Mexico Holidays
Hidden Villages and Backroads of the Yucatan
14 Night Itinerary from £2,692
Balam Tour
Journey the backroads discovering seldom visited corners of the Yucatan. History unfolds in the colonial splendour of Merida and pyramids of ancient civilisations.
Select your preferred departure date
Tour Route
- Valladolid - 1 Night
- Dzidzantun - 3 Nights
- Merida - 4 Nights
- Celestun Nature Reserve - 2 Nights
- Chichen Itza - 2 Nights
- Tulum - 2 Nights
Travel Highlights
- Journey the back roads to discover the Yucatan's seldom visited side
- Discover colonial cities, half-forgotten pyramids and coastal habitats
- Stay 3 nights in a traditional hacienda, full of colonial charm
- Compare lesser-known Mayan ruins with the famed Puuc style ruins at Uxmal
- Watch pink flamingos and exotic bird life at the coastal Celestun Nature Reserve
- Avoid the midday sun and day-trippers at the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza
- Admire the cliff-top ruins of Tulum, perched over an idyllic beach
This itinerary can be tailored to your preferences by our specialist advisors, who can provide a guaranteed price based on your choice of route, duration, flights, hotels, transport and excursions.
Tour Itinerary
Valladolid - 1 Night
Day 1 - Departure on daytime flight to Cancun, onwards to Valladolid
- Full Description
Meet your Guide
Our hand-picked guides offer you an exclusive insight into the best excustions and activites on offer.
Tuesday, 30 November 2021
Fly to Cancun, onwards to Valladolid
Fly from London Gatwick direct to Cancun. On arrival you will be met and taken to the colonial city of Valladolid, where we stay for 1 night.
Dzidzantun - 3 Nights
Day 2 - Travel to Dzidzantun
Day 3 - San Cristano and Izamal
Day 4 - At leisure
- Full Description
Wednesday, 01 December 2021
Ek Balam and Dzidzantun
Explore colonial Valladolid this morning. Afternoon transfer north to Ek Balam ruins, whose main temple has superb stuccos. We continue through rural Mayan town of Dzidzantun, where you will stay for 3 nights in a colonial Hacienda, now converted to a character hotel. As part of your accommodation you have included bicycles for you to explore the grounds. There is also superb birdwatching in the grounds of the Hacienda.
Thursday, 02 December 2021
San Cristano and Izamal
Today we visit the coastal town of San Cristano and take a boat trip exploring the mangroves in the nature reserve. We also visit the ancient settlement of Izamal and the beautifully preserved convent of San Antonio de Padula.
Friday, 03 December 2021
At leisure
Relax and enjoy the charms of your rural Hacienda.
Merida - 4 Nights
Day 5 - Drive along the coast
Day 6 - The Franciscan Route
Day 7 - At leisure in Merida
Day 8 - Uxmal and Kabah
- Full Description
Saturday, 04 December 2021
Drive along the coast
Enjoy a scenic drive this morning along the coastal road with the Gulf on one side and lagoons with flamingos on the other. We visit Xambo, an important trading centre with impressive Mayan temples, and Progresso where you can take a stroll and have lunch. Continue to Merida where we stay for 4 nights.
Sunday, 05 December 2021
The Franciscan Route
Today we join our guide on a full day excursion exploring what is known as the Franciscan route visiting the church of Mani, with its open-air chapel built to evangelise the natives peoples. We also visit the Mayan market village of Oxkutzcab.
Monday, 06 December 2021
At leisure in Merida
Explore Merida at your leisure today, perhaps stopping at one of the many local cafes to watch the world go by and enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine.
Tuesday, 07 December 2021
Uxmal and Kabah
Enjoy a full day guided visit to the magnificent archaeological sites of Uxmal and Kabah, with intricate, incomparable Puuc stonework.
Celestun Nature Reserve - 2 Nights
Day 9 - Travel to Celestun
Day 10 - Explore Celestun Nature Reserve
- Full Description
Wednesday, 08 December 2021
Travel to Celestun
Transfer to your chosen hotel or lodge located near to Celestun Nature Reserve, where we stay for 2 nights.
Thursday, 09 December 2021
Explore Celestun Nature Reserve
A full day to visit the Celestun Biosphere Reserve, a vast wetland reserve that is home to over 200 species of birds including pink flamingos, herons, pelicans and sea turtles. We travel on foot and by local boat exploring the mangroves and lakes getting as close as possible to photograph pink flamingos in their natural habitat. We also visit the town on Celestun, a sleepy coastal fishing town full of character.
Chichen Itza - 2 Nights
Day 11 - Travel to Chichen Itza
Day 12 - Visit Chichen Itza without the crowds
- Full Description
Friday, 10 December 2021
Travel to Chichen Itza
Travel to the ancient pyramids of Chichen Itza, staying at your chosen hotel located close the site for 2 nights.
Saturday, 11 December 2021
Visit Chichen Itza without the crowds
You have a full day to explore the extensive and impressive site on your own. We suggest visiting in the early morning and afternoon, avoiding the midday heat and crowds of day-trippers.
Tulum - 2 Nights
Day 13 - Coba and a Caribbean beach
Day 14 - Tulum
Day 15 - Transfer for flight back to UK
Day 16 - Arrive in the UK
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Sunday, 12 December 2021
Coba and a Caribbean beach
Today we drive to Coba, where we explore the great pyramids set amidst dense forest. We then continue along the Caribbean coast staying for 2 nights at your chosen hotel in Tulum. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax on the beach and enjoy the facilities of your hotel.
Monday, 13 December 2021
Tulum
This morning we visit the famous archaeological site of Tulum, a well preserved ancient Mayan port city. The main building is a castle (El Castillo), built in stone and positioned on a rocky cliff looking out over an idyllic white sandy beach and the turquoise sea. We return to your hotel to relax and enjoy your last evening in what is, for many, a touch of paradise.
Tuesday, 14 December 2021
Transfer for flight back to UK
Transfer to Cancun Airport for your direct overnight flight to London.
Dreams Tulum
Tulum - First Resort
Located on one of the most beautiful beaches, surrounded by lush tropical trees & fine white sand. The 458 luxury suites and guest rooms are elegantly decorated in a colonial style, have their own patio or balcony, with air-conditioning, TV, CD/DVD player. Ideal for families with a variety of activities including cycling, water sports, tennis, dance lessons and a children's club. There is a swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa, fitness centre.
Cabanas Los Lirios
Tulum - Tourist Hotel
Los Lirios is a secluded hotel in Tulum located in the heart of Mayan Riviera and a short drive from the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve. Offering unusual comfort and lovely spacious rooms to its guests. Surrounded by relatively undistributed tropical forest and set upon a beautiful beach, the hotel is the perfect combination between forest conservation and sustainable eco-tourism, among mangroves, the source of life for the sea reef.
All rooms have private bathroom with tub, sitting area, mosquito net windows and a terrace with chairs and hammock. Guests can enjoy a spectacular ocean view in the beachfront, " Los Corales" restaurant.
Rosa del Viento
Tulum - Tourist Boutique
Rosa del Viento is located right on the beach, south of Tulum and close to Punta Allen and Sian Ka'an reserve. The sand is white, the sea turquoise green and you are close to the barrier reef. It has 10 rooms on the seafront and 16 facing the gardens, all have balconies or terrace and modern amenities including free Wi-Fi. The restaurant is a large wooden palapa with terrace, thatched roof and romantic lightning overlooking the beach and the sea, and serving international and local cuisine.
There is no swimming pool but, on the beach you have stylish chaises longues and thatched sunshades to unwind.
Price Guidelines
| Season | Low Season | High Season | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel Dates | 25 Dec-21 Jun, 17 Aug - 12 Dec | 22 Jun-16 Aug, 13 Dec - 24 Dec | ||
| Room Arrangement | Tourist | First | Tourist | First |
| Multiple Travellers - Twin Room | £2,692 | £3,158 | £3,063 | £3,519 |
| Multiple Travellers - Own Room | £3,560 | £4,281 | £3,921 | £4,642 |
| Single Traveller - Own Room | £3,814 | £4,661 | £4,175 | £5,022 |
Prices are a guideline and per person. Please request a quote for Special Events, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.
What's Included
- 16 days / 14 nights
- International flights (1 overnight)
- Excursions with English-speaking guides
- Accommodation as shown in the itinerary
- Breakfast every day and meals as described in the itinerary
- Transfers to and from airports
- Transport throughout the itinerary
- Excursions listed, all with expert, English-speaking guides
- Prices are per person
- Prices for Special Events, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Easter on request
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