Mexico Culture & Beaches: Tulum, Valladolid, Holbox Island, & More - 11 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Cancun, Transfer to Tulum

Welcome to the Mexican Caribbean! Upon your arrival at Cancun’s airport, you'll meet your driver to be transferred to your hotel in Tulum. 

Day 2: Cenotes of Chemuyil, Tulum Archeological Site

Your adventure begins in the community of Chemuyil, a small beachfront town with plentiful white sand beaches and shallow waters. A local guide will be waiting for you to welcome you with a plate of fruit and tell you more about the different places you will visit today. You'll spend the day learning about the project, which was initiated by 5 young people from the community of Chemuyil who seek to introduce and preserve the cenotes where they used to live and play during their childhood. Their initiative allows the visitor to explore virgin forests, discover the fauna, and become one with nature. 

You will be assigned a bicycle and start cycling through the charming town of Chemuyil. There you will continue your bike tour to visit 3 different cenotes of different shapes and sizes. You will start with a cenote known locally as La Cuevita; an enclosed cenote where your guide will tell you anecdotes and stories of the place.

Next, you will go to an open cenote where, with some luck, you will be able to see some of the endemic birds of the Yucatan Peninsula. Finally, you will visit an open cenote where you can take a dip. All of these cenotes are part of a system fed by the largest underground river in the world. Once you finish this experience, you will say goodbye to the young people of the community and head back to town.

After, you will visit the ruins of Tulum, one of the most famous archaeological sites in Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Spend the afternoon exploring the area with your guide, who will explain why these ruins be played a particularly important role in the area's maritime and terrestrial trade. You'll also learn about the site's function as an astronomical observatory and as a defensive system.

This old Mayan city sits in the middle of a mangrove ecosystem, on a cliff facing ​​the Caribbean Sea. You'll find spectacular views from the site of both the surrounding forest, as well as the open water. From the archaeological site, you'll have access to the Playa Ruinas (Ruins Beach). After spending some time exploring the ruins, head down to the water for some sun wand water to round out your visit. 

Day 3: Río Secreto: The Mayan Underworld

Rio Secreto is a natural reserve located a few minutes from Playa del Carmen in the heart of the Riviera Maya, where nature and human beings converge in harmony.

Today, you'll have the opportunity to explore one of the greatest wonders of the natural world: one of the largest underground river systems in the world. Here, the history of the planet is written in thousands of geological formations, and you can experience millennia of geology while swimming in the clear freshwater.

As you make your way through the caves, your guide will explain the history of the features and formations of this marvelous geological library.

Day 4: Float in the Muyil Sian Ka´an Biosphere Reserve

Today you will visit the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, which in Mayan means "a place where the sky is born". When you arrive at the Muyil Community Center, enjoy a light snack and join a group of travelers to start the tour. This community-based ecotourism cooperative focuses on the conservation and preservation of ecosystems by promoting unique experiences with a commitment to responsible tourism.

Your first stop will be the little-known and mysterious archaeological site of Muyil, which you will reach at the end of an interpretive trail surrounded by the thick jungle. Walk until you reach the edge of the turquoise Chunyaxche Lagoon, where you will take a small boat through a channel surrounded by mangroves to arrive at a small dock. Once there enjoy a serene dip in the water. It is a moment of reconnection with mother earth, as you float slowly through the channels you will feel the peace of your surroundings and take in the soft sounds of the local birds and other animals.

Once you are done enjoying the water, return to the community center on a short walk. You will be welcomed back with a traditional meal to complete the excursion.

Day 5: Archeological Site of Coba, Eco Center & Traditional Mayan Meal, Punta Laguna Wildlife Tour, Transfer to Valladolid

Today, you'll enjoy a guided visit to the archaeological site of Coba. Start with a guided bike or bicycle taxi tour through the sacbé (a paved, raised road built by the Maya). These roads connect each settlement to the main pyramid, Nohoch Mul — the Yucatan Peninsula's largest pyramid.

If you decide to climb the stairs to the top, your efforts will be rewarded by an extraordinary view of the beautiful jungle that surrounds this impressive site.

After, visit Nuevo Durango, small ecotourism and organic food production community. It's a small ecotourism and organic food production community whose people have managed to maintain their cultural identity in both language and customs.

Here you will enjoy a traditional meal and meet Don Manuel and his family. Don is a member of the community that operates an Environmental Management Unit (EMU), a project for the conservation of animals in the region that are in danger of extinction. As you learn about Don's work, you'll be able to see and meet some of the endemic species of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Punta Laguna is part of a 12,350-acre area known as "Otoch Ma'ax yetel Kooh," which in Maya means "The home of the spider monkey and the puma". Since 1950, local Mayan families have been protecting the reserve where animals like spider monkeys, howler monkeys, birds, jaguars, pumas can be observed in complete freedom.

On this visit, you'll take a canoe ride through the biosphere, where with a little luck you will be able to spot several species of local wildlife, including of course the iconic spider monkey.

After, your private transportation will drive you from Tulum to Valladolid. 

Day 6: Visit Chichen Itza: a Wonder of the Mayan World, Discover Corn: the Sacred Food of the Gods in Yaxunah

Today you will meet your local guide to visit the archaeological site of Chichen Itza, one of the seven wonders of the modern world. 

This indigenous city is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was once the most revered center of worship and pilgrimage in the Yucatan Peninsula. Its main attraction is the stepped pyramid of Kukulkan (El Castillo). Let your imagination run wild as you learn about the life of the Mayas through the architecture, accompanies by your guide's stories.

Spend part of your day traveling back in history to explore the world of the Maya. Your visit to the archaeological site starts with a meeting with a guide from the Yaxunah community, who will join you for the trip to the site. 

The Yaxunah site, which in Mayan means "the first house", is surrounded by cornfields and dense vegetation. There is bountiful archaeological evidence that suggests that this site has been continuously occupied for millennia, and that is was an important center for the cultivation of corn: the sacred food of the gods. For the Mayans, the milpa (agricultural field) was like their home, as they had to ask permission to enter. 

Your guide, along with the members of the community, will show you the production process of this important regional food staple. You'll learn about the cleaning, planting, and harvesting of corn, as well as taste the beverages that can be prepared with corn, like potzoles, pinoles, nixtamal, and atoles.

Day 7: Walking Tour of Colonial Valladolid, Transfer to Holbox

Enjoy a walking tour through the heart of the historic center of Valladolid. Founded in 1543 and invaded several times by the Spanish, the city was the stage of vast confrontations between the Maya and the Conquistadores during events such as the Guerra de Castas in 1847 and the first spark of the Mexican Revolution in 1910.

Today, Valladolid is a charming Yucatecan city that's known for its hospitality, cenotes, food, and beautiful architecture. During the tour, you will visit (among others) the Ex Convento San Bernadino de Siena, the Cathedral, and the beautiful Calzada de Los Frailes.

After, your private transportation will drive you from Valladolid to Chiquilá, where you will take a ferry to Holbox Island. Upon arrival, a golf cart will be waiting to take you to your hotel.

Days 8-9: Free Day on Holbox Island

Today is free to spend however you want on the peaceful island. Soak in the sunshine, the spectacular turquoise waters, the unpaved streets, the incredible sunsets, and the delicious food. Choose one of the beautiful beaches to enjoy the sun and white sand, and recharge your batteries. 

As cars are not allowed on the island, you will also have the option to rent a bicycle or a golf cart to travel around and explore the less-crowded parts of the island. Other great options to spend your free day include walking around town, browsing the street art for souvenirs to bring back home, or simply relaxing at one of the town's cafes. 

If you prefer to get onto the water, book a boat tour to Cabo Catoche for an afternoon of snorkeling and enjoying the underwater world.

At the end of the day, catch the sunset from Punta Coco, view the starry sky from the beach, or enjoy a show of bioluminescence in the waters.

 

Day 10: Holbox to Puerto Morelos

Transfer from Holbox to Puerto Morelos (2.5 hours)
Spend one last morning in Holbox Island before you say "hasta luego" to this paradise. You will take the ferry back to Chiquilá where your private transportation will be waiting for your to take you to the charming fishing village of Puerto Morelos.

Day 11: Puerto Morelos to Cancun, Departure

Today is your last morning in this paradise. If you're up for it, wake up early for a sunrise on the beach. Afterward, you'll have the rest of your morning free to relax, before your scheduled transport transfers you to Cancun International Airport.  

 

More Mexico Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Mexico? Check out these other 11-day Mexico itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.

Looking for a different duration? Check out this 10-day version and this 12-day version of this itinerary. 

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