Explore two jewels of the Yucatan Peninsula! The walled city of Campeche & the white city of Mérida while you learn and explore Mayan Culture. On this trip, you will get to know more about the World Heritage City of Campeche, dive into the Mayan World, visit stunning archeological sites, and immerse yourself with the beautiful nature.
Right for You?
One of our local experts in Mexico will make this the perfect trip for you!
Base Price:
$1,150/person
Speaks: English and Spanish
Highlights
-Eat delicious local meals and delightful new foods -Discover the World Heritage City of Campeche & the white City of Mérida -Get to know the artisan route along the Camino Real -Interact with community members -Visit the stunning archeological site of Uxmal
Details
Itinerary
¡Bienvenidos a Campeche! Once you arrived, your local driver will pick you up at Campeche’s airport and take you to your hotel in the city center (approx. 15 minutes drive). Today you only will relax from your flight. Of course, we will give you our best recommendations to enjoy a typical meal in one of the restaurants, which this colonial town has to offer
● Accommodation: Hotel Socaire or similar in Campeche.
● Activities: None included for today.
● Transport: Private transfer from Campeche airport to your hotel.
Today after breakfast your local guide will pick you up and take you on a 3-hour city walking tour. The capital of Campeche is considered as a World Heritage city by UNESCO, because of its beauty and importance in the history of Mexico.
We consider it a real jewel of our country that is still not over crowed of tourists and that preserves its colonial charm. In this tour, you will discover the roots of the city, its pirate era, as well as the different stages of fortification since it is one of the only two cities in North America that was completely walled.
In the end, you will have the rest of the day off to continue enjoying the city. Of course, we will give you our best recommendations on where to enjoy a delicious dinner. Rest at night.
● Accommodation: Hotel Socaire or similar in Campeche.
● Activities: City Walking Tour in Campeche.
● Transport: None included for today.
Today we recommend you to have a light breakfast as you will have a very special tour. Your private guide will pick you up and take you to some towns along the Camino Real, named for the route that the Mexican Empress Maria Carlota Amalia took on her journey to the Yucatan Peninsula in 1865 (approx. 1h 30 minutes drive).
Your first stop will be Hecelchakán, a place which is very famous for its cochinita pibil, one of the most traditional dishes in the region. You will walk around the central square to continue to your second stop of the day, the Mayan community of Bécal, where you will visit a family of artisans who will teach you the steps to make the famous Jipi Japa palm hats.
Finally, you will visit the community of Pomuch, which is very famous for the elaboration of artisan bread and internationally recognized for the cleaning of bones during the Day of the Dead festivities. Afterward, you will head back to your hotel in Campeche, where you will be able to rest and spend the night.
● Accommodation: Hotel Socaire or similar in Campeche.
● Activities: Artisanal Tour to the communities of the Camino Real.
● Transport: Private transportation to the mentioned activities.
After starting the day with a delicious breakfast, you will be picked up by your private driver and head towards Uxmal to get ready for a guided tour, a land surrounded by legends, myths, and anecdotes (approx. 2h drive). Your guide will explain the history of this ancient pre-Hispanic city, which is made up of 15 buildings located from north to south. The most impressive of these is the Pyramid of the Soothsayer, which is more than 35 meters high and designed in such a way that its steps face east, towards the sunset on the summer solstice.
After visiting this stunning site, you will head to the colonial town of Merida. Once you arrived at the hotel, you will take a rest of the day (approx. 1h drive).
● Accommodation: Casa Lucía or similar in Mérida.
● Activities: Guided Visit to the archeological site of Uxmal.
● Transportation: Private Transfer to the mentioned activities and Transfer to Mérida.
After an early breakfast, meet your local guide and head west to the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá. This pre-Hispanic city was once the most venerated center of worship and pilgrimage of the Yucatán Peninsula. Its main draw is the step Pyramid of Kukulkán (El Castillo), though there are many significant Mayan and Toltec buildings, sculptures, and reliefs that will pull you in, like the Chacmools, Temple of the Warriors, Hall of the Thousand Columns, and the ball courts to name a few.
Before reaching your last stop for today, you will drive to the lovely cenote (sinkhole), which is rather unknown and therefore, not as crowded as other cenotes (approx. 1h drive). Cenotes are magical, enigmatic, and unique in the world and they were once the only source of fresh water in the local jungle. They were sacred to the Mayans for that reason, but also because they represented the entrance to the underworld. After a nice swim, have lunch in a traditional restaurant that you will find in the surroundings of the cenote, run by a local community.
● Accommodation: Casa Lucía or similar in Mérida.
● Activities: Visit Chichén Itzá archaeological site.
● Transport: Private transportation to the mentioned activities.
Today, you will join a group excursion to visit Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve.
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your local guide and depart on a trip to Celestún (approx. 1h 30 minutes drive). The reserve has a landscape with a great diversity of coastal ecosystems, ranging from mangroves to dunes, passing through several types of the low jungle. It is also home to a variety of around 600 different species. You will take a boat tour with a local guide, who will take you to the most impressive spots of the reserve.
In the afternoon, you will return to your hotel and have time to rest or continue enjoying the beautiful colonial town of Mérida.
● Accommodation: Casa Lucía or similar in Mérida.
● Activities: Shared tour to Ría Celéstun.
● Transportation: Shared Transfer to the mentioned activities.
After breakfast, you will have a free day to visit Mérida on your own, a beautiful colonial city that developed a very strong cultural and political identity, due to its isolation from the rest of the country. The city is a symbol of the Mayan legacy, as you will discover during your walk.
You will be able to witness the particular religious life, discovering the prehispanic and Christian syncretism that characterizes the Mayan culture, as well as icons such as the cathedral, the main square, the government hall, and its incredible paintings, as well as other interesting buildings.
With our recommendations, you will also be able to taste the best of Yucatecan food, one of the most varied and flavorful cuisines of our Mexico. Rest for the night.
● Accommodation: Casa Lucía or similar in Mérida.
● Optional Activities: A guided walking tour through Merida
● Transportation: None included for today.
After breakfast, you will enjoy a free morning. Depending on the time of your flight, your private transportation will pick you up and take you to Mérida' s International Airport. With renewed energy and the taste of the Mexican Southeast in your heart, you will start your trip back home.¡Hasta Pronto!
● Accommodation: None included for today.
● Activities: None included for today.
● Transportation: Private Transfer to the Airport Mérida.
- Accommodation
With breakfast included in a double occupancy room at mentioned standard hotels or similar according to availability
- Activities
Mentioned as included
- Transfers
Private/Shared as mentioned
- Certified local guides
In English language
- Entrance fees
To archaeological sites and activities mentioned as included in the itinerary
- Meals
Included meals are noted in the itinerary: BB=Boxed Breakfast, B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, BL= Boxed Lunch, D= Dinner
- Taxes
What's Included
Your Local Host
Rutopia
Locally Owned Social Enterprise
Rutopía: Pioneers of Sustainable and Immersive Travel Experiences in Mexico Rutopía stands as a beacon of innovation and social responsibility in the travel industry, crafting unique journeys that connect adventurous souls with the heart and spirit of Mexico's
Getting There
