Epic Mexico & Cuba

Bienvenidos! Where better to start a Meh-i-co exploration than in Mexico City – one of the world's largest urban centres. Forget about the crowds and the smog, Mexico City has got museums, galleries and diverse architecture for you, along with pumping nightlife and delicious street food. Let’s kick things off with a welcome meeting today at 6 pm. If you arrive into the city early, head to the Zocalo, the city's huge central square to see Aztec ruins and colonial architecture, or relax in one of the many parks, plazas or gardens. Another great thing to do is to hop on one of the colourfully painted boats that cruise through the canal district of Xochimilco, or head to the National Palace for a look at the intricate murals painted by Diego Rivera. After the meeting tonight, you’re definitely going to want to seek out some tacos for dinner, and with an informal lesson from your group leader, try to place your order in Spanish!

Maybe grab some chilaquiles (a type of breakfast nachos) in the 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, however your group leader will know where to go. Walking makes you hungry, so it’s time to head on an included taco crawl, sample a couple of tacos from local street food vendors. It’s nothing fancy, but they sure are delicious. 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 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 all day long. Alternatively, you can choose to take an optional day trip to the archaeological ruins of Teotihuacan, 50 kilometres out of the city. A local guide will lead you down ‘The Avenue of the Dead’, pointing out the historic Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon.

Take a public bus to the smaller but no less beautiful city of Oaxaca (around 7 hours). Pronounced ‘wuh-haa-ka’, this colourful town in the south is full of colonial buildings, colourful arcades and busy markets. Your group leader will provide an orientation walk to get your bearings, before giving you the time to visit at your own pace. With two full days to come, 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. Descendants of the Zapotec and Mixtec Indians 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 and the heavenly Oaxacan cheese. Make sure you pick up a tejate – a maize and cinnamon flavoured chocolate drink served cold. On your walk, be sure to look out for any reference to Oaxaca’s renowned arts scene, including folk art, fine art and dance. Get lost admiring the spectrum of coloured buildings or sit in the main square listening to a street performer, sipping a mezcal and watching the world pass by.

The city (and state) of Oaxaca is yours to explore on this free day, full of optional experiences. Perhaps head to the spectacular mountain top 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 literally carved out of the mountain. You’d better have your camera ready, because up here you can get an amazing view across the three legs of the valley of Oaxaca. Alternatively, you could take a day tour out to 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 on your way from Mitla, drop by the springs of Hierve el Agua – a series of mineral pools and calcified waterfalls dotted on top of a mountain, providing sweeping panoramic views of the Mexican countryside. Perhaps on the way back to Oaxaca, you could stop into a mezcaleria (mezcal distillery) to learn about the lesser-known but more and more popular hermano (brother) of tequila. It is mainly produced in Oaxaca, but is not for the faint-hearted as it’s generally enjoyed straight-up. Bottom’s up!

Today is another full day in Oaxaca, but be prepared to board an overnight bus later to travel 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 delicious cooking class? Otherwise, check out the artisan stores in the markets and around town, and head to the historic Templo de Santo Domingo – a grand stone church with a large forecourt. This evening the group will take an overnight bus to he highland town of San Cristobal de las Casas – a journey of approximately 13 hours. Reclining seats and toilet are available on the bus. They are always air-conditioned, so make sure you 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.

Bid Oaxaca 'adios' this morning and head east to San Juan Chamula, a traditional Maya village that serves as a centre for the indigenous folk around here. The villages are home to Tzotzil and Tzeltal groups, who maintain their tribal origins through their traditional dress and customs. Your leader will take you to a church where the floor is covered with pine needles and the air is heavy with incense. Shamans come here to carry out cleansings with firewater, ancient prayer and chickens. Please be aware of a strict ban on cameras as the local people maintain their traditional customs. This afternoon, say ‘hola’ to San Cristobal, your pastel-hued highland home for the next two days. Your group leader will point the main things out on a leader-led orientation walk, and afterwards, will help you arrange any optional activities. 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. 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.

Today is all yours to do as you please. If you're in the mood for adventure, there's an option to 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. For something more adventurous, try a canyoning trip to ‘El Chorreadero’. This 6-hour excursion will see you venture a kilometre inside a (dry) cave and return following the river through a number of cascades, pools and rappels. A truly memorable experience, but probably not recommended for the claustrophobic or those with fear of heights.

Today travel along a windy road by private vehicle to Lacanja River (approximately 6 hours). You will stop at Agua Azul (blue water) waterfall on the way (providing road conditions allow), where you'll have an option to swim in the cascading pools. Then brush up on your Spanish during the drive with an informal leader-led Spanish lesson. Once you've arrived, the afternoon and tomorrow is free for you to relax or explore. There are a few optional activities on offer, including a rafting experience over Lacanja River waterfalls and backwaters and to the nearby archaeological site, then travelling back through the jungle and past the waterfalls of Moctuniha. There are also some awesome guided hikes available to book, so ask your group leader if you would like to organise this. Coming from the city today, you’ll have a much different experience – staying right in the middle of the jungle in an eco-cabana.

This morning, drive to Palenque by private transfer (approximately 2.5 hours). After arrival, head to the archaeological zone and visit the ruins of Palenque. Sitting on a hilltop surrounded by thick trees, the ruins date back to AD600 and are some of the most impressive Mayan 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 a great idea of what the Spanish invaders must have seen when they first arrived. This feels like real Tomb Raider stuff.

Today, travel by public bus and head north up to the old-world charm of Merida (approximately 7-8 hours in total). Founded in 1542, this city has a large indigenous population, with approximately 60% of Merida residents of Maya background. Take use of an orientation walk on arrival and wander through the Old Town, checking out some museums and stroll the city streets, which are alive with art and culture. Hang out in the green and shady Plaza Grande, with the 16th-century cathedral on one side and City Hall, State Government Palace and Casa Mantejo on the others. For a taste of Merida's 19th-century glory, go for a walk along the mansion-lined Paseo de Montejo. Mornings are the best time to visit the outdoor markets, where you can stock up on hammocks and Maya replicas. This is also a great place to sample local food specialities, such as cochinita pibil (slow-roasted barbeque pork) or the extremely spicy El Yucateco hot sauce. For a snack, there's a bicycle cart on almost every corner in Merida selling elotes (corn on the cob) doused in salt, chilli, cheese, lemon juice or other toppings. If you haven’t noticed already: yeah, they like corn.

Make the best of these two free days to explore Merida. Merida is the gateway to the Maya ruins of Uxmal. Perhaps today 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 the city was founded around AD500. Much of the site is decorated with masks of the rain god Chac. Otherwise, you can also visit a nearby bird sanctuary or a variety of other ruins, 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, know that Merida's locals love dancing. Every Sunday the town's streets are transformed into an open-air dance floor, with salsa and merengue bands providing the music.

Today, travel to Izamal by private bus (approximately 2 hours), which is known as the City of Yellow, because of the yellow ochre and white hues painted on many of the buildings, as the local’s way to preserve its light and project it to the future. Enjoy a leader-led orientation walk with a visit the San Antonio de Padua Convent – an imposing colonial structure at the centre of town adorned in the city’s distinct colour. Then continue to visit the most well-known archaeological site in Mexico: Chichen Itza. Listed as one of the new seven wonders of the world, Chichen Itza is considered the most important example of a fusion of Maya and Toltec tradition and civilisation 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. Lastly onto the resort hub of Playa del Carmen (approximately 2.5 hours). Blessed with azure waters, powdery beaches and a European feel, Playa del Carmen is relatively close to Cancun but with less of a young party atmosphere. Here you can spend your time snorkelling among the mangroves or in underground caverns, tanning, or strolling along the white sands of the playa (beach). Your group leader will provide an orientation walk to the city, with a visit to a Mexican ice-cream store for an included tasting (of course). You’ll lean more about the fruits, flavours and the traditional combinations. With a free afternoon at your leisure, why not pull up a towel and bask in this tropical paradise? It is also possible to take a ferry from here across to Cozumel, an island famous for its reef. In the evening, feast on seafood, kick back with your group and watch the waves with a margarita in hand.

Say goodbye to the shores of Playa del Carmen and transfer to Cancun Airport for your included flight to Havana, Cuba. You’ll then be transferred to your accommodation. There may be time to get out and about in this colourful city before you meet your new group tonight – most activities can be booked through the tourist desk of larger hotels or directly at the venue. Otherwise, there are plenty of good museums to check out, including the Museo de la Revolucion and the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. Tonight, there will be another welcome meeting at approximately 6 pm, where you’ll meet your Cuban group leader and new travel crew, and this is generally followed by an optional group dinner.

This morning, get ready for your leader-led walking tour of Old Havana – one of the Caribbean’s most impressive historical city centres. Wander through the oldest square in town – Plaza de Armas – stroll around the architecturally eclectic buildings that line the 16th century Plaza Vieja – admire the basilica of San Francisco de Asis and visit the Cathedral – with its elaborate baroque facade. This afternoon, fuel up at one of Havana's trendy restaurants for lunch. Continue in your private vehicle to Bay of Pigs (approximately 2.5 hours) and learn some lingo along the way. Practice simple greetings from Hola to Hasta Luego to the all-important phrases – like how to order a cerveza! With crystal clear Caribbean waters, a deep underwater wall and an outstanding variety of coral and fish – Bay of Pigs is a haven for snorkellers. If time permits, you can enjoy an afternoon swim in either Playa Giron or Cueva de los Peces (Cave of fishes) – before travelling to Playa Larga where you’ll spend the night.

Enjoy a sleep-in this morning before travelling to Trinidad; one of Cuba’s standout destinations (approximately 3 hours). Trinidad is everything you imagine Cuba to be – horses trot down cobblestone streets, old men strum guitars on doorsteps and stretches of white sand are ripe for exploring. Join your leader for a short orientation walk before enjoying the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Why not climb the bell tower of Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos for epic city views or sip on a canchanchara – an invigorating Cuban cocktail invented by guerrillas during the war of independence. In the evening, your leader will take you to a local bar for a rum tasting – as far as the rum world is concerned, Cuba is home to some of the best out there!

Trinidad is a bucket-list destination for many visitors to Cuba, due in no small part to a friendly populace, old-fashioned feel and particularly well-preserved colonial buildings. The Santeria religion (a voodoo-like Afro-Cuban tradition) which is practiced here makes the town even more intriguing. Today you can enjoy a free day of exploration. For some beachside fun and perhaps a little snorkelling, head down to Playa Ancon – just be careful you don't stand on a sea urchin! There are excellent walking trails in the nearby Sierra del Escambray mountains or you might like to hire a bike to discover the local area but a heads-up – Cuba's bicycles, like its cars, are vintage! Why not throw yourself into the Trinidad culture with an informal music lesson, a casual salsa class, or a folklore show at one of the town's numerous open-air venues.

Get prepared for a long day of travel to Vinales (approximately 7 hours) – but the journey will be well worth it! From quaint bars to fragrant cigars – Vinales is known for being one of the most scenic parts of the country, where tobacco and sugarcane fields lie side by side and the mojitos are made with honey. This small and charming rural village is probably the easiest place in Cuba to mingle with the locals – who are very sociable and love nothing better than to drink rum and dance the night away. In the evening we suggest you choose to dine at an ecological farm that has sweeping views of the valley.

Enjoy free time in picturesque Vinales – today is yours to soak up the slow, old-world pace of rural Cuba. The valley feels like something out of Jurassic Park, with huge mounds of rock covered in vegetation thrusting out of the earth at random spots. There’s plenty to do depending on your levels of energy and interests – for a culture fix – maybe stroll to the main square and the 19th century Casa de la Cultura and the next door Galeria de Arte with its collection of paintings by local artists – or if you're itching for something outdoorsy – you might like to cruise around the area on a bicycle, hike through the tobacco fields or visit Gran Caverno de Santo Tomas (one of the biggest cave systems on the American continent). If you can’t decide – ask your leader for their recommendations on how to make the most of charming Vinales.

Journey back to the vibrant captial this morning (approximately 3 hours). You'll arrive at the guesthouse before getting on your bike and pushing your pedals through the streets of Havana on an included bicycle ride to Revolution Square (5 km each way). This famous plaza is a historic symbol of Cuba and has been home to some seriously important speeches. Later tonight maybe drop by the legendary Buena Vista Social Club and take the chance to toast to your trip and fellow travellers with a mojito. You can also join the hundreds of locals lining up to eat a Coppelia ice-cream – then why not shake the night away with a salsa lesson at Casa de la Musica.

There are no activities planned for today – so you might like to head out in a classic 1950s convertible on a Classic American Car Tour of Havana with Urban Adventures. Ride through the streets in style as you cruise through the capital and wind up with a Cuban cocktail at the swinging Hotel Nacional. For more information – visit urbanadventures.com.