Treasures of the Yucatán Peninsula with Beach Stay - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Mexico

Welcome to the warm Mexican Caribbean! On your arrival at Cancún’s airport, a driver will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel in Puerto Morelos. After checking into your hotel, you will be free to rest from your flight, take a stroll on the beach, and have dinner on your own.

Day 2: Snorkeling in Puerto Morelos

Today, you will have the opportunity to snorkel off the coast of Puerto Morelos. Discover the beautiful world that lies beneath the surface of the water. You'll see many colorful corals and fishes in their natural habitat and if you're lucky, you might even see turtles and rays.

At the end of the snorkeling session, visit a nearby village that sits on a wonderful beach. Feast on fresh seafood before heading back to your hotel to relax.  

Day 3: Nuevo Xcan & Subterranean River 

Today you'll visit the community of Nuevo Xcan for a swim in a subterranean river called Xibalba and a cenote called Tzeldzonot. At the end of the activity, your guide will invite you to his house to share a traditional Mayan meal.

After lunch, you'll head to the colonial city of Valladolid. Two important moments of Mexico’s history happened in Valladolid: the Caste War of Yucatán in 1847 and the Rebellion of Valladolid in 1910. Valladolid is nicknamed the “Sultan of the East” due to the beauty of its colonial buildings and its strategic location.

Day 4: Chichén Itzá & Yokdzonot Cenote

After an early breakfast, meet your local guide and head west to the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá. This pre-Hispanic city was once the most venerated center of worship and pilgrimage in the Yucatán Peninsula. Its main draw is the step Pyramid of Kukulkán (El Castillo), though there are many significant Mayan and Toltec buildings, sculptures, and reliefs of interest— the Temple of the Warriors, the Hall of the Thousand Columns, and the ball courts, to name just a few.

After exploring the sprawling complex, travel the short distance to the lesser-known Yokdzonot Cenote. The Yucatán Peninsula is a porous limestone shelf with no visible rivers: all of its freshwater rivers are underground. A key feature along the rivers are cenotes—water-filled pits or sinkholes—once the only source of fresh water in the jungle. They were therefore sacred to the Mayans, and they also represented the entrance to the underworld. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the cenote before continuing along the journey.

Day 5: Izamal & Mérida

Today, you will explore Mérida, a beautiful colonial city that developed a strong cultural and political identity due to its isolation from the rest of the country. The city is a symbol of the Mayan legacy, as you will discover during your tour. You'll learn about religious history, specifically the pre-Hispanic and Christian elements that run through Mayan culture, and visit the cathedral, the main square, and the government hall, filled with incredible paintings.

Then, you will head to the "Yellow City" of Izamal. This small colonial city, built in the middle of the 16th century on the ruins of a Mayan city, is also known as the “City of the Three Cultures” due to its combination of influences from a pre-Hispanic era, a colonial era, and today’s contemporary time. Its most important building is the Convento de San Antonio, a Franciscan convent built over the Mayan shrine, Pap Hol Chac. 

Day 6: Río Lagartos Biosphere Reserve

This morning's tour will take you to Rio Lagartos, a charming village on the Yucatán Peninsula. The Río Lagartos protected reserve is a wetlands area home to animals like flamingos, crocodiles, sea turtles, jaguars, and all kinds of sea birds. Explore this beautiful area by boat.

Day 7: Holbox Island

This morning, you will travel to the last destination on your trip: Holbox Island. You'll catch a ferry to this paradise island, then check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day relaxing. To preserve the beauty of the island, few motor vehicles are allowed: revel in the peace and quiet as you swim, stroll, sunbathe, and sleep.

Days 8-9: Free Days on Holbox Island

Sleep in and take it easy: you have two days to relax on the island.  Enjoy the spectacular color of the sea, the unpaved streets, and incredibly beautiful sunsets. Rent a bike or a golf cart to get around, or just stay put in a hammock that swings in the breeze. Dine on fresh seafood and make a toast on the last night: it's the perfect ending to a perfect trip.

Day 10: Depart Mexico

Catch the ferry from Isla Holbox and transfer to Cancún International Airport to make your connection home. Have a great flight!