Mexico Family Holiday

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Mexico. Your adventure begins in Playa del Carmen – a great destination for families. You may like to arrive early to explore the local area and the many activities on offer. You and your family could go snorkelling among the mangroves, relax on white sandy beaches or even take a ferry to the island of Cozumel for some diving! You’ll have a welcome meeting at 5 pm, where you'll meet your local leader and the other families joining you for your trip. After the meeting, you’ll head to a nearby restaurant for a welcome dinner where you can get to know the other families and tuck into some authentic Mexican cuisine.

Today, you’ll travel down the coast for a daytrip to the Tulum archaeological site – a well-preserved ancient Maya city backed by the Caribbean Sea. Tulum was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya and reached its pinnacle during the 13th and 15th centuries. The city stood for about 70 years after the Spanish occupation began. Get the lay of the land on a guided tour with your leader in the morning, then spend the afternoon either at the beach or stay in town, where you can rent some bikes and explore on two wheels. Return to Playa del Carmen later in the day for a free evening to spend as you wish.

Head inland to the small city of Izamal, stopping at the village of Laguna Chabela along the way. Here, you’ll meet a local Maya family who have lived in this village for many generations. On a tour of their farm, you and the kids will see what produce they grow and learn how they live off the land. You’ll also learn how to make Coba-style tortillas and enjoy a traditional lunch using your creations. Continue to Izamal, where you’ll quickly learn why some call it the ‘City of Yellow’ as you pass the many bright yellow buildings. See the town’s highlights on an orientation walk with your leader, then enjoy some free time to explore more of the town with your family or maybe head to the hotel for a swim.

Continue to Merida, the capital of the state of Yucatan. Merida blends Spanish and Mayan influences, which is perhaps best illustrated in the Plaza de la Independencia – the city’s heart. Explore the city’s architecture – many of these buildings were constructed using the original stones of the temples that once stood in their place. Join your leader for an orientation walk and stop by a street vendor to buy some sweet marquesitas (a Yucatan specialty, these rolled crepes are filled with caramel, jam, chocolate or cheese and are sure to be a hit with the kids). The rest of the day is free for you to spend however you like.

Travel west to the Gulf of Mexico coast and take a boat ride to visit the Celestun Bird Sanctuary and Biosphere Reserve, home to vast flocks of flamingos and herons. This region is the first stop on the migratory path of birds heading from North to Central America. If you’re visiting at the right time of year (December to March), you'll likely witness thousands of flamingos painting a pink streak across the landscape, framed by coconut trees lining the shoreline. Later, return to Merida, where you’ll have some free time to relax. Maybe go for a swim in the hotel pool or head out on one last walk around town to soak up the atmosphere.

Say farewell to Merida and begin your journey back to Playa del Carmen. Along the way, you’ll stop at Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage site and possibly the most famous Maya temple in all of Mexico. Marvel at the Temple of Kukulcan (AKA El Castillo), then explore the nearby Great Ball Court. Next, get to know a local family over a special lunch in the town of Piste. Here, you’ll sit down to a pibil feast – this traditional Maya style of cooking involves wrapping food (typically pork) in banana leaves and barbecuing it underground. You’ll also have a chance to cool off with a swim in one of the many hidden cenotes which are dotted all over the Yucatan peninsula. These are natural sinkholes created when underground limestone collapses, exposing the groundwater beneath. The cenote you’re visiting today was developed by a group of local Mayan women as a locally owned source of employment for people in the community.

With no further activities planned, today marks the end of your Mexico adventure. If you’d like to extend your stay for even more beach days and exploring, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.