights. Visit the main square, surrounded by 16th-century architecture, or browse the bustling 20 de Noviembre Market, a local favorite for authentic flavors. In the evening, join your group for dinner and sample regional specialties like tlayudas (Oaxacan pizza) or one of the seven varieties of mole.
Included activities
Oaxaca - Leader-led orientation walk
Dinner in Oaxaca
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
Learn about the traditional skill of crafting alebrijes – brightly colored folk art sculptures of mythical creatures – in a women-run workshop in San Martin Tilcajete. They’ll walk you through the history of the art and how the crafting process works. Then, enjoy a free afternoon in Oaxaca – maybe visit the nearby archaeological site of Monte Alban. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this place was inhabited for over 1500 years by the Olmecs, Zapotecs and Mixtecs. The terraces, dams, canals, pyramids, and artificial mounds of Monte Alban were carved out of the mountain and are now the symbols of a sacred topography. Have your camera ready to go because you can get a fantastic view across the three legs of the valley of Oaxaca. Season-depending, a folkloric ballet performance is also a great optional activity, or the Santo Domingo Cultural Centre is also well worth a visit. Otherwise, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the streets and take the opportunity to feast on some regional delicacies.
Included activities
Zooologico Magic Alebrijes visit - Tilcajete
Free afternoon
Day 7: Salina Cruz
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Set off this morning with your leader, stopping first at the famous Tule Tree, a 1,500-year-old Montezuma cypress with a massive 36-meter circumference. Continue to the Mitla archaeological ruins, once the religious center of the Zapotec people. Enjoy lunch at the home of a local Zapotecan family, where you can sample traditional dishes and learn about their culture. Visit a woman-owned mezcal farm, tour the cacti plantation, and cap off the experience with a mezcal tasting. Relax on the bus as you travel to Salina Cruz for the night.
Included activities
Oaxaca - Zapotecan home-cooked lunch
Mitla - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
Oaxaca - Mezcaleria visit
Oaxaca - Tule Tree
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
Drive to Sumidero Canyon, where towering cliffs rise up to 1,000 meters. Hop aboard a boat for a close-up look at this dramatic landscape. Keep an an eye (or an ear) out for howler monkeys along the way. After the boat tour, continue to the charming city of San Cristóbal de las Casas. Upon arrival, take a walk through its cobblestone streets, where Spanish architecture and Indigenous cultures create a distinct old-world atmosphere. Your leader will guide you on an orientation walk through the town center before you set off to explore on your own.
Included activities
Sumidero Canyon - Boat Excursion (entrance and transport)
San Cristobal de las Casas - Leader-led orientation walk
This morning, join your leader for an orientation walk through the city, passing impressive churches, green plazas, and fascinating museums. Head to the nearby Maya village of San Juan Chamula, a highland community that serves as a marketplace and religious center for Indigenous groups from the surrounding hills. The local people maintain their traditional way of life, often wearing distinctive clothing. Take a short drive to the neighboring town of Zincantán and explore with your leader to learn more about these predominantly Maya communities. Later, back in San Cristóbal, enjoy free time—perhaps rent a bike to see more of the town.
Included activities
San Juan Chamula - Maya Church (entrance fee)
Zinacantan - Maya Church (entrance fee)
Your travel time today is approximately 1.5 hours.
Say goodbye to San Cristobal de Las Casas and set out for Palenque and its surrounding jungle. Get an early start to avoid potential road closures, which are common in the area. Stop along the way to stretch your legs before reaching the wide, terraced Agua Azul Waterfalls. Watch as the water flows over limestone rocks, creating vibrant blue pools. Enjoy lunch surrounded by nature, then cool off with a quick dip or take a scenic stroll before continuing to Palenque.
Set out this morning for the archaeological site of Palenque. Perched on a hilltop in the dense jungle, these remarkable Maya ruins date back to AD 600. Some structures remain unexcavated, hidden within the forest. Join a guided tour and take in the history as you explore this ancient city. Listen for the distant calls of howler monkeys echoing through the trees. After your visit, return to your hotel in modern Palenque and spend the afternoon relaxing, perhaps by the pool.
Included activities
Palenque - Archaeological site (Guide, Transport & Entrance fee)
Settle in for a day on the road as you travel from Palenque to the historic city of Mérida. Break up the drive with short stops and an included lunch featuring a delicious selection of local seafood, with alternative options available. Founded in 1542, Mérida, the capital of Yucatán, retains its old-world charm. After arriving, stretch your legs on an orientation walk with your leader and learn about the city's rich Maya heritage.
Today, explore the many sights of Merida at your own pace. Visit museums like the impressive Regional Anthropology Museum of the Yucatan, or wander through vibrant streets filled with art and culture. Relax in the shady Plaza Grande, surrounded by the 16th-century cathedral, City Hall, State Government Palace, and Casa Montejo. Browse the outdoor market for hammocks, Mayan replicas, and delicious local cuisine, from cochinita pibil ("little pig") to the fiery El Yucateco hot sauce. For more Maya history, venture to the ancient ruins of Uxmal and admire the stunning Palace of the Governors, a masterpiece of classic Maya architecture.
Your first stop is Chichen Itza, one of the most famous Maya sites in Mexico and a New Wonder of the World. Marvel at the towering Temple of Kukulkan and explore the nearby ball court, where disputes were once settled through a game played using only elbows, hips, and wrists. Stone carvings depicting violence suggest it was far from a casual sport. After a guided tour, sit down for a special lunch with a family in the town of Piste. Savor a traditional pibil feast, a Maya cooking style perfected over generations that involves barbecuing underground. Finally, head to the vibrant seaside town of Playa del Carmen, where you can join your group for a final dinner together.
Included activities
Chichen Itza - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
Chichen Itza - Home-cooked pibil lunch
Your travel time today is approximately 4.5 hours.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$4,520
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Notes
For the included internal flight ticket, please provide your full name exactly as per your passport at the time of booking or at least 45 days prior to travel. Airline luggage restrictions will apply.
A single supplement is available if you prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Initial deposit is $400 per person, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and a maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
14 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 1 Dinner
14 Nights Accommodations
9 Days Locally Hosted Guide Service
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Optional Activities
For those traveling internationally with Intrepid: emergency evacuation and medical insurance are mandatory, and comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See here for more details
Visa and passport fees
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.
Typically not offered during this period because of weather conditions.
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
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