Itinerary
- Day 1
Mexico City
You'll arrive in Mexico City and get a complimentary transfer to your hotel, then have the rest of the day to settle in and wander around at your own pace. At 6 pm, you'll meet your leader and fellow travelers at a welcome meeting. If you're interested, there's an optional group dinner afterward where you can start trying out the local food scene.
Included Activities
- Complimentary airport transfer
Optional Activities
- Group dinner with leader
- Day 2
Mexico City
Your leader takes you through Mexico City's major sites starting with the Metropolitan Cathedral and Zocalo, the main square sitting above the ancient Tenochtitlan remains. You'll also tour the Diego Rivera Mural Museum at Alameda Central and spend time at the Museum of Anthropology, which holds around 600,000 pieces in its collection. The afternoon is yours to explore further if you want.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Mexico City with leader
- Metropolitan Cathedral entrance
- Diego Rivera Mural Museum at Alameda Central entrance
- Museum of Anthropology entrance
- Leader-led orientation
Optional Activities
- Frida Kahlo Museum (La Casa Azul)
- Leon Trotsky Museum
- Boat ride through Floating Gardens of Xochimilco (approximately MXN700 per boat per hour)
Landmarks/POIs Metropolitan Cathedral Zocalo Tenochtitlan Diego Rivera Mural Museum (Mural Museum at Alameda Central) Museum of Anthropology Frida Kahlo Museum (La Casa Azul) Leon Trotsky Museum Xochimilco Floating Gardens - Day 3
Mexico City to Puebla
You'll head out early from Mexico City to see the Teotihuacan ruins with a local guide, walking through the Pyramid of the Sun, Pyramid of the Moon, and the Avenue of the Dead. From there, you travel to Puebla for an orientation walk through the well-preserved historic center with your leader.
Included Activities
- Teotihuacan archaeological site entrance, guide and transport
- Puebla orientation walk with leader
Landmarks/POIs Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Sun Pyramid of the Moon Avenue of the Dead - Day 4
Cholula and Puebla
Start with an orientation walk in Cholula, a town known for its many churches. You'll visit the Santuario de la Virgen de los Remedios, which sits on top of the Great Pyramid of Cholula. By afternoon you're back in Puebla with free time to wander around and try local specialties like mole pueblano.
Included Activities
- Cholula orientation walk with leader
- Santuario de la Virgen de los Remedios visit
Optional Activities
- Cholula Pyramid (entrance fee, closed Mondays and Tuesdays) - MXN100
Landmarks/POIs Great Pyramid of Cholula Santuario de la Virgen de los Remedios - Day 5
Oaxaca
You'll travel to Oaxaca (pronounced wa-ha-ca), a region famous for mole and mezcal. Your leader gives you an orientation walk through the main square with its 16th-century architecture and the lively 20 de Noviembre Market. There's an optional group dinner if you want to sample regional dishes like tlayudas or mole.
Included Activities
- Oaxaca orientation walk with leader
Optional Activities
- Group dinner with local specialties
Landmarks/POIs 20 de Noviembre Market - Day 6
Oaxaca
This morning you'll learn traditional alebrijes folk art crafting at a women-run workshop in San Martin Tilcajete, getting hands-on with these colorful mythical creature sculptures. The afternoon is free, so you can visit Monte Alban (a UNESCO site with valley views), catch a folkloric ballet, or check out Santo Domingo Cultural Centre.
Included Activities
- Alebrijes workshop visit at San Martin Tilcajete
Optional Activities
- Monte Alban archaeological site (entrance fee) - MXN95
- Folkloric ballet performance (seasonal) - MXN130
- Santo Domingo Cultural Centre (entrance fee) - MXN89
- Cooking class - MXN1500
Landmarks/POIs Monte Alban Santo Domingo Cultural Centre San Martin Tilcajete - Day 7
Oaxaca to Salina Cruz
Your leader takes you to see the famous 1500-year-old Tule Tree, one of the world's widest cypress trees, then continues to Mitla, the former Zapotec religious center. You'll have lunch at a local Zapotecan family home with traditional dishes, visit a mezcal farm with a cacti plantation tour and tastings, then drive to Salina Cruz for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional Zapotecan home-cooked meal)
Included Activities
- Tule Tree visit
- Mitla archaeological site entrance, guide and transport
- Zapotecan home-cooked lunch
- Mezcaleria visit
Landmarks/POIs Tule Tree Mitla - Day 8
Sumidero Canyon to San Cristobal de las Casas
You'll drive to Sumidero Canyon where walls reach up to 1000 meters high, then board a boat to get up close to this dramatic landscape. Watch for howler monkeys as you move through the canyon. Later you arrive in San Cristobal de las Casas with its Spanish architecture and cobblestone streets, and your leader helps orient you with a town center walk.
Included Activities
- Sumidero Canyon boat excursion entrance and transport
Landmarks/POIs Sumidero Canyon - Day 9
San Juan Chamula and Zincantan
Your leader walks you through San Cristobal's churches, green plazas and museums before you travel to the Maya village of San Juan Chamula in the highlands. This marketplace and religious center shows Indigenous ways of life and traditional clothing. You'll also visit the nearby Maya community of Zincantan to learn more. Back in San Cristobal, you have free time to rent a bike and explore further.
Included Activities
- San Cristobal orientation walk with leader
- San Juan Chamula Maya Church entrance
- Zinacantan Maya Church entrance
Optional Activities
- Bicycle rental (per hour) - MXN400
- Na Bolom Museum - MXN70
- Jade Museum - MXN65
Landmarks/POIs San Juan Chamula Zincantan - Day 10
San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque
You'll leave San Cristobal and travel to Palenque, a central town surrounded by jungle and close to the Maya ruins of the same name. The afternoon is free, so you can relax at your hotel or explore the town before visiting the archaeological site tomorrow.
- Day 11
Palenque
You'll spend the day at the Palenque archaeological site set on a hilltop in thick jungle. These Maya ruins date back to AD 600 and rank among Mexico's most impressive. Your guided walk includes listening for howler monkeys and parrots while learning that many ruins remain un-excavated. In the afternoon, you'll head to the refreshing Misol-Ha waterfall.
Included Activities
- Palenque archaeological site guide, transport and entrance
- Misol-Ha waterfall visit
Landmarks/POIs Palenque Misol-Ha - Day 12
Palenque to Merida
You'll drive from Palenque to Merida with short stops along the way and an included lunch featuring local seafood (other options available). Founded in 1542, Merida is the Yucatan capital and retains lots of old-world charm. Your leader gives an orientation walk to explain the city's Maya heritage.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local seafood selection with alternatives available)
Included Activities
- Merida orientation walk with leader
- Day 13
Merida
You have a free day to explore Merida at your own pace. Check out the Regional Anthropology Museum of the Yucatan, stroll through art-filled streets, or relax in the shady Plaza Grande with its 16th-century cathedral. Browse the outdoor market for hammocks and Mayan items, and try local food. Alternatively, you can venture to the ancient Maya ruins of Uxmal to see the Palace of the Governors.
Optional Activities
- Regional Anthropology Museum of the Yucatan
- Uxmal Ruins tour (including shared transport and guide) - MXN1470
- Celestun Bird Sanctuary (entrance and transport) - MXN1035
- Fernando Garcia Ponce-Macay Contemporary Art Museum (entrance fee) - Free
Landmarks/POIs Plaza Grande Uxmal Palace of the Governors Regional Anthropology Museum of the Yucatan - Day 14
Chichen Itza to Playa del Carmen
You'll visit Chichen Itza, possibly Mexico's most famous Maya site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. See the Temple of Kukulkan towering over the ruins and the ball court where disputes were settled through games. After your guided tour, enjoy a special traditional pibil lunch with a family in Piste, experiencing Maya underground barbecuing techniques. Later you'll travel to Playa del Carmen with an optional final group dinner.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional pibil feast - Maya style of cooking involving barbecuing underground)
Included Activities
- Chichen Itza archaeological site entrance, guide and transport
- Home-cooked pibil lunch in Piste
Optional Activities
- Final group dinner in Playa del Carmen
Landmarks/POIs Chichen Itza Temple of Kukulkan - Day 15
Playa del Carmen to San Jose, Costa Rica
You'll get a transfer from your hotel to Cancun airport for your flight to San Jose, Costa Rica. After arrival, you'll meet your local representative and transfer to your hotel. San Jose is a rapidly expanding city with vibrant markets and historic theaters. There's a welcome meeting at 6 pm, and your leader can point you toward the best spots for Costa Rican food.
Included Activities
- Transfer to Cancun airport
- San Jose orientation walk with leader
- Day 16
La Fortuna
You'll travel to La Fortuna, a small leafy town known as the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park. This morning you'll learn to cook traditional Costa Rican tortillas from a local woman named Dona Chela using ingredients from her garden and a wood-fired stove. Lunch includes your homemade tortillas and Costa Rican favorites. After checking in, the afternoon is free to explore the lush surroundings or optionally visit nearby hot springs fed by the thermal Tabacon River.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch with local family featuring Costa Rican favorites and handmade tortillas)
Included Activities
- Tortilla making class with local instruction
Optional Activities
- Ecotermales Hot Springs (entrance fee) - USD49
Landmarks/POIs Arenal Volcano National Park - Day 17
La Fortuna
You have a completely free day in La Fortuna to pursue your own adventure. Hike Arenal Volcano for views, explore rainforest trails to La Fortuna Waterfall, or book a full-day Cano Negro boat tour to spot sloths, monkeys, caimans and tropical birds. You can also paddle in a canoe or kayak along the river if you prefer.
Optional Activities
- Arenal Volcano Base Hike - USD97
- Cano Negro boat tour (full-day activity with wildlife viewing) - USD84
Landmarks/POIs La Fortuna Waterfall Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge - Day 18
La Fortuna to Monteverde
You'll travel to Monteverde by boat and scenic road across Lake Arenal. Once there, the afternoon is free for your own adventure. Explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve independently, visit a nearby butterfly garden, tour suspension bridges for forest canopy views, or take a forest night walk to spot local wildlife.
Optional Activities
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve self-guided exploration
- Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee) - USD22
- Suspension bridges tour - USD58
- Cloud Forest Night Walk - USD45
Landmarks/POIs Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve - Day 19
Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
Your leader guides you through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, which is home to over 100 mammal species, 400 bird species, and nearly 500 unique orchid species (the world's highest orchid diversity). Listen for howler monkeys and the three-wattled bellbird, and watch for the resplendent quetzal. Later you'll drive to Manuel Antonio national park where an optional scenic sunset cruise is available.
Included Activities
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve guided hike
Optional Activities
- Manuel Antonio scenic sunset cruise - USD100
Landmarks/POIs Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve - Day 20
Manuel Antonio
You'll explore Manuel Antonio National Park's lush jungle with a naturalist guide included. Your park entrance fee is covered and your guide has expert knowledge of the rainforest and where to find sloths, iguanas and other unique wildlife. Dinner is included at your hotel tonight.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Manuel Antonio National Park tour with naturalist guide entrance and transport
Optional Activities
- Boogie board rental - USD69
- Mangrove Kayak Activity (with lunch) - USD79
Landmarks/POIs Manuel Antonio National Park - Day 21
Manuel Antonio to Terraba Indigenous Community
You'll travel to a small Indigenous Terraba community, an Indigenous group with rich cultural heritage living along the Terraba River for over 500 years. The community is matriarchal with women as teachers and cultural keepers. You'll learn to paint your own wooden mask and share a home-cooked lunch with villagers. Later you'll drive by private vehicle to a mountain lodge on the edge of Quetzales National Park in the Talamanca Mountains, with dinner included at the lodge.
- Meals
- Lunch (Home-cooked lunch shared with Terraba villagers), Dinner (Dinner at mountain lodge restaurant)
Included Activities
- Terraba Indigenous community visit
- Mask painting lesson
- Terraba home-cooked lunch
Landmarks/POIs Quetzales National Park - Day 22
Cloud Forest Birdwatching
Early morning you'll walk in the cloud forest adjacent to Quetzales National Park with a local naturalist guide. This region is recognized as one of the best places to see the resplendent quetzal in its natural habitat, with far fewer tourists than Monteverde. You'll spot hummingbirds, tapirs and sloths while enjoying quiet exploration, ending your walk at a waterfall.
Included Activities
- Talamanca Mountains Cloud Forest birdwatching with naturalist guide
Landmarks/POIs Talamanca Mountains - Day 23
Coffee Farm to San Jose
You'll visit an ecological family-owned organic farm to learn how coffee beans go from cherry to cup. Experience the full process from planting through harvesting, roasting and grinding, then prepare your own cup of coffee. You'll have lunch with the farm family, then drive back to San Jose where your leader takes you on a stroll through the city. There's an optional farewell dinner to celebrate your adventure.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch with farm family)
Included Activities
- Tierra Amiga Coffee Experience including lunch
Optional Activities
- San Jose optional farewell dinner
- Jade Archaeological Museum (Entrance fee) - USD17
- Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Entrance fee) - USD17
- National Museum (entrance fee) - USD12
- San Jose By Night: Food and Culture - Urban Adventures - USD78
- Day 24
San Jose
Your tour ends this morning. After breakfast, you're free to leave whenever you'd like. If you want to stay longer in Costa Rica, contact your booking agent about extension options.
