Real Mexico





Mexi-go on an adventure to sparkling blue cenotes, ancient Maya ruins and bright city streets
Make new amigos in Mexico with this 14-day exploration from the sprawling Mexico City to the coastal Playa del Carmen. This overland adventure covers the best of the mex – from the colourful architecture and weaving cobblestoned laneways of Oaxaca to the highland charm of San Cristobal de las Casas. Discover the lush jungle and ruins of Palenque, the lively hub of Merida and the gems of the Caribbean all with your small group of likeminded travellers. Then soak up heaps of free time to get active (or laze in speakeasy bars). Not to mention a visit to the new Wonder of the World – Chichen Itza! All of this, plus streetside tacos, tostadas and tejates and you’ll see, hear, feel and taste the real Mexico.
4.9
120 reviewsStart: Mexico City, Mexico
End: Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- Duration
- 14 days
- Group size
- 1 to 16
- Ages
- Min 18 - Max 35
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Basix
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- 18 to 35s
- 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
This trip is for 18 to 35 year olds
Tick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences
Affordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time
Connect to the places you go and the communities at the heart of every Intrepid experience
Why you'll love this trip
- Tour the historic site of Chichen Itza – one of the new Seven Wonders of the World – and learn why these ancient Maya ruins are the most important in all of Mexico.
- Go for an unforgettable dip in Yokdzonot Cenote – a sinkhole managed by a cooperative of local Maya women. Float beneath ancient tree roots that dangle into the water and learn about the role of cenotes in Maya culture.
- Eat your way through Mexico City on a taco crawl, taste the legendary Yucatecan dessert known as a marquesita and visit Gastromotiva – a social kitchen tackling food insecurity.
- Experience the bustling nature and bright colours of local Mexican markets. Wander the stalls, snap some photos and pick up traditional handicrafts in Oaxaca and Merida.
- Kick back, get active or explore this amazing region with loads of free time – maybe go snorkelling in the paradisical waters of Playa de Carmen, discover the ruins of Uxmal from Merida or take day trips to some archaeological sites and ancient Maya ruins.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2026 - 31 December 2026
Itinerary
Bienvenidos! Your adventure starts in Mexico City – one of the world's largest urban centres – with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, Mexico City has plenty of museums, galleries and walkable streets to keep you busy. Maybe check out the Chapultepec area with its many museums, hop on one of the colourfully painted boats that cruise through the canal district of Xochimilco or head to the National Palace to see the murals of Diego Rivera. After your meeting tonight, you might want to seek out some tacos for dinner (try to place your order in Spanish)! If you want to explore the vibrant nightlife tonight, your trip leader will have the best recommendations.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Mexico City - Diego Rivera Murals in the Mural Museum (Entrance Fee) - MXN50
- Mexico City - Boat ride through Floating Gardens of Xochimilco (Approx. per boat per hour) - MXN700
- Mexico City - Chapultepec National History Museum - MXN100
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information 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.
Maybe grab some chilaquiles (a type of breakfast nachos) this morning, then join your leader for an orientation walk around the historic centre of the city. Mexico City can feel overwhelming due to its sheer size and volume of people, but your leader will know where to go. Along the way, visit our Intrepid Foundation partner, Gastromotiva - an organisation tackling food scarcity and homelessness while promoting a sustainable food movement in Mexico. Walking makes you hungry, so it’s time to head on an included taco crawl and sample a couple of tacos from local street food vendors. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy – if you like art, the Frida Kahlo Museum is a must-see, and for all museum lovers, there's also the Museum of Anthropology or the Palace of Fine Art. Don’t forget to snack your way around the city too, munching on tostadas, tortas, and chicharrones.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Lunch
- Mexico City - Leader-led Taco Crawl
- Mexico City - Leader-led orientation walk
- Mexico City - Gastromotiva (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit
- Mexico City - National Museum of Anthropology (entrance fee) (Closed Mondays) - MXN100
- Mexico City - Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) (entrance fee) (Closed Mondays) - MXN95
- Mexico City - Frida Kahlo Museum (entrance fee) - MXN320
Due to high demand, tickets for the Frida Kahlo Museum may not be available to book locally. We recommend booking online at least one month in advance in order to secure your place. Please visit http://www.museofridakahlo.org.mx to purchase your ticket.
Take a public bus to the smaller but no less beautiful city of Oaxaca (pronounced ‘wuh-haa-ka’). This colourful town in the south is full of colonial buildings, colourful arcades and busy markets. You’ll head out on a leader-led orientation walk to get your bearings when you arrive. With two full days here, you’ll have heaps of time to explore the narrow, cobbled streets in the city, as well as the culture and natural beauty of the surrounding area. Indigenous Zapotec and Mixtec selling colourful woven blankets and shawls populate the markets – a great place to shop for textiles, as well as margarita flavours. Here, you’ll also find some tasty regional food specialties – everything from cactus fruit to spicy baked chilli and lime grasshoppers. Make sure you pick up a tejate (a maize and cinnamon-flavoured chocolate drink served cold).
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Oaxaca - Leader-led orientation walk
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
The city (and state) of Oaxaca is yours to explore on this free day. Perhaps head to the mountaintop temples of Monte Alban just outside the city. Monte Alban was inhabited for 1500 years by the Olmec, Zapotec and Mixtec peoples and is an outstanding example of a pre-Columbian ceremonial centre. The settlement's terraces, dams, canals and pyramids were carved out of the mountain. You’d better have your camera ready because up here you can get a fantastic view across the three legs of the valley of Oaxaca. Alternatively, you could take a day tour of the nearby Mitla Ruins. Mitla (the Nahuatl word for ‘underworld’) is an important Zapotec archaeological site and was the main religious centre for the Zapotec people. For something more relaxing, drop by the springs of Hierve el Agua – a series of mineral pools and calcified waterfalls dotted on top of a mountain, providing sweeping views of the Mexican countryside.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Oaxaca - Monte Alban archaeological site (entrance fee) - MXN100
- Oaxaca - Santo Domingo Cultural Centre (entrance fee) - MXN100
- Mitla - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport) - MXN1200
- Oaxaca - Tule Tree, Hierve el Agua visit, mescal distillery - MXN950
Today is another free day in Oaxaca, but you’ll board an overnight bus later tonight to the mountain-top village of San Cristobal de las Casas. You’ve got today to bask in the colour and sights of Oaxaca, so why not test out your culinary skills at a cooking class. Otherwise, check out the artisan stores in the markets and around town, or head to the historic Templo de Santo Domingo – a grand stone church with a large forecourt.
- Overnight bus (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Oaxaca - Cooking class - MXN1500
Your travel time on the overnight bus will be approximately 10 hours.
Reclining seats and toilets are available on the bus. They are always air-conditioned, so take a warm layer with you, as it may get cold on board. While the bus is very comfortable, the road from Oaxaca to San Cristobal has some very winding sections. If you suffer from motion sickness, this will be a good time to have your medication ready. Travelling by bus around Mexico is the easiest and best way to get around, however, petty thefts happen from time to time, especially during overnight journeys. It is safest to carry your valuable belongings close to you at all times and out of the reach of anyone throughout the journey (not in the overhead compartments). Your group leader would have completed this journey multiple times, so take their advice, and if you have any issues, do not hesitate to ask them.
This afternoon, say ‘hola’ to San Cristobal, your pastel-hued highland home for the next two days. Your leader will point out the main things to know on a leader-led orientation walk this morning. With its winding cobblestone streets snuggled in the Chiapas highlands, San Cristobal de las Casas has an old-world feel mixed with strong pre-Hispanic roots. After your walk, you’ll head to the colourful Santo Domingo textile market with your group – one of the best spots to shop for jewellery and clothing. After, maybe wander to a local cafe and check out their baked goods or try some pox (a traditional corn-based liquor, often flavoured with other ingredients).
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- San Cristobal de Las Casas - Leader-led Orientation Walk
- San Cristobal - Santo Domingo Market Visit
- San Cristobal de las Casas - Jade Museum - MXN65
There’s no alarm clock needed this morning as today is yours to explore San Cristobal de las Casas at your own leisure. Maybe take in the cobblestone streets and architecture, soaking up the old-world feel that’s mixed with strong, pre-Hispanic roots. If you're in the mood for adventure, maybe take a trip to Sumidero Canyon, where you can take a boat down the mighty Rio Grijalva. Or you might like to get things pumping with further exploration of the villages by mountain bike.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Sumidero Canyon - Boat Excursion (entrance and transport) - MXN900
This morning you'll visit the village of Zinacantan, home to the Iglesia de San Lorenzo, where Maya and Catholic beliefs are mixed. Sitting in the highlands, this village serves as a marketplace and religious ceremonial centre for the Indigenous communities who live in the surrounding hills. The local people have retained their traditional way of life and can often be seen wearing their own distinctive clothes. As you explore with your leader, you'll learn more about this mostly Maya community. Later, during free time back in San Cris, perhaps rent a bike to explore the town further.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Dinner
- Zinacantan - Maya Church (entrance fee)
- San Cristobal de Las Casas - Bicycle rental (per hour) - MXN400
Say goodbye to San Cristobal de Las Casas as you head for Palenque. Once you arrive, the afternoon is free for you to relax or explore. Situated in a steamy jungle, Palenque is a central town close to the nearby Maya ruins of the same name, which you'll have a chance to check out tomorrow.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
Your travel time today will be approximately 9 hours.
This morning, you’ll head to the archaeological zone and visit the ruins of Palenque. Sitting on a hilltop surrounded by thick trees, the ruins date back to AD 600 and are some of the most impressive Maya relics in Mexico. As you take a self-guided walk among the temples, listen out for the eerie calls of howler monkeys and screeching parrots echoing from the jungle. There are many ruins that are still un-excavated and remain concealed in the forest. You can opt to take a guided tour of the ruins or through the surrounding jungle to a hidden waterfall (at an extra fee). The area gives you an idea of what the Spanish invaders must have seen when they arrived. This afternoon visit Misol-Ha, where the cascading falls and quiet surroundings create a refreshing escape into nature.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Palenque - Archaeological site (Entrance fee & Transport)
- Misol-Ha - Waterfall Visit
Today, head north on a local bus to the old-world Merida – founded in 1542, this city has a large Indigenous population, with approximately 60% of Merida residents of Maya background. Head out on an orientation walk with your leader and wander through the Old Town, checking out some museums and the city streets, alive with art and culture. Hang out in the green, shady Plaza Grande, with the 16th-century cathedral on one side and City Hall, State Government Palace and Casa Montejo on the other. Along the way, you’ll get to taste a marquesita (a crepe rolled like a taco and filled with cajeta, condensed milk, jam, chocolate or edam cheese). After, enjoy a free afternoon. For a taste of Merida's 19th-century glory, maybe walk along the mansion-lined Paseo de Montejo. When you get hungry again, there's a bicycle cart on almost every corner selling elotes (corn on the cob) doused in salt, chilli, cheese, lemon juice or other toppings. If you haven’t noticed already, this place really likes corn!
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Merida – Marquesitas Snack
- Merida - Leader-led orientation walk
Your travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.
Today, you’re free to explore Merida – the gateway to the Maya ruins of Uxmal. Maybe a tour of the ruins is on the cards, including a guide and shared transport. Little is known about the site’s origins, but it’s thought that the city was founded around AD 500. Much of the site is decorated with masks of the rain god Chac. You can also visit a nearby bird sanctuary or hunt down one of the hidden cenotes (stunning natural sinkholes filled with water) and take a dip in the crystal-clear fresh water. If you decide to stay in the city, why not throw yourself into the dancing culture. Every Sunday, the town's streets are transformed into an open-air dance floor, with salsa and merengue bands providing the music. There are also some great local speakeasy bars to hang out in, blasting salsa music and serving good vibes.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Merida - Celestun Bird Sanctuary (entrance and transport) - MXN1800
- Merida - Uxmal Ruins tour (inc. shared transport and guide) - MXN2200
This morning, head to the Yokdzonot cenote for a refreshing swim in the blue waters and a laze in the sun. Surrounded by hanging vines and lush greenery, the cenote was developed by a group of local Maya women as a sustainable and communally owned source of employment for people in their local community. After your dip in the cenote, tick one of the new Seven Wonders of the World off you bucket list - Chichen Itza. This site is considered the most important example of the fusion of Maya and Toltec traditions in Yucatan. See the Caracol (a circular stellar observatory), the Great Ball Court (the largest field in Mesoamerica), the main sight in El Castillo (a step pyramid dominating the centre of the site) and many more historic ruins (don’t forget your camera!). For lunch, you will get to know a local family over a special meal in the town of Piste. Here you will enjoy a pibil feast, a traditional Maya style of cooking that involves wrapping food in banana leaves and barbecuing it underground. Later, you’ll continue to Playa del Carmen. Blessed with clear waters and gorgeous beaches, you can spend your time snorkelling among the mangroves or in underground caverns or strolling along the white sands of the playa (beach). Your leader will take you on an orientation walk around the city when you arrive. Tonight, maybe feast on seafood, kick back with your group and watch the waves with a margarita in hand.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Lunch
- Playa del Carmen - Leader-led Orientation Walk
- Chichen Itza - Archaeological site
- Yokdzonot Cenote – Visit and Swim
- Piste - Home-cooked Lunch
Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.
With no activities planned for today, your trip comes to an end – but that doesn’t mean your adventure has to! Today is a perfect day to travel south on a half-day tour to the Tulum archaeological site, which is quite unique because of its placement on the side of a cliff overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. If you wish to spend more time in Playa del Carmen, just reach out to your booking agent to organise additional accommodation.
There are no meals included on this day.
- Playa del Carmen - Half-day tour of Tulum Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport) - MXN1400
- Playa del Carmen - Ferry to Cozumel (Round-trip Ticket) - MXN600
- Dos Ojos Cenote - Fresh Water Rock Pool (entrance fee with snorkelling gear & life jacket included) - MXN650
Inclusions and activities
2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Private vehicle, Public bus, Local bus, Overnight public bus, Taxi
Hotel (12 nights), Overnight public bus (1 night)
- Mexico City - Leader-led Taco Crawl
- Mexico City - Leader-led orientation walk
- Mexico City - Gastromotiva (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit
- Oaxaca - Leader-led orientation walk
- San Cristobal de Las Casas - Leader-led Orientation Walk
- San Cristobal - Santo Domingo Market Visit
- Zinacantan - Maya Church (entrance fee)
- Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
- Palenque - Archaeological site (Entrance fee & Transport)
- Misol-Ha - Waterfall Visit
- Merida – Marquesitas Snack
- Merida - Leader-led orientation walk
- Playa del Carmen - Leader-led Orientation Walk
- Chichen Itza - Archaeological site
- Yokdzonot Cenote – Visit and Swim
- Piste - Home-cooked Lunch
- Mexico City - Diego Rivera Murals in the Mural Museum (Entrance Fee) - MXN50
- Mexico City - Boat ride through Floating Gardens of Xochimilco (Approx. per boat per hour) - MXN700
- Mexico City - Chapultepec National History Museum - MXN100
- Mexico City - National Museum of Anthropology (entrance fee) (Closed Mondays) - MXN100
- Mexico City - Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) (entrance fee) (Closed Mondays) - MXN95
- Mexico City - Frida Kahlo Museum (entrance fee) - MXN320
- Oaxaca - Monte Alban archaeological site (entrance fee) - MXN100
- Oaxaca - Santo Domingo Cultural Centre (entrance fee) - MXN100
- Mitla - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport) - MXN1200
- Oaxaca - Tule Tree, Hierve el Agua visit, mescal distillery - MXN950
- Oaxaca - Cooking class - MXN1500
- San Cristobal de las Casas - Jade Museum - MXN65
- Sumidero Canyon - Boat Excursion (entrance and transport) - MXN900
- San Cristobal de Las Casas - Bicycle rental (per hour) - MXN400
- Merida - Celestun Bird Sanctuary (entrance and transport) - MXN1800
- Merida - Uxmal Ruins tour (inc. shared transport and guide) - MXN2200
- Playa del Carmen - Half-day tour of Tulum Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport) - MXN1400
- Playa del Carmen - Ferry to Cozumel (Round-trip Ticket) - MXN600
- Dos Ojos Cenote - Fresh Water Rock Pool (entrance fee with snorkelling gear & life jacket included) - MXN650
This trip generates 38 kg of CO2-e per person per day
Learn more about our climate commitment.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
Before you book you should know
- This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle and public bus with your group, including an overnight bus journey. Conditions may feel a little cramped, but it’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
- Mexico's climate is tropical, so it can get really hot and humid. Wear loose clothing and make sure to stay hydrated, especially while out on walking tours. You can expect to walk a lot on this trip and the terrain is rarely flat. Make sure to pack a jacket for the higher altitude cities like Mexico City, Puebla and San Cristóbal de las Casas.
- This trip is a great way to see a lot in a short period of time and it can be part of a longer itinerary if you have more time to explore. You might like to check out Epic Mexico, Belize & Guatemala or Epic Central America.
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.
Ibis Mexico Alameda
Balderas 49, Colonia Centro, Centro,
Cuauhtémoc,
Mexico City
MEXICO
Description
Hotel ibis México Alameda is near Mexico City's main avenue, Av Juárez. It is 10 minutes from the Palacio de Bellas Artes, 10 minutes from Zocalo, and minutes away from Av. Reforma and Polanco. Mexico City Airport is 11km from the hotel. Rooms include air conditioning. The hotel has a restaurant, bar with 24-hour snack service and free WiFi.
Instructions
Intrepid offers a pre-arranged arrival transfer service from Mexico City International Airport [MEX] at an additional fee. If you have pre-booked this service, please ensure you provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel so the transfer can be organized.
Your meeting location depends on which terminal you will arrive to:
Terminal 1 International Arrivals: From Arrivals E2, Exit 8.
Terminal 1 Central American Arrivals: From Arrivals E1, Exit 7.
Terminal 1 Domestic Arrivals: From Arrivals A1, Exits 1 & 2.
Terminal 2 International Arrivals: From the immigration exit in room P.
Terminal 2 Domestic Arrivals: From the immigration exit in room Q.
If you have any problems and cannot locate your driver on arrival, please call our Intrepid Emergency number listed under the ‘Problems and emergency contact information’ section of your Essential Trip Information document. If you don’t have a device or mobile coverage, Mexico City Airport has a free Wi-Fi connection, so you can call that same number via an online application such as Skype. There are also several information desks and tourist information desks around if you require further assistance.
Otherwise, you can travel from the Mexico City Airport to the hotel by taxi. We recommend you use the authorized taxi services organized from inside the terminal. They will charge you approximately MX$250-350 (USD$14-20) for a trip to downtown. The drive to where the hotel is located is approximately 30 minutes depending on traffic.
Alternate joining point
For trips departing on the following dates, use this joining point.
29 Oct 2025 (QBYM251029)
Hotel Bristol
Plaza Necaxa No. 17 Cuauhtemoc District.
Mexico City
Z.C. 06500
MEXICO
Instructions
Intrepid offers a pre-arranged arrival transfer service from Mexico City International Airport [MEX] at an additional fee. If you have pre-booked this service, please ensure you provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel so the transfer can be organized.
Your meeting location depends on which terminal you will arrive to:
Terminal 1 International Arrivals: From Arrivals E3, Exit 8.
Terminal 1 Central American Arrivals: From Arrivals E1, Exit 7.
Terminal 1 Domestic Arrivals: From Arrivals A1, Exits 1 & 2.
Terminal 2 International Arrivals: From the immigration exit in room P.
Terminal 2 Domestic Arrivals: From the immigration exit in room Q.
If you have any problems and cannot locate your driver on arrival, please call our Intrepid Emergency number listed under the ‘Problems and emergency contact information’ section of your Essential Trip Information document. If you don’t have a device or mobile coverage, Mexico City Airport has a free Wi-Fi connection, so you can call that same number via an online application such as Skype. There are also several information desks and tourist information desks around if you require further assistance.
Otherwise, you can travel from the Mexico City Airport to the hotel by taxi. We recommend you use the authorized taxi services organized from inside the terminal. They will charge you approximately MX$250-350 (USD$14-20) for a trip to downtown. The drive to where the hotel is located is approximately 30 minutes depending on traffic.
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 5 (Overnight bus) where you will be in shared accommodation. Please speak to your booking agent for further 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.
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