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Map of Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights including Mexico

Discover Maya ruins, colonial towns and pristine beaches in Mexico

Vibrant in every way, Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula delights with its bright turquoise waters, pastel-hued buildings and traditional culture that’s still alive and kicking today. Soak up the region’s best on an eight-day Premium adventure, from the bountiful coastline of Puerto Morelos to the colourful city of Valladolid, the colonial town of Merida and the white sand beaches of Tulum. Learn the ancient secrets of the Maya during visits to Chichen Itza, Muyil and the Tulum archaeological site, and travel with a local guide, meet local families, conservationists and historians to uncover a side of the country most don’t get to see.

Start
Puerto Morelos, Mexico
Finish
Tulum, Mexico
Destination
Mexico
Style
Premium
Theme
Explorer
Code
QBPN
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

premium accommodation

Our best accommodation and highest level of service.

premium experiences

Unusual, exceptional and authentic on-trip experiences.

premium knowledge

Led by our most experienced and highest rated local leaders.

  • Visit the spectacular ruins of Chichen Itza, Muyil and Tulum where your local leader and expert guides will bring thousands of years of Maya history to life.

  • Enjoy the old-world charm of your feature stay accommodation in Merida – a magnificent 17th century mansion turned boutique hotel with elegant decor and traditional touches.

  • Taste the bounty of the Yucatan peninsula during a seafood feast in Puerto Morelos, traditional lunch with a Maya family, a Maya Pibil meal in the home of a local couple and dinner in the Tulum jungle.

  • Explore the Tulum archaeological site during a special after hours visit, allowing you to appreciate the incredible history of the Maya ruins without the crowds.

  • Meet a local Maya family in the secluded Laguna Chabela to gain a deeper understanding of their way of life and enjoy a traditional tortilla making demonstration.

QBPN - View of Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins
QBPN - Group tour of Chichen Itza, Mayan Ruins
QBPN - Cenote visit in Vallodolid
QBPN - Close up view of inside Cenote in Vallodolid, Mexico
QPBN - Clear waters and blue sky of Tulum beach, Mexico
QBPN - Friends posing in front of beach in Tulum, Mexico
QBPN - Mayan temple ruins in Tulum, Mexico
QBPN - Colourful main street with historic buildings in Merida, Mexico
QBPN - Statue plaza located in Merida
Mexico-playa-del-carmen-skulls-stall

Itinerary
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Welcome to Mexico! Your adventure begins in Puerto Morelos, a charming seaside town on the Yucatan Peninsula, known for its stunning turquoise waters. You will be collected on your arrival at Cancun International Airport and transferred to your hotel. Here you will meet your local leader and fellow members of your group for a 6pm welcome meeting. If you arrive with time to spare, you may like to head to the local artisans’ market to peruse a range of handmade hammocks, jewellery and crafts. The Yucatan’s bountiful Caribbean coastline means it is home to some of the freshest seafood in the country, and after your meeting you will head to one of the best restaurants in Puerto Morelos to sample some yourself. Here you can enjoy a traditional feast of fresh fish, mussels, shrimp and clams.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Hacienda Morelos or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Puerto Morelos - Welcome Dinner
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
For your arrival transfer, please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

After breakfast, depart Puerto Morelos and head to the secluded Laguna Chabela. Here you will meet a local Maya family who have lived here for generations. Gain a deeper understanding on their way of life as you tour their farm, see what they grow and learn how they live off the land. Enjoy a demonstration on how to make delicious tortillas in the Coba style then sit down to a traditional lunch. In the afternoon, continue to the city of Valladolid, known for its delightful pastel coloured colonial buildings. On arrival, settle in to your hotel. Set on the city’s main square, the charming hotel was converted from a 16th century colonial house and offers a perfect base for your explorations. The main square is flanked by excellent local restaurants serving up classic Yucatan cuisine – you may like to try one out for dinner this evening.
Accommodation
  • Hotel El Meson del Marques or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Valladolid - Home-cooked lunch
  • Valladolid - Tortilla making demonstration
  • Valladolid - Mayan homestead visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 3 hours.

This morning will be spent exploring the fascinating complex of Chichen Itza. Named as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza is considered the most important archaeological vestige of the Maya-Toltec civilization in Yucatan by UNESCO. Meet with a local historian for a guided tour to uncover the secrets of what is perhaps the most famous Maya site in Mexico, dominated by the Temple of Kukulkan, or El Castillo, a Mesoamerican step-pyramid. After your visit, you will be treated to a special lunch with a local family in the town of Piste. Here you will enjoy a traditional Pibil feast, a Maya style of cooking that involves barbecuing underground, which the family have perfected over generations. After lunch, visit a beautiful cenote for a swim, then continue to the historic town of Merida. Founded in 1542, the city is the Yucatan capital and retains much of its old-world charm. Your feature stay accommodation for the next two evenings is the magnificent La Misión de Fray Diego – a 17th century mansion turned boutique hotel. Spacious rooms flaunt elegant decor with traditional touches, surrounding a glowing courtyard with a wonderful swimming pool. Enjoy exceptional service and a privileged location in the heart of the city.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Mision de Fray Diego (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Chichen Itza - Archaeological site
  • Chichen Itza - Cenote swim stop
  • Chichen Itza - Home-cooked pibil lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 2.5 hours.

This morning you will join your leader on a walking tour of downtown Merida to take in the splendour of its many colonial buildings and learn more about the Maya heritage of the town. Visit the market for a look at local life, and stop by the city museum, Montejo's House and the cathedral. Step inside the Palacio del Gobierno to admire the murals by Fernando Castro Pacheco, a famous Mexican artist from Merida. The paintings depict the history of the city and interactions between the Maya and the Spanish. The afternoon is free for further discoveries – you may like to relax in the green and shady Plaza Grande, or browse the outdoor market selling Maya replicas. Regroup for dinner at a fantastic local restaurant serving up Yucatan specialties – the sopa da lima (lime soup) is especially delicious here.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Mision de Fray Diego (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Merida - Leader-led orientation walk
Optional Activities
  • Merida - Regional Museum of Yucatan - MXN52
  • Merida - Uxmal Ruins tour (inc. shared transport and guide) - MXN810
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information

After breakfast, drive to the Celestun Bird Sanctuary and Biosphere Reserve. One of the first places migratory birds arrive for the winter, the reserve offers a birdwatching experience like no other. Here you will meet with a local conservationist to tour the area, learn about its unique flora and fauna and hear about the conservation efforts taking place in the region. Look out for the Yucatan woodpecker, Mexican sheartail, tropical mockingbird and depending on the season (usually November–March), you may be lucky enough to witness thousands of flamingos painting a pink streak across the landscape. Return to Merida for an afternoon at leisure. For a taste of Merida's 19th-century glory, you may like to take a walk along the mansion-lined Paseo de Montejo. Be sure to ask your leader for some great local recommendations for dinner this evening.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Mision de Fray Diego (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Merida - Celestun Biosphere Reserve tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 3 hours.

Depart Merida this morning and head towards Muyil, stopping off for lunch in the quaint village of Coba along the way. Continue to the Muyil archaeologic site. This ancient Maya trading post is one of the oldest once-inhabited sites in the country, with a history stretching back to 350BC. Explore the ruins with your leader who will explain what life here once looked like. Next, head to the banks of the Maya River and board a small boat, from which you’ll explore the canals and lagoons of the river. Admire Maya ruins on the riverbanks and enjoy a peaceful swim in the crystal-clear waters. You will be joined by guides from the local community who will help you get the most out of this tranquil experience. Carry on to Tulum, home to pristine beaches and ancient Maya history. Settle in to your boutique hotel, just steps away from the stunning white sand beach, then set out for an orientation walk with your leader to get a feel for this mellow town.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Coco Tulum or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tulum - Muyil river float
  • Tulum - Muyil archaeological site
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 4.5 hours.

Enjoy a morning at leisure in Tulum. You may like to unroll a towel and relax on the beach, or take a dip in the calm and clear Caribbean waters. A stroll through the town will reveal an array of independent shops selling handicrafts and Fairtrade goods. In the afternoon, head to the Tulum archaeological site for a special after hours visit, allowing you to appreciate the incredible history of the ruins without the crowds. One of the last cities built by the Maya, your leader will paint a picture of how life played out here as you explore the complex against a spectacular ocean backdrop. This evening you will dine at one of Tulum’s most celebrated restaurants. Set within the jungle and inspired by the freshest local produce, this final dinner with your newfound friends will certainly be one to remember.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Coco Tulum or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tulum - After hours visit of Tulum archaeological site
  • Tulum - Farewell Dinner
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to spend some more time in Tulum, additional accommodation can be booked ahead of time (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (4 nights), Feature Stay (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Puerto Morelos - Welcome Dinner
  • Valladolid - Home-cooked lunch
  • Valladolid - Tortilla making demonstration
  • Valladolid - Mayan homestead visit
  • Chichen Itza - Archaeological site
  • Chichen Itza - Cenote swim stop
  • Chichen Itza - Home-cooked pibil lunch
  • Merida - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Merida - Celestun Biosphere Reserve tour
  • Tulum - Muyil river float
  • Tulum - Muyil archaeological site
  • Tulum - After hours visit of Tulum archaeological site
  • Tulum - Farewell Dinner

Premium Inclusions

  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
  • Luggage transfer
  • Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
  • 24/7 on-ground support

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

From 01 September 2021, all travellers on Intrepid trips will be required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. Excludes Australia, New Zealand and Cook Islands tours. Read details here.

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
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 of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 

Essential trip information

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