Treasures of the Yucatán. Culture, Cenotes & Caribbean Sands.

Meet the group at the airport and board our flight to  Cancun where we will be staying for our first night.

The gorgeous Mezcal Boutique hotel is a beautifully-boho designed accommodation located in the heart of downtown Cancun, walking distance from convenience stores, authentic Mexican restaurants, shops and 10 minutes away from the beautiful white sand Caribbean beaches. 

You can also find in-site an art, flower & tattoo shop, all surrounded by a quiet and safe neighborhood. 

We have some time to settle in, relax and meet the other members of the group. Sunbathe  by the outdoor pool, relax in a hammock or just chill at the bar. 

This evening we will enjoy dinner locally

Throughout the tour we will be staying in twin rooms but there is an option to have a room to yourself for the trip. If you wish to have a room to yourself for the 11 nights the supplement will be £295 The supplement will be payable at the same time as the balance.      

The Travel Buddies trips work on the basis that as long as you are having a good time then that is what matters, if you don’t feel like coming on one of the excursions or joining the rest of the group for dinner one evening then that is absolutely fine. This is an adventure for everyone and there is nothing worse than having to go somewhere/do something that you don’t really fancy!

Feel free to do as much or as little research as you like, some members will know what they would like to visit as soon as they book the trip, Others will just turn up at the airport and have not researched at all. Either is absolutely fine. We all have different ideas as to what constitutes a great time away! 

Overnight- Cancun

After breakfast and a relaxing morning we will take our private  transfer to Valladolid which will take around 2 hours.

Hotel Fundadores  is where we will be staying for the next three nights. All rooms have air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and free WiFi. 

We can enjoy the  swimming pool with a view, sun terrace, and lush garden. Additional amenities include a picnic area and outdoor seating

What better way to start our exploration this afternoon than by means of a food tour. Discover Valladolid through its food on a walking food tour designed for people who want to eat well, understand what they’re eating, and enjoy the experience like a local. This isn’t a tour of tourist restaurants or a tour with ‘adapted’ dishes; it’s a real immersion in the region’s everyday cuisine.

Along the way, we’ll walk through the centre of Valladolid while visiting local markets and various traditional stalls and eateries where the people of Valladolid eat every day. Here, food is prepared early in the morning, recipes have been passed down for generations, and each dish has a story behind it. You’ll taste a selection of authentic Yucatecan food and drink, prepared by people who are proud of what they cook and of sharing it.

The tour includes seven carefully selected stops, where we’ll taste intense flavours, local ingredients and dishes representative of the region.

Come hungry, with an open mind and a desire to try real food. There are no tourist menus here… just honest flavours and an experience that you’ll remember long after the last bite.

Overnight- Valladolid

Today we visit the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza on a full-day tour and experience this incredible archeological site with a local guide. Walk along El Castillo and the Pyramid of Kukulcan and learn how this pre-Columbian city played an important role in the Mayan Civilization. 

Midway through the day, we will enjoy a typical buffet lunch and a refreshing dip at a cenote. 

Please  note that the entrance fee to the archaeological site £35 and the locker fee  at the Cenote are not included. 

We will arrive back at our hotel in the evening. 

Overnight- Valladolid

Today we have a free day to relax at the hotel or explore Valladolid as we choose. 

If you would like to add an additional day trip to see as much as you can then 

You could take a sightseeing trip to the Las Colorados Pink Lake (around 2.5 hours by coach from Valladolid) or take a 15 minute taxi ride to  Cenote Suytun, an underground cave that is eerie yet peaceful, and should not be missed.

Overnight- Valladolid

This morning after breakfast we depart for our next destination, Merida. (approx 2 hours) 

Mérida is a vibrant blend of colourful colonial history and rich Mayan culture, it is the capital, and the most trendy city of the Yucatan state. 

Known as the “White City,” it captivates travelers with its elegant, tree-lined boulevards, pastel-painted facades, and lively squares filled with traditional music and dance. It is also the ultimate culinary gateway to authentic Yucatecan flavors and pristine nearby Cenotes.

Our gorgeous 4* La Misión de Fray Diego Merida hotel is an  XVII century home transformed into a boutique hotel. Only one block from the city’s historic center and commercial zone. The hotel offers an on-site restaurant serving regional and Spanish cuisine, and an outdoor swimming pool. We will be calling this home for the next 4 nights. The hotel also has its own mini museum.

The city’s main square is within 2 blocks of the La Mision de Fray Diego Hotel.

Breakfast is included each morning

The best way to get to know the Historical Center of Merida is by walking its streets and getting lost between squares, churches, and colonial architecture. On our guided walking tour we will  discover the history and secrets of the city  plus everything else on offer….art, traditions, and loads of cultural diversity.

Dinner at a traditional restaurant locally.

Overnight- Merida

Today we join our  guide on an adventure-filled day exploring Mayan ruins and cenotes. We visit Uxmal, the most impressive and best-preserved city of the Puuc route,

See Mayan engravings and sculptures that have stood for centuries since the city was abandoned by Mayan tribes.

Visit a nearby town to enjoy the traditional food of the region at a local lonchería. See how Mayan women prepare these dishes, learn about the ingredients and cooking process, and savour the authentic flavours of rural Mexico.

After lunch, we will venture to a little-known cave cenote where prehistoric animal bones and Mayan artefacts have been discovered. Swim in its crystal-clear waters and explore its stunning underground caverns.

Hotel round trip transfers and lunch are included. Please note that the entrance fee for Uxmal is not included and needs to be paid on the day. It is approximately £27)

Overnight- Merida

Today we have a free day to explore Merida’s markets, museums and cafes or spend a leisurely day at the hotel. 

Overnight- Merida

Today we will depart from downtown Mérida and head to the Celestún Biosphere, a multicolored paradise full of wildlife, mangroves, and fresh water springs. Once there, we will take a guided boat tour through the estuary, with the main goal of seeing the flamingos in their natural habitat.

Along the way, we will spot various bird species, as well as possibly crocodiles and other wild animals. After the biosphere visit, we will drive to Celestún Beach, just 20 minutes away, where we will enjoy local cuisine and the amenities of the beach club. The rest of the afternoon will be spent relaxing and enjoying the day on this beautiful Yucatán coast.

Return coach transfers are included. Please note that there is a 500 pesos fee that needs to be paid in cash on the day per person upon arrival at the boat. 

Overnight- Merida

This morning we wave goodbye to Merida take our private transfer to Izamal,  a small, enchanting city affectionately dubbed the “Yellow City” because nearly every building, church, and home is painted a uniform, sunny golden hue, Izamal is officially recognized by the government as one of Mexico’s most picturesque Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns). It is also celebrated as the “City of Three Cultures” because it seamlessly blends its pre-Columbian Maya heritage, Spanish colonial architecture, and vibrant contemporary Mexican life.

Our beautiful Mexican-style hotel features an outdoor swimming pool and views of San Antonio de Padua Convent. It offers guided tours and free Wi-Fi in the lobby.

The air-conditioned rooms at Hotel Rinconada del Convento – Izamal feature a seating area, a satellite TV and a private balcony. Many have excellent views of the convent. The private bathrooms come with a shower and free toiletries.

There is a small food market just 200 metres away. 

This evening dinner will be booked at Restaurant Zamna (additional charge)

Located steps away from the Parque de los Cañones and just a few minutes walk from our hotel this spacious venue provides a peaceful, authentic aura centered around preserving historic Yucatan flavors.

Be sure to try one of their signature dishes. Queso Relleno (stuffed cheese ball) or Papadzules (tortillas in pumpkin seed sauce)

Overnight- Izamal

This morning we leave Izamel and head back to Cancun and take a ferry ride across  to the beautiful Island, Isla Muljeres.

Situated in Isla Mujeres, Mexico, and only a short distance from archaeological sites and 150 metres from where the ferry drops us off is our hotel the hotel Caracol.

It is easy to walk around the island to explore. The main pedestrian walkway is packed with open-air seafood restaurants, taco shops, bars, and boutique souvenir stores.

Situated just a short walk from the town centre is the Playa Norte, a world-renowned beach with calm, shallow turquoise waters and white sand.

Time to settle in and explore before enjoying dinner locally

Overnight- Isla Mujeres

Today is a free day to hit the beach, explore the island by bike, we can visit the playa norte, swim and snorkel or even hire golf buggies to explore the island at our leisure. 

Overnight- Isla Mujeres

After a leisurely morning we will take a short ferry ride and a private transfer to the airport for our flight home.