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Discover Maya ruins, colonial towns and a coastal paradise on this in-depth Mexican adventure.
This is our most comprehensive tour in Mexico. Having explored Mexico City and the great ruins of Teotihuacan, we discover the delights of Oaxaca before continuing southward to the town of San Cristobal, complete with its traditional Indian communities. The magnificent Palenque Maya ruins are next, along with the Yucatan Peninsula including stops in Merida and the Maya site of Chichen Itza. Finish on the powdery beaches of Playa del Carmen with your feet up and a margarita in hand.
- Start
- Mexico, Mexico
- Finish
- Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- Destination
- Mexico
- Style
- Peregrine
- Code
- PSMI
- Physical rating
- Trip rating
- 25 reviews
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Why you'll love this trip
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This is our most comprehensive trip in Mexico, rich in historical and cultural highlights
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Get up close and personal with the country's diverse heritage, from the extraordinary temples of Teotihuacan to the colourfully-dressed Maya folk of the hills of San Cristobal
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There's something for everyone in this trip, whether you're a history buff, nature-lover or Epicurean
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Compare Mexico City's street-food scene to the subtler forms found in Oaxaca
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Your 3-night Feature stay at Hotel Geneve in Mexico City is a property with more than 100 years of history. This elegant 'museum hotel' is located in the Pink zone, close to restaurants and shops
Is this trip right for you?
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Some included activities, such as guided tours of archaeological sites, can be strenuous. Be sure to bring comfortable and sturdy footwear.
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There are a few long days of travel, as you'll be covering a lot of ground. So be prepared for some driving. You will, however, make stops at interesting locations along your way to break things up.
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Due to sporadic Zapatista protests in the region around Palenque, some changes to day 8 of your itinerary may be necessary.
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The tropical climate of Central America means conditions can be hot and humid. Always carry plenty of water with you and stay hydrated, especially on walking tours.
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Itinerary
Accommodation
- Hotel Geneve or similar, Feature stay (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Mexico City - Leon Trotsky Museum - MXN40
- Mexico City - Frida Kahlo Museum (Cheaper for students, pensioners & on weekdays. Closed Mondays) - MXN200
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
This trip can be booked as part of a longer combination trip; Mexico & Cuba Highlights (PSCMC). As such, some of your fellow travellers may continue travelling to Cuba at the end of this trip. Please contact your booking agent if you wish to book or know more information on these longer combination trips.Accommodation
- Hotel Geneve or similar, Feature stay (1 night)
Included Activities
- Mexico City - National Museum of Anthropology
- Mexico City - Leader-led city tour of Historic center
- Mexico City - Metropolitan Cathedral
- Mexico City - National Palace and Diego Rivera murals
- Mexico City - Taco crawl
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Hotel Geneve or similar, Feature stay (1 night)
Included Activities
- Teotihuacan - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Mision de los Angeles or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Puebla - Visit Puebla on route to Oaxaca
- Oaxaca - Leader-led orientation walk
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Mision de los Angeles or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Oaxaca - Beeswax candle shop visit
- Mitla - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Oaxaca - Guided full-day tour including the Tule Tree, a Mezcal distillery, and lunch in a Zapoteca family home
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodation
- Hotel Parador Margarita or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Sumidero Canyon - Boat Excursion (Entrance & Transport)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that occasionally towards the end of dry season (November to April) the water level in Sumidero Canyon may become too low for us to safely take the boat tour. If our staff deem this activity to be unsafe, we will replace it with another included activity of similar value.Accommodation
- Hotel Parador Margarita or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- San Cristobal de las Casas - Leader-led city tour
- Maya village - San Juan Chamula Church (Entrance Fee)
- Maya village - Zinacantan church (Entrance fee)
- Zinacantan - Textile making interaction with Maya Community
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Chablis or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Agua Azul waterfall - Visit with option to swim (Entrance fee)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
Due to increased activity by the Zapatista movement in the region around Palenque, some changes to your itinerary may be necessary for your safety. The Zapatistas have recently been targeting tourists in order to draw attention to their cause. As a result, some transport to and from Palenque may need to be rerouted, which means longer travel times of up to 9 hours. Some activities, including the visit to Agua Azul waterfalls, will be unavailable until this situation is resolved. Alternative activities will be organised as required and explained by your tour leader at the welcome meeting. Currently there are no safety issues within the city of Palenque itself, or at the nearby Mayan archaeological site. We’re constantly monitoring this situation to ensure the safety of our passengers and leaders.Accommodation
- Hotel Castelmar or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Palenque - Archaeologist-led visit to Palenque Ruins (Entrance, Guide & Transport)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Castelmar or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Campeche - Leader-led city tour
Optional Activities
- Campeche - San Miguel Fort - Free
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Castellano or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Celestun Biosphere Reserve - Boat tour
- Merida - Leader-led orientation walk
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Castellano or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Merida - Regional Museum of Yucatan - MXN52
- Merida - Uxmal Ruins tour (inc. shared transport and guide) - MXN810
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Hacienda Paradise or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Chichen Itza - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Cenote I'kil - Fresh water rock pool with option to swim (Entrance fee & Transport)
- Playa del Carmen - Leader-led orientation walk
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodation
- Hotel Hacienda Paradise or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Playa del Carmen - Ferry to Cozumel (Round-trip) - MXN326
- Playa del Carmen - Half-day tour of Tulum Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport) - MXN800
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
14 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinnersTransport
Private vehicle, PlaneAccommodation
Hotel Feature stay (3 nights), Comfortable hotel (11 nights)Included Activities
- Mexico City - National Museum of Anthropology
- Mexico City - Leader-led city tour of Historic center
- Mexico City - Metropolitan Cathedral
- Mexico City - National Palace and Diego Rivera murals
- Mexico City - Taco crawl
- Teotihuacan - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Puebla - Visit Puebla on route to Oaxaca
- Oaxaca - Leader-led orientation walk
- Oaxaca - Beeswax candle shop visit
- Mitla - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Oaxaca - Guided full-day tour including the Tule Tree, a Mezcal distillery, and lunch in a Zapoteca family home
- Sumidero Canyon - Boat Excursion (Entrance & Transport)
- San Cristobal de las Casas - Leader-led city tour
- Maya village - San Juan Chamula Church (Entrance Fee)
- Maya village - Zinacantan church (Entrance fee)
- Zinacantan - Textile making interaction with Maya Community
- Agua Azul waterfall - Visit with option to swim (Entrance fee)
- Palenque - Archaeologist-led visit to Palenque Ruins (Entrance, Guide & Transport)
- Campeche - Leader-led city tour
- Celestun Biosphere Reserve - Boat tour
- Merida - Leader-led orientation walk
- Chichen Itza - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport)
- Cenote I'kil - Fresh water rock pool with option to swim (Entrance fee & Transport)
- Playa del Carmen - Leader-led orientation walk
Dates & availability
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Important notes
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. For the included internal flight ticket, please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking or at least 45 days prior to travel. Airline luggage restrictions will apply.
4. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.

Essential trip information
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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