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14 Day itinerary in Mexico, North America

Mexican Turquoise Waters Adventure

Discovering the northern zone of the Yucatan peninsula is not only knowing the wonder of the modern world Chichen Itzá. This trip will take you to discover the local communities, their gastronomy, traditions and culture, as well as incredible natural reserves full of exuberant vegetation and wildlif... Read More

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LauraCarlos

By Laura and Carlos

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Average
help_outline

Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English, Spanish, French

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

Cancún

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Kayaking

Hiking

Meet local people

Snorkeling/Diving

Historic & cultural landmarks

Travel with Purpose

Beach & Sea

Outdoors & Nature

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

Snorkeling in the second largest barrier reef in the world

2

Explore little-known cenotes

3

Kayakin, hiking and bird watching along 4 natural protected areas

4

Visit and workshop in a local community for the production of clay

Itinerary

Standard ($) expand_more

Day 1

place Arrival in Cancun - ¡Bienvenidos a México!

Welcome to Mexico! Pick up your rental car, before heading to your hotel in Puerto Morelos, to rest after your long flight. You will find yourself in Puerto Morelos, a small town that still resists the invasion of mass tourism, located between two of the most touristic cities in the region: Cancún and Playa del Carmen. Mainly made up of small hotels or beautiful apartments, its numerous restaurants will satisfy the most demanding palates, while its beach clubs will allow you to enjoy the Caribbean Sea under the shade of an umbrella, with a delicious cocktail in hand.

Accommodation:

  • Charm B&B Accomodation: Small family-owned B&B
  • Boutique Hotels: Deluxe Boutique Hotel
Day 2

place Snorkeling in Puerto Morelos

Today we have a very early activity! (Let's take advantage of the jet lag ;)). In fact, to maximize our chances of seeing turtles, we will meet with our captain between 7 and 8 in the morning to be among the first to enter the water and avoid more boats and tourists. If the turtles don't show up, they'll still have something to marvel at! The reefs are especially well preserved in this area and are home to many colorful species of fish, corals and crustaceans. You will have the opportunity to eat in one of the many small restaurants in Puerto Morelos after your activity, either with your feet in the sand and/or with a cocktail in hand. INCLUDED - Snorkeling in Puerto Morelos Characteristics of the activity Spanish and English bilingual captain Departure in a small group if other people reserve the same day (maximum 8 people). Count on approximately 2 hours of snorkeling (equipment included).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Charm B&B Accomodation: Small family-owned B&B
  • Boutique Hotels: Delux Boutique Hotel
Day 3

place Birdsong and crystal clear waters

A day surrounded by nature and turquoise waters. You can enjoy a relaxing morning inside one of the crystalline water cenotes on the route of the Puerto Morelos cenotes, to later enjoy a delicious meal in the port and then move to a 500-hectare private reserve, accompanied by a specialist biologist. in birds that will make them discover the beauties of the biodiversity of the Puerto Morelos area. INCLUDED Visit to the private Reserve for the observation of endemic and migratory birds of the region, accompanied by a biologist or specialist guide to identify the different specimens that can be observed. Finishing you can enjoy a small campfire for stargazing. Characteristics of the activity Spanish and English bilingual guide private group Count on approximately 2 hours of visit and walk in the reserve The tour begins before sunset to be able to observe a greater number of birds. IN OPTION - Cenote of Puerto Morelos Free visit to one of the cenotes of the Puerto Morelos cenotes route, we will suggest the most suitable and free of mass tourism, so you can have a quiet and relaxing morning inside these turquoise water cavities. Characteristics of the activity Free visit (admission is paid on site) The cenotes are less than 20 minutes from your lodging.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4

place Archaeological site and natural reserve of Coba

INCLUDED Visit to the archaeological site of Cobá (Possibility of discovering it by bicycle) The archaeological site of Cobá is very extensive, and you will discover the different buildings lost in the jungle by bicycle in the shade of the trees. Do you want to enjoy the landscape to the fullest? You can save energy by renting a tricycle, driven by a driver who will pedal for you. Your private guide in English will wait for you at the entrance of the enclosure for a 45-minute visit. Once the visit is over, you can rent a bicycle to explore the place. Tour Features Entrance to the archaeological site included English-speaking private guide included for a short 45-minute visit to the first part of the site Free time to explore the rest of the site by bike: 100 pesos for bike rental (about 5 euros). IN OPTION: Nature reserve managed by the local community This nature reserve is a hidden treasure in the jungle, far from mass tourism. Zip-lining, canoeing and hiking through the jungle are some of the activities that can be done with the help of the local community that has been in charge of preserving this area. What is the best thing about this natural jewel? This reserve is known to be home to many animals, and it is not uncommon to see two species of monkeys: spider monkeys and howler monkeys, often accompanied by their young! Cross your fingers and keep your eyes wide open. Tour Features Spanish and English speaking local guide. Count on 1h30 to 2h of activities in total, depending on the location of the monkeys. The zip line is not mandatory. Warning: access to the sacred cenote is through a vertical ladder, using a harness and the climb can be a bit heavy (in any case, it will be secured at all times). Access is suitable for children, as they climb them. The visit to the cenote is not mandatory. Note: As the monkeys are in an extensive natural reserve, it is not 100% guaranteed that you will see them during the tour. Rate: 350 Mexican pesos per person.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5

place Discover the Sian Ka'an Nature Reserve

You will drift with the current through a relaxing floatation session, to reach the last lagoon, known to be the favorite playground of the manatees. At the end, they will have lunch at the community center. INCLUDED - Boat tour of the Sian Ka'an Nature Reserve You will discover the Sian Ka'an Nature Reserve with a boat ride through the mangrove swamp, through the ancient Mayan canals built more than 1,000 years ago and connecting the different lagoons. You will have the opportunity to cross one of them with a floating session, to spend a moment in total harmony with nature. You may be lucky enough to see many species of birds, crocodiles, but especially manatees in the last lagoon. Characteristics of the activity: English and Spanish speaking guide from the local community Visit in small groups of maximum 8 people Approximately 6 hours of tour in total Food at the community center included Schedule established by the community center according to the restrictions of the reservation and the weather conditions.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Lunch

Day 6

place Workshops with the local community

Its objective is to (re)discover pottery through a workshop where you can put your skills to the test, under the wise advice of the father and two sons, specialists in the field. As the family has different specialties, you will also have the opportunity to discover pre-Hispanic instruments or the medicinal plants found in the surrounding jungle, depending on the availability of the family on the day of your visit. A day in total contact with the local community, learning the ancestral traditions that the Espadas family wishes to preserve at all costs and wants them to discover. INCLUDED Pottery workshop within the facilities of the local family, which will provide you with all the necessary materials to learn how to make a clay figure. Tour Features: The workshop time may vary according to what is scheduled to be done, but count on a minimum of 2 hours Private guide from the local community (English and Spanish) included All equipment needed for the workshop included There may be the option of micro-workshops for musical instruments and/or medicinal plants.

Day 7

place Chichen Itza, a wonder of the modern world

After breakfast, you will depart for Chichen Itza, an important archaeological site in the Yucatan. This essential place of the post-classic period of Mayan history invites you to a true journey through time, together with the legendary feathered serpent Kukulkan. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to take a dip in one of the area's cenotes, the famous freshwater pools for which the Peninsula is famous! Afterwards, we will go to Mérida: capital of Yucatán, it is a very lively city, where the shows that are organized in the street will make you discover the true Mexican folklore. INCLUDED - Guided visit to Chichen Itza Discover the archaeological site of Chichen Itza with your specialized guide. Tour Features: Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours. English speaking private guide Entrance to the archaeological site included" OPTIONAL: Discover a cenote We will get away from the usual paths to discover a beautiful cenote, characterized by the presence of lianas that come to absorb its clear waters. Rate: 150 pesos per person, about 7.5 euros. Possibility of ziplining or rappelling over the cenote paying a supplement on the spot.

Guide: Included for the day

Day 8

place Expedition to the mangroves and an unusual picnic on the Yucatecan coast

Discover the hidden treasures of a Yucatecan coastal town in the mangrove swamp. You will start the day with a short kayak ride (keep your eyes open, it is possible to observe several species of birds, sometimes even pink flamingos) to reach the freshwater channels that flow into the mangrove. These lead to a crystal clear spring, where you can swim and enjoy the clarity of the water with a mask and snorkel. To regain strength, a small picnic will be prepared for you. A day in total contact with nature, far from civilization. INCLUDED Excursion to the mangroves Characteristics of the activity: Small group tour Excursion of approximately 4.5 hours (departure in the morning, around 8:00 am: anticipate an early departure from Mérida with a journey of 1h15) Guide in Spanish and English The necessary equipment for the activities includes: kayak, mask and snorkel, life jacket (mandatory). Picnic included - If the size of the group (minimum 6 people) and the weather conditions allow it, it is possible to picnic on a small sandbar that forms in the morning a few hundred meters from the coast. Important note: The crystal-clear water spring is connected to underground rivers and, depending on the rainfall of the previous days and the tides, the transparency of its waters may be affected.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Lunch

Day 9

place Time travel to Uxmal

The route to the south of Mérida will take you to discover the archaeological site of Uxmal, dedicated mainly to the rain god Chaac. Most of the buildings are still buried in the vegetation and this site is often the favorite of our travelers. The afternoon will be reserved for a visit to the Eco Museum of Chocolate, where you will discover in a playful way the making of chocolate, as well as its history. You can also taste the traditional Mayan recipe, an authentic delight! This open-air museum made up of small Mayan huts is also a refuge for the animals of the region that are rehabilitated or that can no longer be released into the wild, so you will have the opportunity to observe monkeys and jaguars up close and discover their story with their caregivers. INCLUDED - Guided visit to Uxmal Discover the archaeological site of Uxmal, accompanied by a private guide in English and be amazed by the legends of the rain god, Chaac. Characteristics of the visit Duration: Approximately 1 hour of visit. English-speaking private guide included. Entrance to the archaeological site included. INCLUDED - Entrance to the Eco Museum of Chocolate Characteristics of the route Duration: Approximately 1 hour. The visit is free. Information panels in English and Spanish. Open-air museum made up of small Mayan huts.

Guide: Included for the day

Day 10

place Cenotes with ancestral traditions

The adventure continues with a day in the cenotes near Mérida, those famous natural wells with turquoise waters. Although the cenotes in the area are magnificent, it is the means of transportation to get to them that characterizes the ones you will visit: it is with the help of a horse-drawn cart (formerly used to transport cactus leaves known as henequen). that you reach the 3 cenotes in the area. Henequen fibers, nicknamed "the green gold of Yucatan", were used in ancient times to make ropes, rugs, hats, etc. With the appearance of new materials, more resistant and less expensive, the henequen lost its splendor and its exploitation fields became tourist. At the end of the day, we head to Valladolid, a charming colonial city with a nice historic center. OPTIONAL Discovery of Cenotes Characteristics of the activity: Spanish cart driver (member of the local community). The visit lasts between 3.5 and 4 hours. A 9 kilometer wagon ride to discover the three cenotes. Access to one of the cenotes is through a vertical staircase, with a tunnel-shaped metal protection: our youngest adventurer was 4 years old, we only recommend the descent accompanied by an adult. One of the cenotes is similar to a cave: it is not recommended for claustrophobic people. Prices: Wagon for 4 people: 600 Mexican pesos, about 30 euros, to be paid on the spot.

Day 11

place Easy day in Valladolid

The day will be free and it will allow you to have several options in case you feel like more adventures: - The visit to the Ek Balam site (located about 30 minutes north of Valladolid) and its cenote (you can rappel there!) - The visit of Cenote Zaci, located in the heart of Valladolid - Enjoy a delicious meal in a restaurant with a renowned chef that has delighted travelers from all over the world, despite being located in a small town on the outskirts of Valladolid. - A visit to one of the nearby cenotes, located in a family reserve, whose owners are dedicated to its conservation and which will offer you an excellent option off the beaten track. At night, a night ride on an electric scooter awaits you to discover the city of Valladolid in a fun way. INCLUDED - Electric scooter ride around Valladolid Enjoy a pleasant electric scooter ride through Valladolid to discover the emblematic places of the city in a playful way. Stop in front of the most beautiful monuments of the city, but also discover a beekeeping center run by a local family that tries to preserve Mayan traditions and that will introduce you to the Melipona bee, endemic to the region, which is characterized by not have a sting and for its delicious honey. The tour ends with a light and sound show projected on the city's convent, which tells the story of Valladolid. Characteristics of the activity Guide in Spanish and English Equipment included: Scooter, helmet and reflective vest The route starts at 7:00 p.m. and ends at 10:00 p.m. Although rare, the tour can be done in small groups (maximum 10 people total) if others book on the same day."

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Day 12

place El Cuyo white sand & beach

A small town in the north of the Peninsula awaits you with a white sand beach and a calm blue sea. This day is to enjoy your hotel and a free walk along the beach of this paradisiacal and quiet place, far from mass tourism. Enjoy a local meal and some delicious cocktails in the bar of your hotel. You will have the day off to enjoy yourself and the beach.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 13

place El Cuyo- On the traces of the Jaguar

A day of exploration in a private reserve, where camera traps have often been installed to count and observe wildlife. It is here where different specimens of Panthera Onca (Jaguar) and various mammals have been observed, thanks to its channels and wetlands, as well as thanks to the protection of its ecosystem. You can enjoy a small tour in a 4x4 vehicle, as well as a kayak ride to watch endemic and migratory birds. Always accompanied by a local expert guide in birding and conservation. INCLUDED Visit to the Private Reserve Characteristics of the activity: Guide in Spanish and English Approximately 4 hours of travel 4x4 vehicle ride and kayak - It is not necessary to be in good physical condition for this activity. Equipment included.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

Day 14

place Return flight - Hasta luego!

It's time to say goodbye to Mexico before heading to the airport to board your flight home. Happy journey! You will return your rental car at the airport after taking the road from El Cuyo to Cancun. Plan your time well in order to have at least 3 hours before your flight. Happy return home!

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • Small family-owned B&B
  • Deluxe Boutique Hotel
  • Delux Boutique Hotel

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (7)
  • Lunch (2)

Transport expand_less

  • Car rental for 14 days

Activities expand_less

  • Snorkeling in Puerto Morelos
  • Visit to the private Reserve for the observation of endemic and migratory birds of the region
  • Visit to the archaeological site of Cobá
  • Boat tour of the Sian Ka'an Nature Reserve
  • Pottery workshop within the facilities of the local family
  • Guided visit to Chichen Itza
  • Excursion to the mangroves and picnic in Sisal
  • Guided visit to Uxmal
  • Electric scooter ride around Valladolid
  • Visit to the Private Reserve in El Cuyo

Extras expand_less

  • Visitor's tax (Visitax)
  • On-site travel assistance service
  • Travel documents (your itinerary and cultural handbook, including information of México)

Not Included expand_less

  • International flight (and airport fees)
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips during meals (10-15% of the bill) and tips for local guides
  • Breakfasts, lunches and dinners not mentioned in the programme
  • Additional hotel costs (telephone, washing machine, etc.)
  • All activities not mentioned in the programme
  • All activities are preceded by the words "Optional" or "In Option"
  • Costs related to car rental in the Yucatán Peninsula: gas, tolls, and parking
  • Additional insurance for the rental car (not obligatory under certain conditions)

About Laura

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Expertise: 

Meet local people

Rural home stays

Snorkeling/Diving

Indigenous culture

Travel with Purpose

Outdoors & Nature

Classic Sights

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FROM PRICE PER TRAVELER

$2,592.00 USD