Operated by G Adventures

Yucatan & Cancún: Merida, Mayan Ruins, & Beachside Livin'

From

CAD 1,329

Duration

9 days

Countries

Mexico

Activity

easy

Group size

Max 24

The adventure

What’s the best way to top off your Yucatán adventure? Pshh, that’s easy: add a stop in Cancún! With some of Mexico’s best hostels as your home, explore the Yucatan Peninsula on this nine-day adventure that wraps up with beachside days in Cancún. Kicking off in Merida, visit the jungle for a swim in crystal clear cenotes. Next, go on a guided tour of the massive Mayan site of Chichen Itzá before descending into a cenote for an epic dinner of local dishes cooked over a fire. After a couple of days in chilled-out Tulum, head to Cancún for an insider's tour away from the resorts, and spend your free time relaxing at the beach, your hostel, or doing all sorts of optional activities.

Arrive at any time, and kick back at the hostel or head out to explore the city before meeting up with fellow Roamies in the evening. Later on, head to one of the many bars and restaurants near the hostel for some eats and make sure to check out the main plaza at night.

Ok, so every day on this trip is amazing but we'll venture to say that this one is ridiculous. You'll explore some of the many cenotes in the area, giant sinkholes in the earth formed by underground freshwater rivers. Hop on a bike to cycle between a few of them and swim in the crystal-clear waters to take a break from the heat. After a yummy lunch, return to Mérida and spend the rest of the day wandering the city or relaxing in a hammock at the hostel. Sound about right?

Day by day

Scenic aerial view of a Mexican town with mountains at twilight.

Your journey through

Mexico

Showing Days 1-7

9-day itinerary

Day 1Arrival dayArrivalArrive at any time, and kick back at the hostel or head out to explore the city before meeting up with fellow Roamies in the evening. Later on, head to one of the many bars and restaurants near the hostel for some eats and make sure to check out the main plaza at night.

Day 2OkMérida

Mérida

Day 3Ready for another epic day? Keep your sunscreen…

Ready for another epic day? Keep your sunscreen and the camera handy today as you'll be checking a major bucket item off of your list. Head into the jungle to the massive Mayan ruins of Chichen Itzá for a guided tour and time to walk around on your own. Then continue to Valladolid to drop off your stuff at the hostel and chill for a bit before heading out for dinner, where you’ll learn about the Mayas and have a chance to devour a spread of delicious Yucatan dishes cooked over the fire, like pollo pibil and tamales with fresh handmade tortillas.

Day 4Pile into the bus and head…

Pile into the bus and head to the white sand and turquoise waters of the Mayan Riviera. But before you hit the beach we have more ruins to see - Tulum! The only of the Mayan temples to be built right next to the ocean, you will be filling your feed with jaw-dropping photos in no time. Spend the rest of the day on the beach, hanging out at the hostel or at one of the many bars and cafes in town.

Day 5The beach at Tulum is pretty stellar that's…

The beach at Tulum is pretty stellar that's for sure, and today is yours to do with it what you want. Feeling active and want to explore more? Go snorkelling at the natural waterpark of Xel-Há or visit some more cenotes. Feeling the ocean vibes instead? Stay local and hit the beach before shoring up at the hostel bar for a cold beverage. After dinner head to one of the beach clubs to dance the night away under the stars.

Day 6Squeeze in a bit more beach time…Cancún

Cancún

Squeeze in a bit more beach time in Tulum before heading north to Playa del Carmen in the late morning. Have lunch at El Hongo, a community project that supports youth art initiatives that also happens to have delicious food. After, take some time to browse the shops along the vibrant pedestrian strip of "la quinta." Next stop, Cancún - where more beach, adventure and nightlife await! Check into the comfy hostel in the hotel zone and laze about by the pool with a cold beverage before deciding what's on for the evening.

Day 7Day trip! Head away from the tourists…Cancún

Cancún

Day trip! Head away from the tourists into the jungle of the Yucatán to a local community. You'll learn all about the delicious regional cuisine and help prepare some of the dishes before scarfing it down on the spot for lunch. Later, top it all off with a swim in a nearby cenote to cool off from the midday heat. Don’t worry, you’ll still have time to hit the beach or hang out at the hostel pool when we get back to Cancún in the afternoon.

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