Yucatan Peninsula Adventure

Hola! Welcome to Playa del Carmen – a popular resort town famed for its coral reef and sparkling warm waters. You’ll meet your leader and fellow travellers at the welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, why not spend the day lounging on the beach with a good book? You could also head to Dos Ojos Cenote and take a dip at the incredible turquoise freshwater swimming hole, or jump on a local ferry to explore the nearby island of Cozumel. When the introductions are out of the way, experience your first Mexican meal of the trip at an optional dinner with the group.

Depart early, travelling by private vehicle towards Merida, learning some Spanish phrases from your leader on the way. You’ll stop at Chichen Itza – one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, for a guided tour. This is perhaps the most famous Maya site in Mexico, dominated by the Temple of Kukulkan (El Castillo), a Mesoamerican step-pyramid. Afterward, head to the local Piste community. You’ll spend time with the locals – perhaps trying out some of your Spanish – while sampling traditional Yucatecan cuisine. Then take a cooling dip in one of the region’s lesser-known cenotes: Yokdzonot. Operated by a cooperative set up by local women, your visit will support their efforts to empower their Mayan community. When you arrive in Merida – the charming capital of the Yucatan region – get your bearings on an orientation walk with your leader. Wander the centuries-old streets and take in the grand buildings, learn about the town’s Maya heritage and swing by Mercado 60 – a buzzing food market with great margaritas and live music.

Your day is free for you to explore the many sights of Merida. You could visit the Regional Museum of Yucatan, located within the pretty Palacio Canton, chill out in the shady Plaza Grande admiring the 16th-century cathedral or seek out cochinita pibil, a slow-roasted, citrus-marinated pork dish that's a Yucatan speciality. Alternatively, head to the Celestún Biosphere Reserve, a protected wetland home to vibrant birdlife, and explore its waterways while keeping an eye out for flamingos and other local wildlife. Merida is a people-pleaser when it comes to nightlife and has something for all tastes, whether you’re after a low-key bar, cultural show or some live music and dancing.

Drive to the coast to Campeche. On the way, visit one of Mexico's best-preserved Maya sites in Uxmal. Spend two hours here exploring the ruins with a local guide and see the impressive Pyramid of the Magician and the decorative details of the Governor’s Palace. Take the opportunity to climb one of the pyramids for amazing views of the surrounding area. After, stop in the town of Becal (the Hat Town), where you’ll meet with an artisan who works in a cave to weave the traditional jipi hats and learn about the process. When you arrive in Campeche, head out on a leader-led orientation walk to get your bearings. For dinner tonight, you’ll find good seafood restaurants at Portales de San Martin.

Rise and shine for the long cross-peninsular drive to Bacalar today. Bacalar is said to be the first settlement of the Itza tribe, who would go on to create Chichen Itza. Today it’s a quiet spot to sit back, relax and take in the surrounding nature. When you're there, take a short leader-led orientation walk to get your bearings, followed by a free afternoon and evening to relax after a long travel day. Cerveza, anyone?

This morning, head out on a half-day boat tour of Lake Bacalar. Also known as the Lake of Seven Colours – thanks to the various stunning shades of blue it adopts throughout the day – you’ll explore the different cenotes and islands that make up the lagoon including plenty of stops for swims along the way! Return to town around midday. The rest of the day is then free for you to uncover more cenotes or sit back and relax in Bacalar. You could visit Cenote Azul – a beautiful fresh water rockpool, perfect for swimming. Alternatively, choose to spend time with a Bacalar family and discover how one of the region's most versatile ingredients is used. Learn traditional coconut-processing techniques, see homemade products being prepared, and finish with a tasting of fresh coconut treats.

Enjoy a free morning relaxing around Bacalar’s lake before heading in a private vehicle towards Tulum. Along the way, you’ll visit the Tulum archaeological ruins that sit on the cliffs of the Yucatan Peninsula. With a local guide, explore the pre-Colombian Mayan walled city which served as a major port for Coba. Carry on to the town of Tulum and when you arrive, take an orientation walk with your leader. There may be time to fit in a visit to another cenote or find a bar to keep working on that Spanish with the locals. In the evening, why not get the group together for a final meal to say farewell and ‘salud’ to Mexico.