100% customisable travel idea
Mexico - Yucaten - Tulum - Valladolid - Merida
100% customisable for you
Welcome at the airport, rental car pick-up, then drive to Tulum. Four-night stay on the edge of the jungle, by a beach that was once a fishermen’s hideout. The charming small accommodation still overlooks the boats, but these are now used to take visitors out to sea. From the beach, you can spot the ruins of the Maya site, which are easy to reach by car or by bike. To welcome guests there are three low buildings and small bungalows with palm-thatched roofs. Guests can relax in swaying hammocks on the terraces. Inside your room, you'll find two beds, bohemian décor featuring beautiful pieces of wood, sheer curtains, and colourful hand-crafted items. On the way to the beach, you can cool off in a small pool without leaving the hotel. The restaurant serves traditional, unpretentious Mexican cuisine . And, because you are away from Tulum’s hotel zone, you enjoy a surprisingly peaceful and family-friendly environment.
Turquoise sea, fine sandy beach, mild climate: it was only natural that Tulum - 1 hour and 30 minutes south of Cancún - would emerge from obscurity. The village has become a city. But rest assured, the Mayan ruins by the water are still there, as is the resilient iguana population and everything else that shapes the identity of this little Caribbean paradise. And, off the beaten track, Tulum still hides a few unexpected treasures…
Optional - The Chemuyil cenotes by bike.
Scheduled - snorkelling in Soliman Bay. The rich underwater wildlife makes snorkelling effortless here. Green turtles come to these waters to feed and breed. This offers memorable encounters, for children and parents alike. Equipped with masks and snorkels, everyone sets out to explore the seabed and admire the coral reefs.
Optional - Meeting the manatees.
Things to see and do - Explore the ruins of the ancient Maya city; venture into the jungle and swim in the crystal-clear waters of a cenote; laze on the beach or, for the more adventurous, try kitesurfing; photograph the famous wooden sculpture “Come to the Light” by South African artist Daniel Popper; admire the artworks and murals along the Holistika Art Walk in the heart of the jungle; travel through the mangroves and lagoons of the Sian Ka'an nature reserve in search of dolphins, turtles and crocodiles…
À la carte - Visit the Tulum archaeological site.
Drive to Valladolid, a small town in the heart of the Yucatán peninsula.
Already planned along the way - Maya ceremony, spider monkeys and cenote. Deep in the jungle, on the border between the state of Quintana Roo and Yucatán, Punta Laguna Reserve is a sanctuary for spider monkeys - but don’t worry, the comparison refers only to the remarkable length of their arms and legs. The day begins with a Mayan ceremony, followed by a visit to the reserve and the lagoon for a kayak ride - or, for the more adventurous, a zipline crossing - before a final refreshing stop in a crystal-clear cenote .
You move on to Valladolid, for a three-night stay at a small posada in the historic centre: a beautiful house, a lovely tree-filled garden, and a small pool, perfect for a refreshing dip. There are 16 spacious rooms. With white walls, wooden furniture and mosaics,, it feels as though little has changed since the time of the conquistadors. Your room is perfect for a family stay and opens onto a charming terrace. Special mention goes to the attentive welcome and the restaurant, which serves delicious Mexican specialities made from local market produce.
Optional - The Coba archaeological site on foot and by bicycle.
Valladolid was named after its Spanish namesake, then the capital of the Kingdom of Spain. This colonial town with its colourful streets lined with small shops, antique dealers and authentic cafes, is also the perfect base for exploring ancient Mayan cities - including some of the most remarkable. Discover Ek' Balam and Chichén Itzá, as well as the jungle and the cenotes dotted throughout it.
Highlight - xocoatl workshop. Here, it's impossible to ignore cocoa. The Aztecs already drank it as xocoatl,mixed with various spices and sometimes chilli. Throughout this workshop, each stop - from roasting the beans to producing the cocoa powder - is explained, right up to the eagerly awaited moment when you taste your own xocoatl , crafted by your own hands.
Optional - Immerse yourself in the Maya community of Yalcoba or explore the archaeological sites of Ek' Balam and Chichén Itzá.
Things to see and do - Admire the San Bernardino de Siena Convent; stroll around the Zócalo, the social heart of the city; share stories of your day’s adventures from the quirky benches in the park; walk to the Zaci cenote in the city centre; breathe in the scents of the central market; cycle to the Suytun cenote; swim in the clear waters of the Xkeken cenote or venture on to Tsukán...br />Optional - The Chenxunan cenote in private; birdwatching at Río Lagartos.
Drive to Mérida and check in for three nights in the historic centre, facing Santa Lucía Park, just steps from the Peón Contreras Theatre and not far from the main square. Here, you enjoy a spacious room with a colonial feel, specially designed for families. It opens onto a flower-filled garden, featuring two fountains adorned with Talavera mosaics, and a large, sparkling pool surrounded by sun loungers and shaded hammocks—a delightful spot to relax and cool off.
Scheduled - Mérida in the footsteps of a local. Alberto, your guide for the day, dedicates his life to his two passions: lucha libre and his beloved city of Mérida. During this impromptu walk, tailored to everyone’s tastes and wishes, he is happy to answer questions and talk about life in Mexico and on the Yucatán Peninsula - past, present, and future.
Optional - Step into the shoes of a Mexicanluchador ; visit the ancient Maya city of Uxmal.
Things to see and do - The Celestún bird sanctuary; the unmissable “yellow city” of Izamal, a small colonial gem; hammock weavers in Tixkokob; the Maya archaeological site of Aké and its intriguing road system; the X’Batun cenote, open to the sky and ideal for a refreshing swim; the convent route - along with monasteries, colleges and missions - which today form the great colonial and baroque heritage of Mexico: Tecoh, Chumayel and Arachide
Drive to Cancún, return the rental car at the airport, then take your direct flight home. Night on board, arrival the next day.
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