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

Tour Overview:

Immerse yourself in the history and culture of Mexico in this 12-day tour.  Start in the capital, Mexico City and visit cities that still retain their colonial charm, Puebla, Oaxaca, San Cristobal De La Casa, and the ‘White City’, Merida.  Discover Aztec and Mayan ruins at archeological sites of Teotihuacán, Monte Alban, Palenque, Uxmal, and Chichen Itza.

Day 1, Saturday – Arrive Mexico City

Arrive in Mexico City today. Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Barcelo’ México Reforma

Day 2, Sunday – 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, Monday – Mexico City / Puebla / Oaxaca (474 km)

Departure by bus to the beautiful colonial city of Puebla. Visit of the Santo Domingo church, where it is possible to visit the Rosario Chapel, one of the biggest works of Mexican Baroque art. In the afternoon the tour proceeds to Oaxaca by bus. (B)

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express

Day 4, Tuesday – Oaxaca

Day dedicated to the city of Oaxaca and Monte Alban. In the morning visit of the famous archaeological site of Monte Alban, ceremonial center built on a hill and rich in pyramids, tombs and sunken reliefs. Later we will visit a typical “Alebrije’s” workshop, where you’ll be able to create your own little Masterpiece!

In the afternoon return to Oaxaca and visit the “Patriots Cradle” that includes the Zocalo, where the Cathedral and the Santo Domingo Church are located; then continue to the old Santa Catalina from Siena friary and to the local market, one of the most typical of the region. (B)

Day 5, Wednesday – Oaxaca / Tuxtla Gutiérrez (567 km)

Depart for Mitla, ancient Mixtec center. Visit of the archaeological site, place founded by Zapotec and also used by Mixtecan for their ceremonies in which visitors can see geometrical decorations with abstract drawings. The tour continues to Tehuantepec (4 hours) for lunch. In the afternoon proceed to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, capital of the State of Chiapas (5 hours). (BL)

Accommodation: Marriott Tuxtla Gutiérrez Hotel

Day 6, Thursday – Tuxtla Gutiérrez / San Cristóbal de las Casas (68 km)

Transfer to the Cahuaré wharf to enjoy a boat trip through the Cañón del Sumidero (Sumidero Canyon); the altitude and the beauty of the place will make the experience unforgettable. Lunch at a local restaurant. Later, continue to San Cristóbal de las Casas. Afternoon at leisure. (BL)

Accommodation: Hotel Villa Mercedes San Cristobal

Day 7, 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 8, 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 9, 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 10, 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: NH Collection Merida Paseo Montejo.

Day 11, Tuesday – Mérida / Riviera Maya (309 kms)

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 12, Wednesday – Depart Riviera Maya

Transfer to the Cancun International airport. (B)

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