Highlights of Mexico
Highlights of Mexico
Highlights of Mexico
9 Days Starting in Mexico City and ending in Playa del Carmen Hotel
Visiting: Mexico City, San Juan Teotihuacán, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, San Cristobal de las Casas, Roberto Barrios, Palenque, Campeche, Mérida, Uxmal, Chichén-Itzá, Playa del Carmen
Tour Overview
From the captivating capital to the sun-soaked Caribbean coast, get an introduction to Mexico on this whistle-stop tour. Journey through the country's vast history, uncovering Mayan gems including Palenque and Chichen Itza as well as the charming Colonial town of San Cristobal. Finish up on the Yucatan Peninsula, where we combine ruins with a side of relaxation, capping it off with a night in Playa del Carmen.
Visit archaeological wonders - Discover bucket-list sites like Chichen Itza, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
Explore colonial icons - Walk through the colourful markets of the picturesque city, San Cristobal de las Casas.
See the Sumidero Canyon - Take to the water on a boat trip through this towering gorge, spotting wildlife along the way.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Join Tour In Mexico City
Location: Mexico City
Accommodation: Hotel, Fontan
Accommodation Name: Hotel Casa Blanca
Our tour starts today in Mexico City, the capital of Mexico and the bustling heart and soul of the country. The city is a patchwork of historic landmarks, buildings and the largest number of museums in the world.
Due to the number of evening flights into the international airport, our tour leader will meet you on the morning of day two for a welcome meeting. Look out for a message in the hotel reception with timings and other details for the day.
There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive at any time. If you'd like to receive an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Mexico City International Airport (MEX) which is around a 30-minute to one-hour drive from the hotel.
If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to have a stroll around Alameda Central, Mexico City's oldest municipal park, or visit the Templo Mayor Museum, which is known for its exhibits relating to the Aztec civilization.
Day 2: Visit The Teotihuacan Pyramids, Tour Of Mexico City
Location: San Juan Teotihuacán, Mexico City
Accommodation: Hotel, Fontan
Accommodation Name: Hotel Casa Blanca
Meals Included: Breakfast
We'll dive right into Mexico City's history today and head to the mysterious pyramids of Teotihuacan. Although it was abandoned in the thirteenth century, the site was once the largest city in the Americas with 100,000 inhabitants. Its influence continued through Middle America, and Mayan craftsmen borrowed its decorative motifs and building designs. Centuries later the Aztecs referred to Teotihuacan as 'the Place of the Gods', hinting at its importance.
Afterward, we'll return to the downtown district for a walking tour of the Zocalo; the main square that has been a cornerstone in public gatherings since ancient times. The National Palace is located on the east side of the square - the President lives here as his permanent residence and we'll take a look at it from the outside, along with the grand metropolitan cathedral. Many of these key sights were built on top of Tenochtitlan, the old Aztec capital.
Day 3: Fly To Tuxtla Airport, Boat Trip Through Sumidero Canyon En-Route To San Cristobal
Location: Tuxtla Gutiérrez
Accommodation: Hotel, Arrecife
Accommodation Name: Hotel Arrecife
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we'll fly to Tuxtla airport, in the state of Chiapas, and set off for Sumidero Canyon, a unique rift 41 kilometres long and up to 1000 metres deep, cut by the Rio Grijalva. This is where, in the 16th century, 1000 Chiapa peoples allegedly committed suicide rather than submit to Spanish rule. We'll take a trip on a speed boat to fully appreciate the towering gorge, before driving approximately two hours up a scenic mountain road to San Cristobal de las Casas, a small colonial and indigenous town located high in the tree-lined Chiapas range. At 2210 metres above sea level, it can get quite cold here at night, so it's worth packing an extra layer.
Day 4: Visit Indigenous Villages, Free Afternoon In San Cristobal
Location: San Cristobal de las Casas
Accommodation: Hotel, Arrecife
Accommodation Name: Hotel Arrecife
Meals Included: Breakfast
The indigenous groups from the surrounding hills fill the town and marketplace with their colourful dress including the distinctive Tzotzil community who still retain much of their Mayan customs and language.
Today, we'll be visiting San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan, indigenous villages close to San Cristobal that practise an interesting blend of Catholicism and traditional Maya beliefs. This area is famous for its bright textiles and weavings in intricate designs. You might like to pick up souvenirs here during our free time this afternoon.
Much like Oaxaca, San Cristobal is a charming town to explore on foot and also has its fair share of museums. The Na Bolom, House of the Jaguar, is dedicated to the preservation of the Lacandón tribe and displays many of their artefacts, while the Textiles Centre is a superb showcase of the weaving traditions found both in Chiapas as well as the rest of Mexico and Central America. There are also museums dedicated to amber and jade, that not only display historical pieces, but also give an understanding of the importance of these materials to the ancient civilisations.
Day 5: Travel To Palenque Via Agua Blanca Waterfalls
Location: Roberto Barrios
Accommodation: Hotel, Maya Tulipanes
Accommodation Name: Hotel Maya Tulipanes
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leaving the highlands behind us, today we have a long driving day ahead of us, approximately eight hours plus stops. The road is slow and winding, but there are scenic views as we descend to the jungles of Palenque. We'll be driving via the town of Villahermosa, where we'll stop for lunch. We'll also take a stop at the waterfalls of Agua Blanca, which tumble over a series of limestone hills, before we continue to our hotel.
Day 6: Discover The Mayan Site Of Palenque, Continue To Campeche
Location: Palenque, Campeche
Accommodation: Hotel, Camp, Mision eche
Accommodation Name: Hotel Mision Campeche
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today's guided visit to the ruins of Palenque is one of the highlights of our tour of Mexico. Palenque is both a fascinating and important site and we'll explore it in depth with a guide. Once the choking forest was cleared, the ruins revealed the tomb of the high priest Pakal, his body adorned with a marvellous jade death mask - one of the most prized relics of the Mayan culture, discovered only in 1952. The entire site, shrouded by the steamy rainforest, has an aura of deep mystery.
After our visit, we'll continue to the colonial city of Campeche, around a five-hour drive away (350 kilometres). In the early evening, we'll take a stroll to explore on foot. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed city was constantly besieged by pirates and so is the only walled city in Mexico. We'll take time to get an impression of the walled ramparts, narrow cobblestoned roads, boulevard and pastel coloured buildings on arrival.
Day 7: Visit Uxmal And Drive To Merida
Location: Mérida, Uxmal
Accommodation: Hotel, Colonial
Accommodation Name: Hotel Nacional Mérida
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we'll visit Uxmal, one of the Yucatan's most underrated ancient sites to those in the know. Encircled by hills, Uxmal is expansive in its design with majestic palaces and pyramids, and long geometrical friezes that rank among the most splendid examples of ancient American Art. The incredible Pyramid of the Magician and the beautiful Governor's Palace are two of the finest examples of Mayan art found in MesoAmerica.
Later in the day, we'll drive to Merida, famed for its Spanish-Moorish style architecture, where we'll have time to wander the narrow streets watching the horse-drawn carriages rattle past.
Our total driving time today will be approximately three and a half hours.
Day 8: Explore Chichen Itza And Continue To Playa Del Carmen
Location: Chichén-Itzá
Accommodation: Hacienda Del Caribe
Accommodation Name: Maria Bonita
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we'll visit the ruins of Chichen Itza. Founded in AD432, re-founded in 987 and conquered by the Toltecs in the 10th century, the culture of the Maya and the Toltec gradually fused. The pyramids, palaces, temples and ballcourt (where death was the penalty for defeat) are adorned with astonishing sculptures. Under the pressure of the civil war, the great monuments deteriorated and the Maya civilisation collapsed. Chichen Itza remains one of the most outstanding sites in the Americas, and its main pyramid was named the Seventh New Wonder of the World in 2007.
We'll have a lengthy visit here, before setting off to Playa del Carmen for our final night. Time permitting, we'll stop for a swim in one of the Yucatan's cenotes (a cenote is an underground pool naturally formed in limestone, used by the ancient Mayans as a source of water). We'll arrive in Playa del Carmen in the evening.
Our total driving time for today will be approximately four and a half hours.
Day 9: Trip Ends In Playa Del Carmen
Location: Playa del Carmen
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our trip ends this morning at our hotel in Playa del Carmen.
There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Playa del Carmen at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to depart from Cancun Airport (CUN), which is approximately a 60-minute drive away.
What's Included
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Meals – Breakfast Only
5 Breakfasts
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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Accommodation
8 nights comfortable hotel
What's Not Included
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1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day
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Tipping and Gratuities
Meals
Breakfasts: 8
Check out our Q&As
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
8 nights comfortable hotel
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Moderate
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
All customers that travel on an Explore group trip will be provided with a complimentary transfer, provided they arrive and depart into the designated airport or train station on the trip start and end dates. This is a great way to start your travels, offering you that little extra peace of mind and comfort in the knowledge that there will be someone at the airport or station waiting to take you t
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What is the maximum group size?
18
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes, we would be delighted to book extra nights before the start or at the end of your trip, please let us know your requirements at the time of booking.
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I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?
It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.
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Should I get travel insurance?
Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us
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How long has the tour company been trading?
At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.
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What is the accommodation like?
We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.
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Do I need to be very fit to book with you?
All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o
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Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel
It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.
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Free Date Changes
Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.