Mexico: Central Mexico & The Yucatan Peninsula

Oaxaca: An Immersion into Mexico

In the heart of Mexico lies Oaxaca, a land rich with indigenous cultures and incredible food, often considered to be the gastronomical heartland of the country. As you make your way into the city from the airport, savour the sights, sounds and smells of this vibrant and ancient metropolis. We welcome you to Mexico, and invite you to indulge in the traditions and flavours that make the country so unique.

Arrive to Oaxaca at any time and transfer to the hotel. Meet your fellow group members at the welcome meeting in the evening and get all the important information about the adventure ahead. Afterwards, head to a nearby restaurant for a delicious welcome dinner with new friends.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Arrival Transfer

Oaxaca - Xoxocotlan International Airport - Oaxaca

You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.

Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Evening

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. 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 Included:
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Parador San Miguel

Oaxaca: Past and Present

Oaxaca's rich history and architecture is on full display with picturesque plazas, churches and charming cafes and restaurants around every corner. The valley and environs of Oaxaca have been inhabited for tens of thousands of years and has a wealth of fascinating archaeological sites which all tell their own stories about the Oaxaca's past and about how it has evolved into what it is today.

Take a morning historical tour of Oaxaca on foot and by vehicle with a local guide before visiting the Monte Alban archaeological site. Have a delicious lunch at a typical restaurant as an introduction to the regional cuisine before a free afternoon for individual exploration. Enjoy a free evening to choose from one of the many great restaurants or join the CEO at their local favourite.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Oaxaca Historical Tour and Monte Albán

Oaxaca 4h - 4.5h

Set off on a walking tour of charming Oaxaca, rich with history and culture. See the Santo Domingo Cultural Centre, walk through the zocalo and the famous 20th of November market where you can opt to sample some delicious Oaxacan foods along the way such as mole, tlayudas or chapulines. Transfer to the nearby archaeological site of Monte Alban, a Zapotec site dating back to 500 BC which features platforms, pyramids, plazas, and a ball court sitting on a leveled mountaintop. Enjoy the 360-degree views, see Olmec carvings, and be sure to visit the museum to see artifacts and stele excavated in the early 20th century.

Free Time

Oaxaca Afternoon

Oaxaca is all yours this afternoon. Try optional activities in the area like exploring Oaxaca's plazas, shops, and cafes.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodations:  Parador San Miguel
2
Optional Activities for Day 2
Show
Mezcal Factory Tour
Oaxaca
The Valley of Oaxaca is renowned as the birthplace of mezcal. Not to be confused with tequila, this distilled liquor is made in small batches from a variety of species of agave (spiky green plants that look like the tops of pineapples). Sample different types, including white unaged mezcal (often sold with an agave larva inside), along with "reposado" and "anejo" (aged) batches. Grab a slice of orange that's coated in salt and mixed with chili and ground worms. Now, it's time to sip and enjoy.
Mole Cooking Class
1200MXN Per Person
Oaxaca
Take a cooking class and learn that there's more to mole than meets the eye (and mouth). In fact, in Oaxaca, there are at least seven different versions of this popular made-in-Mexico sauce cooked with ground chili, chocolate, and sesame seeds. Black, red, yellow, green - the list is endless. Take a guided trip to the local market and let your senses get lost in the spices, colours, and smells. Following your cooking class, sample your tasty creation.
If a cost is not listed above for an optional tour, contact us to find out what it is.

Oaxaca: Cycle to Hierve el Agua

Feel the breeze on your face as you pedal through farmland and agave plantations, a plant that has become a symbol of Mexico's famous spirits - tequila and mezcal. Indigenous communities have thrived in these parts and have held the agave plant sacred, as well as the imposing petrified waterfall of Hierve el Agua which is the crowning jewel of your ride.

Head out on a biking excursion from Santa Maria del Tule to Hierve el Agua petrified waterfall with time for swimming and lunch, then stop at a local agave farm for mezcal tastings on the way back to Oaxaca. Free evening with dinner on your own or with the CEO.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Agave Farm Visit & Mezcal Tasting

Oaxaca

The Valley of Oaxaca is renowned as the birthplace of mezcal. Not to be confused with tequila, this distilled liquor is made in small batches from a variety of species of agave (spiky green plants that look like the tops of pineapples). Visit and Agave farm, learn about the process and sample different types, including white un-aged mezcal (often sold with an agave larva inside), along with "reposado" and "anejo" (aged) batches. Grab a slice of orange that's coated in salt and mixed with chili and ground worms. Now, it's time to sip and enjoy.

Biking Excursion Santa Maria to Hierve el Agua

Santa Maria del Tule - Tlacolula 26km

Pedal through the valleys of Oaxaca from Santa Maria del Tule to Tlacolula. Drive around 30 minutes from Oaxaca City to the start of the biking portion. Listen to a safety briefing and begin the route through farm fields, agave plantations, and small Zapotec villages with mountain views, glimpsing daily life in Oaxaca. Once in Tlacolula de Matamoros the bikes will be put away and a 1-hour drive to Hierve el Agua will commence.

Hierve el Agua Petrified Waterfall Visit

Oaxaca

Travel to Hierve del Agua. This stunning natural formation consists of a series of mineral pools near the edge of a cliff. Over thousands of years, the heavily calcified water has flowed over the cliff, leaving mineral deposits as it does. The result is known as a "petrified waterfall" - nearly white rock formations that resembles a cascading fall. Enjoy time to explore the area and go for a swim in one of the mineral pools, and sit down for a traditional lunch on site.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodations:  Parador San Miguel

Puebla: Artistic and Culinary Traditions

Nestled amongst mountains and active volcanoes, Puebla is a feast for the senses. Marvel at 15th century architecture as you wander the cobblestone streets of the historical centre and get wafts of delicious aromas around every corner. Famous also for its beautiful and unique talavera pottery, Puebla is a treat to explore and to taste, with the delectable and essential mole poblano standing out as the region's flagship dish.

Travel from Oaxaca to Puebla and take an orientation walk with the CEO of the historical centre, including a visit to a talavera pottery workshop before lunch at a local restaurant. In the evening, enjoy a mole demonstration and dinner.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Transport

Oaxaca - Puebla 5.5h 340km

Settle in and scan the scenery as you journey to your next destination.

Free Time

Puebla Afternoon

Spend a free afternoon enjoying Puebla on your own. Opt to visit Cholula, the city's churches, or wander the markets sample local treats.

Mole-Making Demonstration

Puebla

Learn to make the traditional sauce of mole, made with an assortment of chilis and chocolate. Sample your mouth-watering creation when you're done and sit down for an included group dinner at the hotel.

Orientation Walk

Puebla 1.5h

The route will vary for each tour, allowing our CEOs to share their personal favourites. You can expect to see the zocalo, artisans' market and visit the historic buildings within centre of this World Heritage city, as well as gain entrance to the Talavera studio and workshop.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Hotel Casareyna

Mexico City: Canals and Frida Kahlo

Gliding along the ancient canals of Xochimilco on a traditional 'trajinera' boat is a multi-sensory and quintessentially Mexican experience. The brightly-coloured boats pass by with everything from local families, to mariachi bands to vendors selling tacos or flowers. Many of these aspects of traditional popular culture also served as an influence in the artwork of Frida Kahlo, one of Mexico's most famous artists who grew up in the nearby neighbourhood of Coyoacan, in Mexico City's southern reaches.

Drive to Mexico City and take a boat trip along the Xochimilco canals before visiting the Casa Azul, which was home to Frida Kahlo and now houses a museum of her work and story. Free evening with dinner on your own or with the CEO.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Transport

Puebla - Xochimilco 2.5h 136km

Settle in and scan the scenery as you journey to your next destination.

Xochimilco Boat Tour

Mexico City 1h - 2h

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.

Private Vehicle

Xochimilco - Mexico City 0.75h - 1h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Museum of Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul)

Mexico City

Visit the famed "Blue House" where Frida Kahlo was born, lived and died. Her lifelong home is open to those looking to learn more about or see what life was like for the celebrated artist. The museum consists of ten rooms throughout the home, each filled with original furniture from when she lived there with her husband Diego Rivera, and personal items of Frida's from letters, art materials, original works of art, to handcrafted kitchenwares.

Free Time

Mexico City Evening

Spend a free evening in Mexico City and grab dinner on your own.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodations:  Novotel Mexico City Centro Historico

Mexico City: Your OMG Day

The history of the ancient Aztecs permeates all aspects of Mexico City in its architecture, traditions and food. Whatever your interest, you will have the opportunity to visit the massive pyramids of Teotihuacan or to stay in the city dig deeper into what makes the bustling metropolis one of the world's most interesting cities.

Choose either a half-day visit to the Teotihuacan archaeological site or take a historical and food tour of Mexico City. Enjoy a free afternoon to continue exploring or to visit one of the many excellent museums before a farewell dinner in the evening.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Teotihuacán Visit or Mexico City Food Tour

Mexico City 4h

Option 1: Enjoy a half-day visit to the archaeological site, Teotihuacan. Bring water, wear a hat, solid walking shoes, and climb the pyramids to learn all about this pre-Columbian Mesoamerican city. Don't forget to stop by the museum too! Option 2: Partake in a culinary-focused tour of Mexico City with a visit to a market with lots of stops for food sampling as you walk. Fill up on the local flavours and get to know what daily community life is like in the city.

Free Time

Mexico City Afternoon

Spend the afternoon on your own. Opt to visit museums or other monuments. Then come back together with the group for an included dinner this evening.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Novotel Mexico City Centro Historico

Playa del Carmen: The Yucatan Peninsula

The first thing you'll notice as you get off the plane in Cancun is that it's a lot warmer in the Yucatan than it is in Central Mexico. The peninsula is clad with jungle in its interior, spotted with ancient Mayan archaeological sites throughout and edged with the white-sand beaches which make it so famous.

Fly from Mexico City to Cancun and transfer to Playa del Carmen. Take an orientation walk with the CEO to get your bearings followed by an optional walk to the beach. Meet new travellers in the evening at dinner near the hotel.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Plane

Mexico City - Cancun 2.5h

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Private Vehicle

Cancun - Playa del Carmen 1h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Playa del Carmen Orientation Walk

Playa del Carmen

Enjoy an orientation walk around Playa del Carmen with your CEO and opt to walk to the beach.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Hyatt Centric Playa del Carmen

Valladolid: Visit Chichen Itza

At the first glimpse of the massive pyramid at Chichen Itza, you'll see why photos can't properly do it justice as you appreciate the sheer size and craftsmanship. Duck between the shade of trees to escape the blazing sun and explore what was a massive Mayan city, one of the most important in the region in its heyday. Jungle surrounds the site along with giant sinkholes in the limestone called cenotes, leading to the vast network of underground rivers, all of which played an important part in the cosmology and daily lives of the Maya inhabitants.

Travel inland for a guided tour of the Chichen Itza archaeological site before enjoying a delicious G Adventures-supported typical community lunch nearby. Continue to the town of Valladolid and set off on a CEO-led orientation walk before enjoying a free evening.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Private Vehicle

Playa del Carmen - Chichen-Itza 3h 190km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Chichen Itzá Guided Tour

Chichen-Itza - Chichen Itza 2h

Join up with a local expert and learn about the history of Chichen Itza 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 and then transfer to nearby Piste for lunch at a local restaurant.

Private Vehicle

Chichen-Itza - Valladolid 0.75h - 1h 45km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Yaxunah Community Lunch

Yaxuna

Near Chichen Itza, you'll discover Yaxunah, a charming little town full of surprises and authentic Yucatecan culture. Here, you'll be welcomed with traditional flavors like Escabeche, a savory chicken stew infused with local spices and served with warm tortillas, and Sikil Pak, a creamy pumpkin seed and tomato dip enjoyed with crispy corn tostadas. This G Adventures-supported experience is more than just tasting, it's about understanding the story behind each ingredient, connecting with the local people who prepare it, and experiencing Yucatan with all your senses.

CEO-led Orientation Walk

Valladolid Evening

Marvel at Valladolid's colonial buildings, which includes a 16th-century convent of San Bernardino of Siena, and the San Gervasio Cathedral. Walk through the streets of town with your CEO and smell the delicious aromas from the street food vendors. Opt to sample some delicious treats and get to know this vibrant Mayan town.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodations:  Le Muuch Hotel

Merida hacienda: A Living Ranch

In many ways life at a working ranch (hacienda) mirrors what it would have been like hundreds of years ago, using traditional techniques in agriculture and raising livestock. The harvesting of henequen, a type of agave plant known locally as "green gold" is important in all sorts of practical ways as the fibres are used to make ropes, twine and even local spirits.

Head east across the Yucatan Peninsula to a living hacienda, our base for the next few days. Dig into a traditional and delicious local meal of Cochinita Pibil and other regional delicacies before taking a tour of the facilities. On the walk, learn about the history of henequen production and its uses before some free time to relax before dinner.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Private Vehicle

Valladolid - Merida 2.5h 183km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Traditional Cochinita Pibil Meal Experience

Sotuta de Peon

Learn all about the traditional techniques of the preparation of cochinita pibil, one of the region's most beloved and delicious dishes. The method involves marinating pork in citruc and adding annatto seed which gives it a deep red colour, before then wrapping it in a banana leaf and slow-roasting it underground beneath a hot fire. Not into pork or meat? No problem, there are plenty of other delicious local delicacies available.

Mérida Hacienda Private Tour

Merida 3h

Wander the hacienda grounds on a private tour with the staff. Sip on a welcome drink, learn the history of the ranch, see all of the work being done to keep everything running smoothly, visit the rope making factory, and a nearby cenote for some optional swimming.

Free Time

Merida

Spend the remainder of the afternoon on your own at the hacienda enjoying the amenities and the beautiful natural surroundings.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Hacienda Sotuta de Peón

Merida Hacienda: Cenotes

Pedaling through the jungle, you'll approach a giant hole in the earth filled with clear blue water that beckons you to take a break from the heat in the cool, fresh water. This part of the Yucatan is littered with these iconic landmarks that were so sacred to the Maya and serve as the perfect way to cool off and swim. The nearby city of Merida serves as the capital city of the Yucatan and embodies a unique cultural heritage of the indigenous cultures and the Spanish who settled here in the 1500s.

Full day excursion to the cenotes, cycling between them and swimming with lunch. Take a short city tour of Merida en route back to the hacienda in the evening.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Private Vehicle

Sotuta de Peon - Santa Barbara 1h 40km

Sit back and enjoy the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle as you travel from the hacienda to the Santa Barbara Cenote Complex.

Santa Barbara Cenotes

4h

Head out in the morning from the hacienda into the jungle to a state reserve that is 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 continue to Merida in the afternoon.

Private Vehicle

Santa Barbara - Merida 0.75h - 1h 32km

Sit back and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle as you travel back to Merida from your cenotes excursion for your city tour with a local guide.

City Tour

Merida 1.5h

This afternoon you will embark on a short city tour of Merida with a local guide. This vibrant capital of the Mexican state of Yucatan is rich in Mayan and colonial influences. See the city's focal point Plaza de la Independencia, the fortresslike Merida Cathedral, and the white limestone Iglesia de la Tercera Orden as you learn the layout of the city.

Private Vehicle

Merida - Sotuta de Peon 45h 33km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Hacienda Sotuta de Peón

Merida hacienda: Your OMG Day

The Mayan ruins of Uxmal may not be as well-known as Chichen Itza but they are similarly spectacular and with less visitors. If you're looking for something more active, then perhaps a kayaking trip in the Celestun Biosphere may hold more interest, the choice is yours. Flexibility is the order of the day for you to experience the Yucatan on your own terms.

Choice of guided tour in the morning, both options with lunch. Return to the hacienda in the afternoon with time to relax and enjoy the surroundings on your own.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Visit Uxmal or Kayak in the Celestún Biosphere

Merida 4h

Option 1: Visit the Mayan ruins of Uxmal, almost as spectacular as Chichen Itza, but far less well-known. Enjoy a guided tour of the archaeological site, see the Pyramid of the Magician, and visit nearby Kabah, one of three neighbouring sites. Option 2: Dip those paddles in the water and Kayak in the Celestun Biosphere. This wetland happens to be the winter home of flocks of flamingos and other bird species that migrate here. The biosphere is also the hatching ground for endangered sea turtles.

Free Time

Merida Afternoon

Once your morning activities come to an end, you will return to the hacienda and enjoy free time on the grounds to relax or cool off in the pool.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Hacienda Sotuta de Peón

Tulum: Seaside Coastal Ruins

What was once a small unknown town on the Mayan Riviera has now become the next big thing. The ruins themselves are one of the very few Mayan site lying along the coast, and in its day Tulum was an important outpost for trade and for strategic positioning. The azure blue water and white sand beaches make it one of the most beautiful places you have ever seen.

Travel across the Yucatan from Merida to Tulum and take a guided tour of the ruins. Enjoy a free evening to choose from one of the many great restaurants or join the CEO at their local favourite.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Tulum Ruins Visit

Tulum 1.5h

The Maya built the ancient seaport of Tulum 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 the ruins and admire the impressive array of structures in a picturesque setting overlooking the aquamarine waters.

Free Time

Tulum

After checking into the hotel in Tulum, you will have free time to relax and grab some dinner on your own.

Private Vehicle

Merida - Tulum 3.5h - 4h 265km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodations:  Kimpton Aluna Tulum

Tulum: Explore the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve

Meaning "The Place Where the Sky is Born," the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is one of the most beautiful places along Mexico's Caribbean coast, designated as a UNESCO Heritage Site for its vast biodiversity and wetlands. Explore by boat along a network of canals dug out by the Mayans and search for wildlife like monkeys, crocodiles and tropical birds. Cool off in the the crystal clear water of one of the canals as you float past Mayan ruins and mangrove forests.

Full-day tour of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere reserve by boat. Return to the hotel in the afternoon and enjoy a farewell dinner in the evening and final night out with the group.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Private Vehicle

Tulum 2h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve Excursion

Sian Ka'an 6h

Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is one of Mexico's most important protected areas due to its diversity in bird and animal species. The Reserve uses ecologically responsible technologies, including systems for wetland waste management, rainwater collection, and solar and wind energy generation to protect the environment. Visit the reserve and take a boat ride across the lagoon before hopping into the crystal clear water of one of the canals. Next, enjoy nature's lazy river as you float past Mayan ruins and mangrove forests, letting the current slowly bring you down stream.

Free Time

Tulum Afternoon

After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, return to the hotel and spend free time on your own before dinner this evening with the group.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodations:  Kimpton Aluna Tulum

Tulum

The adventure finishes today, and you can depart at any time.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Departure Day

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast