9 Days: Mexico City, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Palenque, Campeche, Mérida, & Riviera Maya

Tour Overview: On this Classical Mexico program, you will learn about Mexico’s colonial and Mayan past. In the capital, Mexico City learn about its colonial history and take in the cosmopolitan vibe. In the colonial city of San Cristobal de las Casas, wander the cobbled streets and visit the markets. Explore the Palenque archaeological site recognized as one of Mexico’s most beautiful places. Visit more Mayan sites of Uxmal and Chichen Itza.

Day 1, Tuesday – Arrive Mexico City
Arrive in Mexico City today. Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Barcelo’ México Reforma.

Day 2, Wednesday – Mexico City
Enjoy a tour of Mexico City. Visit Plaza de la Constitución. The Constitution Plaza known as Zócalo, is surrounded by beautiful baroque buildings, among which is the Cathedral, the country’s largest religious monument built over the great Aztec temple. Visit the Palacio Nacional (National Palace), headquarters of the Presidency of Mexico, where visitors can admire murals painted by Diego Rivera. One of the main and most recently discovered attractions is the Templo Mayor, the great temple of the Aztec capital. Brief stop at the Guadalupe Shrine. Lunch at a local restaurant.

The tour continues to Teotihuacán, named by the Aztecs as “the place where the Gods are born”. This location includes three great constructions: The Pyramid of the Sun, Pyramid of the Moon and the Citadel; all of them were built over the so called “Calzada de los Muertos” (Road of the Dead). (BL)

Day 3, Thursday – Mexico City / Tuxtla Gutierrez / San Cristóbal de las Casas (68 km)
Transfer to the airport and fly to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, capital of the State of Chiapas. Arrive and transferred to the Cahuaré wharf to enjoy a launch boat trip through the Cañón del Sumidero (Sumidero Canyon); the altitude and the beauty of the place will make the experience incredible. After that the tour continues to San Cristóbal de las Casas. Lunch at a local restaurant. (BL)
Accommodation: Villa Mercedes San Cristobal

Day 4, Friday – San Cristóbal de las Casas
In the morning visit one of the most typical local markets where hundreds of indigenous people sell their hand-made products every day; the tour continues to the Baroque Santo Domingo Church founded in 1547. The visitors will meet the indigenous communities of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán; the San Juan Chamula community is particularly linked to this church where ceremonies were celebrated that have a great influence of paganism. The indigenous population of Zinacantan, on the other hand is very loyal to the Catholic faith. Also you can taste a delicious “Tortilla” made by yourself and enjoy a shot of “Pox”, an ancient Mayan elixir! (B)

Day 5, Saturday – San Cristóbal de las Casas / Palenque (191 km)
Depart for Palenque with a stop at the Agua Azul (Blue Water) waterfalls; the trip will last approximately 5 hours on a mountain road and on the road the visitors can enjoy the abundant vegetation of this Chiapanecan (from the State of Chiapas) zone. (B)
Accommodation: Hotel Villa Mercedes Palenque

Day 6, Sunday – Palenque / Campeche (362 km)
Visit of the Palenque archaeological site. The area displays beautiful Mayan work made in stone and stucco; this area is frequently recognized as one of Mexico’s most beautiful places due to its ruins enclosed in the Chiapanecan jungle. Its most important temple is called Templo de las Inscripciones (Temple of the Inscriptions), and here the explorers discovered Pakal’s tomb with his famous jade mask. Then continue to Campeche, which is the capital of the Campeche State. Lunch at a local restaurant. Upon arrival to Campeche, a short visit to the ancient town, surrounded by fort walls and towers built to protect this city from the pirates. Campeche keeps a Colonial flavor thanks to its gorgeous houses and austere churches. (BL)
Accommodation: Hotel Plaza Campeche

Day 7, Monday – Campeche / Uxmal / Mérida (169 km)
Depart to Mérida with a visit of the Uxmal archaeological site on route. Uxmal means “built in three stages” and it is a typical example of the classic and post-classic Mayan period; its main constructions are: Pirámide del Adivino (The Fortuneteller’s Pyramid), Palacio de los Gobernadores (Governor’s Palace) and the Cuadrángulo de las Monjas (Quadrangle of the Nuns). Lunch at a local restaurant. The tour continues to Mérida, also known as the “White City”, which has Colonial houses as well as houses that date from the beginning of the century in Arabic, French and Italian styles. Those houses have witnessed all the old wealth that was generated thanks to the sisal culture. Stop at Mérida’s Zócalo, where visitors can admire the city’s main monuments: the Cathedral, the Government’s Palace, the Municipal Palace and the Francisco Montejo’s House. (BL)
Accommodation: Hotel NH Collection Merida Paseo Montejo.

Day 8, Tuesday – Mérida / Chichen Itzà / Riviera Maya (309 Km)
Depart to visit the Chichén Itzá archaeological site. Chichén Itzá was the Mayan capital of Yucatán and flourished between the 5th and 10th centuries AD. Visitors can admire the impressive buildings of the northern and central archaeological sites, such as: the Kukulcán Temple, the Ball Game, the Observatory, the Warrior’s Temple, the Convent of the Nuns and the Sacred Cenote. Lunch at Chichén Itzá in restaurant. In the afternoon, continue to Riviera Maya, visiting Cenote Saamal en route, with some time for a refreshing swim.
Accommodation: Hotel Barcelo Maya Beach. (All Inclusive)

Day 9, Wednesday – Depart Riviera Maya
Transfer to the Cancun International airport. (B)

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