Mexico Holidays
Hidden Villages and Backroads of the Yucatan
Balam Tour - 17 Night Itinerary
Journey the backroads discovering seldom visited corners of the Yucatan. History unfolds in the colonial splendour of Merida and pyramids of ancient civilisations.
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Tour Route
- Valladolid - 1 Night
- Espita - 3 Nights
- Dzidzantun - 3 Nights
- Merida - 5 Nights
- Chichen Itza - 3 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 country boutique hotel, full of colonial charm
- Visit Izamal, known as the "yellow city" for its ochre facades.
- 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 departure date, route, duration, flights, cabin, 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.
Saturday, 14 December 2024
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.
Espita - 3 Nights
Day 2 - Tour of Valladolid, Ek Balam & Espita
Day 3 - San Cristano and Izamal
Day 4 - At leisure
- Full Description
Sunday, 15 December 2024
Valladolid, Ek Balam & Espita
Explore colonial Valladolid this morning. Afternoon transfer north to Ek Balam, a beautiful Mayan archaeological site dating back to 300 BC. From the main pyramid you can see the ball court, the Oval Palace and 360 degrees of the jungle surrounding the site.
Later, check-in to Casona Los Cedros, a charming boutique hotel in the quiet country town of Espita well off the tourist track. Here we stay for 3-nights including breakfast.
Monday, 16 December 2024
San Cristano and Izamal
Today we visit the coastal town of San and take a boat trip exploring the mangroves in the nature reserve. We also visit the ancient settlement of Izamal (known as the yellow city and the largest number of ancient Mayan pyramids by volume in all of the Yucatan) and the beautifully preserved convent of San Antonio de Padula.
Tuesday, 17 December 2024
At leisure
Relax and enjoy the charms of your boutique hotel, or explore Espita, visit a cenote, learn about hammock making, local ceramics or embroidery. Photographers will be interested in visiting the Red Lake - a pink coloured salt flat.
Dzidzantun - 3 Nights
Day 2 - Travel to Dzidzantun
Day 3 - San Cristano and Izamal
Day 4 - At leisure
- Full Description
Wednesday, 18 December 2024
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, 19 December 2024
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, 20 December 2024
At leisure
Relax and enjoy the charms of your rural Hacienda.
Merida - 5 Nights
Day 5 - Drive along the coast
Day 6 - The Franciscan Route
Day 7 - At leisure in Merida
Day 8 - Uxmal and Kabah
Day 9 - Celestun Nature Reserve
- Full Description
Saturday, 21 December 2024
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 5-nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
Sunday, 22 December 2024
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, 23 December 2024
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, 24 December 2024
Uxmal and Kabah
Enjoy a full day guided visit to the magnificent archaeological sites of Uxmal and Kabah, with intricate, incomparable Puuc stonework.
Wednesday, 25 December 2024
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 - 3 Nights
Day 10 - Travel to Chichen Itza
Day 11 - Visit Chichen Itza without the crowds
Day 12 - Rio Lagartos
- Full Description
Thursday, 26 December 2024
Travel to Chichen Itza
Travel to the ancient pyramids of Chichen Itza, staying at your chosen hotel located close the site for 3-nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
Friday, 27 December 2024
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.
Saturday, 28 December 2024
Rio Lagartos
Today we explore the nature and mangroves of the Lagartos River and the nearby biosphere reserve by boat. Accompanied by an experienced guide, observe much birdlife and wildlife including flamencos. We also visit "Maya Bath", where you can bathe in a typical white clay bath on the beach or a in a freshwater spring.
Tulum - 2 Nights
Day 13 - Coba and a Caribbean beach
Day 14 - Tulum ruins
Day 15 - Transfer for flight back to UK
Day 16 - Arrive in the UK
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Sunday, 29 December 2024
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 on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax on the beach and enjoy the facilities of your hotel.
Monday, 30 December 2024
Tulum ruins
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.
Tuesday, 31 December 2024
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.
Price Guidelines
| Season | Low Season | |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Dates | Year round | |
| Room Arrangement | Tourist | First |
| Multiple Travellers - Twin Room | £5,212 | £5,679 |
| Single Traveller - Own Room | £6,266 | £7,483 |
Prices are a guideline per person, for travel within the next year and booking early and are subject to availability. Please see below what is included and request a detailed quotation with a guaranteed price for your specific departure date and for Special Events, Summer, 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
- Exclusive list of restaurant suggestions
- Prices are per person
- Prices for Special Events, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Easter on request
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