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Best time
Dec-Apr
Price
From £ 5,100 pp
Ideal length
14 days
Flight time
12hrs
Currency
Mexican peso
Language
Spanish
The Maya civilisation had a profound influence over Mexico and one that still proudly lingers today.
On this trip, you’ll visit a trio of places where their legacy – as well as other Mesoamerican cultures – can be most keenly felt, from the beaches of Tulum to the street markets of Mexico City.
Your Maya journey will begin gently among the pearl-white sands of Tulum, where tropical relaxation has never looked so good in Mexico. The Maya imprint isn’t far away, with Tulum’s iconic seaside ruins still so well preserved you can almost imagine pre-Columbian merchants arriving in their canoes ready to trade with the Maya. Be Tulum will be your bohemian-chic base for your first week in Mexico, where you can choose to live out your days barefoot or explore the cenotes, mangroves and tropical forest of the UNESCO-protected Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve inland.
Now fully rested, you’ll move on to Mérida, pausing to explore the legendary pyramids of Chichén Itzá, the pre-Hispanic world’s most celebrated wonder. Mérida itself is a fascinating bridge between Mexico’s pre-Columbian past and Spanish colonialism, with its whitewashed mansions straddling tree-shaded boulevards and being on the frontier of several Maya ruins. Enjoy a day exploring its chocolate box of wonders before concluding your Mexico holiday in Mexico City.
Being one of the largest cities in the western hemisphere, Mexico City makes use of its ample space to flex its creative, culinary and historic muscles. Pre-Columbian ruins sit alongside busy street food markets and grand, sprawling plazas that all combine for an infectious metropolis. You’ll immerse yourself in the Mexican capital in microscopic fashion with a guided food tour through an Aztec market for a delicious sample of its pre-Hispanic cuisine. End your trip on a literal high with a private hot air balloon ride over the Mesoamerican masterpiece of Teotihuacán. A huge complex of ancient pyramids, you’ll have a guide on hand to explain the making of this ancient wonder, before toasting to your experience – and your trip as a whole – with a glass of Champagne when you touch ground.
Experience highlights
- Stay at Be Tulum, a barefoot beachfront resort where you can revel in being a Maya version of Robinson Crusoe. This is where you can be as laid-back as you like but you do want to stretch your legs, the Tulum ruins and the lush Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve are close by.
- Explore the fabled ruins of Chichén Itzá with your own private guide. They’ll help you make sense of some of the mysteries behind the Maya astronomical clock by taking you from temple to temple, including its signature draw El Castillo.
- Marvel at Mérida’s patchwork of cultures at your own behest. Linking the pre-Columbian with Spanish rule, a wander through the city is an enthralling glimpse into Mexico’s history. Stroll among the alabaster-white mansions of Paseo de Montejo and feel the local vibe among the plazas soundtracked by live music.
- Taste your way around Mexico City on a guided gastronomic tour. Visit an Aztec market for tamales and tortillas, sip tequila in a local cantina and try street food quesadillas and moles, before walking it off with a guided stroll among its rich architecture.
- Soar over the epic ruins of Teotihuacán on a sunrise hot air balloon flight. There’s no better angle than from up high to appreciate the largest pre-Hispanic site in the country, watching the sunrise cast its warm glow as you float over Teotihuacán’s two most iconic creations – the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon.
Experience highlights
Tulum is a town lazily basking in the sunshine of Mexico's east coast, it combines both beautiful beaches and Maya culture with its seaside ruins in full view.
The wilderness that encases Tulum is also pocked with cenotes, water-filled sinkholes and caves that make for a refreshing swim. Gran Cenote is one of our favourites.
Take some time out for some R&R at your beachside base; BeTulum.
Bid farewell to the flour-white sands of Tulum for the colonial grandeur of Mérida. Stop to visit the iconic wonder of Chichén Itzá along the way.
Your guide will help you make sense of the mysteries behind the Maya astronomical clock by taking you from temple to temple.
Rest your head at Rosas and Xocolate, a Bboutique Spa Hotel comprised of two exquisite, restored, French-style mansions in the heart of Mérida
Taste your way through Mexico's history of cuisine with a private guided food tour or Merida
Visit an Aztec market where you can try pre-Hispanic food like tamales and tortillas, sip tequila or mezcal in a local cantina
Rise early for a private hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacán.
You’ll be one of the lucky ones, watching the sunrise cast its warm glow as you float over Teotihuacán’s two most iconic creations – the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon.
Plan your trip
Our experiences are tailor-made to the individual, so this itinerary is simply a starting point that can be
altered, customised, or completely changed into something bespoke for you. Call us on +44 20 7659 4433 or
enquire online to start planning your holiday.
Request your tailor-made itinerary to Mexico
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