Itinerary
- Day 1
Chichen Itza Day Trip
You'll need to wake up well before dawn since you're heading out at 4:00 AM for a 12-hour guided tour to Chichen Itza. Getting there early means you'll beat the crowds at this ancient Mayan site that flourished from 600 AD to 1200. With your specialized guide, you'll climb the pyramids and get views out over the jungle-surrounded ruins. The site's a UNESCO-protected location and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, so there's plenty to take in throughout the day.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Chichen Itza archaeological site with specialized guide
- Explore Mayan ruins and climb pyramids
Landmarks/POIs Chichen Itza - Day 2
Cancun to Playa del Carmen
Today involves a bus transfer from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. You'll need to make your own way to the bus station and catch one of the frequent departures that run every 30 to 45 minutes between 6:30 AM and 9:30 PM. The journey takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, so it's pretty straightforward once you're on board.
- Day 3
Playa del Carmen
This is your free day in Playa del Carmen. You've got the whole place to explore at your own pace without any scheduled activities or guides. How you spend your time here is completely up to you and what interests you.
- Day 4
Playa del Carmen to Tulum
You'll take a bus from Playa del Carmen to Tulum today. Head to the bus station on your own and you've got several departures to choose from: 9:16 AM, 9:25 AM, 9:51 AM, 10:00 AM, and 10:36 AM. The ride takes roughly 1 hour, so pick whichever time works best for your schedule.
- Day 5
Tulum
Another free day for you, this time in Tulum. You can wander around the area without any set schedule or organized activities. It's a chance to see what the town has to offer on your own terms.
- Day 6
Tulum to Merida
You're heading from Tulum to Merida by bus. Make your way to the station and you'll find several departure options throughout the day: 1:40 AM, 8:57 AM, 10:47 AM, 2:37 PM, 6:57 PM, 8:17 PM, and 9:27 PM. The journey takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes, so plan accordingly based on which time you choose.
- Day 7
Merida to Palenque
Tonight you've got an overnight bus transfer from Merida to Palenque. You'll catch a late evening departure at either 10:00 PM or 11:30 PM. It's a 9-hour ride, so you'll arrive in Palenque early tomorrow morning. Make sure you get to the bus station on your own and settle in for the long journey.
- Day 8
Misol-Ha - Agua Azul to San Cristobal
You'll be picked up at 8:00 AM for a long but packed 14-hour day. Start with a couple hours at Palenque Ruins exploring this ancient Mayan city tucked into tropical jungle with pyramids and structures to climb. From there, head to Misol-Ha Waterfall for 45 minutes where you can swim in a deep pool and walk right behind the 40-meter cascades into caves. After lunch, spend 2.5 hours at Agua Azul swimming in clear pools and walking alongside torrential waterfalls in a green valley. Then buckle in for a 4 to 5 hour drive to San Cristobal. It's exhausting but you'll see a lot.
Included Activities
- Visit Palenque Ruins with self-guided exploration and pyramid climbing
- Visit Misol-Ha Waterfall with swimming and cave access
- Visit Agua Azul Waterfalls with swimming and valley walks
- Transfer to San Cristobal
Landmarks/POIs Palenque Ruins Misol-Ha Waterfall Agua Azul Waterfalls - Day 9
Local & Sustainable Foodie Experience
At 1:00 PM you'll start a 2-hour local and sustainable foodie experience focused on Chiapas traditional cuisine. You'll taste dishes made with local ingredients including authentic Chiapas soup, a pork, chicken, or vegetarian main with traditional seasoning, and a Mayan drink. The experience happens in a light-filled space that also sells fair trade handicrafts made by indigenous women, so it's supporting the local community while you eat.
- Meals
- Lunch (Chiapas traditional cuisine including authentic soup from San Cristobal, pork/chicken/vegetarian main dish with traditional seasoning, and Mayan drink)
Included Activities
- Local & Sustainable Foodie Experience with Chiapas traditional cuisine tasting
- Day 10
San Cristobal to Oaxaca
You've got an overnight bus transfer from San Cristobal de las Casas to Oaxaca. Head to the station on your own and catch one of several evening departures: 11:30 AM, 8:00 PM, 9:20 PM, or later. The overnight journey takes about 12 hours and 30 minutes, so you'll arrive in Oaxaca early the next morning.
- Day 11
Hierve el Agua Hike
Early at 7:00 AM you'll start a 9-hour tour to Hierve el Agua, known for its petrified waterfalls made of carbonated water and natural springs in the Sierra Madre mountains about 50 kilometers away. You'll swim in clear pools and take guided walks through the trails. The tour also includes learning about mezcal making with tastings, then stops at Teotitlan del Valle, a Zapotec weavers town where artisans use ancient techniques to make rugs. Note that this tour only runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
Included Activities
- Hike through Hierve el Agua with swimming in natural pools
- Guided walks through trails at Hierve el Agua
- Mezcal making demonstration and tasting
- Visit Teotitlan del Valle Zapotec weavers town
Landmarks/POIs Hierve el Agua Teotitlan del Valle - Day 12
Oaxaca to Mexico City
You're taking a bus from Oaxaca to Mexico City. Make your way to the station and you'll find plenty of departure times throughout the day and evening: 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM, noon, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM, and several between 9:30 PM and after midnight. The journey takes about 7 hours, so pick a time that suits your schedule.
- Day 13
Teotihuacan Early Morning Tour
You're heading out early at 6:20 AM for an 8-hour tour to Teotihuacan, known as the 'City of the Gods.' Your guide will take you through the ancient archaeological site before crowds show up, visiting structures, squares, and murals while sharing history and recent discoveries. Later you'll stop at a local family's obsidian workshop where you can sample cactus-based liqueurs and traditional Mexican spirits like tequila, mezcal, and pulque. The day ends with free time to grab lunch on your own before heading back.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Teotihuacan archaeological site
- Explore pyramids, structures, squares, and murals
- Visit local Teotihuacan family's obsidian workshop
- Sample cactus-based liqueurs and traditional Mexican spirits (tequila, mezcal, pulque)
Optional Activities
- Lunch at local restaurant (not included)
Landmarks/POIs Teotihuacan
