Mexico’s Yucatán region has a rich and varied history, with deep cultural roots dating back to the Maya. The peninsula offers visitors one of the most inspiring and culturally rewarding travel experiences in Mexico.
Our travel associate creates custom-made tours that combine exploration of Mayan archaeological sites, discovery of picturesque colonial towns, refreshing swims in cenotes, catching your breath along the coast, and tasting the mouthwatering local flavors—with plenty of opportunity absorb the nuances of this quite magical region in Mexico.
Enjoy a thoughtfully crafted tour of Yucatán
Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula is a fascinating place to visit. Once the heart of the ancient Maya civilization, during the colonial era it became a prosperous center of trade and commerce, renowned for production of sisal fibers—used for ropemaking.
Following the downfall of the sisal haciendas in the early part of the twentieth century, Yucatán modernized without betraying its ancient roots and today is a prosperous, thriving, and culturally-rich region of Mexico.
Our travel associate creates custom tours that enable you to experience authentic facets of this extraordinary region, on a carefully planned and thoughtfully crafted custom itinerary that enables you to experience Yucatán authentically.
A custom tour that helps you get the most of your visit
Your custom tour of Yucatán can begin and/or end in Mérida (Airport: MID), Chetumal (Airport: CTM), or Cancún (Airport: CUN).
Expertly crafted tours. Our travel partner’s tours of Yucatán are crafted and led by people who know the region intimately. As part of your tour package, your transportation, accommodation, and assistance services will be carefully arranged to ensure that your time is spent absorbing the experience and not worrying about the travel logistics.
Independent tour with a driver option. Our travel partner offers independent self-drive tours—recommended for Yucatán—complemented by a detailed information packet that is tailored to your itinerary and that will assist as you engage independently through your day-by-day travels and activities. Optionally you can choose to have a vehicle and driver to accompany you, for an extra fee.
Airport arrival and transportation. If you choose to self-drive, our associate’s recommended option for Yucatán, a suitable sized rental car will be waiting for you when you arrive at the airport. If you choose the vehicle and driver option, you will be met personally at the airport and chauffeured transport will be provided for your trip.
Accommodation. Your custom tour of Yucatán is offered with a choice of accommodation comfort levels and styles, with properties that match the character of each place: eco-cabins, small guesthouses, boutique hotels, and selected resorts are available. Most travelers choose a blend of accommodation styles, for example, staying at an eco-cabin when exploring nature, a comfortable hotel in urban locations, and treating themselves to a night or two at a sumptuous property that is an experience in its own right. Regardless of which types you choose, you can expect excellent service with friendly and attentive staff, and the water and food are safe.
Flexible itineraries. Custom tours are offered with a core plan of five or ten days’ stay, and options to extend the core stay with additional days to flex with your available schedule and budget. The ten-day core tour introduces you to some of the region’s most important and remarkable attractions. The five-day core tour offers a shorter itinerary that sharpens focus on a selected pick of places and is ideal for those with less time to spare or smaller budgets. All itineraries offer a well-balanced program that is not rushed.
Places & activities to experience and absorb
Our travel associate’s itineraries focus on visits in and around the areas of Valladolid, Mérida, Progreso, Xpujil, Bacalar, and Campeche. Choose a five- or ten-day core tour, and optionally add extra days customized to your needs, schedule, and budget.
Every itinerary is custom designed around your needs. Highlights include:
- The colorful and historical colonial city of Valladolid; and the archaeological wonder of Ek Balam, where you can climb to the top of the acropolis; afterward take a refreshing swim in a natural water cenote (underground lake); learn how corn, beans and squash are grown in this region using techniques passed down through generations on an ancestral agricultural tour.
- Discover Mérida, the capital city of Yucatán state, known for its outstanding colonial architecture, lively cultural scene, and remarkable gastronomy; include a stop at Chichén Itzá, one of the most important Mayan archaeological sites in the world; cool down with a refreshing swim at Yokdzonot, a cenote considered sacred in Mayan tradition and transformed into an eco-tourism project by women from the nearby rural community.
- Experience the northern coastline of Yucatán, take a boat trip to Columpios island, a perfect spot to relax on the beach, swim in calm waters, and enjoy the swings (“columpios”) suspended over the sea. Afterward, travel to El Corchito, a protected natural area surrounded by mangroves to visit three small, crystal-clear pools and observe water birds, raccoons, and coatis roam freely. Close your day strolling along the boardwalk in the port town of Progreso and take a traditional evening meal at one of local restaurants before returning to Mérida.
- For active travelers, the “Mayab Adventure” offers a full day of activities with an early departure. Enjoy early morning swimming at cenotes, including a 4 km (2.5 mile) bike ride to a remote and beautifully preserved cenote off the beaten path. After lunch, stop for a tour of Izamal —”the Yellow City”— and adjacent Kinich Kakmó archaeological site to combine an experience of pre-Hispanic remains, colonial buildings and modern houses and discover why Izamal is known as the “city of three cultures.”
- Take a full day to absorb Mérida and enjoy this extraordinary city at your own pace. Your itinerary includes important landmarks including the Plaza Grande, Government Palace, Casa de Montejo, and the cathedral. Take in local markets and important museums, stop for refreshment at a local café, and round off the evening at Santa Lucia park for dinner and live music al fresco.
- Experience an in-depth visit to the impressive archaeological site of Uxmal, and travel onward to the state and city of Campeche, on the shores of Mexico’s Gulf coast, famous for its pristinely kept UNESCO-listed historical center, seafront walks, museums, the San Miguel fort, and delicious seafood.
- From Campeche, excursion out to the archaeological site of Edzná and the small town of Xpujil where you can visit the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve—one of Mexico’s most important ecological areas. Xpujil offers small hotels, local restaurants, and a quiet, authentic atmosphere to experience the jungle and Mayan culture off the beaten path.
- Visit the lakefront town of Bacalar, best known for its Lagoon of Seven Colors—its hues change throughout the day with variances in depth and light. Take a kayaking trip out on the water, enjoy a refreshing swim to cool down, take a gentle boat trip, or simply relax on the lakeshore.
Optional Side Trips & Activities
When you have extra days to spend on an itinerary, (whether you choose the five- or ten-day core plan) additional options include:
Around Valladolid
- Cooking classes and Mayan cooking workshops.
- Free walking tour of the historic center.
Around Mérida
- VIP cenote experiences.
- Honey tasting & coconut eco-tour.
- Full-day gastronomic tours focused on Yucatecan food.
- Combined Izamal–Chichén Itzá–cenote excursions.
Further afield
- Campeche historic center and museums.
- Additional days in Bacalar for more time on the lagoon.
- Archaeological sites in the Calakmul region (from Xpujil).
Meals & Drinks Plan
Meals and drinks may be included on certain day tours, and most accommodation will include breakfast. Your other meals and snacks may be sought at local restaurants, markets, or beach spots, at your own expense.
There is plenty of time built-in to itineraries for you to explore regional dishes like cochinita pibil, panuchos, and the remarkable local seafood. Vegetarian options and special diets can be catered for locally.
Purified drinking water is provided during activities and transfers. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are at your own expense unless specifically described as included in a given activity or trip that is part of your tour.
Families, age groups
Every tour is customized around the individual needs and composition of your party.
Our travel associate will advise you regarding the length and pace of each day on your itinerary, as well as practical matters like heat and travel conditions, age considerations, and the level of physical ability required to participate in some tours/activities so that you can make informed choices and enjoy a tour tailored around your party’s priorities.
Prices for custom tour of Yucatán
These prices illustrate typical ranges for the core 5- and 10-day tour.
Every tour is tailor-made and quoted based on your individual preferences and needs.
Prices vary depending on your final chosen route, travel length and dates, group size, any extended tours/activities you may add, and accommodation comfort level and style.
A 10-Day core tour typically prices from US$2,200 per person.
A 5-Day core tour typically prices from US$1,100 per person.
Whichever core plan you choose, our travel associate’s itineraries will not rush you; there will be time and space to connect with local people, enjoy the breathtaking landscapes, and savor the regional foods amidst a flexible structure that adapts to different budgets and travel styles without losing the heart of the experience.
What your custom tour includes and excludes
The core package includes the essential ingredients your party will need for a comfortable journey, and excludes optional customizations, tips, and trip protection insurance.
Tour package prices include:
- A detailed information packet to guide you on your independent self-drive tour (recommended for Yucatán). A vehicle and driver to accompany you on the journey is optionally available for an additional fee.
- A suitable sized rental car waiting for you at your arrival airport. If you choose the vehicle and driver option, you will be met personally at the airport, driven on the tour, and returned to the airport of your choice at the end of the tour.
- Accommodation at hotels that have been carefully chosen by our travel associate and aligned with your preference and budget.
- Purified drinking water during activities and transfers.
- Breakfast is included at most accommodation places; and some meals might also be included—your custom itinerary will describe this.
Tour package prices exclude:
- Your flights (or other transportation) to your chosen starting point in Yucatán. Most typically this is an airport, but if you’re arriving by some other means, our travel associate can accommodate this.
- Additional meals, drinks, and snacks, including alcoholic beverages, not described as included in the itinerary.
- Tips for the guides, drivers, hotel and restaurant staff.
- Trip protection insurance.
Request a quote for your custom tour of Yucatán
Every itinerary is custom made and quoted. Complete the request form below and our travel associate will contact you to talk about your travel plans and give you a no-obligation quote for a customized tour of Mexico’s Yucatán region.
