YUCATAN HIGHLIGHTS

10 days departing CANCUN from

Style: Active
Destination: Mexico
Tour Code: PYZ

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Trip Overview

Trace the trade routes of the Mayan civilization through the lush tropical jungle and white-sand beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula. Home to World Heritage sites and exciting nightlife, the Yucatan has something for everyone. Venture to the Temple of the Inscription on a guided walking tour, discover the beauty of the Lagoon of Seven Colours on a scenic boat trip, or sample the famous Mexican cuisine on a night out in Playa del Carmen. Snorkel or dive, sunbathe or salsa to your heart's content on this amazing holiday to Mexico.

Included Highlights
  • Chichen Itza's Great Ball Court and Temple of Kukulkan
  • Uxmal's Pyramid of the Magician
  • Coastal walled city of Campeche
  • Palenque and Temple of the Inscriptions
  • Guided jungle walking tour
  • Misol-Ha waterfalls
  • Walking tour of Merida & Playa del Carmen
  • Boat trip on Bacalar 'Lagoon of Seven Colours'
  • Hidden Cenotes
  • Coastal ruins of Tulum
  • Playa del Carmen sugar white beaches
Optional Activities (paid locally)
  • SCUBA diving US$60-$200
  • Local shops and markets US$FREE
  • Guided cenote snorkeling tour US$55
  • Swim with dolphins US$125

Tour Notes

Our holidays to Mexico are open aged departures jointly operated by TrekAmerica and Grand American Adventures.

This tour is operated in private vehicles and does not use local transport and may operate in either direction due to weather conditions.

Tour Facts
Accommodation: 9 nights hotels on a twin share basis. No forced single supplements
Transport: All transportation by private adventure vehicle
Guided: Services of a professional bilingual tour leader
Group size: Maximum 11
Departure Month: Jan-Dec
Age range: 18+
Local payments: None


Private Departures

Why not arrange your own Grand American Adventures departure? For groups of 8 or more, we can offer private departures on any of our published itineraries enabling friends, families or organizations to enjoy our style of travel at special rates. Although tours will run as per our standard itinerary shown here, slight modifications may be considered and dates can be chosen to suit your needs. (Subject to seasonal/operational restrictions). So contact us today and start planning your own adventure.

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Trip Itinerary

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, the following itinerary should be used as a guideline.

As this tour departs at 0730 we recommend that you book pre-tour accommodation. Please request hotel details at the time of booking.

Download Trip Dossier

Download the Yucatan Highlights trip dossier for tour-specific details including full itinerary, pre-departure information, packing tips and more about our style of travel.

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Day 1-2: Cancun to Merida

This journey of adventure and discovery begins with a visit to Chichen Itza, one of the most excavated and best preserved of all archeological sites in Mexico. View El Castillo pyramid and gaze beyond the largest ball court in Meso-America for a fantastic glimpse into the Mayan past. Move on to the beautiful city of Merida, the capital of the Yucatan. From our hotel, spend the day in the many shops, museums and zocalos of this charming city and mingle with descendants of the Maya whose culture is now laced with Spanish influence.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally

Day 3: Campeche

Travel to the ruins of Uxmal where intricately carved temple facades pay homage to Chac, the Mayan rain god. Drive on to the city of Campeche, the only coastal walled city in the New World, where, from our hotel deep in the heart of the city, we can explore the remnants of its colourful past.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally

Day 4-5: Palenque

Continue down the ancient Mayan trade route to the ruins of Palenque, lost in the jungle for hundreds of years. Marvel at the magnificent pyramid known as the Temple of the Inscriptions and take a guided jungle tour to learn about this unique ecosystem and its plant and animal life. After such an adventurous day, relax and cool off in the inviting waters of Misol Ha waterfall.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally

Day 6-7: Bacalar

Cross the Yucatan peninsula for a night on the shores of the beautiful 'Lagoon of Seven Colours' at Bacalar. Enjoy an included scenic cruise to take in the views, before a refreshing swim in the Cenote Azul. Discover Hidden Worlds Cenotes Park, where you can snorkel beneath the jungle and explore underground caverns. En route to Playa del Carmen, you explore the coastal ruins of Tulum, the only Mayan city built along the sea before continuing to the idyllic beach resort of Playa del Carmen.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally

Day 8-9: Playa del Carmen

Enjoy some personal time relaxing on miles of palm fringed sugar white beaches. The warm coastal breezes can make for hot nights dancing or relaxing to the sound of a reggae beat. Join in a scuba lesson for a closer look at this underwater paradise, or head off in search of hidden underground cenotes.
Accommodation: Hotel included | Meals: Paid locally

Day 10: Playa del Carmen to Cancun

After a final day on the Mayan Riviera, say adios to your new amigos as you arrive in Cancun at the end of your tour.

This tour ends at our gateway hotel at approximately 17:00 hrs. We can book you post-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if required. If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 21:00 hrs.

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Solo Sleeper Upgrade

You won't pay an additional supplement on this tour when you travel with us as a single traveller. The accommodation is based on twin-share, so if you're travelling on your own, you'll share a room with a fellow passenger of the same sex. However, if you would prefer your own space we offer a Solo Sleeper upgrade so you can pre-booking a guaranteed single room for every night of the tour.

Our Solo Sleeper Upgrade is available from on this trip. The number of single upgrades we can offer per tour is limited, so it's best to book early if you would like this option. Select the "Solo Sleepers" check box on the booking form or request over the phone.


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How to Book Online

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2. Select the number of passengers to book
3. Click on the book button to be taken to our secure online booking engine
4. Complete all personal details and credit card information
5. Your tour will be confirmed immediately by e-mail


International flights are not included in the above prices. For customers departing from the United Kingdom please contact our reservations team for a quote. Read more.

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