Go way beyond the Mayan Riviera on this active adventure through Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Visit the iconic site of Chichen Itzá and bike between freshwater sinkholes in the jungle to swim and cool off from the heat. Stay at a working agave hacienda and venture into the stunning scenery of Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve to explore by boat and on foot. Experience the Yucatecan traditions through it's delicious regional cuisine and friendly people. Bookended by beachside Playa del Carmen and Tulum, discover a different side of Mexico's incredible natural and cultural beauty.
Day 1: Playa del Carmen: Welcome to the Yucatan PeninsulaSitting on a stretch of white sand beach along the Mayan Riviera, Playa del Carmen bursts with energy and international travellers. Strolling the pedestrian Quinta Avenida takes you past seemingly endless shops, bars and restaurants with the beach and blue sea just beyond. We welcome you to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, and invite you to embrace the landscapes, history and incredible food that this region has to offer.
Day 2: Valladolid: Visit Chichen ItzáAt the first glimpse of the massive pyramid at Chichen Itzá, you'll see why photos can't properly do it justice as you appreciate the sheer size and craftsmanship. Duck between the shade of trees to escape the blazing sun and explore what was a massive Mayan city, one of the most important in the region in its heyday. Jungle surrounds the site along with giant sinkholes in the limestone called cenotes, leading to the vast network of underground rivers, all of which played an important part in the cosmology and daily lives of the Maya inhabitants.
Day 3: Mérida hacienda: A Living RanchIn many ways life at a working ranch (hacienda) mirrors what it would have been like hundreds of years ago, using traditional techniques in agriculture and raising livestock. The harvesting of henequen, a type of agave plant known locally as "green gold" is important in all sorts of practical ways as the fibres are used to make ropes, twine and even local spirits.
Day 4: Mérida Hacienda: CenotesPedaling through the jungle, you'll approach a giant hole in the earth filled with clear blue water that beckons you to take a break from the heat in the cool, fresh water. This part of the Yucatán is littered with these iconic landmarks that were so sacred to the Maya and serve as the perfect way to cool off and swim. The nearby city of Merida serves as the capital city of the Yucatán and embodies a unique cultural heritage of the indigenous cultures and the Spanish who settled here in the 1500s.
Day 5: Mérida hacienda: Your OMG DayThe Mayan ruins of Uxmal may not be as well-known as Chichen Itzá but they are similarly spectacular and with less visitors. If you're looking for something more active, then perhaps a kayaking trip in the Celestún Biosphere may hold more interest, the choice is yours. Flexibility is the order of the day for you to experience the Yucatan on your own terms.
Day 6: Tulum: Seaside Coastal RuinsWhat was once a small unknown town on the Mayan Riviera has now become the next big thing. The ruins themselves are one of the very few Mayan site lying along the coast, and in its day Tulum was an important outpost for trade and for strategic positioning. The azure blue water and white sand beaches make it one of the most beautiful places you have ever seen.
Day 7: Tulum: Explore the Sian Ka'an Biosphere ReserveMeaning "The Place Where the Sky is Born," the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is one of the most beautiful places along Mexico's Caribbean coast, designated as a UNESCO Heritage Site for its vast biodiversity and wetlands. Explore by boat along a network of canals dug out by the Mayans and search for wildlife like monkeys, crocodiles and tropical birds. Cool off in the the crystal clear water of one of the canals as you float past Mayan ruins and mangrove forests.
Day 8: TulumThe adventure finishes today, and you can depart at any time.
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