Mexico Holidays
Colonial history, ancient temples, mayan pyramids and beach village for purists
15 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 relax for a week on the isolated, car free island of Holbox.
Select your Preferred Departure Date OR Default to Today's Date
Tour Route
- Valladolid - 1 Night
- Merida - 5 Nights
- Chichen Itza - 2 Nights
- Holbox - 7 Nights
- Fly back to the UK - 0 Nights
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 style Mayan ruins at Uxmal and Kabah
- Avoid the midday sun and day-trippers at the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza
- Spend a wonderful, relaxed week on the car free island of Holbox, enjoying local cuisine
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
- Accommodation
Tuesday, 28 November 2023
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.


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
Wednesday, 29 November 2023
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.
Thursday, 30 November 2023
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.
Friday, 01 December 2023
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.
Saturday, 02 December 2023
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.
Sunday, 03 December 2023
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.


Chichen Itza - 2 Nights
Day 7 - Travel to Chichen Itza
Day 8 - Visit Chichen Itza without the crowds
- Full Description
Monday, 04 December 2023
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.
Tuesday, 05 December 2023
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 - 7 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
Day 15 - At leisure
- Full Description
- Accommodation
Wednesday, 06 December 2023
Travel to Holbox
This morning we travel to the island of Holbox, where you check into the first class Xaloc Resort for a 7-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.
Thursday, 07 December 2023
At leisure
At leisure in the beach, at your hotel or take a ferry to the mainland.
Friday, 08 December 2023
At leisure
Relax and enjoy the sunshine today.
Saturday, 09 December 2023
At leisure in Holbox
Enjoy the fine facilities of your hotel - or head to the beach.
Sunday, 10 December 2023
At leisure in Holbox
A day at leisure.
Monday, 11 December 2023
At leisure in Holbox
A further day to relax and recharge.
Tuesday, 12 December 2023
Final day in Holbox
Your last day in Mexico to enjoy the laid-back charms of Holbox. You will not want to leave.
Xaloc
Holbox - First Hotel
Located on the beach, the Xaloc hotel has eighteen palapa-thatched bungalows set amid lush tropical gardens. Swimming pools meander between the bungalows,each of which is rustically decorated and features a terrace and hammock for adapting to the laid-back pace of island life.
As well as tranquility the resort also offers fishing, kayaking, snorkelling, horse riding and boat excursions.


Fly back to the UK - 0 Nights
Day 16 - Fly back to the UK
Day 17 - Arrive in the UK
- Full Description
Wednesday, 13 December 2023
Fly back to the UK
Transfer to Cancun Airport and take an overnight flight back to the UK.
Thursday, 14 December 2023
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 | Tourist |
Multiple Travellers - Twin Room | £3,940 | £4,763 |
Single Traveller - Own Room | £5,501 | £7,752 |
Prices are a guideline and per person. Please request a quote for Special Events, Christmas, New Year's Eve & Easter.
What's Included
- 17 days / 15 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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