From Mexico City to Cancun

Welcome to Mexico! You'll be transferred from the airport to your hotel, with the rest of the day free to unwind or begin exploring the capital.

A guided sightseeing tour reveals the highlights of Mexico City, followed by a transfer to the Basilica of Guadalupe. In the afternoon you'll drift through the canals of Xochimilco aboard a flower-decked 'trajinera' boat. The evening features an included transfer to the lively mariachi hub of Plaza de Garibaldi, where dinner is included.

Departing the capital, you'll visit the Ex-Hacienda de Chautla (entry included), famous for its English-style castle set on an artificial lake surrounded by forest. The charming town of Cholula comes next before you continue to Puebla, a historic city prized for its cuisine and beautiful colonial architecture. Overnight in this lively, dynamic city.

Travel onward to Oaxaca, arriving late in the morning. A visit to Monte Albán — the grandest of the Zapotec cities, overlooking the Oaxaca Valley — includes both admission and a guided tour. Afterwards, free time lets you dive into this fascinating city with Zapotec roots.

The road threads through mountain landscapes and picturesque villages to the Pueblo Mágico of San Pablo Villa de Mitla. Once across the Oaxacan sierras you'll pause for an included lunch, then continue to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, capital of Chiapas.

A boat carries you through the dramatic depths of the Sumidero Canyon, followed by a walk around Chiapa del Corzo. Later you'll visit the villages of Zinacantán and San Juan Chamula, both steeped in living Mayan culture. Arrival in the beautiful colonial city of San Cristóbal de las Casas comes with free time to explore.

Cross the mountainous interior of Chiapas through traditional Mayan lands, stopping in Ocosingo along the way. Entry to Agua Azul National Park is included together with lunch, and you'll later wander among the cascades of Misol-Ha. The day concludes in Palenque with an included dinner.

Tour the remarkable archaeological site of the Mayan city of Palenque, then travel through Tabasco toward the Gulf of Mexico. You'll arrive in Campeche, the walled port city known for its colonial facades and mighty fortifications, where dinner is included.

Head into Yucatán state to Mérida, the capital celebrated for its rich colonial and Mayan legacy. The afternoon is free to discover the city at your own pace, and in the evening an included transfer brings you to the Zócalo for strolling and dinner. Overnight stay in Mérida.

Your Yucatán exploration begins in the enchanting 'magical town' of Izamal. Next comes Chichén Itzá, the greatest surviving testament to Mayan civilization, followed by an included traditional Mayan lunch. The journey ends at Río Lagartos, a fishing village within a protected biosphere reserve.

Start with a morning boat ride through the mangroves, spotting the abundant birdlife of the reserve. After time in Valladolid's pleasant historic center, the afternoon reveals the Choj Ha cenote — jungle above, a dry cave, and a luminous interior lake inside a humid cavern. Arrival in Cancún closes the day.

Following breakfast, the tour comes to an end. Depart for home or linger on the Caribbean coast at your leisure.