Mexico City and the Yucatán

Led by your Tour Director, enjoy an easy hike through lush surroundings to the Nace el Agua waterfall. Take in the sight and sound of cascading water and relax by its striking turquoise pool.

Explore this historic Gulf Coast port where pirates once roamed. Join locals in the Plaza de las Armas to play dominos, shop crafts, or dance the danzón. Visit the Municipal Palace, Virgen de la Asunción Cathedral, the craft market, and the old lighthouse.

Watch bright turquoise water cascade over rocks and trees at Agua Azul Falls, coating them in limestone as it rushes through the jungle. Surrounded by lush greenery, this natural wonder offers an unforgettable sight and sound.

While smaller than other Mayan sites, Palenque is famed for its exquisite architecture, carvings, and sculptures. Explore its temples, towering palace, and aqueduct, and see why this ancient city remains one of the culture’s greatest achievements.

Visit this ruined Mayan city, thought to have been founded around 500 AD, to see towering temples, pyramids, and an ancient ball court once used for the Mesoamerican ballgame.

Tropical flowers in fuchsia, yellow, and orange bloom beside the dark green leaves of almond and tamarind trees. Couples in white relax on ornate stone benches around Mérida’s central plaza. As the capital of Yucatán, Mérida is the ideal base for exploring the ancient Mayan world—but start with the city itself. A licensed guide will lead you to the Cathedral of San Ildefonso, begun in 1563 and home to Mexico’s oldest true dome. Inside, admire its dignified Tuscan columns and coffered nave. Across the sunny plaza, the Government Palace showcases murals of the Spanish conquest and Mayan heritage. Then stroll down Paseo de Montejo, a grand boulevard inspired by the Champs-Élysées, lined with iconic buildings and monuments.

Playa del Carmen, once a quiet fishing village, now holds a Guinness World Record as one of Latin America's fastest-growing communities. Drawn by its white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, newcomers help maintain the town’s vibrant and friendly atmosphere. Relax on the beach or shop for souvenirs along the lively main strip.

Join a licensed local guide for a visit to Chichén Itzá, one of the country's most famous Mayan sites. The city dates to around the 7th century AD, though evidence shows farmers lived here as early as the 4th century BC. Known for its 365-stepped pyramid, El Castillo, the site also features sculptures, murals, and other ancient structures.

Slip into the cool, shadowed world of Yucatán cenotes, where turquoise waters offer relief from the blistering heat. These underground caves were sacred to the Mayans and have fascinated travelers since ancient times.

Spend an afternoon soaking up the sun on Playa del Carmen’s fine white sands, named for Cancún’s patron saint. The turquoise Caribbean waters invite you to explore vibrant marine life and coral reefs.

See the Mayan idea of a beach town in Tulum, the largest coastal city of its kind and one of Cancún’s favorite day trips. Explore limestone ruins surrounded by lush jungle and gaze out at the brilliant blue Caribbean Sea, all with insights from your Tour Director.