Yucatan Peninsula Adventure
Yucatan Peninsula Adventure
Yucatan Peninsula Adventure
8 Days Starting in Playa del Carmen and ending in Tulum
Visiting: Playa del Carmen, Merida, Campeche, Bacalar, Tulum
Tour operator:
Tour code:
QBSY
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
From tropical beaches and colourful old cities to spectacular ancient ruins, the Yucatan Peninsula’s draws are many and varied. On this eight-day adventure, learn more about the lives of mysterious civilisations at the Maya ruins of Chichen Itza and Tulum, try traditional cuisine and get cultured in the likes of Merida and Campeche and hop on board a tour of Bacalar’s hidden cenotes and pristine beaches. Thousands of years of history mixed with a modern, laidback lifestyle means Mexico, and the Yucatan in particular, should be high on everyone’s list.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Playa Del Carmen
Location: Playa del Carmen
Accommodation: Hotel
Hola! Welcome to Playa del Carmen – a popular resort town famed for its coral reef and sparkling warm waters. You’ll meet your leader and fellow travellers at the welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, why not spend the day lounging on the beach with a good book? You could also head to Dos Ojos Cenote and take a dip at the incredible turquoise freshwater swimming hole, or jump on a local ferry to explore the nearby island of Cozumel. When the introductions are out of the way, experience your first Mexican meal of the trip at an optional dinner with the group.
Day 2: Merida
Location: Merida
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Depart early, travelling by private vehicle towards Merida, learning some Spanish phrases from your leader on the way. You’ll stop at Chichen Itza – one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, for a guided tour. This is perhaps the most famous Maya site in Mexico, dominated by the Temple of Kukulkan (El Castillo), a Mesoamerican step-pyramid. Then take a cooling dip in one of the region’s lesser-known cenotes: Yokdzonot. Operated by a cooperative set up by local women, your visit will support their efforts to empower their Mayan community. After your swim, visit the local Piste community. You’ll spend time with the locals – perhaps trying out some of your Spanish – while sampling traditional Yucatecan cuisine. When you arrive in Merida – the charming capital of the Yucatan region – get your bearings on an orientation walk with your leader. Wander the centuries-old streets and take in the grand buildings, learn about the town’s Maya heritage and swing by Mercado 60 – a buzzing food market with great margaritas and live music.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Merida
Location: Merida
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Your day is free for you to explore the many sights of Merida. You could visit the Regional Museum of Yucatan, located within the pretty Palacio Canton, chill out in the shady Plaza Grande admiring the 16th-century cathedral or seek out cochinita pibil, a slow-roasted, citrus-marinated pork dish that's a Yucatan speciality. Alternatively, take a trip to one of Mexico's best-preserved Maya sites in Uxmal. Spend two hours exploring the ruins and see the impressive so-called Pyramid of the Magician, marvel at the decorative details of the Governor’s Palace and take the opportunity to climb one of the pyramids for astounding views of the surrounding area. Merida is a people-pleaser when it comes to nightlife and has something for all tastes, whether you’re after a low-key bar, cultural show or some live music and dancing.
Optional Activities:
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Day 4: Campeche
Location: Campeche
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Leave the city of Merida behind and drive to the coast to spend the night in Campeche – a seaside town with photogenic streets lined with multi-coloured low-rise buildings. On the way, visit the town of Becal, known as ‘the Hat Town’, where your group will meet with an artisan who works in a cave to weave the traditional jipi hats. When you arrive in Campeche, head out on a leader-led orientation walk to get your bearings. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore on your own. For dinner tonight, you’ll find good seafood almost anywhere, and other tempting restaurants at Portales de San Martin.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 5: Bacalar
Location: Bacalar
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Rise and shine for the long cross-peninsular drive to Bacalar today. Bacalar is said to be the first settlement of the Itza tribe, who would go on to create Chichen Itza. Today it’s a quiet spot to sit back, relax and take in the surrounding nature. When you're there, take a short leader-led orientation walk to get your bearings, followed by a free afternoon and evening to relax after a long travel day. Cerveza, anyone?
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Bacalar
Location: Bacalar
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning, head out on a half day boat tour of Lake Bacalar. Also known as the Lake of Seven Colours – thanks to the various stunning shades of blue it adopts throughout the day – you’ll explore the different cenotes and islands that make up the lagoon including plenty of stops for swims along the way! Return to town around midday. The rest of the day is then free for you to uncover more cenotes or sit back and relax in Bacalar. You could visit Cenote Azul – a beautiful fresh water rockpool, perfect for swimming. The sparkling water and stalactites and stalagmites in the cave are a sight to behold.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 7: Tulum
Location: Tulum
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Enjoy a free morning relaxing around Bacalar’s lake before heading in a private vehicle towards Tulum. Along the way, you’ll visit the Tulum archaeological ruins that sit on the cliffs of the Yucatan Peninsula. With a local guide, explore the pre-Columbian Mayan walled city which served as a major port for Coba. Carry on to the town of Tulum and when you arrive, take an orientation walk with your leader. There may be time to fit in a visit to another cenote or find a bar to keep working on that Spanish with the locals. In the evening, why not get the group together for a final meal to say farewell and ‘salud’ to Mexico.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 8: Tulum
Location: Tulum
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast, there are no activities planned for the day and your adventure will come to an end. If you would like to spend some more time exploring Tulum’s famous turquoise water, snorkelling spots, ancient ruins and general magnificence, just speak to your booking agent. Otherwise, you can choose to book a transfer to Cancun if you’re leaving today.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights) -
Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
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Chichen Itza - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
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Piste - Traditional Maya Family Lunch
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Merida - Leader-led orientation walk
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Merida - Yokdzonot Cenote
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Campeche - Leader-led Orientation Walk
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Campeche - Uxmal Archeological site entrance fee( INAH )
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Bacalar - Leader-led orientation walk
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Muyil - Archaeological site (Entrance fee)
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Muyil - River Boat Tour
What's Not Included
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International Travel
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Tipping and Gratuities
Transport
- Private vehicle
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
Included Activities
- Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
- Chichen Itza - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Piste - Traditional Maya Family Lunch
- Merida - Leader-led Orientation Walk
- Calakmul - Homestay Experience
- Calakmul - Artisan Workshop including Jewellery Making with Maya Seeds
- Calakmul - Informal Maya Language Lesson
- Calakmul Biosphere Reserve - Archaeological site (entrance fee and transport included, no guide)
- Bacalar - Leader-led orientation walk
- Tulum - Leader-led orientation walk
Important Information
- 1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in Playa del Carmen. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
- 2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Mode of Transport
- Private vehicle
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
The tropical climate of Central America means conditions can be hot and humid. Always carry plenty of water with you and stay hydrated, especially on walking tours. There will of course be plenty of chances to swim!
It's a good idea to learn as many Spanish words as you can. Locals are very friendly, but can be shy, so you'll need to make an effort to break the ice. It's a great way to show respect and involve yourself in their culture. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions