Wonderful Yucatán
Welcome to Yucatán, a treasure in the southeast of Mexico. Yucatán is more tan just a destination; it is a journey through time and culture that leaves its mark on every traveler. From the majesty of Mérida to the tranquility of Rio Lagartos, every corner of Yucatán tells a story that will captivate you.
Are you ready to submerge yourself in this magical journey?
Day 1: (Cancún) – Site seen Ek Balam – Río Lagartos
Arrive from The Mexican Caribbean Coast in the state of Yucatán. The archaeological site of Ek Balam is a wonderful first visit of a prehispanic Maya culture ceremonial site, overall, with its wonderful stucco work on the top of its main temple pyramid. In the afternoon, you arrive in fisher town of Río Lagartos, where you can enjoy a relaxing waterfront walk and to have a rich dinner on base of local seafood ingredients.
Overnight in Río Lagartos.
Day 2: Site seen Río Lagartos & Las Coloradas – Valladolid
Have an early morning wake up to start a boat tour before sunrise, so to live the upcoming light whilest crossing the waterways through the mangroves. You will reach the wide-open areas where the pink flamingo flocks settle. Enjoy then a stop on a mud bank to live the application of a so-called Maya bath. To rinse off the later dry layer, get forward by boat to a beach facing the open Gulf of Mexico, before in later morning you return to your starting boat pier in Río Lagartos. After land departure from Río Lagartos, have a short detour to visit the colorful salt lagoons of Las Coloradas! In the late afternoon, arrive in Valladolid colorful Magical Town, where you might like to have a relaxing evening walk in the historical ensemble of town center.
Overnight in Valladolid.
Day 3: Site seen Valladolid & Cenotes – Izamal
Valladolid is enjoyable a lot by walk. Around the main square with its cathedral, into the market hall as well as to reach the exconvent of San Bernardino. Outside town you can explore the underground cenotes of Dzitnup, natural water sinkholes in the porous limestone underground of Yucatán peninsula. Take then the rural highway through typical towns to get to the Magical Town of Izamal, in its historical center all golden yellow painted. The outstanding building here is not only the exconvent of San Antonio de Padua with its great courtyard, but also to learn about the prehispanic origin of Izamal by its temple ruins next to some inner town streets.
Overnight in Izamal.
Day 4: Izamal – San Crisanto – Progreso – Mérida
Morning departure from Izamal, so to enjoy the driving through tranquil rural towns up to the northern Gulf Coast and there to realize a charming ride in a man pushed boat through a labyrinth of Mangroves. Enjoy the observing of local flora and fauna, before you reach a natural water spring pond to refresh yourself with a jump into it! The drive the continues along the northern coastline, for in Progreso port town to have the possibility to enjoy a rich lunch from local specialties, before in the later afternoon you get down to nearby Mérida, so called “White City” and capital of state of Yucatán. The evening panoramic visit around in the elegant historical center with its mix in colonial and neoclassical architecture can be partially in horse pulled carriage along the elegant Paseo Montejo.
Overnight in Mérida.
Day 5: Mérida
Mérida is worth to be discovered during a full day. Visit the ancient cathedral and do not miss to learn about the founder of the city in the House of Montejo. Have the chance to learn about all types of bees and honeys produced in Yucatán and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere inside Yucatecan Museum of Gastronomy during a selected meal on base of creative recipes in dishes and drinks
Overnight in Mérida.
Day 6: Mérida – Uxmal – Maní – Chichén Itzá
After breakfast depart for the so called Puuc Region south of Mérida, where the prehispanic Maya culture is of great expression in its façades. In Uxmal, which counts also with the great Pyramid of the Dwarf, this beauty can be seen in the so called Nun’s Quadrangle as well as in the impressing Governor’s Palace with stone masks of Maya rain god Chac. For lunch you can be in Magical Town of Maní with its interesting Franciscan church, where in town the dishes are served by a local family, before in the later afternoon, the trip continues to reach your overnight hotel in area of Chichén Itzá. Here in the evening, it is always recommended to consider the optional visit of light & sound spectacle Kukulkán Nights, projected in the evening on the ancient temple site. Overnight in Chichén Itzá.
Day 7: Site seen Yaxunah
Learn today about rural life, culture, tradition, and nature in Yaxunah Maya community. On arrival, the people welcome you to take part in the elaboration of your later lunch dish, made from axiote ingredients and meat, among others, all stored in an earth oven during your ongoing activities and visits in town. Get to the edge of town, for example on bicycle and walk over the fields of crops, where the locals show their way of growing beans and corn. Back in town, have a look into the regionally recognized seed bank, learn about the local women’s hammock workshop and enjoy a refreshing jump in the town’s open-air cenote! …not to forget, that your lunch in Yaxunah will be from the Cochinita Pibil earth oven dish, which you will have taken out in early afternoon. After such an active day out in countryside, return to your hotel in Chichén Itzá to relax and enjoy its installations.
Overnight in Chichén Itzá.
Day 8: Site seen Chichen Itzá – Out
Go as early as possible into the arch. Site of Chichén Itzá, the maybe most well-known and emblematic prehispanic temple site in Mexico. During the visit walk around, see the Kukulkán Pyramid, which counts among the New Seven Wonders of the World, enter the giant ground of ancient ceremonial Pok ta Pok ball game, see the sacred dwell and on the way to the important Maya Observatory, see the Chac Mol sacrifice sculpture on the Temple of Warriors next to the Complex of 1000 Columns. The afternoon then is reserved to proceed to any airport or ongoing travel destination in southeast Mexico.
Operated by: Mexcellence Travel
