Mexico City to Riviera Maya: An Odyssey Through Mexican Wonders (15 Days)

Day 1: Mexico City

Get ready for Mexico City to Riviera Maya! Start in Mexico City, the largest city in Latin America, where ancient and modern coexist in harmony. The city is a world-class cultural hub that offers a huge variety of museums, galleries, and architectural gems, along with bustling nightlife and diverse gastronomic culture. Arrive on Saturday or some days before and take your time to explore this diverse city before meeting your group and Tour Leader on Saturday evening: informational meeting, welcome dinner, and optional get-together with the rest of the group.

• Transportation: walking
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mexico City
• Meals Included: dinner
• Activities Included: welcome meeting

Day 2: Mexico City

Join your Tour Leader and begin your journey from Mexico City to Riviera Maya with a walk around the UNESCO-listed historic center of the capital. Visit the National Museum of Anthropology to discover Mexico’s rich cultural heritage.

Afterward, you’ll have some free time to explore the city on your own. Your Tour Leader will be happy to offer suggestions on where to go next.

In the evening, gather with the group for an optional dinner and get-together to discuss the day’s experiences and enjoy some local flavors.

• Transportation: walking, public transportation
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mexico City
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: walking in the Historic Center of Mexico City; guided visit to the National Museum of Anthropology

Day 3: Mexico City – Teotihuacan – Puebla

Day 4: Puebla – Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Biosphere Reserve – Oaxaca

After breakfast and checkout, go to Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Biosphere Reserve. Located in a complex system of mountain ranges and valleys, this UNESCO-listed area generates great biodiversity and different ecosystems. The region has played an important role in the development of agriculture in Mesoamerica. Exploration by car and walking.

In the afternoon, move to Oaxaca City. A cultural colossus that fits to rival anywhere in Latin America for history, gastronomy, and colorful manifestations of indigenous culture. Oaxaca is a complex but intensely attractive city whose majestic churches and refined plazas have deservedly earned it a UNESCO World Heritage badge. To end the day there’s an optional dinner and get-together with the group in the evening.

Day 5: Oaxaca – Monte Alban – Hierve el Agua – Mitla

In the morning, begin your journey at Monte Alban, the once-thriving capital of the Zapotec empire and now a renowned archaeological site. As the second-largest ceremonial center in Mesoamerica after Teotihuacan, Monte Alban has held great cultural significance for over a thousand years. After exploring this magnificent ruin, continue to Hierve el Agua, famous for its stunning mineral springs. Known for its breathtaking landscapes and Instagram-worthy views, this location offers the perfect setting to take in nature’s beauty and enjoy a peaceful moment.

Next, head to the nearby “Magical Town” of Mitla. After checking in, take a walk through the charming historic center to discover the town’s rich culture and architecture. In the evening, you can opt for a delicious dinner and enjoy a get-together with your group in one of the local restaurants.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house near Hierve el Agua
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: guided visits to Monte Alban Archeological Zone and Hierve el Agua; orientation walk in Mitla

Day 6: Mitla – Puerto Arista

In the morning, head to Puerto Arista, a peaceful coastal town renowned for its expansive golden-sand beaches. Once you arrive, embark on an exhilarating ATV ride, allowing you to explore the beautiful shoreline and enjoy the breathtaking views. As the day winds down, take in the stunning sunset on the beach, creating the perfect end to your adventure. In the evening, join your group for an optional dinner and get-together at one of the local restaurants to reflect on the day’s experiences.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Puerto Arista
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: ATV ride on the beach in Puerto Arista

Day 7: Puerto Arista - Canyon Sumidero - Chiapa de Corzo

Enjoy a relaxing morning by the sea and sun before embarking on an unforgettable boat trip through the awe-inspiring Sumidero Canyon. Marvel at the majestic waterfalls, explore mystical caves, and visit the cliff where Chiapanec warriors chose to commit suicide rather than surrender to the Spanish Conquistadores. Afterward, head to Chiapa de Corzo, one of the most beautiful towns in Chiapas, known for its warm people and vibrant Renaissance architecture. If you’re visiting in January, you’ll be able to experience the Fiesta Grande, a UNESCO Intangible Heritage event that showcases the town’s rich culture. Upon arrival, check in to your accommodation and join an orientation walk through the historic center. In the evening, enjoy an optional dinner and get-together with your group to share the day’s adventures.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Chiapa de Corzo
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: boat tour in Sumidero Canyon; walking in Chiapa de Corzo

Day 8: Chiapa de Corzo – San Juan de Chamula – San Cristobal de las Casas

Day 9: San Cristóbal de las Casas – Agua Azul and Misol-Ha Waterfalls – Palenque

In the morning, continue your journey from Mexico City to Riviera Maya with visits to two breathtaking waterfalls. First, marvel at the unique cascading falls of Agua Azul, then enjoy a refreshing swim in the mineral-rich pool beneath the 35-meter-tall Misol-Ha waterfall. Afterward, head to the “Magical Town” of Palenque, where you will check in and take an orientation walk through the historic center, immersing yourself in the charm of this beautiful town. In the evening, enjoy an optional dinner and get-together with the group to share your experiences from the day.

• • Transportation: private vehicle
  • Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house near Palenque
  • Meals Included: breakfast
  • Activities Included: guided visits to Agua Azul and Misol-Ha waterfalls; orientation walk of Palenque

Day 10: Palenque – Miguel Colorado Cenotes – Campeche

In the morning, after breakfast and check-out, go to explore the UNESCO-listed Palenque Archeological Zone. A prime example of a Mayan sanctuary of the classical period, it flourished between AD 500 and 700, when its influence extended throughout the basin of the Usumacinta River. In the afternoon, continue to Miguel Colorado – two large scenic cenotes with a spiffy new eco-center and a private nature reserve. Optional lunch, kayaking, swimming, zip-lining over one of the cenotes. There, we’ll also hike along hilly, rocky trails keeping an eye out for spider and howler monkeys.

Evening arrival, optional dinner, and get-together in Campeche. A true historical fairyland, its UNESCO-listed colonial center represents a tight enclave of restored pastel buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, fortified ramparts, and well-preserved mansions. Check-in, an orientation walk in the historic center of the Campeche, and an optional dinner, and get-together with the group in the evening.

Day 11: Campeche – Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve – Celestun

In the afternoon, after exploring the 19th-century Fort of San Miguel in the suburbs of Campeche, continue your Mexico Tour to the Celestun Biosphere Reserve. This UNESCO-listed protected area is a natural wonder, home to vibrant pink flamingos and a wide variety of bird species in their natural habitat. Enjoy a flamingo-watching boat tour, swim in a local cenote, and then transfer to the nearby beach town of Celestun. Upon arrival, check in and take an orientation walk through the town. In the evening, join the group for an optional dinner and get-together to share the day’s experiences.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Celestun
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: guided visit to Fort of San Miguel (Campeche); entrance and boat tour in Ria Celestun UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (flamingo watching + visit to cenote)

Day 12: Celestun – Chichen Itza – Cenote Ik Kil – Valladolid

In the morning, after breakfast and checkout, head for UNESCO-listed Chichen Itza. The most famous and best restored of the Yucatan Maya sites, it is considered one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Many mysteries of the Maya astronomical calendar are made clear when one understands the design of the ‘time temples’ here.

In the afternoon, continue to Ik Kil – arguably one of the most beautiful cenotes in Mexico that was considered sacred by the Mayans who performed human sacrifices to their rain god. In fact, in order to reach the water, you have to climb down 26 meters. The water is 40 meters deep while its diameter is 60 meters. Evening arrival, accommodation, optional dinner, and get-together with the group in Valladolid. Once known as the Sultana of the East, Yucatán’s third-largest city is known for its quiet streets and sun-splashed pastel walls.

Day 13: Valladolid – Tulum – Playa del Carmen

In the morning, after an orientation walk of Valladolid, go to explore Tulum – the only Mayan ruins located directly on the beach. Once there, you’ll learn the history behind this location as you walk through different areas of the site. You can also walk down to the amazing beach and enjoy the white sand and turquoise water, and see wild iguanas and beautiful tropical foliage.

In the afternoon, arrive in Playa del Carmen, an idyllic place located in the heart of the Riviera Maya with fine white sand and turqoise waters, where you’ll always find a hammock and an umbrella to sunbathe and rest, especially on the edge of town that offers the quietest beach areas. If you prefer action, in Playa del Carmen you’ll find water activities such as windsurfing, jet skis, kayaking, or diving in the impressive Mayan coral reef. Accommodation, orientation walk, optional dinner, and get-together with the group.

Day 14: Playa del Carmen

Free program: relax on the beach sipping a cocktail, try numerous outdoor activities (scuba diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking, parasailing, ATV riding, etc.), or take a day trip to some of the nearby natural attractions or Mayan ruins. Optional farewell dinner and get-together with the group in the evening.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B/guest house in Playa del Carmen
• Meals Included: breakfast

Day 15: Playa del Carmen

Last day of our Mexico Tour. Choose by yourself when to leave – Cancun Airport is just 50 km away and is well served by taxis and buses.

• Meals Included: breakfast