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Cenotes Water Pool

Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights

Mexico Small Group Tour - Example 8 Day Tour
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The 8-day Premium Mexico Yucatán Highlights small group tour takes you from the beautiful coastline of Playa del Carmen to the colorful city of Valladolid, the colonial town of Merida, and the white sand beaches of Tulum, making your trip an unforgettable experience. Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula is a must-see for all travelers looking to experience the beautiful coastlines, colorful culture, and pristine beaches. Explore ancient Mayan ruins and see some iconic sites such as Chichen Itza, Muyil, and the Tulum archaeological site before stopping in Merida. Travel with a local guide while staying on unique property and meet local families, conservationists, and historians where there are plenty more historic buildings dating back centuries ago that were handcrafted using locally sourced materials. These tours will provide you with an exciting combination that will have any traveler ready for adventure!
Musicians in the streetCooking tortillasRelax by the shoreTulum Beach and RuinTulum BeachChichen Itza - Mayan RuinsMayan ruinsSunset in ancient Mayan city of TulumGrand Cenote in MexicoDistinctive architecture of Puerto MorelosColorful souvenirs in the marketCenotes Water Pool
Highlights
  • Visit the spectacular ruins of Chichen Itza and Muyil where the local leaders and guides will bring years of Maya history to life.
  • Experience local life during Exclusive Experiences, including a Maya Pibil meal in the home of a local couple and tortilla making demonstration
  • Enjoy the old-world charm of your Feature Stay accommodation in Merida – a magnificent 17th-century mansion boutique hotel
  • Explore the Tulum archaeological site during a special after-hours visit and learn the history of the Maya ruins.
  • Meet with a local conservationist at the Bird Sanctuary and Biosphere Reser
Places Visited
Activity Level: Easy Active
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.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive in Playa del Carmen

Welcome to Mexico! The adventure begins in Playa del Carmen, a coastal resort town on the Yucatan Peninsula, known for its stunning turquoise waters. On your arrival at Cancun International Airport, look for your guide to transfer to your hotel. Here, meet your local leader and fellow members of your group for a 6 pm welcome meeting. If you arrive with time to spare, visit the pedestrian avenue, checking out handmade hammocks, jewelry, and crafts. The Caribbean coast along the Yucatan has some of the freshest seafood around, so after your meeting, head to a local spot for a feast of fresh fish, mussels, shrimp, and clams.

Included Activities:
    • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
    • Playa del Carmen- Welcome Dinner

    Day 2: Valladolid

    After breakfast, depart Puerto Morelos and head to the secluded Laguna Chabela. Here, meet a local Maya family who has lived here for generations. Gain a deeper understanding of their way of life as you tour their farm, see what they grow, and learn how they live off the land. Enjoy a demonstration on how to make delicious tortillas in the Coba style. Take a sit down for a traditional lunch. In the afternoon, continue to the city of Valladolid, known for its delightful pastel-colored colonial buildings. On arrival, settle into your hotel. Located in the city’s main square, this charming hotel was converted from a 16th-century colonial house and offers a perfect base for your explorations. The main square is flanked by excellent local restaurants serving up classic Yucatan cuisine – try one out for dinner this evening.

    Included Activities:
        • Valladolid - Home-cooked lunch
        • Valladolid - Tortilla making demonstration
        • Valladolid - Mayan homestead visit
        Your travel time today is approximately 3 hours.

        Day 3: Merida | Chichen Itza

        After breakfast, spend your day exploring the fascinating complex of Chichen Itza. Named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza is considered the most important archaeological vestige of the Maya-Toltec civilization in Yucatan by UNESCO. Meet with a local historian for a guided tour to uncover the secrets of the most famous Maya site in Mexico, dominated by the Temple of Kukulkan, or El Castillo, a Mesoamerican step-pyramid. After the visit, have a special lunch with a local family in the town of Piste. Here, enjoy a traditional Pibil feast, a Maya style of cooking that involves barbecuing underground, which the family has perfected over generations. After lunch, visit a beautiful cenote for a swim, then continue to the historic town of Merida. Founded in 1542,  the city is the Yucatan capital and retains much of its old-world charm. Your Feature Stay accommodation for the next three evenings is the magnificent La Misión de Fray Diego – a 17th-century mansion turned boutique hotel. Spacious rooms flaunt elegant decor with traditional touches, surrounding a glowing courtyard with a wonderful swimming pool. Enjoy exceptional service and a privileged location in the heart of the city.

        Included Activities:
              • Chichen Itza - Archaeological Site
              • Chichen Itza - Cenote swim stop
              • Chichen Itza - Home-cooked pibil lunch
              Your travel time today is approximately 2.5 hours.

              Day 4: Merida

              This morning, join your leader on a walking tour of downtown Merida to take in the splendor of its many colonial buildings and 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 the interactions between the Maya and the Spanish. The afternoon is free for further discoveries – take a relaxing green and shady Plaza Grande, or browse the outdoor market selling Maya replicas. Regroup for dinner at a fantastic local restaurant serving up Yucatan specialties – the SOPA da lima (lime soup). If you wish for additional excursions during your time in Merida, pick from the following optional activities and contact us for current excursion pricing.

              Included Activities:
                      • Merida - Leader-led orientation walk

                      Day 5: Merida

                      After breakfast, head out for another Exclusive Experience at the Celestún Bird Sanctuary and Biosphere Reserve. One of the first destinations for migratory birds in winter, the reserve offers a birdwatching experience like no other. Tour the area by small boat while learning about its unique flora and fauna. Watch for the Yucatán woodpecker, Mexican sheartail, and tropical mockingbird. If visiting between December and March, witness thousands of flamingos streaking across the landscape. Step off the boat for a short walk to view bubbling springs, then cruise back through the mangrove canals. Stop in a fishing town for lunch—maybe enjoy fresh seafood with your toes in the sand. Take a dip in the Gulf of Mexico before returning to Mérida for a free afternoon.

                      Included Activities:
                                • Merida - Celestun Biosphere Reserve tour
                                Your travel time today is approximately 3 hours.

                                Day 6: Tulum

                                Leave Merida this morning and travel toward Muyil, stopping for lunch in the village of Coba. Continue to the little-known Muyil Archaeological Site, one of the oldest Maya trading posts in the country, dating back to 350 BC. Explore the ruins with your leader, who explains what life here once looked like. Next, reach the banks of the Maya River and board a small boat to navigate the canals and lagoons of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere. One of Mexico’s largest protected areas, this UNESCO World Heritage site spans more than 400,000 hectares of land, lagoon, and marine environments, home to diverse flora and fauna. Join local community guides who enhance the experience with their knowledge. Admire the ruins along the riverbanks before disembarking in the ancient Mayan mangrove canals. Experience a natural "lazy river" as you float through the serene waters, carried by a gentle current. After 45 minutes of floating, continue to Tulum.

                                Included Activities:
                                            • Tulum - Muyil river float
                                            • Tulum - Muyil archaeological site
                                            Your travel time today is approximately 4.5 hours.

                                            Day 7: Tulum

                                            Enjoy a morning at leisure in Tulum. You may like to unroll a towel and relax on the beach or take a dip in the calm and clear Caribbean waters. A stroll through the town will reveal an array of independent shops selling handicrafts and Fairtrade goods. In the afternoon, head to the Tulum archaeological site for a special after-hours visit, allowing you to appreciate the incredible history of the ruins without the crowds. 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 a spectacular ocean backdrop. This evening you will dine at one of Tulum’s most celebrated restaurants. Set within the jungle and inspired by the freshest local produce, this final dinner with your newfound friends will certainly be one to remember.

                                            Included Activities:
                                                          • Tulum - After hours visit of Tulum archaeological site
                                                          • Tulum - Farewell Dinner
                                                          • Tulum – Beach Club Visit

                                                          Day 8: Tulum | Return Home

                                                          • 1 Breakfast
                                                          Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning before going back home.

                                                          Accommodations

                                                          Niik Tulum

                                                          Hotel facade
                                                          Garden area
                                                          Dining area

                                                          Tulum - Hotels

                                                          Playa del Carmen - Hotels

                                                          Mérida - Hotels

                                                          Yucatan - Hotels

                                                          Dates & Prices

                                                          My Preferred Start Date

                                                          • May 17, 2025from $2,920
                                                          • Jun 14, 2025from $2,950
                                                          • Jul 12, 2025from $2,920
                                                          • Sep 13, 2025from $2,920
                                                          • Oct 11, 2025from $2,920
                                                          • Oct 25, 2025from $3,095
                                                          • Nov 8, 2025from $3,270
                                                          • Nov 15, 2025from $3,270
                                                          • Nov 22, 2025from $3,270
                                                          • Dec 13, 2025from $3,095
                                                          • Dec 20, 2025from $2,920
                                                          • Jan 10, 2026from $3,250
                                                          • Jan 24, 2026from $3,250
                                                          • Feb 7, 2026from $3,435
                                                          • Feb 14, 2026from $3,435
                                                          • Feb 21, 2026from $3,435
                                                          • Mar 7, 2026from $3,250
                                                          • Mar 21, 2026from $3,250
                                                          • Apr 4, 2026from $3,435
                                                          • Apr 11, 2026from $3,435
                                                          • Apr 25, 2026from $3,250
                                                          • May 16, 2026from $3,250
                                                          • Jun 13, 2026from $3,065
                                                          • Jul 11, 2026from $3,065
                                                          • Aug 15, 2026from $3,065
                                                          • Sep 12, 2026from $3,065
                                                          • Sep 26, 2026from $3,065
                                                          • Oct 10, 2026from $3,065
                                                          • Oct 24, 2026from $3,250
                                                          • Nov 7, 2026from $3,435
                                                          • Nov 14, 2026from $3,435
                                                          • Nov 21, 2026from $3,435
                                                          • Dec 12, 2026from $3,250
                                                          • Dec 19, 2026from $3,065
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                                                          Per person starting at
                                                          $2,920
                                                          Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.

                                                          Notes

                                                          *Rates are capacity-controlled and are subject to increase at any time. Book early to get the best rate.
                                                          Included
                                                          • 7 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
                                                          • 7 Nights Accommodations
                                                          • 6 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

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                                                          The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
                                                          Gale Cantor

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