Highlights
- Visit colonial Valladolid and see its historic churches
- Tour the ancient Maya ruins at Ek' Balam and Chichén Itzá
- Discover Maya culture on visits to Indigenous towns
- Travel to nature reserves and cenotes, and go kitesurfing
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Cancún, Drive to Valladolid | Valladolid |
| Day 2 | Day Trip to Ek' Balam, Cenotes & Yalcobá | Valladolid |
| Day 3 | Visit Chichén Itzá & Yaxunah | Valladolid |
| Day 4 | Drive to Cobá Ruins, Lunch With Locals | Valladolid |
| Day 5 | Drive to El Cuyo, Ría Lagartos Boat Tour | El Cuyo |
| Day 6 | Free Day in El Cuyo & Kitesurfing | El Cuyo |
| Day 7 | Drive to Cancún, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Cancún, Drive to Valladolid
Welcome to Mexico and the Yucatán! This almost mystical peninsula is famous for its Caribbean coast, tropical forests, white-sand beaches, high-end resorts, thousands of cenotes (limestone sinkholes), and of course, its ancient Maya ruins. Upon arrival at the airport in Cancún, you'll pick up a rental car and leave this tourist hotspot behind in search of culture and adventure.
A 2.5-hour drive inland will take you to Valladolid, a colorful Spanish-colonial city with well-preserved 16th-century landmarks. It's one of Mexico's celebrated Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns), a special designation the country has bestowed on some 132 places that have demonstrated historical importance, rich culture, great symbolism, and exceptional beauty. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel. After settling in, you'll have the rest of the day to explore Valladolid on your own.
Founded in 1543 and invaded several times by the Spanish, this city was the stage of vast confrontations between the Maya and the Conquistadores. Much colonial architecture remains today, and one of the finest examples is San Servacio Church, which dates to 1545 and overlooks the Parque Francisco Cantón. From the park, you can walk to the 16th-century Convent of San Bernardino de Siena and the colorful Calzada de Los Frailes, a cobblestone street lined with colorful shops, boutiques, and galleries.
Day 2: Day Trip to Ek' Balam, Cenotes & Yalcobá
In the morning, you'll take a drive about 30 minutes north to the archaeological site of Ek' Balam, which means "black jaguar" in ancient Mayan. The name refers to the Maya king who constructed this city, and during its heyday, between the seventh and 10th centuries CE, it was the capital of the entire political region.
On a one-hour tour led by an expert guide, you'll visit highlight ruins, including temples, a ball court, and an acropolis. You'll ride a bicycle (or take a bike taxi) along an ancient, 1.5-mile-long stone path called a sacbé (white road). This causeway leads to Cenote X'Canché, a limestone sinkhole and turquoise lagoon, where you'll enjoy a swim.
Afterward, you'll drive south another 30 minutes to the Maya community of Yalcobá, where you'll enjoy a traditional Yucatecan lunch. Once you've eaten, you'll meet the residents and visit nearby virgin cenotes to enjoy more swimming. Upon returning to town, you'll visit a handicraft workshop to see how locals produce artisanal jewelry and woven hammocks. At the end of the afternoon, you'll return to Valladolid and your hotel.
Day 3: Visit Chichén Itzá & Yaxunah
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Drive to Cobá Ruins, Lunch With Locals
Hit the road again this morning on an hour's drive back toward the coast. Your destination is Cobá, the ruins of an ancient Maya city that flourished from 600-900 CE. A guided tour includes a 3-mile (5 km) bike or bicycle taxi ride along the series of sacbé. These roadways connect each settlement at the site to the main pyramid of Nohoch Mul, which, at 138 feet (42 m), is the largest in the Yucatán.
When the tour ends, leave Cobá and drive a short way north to Nuevo Durango, a small village known for its ecotourism projects and organic farms. Here, you'll visit the home of Don Manuel and, while enjoying a traditional meal with his family, you'll learn about local life and how people here have maintained their cultural identity in both language and customs. Afterward, you'll return to Valladolid.
Day 5: Drive to El Cuyo, Río Lagartos Boat Tour
Leave Valladolid this morning on a 2.5-hour drive to the northern end of the Yucatán and El Cuyo. Located far off the tourist trail, this small fishing village is known for its long empty beaches and turquoise waters, making it a relaxing retreat from the crowded resort areas along the Caribbean coast. Another bonus is that El Cuyo is located adjacent to the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, which encompasses 233 square miles (603 sq km) of protected wetland ecosystems.
Upon arrival in El Cuyo, you'll check into your accommodation and then head out on a two-hour tour. Accompanied by a local guide, you'll enjoy a fun-filled and educational afternoon while riding a boat through the reserve. Ría Lagartos is one of the main flamingo nesting areas in the Yucatán, so expect to see plenty of these exotic avian species wading in the shallows.
The tour includes views of Las Coloradas, beautiful salt ponds that sport pinkish hues due to their high salt concentration, plus a soak in an exfoliating Maya mud bath. You'll disembark on the beach and apply the white clay extracted from the sand, which contains minerals, salts, and algae—all very beneficial for the skin. Afterward, rinse off in the ocean and enjoy free time on the beach before returning to El Cuyo.
Day 6: Free Day in El Cuyo & Kitesurfing
Today is yours to relax and enjoy El Cuyo however you wish. If you like, you can return to Ría Lagartos and Las Coloradas for another tour of the stunning wetlands. Or you can spend the day on the beach and enjoy water activities like swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
Carve out a couple of hours during the day to take advantage of one of the most popular pastimes here: kitesurfing. The strong offshore winds make this region one of the best in Mexico for such an activity. Even if you've never been on a kiteboard before, schools and private lessons are available for beginners. Once you feel comfortable, you can strap onto a board, hit the water, and zip over the waves as the wind carries you along the virgin coast.
Day 7: Drive to Cancún, Depart
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