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12 Day itinerary in Mexico, North America

Mexico Highlights (from Mexico City) Express Travel Pass

Discover Mexico's vibrant culture and stunning landscapes with an unforgettable journey that starts in Mexico City. Explore ancient pyramids at Teotihuacan, bask in the charm of Oaxaca, and embrace the natural beauty of Chiapas. Experience colorful markets, rich history, and traditional cuisine. Ide... Read More

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Bamba Travel Inc

By Bamba Travel Inc

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Easy
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Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

Mexico City

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Backpacking

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

See the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza

2

Marvel at the rock formations at Hierve El Agua

3

Dine with a local family at Teotihuacan

Itinerary

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Day 1

place Day 1: Mexico City, Mexico

Teotihuacan Early Morning Tour

Departure Time: 6:20

Duration: 8 hrs

Embark on a mystical journey to the "City of the Gods," Teotihuacan, before the tour groups from Mexico City arrive. Explore the impressive archaeological site in peace and tranquility as you visit its different structures, squares, and murals, surrounded by a magical and mystical atmosphere.

Your experience is enhanced by a knowledgeable guide who shares stories, history, and updates on the latest discoveries at the site. Immerse yourself in the culture of ancient Mexico with a stop at a local Teotihuacan family's obsidian workshop, where you'll sample cactus-based liqueurs and traditional Mexican spirits like tequila, mezcal, and pulque.

Cap off your day with a delightful lunch experience (not included), where you can savor a variety of traditional Mexican dishes and flavors.

Day 2

place Day 2: Oaxaca, Mexico

Mexico City to Oaxaca

Type: Bus

Time: 00:10, 09:00, 10:00, 23:00

Duration: 7 Hours

Transfer from Mexico City to Oaxaca

Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Oaxaca.

Day 3

place Day 3: Oaxaca, Mexico

Hike through Hierve el Agua

Departure Time: 7:00

Departure Days:  Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday

Duration: 9 hrs

Join us on a tour of Hierve el Agua, a popular tourist destination in the Mexican state of Oaxaca known for its tall petrified waterfalls made of carbonated water and natural springs. During the tour, you'll have the chance to swim in the crystal-clear pools, take guided walks through the trails, and learn about the tradition of mezcal making while sampling different flavors. We'll also visit the Zapotec weavers town of Teotitlan del Valle, where skilled artisans use ancient techniques to create and paint stunning rugs inspired by famous artists. Hierve el Agua is located in the Sierra Madre mountain range and is about 50 kilometers from the city of Oaxaca.

Day 4

place Day 4: Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca to San Cristobal de las Casas

Type: Bus (Overnight)

Time: 19:00, 21:00, 22:30

Duration: 12 Hours

Transfer from Oaxaca to San Cristobal de las Casas
Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to San Cristobal de las Casas.

Day 5

place Day 5: San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico

Free Day
Enjoy a free day to experience on your own

Day 6

place Day 6: Palenque, Mexico

San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque

Type: Bus

Time: 12:00

Duration: 9 Hours

Transfer from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque

Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Palenque.

Day 7

place Day 7: Palenque, Mexico

Palenque Ruins, Agua Azul & Misol-Ha Waterfalls (from/to Palenque)

Departure Time: 08:00

Duration: 11 hrs

You will be picked up early in the morning and transferred to the Palenque ruins. You will have 3 hours and 30 minutes to visit these beautiful ruins hidden in the jungle. Then you will be transferred to Misol-ha where you will spend 45 minutes. The last stop will be at Agua Azul where you will have 2 hour and 30 minutes to freely explore this beautiful area. After seeing these 3 beautiful attractions, you will be taken back to Palenque and dropped off at your accommodation.
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. Swim in the deliciously refreshing water and be impressed by the sight of the fall from below. A small walkway will take you behind the water curtain created by the waterfall where you can walk inside the caves. (approx. 30 - 45 minutes)

Day 8

place Day 8: Merida, Mexico

Palenque to Merida

Type: Bus

Time: 08:30, 20:45, 22:00

Duration: 9 Hours

Transfer from Palenque to Merida

Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Merida.

Day 9

place Day 9: Merida, Mexico

Chichen Itza Day Trip (from Merida to Tulum)

Departure Time: 08:00, 08:10, 08:15, 08:20

Duration: 11.5 hrs

Chichen Itza is one of the most well-preserved Maya archaeological sites in the country and once stood as a mighty citadel of the Maya civilization in the 9th and 10th centuries A.D., serving as its political and economic center. One of its most legendary structures is the Kukulkan pyramid, also known as El Castillo, which is a giant Maya calendar with exactly 365 steps divided among 4 staircases and the pyramid’s highest platform. During both equinoxes (around March 21st; September 21st) the sun’s shadow cast on this pyramid at a perfect angle creates the illusion of a serpent creeping its way along the structure’s northern staircase.

Don’t miss the Gran Juego de Pelota, in which ancient Maya warriors battled to the death in this ceremonial game. Check out the acoustics of the structure by holding a conversation with someone standing 135 meters away at the opposite end of the field and the stone carvings of players in action. Feel the spirit of the Maya world by standing here admiring this unique and majestic construction that was once of monumental importance to the former inhabitants here.

Other impressive structures you can’t miss are the Plataforma de los Craneos (Skull Platform) and the Cenote Sagrado (Sacred Cave). Check out the impressive stone carvings on other pyramids and temples of jaguars, flowers, birds, trees, eagles and among the more gruesome, human sacrifices and human hearts in the clutches of bird claws. The observatory, El Caracol, named The Snail for its spiral staircase, was once an important point from which priests determined important dates for ceremonies and rituals.

Day 10

place Day 10: Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Tulum to Playa del Carmen

Type: Bus

Time: 08:10, 10:20, 11:20, 11:30, 13:00, 14:20, 15:20, 16:30, 17:35, 18:45, 19:20, 20:20, 21:25, 22:20, 23:57

Duration: 1 Hours

Transfer from Tulum to Playa del Carmen

Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Playa del Carmen.

Day 11

place Day 11: Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Free Day

Enjoy a free day to experience on your own

Day 12

place Day 12: Cancun, Mexico

Playa del Carmen to Cancun

Type: Bus

Time: Every 30 minutes from 07:00 to 23:10

Duration: 1.5 Hours

Transfer from Playa del Carmen to Cancun

Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Cancun.

What’s Included

Transport expand_less

  • Oaxaca to San Cristobal de las Casas
  • San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque
  • Palenque to Merida
  • Tulum to Playa del Carmen
  • Playa del Carmen to Cancun
  • Mexico City to Oaxaca

Activities expand_less

  • Hike through Hierve el Agua
  • Palenque Ruins, Agua Azul & Misol-Ha Waterfalls (from/to Palenque)
  • Chichen Itza Day Trip (from Merida to Tulum)

Not Included expand_less

  • Accommodations
  • Personal Expenses
  • Meals / Drinks
  • Guide throughout the trip
  • Travel Insurance

About Bamba Travel Inc

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