Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights

8 Days | Discover Maya ruins, colonial towns and pristine beaches in Mexico

4.3 out of 5 based on 12 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
CAD $3,758
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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 Riviera Maya 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 Maya families, conservationists and historians to uncover a side of the country most don’t get to see.

Trip overview

Map of Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights including Mexico
Start
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Finish
Tulum, Mexico
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Mexico
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Premium
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
QBPN
This trip generates 62.53 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.
Premium accommodation

Our best 4-star accommodation and the highest level of service

Premium experiences

All must-see locations plus authentic experiences exclusive to Premium

Premium knowledge

Trips led by our most experienced and highest-rated local leaders


Why you'll love this trip
  • 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.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of local life during Exclusive Experience with a visit to the secluded Laguna Chabela Maya community, where you’ll learn how modern Maya people preserve the traditions of their ancestors and try your hand and making a tortilla before sitting down to a delicious feast in the jungle.
  • Enjoy the old-world charm of your Feature Stay accommodation in Merida – an historic 17th century mansion turned boutique hotel with elegant decor and traditional touches.
  • Enjoy an Exclusive Experience at the Celestun Bird Sanctuary and Biosphere Reserve, a bird-lover’s dream. Learn about conservation efforts while looking out for colourful flora and fauna on a boat ride, and glimpse gorgeous natural springs before stopping by the Gulf of Mexico for a swim in the warm waters.
  • Swim in a cenote, float down the crystal-clear Muyil canals created by the Maya over 1,000 years ago, and visit a laid-back beach club in Tulum to make the best of the Yucatan peninsula with exclusive Premium experiences.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Gastromotiva. Donations provide job training for vulnerable youth in Rio De Janeiro and promote the importance of sustainable cooking.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Some included activities, such as guided tours of archaeological sites can involve a lot of walking. Please ensure you bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes. To make the most of the trip, it's best if you have at least a moderate level of fitness.
  • 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.

Itinerary

Map of Premium Mexico Yucatan Highlights including Mexico

Inclusions

Meals

7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat

Accommodation

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

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
Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Playa del Carmen - Welcome Dinner
  • Valladolid - Home-cooked lunch
  • Valladolid - Tortilla making demonstration
  • Valladolid - Mayan homestead visit
  • Chichen Itza - Cenote swim stop
  • Chichen Itza - Home-cooked pibil lunch
  • Chichen Itza - Archaeological site with local guide
  • Merida - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Merida - Celestun Biosphere Reserve tour
  • Tulum - Muyil river float
  • Tulum - Muyil archaeological site with local guide
  • Tulum - Archaeological site visit
  • Tulum - Farewell Dinner
  • Tulum – Beach Club Visit
Add on activities
  • Merida - Regional Museum of Yucatan - MXN90
  • Merida - Uxmal Ruins tour (inc. shared transport and guide) - MXN1400

Dates and availability

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Important notes

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. 
3. It is recommended that you keep your main luggage weight around 15kg and certainly no more than 20kg. A small or medium-sized backpack (45-50 litres) is another good option.
4. Travel is always an adventure and, as destinations reopen, there are a few challenges as everyone gets back up to speed and adjusts to the new normal. Our leaders are experts when it comes to dealing with anything unexpected along the journey, so pack your understanding and flexibility, sit back and relax while they take care of the rest.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 based on 12 reviews submitted.
While we try our best to display all reviews, removal may be due to the following: privacy concerns, profanity/inappropriate content or it is unrelated to this trip. We welcome honest feedback and will directly respond to negative reviews.

Filter by rating

Rachael · Traveled June 2023
Our Intrepid tour in Mexico was one that I'll remember for a lifetime. An unbeatable itinerary, a great group and leader, and inclusions that you just couldn't do elsewhere!
Review submitted 01 Jul 2023

Thu Trang · Traveled June 2023
Very well curated tour and thoroughly enjoyable.
Review submitted 03 Jul 2023

Taylor · Traveled May 2023
This is a chill little trip. Accomodations are nice but not a huge step up from basic. The food is delicious, its pretty slow paced, my group only had 2 people, and the food & drinks are not cheap.
Review submitted 07 Jun 2023

Taylor · Traveled May 2023
This trip has a very chill slow pace with lots of free time. There are some really cool parts. The accommodation is nice but not a huge step up from basic. Also the food and drinks are not necessarily cheap especially in Tulum.
Review submitted 09 Jun 2023

Linda · Traveled April 2023
here is the events of our trip to Mexico. When we arrived at Puerto Morelos we were to be met by our tour Guide. When we arrived the Hotel only had one person at the desk who spoke no English we had a hard time checking in and they had no staff to support the hotel. The bathroom windows in our room were broken the room was dirty and no towels. The grounds were dirty and you couldn’t use the patio furniture because they had bird droppings all over them. The restaurant was closed we were informed by the one person there. It was so far from town and no way to make contact to make other arrangements. There was no internet service or phone service available. Days 2 through 5 went off without a hitch. Day 6: upon arrival again the hotel was far from town without internet service. The gates were locked and no one was at the property. Our Guide Karla was so surprised and made some calls and someone came and opened the gates and assigned our group rooms. Again the rooms were dirty with lots of dust everywhere no towels stains on the bed sheets water glasses were dirty. We were to have meals at the hotel which had appliances all wrapped in plastic wrap. Pool was dirty the grounds were covered in debris including a dead snake outside of our room. It looked as tho the property was completely abandoned. It was suppose to be a Wyndham property but the sign was taken down and laying on the main desk. Our tour guide Karla made serval calls to arrange for meals in town. Had there been an emergency we would have been in trouble. We couldn’t even check in for our return flights due to no internet. We had to go to a restaurant so we could do so. Our tour guide Karla Zenteno was a champ in making the best of everything. The group sat in the lobby the night before our departures discussing our problems during the trip an how very unprofessional the accommodations were. I’ve traveled to Mexico many times using other tour operators and never encountered these types of accommodations. Therefore, we are requesting compensation for these 3 nights.
Review submitted 03 May 2023
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