Adventure of Mexico's Classics
If you want to experience all the flavours of Mexico you’re going to need more than just tacos and tequila — the music, the history, and the people all have a little something you’ll crave. Cities, beaches, jungle, and the curious spices of mole sauce all await on this 14-day tour that lets you hit the beach, discover the ruins of the Mayans, and wander colonial cities. Think of this as Mexico 101 without the pop quiz.
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Day 1 - Mexico City
We recommend arriving a day or two early to fully explore this bustling metropolis. Talk to your agent about booking pre-tour accommodation.
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards.
Accommodation
Hotel Posada Viena (or similar)
Day 2 - Mexico City
Enjoy free time to explore Mexico City. Opt to check out the sprawling zócalo (main square), visit the Frida Kahlo museum in vibrant Coyoacán, or view impressive Mayan and Aztec artifacts at the National Anthropology Museum.
Take advantage of free time to get out and explore this amazing city and its surroundings.
Accommodation
- Hotel Posada Viena (or similar)
Meals included
Optional Activities
Museum of Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul) - Mexico City
Visit the famed "Blue House" where Frida Kahlo was born, lived and died. Her lifelong home is open to those looking to learn more about or see what life was like for the celebrated artist. The museum consists of ten rooms throughout the home, each filled with original furniture from when she lived there with her husband Diego Rivera, and personal items of Frida's from letters, art materials, original works of art, to handcrafted kitchen wares.
Day 3 - Mexico City/Puebla
Rise early and explore the ancient city of Teotihuacan on a guided tour. Work up a sweat climbing the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, and be rewarded by sweeping views of the ruins site. Travel to Puebla and enjoy an orientation walk downtown.
Private Vehicle transport - Mexico City – Teotihuacán, 1h-2h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Teotihuacán Pyramids Visit activity - Teotihuacán
Visit the ruins of Teotihuacán northeast of Mexico City. This ruin site dates back to 100BC and has the impressive Avenue of the Dead, Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon. Bring water, wear a hat and solid walking shoes, and climb the pyramids to learn all about this pre-Columbian Mesoamerican city.
Private Vehicle transport - Teotihuacán – Puebla, 2h-3h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation Walk - Puebla
The route will vary for each tour, allowing our CEOs to share their personal favourites. You can expect to see the zócalo, artisans' market and visit the historic buildings within centre of this World Heritage city.
Accommodation
- Hotel Gilfer (or similar) accommodation
Meals included
Day 4 - Puebla
Enjoy a free day to explore the city. Opt to visit a ceramics workshop, check out the pyramid of nearby Cholula, sample delicious local specialties, or watch a lucha libre wrestling match at night.
Take advantage of free time to get out and explore this amazing city and its surroundings.
Accommodation
- Hotel Gilfer (or similar) accommodation
Meals included
Optional Activities
Cholula Ruins Visit - Cholula
Also known as Tlachihualtepetl, Cholula is a massive archaeological site west of Puebla. Dating from at least 100AD, it’s the oldest continuously occupied ceremonial centre in the western hemisphere. Most impressive is the Great Pyramid of Cholula – a tall grass-covered structure which is actually at least four successive pyramids built one on top of the other. The Spanish built a church at the very top in 1594. Visit the museum to learn about the history, explore tunnels, and climb to the top for breath-taking views of nearby volcanoes.
Puebla
Grab a beer and a seat and get ready for a show where the audience is almost as theatrical as the wrestlers. Luchadores follow different rules than wrestlers in other parts of the world, they typically wear colourful masks inspired by Aztec history and use the ropes of the ring to propel themselves into the air. Boo the rudos as they try to cheat and conquer the precise, formal, técnicos. You’re sure to learn how to throw insults in Spanish after spending a night at a match.
Day 5 - Puebla/Oaxaca
Journey south to beautiful Oaxaca, and get a feel for the city on an orientation walk, stopping to visit one of its sprawling markets.
First-class Bus transport - Puebla – Oaxaca, 5h-6h Ride on in style. This sure isn't your grandmother's public bus.
Orientation Walk - Oaxaca
All walks will be slightly different, allowing your CEO to show off their favourite spots. You can expect to see the Santo Domingo Cultural Centre, walk through the zocalo and the famous 20th of November market. Opt to sample some delicious Oaxacan foods along the way such as mole, tlayudas or chapulines.
Accommodation
Meals included
Day 6 - Oaxaca
Take advantage of free time, and opt to explore on a day trip to Hierve el Agua petrified waterfall, learn to make mole in a cooking class, shop at nearby artisan villages, or samples some mezcal at a local distillery - look out for the worm!
Take advantage of free time to get out and explore this amazing city and its surroundings.
Accommodation
Meals included
Optional Activities
Valley of Mitla Ruins Visit - San Pablo Villa de Mitla
The UNESCO World Heritage site of Mitla is 38km (24 mi) from Oaxaca. Its name derives from the Nahuatl language, meaning “Place of the Dead”. Occupied from 900 BC by the Zapotecs and then the Mixtecs, the ruin features five groups of structures on either side of the Mitla River. Look for ancient cut-stone mosaics and intricate stone carvings throughout. The region is also famous for its hand-dyed, foot-loomed woven rugs.
Mole Cooking Class - Oaxaca
Take a cooking class and learn that there's more to mole than meets the eye (and mouth). In fact, in Oaxaca, there are at least seven different versions of this popular made-in-Mexico sauce cooked with ground chili, chocolate, and sesame seeds. Black, red, yellow, green – the list is endless. Take a guided trip to the local market and let your senses get lost in the spices, colours, and smells. Following your cooking class, sample your tasty creation.
Monte Albán Tour - Oaxaca
The Zapotec site of Monte Albán dates back to 500 BC and features platforms, pyramids, plazas, and a ball court sitting on a leveled mountaintop some 10km (5 mi) from Oaxaca. Enjoy the 360-degree views, see Olmec carvings, and be sure to visit the museum to see artifacts and stele excavated in the early 20th century.
Mezcal Factory Tour - Oaxaca
The Valley of Oaxaca is renowned as the birthplace of mezcal. Not to be confused with tequila, this distilled liquor is made in small batches from a variety of species of agave (spiky green plants that look like the tops of pineapples). Sample different types, including white unaged mezcal (often sold with an agave larva inside), along with “reposado” and “añejo” (aged) batches. Grab a slice of orange that's coated in salt and mixed with chili and ground worms. Now, it’s time to sip and enjoy.
Day trip to Hierve el Agua - Oaxaca
Travel to Hierve del Agua. This stunning natural formation consists of a series of mineral pools near the edge of a cliff. Over thousands of years, the heavily calcified water has flowed over the cliff, leaving mineral deposits as it does. The result is known as a "petrified waterfall" – nearly white rock formations that resembles a cascading fall. Enjoy time to explore the area and go for a swim in one of the mineral pools.
Day 7 - Oaxaca/Palenque
Travel in style and fly to Villahermosa, then transfer to Palenque by land.
Plane transport - Oaxaca – Villahermosa
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Private Vehicle transport - Villahermosa – Palenque, 2h-3h - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
- Hotel Mayabell (or similar)
Meals included
Day 8 - Palenque
Enjoy a guided tour of the Mayan ruins of Palenque, set in the jungle of Chiapas. Opt for a jungle walk in the afternoon.
Palenque Ruins Guided Tour - Palenque, 2h-3h
Experience the elegant jungle site of Palenque on a guided tour. See the highlights -- the Temple of the Cross Group, Temple of Inscriptions and the Grand Palace. Howler monkeys sound in the distance as the fog rolls in and out of this mystical site, one of the most important centres for trade and culture during the end of the Classic Maya period.
Take advantage of free time and do as much or as little as you would like.
Accommodation
- Hotel Mayabell (or similar)
Meals included
Optional Activities
Roberto Barrios Waterfalls - Palenque
Visit the Zapatista community of Roberto Barrios, Chiapas, have a swim and explore the cascading waterfall. If it hasn’t rained for a few days, you will be astonished how bright the light blue water can get.
Jungle Trail Hike - Palenque
Only two percent of the ruins in the Mayan capital of Palenque are out in the open. Follow a local guide into the jungle along a trail, visit ruins that are now overgrown with moss and vines. Learn about the wildlife and different medicinal trees and plants that grow in and around the Usumancinta River of this mountainous forest area of Chiapas.
Day 9 - Palenque/Mérida
Travel to the Yucatán Peninsula, stopping off in the seaside historic city of Campeche. Upon arrival in Mérida, enjoy an orientation walk to get to know the city's layout and attractions.
Private Vehicle transport - Palenque – Campeche, 5h-6h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Vehicle transport - Campeche – Mérida, 2h30m-3h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation Walk - 30m-1h
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Accommodation
- Hotel Santa Maria (or similar)
Meals included
Day 10 - Mérida
Enjoy a free day to explore Mérida and surroundings. Opt to visit the Mayan ruins of Uxmal or explore the main square and historic buildings of Mérida.
Take advantage of free time to get out and explore this amazing city and its surroundings.
Accommodation
- Hotel Santa Maria (or similar)
Meals included
Optional Activities
Uxmal Ruins Visit - Uxmal Ruins
Founded in 700 AD, magical Uxmal was once home to as many as 25,000 Mayans. Located 62km (38 mi) south of Merida, in Yucatán’s Puuc ("hill" or "chain of low mountains") region, this UNESCO World Heritage Centre represents the pinnacle of late Maya art and architecture. Wander the site, see the Pyramid of the Magician, and visit nearby Kabah, one of three neighbouring sites.
Anthropology Museum Visit - Mérida
Installed on two floors of a refurbished mansion, this museum is considered to be one of the most important collections of Pre-Columbian Mayan culture in the Yucatan Peninsula. Learn everything there is to know about Mayan society, from war to writing, art to architecture, calendars, customs and offerings to the dead.
Cenote Visit - Mérida
Swim in crystal-blue mineral underground swimming holes that are formed as sinkholes when porous limestone bedrock collapses. Come prepared with your swimsuit so you can dive in and enjoy. The clarity of the water and depth of cenotes makes swimming a unique experience.
Day 11 - Mérida/Valladolid
Explore the ancient Mayan City of Chichén Itzá with a guided tour, then continue on to the quaint city of Valladolid. Opt to cool off with a swim in a nearby cenote, a natural water-filled sinkhole.
Private Vehicle transport - Mérida – Chichén-Itzá, 1h30m-2h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Chichén Itzá Guided Tour
Spend the afternoon with a local expert and learn about the history of Chichén Itzá and the beliefs and rituals that defined this ancient Mayan civilization. This dramatic site includes a 30m (98 ft) high temple, known as the Pyramid of Kukulcan, famous for its balustrade of 91 stairs up each of the four sides, a ball court with a grandstand, and towering walls. Visit the highlights of the site including the famous Castillo, the ball court, the cenote, and the Nunnery.
Private Vehicle transport - Chichén-Itzá – Valladolid, 1h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
- Hotel Fundadores (or similar)
Meals included
Day 12 - Valladolid/Playa del Carmen
Travel to Playa del Carmen to lounge on Mayan Riviera beaches. Enjoy dinner at a G Adventures-supported community restaurant with a youth-focused art program.
Enjoy the morning to explore this beautiful colonial city.
Private Vehicle transport - Valladolid – Playa del Carmen
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
El Hongo Mexican Community Restaurant & Youth Art Program activity - Playa del Carmen
El Hongo (which means 'The Mushroom') is a volunteer-run restaurant started as a means to create income to support a youth art program in the 'real' Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Across the highway from the commercial beach strip is where most locals live – cross onto the unpaved roads and enjoy a delicious home-style meal at the restaurant, while learning more about this much-needed program for the community.
Accommodation
- Hotel Nautilus (or similar)
Meals included
Day 13 - Playa del Carmen
Opt to explore the Mayan ruins of Tulúm or just play in the waves and enjoy the beach!
Get out and enjoy some free time. Hit the beach, visit some ruins, go for a dive, or shop for souvenirs.
Accommodation
- Hotel Nautilus (or similar)
Meals included
Optional Activities
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve Canal Float - Tulum
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is one of Mexico’s most important protected areas due to its diversity in bird and animal species. The Reserve uses ecologically responsible technologies, including systems for wetland waste management, rainwater collection, and solar and wind energy generation to protect the environment.
Visit the reserve and take a boat ride across the lagoon before hopping into the crystal-clear water of one of the canals. Next, enjoy nature's lazy river as you float past Mayan ruins and mangrove forests, letting the current slowly bring you down-stream. It's just you, the sound of chirping birds, and the fish swimming around your feet - pure paradise!
Cenote Visit - Playa del Carmen
Pack your swimsuit, hail a shared van (colectivo) and ask for directions to one of Yucatan’s many cenotes. These natural swimming holes were formed thousands of years ago, when the peninsula's porous limestone collapsed to reveal fresh water pools fed by underground systems of canals and rivers. Dive into the turquoise waters surrounded by cave walls or tropical foliage, watch fish dart in and out of the shafts of sunlight and realize why the Maya called cenotes “sacred wells”.
Tulum Ruins Visit - Tulum
The Maya built the ancient seaport of Tulúm in the late 13th century. Located some 130 km (80 mi) south of Cancun, this picturesque site features a number of limestone structures protected on three sides by a 7m (23 ft) thick wall. Visit “El Castillo” (the castle), overlooking the Caribbean coast, and the Temple of Frescoes, then head down to the beach. Dive into the warm aquamarine waters and imagine spotting ancient vessels laden with turquoise and jade.
Cozumel Diving (Certified Divers) - Cozumel
Take the ferry to Cozumel Island and discover one of the world’s top scuba diving destinations. See schools of tropical fish (over 250 species) swimming in and amongst colourful coral, look for sponges and other aquatic marine life. Two main coral reefs provide plateaus beginning in less than 9m (30 ft) of water. All this, plus clear, warm water. Every diver’s dream!
Tequila Tasting - Playa del Carmen
Mexico is the birthplace of tequila, and there is nowhere better to learn about the iconic drink. Join a certified sommelier to learn about the history of tequila and the production process, before the main highlight – a tasting session. Sip, don't shoot!
Day 14 - Playa del Carmen
This morning brings an end to your Amazing Adventure of Mexico’s Classics. The Cancún airport is approximately 1 hour from Playa del Carmen. There are frequent public buses and shuttles from Playa del Carmen to the airport throughout the day.
Meals included
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