Best of Mexico

15 Days | A chilli-spiced, sun-soaked, culture-filled adventure through Mexico

4.7 out of 5 based on 49 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
ZAR  64,170
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Raise a margarita glass to the beauty and culture of Mexico on this in-depth 15-day adventure. Discover Maya history at the incredible Chichen Itza ruins and visit indigenous communities near the charming San Cristobal de las Casas. Indulge in a traditional Pibil feast with a Maya family and learn about Zapotec culture over lunch in a local home. Stroll the charming streets of Merida, be charmed by the alebrijes of Oaxaca and chill out on the beaches of Playa del Carmen. From museums and ruins to canyons and waterfalls, this journey will give you a taste of Mexico’s best.

Trip overview

Map of Best Of Mexico including Mexico
Start
Mexico City, Mexico
Finish
Playa del Carmen, 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
Comfort
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
QVKD
This trip generates 32 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.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Discover the colourful, fantastical world of alebrijes – folk art sculptures of mythical creatures – during a visit to a women-run workshop outside Oaxaca. The artists will share their process and stories of how they came to specialise in these artworks.
  • Take a step way way back during enlightening guided tours through the ancient ruins of Chichen Itza, Teotihuacan, Palenque and Mitla.
  • Get a taste of Maya culture during a homecooked Pibil lunch with a local family, sampling this traditional method of cooking which involves barbecuing food underground.
  • Explore the Maya communities surrounding San Cristobal de las Casas and learn about local culture, religion and the traditional way of life retained in the highlands.
  • Sail the mighty Sumidero Canyon on board a guided boat tour, cruising below the canyon’s towering walls and spotting wildlife along the way.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Gastromotiva. Donations help them provide nutritious, balanced meals for vulnerable people in Mexico. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

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.
  • This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It's all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. There are a few long days of travel, as you'll be covering a lot of ground. You will, however, make stops at interesting locations to break up the longer drives. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
  • The tropical climate of Mexico means conditions can be hot and humid. Always carry plenty of water with you and stay hydrated, especially on walking tours.

Itinerary

Map of Best Of Mexico including Mexico

Inclusions

Meals

14 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (14 nights)

Activities
  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
  • Mexico City - National Museum of Anthropology (entrance fee) (Closed Mondays)
  • Mexico City - Diego Rivera Murals in the Mural Museum (Entrance Fee)
  • Mexico City - Metropolitan Cathedral (entrance fee)
  • Mexico City - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Teotihuacan - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
  • Puebla - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Oaxaca - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Oaxaca - Alebrijes workshop visit
  • Oaxaca - Tule Tree
  • Oaxaca - Zapotecan home-cooked lunch
  • Mitla - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
  • Oaxaca - Mezcaleria visit
  • Sumidero Canyon - Boat Excursion (entrance and transport)
  • San Cristobal de las Casas - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Zinacantan - Maya Church (entrance fee)
  • San Juan Chamula - Maya Church (entrance fee)
  • Agua Azul - Waterfall Visit
  • Palenque - Archaeological site (Guide, Transport & Entrance fee)
  • Merida - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Chichen Itza - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
  • Chichen Itza - Home-cooked pibil lunch
Add on activities
  • Mexico City - Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) (entrance fee) (Closed Mondays) - MXN80
  • Mexico City - Frida Kahlo Museum (entrance fee) - MXN250
  • Mexico City - Leon Trotsky Museum (entrance fee) - MXN70
  • Mexico City - Boat ride through Floating Gardens of Xochimilco (Approx. per boat per hour) - MXN600
  • Cholula – Cholula Pyramid (entrance fee) - MXN95
  • Oaxaca - Folkloric ballet (seasonal) - MXN130
  • Oaxaca - Cooking class - MXN1300
  • Oaxaca - Monte Alban archaeological site (entrance fee) - MXN90
  • Oaxaca - Santo Domingo Cultural Centre (entrance fee) - MXN85
  • San Cristobal de Las Casas - Bicycle rental (per hour) - MXN400
  • San Cristobal de las Casas - Na Bolom Museum - MXN70
  • San Cristobal de las Casas - Jade Museum - MXN65
  • Merida - Celestun Bird Sanctuary (entrance and transport) - MXN1035
  • Merida - Uxmal Ruins tour (inc. shared transport and guide) - MXN1400
  • Merida - Fernando Garcia Ponce-Macay Contemporary Art Museum (entrance fee) - Free
  • Playa del Carmen - Ferry to Cozumel (Round-trip Ticket) - MXN500
  • Tulum - Archaeological Site (incl. entrance & national park fee - no guide) - MXN142
  • Dos Ojos Cenote - Fresh Water Rock Pool (entrance fee with snorkelling gear & life jacket included) - MXN550

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. 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.

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

4.7 out of 5 based on 49 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Peter · Traveled February 2024
This trip covers every destination that you would want to visit and more. Organised and exhaustive, it was made special by our Group Leader. Daniela had the knowledge and enthusiasm to bring us together as a group and described and explained the context of each visit. I highly recommend it.
Review submitted 28 Feb 2024

Pradeep · Traveled February 2024
Best of Mexico - provides mixture of both cultural & historical insight of the ancient civilisations. The food & people are excellent! The archaeological sites compares those with Egypt & Peru & also has one of the new wonders of the world listed "Chichen Itza".
Review submitted 28 Feb 2024

Jill · Traveled January 2024
I have written a review 3 times..now but it was deleted by your soft ware... so sorry not again. there should be a save button for each page... this happened last trip too.. still not corrected !!
Review submitted 01 Feb 2024

Danielle · Traveled January 2024
The Best of Mexico is truly that. It is an amazing experience full of history, culture, and immense beauty. I am so grateful to our leader for her knowledge and passion on this trip.
Review submitted 19 Jan 2024

Naomi · Traveled January 2024
Amazing trip if you are looking at experiencing all of Mexico in 2 weeks. So much to see and do.
Review submitted 19 Jan 2024
Best of Mexico
From
ZAR  64,170