100% customisable travel idea
A Mexican Adventure with the Family Mayan cities, cenotes and beaches in Yucatan
Mexico - Yucaten - Tulum - Valladolid - Merida
Mayan journey
Your journey
We know how important it is, when travelling with the family, not to have to worry about the travel arrangements. You want to focus on what matters most and get straight to the point. That is why we have already included some wonderful activities in your itinerary. These include snorkelling to explore the vibrant marine life off the coast of Soliman Bay, a half-day adventure in the Punta Laguna Nature Reserve, a xocoatl workshop (to learn about the Mayan chocolate drink), and a stroll through Merida with a local. These are set in stone. The rest of the time is yours to get off the beaten at the wheel of your rental car, extend your stay - perhaps on Isla Holbox - or add other activities to your itinerary. You could add in a manatee encounter, visiting the archaeological site of Chichen Itza, exploring the mangroves and lagoons by boat, or even stepping into the shoes of a Mexican luchador Finally, for any last-minute requests, our Concierge is just a phone call away to advise and assist you.In Yucatan, the kids will love
Seeking shade under the palapas, the large parasols with roofs made of dried palm leaves; feasting on tortillas, grilled fish and chocolate sauce; diving into the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea or the cooler cenotes; watching sea turtles; admiring the impressive gilded altarpieces in Mexican churches and more.Itinerary
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.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
With a few more days: Isla Holbox
Setting foot on the shores of Isla Holbox - a tiny island off the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, right where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean Sea - you enter a car-free island paradise where only the gentle hum of golf carts mingles with the constant murmur of the waves. The sandy streets, brightly coloured houses and palm trees on every corner set the tone for this timeless place, quite unlike anywhere else in Mexico.Manatee encounter
Less well-known than dolphins, these remarkable, gentle marine mammals - sirenians rather than cetaceans - are nonetheless just as impressive. Seeing them in their natural habitat, a shallow lagoon not far from Tulum, is truly extraordinary. It's an opportunity to learn more about this exclusively vegetarian animal and the efforts being made to protect it.Chichen Itza, archaeological tour
Chichen Itza is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and home to the iconic Kukulkan Pyramid or El Castillo, one of Yucatan’s most iconic landmarks. This ancient Maya city still has many secrets left to reveal. Which makes having a guide all the more worthwhile! Its origins and the presence of nearby cenotes, its enigmatic rise and fall: all this and more is explained over the course of a fun, fact-filled tour.Birdwatching at Rio Lagartos
Diego and his team welcome you on board a lancha for a trip through this Biosphere Reserve bordered by deserted beaches. It’s a paradise for budding ornithologists, who have fun spotting flamingos, cormorants, pelicans, ibises, black-necked stilts, herons and egrets. Keep an eye out for crocodiles lurking in the shallow waters too.In the shoes of a Mexican luchador
Alberto, a former professional wrestler who has competed against Mexico’s greatest gladiators, invites you into the world of lucha libre. At his home, in his den in Merida, you step into the ring - where he has trained several legends of this spectacular sport - for a lively training session.
Why visit Mexico with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Mexico
- Globally unique concierge service
- Wi-Fi: 1 GB/day included
- Gourmet Voyageurs
- Adjust your trip while travelling
- 24-hour assistance
- CO2 absorption