Mexico: The Maya of the Northwest Yucatan
Delve into the mysteries of the Maya of the Northwest Yucatan Peninsula, explore thriving Merida, and relax at the beach in Celestun on Mexico’s stunning Gulf Coast.
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Please use the drop-down menu below to indicate which tour you are curious about.
Please use the drop-down menu below to indicate which tour you are curious about.
Tours
Mexico: The Maya of the Northwest Yucatan
February 29 – March 9, 2024
This trip to Mexico’s Northwest Yucatan Peninsula will give you the opportunity to explore Merida’s rich Maya and colonial culture. Merida is known for it’s vibrant art scene and beautifully restored Spanish colonial architecture.
We’ll also spend a few days exploring Maya ruins: Mayapan and Uxmal, considered two of the most important sites; and Kabah, Sayil, and Labna, smaller sites but important archtecturally and culturally and with few tourists.
Finally, we’ll have three nights and two full days to relax on the beach in Celestun, a small fishing village on the Gulf Coast.
Day 1
Arrival in Merida
Arrive in Merida and check in to our hotel in time to meet in the hotel lobby by 6:00 pm. From there we’ll head out to our orientation dinner. Meals included: dinner.
Day 2
Merida
Today we will take a Walking Street Food Tour of Merida to help us decide what features we want to explore further: its museums, architecture, & art. In addition to sampling some great food, we’ll pass by the Parque de Santa Lucia, Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan, Museo Palacio de la Musica, Catedral de Merida, and Museo Casa Montejo. Meals included: breakfast & lunch.
Day 3
Merida
What do you want to explore today? It’s up to you. Perhaps you want to return to some of the sites we saw on our walking tour. Or explore Merida’s vibrant art scene. Or take in the wonders of the Grand Museum of the Mayan Word of Merida. Meals included: breakfast.
Day 4
Mayapan/Santa Elena
We’ll leave our hotel at 7:30 am in order to arrive at Mayapan at 10 am where we’ll exploring this site that was the political and cultural capital of the Maya in the Yucatan Peninsula from the 1220s until the 1440s. After a stop for lunch we’ll proceed to the Pickled Onion B&B where we’ll stay for three nights. You’ll have time for a refreshing dip in the pool before dinner. Meals included: breakfast.
Museo Maya de Merida dia[/caption]
Day 5
Santa Elena
Today, we’ll take a break and rest up after our time exploring Merida and Mayapan. Relax by the pool with a book, take a walk into the village of Santa Elana to see the village church, or have lunch at a taqueria. Meals included: breakfast.
Day 6
Uxmal/Santa Elena
Today, we’ll explore Uxmal with our local guide. An ancient Maya city of the classical period, Uxmal is considered one of the most important sites of Maya culture in Mexico, along with Palenque, Chechen Itza, and Calakmul. Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 7
Kabah, Sayil, Labna/Celestun
Taking advantage of being in the heart of the Maya ruins known as the Ruta Puuc (the route of the hills), today our local guide will show us the sites of Kabah, Sayil, and Labna. These are small, lightly touristed sites and we have a good chance of being the only tourists there. After our explorations we’ll continue on to Celestun and check into our hotel in time to relax on the beach and watch the sun set. Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 8
Celestun
No activities scheduled today. Optional activities include flamingo watching or touring the Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve by boat.
Day 9
Celestun
No activities scheduled today. Take the opportunity to relax by the pool or on the beach, do some beachcombing, or take a walk into the fishing village.
Day 10
Flights home
Depart Celestun at 9:30 am in order to arrive at Merida International Airport by 11:00 am for flights home.
Activity Level
Moderate
Mexico
The Maya of the Northwest Yucatan- +Price per person/double occupancy. Single supplement of $475
- Transfer from Celestun to Merida Internatonal Airport at time indicated.
- Other transfers as listed.
- Meals: 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner
- Other meals will be on your own individually or as a group
- Tours (including entry fees) as listed
- Minimum travelers: 5
- Maximum travelers: 9