The Heart of Mexico

The adventure

<p>Discover Mexico through the places, people and traditions that define it. From Mexico City’s historic heart and the canals of Xochimilco to San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Guadalajara and Tequila, this journey connects you with the country’s Aztec heritage, regional flavors and living culture. Stay in a restored colonial building, meet local hosts, make tortillas by hand, learn the craft of alebrijes and visit the birthplace of tequila. Along the way, explore landmark sites, vibrant towns and the stories that continue to shape Mexico today.</p>

At a glance

Day by day

Your journey through

Mexico

Showing Days 1-7

10-day itinerary

Day 1Bienvenido MexicoWelcome to Mexico City, the country’s capital and largest city, built on the site of the former Aztec capital and shaped by centuries of change. On arrival, transfer to your Stays with Stories experience, the Histórico Central Hotel, a restored 18th-century colonial building in the heart of the historic district. Meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers before heading to a local restaurant for dinner.

Welcome to Mexico City, the country’s capital and largest city, built on the site of the former Aztec capital and shaped by centuries of change. On arrival, transfer to your Stays with Stories experience, the Histórico Central Hotel, a restored 18th-century colonial building in the heart of the historic district. Meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers before heading to a local restaurant for dinner.

Day 2Mexico City Sightseeing and CoyoacánExplore Mexico City’s UNESCO-listed historic center, starting at Plaza de la Constitución, better known as the Zócalo. See the Metropolitan Cathedral, then visit the National Palace to view Diego Rivera’s murals, which trace Mexico’s history across its walls. Continue to Templo Mayor, the remains of the great temple of the former Aztec capital. Later, drive to Coyoacán for lunch at leisure before a self-guided visit to Frida Kahlo’s Blue House. This evening is yours to spend at leisure in Mexico City.

Mexico City

Explore Mexico City’s UNESCO-listed historic center, starting at Plaza de la Constitución, better known as the Zócalo. See the Metropolitan Cathedral, then visit the National Palace to view Diego Rivera’s murals, which trace Mexico’s history across its walls. Continue to Templo Mayor, the remains of the great temple of the former Aztec capital. Later, drive to Coyoacán for lunch at leisure before a self-guided visit to Frida Kahlo’s Blue House. This evening is yours to spend at leisure in Mexico City.

Day 3Experience XochimilcoMexico CityTravel to the Xochimilco canals for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and board a private trajinera to a working chinampa. Here, local hosts are helping revive a 1,000-year-old farming system while supporting Mexico City’s green spaces and the endangered axolotl. After learning more about this unique landscape, enjoy a regional meal made with ingredients grown on the chinampa before returning to Mexico City.

Mexico City

Travel to the Xochimilco canals for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and board a private trajinera to a working chinampa. Here, local hosts are helping revive a 1,000-year-old farming system while supporting Mexico City’s green spaces and the endangered axolotl. After learning more about this unique landscape, enjoy a regional meal made with ingredients grown on the chinampa before returning to Mexico City.

Day 4The Valley of Mexico to San Miguel de AllendeVisit the Basilica de Guadalupe, one of the world’s most important Catholic pilgrimage sites. Continue to Teotihuacán, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where a Local Specialist leads your visit through one of Mexico’s most significant archaeological sites. Walk along the Avenue of the Dead and see the Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon, then explore the Temple of Quetzalpapálotl, known for its detailed carvings. As you explore, gain insight into the history and significance of this ancient city. After lunch at leisure, travel to San Miguel de Allende, where your evening is free.

Visit the Basilica de Guadalupe, one of the world’s most important Catholic pilgrimage sites. Continue to Teotihuacán, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where a Local Specialist leads your visit through one of Mexico’s most significant archaeological sites. Walk along the Avenue of the Dead and see the Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon, then explore the Temple of Quetzalpapálotl, known for its detailed carvings. As you explore, gain insight into the history and significance of this ancient city. After lunch at leisure, travel to San Miguel de Allende, where your evening is free.

Day 5Discover San Miguel de AllendeJoin your Travel Director for a walking tour through the UNESCO World Heritage Site San Miguel de Allende, exploring colonial streets, hidden courtyards and local corners along the way. See the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, known for its pink neo-Gothic spires, then join an Optional Experience for a hands-on papier-mache workshop with the Trejo family, who have practised the art of paper-mache for four generations. In a hands-on workshop, make your own alebrije or mask while learning the techniques behind this distinctive craft. After lunch at leisure, the rest of the day is free to explore more of San Miguel de Allende.

Join your Travel Director for a walking tour through the UNESCO World Heritage Site San Miguel de Allende, exploring colonial streets, hidden courtyards and local corners along the way. See the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, known for its pink neo-Gothic spires, then join an Optional Experience for a hands-on papier-mache workshop with the Trejo family, who have practised the art of paper-mache for four generations. In a hands-on workshop, make your own alebrije or mask while learning the techniques behind this distinctive craft. After lunch at leisure, the rest of the day is free to explore more of San Miguel de Allende.

Day 6Through Sierra de GuanajuatoTravel through the Sierra de Guanajuato to the city of Guanajuato, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its hillside setting, narrow lanes and colorful architecture. On arrival, join your Travel Director for an orientation of the city, getting your bearings among its plazas, alleyways and historic buildings. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. You may choose to visit museums, walk the city’s winding streets or take in views from one of its hilltop lookouts. Later, you can choose to join an Optional Experience, walking Guanajuato’s alleys with student musicians as they perform traditional songs and recount local legends.

Travel through the Sierra de Guanajuato to the city of Guanajuato, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its hillside setting, narrow lanes and colorful architecture. On arrival, join your Travel Director for an orientation of the city, getting your bearings among its plazas, alleyways and historic buildings. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. You may choose to visit museums, walk the city’s winding streets or take in views from one of its hilltop lookouts. Later, you can choose to join an Optional Experience, walking Guanajuato’s alleys with student musicians as they perform traditional songs and recount local legends.

Day 7Continue to GuadalajaraJoin your hosts at Casa Carbonera for a Be My Guest experience centered on one of Guanajuato’s best-known regional dishes. Learn to make tortillas by hand, then sit down to a three-course meal with wine featuring enchiladas mineras, while hearing more about the family business and the traditions behind the kitchen. Later, continue to Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco and one of Mexico’s best-known centers of mariachi and regional culture, where the evening is free for you to explore.

Guadalajara

Join your hosts at Casa Carbonera for a Be My Guest experience centered on one of Guanajuato’s best-known regional dishes. Learn to make tortillas by hand, then sit down to a three-course meal with wine featuring enchiladas mineras, while hearing more about the family business and the traditions behind the kitchen. Later, continue to Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco and one of Mexico’s best-known centers of mariachi and regional culture, where the evening is free for you to explore.

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