15 Day itinerary in Mexico, North America
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Mexico, starting in Cancun! This thrilling adventure offers vibrant city tours, breathtaking cenotes, ancient Mayan ruins, and picturesque beaches. Highlights include immersing in Palenque's mystical jungles, exploring the charming streets of San Cristobal,... Read More
By Bamba Travel Inc
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GUIDANCE
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trip type
trip attributes
Nature & Widlife
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Be amazed at Mexico’s natural and cultural wonders
Climb ancient pyramids within great archaeological sites
Relax in spectacular natural landscapes & beaches
Discover indigenous communities’ way of life
Be amazed at Mexico’s natural and cultural wonders
Climb ancient pyramids within great archaeological sites
Relax in spectacular natural landscapes & beaches
Discover indigenous communities’ way of life
Accommodation Categories
Day 1: Cancun - Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Cancun Airport Transfer to Playa del Carmen
Type: Shuttle
Time: 000:00, 06:00, 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00, 22:00
Duration: 1 Hours
Transfer from Cancun to Playa del CarmenAccommodation:
Day 2: Playa del Carmen - Tulum, Mexico
Playa del Carmen to Tulum
Type: Bus
Times: 09:16, 09:25, 09:51, 10:00, 10:36
Duration: 1 hours
Transfer from Playa del Carmen to Tulum
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Tulum.
Accommodation:
Day 3: Tulum - Merida, Mexico
Playa del Carmen to Tulum
Type: Bus
Time: 09:16, 09:25, 09:51, 10:00, 10:36
Duration: 1 Hours
Transfer from Playa del Carmen to TulumAccommodation:
Day 4: Merida, Mexico
Chichen Itza Day Trip (roundtrip from Merida)
Departure Time: 08:00, 08:10, 08:15, 08:20 hrs
Duration: 9.5 hrs
Upon arrival to Chichen Itza, a specialised guide will give you a detailed tour of the site, enjoying the quiet of the morning visit before the crowds. Throughout the tour, your guide will provide archaeological essential background to better understand the history of Chichen Itza.
Discover how this large pre-Columbian city played an important role in the Mayan civilization around 600 AD to 1200, and remained a center of worship and pilgrimage until the arrival of the Spaniards. Even today, it is still considered sacred by the Maya people of Yucatán Peninsula site. Like many of the cities of ancient Mexico, the site was abandoned, and its ruins were hidden by jungle. Hear how the site was discovered and excavated by archaeologists, earning the protection of UNESCO and today considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. They will explain the philosophy, cosmology and mythology behind this ancient place, such as the meaning of the stone carvings, pyramids, platforms, ball games. Visit the Temple of the Jaguars, the Temple of the Warriors and of course the famous pyramid, also known as the Temple of Kukulkan. Hear how a serpent of light seems going up the stairs of this temple in the spring and fall equinoxes (around March 21st & September 21st).
Guide: Included for the day
Accommodation:
Day 5: Merida, Mexico
Cenotes Underground Snorkel
Departure Time: 8:45 hrs
Duration: 7 hrs
Please make your own way to the meeting point in the centre of Merida and from there we'll move as the locals do. Walk trough the colonial streets of Merida to catch the local transportation that will take us to a traditional Mayan village. Take a motorbike ride and get into the jungle to find 3 different cenotes (sinkholes), you'll hear the stories and mysteries about this gorgeous subterranean world.
Swim and snorkel in these cenotes, and if you dare, try to reach the bottom and some other hidden places inside these beautiful caverns. After this refreshing time, you will continue your visit in the Mayan Village where you will learn about the traditional Mayan medicine and listen to a prayer in the Mayan language to show gratitude towards the spirits and guards of these places. A local family will give you a taste of local life using their ancient cooking skills to prepare the lunch you are going to taste. To finish your adventure day, take the local transport back to Merida and make your own way to your hotel, or if you want, feel free to stay longer on your own to explore more in this incredible land.
Guide: Included for the day
Accommodation:
Day 6: Merida - Palenque, Mexico
Merida to Palenque
Type: Bus
Times: 08:30, 22:00, 23:30
Duration: 9 hours
Transfer from Merida to Palenque
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Palenque.
Accommodation:
Day 7: Palenque - San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico
Palenque Ruins, Agua Azul & Misol-Ha Waterfalls (Palenque to San Cristobal)
Departure Time: 08:00 hrs
-Palenque Ruins-
The ancient Mayan city of Palenque is one of Mexico's most breath-taking archaeological parks surrounded by lush tropical forest and jungle. This site has a serene, mystical atmosphere. From the moment you enter, you feel engulfed by a sense of history, timelessness and awe. Explore the site on foot and climb up the pyramids for great views of the ancient city and the jungle. (approx. 3 1⁄2 hours)
-Agua Azul Waterfalls-
Rio Xumul-Ha (meaning River of Blue Water, or in Spanish, Agua Azul) features a series of torrential cascades and fast flowing waters rolling down a limestone ridge to form pools and small streams. Take a one-hour walk next to the falls in the breath-taking green valley and swim in one of the calm parts of the refreshing blue river. (approx. 2 1⁄2 hours)
-Misol-Ha Waterfall-
River Misol-Ha (meaning "Streaming Water"), in the "Chol Maya" tribe area of Chiapas, creates one of the state's most wonderful natural sights as the river glides off the edge of a cliff and 40 meters down into a deep pool of water surrounded by lush vegetation.
Guide: Included for the day
Accommodation:
Day 8: San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico
Sumidero Canyon Experience
Departure Time: 09:00 hrs
Duration: 6 hrs
This tour starts in the morning when we pick you up from your hostel and drive you 45 minutes from San Cristobal through the mountains along the scenic highway towards Tuxtla Gutierrez. Keep an eye out on the beautiful panoramic views as you drive through the clouds to reach the canyon. You will arrive at the colonial town of Chiapa de Corzo, from where you will embark on a boat trip that will take you on a 2-hour ride down the river, where the steep walls of the canyon tower overhead. Look out for stunning waterfalls, caves and the dramatic cliffs. You may have the chance to glimpse a crocodile and tons of other natural wildlife, especially birds. Take your last photos as we make our way back to the dock where we will meet our van again.
From here we will make the return trip to San Cristobal passing along the curvy mountain roads to reach the colonial town of San Cristobal. You will be dropped off in the city center so you can continue your day of sightseeing, shopping or popping into a local cafe for a fulfilling lunch on your own. From the city center, you can easy walk to your hotel.
Guide: Included for the day
Accommodation:
Day 9: San Cristobal de las Casas - Oaxaca, Mexico
San Cristobal de las Casas to Oaxaca
Type: Bus (Overnight)
Times: 11:30, 20:00, 21:20
Duration: 12.5 hours
Transfer from San Cristobal de las Casas to Oaxaca
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Oaxaca.
Accommodation:
Day 10: Oaxaca, Mexico
Monte Alban & Indigenous Villages Day Tour
Departure Time: 09:00 hrs
Duration: 9 hrs
This adventure begins at 9 a.m. when we pick you up at the hostel of your choice. You will visit the Monte Alban ruins, the greatest ancient capital built by the Zapotec culture and the most important archaeological site in Oaxaca.
Then, you will continue to Arrazola to visit a famous wood-carving village, where Alebrijes are made. Alebrijes are brightly coloured Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures.
Following this, you will visit Cuilapan de Guerrero, a 16th century Dominican ex-monastery. Lastly, you will stop in San Bartolo Coyotepec to visit the home of the popular regional black clay pottery.
Guide: Included for the day
Accommodation:
Day 11: Oaxaca, Mexico
Hierve El Agua, Mitla & Tule Day Trip:
Embark on an extraordinary adventure with the Hierve El Agua, Mitla & Tule Day Trip, where you'll be captivated by the wonders of Oaxaca's diverse landscape and rich cultural heritage.
Hierve El Agua:
Prepare to be amazed by the petrified waterfall of Hierve El Agua, a unique geological wonder formed by mineral-rich water flowing over the cliff's edge. This natural wonder has created a series of small, natural pools, providing visitors with a picturesque "amphitheater" setting to admire the breathtaking scenery.
Mitla:
Journey back in time as you explore the Zapotec ruins of Mitla, an ancient city that once served as a residence for the Zapotec priestly class. The city's name, meaning "Place of the Dead" in Nahuatl, and "Place of Burials" in Zapotec, echoes its historical significance.
Santa María El Tule:
Behold the majesty of the awe-inspiring ahuehuete cypress, "El Árbol del Tule," in Santa María. This monumental tree stands at a towering 40 meters in height with a diameter of 52.58 meters, weighing an astounding 509 tons. Believed to be approximately 2000 years old, this cypress is a remarkable example of Oaxacan flora.
Teotitlán del Valle:
Uncover the artistry of rug-making in Teotitlán del Valle, where artisans craft exquisite woolen rugs on domestic looms. Using traditional techniques and natural dyes such as indigo, moss, and grana cochinilla, they create intricate designs that reflect their cultural heritage.
Mezcal Factory:
Embark on a journey to a Mezcal factory and delve into the fascinating world of this iconic Mexican spirit. Derived from the agave plant, Mezcal is gaining popularity among connoisseurs worldwide. Discover the art of Mezcal production, and learn about the intricate process that yields this flavorful libation.
Guide: Included for the day
Accommodation:
Day 12: Oaxaca - Mexico City, Mexico
Oaxaca to Mexico City
Type: Bus
Times: 08:00, 09:30, 10:00, 12:00, 14:30, 15:30, 21:30, 22:00, 22:15, 22:30. 23:00, 23:15, 23:30, 23:59
Duration: 7 hours
Transfer from Oaxaca to Mexico City
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Mexico City.
Accommodation:
Day 13: Mexico City, Mexico
Hidden Teotihuacan & Meal
Ancient pyramids, town, local businesses, and a delicious meal... sounds like a recipe for an amazing day outside Mexico City!
Head out of Mexico City by public transit (depending on the size of the group), experiencing how locals move about this crowded city. Hop off at the archaeological area of the Teotihuacan pyramids, where you’ll learn about the people who once lived here and all the mysteries that still surround this site.
After exploring the pyramids, we’ll continue the day walking through the streets of a nearby town. Our first stop will take us into a family-run business where you will learn about ‘obsidian’, the material that the Teotihuacan people use as the main element to make their tools, idols, and decorations.
To finish our journey, we’ll visit a local family for a nice meal.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Lunch
Accommodation:
Day 14: Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City Markets & Food Experience
Make your own way to the meeting point. We will start our adventure in the subway to reach a relatively unknown market, even for some Mexicans. If you are into Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera story, you will definitely like this spot. Your expert guide will give you some fascinating facts about the history of the market from the first half of the 20th century, and you will learn about contemporary Mexican society as well.
Next we will head to the witchcraft market by public transportation. This market is one of the most unusual spots in Mexico City. You will be amazed with the variety of things, colours, sounds and smells you will find in this place. Admire colourful piñatas, eccentric costumes, curious voodoo dolls, magic potions and even the cure for a hangover.
After this unforgettable experience, we will walk to the subway to reach the biggest flower market in Mexico City, where you will find an incredibly diverse offer of the most exotic flowers. In the aisles of this amazing place you can also find fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as traditional food. As you walk along the market, you will find herbs, spices, fruit, vegetables, legumes, meat and fish among others. Sample traditional Mexican food and beverages such as tamales, mole, fresh fruit juice or tepache.
We will make one last stop at a local patio for the last sample of our tour. After this, we will drop you off at the meeting point, where our Mexico City markets adventure will come to an end.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Snacks
Accommodation:
Day 15: Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City Airport Transfer
Type: Shared Shuttle (Departure)
Times: 24hr
Transfer from Mexico City to Mexico City
Accommodation
Meals
Transport
Activities
Extras
Not Included
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