Yucatan, Mexico Tours

7-day Exclusive Adventure

On these private tours we explore the wonders of the Yucatan—ancient Mayan pyramids, colorful colonial cities, and seacoast fortified to fight off the “Pirates of the Caribbean.”

For your convenience, we offer two itineraries depending on whether you wish to use either Cancun or Merida airports.

Cancun Itinerary

1st Day: We are met at the Cancun airport. After checking into our hotel, we are given an introduction to the trip by our guide and then have the rest of the day free to relax and explore.

2nd Day: After breakfast, we travel to the walled fortress of Tulum. Overlooking the turquoise Caribbean Sea, the Mayan port has over sixty well-preserved structures within its massive walls. Then on to the ruins of Coba. Located around two lagoons, its elevated stone and plaster roads radiate out up to sixty miles. Finally, we drive to the colonial town of Valladolid, once a stronghold for Mayan rebels who hid in a secret cenote (a natural well) to emerge at night and slaughter resident Spaniards. After lunch, we tour the town and the ex-convent of San Bernardino. Tonight we will stay in Valladolid.

3rd Day: Today we visit the archaeological site of Ek Balam, with its enormous Acropolis pyramid. Later, in the delightful city of Izamal, a magical town whose buildings are all painted yellow, we ride through the cobblestone streets in horse drawn “calesas.” Overnight in Mérida.

4th Day: From the mid-19th century until World War I, the major crop of the Yucatan was sisal, used for making rope. This morning we visit a hacienda that was built for this purpose, and then drive to Uxmal, one of the finest examples of an ancient Mayan city. It was one of the largest cities of the Yucatan peninsula, with a population of around 25,000. Inside the Pyramid of the Magician, its highest structure, four previous temples were discovered. From Uxmal we travel on to the ruins of Kabah, with its 250 carved masks of Chaac, the rain god, who is portrayed with a long curled nose—the noses of the masks may have each supported a torch to light the imposing structure. We spend this night in the town of Uxmal.

5th Day: We continue our journey to Edzna, in the state of Campeche. With its complex system of waterworks, the Mayan city reached its peak as an economic, political and religious center between AD 600 and 900. The Great Plaza is spectacular, with its beautifully preserved buildings, including its five-story Acropolis—unique to this site. After lunch we continue on to Campeche, where we visit the Fuerte San Miguel, a fort built to protect the city against Caribbean pirates. In the evening we are free to visit the old city walls and enjoy the light-and-sound show on the history of the pirates. We spend the night in Campeche.

6th Day: After breakfast we drive to Becal, where workmen in damp and humid caves weave panama hats. We continue our travel to Chichén Itzá, the most visited Mayan city. The Pyramid of Kukulkán, the ball court, the Observatory and the sacred well are only a few of the many sights in this huge archaeological zone. Tonight we enjoy a light and sound show at Chichén Itzá and a farewell dinner at the hotel.

7th Day: On the way back to Cancun, we stop at Ik Kil Cenote, a sacred pool of Mayan royalty, where we can take a refreshing swim in the clear, clean water. For those departing today, we say good bye at Cancun Airport. For those wishing to extend their stay, add-ons are available.

Merida Itinerary

1st Day: We are met at the airport in the Yucatan’s capital city of Mérida. After checking into our hotel, we tour the city, with its rich Indian heritage and colonial architecture. Many of the city’s buildings date back to the 17th and 18th centuries.

2nd Day: After breakfast we travel to the delightful city of Izamal, where all of the buildings are painted yellow. Pope John Paul II visited the city in 1993. We visit a Franciscan convent that was built over a Mayan pyramid—the founder of the convent, the monk Father Diego de Landa, burned all of the Indian writings; then, feeling remorse, he tried to rewrite them from memory. We ride through the cobblestone streets in a horse-drawn carriage and visit a nearby pyramid. Then we continue on to Chichén Itzá, where we spend the night.

3rd Day: In the morning we tour the ruins of Chichén Itzá. Founded in the year 514, it is the most widely studied and visited of the Mayan cities. The Pyramid of Kukulkán, the ball court, the Observatory and the sacred well are only a few of the many sights in this huge archaeological zone. After lunch we continue on to the city of Valladolid, at one time a stronghold of Mayan rebels who fought the Spanish. During one of the many wars, a group of Mayans hid in the secret cenote (a natural well) before emerging at night to slaughter resident Spaniards. We tour the city, where we spend the night.

4th Day: After breakfast we visit the archaeological site of Ek Balam. Surrounded by jungle, Ek Balam, whose name means “Black Jaguar,” is very impressive, with its enormous Acropolis pyramid. Because restoration work began only eight years ago, fewer tourists visit the site. After lunch we return to Mérida, where we spend the night.

5th Day: From the mid-19th century until World War I, the major crop of the Yucatan was sisal, used for making rope. This morning we visit a hacienda that was built for this purpose, and then drive to Uxmal, one of the finest examples of an ancient Mayan city. It was one of the largest cities of the Yucatan peninsula, with a population of around 25,000. Inside the Pyramid of the Magician, its highest structure, four previous temples were discovered. From Uxmal we travel on to the ruins of Kabah, with its 250 carved masks of Chaac, the rain god, who is portrayed with a long curled nose—the noses of the masks may have each supported a torch to light the imposing structure. We spend this night in the town of Uxmal.

6th Day: We continue our journey to Edzna, in the state of Campeche. With its complex system of waterworks, the Mayan city reached its peak as an economic, political and religious center between AD 600 and 900. The Great Plaza is spectacular, with its beautifully preserved buildings, including its five-story Acropolis—unique to this site. After lunch we continue on to Campeche, where we visit the Fuerte San Miguel, a fort built to protect the city against Caribbean pirates. In the evening we are free to visit the old city walls and enjoy the light-and-sound show on the history of the pirates. We spend the night in Campeche.

7th Day: After breakfast we return to the airport in Mérida for our flight home, sad to leave but taking along wonderful memories of our Yucatan adventure.

What’s included: The trips are fully escorted by English-speaking guides and include all accommodations, transportation, six breakfasts and five lunches.

Price per person: