Yucatan Peninsula Adventure (Original)

Hola! Welcome to Playa del Carmen, on the sandy shores of the Yucatan Peninsula. Meet your leader and fellow travellers at an important welcome meeting at 6pm, then tuck into some Mexican morsels for dinner. If you do arrive early, good for you, as there’s so much to do! Playa del Carmen is popular resort town famed for its coral reef and sparkling warm waters, so feel free to kick back with a book, take a stroll along the white sands, go on a day trip to the island of Cozumel or head for a dip in the Caribbean.

Depart the coast early by private vehicle towards Merida, learning some Spanish from your leader on the way. You’ll be stopping at the famous 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. After your tour, experience a special lunch in the local Piste community, a short drive from the archaeological site. You’ll have time to experience the culture and interact with the locals while being served some traditional Yucatecan cuisine. Make sure you have learnt some Spanish phrases – the men and women of the community will be very appreciative. Continue on to Merida, where your leader will take you on an orientation walk to get your bearings. Founded in 1542, Merida is the capital of the Yucatan region and has retained 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 cuisine, margaritas and live music.

Take today to explore the many sights of Merida. Your leader will have some recommendations and there are a number of optional activities available. Perhaps visit one of the several museums in town, 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 the Yucatan specialty: cochinita pibil. There’s also the option of visiting the Celestun Bird Sanctuary where, depending on the season, you can catch the 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 some live music and dancing. However, be warned there is an early start tomorrow. 

Leave the city of Merida behind at around 7 am for a complete contrast in Calakmul, in the southern end of Yucatan. Today, we suggest you pack some snacks as you’ll transfer 7 hours by private vehicle to your homestay. You’ll enjoy a late lunch on arrival. In the afternoon, get hands-on and spend some time with local artisans creating your own jewellery with an included workshop. As you’re staying at a homestay, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with a local family, so an included Maya language lesson will definitely come in handy. Enjoy an included dinner with your group and have a relaxing night, ready to explore the deep jungle and ancient ruins of Calakmul tomorrow.

This morning, visit the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve and explore an incredible hidden treasure. You’ll be getting up quite early (7 am breakfast with an 8 am departure), for an hour and 20-minute drive to the archaeological 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. Building at this location began in the 6th century BC and by AD250, most of the city was standing. The ancient city covers around 70 square kilometres and contains more than 7000 structures, but because the jungle is so thick, only a very small portion of the site has been excavated. You’ll have time to explore this lost city for yourself in the morning, and at around midday you’ll enjoy a packed lunch made by the homestay community, before taking a 3-hour drive to Bacalar. Once arrived, take a short leader-led orientation walk to get your bearings of this small town, and then have a free afternoon and evening to relax after a mammoth day. Cerveza, anyone?

With a jam-packed day yesterday, take some time to chill out in relaxed riverside Balacar. You’ll have a free day to do as you please, perhaps a relax by the banks of the lake, a swim, or just diving straight into a book. Bacalar is known for its Lake of Seven Colours – thanks to the various stunning shades of blue it adopts throughout the day. There’s also the option to visit Cenote Azul today: a beautiful fresh water rockpool, perfect for swimming. The sparkling blue water and stalactites and stalagmites in the cave are a sight to behold.

Enjoy a free morning relaxing around Balacar’s 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 once arrived in Tulum, take an orientation walk with your leader to know your way around. There may be time to fit in a visit to another cenote or Tulum’s Maya ruins, or otherwise, find a bar or restaurant and say ‘salud’ to Mexico.

After breakfast, there are no activities planned for the day, but that’s no reason to stop exploring! Tulum is famous for its crystal water, snorkelling, ancient ruins and general magnificence, so no-one can blame you for wanting to stick around for a few more days. If you would like to spend some more time in Tulum, we’ll be happy to book additional accommodation (subject to availability).