The Best Things To Do In Mexico

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Discover the best things to do in Mexico and embark on the ultimate adventure, complete with cultural experiences, natural wonders, and thrilling activities that will leave you with unforgettable memories.

Mexico is a country that boasts an abundance of diverse activities to keep you enthralled. It is a land that never fails to captivate and amaze, with countless adventures to be had and memories to be made, there’s never a dull moment when exploring this incredible destination. 

Whether you’re seeking an adrenaline-fueled adventure or eager to explore the ancient ruins and colonial architecture of Chichen Itza or Palenque, Mexico has something for everyone. Swim in the crystal clear waters of cenotes, hike through the lush jungle, or immerse yourself in the culture and cuisine. With such an incredible variety of activities in Mexico, the options are truly endless.

Read on for our highlight reel of the best things to do in Mexico…

Things to do in Mexico by location

rutopia the best things to do in mexico map2

Playa del Carmen

Swim in an underground river in the Riviera Maya

Underground river in mexico

Rio Secreto is a natural reserve located a few minutes from Playa del Carmen in the heart of the Riviera Maya, where nature and human beings converge in harmony. 

Explore a wonder of the natural world in one of the largest subway river systems in existence, where the history of our planet is written in thousands of geological formations. 

Floating in its clear fresh water is an experience of a lifetime. During the approximately 3.5-hour tour, your local English-speaking guide will explain all about the walls and formations of this marvellous geological library while you explore different flooded caves. 

Dive in the turquoise blue waters of Cozumel

Diving in Cozumel

The island of Cozumel is located just off the east coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and is directly across the water from Playa Del Carmen and about an hour and a half from the Cancun airport.

Cozumel is world-renowned for its scuba diving and proximity to numerous top dive sites. The Mesoamerican reef system is the second-largest reef system in the world (after the Great Barrier Reef), and there is extensive coral and sea life with incredible visibility. From beginner’s discovery dives to advanced drift dives, there’s something for everyone around Cozumel.

Snorkeling at the Puerto Morelos coral reef

Besting things to do in Mexico - Snorkelling in Morelos

Why not visit the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park. It is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, a coral reef that extends over approximately 1000 km along the Caribbean coast of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras, making it the second largest barrier reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Board a boat to enter this natural protected area and approach the barrier reef for snorkeling. Hidden underwater is a wonderful world that we rarely get to explore. Thanks to the clear, shallow water, you will be able to observe coral species, colorful fish, and crustaceans, as well as the marine grasslands of the reef lagoon. With a little luck, you may even see turtles during the tour.

 

Snorkeling and turtle watching in Akumal

Turtle watching in mexico

Akumal is one of our favorite destinations in the Caribbean Sea for snorkeling and boat trips. Board a boat to take you only two minutes from the shore. Here you will have the opportunity to visit Akumal Bay, a Refuge Area for the Protection of Marine Species decreed by CONANP since 2016. Here you can dive in depths between 4 to 35 meters with the necessary snorkeling and safety equipment to swim and enjoy turtle watching. Several species visit Mexican beaches, such as the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), and hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). It is very important to abide by the regulations and indications so as not to alter or harm the turtles and to be able to contemplate them in their maximum splendor.

 

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Victoria O.

September, 2022
Two Weeks in Mexico
Seamless transfers, excellent hotels particularly in Mexico city and Puebla, combined with various cultural and food tours. Particular highlights were the cultural/food tours in Mexico city and Puebla (also including the anthropology museum in Mexico city), and the rural tours in Oaxaca where we visited textile workshops, mescal producers and participated in a cooking class using traditional equipment. Also, although we didn't need it, the on call remote assistance was reassuring. I would definitely recommend Rutopia.
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Kris S.

April, 2022
Enjoyed using Rutopia
Enjoyed using Rutopia (Marisol and Melina) to plan my trip to Mexico. Marisol helped me figure out the best options fand booked everything. Melina was my in country support. Rutopia (the company through Kim Kim) is great and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to take the burden out of vacation planning. My son and I truly enjoyed the trip knowing everything was taken care of and we just had to have fun. Thanks!
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Melissa W.

July, 2022
Adventures in the Yucatán!
Such an amazing time in the Yucatán! Between floating in the mangroves to visiting Chichén Itzá to spending a whole day on the beach in El Cuyo, I couldn’t have planned a better trip without their help. Thank you so much for an unforgettable birthday vacation!! Simply amazing! Don’t think twice about having them help you plan your next vacation!
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Cat839

April, 2022
Great experience with this agency, totally recommend!
Great experience with this agency. Our tour in Mexico was perfect and organised with great passion and precision. Special thanks to Mel (our direct contact during the trip) for being super responsive and to Jorge Barbosa (our tour guide in Mexico City). Totally recommend this tour operator!
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Sue G

June, 2022
Mayan Site Tour in Yucatan Penninsula Mexico
Rutopia did an outstanding job with the arrangement and execution of a 9 day tour of Mayan sites in the Yucatan peninsula. We provided Rutopia with the general parameters of the trip we wanted and they suggested an itinerary. After our approval, they set up the hotels, transportation within Mexico, and site tours. The hotels were good quality, and all of the drivers and tour guides showed up on time. We were very impressed with the quality of the tour guides and learned a lot on the trip. Jorge handled setting up the itinerary, and Melina handled the execution of the trip and was readily available via WhatsApp throughout the trip for any questions or issues. Melina was particularly helpful in changing our transportation arrangements to the airport at the last minute per our request. I would recommend Rutopia and would use them again for future trips.
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Varadarajan

July, 2022
Fantastic Will do it again
My wife and I had a fantastic holiday in Mexico thanks to Marisol, Ana, Teresa and their colleagues & partners. The entire itinerary and arrangements were put together in less than 4 days. What we really liked about Marisol & her team was that they were only a message or a phone call away for any query/suggestion, etc. The trip was bespoke to the extent that Rutopia had kept in mind about our interests, food habits & executed bookings, tours. They were also very flexible in catering to last minute changes/requests. The team took upon them to ensure that our entire trip was comfortable & safe by taking care of even small stuff that one normally finds out post getting to a place. We would definitely like to use their services again!!
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Elena R.

April, 2022
A literally perfect trip to the Yucatan peninsula
Tom and I knew we wanted to go to Mexico. We knew we wanted a little bit of culture, some wildlife, and maybe a splash in the ocean. That's it. With the vague and minimal information we gave them, Rutopia was able to put together a perfect trip for us. We had a flawless itinerary. It's so clear that Rutopia really cares about the communities (animals and humans) in Mexico. Everything we did and everywhere we stayed felt like they were helping us experience Mexico as authentically and respectfully as possible. It's almost impossible to pick a highlight, but top of the list has to be the day we shared with Enrique, a Mayan host who was unbelievably generous with us. He shared the community gardens, including history and background about the families that live in Nuevo Durango and other nearby communities. He showed us the neighborhood cenotes, Punta Laguna, Uma Nojoch Keej (a wildlife reserve), and more. We picked and prepared the plants as Enrique and his wife Blanca showed us the best way to cook them (and rescued us when we were pricked by the nopales!). We saw howler monkeys and spider monkeys in the wild which was very cool. That had to be the very best day, but every day was amazing. Sian Ka'an reserve was lovely, the Mayan ruins were spectacular, the snorkeling in Puerto Morelos was fabulous, the bicycle cenote tour was jaw'droppingly gorgeous. I'm waxing superlative but it really all was like a dream. Beyond the activities, the scheduling and pace was perfect for us. We felt like we really made the most of our six days, but with enough downtime to explore and enjoy at our leisure. From picking up our car at the airport to finding our accommodation, the logistics were very smooth at every interaction. Special shoutout to Melina who pretty much instantly helped us when we had any questions about the trip. We've never used a travel planning service like this before. But after this trip, we'll never go back to the old way!
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David

July, 2022
Journey to Mexico City, Cholula and Cuetzalan
We had a wonderful time. We started out in Mexico City with a 2 day tour filled with museums, food, and beautiful sights. We then went on to Cholula to experience the culture in a smaller town, see a local market, and eat traditional food. We finished the tour in a small town called Cuetzalan, where most people speak an indigenous language. All of our guides were great. Thank you for a memorable vacation!
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DaniEla

March, 2022
Just wonderful!
We had an amazing trip excellent organized by Jorge and supervised by Melina from Rutopia. We spent 10 days in Mexico, starting in Ciudad de Mexico where we visited the amazing Teotihuacan and then we flew to Yucatan for the amazing sites of Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Ek Balam, Tulum, Merida, Valladolid and the great Island Holbox. The trip was perfectly organized, the hotels were very good, and the guides were carefully chosen. We highly recommend Rutopia and especially Jorge!
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Bikø J

November, 2021
Chiapas, Neri and her family
I traveled to Chiapas for an ecotourism experience with Rutopia and I liked it very much, the team responds very quickly to all questions and accompany the traveler throughout the experience, I missed my flight and they were very flexible to accommodate the entire itinerary, My destination was the lakes of Tziscao, where I was received by Neri with his family in very nice cabins next to a lake with incredible views and a magnificent tranquility, with them you make experiences of beekeeping and coffee and tours to nearby lakes, Montebello is a must! 100% recommended.
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Alexhcros1500

March, 2021
Super local agency
We have worked with Rutopia for several tours in Mexico in the Yucatán and Chiapas and we have never been disappointed. Authentic experiences, with locals, in magical places and off the beaten tourist track. Our contact Marisol was always super available and responsive, understanding and anticipating our desires. And she speaks very good French. I highly recommend Rutopia!
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Mikel D

April, 2021
The best moment lived in Mexico
We were traveling as a group of friends with nothing organized. We like to improvise and be able to find alternative plans to the conventional tourist routes. We arrived in Puerto Escondido - Mexico's paradise - and started looking for options. A Mexican friend recommended us to contact Rutopia and we did. We explained our way of traveling - which they quickly understood - and in a few hours they came to us with a perfect selection of activities. We chose one of them and the next day we found ourselves galloping through beautiful hills, crossing a small lagoon in canoes, bathing on an unspoiled beach at sunset and sipping freshly picked coconuts with some mezcal. We had dinner in the only hut on the beach, eating fish that had been caught that day from the lagoon. Then we went to see the luminescence of the placton with paddle canoes until we were surprised by one of the biggest and reddest moons I have ever seen in my life. We ended up sleeping in bamboo huts a few meters from the waves. There were no more than 5 huts on the miles of beach that we could see. And at ALL times with an exquisite treatment - sympathy, kindness and attention. This is just one of the plans we booked with Rutopia, which definitely changed the course of our trip. Without a doubt, I would repeat this experience in any place I would like to visit in Mexico. Viva Mexico!
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Claudia A

September, 2020
Super organization, great accommodations and nice team
The trip was perfectly organized, we were always exclusive or in very small groups and had freedom to do our own activities. All accommodations were fantastic and sustainable, the food almost always local and very good, we could always fill our Rutopia water bottles and travel as plastic free as possible. We were met at the airport and had assistance getting a rental car. After that, we traveled independently but had our fixed dates and reservations with Rutopia. It was the perfect mix!
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pascalrichard0304

March, 2020
Circuit in Yucatan
Discovering wonderful and surprising sites, Mayan communities with an unforgettable welcome, breathtaking landscapes, a very pleasant climate in the middle of March...and smiling people! A big thank you to Rutopia and his team for the elaboration of this ideal circuit, alternating nature, city life, simplicity and comfort. Thanks to Mélina for the follow-up during our trip. We don't speak Spanish well enough, and we appreciated having a French-speaking contact person who could be reached if necessary. We still have a lot to discover and hope to come back very soon, and with Rutopia without hesitation!
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Sabrina N

March, 2020
Perfect
For those who don't like to manage logistics like hotels, rental cars, activities. And above all, to have someone who speaks fluent French that we can reach at any time for the unexpected... You are in the right place! Thank you to Chloe for the preparation of our trip, to Melina our Ariadne's thread and Teresa for her welcome and help at the arrival and departure. A big thank you to Enrique and Blanca from Nuevo-Durango for their welcome, their smiles, their family, a lot of emotions at the time to leave you. Thanks to Mémo for your teaching of Mexican customs (Sian Ka'an) The Yucatan is a magnificent region. And the population is very pleasant. Only downside Holbox... Too much dust, too much smell of fuel oil, too much tourist. I will keep in memory these wonderful moments!
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Tulum

Explore Tulum’s Mayan temples by the Caribbean Sea

Tulum_Archeological_site rutopia

Visit the Mayan city of Tulum, one of the most famous archaeological sites in Mexico, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Your guide will explain why this site played a particularly important role in sea and land trade, as well as an astronomical observatory and defensive system. 

The Mayan city is in the middle of a type of mangrove ecosystem and on a cliff facing the beautiful Caribbean Sea, which makes it a unique and spectacular place. From the archaeological site, you have access to the “Playa Ruinas” (beach of the ruins). Don’t hesitate to swim and cool off.

 

Float and relax in natural canals

Float-in-natural-canal

Visit the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, which in Mayan means “a place where the sky was born.” This community-based ecotourism cooperative focuses on the conservation and preservation of ecosystems by promoting unique experiences with a commitment to responsible tourism.

Your first stop will be the little-known and mysterious archaeological site of Muyil, which you reach at the end of an interpretive trail surrounded by the jungle. Walk until you reach the edge of the Chunyaxche Lagoon and its wonderful turquoise color, where you can take a small boat to cross a channel of crystal clear water with mangroves on either side. When you arrive at the dock, you can jump into the lazy river to begin a unique and relaxing experience in contact with nature! It is a moment of reconnection with Mother Earth during which you float slowly through the channels, where you will feel the peace of your surroundings, hear the sweet sounds of local birds, and feel the current of the water.

Explore the unknown cenotes of Chemuyil by bicycle

Explore Chemuyil by bicycle

Begin your adventure in the community of Chemuyil, a small beachfront town with plentiful white sandy beaches and shallow waters. This project was initiated by five young people from the community of Chemuyil who seek to introduce and preserve the cenotes where they used to live and play during their childhood. 

Their initiative allows the visitor to explore virgin forests, discover the fauna, and become one with nature. You will be assigned a bicycle and start cycling through the charming town of Chemuyil. Then you will continue your bike tour to visit three different cenotes of different shapes and sizes.

Dive into the mystic cenotes of the Riviera Maya

Dive into the the Riviera Maya

Go deep into the bowels of the earth to dive in a cenote. A cenote is a natural pool of fresh and crystalline water in the middle of the jungle. There are about 10,000 cenotes scattered throughout the YUCATAN PENINSULA, and they come in various shapes, sizes, and locations. The cenotes are part of a vast subway river system that is, in fact, what makes up the caves you dive in. 

Swim in different kinds of cenotes

diving-in-cenotes-caves

Explore three of the most stunning cenotes in the Yucatan on this trip of a lifetime, designed to broaden your perspective of the awe-inspiring landscape beneath Tulum.

An experience filled with eye-opening adventures and discoveries. You’ll swim among fish and turtles, see underwater caves and amazing rock formations, explore limestone passages by torchlight, and finally, immerse yourself in the peace and magic only found inside the caves.

 

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Bacalar

Sail on a catamaran through the lagoon of the seven colors

Catamaran in Bacalar

Start your tour at the Bacalar dock, where you can board a catamaran sailing boat. This shared experience lasts three to four hours, and you start by sailing toward the south of the lagoon. During the tour, you can observe and learn about the importance of the mangroves. It is a perfect opportunity to connect with nature in a sustainable way since you will only need the wind to navigate and avoid polluting the ecosystem.

You will visit the famous “Pirates Channel” where you will have the opportunity to swim and snorkel. You will continue to the Cenote de la Bruja or Cenote Negro. Here you will also be able to explore its waters and enjoy the colors of the different depths. You can also visit the Isla de Los Pájaros, a locally declared sanctuary, where you can find several species of birds and the famous shades of blue of the Bacalar Lagoon. Then finally, venture to Cenote Esmeralda, an area of great beauty.

 

Enjoy the sunrise with a transparent kayak in the lagoon

transparent kayak in the lagoon

Live one of our favorite experiences in Bacalar. Start your day early, get into your kayak and start with a ride around the lagoon to catch a glimpse of the first rays of the sun. The transparency of your kayak will allow you to see the different shades of colors of the lagoon. You can visit the famous pirates channel, mariscal lagoon and its mangroves. During a 4 hour tour you will see a beautiful paradise as well as the native flora and fauna of this ecosystem.

 

Hike through the Mayan jungle of Chunhuhub to learn about gum collection

Mayan jungle of Chunhuhub

Gradually immerse yourself in the dense jungle of the Mayans, where you can discover how the ancestors found their food, water, and shelter, until you reach an area of lush Chicozapote trees, which are over 50 years old. Here, you’ll discover the process of obtaining the “chicle” from the Chicozapote tree.

To carry out this activity, the chicleros make cracks (which do not damage the tree), in a kind of zig zag, then the sap flows down the trunk into a container. This mixture is put on a fire to generate a gum, which is then left to dry. The extraction is done during the rainy season, so if it is the dry season you will see a demonstration of the activity. Either way, you will learn how the Mayans used the tools given to them by Mother Earth to carry out all of these processes in their daily lives.

You will also have the opportunity to taste the ecological gum produced by the elders of the community.

 

Calakmul

Handicraft workshops in the Mayan communities of Calakmul

Workshop

Visit a local family, who will welcome you into their workshop to show you their original crafts made with local materials. Their specialty is stone carving, such as limestone, petrified fossils, quartz, and obsidian, and creating tablets with his designs inspired by the Mayan culture. With materials such as jade, he creates jewelry objects such as earrings and charms. 

They offer a complete experience for visitors that includes the explanation of the technique, a demonstration of stone carving, and then play to become an archaeologist, looking for a piece hidden in the garden of the workshop. To finish, you will have the opportunity to try carving your stucco piece and take it as a souvenir.

 

Dive into the jungle to discover the majestic archaeological site

Campeche Calakmul Things to do in Mexico

The experience begins with a 60 km journey between the entrance to the archaeological site and the jungle, which separates Calakmul from the rest of the world. The road alone, although paved, is worth all the attention. With a bit of luck, you might spot white-tailed deer, pheasants, and peacocks with iridescent plumage welcoming the day, a coati if you’re lucky, or some canoe-billed toucans that hide in the trees.

Finally, you will reach the archaeological area. There you will visit the highest pyramid on the site, 45 meters high, and climb to the top to enjoy the incredible view of the jungle, in a sea of green made up of endless trees. There at the top, in addition to the beating of your own heart, you can hear the silence of jungle, life summed up in trills and hums, the spider monkeys moving the branches or the woodpeckers stubbornly playing their wooden melody in search of insects.

Campeche

Visit the preserved archaeological site of Edzna

Campeche archaeological site of Edzna

Departing from the city of Campeche, you could choose to make an archaeological visit to Edzná. Then you will go to the beach to relax. This archaeological site is of great cultural importance, since Edzna is one of the great capitals of the Classic era of the Maya Itzáes, who later moved their capital to Chichen Itzá. It is a magnificent construction and features a mixture of building styles. Plus, the site has been continuously inhabited for more than two thousand years.

 

Hike through the jungle in the San Pedro and Salto Grande

rutopia hiking-San-Pedro-and-Salto-Grande-mexico

The world is not the same when you see it from the top of Structure II, out of breath, facing the sky, and a green sea made of trees as far as the eye can see. In addition to your own heartbeat, you will hear the noisy silence of the jungle. Life summarized in the trills and buzzes, the cries of spider monkeys, the moving branches, and the knocks of woodpeckers searching for insects in the wood.

 

Visit vestiges of ancient kingdoms on the route of the Chenes in Campeche

Chenes in Campeche

First stop, El Tabasqueño, where you will find the Emblem Tower, a monument associated with scientific astronomical activities. Here you will also see a large number of stelae that recorded information about the most relevant aspects of the city. Continue to Hochob, where you can also visit several ancient monuments, such as the East Palace, where there is a huge mask representing the Mayan god Itzamná, or Structures II and III, with decorated masks, false temples and simulated staircases. Finally, visit Dzibilnocac, a little known archaeological site where you will find the Painted Vault, a group of mounds, platforms, vaulted buildings and rooms decorated with masks of the Mayan god of rain, Chaac.

 

Enjoy a boat ride and swimming in Isla Aguada

Campeche Cigüeña Jabirú

Isla Aguada has attractive beaches on the coast facing the Gulf of Mexico, and in its lagoon, beautiful mangroves. It belongs to a large area considered a protection area for local flora and fauna, which includes the extension of the Laguna de Términos over approximately 705,016 hectares.

Dolphins can be observed in their habitat, various sea and land birds, such as jabiru stork, stork, heron, and some varieties of falcons, as well as reptiles and mammals, including boa constrictors and jaguars.

Mérida

Visit the Uxmal archeological site and learn about Mayan mythology in a local community

Uxmal Pyramids, Yucatan

The archaeological site of Uxmal and its impressive pyramids are well worth a visit. Uxmal means “three times built” in Maya. This name refers to the construction of its tallest structure: the Pyramid of the Magician, which was built on top of existing pyramids. Legend has it that the Pyramid of the Magician was built in a single night. This is highly unlikely as there are several structures from different time periods, perhaps only the last and smallest structure at the top was built overnight and then became a legend.

Then, after having lunch in a community, a local guide will explain the importance of the melipone bee in the life of the Mayans. Then start a visit on the ecological trail and understand the relationship with Mayan mythology. You will discover what an Alux is but also an Xtabay and a Xibalba, and visit some nearby caves.

Boat ride to see flamingos in the Celestun Nature Reserve

Rio Lagartos 2 _Yucatán_ banco de datos Totonal

This World Heritage Biosphere Reserve was officially declared a wildlife refuge in 1979.

A boat trip awaits you at the mouth of the Esperanza River in the Gulf of Mexico, where you can appreciate a unique natural ecosystem. You will observe ducks migrating from Canada, and fish, pelicans, and flamingos from the Caribbean, among another 234 species of mammals.

Then visit the “ojo de agua,” where you can swim in natural tunnels formed by branches and end your trip enjoying a delicious meal with a wonderful view of the beach.

You can see the pink flamingos from November to April.

 

Visit the yellow city of Izamal and swim in a cenote

Cenote-Hamtun-Dzula

Today, early in the morning, you will leave Mérida to go to Cenotillo, a place surrounded by a large number of cenotes, including the cenote Xooch, unique for its large size and the lush nature that surrounds it. During this adventure, you can enjoy a 4 km bike ride between the center of Cenotillo and the town hall.

Then go from the center of Cenotillo to the entrance of the cenote, where you can bathe in its crystal clear waters. On the way back to Mérida, perhaps visit Izamal to discover its cobbled streets and yellow facades, as well as the convent of San Antonio de Padua and the archaeological site of Kinich Kakmo.

 

Explore the little known archaeological site of Mayapán and enjoy local handicrafts in Tekit

Mayan Solar bread making - mayapan

Visit Tekit, a traditional Yucatec village known for its great craftsmen who make regional clothes.

During your visit, take a trip to the local bakery, where you can taste different types of breads and, together with the baker, make delicious polvorones. Afterwards, visit the Mayan Solar where your hostess, will explain the work of the baker and the melipona bee. Then you will taste a variety of honeys and be taught about medicinal plants. Once the honey tasting is over, you can visit guayaberas factories and learn how they make them, and buy 100% traditional local clothes directly from the producers and finally taste a traditional Yucatec meal.

To end your visit, check out the archaeological site of Mayapán, one of the capitals of the pre-Hispanic Maya era.

 

Handicrafts and relaxation, among honey and coconut palms

Yucatec-beekeeping2

To start the day, taste the delicious Huevos Motuleños of Doña Evelia at the local market of Motul. Then go to Sinanché to learn about Yucatec beekeeping and the different species of bees that can be found in the area. You will also learn about the honey production process, you will interact with bees wearing a beekeeper’s suit, you will taste different varieties of honey depending on the type of pollinated plant, and participate in a craft candle creation workshop based on products derived from honey.

Next, depart for San Crisanto, a coastal community where the ejido (a community organization) produces salt and copra on communal land, making it a unique tropical landscape ideal for exploration.

Then you board a boat that will take you through the mangroves to the site of Ojo de Agua (a freshwater spring). During this beautiful experience, you will enjoy the diversity and richness of local flora and fauna, which are essential for the preservation of the environment. Then end the tour, by relaxing at Sac-Há, a seaside beach surrounded by coconut trees and white sand.

 

Valladolid

Visit Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza pyramid, Yucatan

Visit the archaeological site of Chichen Itza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

This pre-Hispanic city is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was once the most revered center of worship and pilgrimage on the YUCATAN PENINSULA. Its main attraction is the step pyramid of Kukulkan (El Castillo).

Swim in the mystical cenote of Yokdzonot

cenote lolha, yaxunah, yucatan

In 2005, a group of women from the rural community of Yokdzonot, Yucatan, organized to transform the Mayan cenote of their village into a unique ecotourism site. The cenotes were the main source of water supply in the middle of the Mayan jungle, which motivated the development of cities and settlements. They were also seen as symbolic settings and spaces for rain, life, death, rebirth, and fertility rituals.

This is why they were so sacred to this culture. This cenote is quite unknown, so it is not as crowded as others, and its waters have a cool temperature to mitigate the heat outside.

Visit a cornfield and learn about corn in Yaxunah

cornfield in Yaxunah

This community is a place surrounded by cornfields and dense vegetation. It seems that at the time of the ancient Mayas, it was already an important center for the cultivation of corn, the sacred food of the gods. For the Maya, the milpa was like their home, and they had to ask permission to enter it.

In just a few hours, your guide, along with community locals, will show you the production process of this important ingredient for the Mayan people. You will learn about cleaning, sowing, and harvesting tasks and taste the drinks that can be made with corn. Check out the potzoles, pinoles, nixtamals, and atoles.

At the end of this experience, you will taste the gastronomic delights that the traditional cooks of the community will prepare for you.

Explore Ek Balam's Archeological Site and swim in a cenote

Ek Balam 1_ Yucatán_ banco de datos Totonal

Ek Balam means “black jaguar” in Mayan, and it’s one of the few archaeological sites that still allows many of its structures to be climbed.

Accompanied by a specialized guide, you will go around the site visiting its most important monuments, such as the Acropolis, where the kings lived, the Observatory, where the scientists, astronomers, and mathematicians lived, and the ball game, a sacred and religious practice.

You will continue your visit by diving in the cenote Xcanché, located a few minutes by bike from the archaeological area. Upon arriving, you will be surrounded by abundant vegetation and wildlife, you will continue forward, and see a large bridge with wooden stairs that will take you to the cenote. You will also find zip lines to embark on an adventure and drop into the blue-green waters of this wonderful place. Then descend some wooden stairs before diving into this natural gem.

Bicycle tour of the archaeological site of Cobá

Nohoch Mul, YUCATAN PENINSULA

Accompanied by a local guide, take a bike tour of the site, surrounded by beautiful trees. If you don’t like cycling, you can request a bicycle taxi. You will get to know this important site, which was very different in design and purpose from other Mayan cities. White roads built by the ancient Maya (sacbé) lead from each village to the main pyramid, Nohoch Mul, the largest pyramid in the YUCATAN PENINSULA.

Boat ride in search of flamingos in the Río Lagartos Reserve

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Rio Lagartos, a town located in the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, is one of the main nesting areas for flamingos in the YUCATAN PENINSULA. 

Embark on a boat trip in this fascinating nature reserve to discover the biodiversity of the ecosystem between mangroves, crocodiles, and flamingos. You will observe Las Coloradas, beautiful salt ponds that have a pinkish hue due to their salt concentration. (Their color depends on the time of year and the light). You will also have the opportunity to take a Mayan exfoliating bath in the white clay mounds, which are beneficial for the skin as they hydrate and soften the dermis. At the end, you will have time to get off the boat and enjoy the gentle waves on a beautiful beach.

Period of pink flamingos: from April to November

Look for spider monkeys while boating around Punta Laguna

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The Punta Laguna reserve is an extremely beautiful natural environment, and it is managed by a Mayan cooperative. The vast Punta Laguna reserve of approximately 5500 hectares will amaze you with the richness of its ecosystems in a dense jungle.

Go in search of spider monkeys and howler monkeys whose deep cries will impress you. You will also be able to enjoy the vast lagoon by taking a short canoe trip to venture into an exotic luxuriant nature.

If you have an adventurous spirit, you can launch yourself from the top of the 240-meter high zip line just to change your angle of view and admire the beauty of the place by gaining height with some thrills.

Learn about the daily life of a Mayan community

Visit a Mayan community near Valladolid, and enjoy a day of cultural immersion. Have a full day of adventure and fun with a guided tour through the Milpa and the Mayan jungle, where you can explore caves, and find wonderful virgin cenotes where you can swim and abseil. Finally, you have the opportunity to stroll through the craft workshop, distinguished by its beautiful dreamcatchers and comfortable hammocks.

Mayan gastronomy is one of the many treasures you will find here. You can taste the delicious typical dishes of the region during a lunch in the community.

Holbox

Kayaking in the mangrove

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Enjoy a fun kayak tour of approximately three hours, visiting the mangrove system of Holbox, best known for being an ecosystem of vital importance for the environment. It is home to many species and contributes to mitigating the effects of climate change by absorbing and storing CO2 in the mangrove roots. 

Get into your kayak and start paddling a few meters in the sea in two stages of 45 minutes each, until you reach the entrance of the Kuká River. In the river, you can already feel the difference in the density of the water and the change of air. Paddling here is usually quite easy. During the experience, your guide will give you tips and explain about this ecosystem. At the same time, soak up an incredible view, beautiful landscapes, and the flora and fauna that inhabit each one, including flamingos, fish, birds, and possibly even crocodiles.

Swim with whale Sharks

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Live a truly unique experience in the world. You will enjoy a delicious continental breakfast while you are given an informative talk and all the necessary equipment. Once you are ready, you will sail from the dock in a boat to begin your whale shark search. This experience lasts approximately eight hours.

Along the way, you may also see other species, such as rays, dolphins, and turtles. Once you find the whale shark, you will experience the thrill of seeing or swimming alongside the largest fish in the world. The whale shark is the most peaceful giant shark on the planet and can grow as big as a bus. Your guide is an expert in swimming alongside the whale shark and will advise you on how to enjoy the experience safely and confidently. On the way back, you will stop at a small reef for snorkeling. Finally, you will arrive at Santa Paula, where you can swim, stretch your legs and taste a 100% fresh ceviche, the final journey to Holbox will only take 45 minutes.

Boat tour of the 3 islands

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Experience a boat tour of approximately three hours through three emblematic places of Holbox Island. Each point of this tour offers you the unique opportunity to admire and enjoy the different landscapes and activities.

The first visit will be to Isla Pájaros, which is a protected sanctuary. You will get off the boat and go up to a wooden lookout point, where you can admire a great diversity of birds such as frigate birds, white ibis, roseate spoonbills, white pelicans, gray pelicans, and, in season, flamingos. The second stop will be Passion Island, to enjoy the tranquility of the crystal clear waters and minnows at your feet as you walk on the beautiful virgin white sand beach. Finally you will visit the protected area of Yalahau, where you can enjoy a rejuvenating dip in a freshwater spring. In this spring, water gushes up from the bottom. The order of the stops could change depending on the weather or by the captain’s decision.

Boat ride through the ecosystems of the unvisited side of Holbox

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Board a boat that will take you to Cabo Catoche, east of Holbox Island. Along the way, you can see turtles and also dolphins, if you are lucky. Once at sea, stop to fish for about half an hour. When you arrive at the pristine beaches of Cabo Catoche, one of two local communities will welcome you. You can entrust your catch of the day to the cooks of the community, who will take care of preparing a delicious ceviche. Enjoy this exotic meal with your feet in the sand by the sea. 

Then you will take the boat for about five minutes to arrive at Rio Santa Paola. Admire the magnificent landscape that awaits you, walk on the sandbanks and observe the wildlife present in this environment OR, if the conditions are favorable, you will snorkel near Cabo Catoche.

San Cristóbal de las Casas

Cooking Experience in Zinacantán

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Today, the experience begins with the daily walk to the Tzotzil community of Zinacantan (place of bats). You will arrive at a local house to meet your hosts and take a look at the kitchen, where you will later prepare the food. If it is milpa season, you will take a one-hour walk to learn about the work they do in the community. When you arrive at the traditional cornfield, you will learn everything that can be found in it, as well as the history of the products. You will harvest the ingredients needed for cooking when you return to your host’s home.

In this half-day activity, you will taste and get into the rhythm of life of the local people, feel the sun on your skin, smell the smoke in the air and taste the local and traditional dishes of this charming town.