Classic Mexico

Suggested Itinerary

Overview

This introduction to the captivating culture of Mexico takes you from the vibrant streets of its cosmopolitan capital, into the jungles of the Chiapas highlands before ending amongst the fascinating ruins and golden beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula. Along the way you will take in colonial grandeur and Aztec ruins, indigenous cultures and some of the most breathtaking scenery in Central America.

Mexico is a vast and diverse country, so what better place to begin than in the sprawling capital,...

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Explore the rich heritage of Latin America’s largest city
  • Soak up the abundant colonial charms of San Cristóbal
  • Discover the spectacular jungle ruins of Palenque
  • Unearth the breathtaking Mayan ruins of the Yucatán Peninsula
  • Relax on the world class beaches of the Riviera Maya
  • Swim in a majestic ‘cenote’, a limestone sinkhole

Suggested Itinerary

This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.

EXPAND ALL ITINERARY DAYS
COLLAPSE ALL ITINERARY DAYS

DAY 1: ARRIVE MEXICO CITY

DAY 1: ARRIVE MEXICO CITY

Upon arrival in Mexico City you will be met at the airport and escorted to your hotel. One of the world's great metropolises, Mexico City is a fascinating blend of Aztec culture, colonial grandeur and modern excess, all packaged together amidst a chaotic cacophony of sights and sounds. Lying in the shadow of two towering volcanoes, the city is home to two World Heritage Sites and a National Museum of Anthropology that is considered one of the finest in the world.

Best Western Majestic

DAY 2: MEXICO CITY

DAY 2: MEXICO CITY

Today you will discover a little of the capital's rich culture heritage, as you explore the historic city centre and world renowned National Anthropology Museum on a full day private tour. In the company of an expert guide, you will begin with a visit to the Museo Nacional de Antropología, home to one of the largest Mesoamerican collections in the world. After paying special attention to the Aztec and Maya rooms, you'll then move on to the city's stunning Centro Histórico (Historic Centre), where the famous 'Zocalo' is flanked by the spectacular architecture of the Palacio Nacional and the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Best Western Majestic
Breakfast

DAY 3: MEXICO CITY

DAY 3: MEXICO CITY

Leaving the bustling capital this morning, head to the renowned Aztec ruins of Teotihuacan, the mysterious 'City of the Gods', whose famous Sun and Moon pyramids are the largest outside Egypt. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Teotihuacan was once one of the most powerful cultural centres in Mesoamerica and your guide will explain its origins and its place amongst Mexico's fascinating and multi-layered, pre-Columbian past.

Best Western Majestic
Breakfast

DAY 4: MEXICO CITY - SAN CRISTOBAL

DAY 4: MEXICO CITY - SAN CRISTOBAL

Take a private transfer to the airport this morning for your flight to Tuxtla Gutierrez, from where you will continue to the picturesque colonial town of San Cristobal de las Casas. Located in the central highlands of the state of Chiapas, the journey takes you by way of the ruins of Chiapa de Corzo and on to the spectacular landscapes of the Sumidero Canyon. There will be time to enjoy a boat ride on the lakes, with a chance to spot crocodiles, spider monkeys and herons, before completing the journey through the highlands to your hotel.

Villas Casa Morada
Breakfast

DAY 5: SAN CRISTOBAL

DAY 5: SAN CRISTOBAL

Founded by the Spanish in the 16th century, San Cristobal lies at the centre of a landscape steeped in Maya culture. Its white stucco walls and cobbled streets hide a wealth of lovingly restored colonial grandeur and today you will embark on a guided journey through its historic heart. From the Zócalo (main plaza), you walk through the historic centre to the cathedral and perhaps San Cristóbal’s most beautiful building, the church Iglesia del Convento Santo Domingo. You will also pay a visit to the indigenous towns of San Juan Chamula and San Lorenzo Zincantan, famed for their unusual religious traditions which blend Catholic and Mayan rituals. Next stop is a small weaving mill owned by three sisters where you can learn about life in Zinacantán and the art of weaving from the three committed women.

Villas Casa Morada
Breakfast

DAY 6: SAN CRISTOBAL - PALENQUE

DAY 6: SAN CRISTOBAL - PALENQUE

Crossing the southern Sierra Madre range this morning, you will descend from the highland forests and journey into the steamy jungle lowlands of Palenque. About 40 km south of Palenque are the waterfalls of Roberto Barrios. This beautiful natural setting is teeming with wildlife and the limestone sedimentation causes the network of streams and waterfalls to turn a dazzling aquamarine blue during the dry season.

Chan-Kah Resort Village
Breakfast

DAY 7: PALENQUE

DAY 7: PALENQUE

Located close to the Usumancinta River, Palenque is blessed with some of the finest Maya architecture in Mexico. An early start this morning takes you first to the hidden forest ruins of Bonampak, famous for the superb mural paintings that occupy its main temple. Continuing on to Yaxchilan, you then explore one of the least visited and most impressive sites in the Mayan world. Renowned for its detailed facades and stone lintels, the ruins sit amongst lush jungle and the haunting cries of howler monkeys transport you to the world of the Maya. Return to Palenque at the end of the visit.

Chan-Kah Resort Village
Breakfast

DAY 8: PALENQUE

DAY 8: PALENQUE

After breakfast this morning you will be treated to a private tour of the magnificent ruins of Palenque, one of the most famous archaeological sites anywhere in the Americas. Engulfed by rainforest and occupying a high escarpment, the city was an important administrative centre during the height of the Mayan Empire. Home to the high priest Pacal, whose spectacular jade death mask remains one of the most prized Mayan artefacts ever unearthed, the ruins and palaces span a period of some 900 years. Following the visit, you will transfer the short distance to Villahermosa for the evening.

Best Western Madan
Breakfast

DAY 8: PALENQUE- MERIDA

DAY 8: PALENQUE- MERIDA

An early afternoon flight takes you on to Mérida, the cultural hub of the Yucatán Peninsula. Believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Americas, Merida is filled with a stunning collection of Spanish-Moorish architecture and has one of the largest historical centres in Central America. After a chance to freshen up, you'll take a brief private tour of its historic heart, taking in the main square, the cathedral and the impressive 'Monument to the Fatherland'.

Casa Del Balam
Breakfast

DAY 10: MERIDA

DAY 10: MERIDA

Some 78 km to the south of Mérida lie the spectacular ruins of Uxmal, home to some of the most stunning examples of Puuc-style architecture in the Americas. Today's tour takes in these beautifully preserved ruins, including the dominating presence of the Pyramid of the Magician, perhaps one of the finest pieces of Mayan architecture in the country. This afternoon you will then visit Kabah, famed for its 'Palace of the Chaac Masks', whose facade is decorated with hundreds of stone masks of the rain god, Chaac.

Casa Del Balam
Breakfast

DAY 11: MERIDA - CHICHEN ITZA - TULUM

DAY 11: MERIDA - CHICHEN ITZA - TULUM

Your journey to the coast takes you via Chichén Itzá, one of the most important archaeological sites in Central America. A masterpiece of Mesoamerican design, it lay at the heart of Mayan culture for nearly 1,000 years. Famed for its intricately designed Castillo Pyramid, this awe-inspiring setting played a significant role in pre-Columbian history, bringing Mayan and Toltec cultures together in one astonishing collection of temples and palaces. Following a guided tour of the site you'll then stop for a swim at a cenote, before continuing on to the sleepy coastal town of Tulúm.

Ana Y Jose
Breakfast

DAY 12: TULUM

DAY 12: TULUM

Occupying a craggy cliff face along the eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, Tulúm was one of the last cities to be built by the Mayans. Certainly the most interesting archaeological site on the Maya Riviera, it survived well into the years that followed the Spanish invasion. One of the best preserved of the Mayan coastal sites, located directly on the Caribbean Sea, it is surrounded by five-metre-high walls that measure up to eight metres thick. It served as a major port for the city of Cobá, whose nearby ruins occupy a largely unexcavated site that you will also have an opportunity to visit today.

Ana Y Jose
Breakfast

DAY 13: TULUM

DAY 13: TULUM

Today offers a chance to enjoy some downtime amongst the white limestone beaches and warm azure waters around Tulúm.

Ana Y Jose
Breakfast

DAY 14: TULUM - DEPART CANCUN

DAY 14: TULUM - DEPART CANCUN

Your Mexican adventure ends with a private transfer to Cancun airport.

Breakfast

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.

GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT’S INCLUDED

14 days from £5,055

MEALS

As specified in the itinerary, sampling some of the country's finest cuisine.

TRANSPORT

Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers.

ENTRANCE FEES

Tours and admission fees, including tickets specified in the itinerary.

EXPERT TEAM

Licensed English-speaking guides and a support team available 24/7.

ACCOMMODATION

As specified in the itinerary, using some of our favourite local properties.

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

Flexible booking conditions regarding transfers and cancellations

ACCOMMODATION

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Book With Confidence

We understand that flexibility is now a key factor when booking a holiday, and we believe our Covid Promise and Covid Viable Test provide that.

We believe these terms and conditions for making a booking are amongst the most generous in the travel industry right now, and we hope they will give you the confidence, when you feel ready, to go ahead and book your next adventure.

This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.

Positive Impact of this Trip

Tree
Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip
Community
Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects
Wind Turbine
A contribution to renewable energy projects

WHEN TO GO

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

WHY WILD FRONTIERS?

Meet the expert, Richard

Richard is our Latin America expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.

Speak to Richard by calling
1(833) 200-4640

Uniquely rich in both culture and biodiversity, the Mexican state of Oaxaca is a world treasure. Distinct ethnic groups speak 18 different languages and their forests are home to 634 species of birds.

OTHER ITINERARIES IN MEXICO