Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Cancun
You'll arrive in Cancun on your own and head to Adhara Cancun to check in and get settled for the trip.
- Day 2
Cancun to Bacalar
After picking up your rental car, you'll drive to Tulum and walk around the Mayan ruins sitting above the Caribbean, checking out the Temple of the Descending God, Temple of the Wind, and Fresco Temple. From there, continue on to Bacalar's Lagoon of Seven Colors, visit Fort of San Felipe de Bacalar, and take a refreshing swim in Cenote Azul before reaching your overnight spot.
- Meals
- Breakfast (American breakfast)
Included Activities
- Visit Tulum Mayan archaeological site
- Visit Fort of San Felipe de Bacalar
- Swimming in Cenote Azul
Landmarks/POIs Tulum Lagoon of Seven Colors Fort of San Felipe de Bacalar Cenote Azul - Day 3
Bacalar Boat Tour to Calakmul
This morning starts with a 2.5-hour boat trip through Laguna Bacalar, stopping at Cenote Cocalitos with its ancient stromatolites, Pirate Canal, and the Black Cenote. Later you'll explore Chicanna and its distinctive architectural styles, then head to the bat cave in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve by evening to watch thousands of bats take off at sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast (American breakfast)
Included Activities
- Boat tour of Laguna Bacalar
- Visit Cenote Cocalitos/Stromatolites
- Visit Pirate Canal
- Visit Black Cenote/Cenote of the Witch
- Visit Chicannà archaeological site
- Bat cave visit in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve
Landmarks/POIs Cenote Cocalitos Pirate Canal Black Cenote Chicannà Calakmul Biosphere Reserve - Day 4
Calakmul to Palenque
You'll drive deep into the rainforest to see Calakmul, one of the largest Mayan cities ever found. After checking out the pyramids, particularly Structure II rising about 45 meters, and taking in the jungle views, you'll continue on to Palenque for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (American breakfast)
Included Activities
- Visit Calakmul archaeological site and national park
Landmarks/POIs Calakmul - Day 5
Palenque
Spend your morning at Palenque exploring the Mayan city with its Temple of Inscriptions holding over 620 hieroglyphs and the tomb of King Pakal. In the afternoon, cool off with a swim at Roberto Barrios waterfalls before heading back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (American breakfast)
Included Activities
- Visit Palenque archaeological site
- Visit Temple of Inscriptions
- Swimming at Roberto Barrios waterfalls
Landmarks/POIs Palenque Temple of Inscriptions Roberto Barrios waterfalls - Day 6
Palenque to Campeche
You'll self-drive along the Gulf of Mexico past fishing villages and reach Campeche. Visit the Archaeological Museum at Baluarte San Miguel to see jadeite masks and burial figures, then walk through the colonial city checking out the 17th-century Spanish fortifications, La Concepción Cathedral, and the Zocalo Parque Principal.
- Meals
- Breakfast (American breakfast)
Included Activities
- Visit Archaeological Museum in Baluarte San Miguel
- Explore Campeche colonial city fortifications
Optional Activities
- Visit La Concepción Cathedral
- Explore Zocalo Parque Principal
Landmarks/POIs Archaeological Museum in Baluarte San Miguel La Concepción Cathedral Zocalo Parque Principal - Day 7
Campeche to Merida
Driving through citrus plantations, you'll reach Uxmal to see the Late Classic Mayan ruins with their beautifully decorated facades and terraces. Continue on to Celestún, a biosphere reserve famous for mangrove ecosystems and Cuban flamingos, then finish in Merida.
- Meals
- Breakfast (American breakfast)
Included Activities
- Visit Uxmal archaeological site
Optional Activities
- Boat trip in Celestún to observe flamingos and wildlife
Landmarks/POIs Uxmal Celestún Biosphere Reserve - Day 8
Merida to Chichen Itza
In Merida, you'll walk through colonial architecture like the cathedral and bishop's seat, browse the colorful market, then drive to Izamal to visit the Franciscan convent, the main square, and Mayan ruins including the pyramid Kinich Kak Moo. After checking the Cultural Center for Handicrafts, you'll head to Chichen Itza for overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast (American breakfast)
Included Activities
- City tour of Merida
- Visit colorful market in Merida
- City tour of Izamal
- Visit Franciscan convent in Izamal
- Visit Itzamatul archaeological site
- Visit Kinich Kak Moo pyramid
- Visit Cultural Center for Handicrafts
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral of Merida Palacio Municipal Casa de Montejo Franciscan Convent of Izamal Itzamatul Kinich Kak Moo - Day 9
Chichen Itza to Cancun/Riviera Maya
You'll explore Chichen Itza seeing the iconic El Castillo pyramid at 30 meters high, the largest ball court in the Yucatan, and El Caracol where Mayans tracked Venus. Later, head to Cenote de Dzitnup near Valladolid to swim in crystal-clear turquoise waters surrounded by stalactites, then transfer to your hotel in Cancun or the Riviera Maya.
- Meals
- Breakfast (American breakfast)
Included Activities
- Visit Chichen Itza archaeological zone
- Visit El Castillo pyramid
- Visit ball court
- Visit El Caracol observatory
- Visit Cenote de Dzitnup
Landmarks/POIs Chichen Itza El Castillo Cenote de Dzitnup
