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Mexico Holidays

Colonial history, ancient temples, mayan pyramids and beach village for purists

14 Night Itinerary from  £3,940

Kukulkan Tour

Discover the ancient and colonial history of the Yucatan, from Uzamal to Chichen Itza, explore and swim the "cenote" sinkholes and unwind on the isolated, car free island of Holbox.

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Tour Route

Travel Highlights

  • Journey the back roads to discover colonial Valladolid 
  • Travel the Franciscan Convent Route with its ancient churches
  • Take refreshing dips in cenotes and visit colonial Haciendas
  • Explore Merida, the charming capital of the Yucatan
  • Explore the famous Puuc Mayan ruins at Uxmal and Kabah
  • Avoid the midday sun and day-trippers at the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza
  • A wonderful week on the island of Holbox, a car-free "bare-foot paradise"
  • Holbox is within Yum Balam Nature Reserve with marine excursions
  • There are small restaurants, bars, art galleries and shops

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

Valladolid - 1 Night

Day 1 - Departure on daytime flight to Cancun, onwards to Valladolid

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Thursday, 03 October 2024

Fly to Cancun, onwards to Valladolid

Fly from London Gatwick direct to Cancun. On arrival you will be met by our guide and taken to the colonial city of Valladolid, where we stay for 1 night on a bed and breakfast basis. 

Meson del Marques

Valladolid - Tourist Hotel

This cosy, family friendly Valladolid hotel is located in the historical district, within a 10-minute walk to the Cathedral of San Gervasio, Cenote Zaci, and Casa de los Venados. Cacao Factory and Convent de San Bernardino de Siena are also within 15 minutes. Restored in an old Casona style dating from the early seventeenth century offering over 40 years of experience, where you find colonial elegance mixed with modern amenities. 

All 90 individually decorated rooms and suites feature free WiFi and comfortable beds. Other amenities include a balcony, 24-hour room service, and cable TV.

Public facilities include a restaurant, outdoor pool, and bar/lounge, plus free WiFi in public areas.

The rates are on a bed and breakfast basis. 

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Historic Merida

Merida - 5 Nights

Day 2 - Valladolid and transfer to Merida

Day 3 - Hacienda, Cenotes and Izamal

Day 4 - Franciscan Convent Route and Uxmal

Day 5 - City Tour of Merida 

DAY 6 - At leisure in Merida

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Friday, 04 October 2024

Valladolid and transfer to Merida

Morning is free to explore colonial Valladolid, built by the Spanish conquerors in 1543, the once colonial capital of the eastern Yucatan. The city's wealthy inhabitants were nearly wiped out during the mid-19th century War of the Castes. Today the city is every bit the colonial capital it once was and the most interesting of the many churches in the town are the Cathedral, on the main square, and the church of San Bernardino de Siena next to the fortified Convento de Sisal, constructed in 1552.

In the afternoon, we transfer to Merida for a 5-night stay on an bed and breakfast basis.

 


Saturday, 05 October 2024

Haciendas, Cenotes and Izamal

Today we drive to Chunkanan where we visit a former natural Sisal fibre production plantation, now a hacienda. Take a horse pulled ride to a Cenote. We continue to Homún to see also cenotes of Tza Ujun Kat and Santa Rosa, where you can have a refreshing jump into its crystal clear and refreshing water! We then visit Hacienda Ednakán, famous for its neogothic church, and Hacienda Tepich, where we stop for lunch (not included). In the afternoon we explore Izamal, with its golden yellow buildings. Discover picturesque lanes flanked by elegant houses and the monastery of San Antonio de Padua with its elegant archways.


Sunday, 06 October 2024

Franciscan Convent Route and Uxmal

Today we explore the Franciscan Convent route, with many important towns during the christianisation of Yucatán peninsula. The Franciscan order established convents, of which the churches still exist. In Tecoh the church was built on a former prehispanic Maya temple. Arrive at Oxcutzcab town, where we visit the local market and a chance to observe Maya life in Yucatán. Our next stop is the Kabah archaeological site, once part of the Puuc region. The décor in façades of the prehispanic temples is outstanding. After lunch, visit Uxmal archaeological site, once a major temple of a Maya city kingdom. Our guide will show you the Pyramid of the Dwarf, the Nun’s Quadrangle and the amazing façades of Governor’s Palace.


Monday, 07 October 2024

City tour of Merida

Today enjoy a guided tour of Mérida, known as the "White City" and capital of the state of Yucatán. An elegant mixture of colonial and neoclassical architecture characterise the city, particularly in the main square with the cathedral, government palace, town hall and house of Montejo. We will also experience local life and markets, where you will see the influence of modern Maya culture of Mexico's southeast.


Tuesday, 08 October 2024

At leisure in Merida

You final day in Merida to enjoy as you wish.

Casa del Balam

Merida - Tourist Hotel

El Hotel Casa del Balam is one of the oldest and most distinguished hotels in Merida and the Yucatan Peninsula, but also one of the few original Mexican Art Deco houses left in the colonial city. Newly renovated, this historic mansion has been carefully outfitted with today's modern comforts and conveniences. The Casa del Balam has an advantageous location, situated only two blocks from the Main Square or Plaza Grande in the heart of the Historic Centre, near the Jose peon Contreras Theatre and the Yucatan University. 

The air-conditioned rooms are elegantly decorated with colonial antiques, wrought iron accessories and marble floors. 

Public facilities include a garden cafe-bar, "Las Palomas" Bistro featuring Mexican and International Cuisine and a swimming pool. 

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Chichen-Itza Mayan archaeological site and pyramids

Chichen Itza - 2 Nights

Day 7 - Travel to Chichen Itza

Day 8 - Visit Chichen Itza without the crowds

  • Full Description

Wednesday, 09 October 2024

Travel to Chichen Itza

Travel to the ancient pyramids of Chichen Itza, staying at your chosen hotel located close the site for 2 nights on a bed and breakfast basis. 


Thursday, 10 October 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. 

Holbox

Holbox - 6 Nights

Day 9 - Travel to Holbox

Day 10 - At leisure in Holbox

Day 11 - At leisure 

Day 12 - At leisure 

Day 13 - At leisure 

Day 14 - At leisure 

  • Full Description
  • Accommodation

Friday, 11 October 2024

Travel to Holbox

This morning we travel to the island of Holbox, where you check into the first class Xaloc Resort for a 6-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Located on a spectacular white sand beach, the resort is only a few minutes walk to a small town where you will find colourful houses, and a wide range of typical local cuisine. Holbox separated from the mainland and part of the Yum Balam Nature Reserve home to flamingos and pelicans. The island is refreshingly car-free, and rich in marine life such as sea turtles and whale sharks. 

 


Saturday, 12 October 2024

At leisure

At leisure in the beach, at your hotel or take a ferry to the mainland.


Sunday, 13 October 2024

At leisure

Relax and enjoy the sunshine today.


Monday, 14 October 2024

At leisure in Holbox

Enjoy the fine facilities of your hotel - or head to the beach.


Tuesday, 15 October 2024

At leisure in Holbox

A further day to relax and recharge.


Wednesday, 16 October 2024

Final day in Holbox

Your last day in Mexico to enjoy the laid-back charms of Holbox. You will not want to leave.

Villas Paraiso del Mar

Holbox - First Hotel

Overlooking a white sandy beach and crystal clear water and surrounded by tropical tress it is an ideal place to relax away from everything.

There are 58 rooms distributed in bungalows, Master Suite, Junior Family Suite and Junior Suite. The Restaurant serves exquisite Mexican Cuisine and fresh fish and seafood from the waters of Holbox. There is also a swimming pool, a spa and internet access.

The Master Suite is the most special room with 88sqm of space; it is the whole Villa, downstairs there is the living room with sofa bed, the bathroom, a terrace and a Jacuzzi.

 

1936 Villas Parasio Del Mar

Ser Casasandra Boutique

Holbox - First Boutique

Casa Sandra is a small boutique hotel with a warm, cozy and hospitable atmosphere located directly on the beachside. The six rooms are air-conditioned, with king size beds and private bathroom. All rooms have sea views.

The walls of the rooms and public areas are adorned with spirited art in every corner, creating a pristine getaway will awaken your artistic creativity and inspire your every moment.

Public areas include a lounge, swimming pool, pool bar, beach club, restaurant and gardens that lead to the beach.

Accomodation and breakfast included.

 

Casa Sandra

Nomade Hotel

Holbox - First Hotel

Nômade Holbox is an adults-only 30-room beach-haven that brings to life the wisdom, medicine and magic of water herself. The wellness programming is designed to bring guests into daily connection and presence from heart-expanding yoga classes on the ocean-deck to private wataflow sessions with in-house sirens. Profound experiences await at this unique holistic beachfront hotel in Holbox.

When Nômade’s in-house architects conceived the design of the property, their vision was for the lived experience to interweave with the natural environment as much as possible; so they crafted the 30 rooms across 3 layers from earth to sky, using sustainable local woods and state-of the-art systems to maximise energy efficiency and waste management.

The ocean front canvas suites walls are idyllically located with sweeping sea views facing the Caribbean Sea. The Treehouse Suite offers the intimacy of the jungle, 7 meters in the air is designed to coexist with Holbox Nature.

Enjoy rich dining inspired from the sea, in a relaxing environment, connecting with nature, culture and people. The menus are made up of dishes that honour food as a resource from nature, highlighting an abundance of local produce and simplicity of ingredients. 

Other facilities and activities include a swimming pool, bar, quiet beach with water-sports, kite-surfing, boat-trips, and a programme of wellness classes including yoga, pilates and swimming classes.  

In the evenings relax and enjoy guided rituals, podcasts, special concerts and live performances.

The rates include breakfast.

Nomade Hotel, Holbox
Flamingoes In Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula

Fly back to the UK - 0 Nights

Day 15 - Fly back to the UK

Day 16 - Arrive in the UK

  • Full Description

Thursday, 17 October 2024

Fly back to the UK

Transfer to Cancun Airport and take an overnight flight back to the UK.


Friday, 18 October 2024

Arrive in the UK

Arrive in the UK in the morning.

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 Deluxe Tourist First Deluxe
Multiple Travellers - Twin Room £3,940 £5,089 £5,852 £4,763 £5,375 £6,450

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 
  • 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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