22-Day Mexico Adventure from Mexico City to Tulum and Chichén Itzá

• Important departure info
  • Arrival airport: Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México, MEX. Free transfer to our joining hotel. Please tell us your flight number and arrival time.
  • Pre-departure meeting: 6 pm at Hotel Marlow reception, Av. Independencia 17 - Cuauhtémoc, Centro - Ciudad de México.
• Vibrant and multifaceted, Mexico City keeps secrets between its streets that have shaped the nation. Today, we will have a meeting to explain everything about our next adventure. After that, we will go out for our first group dinner. Get ready to explore downtown and taste your first local delicacies!
  • Activity: Explore Mexico City's downtown
  • Meals: Not included
  • Facilities: Hotel Marlow, Wi-Fi, ATM, exchange, laundry. Our hotel is in front of Bellas Artes Theatre, very close to El Zócalo, the Cathedral, and the Templo Mayor.
  • Airport transfer: Around 0.5 h / 15 km

• Today, we will visit Coyoacán. This colonial neighbourhood in the south of Mexico City is home to Frida Kahlo's house, now the Museo Casa Azul. After visiting the museum, we will have lunch at a typical market. Then, we will explore the ancient channels of Xochimilco and enjoy a

• Today, we will visit Coyoacán. This colonial neighbourhood in the south of Mexico City is home to Frida Kahlo's house, now the Museo Casa Azul. After visiting the museum, we will have lunch at a typical market. Then, we will explore the ancient channels of Xochimilco and enjoy a "Trajinera Boat ride".
• Please be flexible today with traffic, as it can take a long time to cover short distances. We may use local transport instead of our van if we see that it will take less time to move around the city.
  • Included activities
    • Explore Coyoacán neighbourhood and Frida Kahlo's House
    • Join a "Trajinera Boat" in the lake of Xochimilco (drinks on your own)
  • Included meals: Breakfast
  • Facilities: Hotel Marlowe. Wi-Fi, ATM and exchange
  • Route: Up to 4.5 h / 70 km (heavily depending on the traffic)

• Today, we have a full driving day to Oaxaca. This is one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico. Its majestic churches and refined plazas have earned it a UNESCO World Heritage badge. Here, you can admire colourful buildings and taste mezcal in the cantinas. This town bubbles with street art, bohemian bars, and long-established street markets.
• During the afternoon, we will make an optional introductory walk and taste some of the best street food.
  • Activity: Explore the historic centre of Oaxaca
  • Included meals: Breakfast
  • Facilities: Hotel Oaxaca Real or Hotel One Oaxaca (depending on availability). Wi-Fi, ATM and exchange, laundry
  • Route: Around 6.5 h / 470 km

• Today, we will visit the Zapotec site of Monte Albán. This UNESCO World Heritage site is breathtakingly laid out atop a hill with stunning views. It was inhabited as early as 500 BC and for over 1,500 years by the Olmec, Zapotec, and Mixtec civilizations. The site has terraces, dams, canals, artificial mounds, a ball court, and pyramid structures.
• We will prepare some sandwiches in advance for when you finish the visit. Finally, we will enjoy a free afternoon back in Oaxaca. We recommend a visit to San Francisco Ex Convent Museum.
  • Activities
    • Included: Guided visit to Monte Albán Archaeological Site
    • Optional: Visit San Francisco Ex Convent Museum: Around 65 MXN
  • Included meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch
  • Facilities: Hotel Oaxaca Real or Hotel One Oaxaca (depending on availability). Wi-Fi, ATM and exchange
  • Route: Less than an hour in total / 25 km

• Today, we will drive to the community of Cuajimoloyas in the Sierra Norte. From there, we will enjoy a beautiful morning hike to the community of Llano Grande, where we will stay in an eco-tourist centre.
• We will have the afternoon to relax and learn from a Mazatec cook how to prepare some local gastronomy. Sierra Norte de Oaxaca has one of the best-preserved biospheres in Mexico and several interesting towns and villages. Its population is remarkably diverse and includes Zapotecs, Mixes, Chinantecs, Tlaxcaltecs, and Nahuas. The remote villages known as Pueblos Mancomunados come together in a unique eco-tourism project. Together, they offer great escapes and an up-close communion with Zapotec life.
• Here, we will hike through beautiful sierras. The landscapes, with canyons, caves, waterfalls, and panoramic lookouts, are spectacular.
  • Included activities
    • Explore the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca through a guided half-day trek and relax in the middle of the mountains
    • Traditional cooking class and dinner
  • Meals: All included
  • Facilities: Centro Ecoturistico Cabañas Llano Grande. Shared cabins and/or camping, shared toilets and showers
  • Route: Around 1.5 h / 60 km

• Early in the morning, there will be an optional walk to the mountaintop for beautiful sunrise views of the Sierra Norte. Then, we will visit the astonishing Hierve el Agua Springs. Here, you'll be able to refresh in the natural infinity pools and hike around the area to observe this wonder from the sierras.
• Continuing our adventure, we will do a tour around Gracias a Dios Mezcal Factory before arriving in the magic village of Mitla.
  • Included activities
    • Sierra Norte sunrise walk
    • Hierve el Agua Springs
    • Gracias a Dios Mezcal Factory
  • Included meals: Breakfast
  • Facilities: Hotel Mitla. Wi-Fi, ATM and exchange, laundry
  • Route: Around 3.5 h / 120 km

• Today, we will head to the mangrove of La Ventanilla, a remote spot on Oaxaca's Pacific coast. La Ventanilla Cooperative's purpose is to preserve the biodiversity of the mangrove. In addition, they take care of protected areas for turtles, alligators, and deer. This area boasts sandy beaches and crashing turquoise waves. Let's enjoy some free time for sunset at the beach!
  • Free activities: Beach sunset at La Ventanilla
  • Included meals: Breakfast, dinner
  • Facilities: La Ventanilla Community Centre. Basic shared cabins (camping is also available). Laundry can be done on your own
  • Route: Around 6 h / 290 km

• This morning, we will enjoy a boat tour through the mangrove. Then, we will learn about the preservation projects for alligators and deer.
• Additionally, we will spend the afternoon in the nearby village of Mazunte. Here, we will visit the National Mexican Turtle Centre. After the visit, we can relax on the idyllic coast and hike to Punta Cometa to watch the sunset. Don't forget to bring some beers for our sunset dinner picnic.
  • Included activities
    • La Ventanilla Mangrove Tour
    • Visit the National Turtle Centre at Mazunte
    • Free: Short hike and sunset picnic at Punta Cometa
  • Included meals: Breakfast, cook group picnic dinner
  • Facilities: La Ventanilla Community Centre. Basic shared cabins (camping is also available)
  • Route: Around 1 h / 30 km

• Today, we will have a full driving day, arriving in Chiapa de Corzo, a very nice colonial village and the starting point for the Sumidero Canyon tour.
  • Activities: Visit Chiapa del Corzo
  • Included meals: Breakfast
  • Facilities: Hotel La Ceiba. Wi-Fi, ATM
  • Route: Around 8 h / 520 km

• Today, we will take a shared boat to visit Sumidero Canyon, one of Mexico's top 10 natural wonders. The walls are over 1,000 feet high, and several endangered species make their home in the area.
• After lunch, we will drive to the town of San Cristóbal de las Casas. Arriving around 3 pm, we will go for a walk to show you the best of this amazing town.
• Then, you will have free time to relax. San Cristóbal is a place where ancient customs coexist with a bohemian atmosphere. This colonial city offers eleven beautiful neighbourhoods with cobbled streets and bustling markets.
  • Included activities
    • Visit Chiapa del Corzo and Sumidero Canyon
    • Visit the colonial town of San Cristóbal de las Casas
  • Included meals: Breakfast
  • Facilities: Hotel Parador Margarita. Wi-Fi, ATM and exchange, laundry
  • Route: Around 1.5 h / 60 km

• Today, we will have a short drive to San Juan Chamula. This Tzotzil village's main attraction is the local church, where shamans mix ancestral and Spanish traditions.
• After that, we will explore a nearby village named Zinacantán. In collaboration with Natik NGO, we will visit their community project and have a traditional lunch. Finally, we will drive back to San Cristóbal de las Casas and visit the Mayan Medicine Museum.
• In the afternoon, we will have time to relax before going out for dinner. If you like going out, don't miss the opportunity to enjoy San Cristóbal's nightlife.
  • Included activities
    • Explore the Tzotzil village of San Juan Chamula and its famous church
    • Visit Natik's Zinacantan Project
    • Learn at the Mayan Medicine Museum
  • Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
  • Facilities: Hotel Parador Margarita. Wi-Fi, ATM, exchange
  • Route: Around 1 h / 20 km

• Today, we will head south, entering the Lacandon Jungle area of Chiapas. Our first night stop will be at the incredible Las Nubes Waterfalls, located in the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve. It is a paradisiacal place, ideal for being in contact with nature and enjoying the pleasant atmosphere.
  • Included activity: Hike, swim, and enjoy the waterfalls of Las Nubes
  • Meals: All included
  • Facilities: Centro ecoturístico Las Nubes. Camping (upgrades available)
  • Route: Around 4.5 h / 220 km

• Continuing our adventure through the Lacandon Jungle, our next stop will be Lacanjá. In this area, the local Lacandon communities run different tourism projects. This afternoon, we will visit the Bonampak site. Archaeologists believe it has the finest examples of classic Mayan frescoes. These murals introduced an understanding of Maya culture unseen at other sites.
  • Included activity: Guided visit to Bonampak Archaeological Site
  • Meals: All included
  • Facilities: Campamento Lacandon. Basic cabins (shared toilet for some rooms)
  • Route: Around 5 h / 260 km

• On our second day at Lacanjá-Bonampak, you can choose between hiking or rafting during the morning.
• After lunch, we drive to Palenque town to do some shopping.
• Then, we will enter Palenque National Park, very close to Palenque Archaeological Site. Arriving at our campsite, the afternoon is free to relax at the pool.
  • Activities
    • Included: Lacandon Jungle hike
    • Optional: Lacandon Jungle rafting
  • Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, cook group dinner
  • Facilities: ATM when shopping. Hotel Mayabell. Camping (upgrades available), pool, laundry available
  • Route: Around 2.5 h / 160 km

• On our second day at Palenque, we will have a guided visit to the Archaeological Site. Palenque may be Mexico's most impressive archaeological wonder deep in the jungle. Palenque's ruins date from around 226 BC to around AD 799. The site contains some of the finest Mayan architecture, sculpture, and bas-relief carvings. The surroundings teem with exotic wildlife, including panthers, parrots, and howler monkeys. The best way to explore this jungle is to hike back from the ruins to our campsite after the visit.
  • Activities
    • Included: Guided tour of Palenque Archaeological Site
    • Free: Jungle hike
  • Included meals: All meals (as cook group)
  • Facilities: Hotel Mayabell. Camping (upgrades available), pool
  • Route: Around 20 min / 2 km

• Today, we will drive to Conhuas. This tiny community serves as the starting point for the Calakmul excursion. On our way, we will stop for lunch at Miguel Colorado's cenote. The open cenotes are part of a system of underground rivers around the Yucatán Peninsula. Once revered by the ancient Maya, they are now magnets for explorers.
  • Included activities: Cenote Miguel Colorado
  • Meals: All included (breakfast and lunch as cook group meals)
  • Facilities: Cabañas Calakmul. Basic cabins. Laundry available
  • Route: Around 5.5 h / 390 km

• Today, we will drive 60 km through the deep jungle to Calakmul Archaeological Site. Here, we will enjoy a guided tour and hike through the jungle in search of wildlife. Calakmul was one of the largest and most powerful ancient cities uncovered in the Maya lands. Its great pyramid is one of the tallest of the Maya pyramids.
• Visiting the remains is a genuine off-the-beaten-path experience. This wonder is part of one of the largest reserves in Mexico, home to many species of flora and fauna.
  • Included activities
    • Guided visit to Calakmul Archaeological Site
    • Hike at the Natural Reserve
  • Meals: All included
  • Facilities: Cabañas Calakmul. Basic cabins
  • Route: Around 2 h / 120 km. We may need to use local transport depending on road conditions and restrictions

• Today, we will drive to Bacalar Lagoon, fed by underground cenotes. This stunning lagoon offers an ideal space for swimming and sailing. The lengthy, narrow lake forms no fewer than seven different shades of blue.
• First, we will stop for lunch and enjoy tubing at a kind of "soft" rapids between two lagoons.
• Then, we will arrive in Bacalar Town and take a sunset sailing tour around the lagoon. Please note that the lagoon may lack that blue colour, especially from July to December.
  • Included activities
    • Bacalar Rapids
    • Bacalar Lagoon sailing tour
  • Included meal: Breakfast
  • Facilities: Hotel El Paraíso. Wi-Fi, ATM, lagoon
  • Route: Around 2.5 h / 190 km

• This morning, we will visit a Mayan community. Locals will show us some of their traditions and delight us with a traditional lunch. Then, we head to the Chichén Itzá site, arriving in the early afternoon. We will usually have enough time to visit the Ik-il cenote, in front of our hotel.
• Finally, we'll meet again in the evening, walk to the Chichén Itzá site, and enjoy a magical light show. Please note that if the show isn't available, we will refund your entry.
  • Activities
    • Included
      • Mayan community tradition demo and lunch
      • Chichen Itza light show (if available, otherwise refund)
    • Optional
      • Ik-Il Cenote: 120-150 MXN
      • Balamcanché Caves: 120-150 MXN
  • Facilities: Hotel Doralba. Wi-Fi, pool
  • Route: Around 4 h 15 min / 300 km

• This morning, we will explore the world-famous Chichen Itza site. We will enter as soon as it opens. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most iconic attractions among all the Mayan ruins. One of the largest cities of ancient times, it has a rich variety of architectural styles. Throughout the site, the Kukulcan Pyramid, one of the world's seven wonders, stands out.
• At midday, we will drive to the amazing Samulá Cenote, with its ray of natural light in the middle of the pool. In our opinion, this is the best cenote in all of the Yucatán Peninsula.
• Finally, we will drive to Tulum town, arriving in time for dinner. The downtown area of Tulum will give you many choices of restaurants and bars. You will notice a more relaxed atmosphere in Tulum downtown than in the hotel area.
  • Included activities
    • Chichén Itza Archaeological Site guided visit
    • Cenote Samula
  • Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
  • Facilities: Hotel Los Arcos. Wi-Fi, ATM, laundry
  • Route: Around 3 h / 175 km

Today is a free day to enjoy Tulum Archaeological Site and Tulum beach. Tulum Archaeological Site stands on 12-meter (39 ft) cliffs above the Caribbean Sea. It was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya, and it managed to survive for about 70 years after the Spanish began occupying Mexico.

After the visit, you will have free time for lunch and to relax at the beach. Some good activities are available there, such as snorkelling.

Note that the beach may suffer a sargasso algae invasion. This is due to oversized tourism. There is a higher probability from April to June, but it is unpredictable. If that is the case, we can visit any of the nearby cenotes.

• Activities
  • Included: Guided visit to Tulum Archaeological Site
  • Free: Enjoy Santa Fé beach
  • Optional: Snorkelling boat tour
• Included meals: Breakfast
• Facilities: Hotel Los Arcos. Wi-Fi, ATM, exchange
• Route: Around 30 min / 20 km

Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip. Please note that no accommodation is included tonight. We want to thank you for joining us on this incredible adventure.

Border information: If leaving by plane, you will exit Mexico from Cancun International Airport (CUN). A transfer to the airport is easy to organize through the hotel. It may cost around 60 USD and take 1.5 h, depending on the traffic.

Please note that any overland trip requires flexibility. Due to unpredictable factors, we may need to change the itinerary.

Driving hours are approximate and do not include activities, lunch, or border stops.