Explore Mexico & the Yucatan Peninsula

Let’s explore the fascinating country of Mexico, known for its food, culture, natural beauty, its people and its historical Mayan ruins. Let’s depart Dublin and arrive in Mexico’s capital, Mexico City. As the country's capital, “Ciudad de Mexico” is a mosaic of contrasts but most of all an experience in which all of Mexico comes together. It’s the perfect place to start your trip in Mexico. Meet our local guide and travel to your hotel. Settle in and get ready for the adventure that awaits us.

We will have an early start this morning to get ahead of the crowds and the heat as we head to discover the ancient city of Teotihuacán, ‘the place where gods were created”.

Dating from before the first century, this complex of awe-inspiring pyramids was the most significant and civilized cultural centre of ancient Mexico. During our guided tour let’s discover the massive Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, walk down the Avenue of the Dead and visit the Temple of Quetzalcoatl with its unique stone sculptures of plumed serpents, the Temple of the Butterflies, and Fortresses and marvel and the technological might of its original inhabitants.

Early this afternoon let’s return to Mexico City for a guided walking tour of the City’s historical centre. This exciting tour will include “The Zocalo,” main square and the heart of the city, where we will see the Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the oldest and largest of the Americas, and the National Palace, the home of the famous murals of Diego Rivera. We will also see the ruins of the Templo Mayor, one of the most famous temples of the Aztecs in their ancient capital city of Tenochtitlan. You will then have the rest of the day at leisure to discover more of this bustling city.

Please note: Entry into the National Palace & the Templo Mayor is subject to opening hours.

Let’s discover more of Mexico’s culinary heritage with a half day excursion uncovering what makes Mexican food so popular around the globe. First let’s start with a visit to the San Juan Market and get a taste of local life and see the traders selling all types of local ingredients that mark Mexican cuisine.

Next let’s celebrate Mexican fare at its best by exploring some of the neighbourhood taquerias in Mexico City with our local guide.  As a representative of the mariachis & simply made of tortilla, filling and salsa, tacos are, without a doubt, the most popular food in Mexico.

Finally let’s engage in a unique experience at a local mezcal speakeasy and learn the secrets about mezcal, a type of agave spirit and its origins. Feel free to ask everything you’d like to know about this now-so-popular beverage around the world.

You will  have the rest of the afternoon free to explore more of Mexico City, maybe return to your favourite taqueria for dinner?

Looking for an authentic Mexican experience with a difference? This evening let’s visit a famous Lucha Libre, Mexican wrestling, show, one of the most famous symbols of Mexican popular culture. During this show in Arena Mexico, let’s watch a variety of wrestling characters who keep their identity hidden by colourful masks, a symbol of power and distinction. Enjoy watching the various fights and experiences with local people, the passion and tradition in an arena of professional wrestling and cheer for the Técnicos – Mexican comic-book superheroes, warriors, or saints, representing the country's farmers' and workers' plight – as they twirl and tumble around the villainous Rudos with outstanding agility. (Subject to minimum numbers)

Today you will have a full free day to explore Mexico City. Why not head out to the colourful neighbourhood of Xochimilco where you can float along in a gondola boat along the canals of this ancient water system built by the Aztecs or visit some of the local shops. Your local expert guide will be happy to make recommendations to suit your taste.

Let’s learn more about the artistic heritage of Mexico with an optional excursion to Coyoacán, whose cobblestone streets are lined with historic mansions. As we explore, our guide will share the pre-Hispanic background of the area, now a hot spot for Mexico City creatives. We will then continue to the National Autonomous University of Mexico and walk through the UNESCO-listed campus, which includes murals by artists Diego Rivera and Juan O´Gorman.  After some free time for your own lunch at the Jardín Hidalgo square, lets’ visit the Church of San Juan Bautista, and head to the Frida Kahlo Museum, where you’ll have some free time to learn more about the art and life of this iconic Mexican painter and see some of her works. (Subject to minimum numbers)

Let’s say goodbye to Mexico City as we head to Mexico City Airport to travel on to Merida and the next part of our Mexican adventure on the Yucatan Peninsula.

Formerly owned by Spain, Merida is the cultural capital of the Yucatan Peninsula. A city steeped in rich history, filled with narrow streets, broad central plazas and fascinating museums, there is always something happening in its lively streets.

We will arrive in the early afternoon and be based here for the next three nights.

Early this morning let’s uncover more of Mexico’s archaeological heritage with a visit to Uxmal, one of the greatest ceremonial centres of the ancient Mayan civilisation. Uxmal is considered one of the most beautiful pre-Hispanic archaeological sites on the American continent, thanks to its impressive constructions decorated with fine reliefs, renowned for their precision and elegance will astonish you. Admire the “Pyramid of the Magician”, the “Quadrangle of the Nuns”, and the “Governor’s Palace”, amongst many other structures during our guided visit.

Next let’s refresh as we stop for a swim in one of the lesser known cenotes of Mexico, the Mucuyché cenote with its river and cave. Cenotes are natural sinkholes, revered by the ancient Mayans as sacred wells, and now offer the opportunity for adventurers to swim in their crystal clear waters and get up close and personal with nature. After our swim, let’s enjoy lunch at a traditional Mexican Hacienda before returning to Merida in the early afternoon.

Let’s uncover more of Mexico by travelling to the historical and cultural town of Izamal. On the way let’s journey through small pueblos, Mayan communities and tropical forests and admire the scenery of rural Mexico. On the way we will also visit a Mayan community to learn more about their daily life and experiences.

We will then arrive in the beautiful yellow painted town of Izamal, a hidden gem on the Yucatan peninsula. Loaded with charm, Izamal wows visitors with its colourful colonial past, accessible ancient ruins, and friendly, small-town atmosphere. Let’s explore the pyramids and visit the Franciscan convent as well as enjoying an included lunch filled with local flavours drawn from the Mayan community. 

Later this afternoon, let’s return to Merida where we will discover the “White City” in a panoramic guided city tour and enjoy the most important sights of this beautiful multicultural city. See colonial Merida with mansions and historical buildings from the 16th century, its monuments such as the  Government  Palace,  House of Montejo, the Cathedral, and the José Peon Contreras Theatre among others.

You will then have the evening free to enjoy downtown Merida. Don’t miss out on visiting the main square at night which is often filled with dancers and street performances of local music.

Time to bid farewell and travel to the archaeological ruins of Chichen Itza and one of the top things to do in Mexico. (Transfer distance: 120km/ Transfer time: approximately 2hrs)

Let’s check into our hotel and then you will have the rest of the day at leisure to enjoy our hotel’s gardens and pool. Then let’s get together for a dinner in our hotel this evening.

Let’s discover one of the highlights of Mexico with an early morning visit to the magnificent archaeological ruins of Chichen Itza. Rich in history and the centre of pilgrimage for the ancient Maya civilization for over 1,000 years, this fascinating city was so much more than was more than a religious and ceremonial site. It was also a sophisticated urban centre and hub of regional trade for the ancient Mayans. Let’s step back in time and explore some of its most famous landmarks, the Temple of Kukulkan (“El Castillo”), the Ballgame Court, the Platform of the Skulls, the Temple of the Jaguar, the Observatory, the One Thousand Columns, and the Sacred Cenote and see why Chichen Itza is one of the most visited places in Mexico.

After a stop at a cenote and another chance to enjoy a refreshing swim after our busy morning, let’s travel to our hotel in Playa del Carmen on the Riviera Maya. With over 120 km of crystal-clear turquoise shoreline, white-sand beaches, archaeological sites, natural parks, and unique water activities, this is a must see highlight for any visitor to Mexico and our home for the next 3 nights.

Let’s explore more off the beaten track today and visit the ancient Maya site of Muyil located in the northern section of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. This millenia-old trading post, nestled on the edge of the freshwater lagoon systems and the tropical forest is a highlight of the Yucatan Peninsula. Let’s take an eye-opening walk among the picturesque temples which stand undisturbed among the trees, and through the changing ecosystems, passing seasonal pools, exuberant vegetation and eventually a lookout tower with a wonderful view of the biosphere. These undiscovered ruins  truly makes this visit a special one.

After our walk let’s enjoy a delicious picnic accompanied with seasonal fruits and local snacks and then let’s embark on a boat ride across the lagoons of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, through flooded savannah and intricate mangrove canals that mesmerize with their tonnes of green foliage reflected in the still-blue water.  Admire the small temples and abundant birdlife as we float along a secret route through winding channels carved out by the Mayans that eventually leads out to the open ocean and see the Riviera Maya from a different view.

Today you will have an entire free day at leisure in Playa del Carmen. Relax on the beach or lie beside the pool in your hotel or explore the local town of Playa del Carmen. The choice is yours!

Why not explore some more of Mexico’s ancient ruins with an optional excursion to Coba and Tulum. First, let’s wander through the well-preserved city of Coba, examining remnants of buildings that date back to the 6th century, particularly known for the Nohoch Mul Pyramid stairs which offers 360-degree views of the surrounding forest. Next, let’s cool off with a swim at the Tankach-Ha Cenote for a quick dip and enjoy an included buffet style lunch afterwards. Finally let’s finish the day at the Tulum Archaeological Zone, where you can unleash your inner archaeologist as you examine weather-worn ruins from ancient Maya civilizations. Perched atop a bluff overlooking the ocean, Tulum is also the perfect spot to catch sweeping views of the Caribbean. Explore crumbling temples, pyramids, and ball courts, and listen to stories about the site's discovery from your expert local guide. (Subject to minimum numbers)

Today it is time to bid “adios” to the beautiful country of Mexico and its wonderful people. Head to Cancun airport and fly overnight home. Time to start planning our next adventure!