Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Your students will learn about the rich history of Mexico, from the Toltecs and the Aztecs to the Mexican Revolution, during visits to important sites around Mexico City, including Our Lady of Guadalupe and the nearby ancient town of Teotihuacán. Your class will also hike to Nace el Agua Waterfall, tour a working cacao farm and chocolate factory, and explore the Mayan city of Uxmal. A dip in a cool cenote and guided visit to Chichén Itzá ends your exciting tour on a high note.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Mexico City
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Mexico City city walk
Stroll beneath rows of leafy palm trees as you watch ten lanes of traffic zip or more often crawl along Mexico’s answer to the Champs Élysées. Emperor Maximilian built the Paseo de la Reforma, or “Reform Avenue,” to connect his residence with the Palacio Nacional. Today it remains one of Mexico City’s most elegant and bustling thoroughfares. Do not miss the golden angel atop the 150 foot Independence Monument, a beloved landmark and popular spot for wedding photos.
Day 2
Mexico City Guided Sightseeing Tour
Crowds, cars, and cantinas fill Mexico City, a metropolis of 20 million built atop the Aztec capital. With a local guide, visit the vast Zócalo square, the Cathedral with its evolving architecture, and the Palacio Nacional, home to Diego Rivera’s vivid murals. Nearby, explore the excavated ruins of the Aztec Templo Mayor.
Paseo de la Reforma
Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe visit
See the cloak of Juan Diego, said to bear the image of the Virgin Mary. Join pilgrims at one of Latin America’s most visited landmarks, where you can view the sacred relic, hear its story of miracles, and experience the devotion that makes this site so powerful.
Teotihuacán guided excursion
Follow your local guide down the Avenue of the Dead, stand before the massive Pyramid of the Sun, and take in the graceful Pyramid of the Moon. Once home to 250,000 people, this ancient city was so impressive that the Aztecs believed a race of giants had built it, calling it the “Place Where Men Became Gods.”
Day 3
Travel to Veracruz
Nace el Agua waterfall hike
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.
Veracruz city walk
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.
Day 4
Travel to Villahermosa
Cacao farm and chocolate factory tour
Day 5
Travel to Palenque
Aqua Azul Falls visit
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.
Day 6
Palenque guided sightseeing visit
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.
Travel to Campeche
Campeche Tour Director-led sightseeing
Day 7
Travel to Mérida via Uxmal
Uxmal guided visit
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.
Mérida Tour Director-led sightseeing tour
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.
Day 8
Travel to Playa del Carmen
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.
Chichén Itzá guided visit
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.
Cenote visit
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.
Day 9
Playa del Carmen beach time
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.
Optional
Tulum visit (optional)
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.
Day 10
Return home
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theater tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Scenes from Mexico City
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.