Highlights of Mexico
Mexico City to Playa del Carmen
8 Days
From
US$ 821
+ Local Payment of US$130.00
View Tour Notes
A whirlwind adventure through the highlights of Mexico, this 8 day tour will introduce you to true Mexican culture and some of the best sites in the country. Experience Maya ruins, ancient Aztec cities, sandy white beaches and mouth watering Mexican gastronomy as you journey from the bustling Mexico City to sunshine soaked Playa del Carmen.
About this tour
- Type of Travel: Public Transport
- Group Size: Normally 4-19. Average 10.
- Recommended Age: 18-65
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Physical Rating:
- Country: Mexico
Itinerary
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Day 1 to 1 - Arrive Mexico City
Welcome to Mexico and the countrys most populated city with a staggering 9 million residents! Mexico City is a dizzying blend of culture and tradition with a huge variety of activities to suit every traveller.
Today is free to arrive at your leisure and immerse yourself in the city. Head to the Zocalo, the huge central square where you can find Aztec ruins and colonial architecture, including the beautiful main cathedral. Remember to look through the glass flooring outside of the church to see the ancient Aztec city beneath. Just behind the cathedral are the Aztec ruins of the ancient Teocali, which were only discovered in 1978. You can also visit the world famous Anthropology Museum and the National Palace where you can see murals depicting the history of Mexico by one of the country's most famous artists Diego Rivera. Check out his equally famous wife at the Frida Kahlo Museum.
In the evening you can enjoy a spicy Mexican dinner and maybe a few tequilas in the Zona Rosa while enjoying music performed by a mariachi band.
Please note there will be a pre departure meeting at 6pm tonight to meet your tour leader and fellow group members.
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Plaza Revolucion or similar 
Day 2 to 2 - Puebla & The Ancient Site of Teotihuacan
This morning we take a short journey in a private vehicle to the ancient site of Teotihuacan where we enjoy a guided tour. Here you will see an amazing abandoned city built around 300 BC by a civilisation now lost in the mists of time. The historic complex is a fascinating combination of ceremonial pyramids, such as the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon. Other landmarks include the Ciudadela, which is connected by the Street of the Dead, palaces, old temples and the Plaza of the Sun. The buildings are decorated with friezes and other ornate artworks.
Approximate Travel Times: 1h30 to the Teotihuacan ruins by private transfer.
We continue to one of Mexico's oldest towns, Puebla, which means "City of the Angels". Set in a valley with a dramatic backdrop of volcanoes and snow-capped peaks, Puebla is a fascinating old colonial town founded in 1531. The historic city centre has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, partly due to its impressively preserved Spanish colonial architecture. Puebla is the best place to try mole poblano, a rich, spicy sauce containing chocolate, cinnamon and nuts, as well as different types of hot peppers, often served over chicken.
Approximate Travel Times: 2h to Puebla by private transfer.
Included Excursions
Entrance and guided tour of Teotihuacan
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel La Alhondiga or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 3 to 3 - Oaxaca City
Today we journey to Oaxaca (pronounced wa-ha-ka), a beautiful city bordered by mountains and thick forests, with a very pleasant Plaza de la Constitución where you can eat, drink and watch the world go by.
Explore the beautiful Templo de Santo Domingo, a 16th century church with a Baroque style facade. Built between the 15th and 16th centuries as part of the city’s Dominican monastery, the building has extremely thick stone walls since the region is prone to earthquakes.
Oaxaca City is also well known for having some amazing art galleries, especially smaller independent ones hidden down the cobbled streets. The food here is some of the best you will find in Mexico, be sure to try a tlayudas, a large crispy tortilla topped with beans, cheese and avocado.
Approximate Travel Times: 4h to 5h by private transfer.
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Parador del Dominico or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 4 to 4 - Oaxaca & The Temples of Monte Alban
Today we enjoy an included excursion to the spectacular temples of Monte Alban just outside the city. This pre-Columbian archaeological site is the only pyramid in Mexico that sits 400 meters above the valley. There are many structures to explore around the Grand Plaza including numerous tombs, ceremonial altars, tunnels, pyramids and palaces, many decorated by glyphs, paintings and intricate carvings.
We return to Oaxaca City to enjoy a free evening.
Included Excursions
Entrance and guided tour of Monte Alban
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Parador del Dominico or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 5 to 5 - Fly to Merida
This morning we head to the airport and fly to Merida. Capital of the Yucatan province, the 'white city' of Mérida is a pleasant mixture of colonial buildings, churches and plazas. The city boasts rich culture, history and traditions, with markets overflowing with beautiful weavings and handmade crafts. A walk through the city’s downtown buildings is an attraction in itself, as you witness the brightly painted houses which mirror it’s colonial past.
For art lovers, check out the Museum of Modern Art which is located next to the Cathedral. The museum regularly exhibits Yucatan artists who promote their country and local traditions. The Lucas de Galvéz market is another must see. The largest market in town, it sells plenty of local produce and is the ultimate place to try dishes typical of Yucatan. Have a sopa de lima (lime soup), or frijol con puerco (beans with pork) both which are specialities of the region.
Evening is often the best time to explore as the city comes alive with night markets or music and dancing in many of the squares.
Approximate Travel Times: 6h including transfers between hotels and the airport.
Optional Excursions
Anthropological Museum – US$3 • Merida city tour – free • Uxmal ruins – US$65 • Cenotes, it is possible to swim and snorkel in various cenotes which often resemble small, circular lakes or lagoons with vertical edges. – US$44 • Hop-on hop-off bus – US$8
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Colonial or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 6 to 6 - Merida
Today is free to further explore the city and surrounding area. You could visit the small fishing town of Celestún, with its secluded beaches and home to the Biosphere Reserve which has a large flamingo population. You could also take a swim in the local 'cenotes' (sen-o-tays), fresh-water swimming holes connected by spectacular limestone caverns and deep underwater rivers once sacred to the ancient Maya, covering the entire Yucatan peninsula.
Optional Excursions
Anthropological Museum – US$3 • Merida city tour – free • Uxmal ruins – US$65 • Cenotes, it is possible to swim and snorkel in various cenotes which often resemble small, circular lakes or lagoons with vertical edges. – US$44 • Hop-on hop-off bus – US$8
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Colonial or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 7 to 7 - Playa del Carmen via Chichén Itzá
We travel to Chichén Itzá, an impressive Maya/Toltec site recently voted as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Constructed between the 7th and 10th century AD, Chichén Itzá was a centre of pilgrimage for the Maya for over 1000 years. The most famous attraction is the great Pyramid of Kukulkan, dedicated to the feathered serpent god Kukulkan and built with such precision that a shadow serpent descends down the steps during the equinox. After soaking up the beauty of Chichén Itzá, we will continue onto Playa del Carmen.
Playa del Carmen is the perfect place for relaxation. The beaches are coated with sugar-white sand with shimmering turquoise waters to swim in. You have the rest of the day to relax by the pool, beach, or simply explore the area.
Approximate Travel Times: 2h to reach Chichen Itza. After free time a further 3h to Playa del Carmen by private transfer.
Included Excursions
Entrance and guided tour of Chichen Itza
Optional Excursions
Tulum Ruins – MXN65 plus transport or MXN80 return • Cozumal day trip –US$24
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels at Hotel Playa del Carmen or similar
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Day 8 to 8 - Depart Playa del Carmen
Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
What you need to know
- We will try to run your tour as close to the itinerary as conditions will allow. On very rare occasions, local events may affect the way your itinerary operates. We ask for your flexibility and understanding in these situations.
- This tour includes a compulsory Local Payment that needs to be paid to the Tour Leader on Day 1 of your tour. For more information on our Local Payments please click here.
- Many countries have strict rules on the age and quality of foreign cash. We therefore recommend you bring only new, unmarked and undamaged bank notes. This includes your Local Payment on tours where required.
What's Included
Excursions & Activities
- Entrance and guided tour of Teotihuacan
- Entrance and guided tour of Monte Alban
- Entrance and guided tour of Chichen Itza
Accommodation
7 night(s) in hotels
Transportation
Taxi, Public Bus, Tourist Bus, Private Vehicle, Travel by 1 flight(s), Foot
Meals
7 Breakfast(s)
What's Not Included
- Visas and travel insurance
- Spending money – budget for meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, laundry, tips and any extras
- International flights to/from the start/end of your tour and departure taxes
- Tips on excursions, visas, travel insurance, personal items and single rooms.
- Optional excursions - On each trip, you may find there are some excursions that are not included. This might be because they are not to everyone's taste or there may be various options of differing value to choose from. More information on the excursions we recommend is listed under each day of your itinerary though prices may vary. If you are after something in particular, don't hesitate to ask your tour leader.
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