Yucatan in a nutshell
Itinerary
Days 1-2 – Welcome to the Mexican Riviera
As you land in Cancun’s airport you’ll see the long stretches of golden sands spread out below you. After an hours transfer you’ll be checking into your central hotel in the heart of Playa del Carmen, a beach side town popular with tourists. You’ll spend two nights here in a cosy hotel with a pool perfect for a refreshing dip. This is a great place to acclimatise to the tropical heat and meet our local partners to run through your itinerary for your adventure through Mexico. There’s plenty of shops, bars and restaurants here and miles of soft sandy beaches to relax on. For quieter spots head north or south out of the town centre and you’ll be rewarded with fewer visitors dotting the sand.
Day 3 – Hangout on Holbox
You’ll be collected by car and taken to Chiquila pier to catch the 30 minute ferry to Holbox. Holbox is a quiet, idyllic island off the coast of the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula, where cars are not allowed. You’ll be greeted by a view of a wide, white beach with small hotels, hidden between the swaying palms. You’ll only find a handful of restaurants, bars and cafe’s here – so you’ll have plenty of time to relax on the beach, in your hotel or at the pool.
Day 4 – Three islands boat tour
Today, you’ll head to the dock to take a boat trip, exploring the picturesque islands surrounding Isla Holbox. Keep your eyes peeled for wild dolphins, as sightings are common during this journey. If the dolphins remain elusive, fear not, as you’ll still be treated to the sights of numerous waterfowl and lush mangrove forests. During the summer months, you have the option to upgrade this excursion on-site to a thrilling whale-watching tour. Witness the majestic presence of whale sharks as they glide through these waters, offering you a unique opportunity to snorkel alongside these magnificent creatures. Speaking from personal experience, we can attest that this encounter is truly extraordinary.
Day 5 – Free time in paradise
We haven’t planned anything for you today so you can take some time to relax and soak in the natural beauty of Holbox. Why not rent a bike and explore the island?
Day 6 – Head to Chichen Itza
After catching the 30 minute ferry back to Chiquilá, you will now head to one of Mexico’s most famous sites – the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza. Your transfer, which takes around 3 hours, usually arrives in the middle of the day, which is when the site is at its busiest and hottest. As you’ll have your luggage with you, we’d recommend taking a local taxi to your hotel ‐ a pleasant hacienda not far from the site, where you can while away the afternoon beside the pool, and make use of the bar and restaurant. This way you can be up early the next morning to visit the ruins before the crowds or the heat gets too intense ‐ you’ll need to pay an entrance fee of around £7 (and bring water!)
Days 7-9 – Mayan ruins on Palm Beach
We will reserve bus tickets for your 2 hour journey from Chichen Itza to Tulum. Soft sandy beaches, turquoise waters and coastline dotted with Mayan ruins await in Tulum. This is the perfect place to spend a few days relaxing before heading to the airport to fly home. You’ll stay in a boutique hotel with a pool in the town of Tulum Pueblo, close to a variety of restaurants, shops and bars, for the next three nights. The white sand beach is a short taxi ride away, or about 20mins by bike which you can rent locally. Explore the Tulum ruins perched on top of the cliffs or go further north to discover one of the oldest Maya cities, Cobá, hidden deep in the jungle. There’s also a cenote nearby where you can swim, so plenty to keep you occupied during your stay.
Day 10 – Return to Cancun airport
Today you will catch the bus from Tulum to Cancun airport(1.5 hours) for your international flight home.
Accommodation
