Mayan Culture & History in Tulum - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Cancún, Transfer to Tulum

Welcome to the Mexican Caribbean! Upon your arrival at Cancún'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 five 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 three 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 Yucatán 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.

In the afternoon, you will visit the ruins of Tulum, one of the most famous archaeological sites in Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend the day exploring the area with your guide, who will explain why these ruins 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 Maya 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 and water to round out your visit. 

Day 3: Río Secreto: The Maya Underworld

Río 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 for a short walk. You will be welcomed back with a traditional meal to complete the excursion.

Day 5: Explore Cobá by Bike, Experience Maya Culture & Visit the Punta Laguna Nature Reserve

Today, you will visit the archaeological site of Cobá. Start with a guided 3-mile (5 km) bike or bicycle taxi tour through the sacbé, a series of ancient white roads that connect each settlement to the main pyramid—Nohoch Mul, the Yucatán Peninsula's largest. It's quite the climb to the top, but you'll be rewarded with extraordinary views of the surrounding jungle.

 

Continue your day with a visit to a Maya community. You will be welcomed by a local family to enjoy a traditional meal while you learn about their way of life and culture. Then, visit by yourself the Punta Laguna Nature Reserve, where you will hike through the jungle and, if you are lucky, spot spider monkeys or other wildlife. Cool off with a refreshing swim in a cenote and go ziplining through the tree canopy. Finally, wrap up the day by participating in a traditional Maya ceremony.

Day 6: Free Day in Tulum

Enjoy a free day in Tulum. This destination has become very popular in recent years thanks to its beautiful beaches with turquoise waters, its nightlife, and its delicious international cuisine. During your free day in this town, you can visit some of the beautiful beaches or cenotes that surround it.

 

When the sun goes down, you will find a vibrant nightlife with plenty of bars and restaurants to discover, with a more casual and relaxed atmosphere.

Day 7: Return to Cancún, Depart

Enjoy your last morning in this paradise. This part of Mexico is renowned for its sunrises, so if you're up for it, wake up early to catch a show on the beach. After, take some time to relax before your transfer to Cancún International Airport. 

 

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