【Small-Group】13-Day Epic Central Mexico Adventure Tour: Mexico City, Tulum, Oaxaca, Mérida, Yucatan, Valladolid and Puerto Escondido

What you'll experience

Highlights

13 days

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 — Mexico City

   Arrive at any time, and kick back at the hostel or head out to explore the city before meeting up with fellow Roamies in the evening. Grab a drink on the hostel rooftop terrace or check out the nearby main plaza, which is always buzzing at night.
   【Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group】
   Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

   Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: To Be Confirmed
2. 2

   Day 2 — Mexico City

   Mexico City is so huge that it's hard to know where or how to start exploring, but stick with us, we've got your back! Set off in a private ride with a local expert and head to the Monument to the Revolution to get great views from the top and learn a thing or two about Mexico's history. Continue to the iconic "El Angel" statue for the obligatory photos and then head to the trendy area of Colonia Roma Norte to visit a local market and find some mouth-watering tacos al pastor to devour for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is yours to continue exploring the city or maybe take a trip out to visit the ruins of Teotihuacán. Lucha libre in the evening, anyone?

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: To Be Confirmed
3. 3

   Day 3 — Mexico City - Puebla

   You’re not done with Mexico City quite yet! Head out to the colourful neighborhood of Xochimilco where you'll float along in a typical "trajinera" boat along the canals of this ancient water system built by the Aztecs. Browse the floating markets for souvenirs and snacks and maybe hear some mariachis along the way before hopping back on the bus. Arrive in the colonial city of Puebla in the early afternoon and brush up on your Spanish with the CEO before having some time to explore a bit or to relax at the hostel.
   【Xochimilco Boat Tour】
   Take on the famous canals of Xochimilco in a vibrant coloured gondola boat past vendors, mariachi bands and local artisans. Feel the vibes of the music around you as locals shop in the floating markets and hopefully you'll find something to bring back home too.
   【Puebla Orientation Walk】
   Puebla is known for many things, such as pottery, colonial architecture and great food. Let your CEO guide you on a short walk through the city to point out the essentials like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Hotel Gilfer
4. 4

   Day 4 — Puebla - Oaxaca

   Head south today on a bus to Oaxaca, (pronounced "Wah-ha-cah" in case you were wondering), a city packed full of culture and incredible food. You'll dive straight into the regional cuisine in the evening with a big spread of delicious local dishes like tamales, tlayudas or some of the ridiculously delicious mole. Throw in some local tequila and you’ve got yourself a party in your mouth.
   【Oaxaca Orientation Walk】
   Go on a CEO led walk through the colonial city of Oaxaca. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs.
   【Oaxaca Food and Drink Extravaganza】
   Prepare your taste buds as we dive into a culinary experience of Oaxaca's incredible food and drink specialties. Learn about the regional delicacies as we eat our way through a spread of dishes like mole, tamales and tlayudas with the ever-present fresh handmade tortillas. Wash it down with some local tequila and mezcal to round things off, which just seem to be natural fit with all of the flavours on the table.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Hostal Don Nino
5. 5

   Day 5 — Oaxaca

   Freedom! Enjoy a full day in Oaxaca where you can choose from a heap of fun things to do. Want to see some ancient ruins? Visit the nearby site of Monte Albán. Want to stay local? Take a city tour or channel your inner chef with a cooking class. Ultimately the day is yours so if that means having a few more sips of mezcal at a local tavern or chilling at the hostel then that is a-ok by us too.
   【Your Discover Moment】
   There's plenty to see and do in Oaxaca, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like visiting the ruins of Monte Albán, the valley of Mitla ruins, and a petrified waterfall. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!

   

   Monte Alban

   

   Mitla

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Hostal Don Nino
6. 6

   Day 6 — Oaxaca - Puerto Escondido

   Road trip to the beach! Head out on a windy road up through the mountains, bound for the Pacific coast and the relaxed beach town of Puerto Escondido. Enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk upon arrival. The remainder of the afternoon is all yours; find somewhere for lunch on your own and settle in for some serious R&R or beach time, you deserve it.
   【Puerto Escondido CEO-led Orientation Walk】
   Get the lay of the land on a CEO-led orientation walk in the port town on Mexico's Pacific coast. Known especially for its impressive nightlife and surfing beaches, there's much to do in Puerto Escondido. Think golden sands, crashing waves, and palm trees swaying over the thatched-roof bars lining the main street. Choose between one of the beaches and watch the sun dip towards the horizon.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: To Be Confirmed
7. 7

   Day 7 — Puerto Escondido

   Take a day to do as much or as little as you want, there's no judgement here. Maybe it's the beach or a surf class that's calling your name or possibly it's a 'hang-around'-the-hostel' kind of day with the crew. Your CEO is always on hand to make recommendations or to pull up a seat at the bar with, the choice is yours. Did someone say fish tacos?

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: To Be Confirmed
8. 8

   Day 8 — Puerto Escondido - Mérida

   Peel yourself off the beach and catch a flight north to Mérida via Mexico City. Head to the hostel and relax with a cold drink or explore the surroundings before meeting some newly-joining Roamies in the evening for the next leg of the adventure.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Che Hostel Merida
9. 9

   Day 9 — Mérida

   Ok, so every day on this trip is amazing but we'll venture to say that this one is ridiculous. You'll explore some of the many cenotes in the area, giant sinkholes in the earth formed by underground freshwater rivers. Hop on a bike to cycle between a few of them and swim in the crystal-clear waters to take a break from the heat. After a yummy lunch, return to Mérida and spend the rest of the day wandering the city or relaxing in a hammock at the hostel. Sound about right?
   【Santa Barbara Cenotes Visit】
   Head out in the morning from Mérida into the jungle to a state reserve that is chock-full of cenotes, natural sinkholes in the earth that were sacred to the ancient Maya. Cycle between 3 of them and swim in the crystal clear water to cool off from the heat before a delicious lunch, then return to Mérida in the afternoon.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Che Hostel Merida
10. 10

    Day 10 — Mérida - Valladolid

    Ready for another epic day? Keep your sunscreen and the camera handy today as you'll be checking a major bucket item off of your list. Head into the jungle to the massive Mayan ruins of Chichen Itzá for a guided tour and time to walk around on your own. Then continue to Valladolid to drop off your stuff at the hostel and chill for a bit before heading out for dinner, where you’ll learn about the Mayas and have a chance to devour a spread of delicious Yucatan dishes cooked over the fire, like pollo pibil and tamales with fresh handmade tortillas.
    【Chichen Itzá Guided Tour】
    Join up with a local expert and learn about the history of Chichén Itzá and the beliefs and rituals that defined this ancient Mayan civilization. This dramatic site includes a 30m (98 ft) high temple, known as the Pyramid of Kukulcan, famous for its balustrade of 91 stairs up each of the four sides, a ball court with a grandstand, and towering walls. Visit the highlights of the site including the famous Castillo, the ball court, the cenote, and the Nunnery.

    Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Valladolid 48 Hostal
11. 11

    Day 11 — Valladolid - Tulum

    Pile into the bus and head to the white sand and turquoise waters of the Mayan Riviera. But before you hit the beach we have more ruins to see - Tulum! The only of the Mayan temples to be built right next to the ocean, you will be filling your feed with jaw-dropping photos in no time. Spend the rest of the day on the beach, hanging out at the hostel or at one of the many bars and cafes in town.
    【Tulum Ruins Visit】
    ​​​​​​​The Maya built the ancient seaport of Tulúm in the late 13th century. Located some 130 km (80 mi) south of Cancun, this picturesque site features a number of limestone structures protected on three sides by a 7m (23 ft) thick wall. Visit “El Castillo” (the castle), overlooking the Caribbean coast, and the Temple of Frescoes, then head down to the beach. Dive into the warm aquamarine waters and imagine spotting ancient vessels laden with turquoise and jade.

    Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Hostel Che Tulum
12. 12

    Day 12 — Tulum

    The beach at Tulum is pretty stellar that's for sure, and today is yours to do with it what you want. Feeling active and want to explore more? Go snorkelling at the natural waterpark of Xel-Há or visit some more cenotes. Feeling the ocean vibes instead? Stay local and hit the beach before shoring up at the hostel bar for a cold beverage. After dinner head to one of the beach clubs to dance the night away under the stars.

    Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Hostel Che Tulum
13. 13

    Day 13 — Tulum

    Say goodbye to your Roamies and depart at any time, or keep the adventure going by continuing to Cancún on the next leg of this epic journey.

    Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: Excluded

What's included

Cancellation policy

Important info

Tour operator