Mexico Insider Tour: Day of the Dead, Volcanoes and Tequila

Day 1 : México

Arrival in the sprawling city of Mexico

Welcome to Mexico City !

Meet your driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight stay at the Hampton Inn Centro Historico Mexico City.

Day 2 : México

A Tour Around Mexico City

After breakfast, meet in the hotel lobby. Depart for a city tour, starting with the Zocalo, one of the largest squares in the world. There stands the largest Cathedral in the Americas, built on the site of the former grand Aztec temple ‘Teocalli’. The Palacio Nacional (National Palace) was built on top of the Palace of Moctezuma and features frescoes painted by famous Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. The Templo Mayor (only outside) is a relic of the ancient Aztec capital Tenochtitlan… a pre-Columbian temple in the middle of urban jungle: simply amazing!

Visit the National Museum of Anthropology

In the afternoon, visit the National Museum of Anthropology (closed on Mondays) considered to be one of the most harmonious settings conceived to revive ancient antiques. It contains a considerable amount of pre-Columbian archeological objects and presents the indigenous groups that lived (and still live) in Mexico.

Back to the hotel at the end of the day.

Overnight stay at the Hampton Inn Centro Historico Mexico City.

Day 3 : México

Experience the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Guadalupe

Meet in the hotel lobby and depart for a visit of the surroundings of Mexico City. In the North of the city, visit the Basilica of Notre Dame de Guadalupe, built in the 17th century. You can also see the Old Basilica that is slowly sinking into the ground. The Old Basilica shelters a reproduction of the Black Madonna, which can be seen behind the choir inside the modern basilica.

Magnificent Teotihuacan

Today, head to the archeological site of Teotihuacan with the pyramids of the Moon and the Sun, the Temple of the Feathered Serpent (Quetzalcóatl), the Temple of the Feathered Snails and the Palace of the Jaguars. The ‘City of the Gods’ was built in the seventh century and was probably, with its 200,000 inhabitants, the most populated city in the world at that time.

Then, head back to Mexico City for the evening.

Suggestions for the Evening (Contact Us) :

– Lucha libre show (wrestling), a very popular sport in Mexico in the great arena of the capital… great atmosphere guaranteed!

– Ballet Folklórico

Overnight stay at the Hampton Inn Centro Historico Mexico City.

Day 4 : México

Dia de los Muertos Celebrations in Mexico City

Today you will discover the traditions of the Dia de los Muertos, a Mexican tradition characterized by many customs. In the late morning, head towards the south of the city to have lunch on a boat on the Xochimilco Lake. Here you can appreciate the festive colors and flavors of Mexico and enjoy local music played by a Mariachi band.

Afterwards, head to San Andrés Mixquic, one of the birthplaces of the celebrations that traditionally last 3 days: the first one is dedicated to departed children, the second one to people who died violent deaths, and the third one to all the other departed. In every home, the families make altars where they leave many offerings: bread, fruits, candles, candies, tequila, the favorite food of parted loved ones…

Outside, Mexicans decorate the path leading to the cemetery with candles and bright orange flowers to show the deceased the path they need to follow. On November 2nd a Calaveras festival takes place, as well as various concerts, dances and speeches. In the evening, families go to the cemetery to decorate the graves with flowers and candles to illuminate the path so the deceased can find their way through the darkness. Prayers and flickering lights fill the cemetery and the villagers share a feast on the graves, dance and sing.

In the evening, families go to the cemetery to decorate the graves with flowers and candles to illuminate the path of the dead as they walk through the darkness. The cemetery is then lit up by flickering lights and the sound of people’s prayers. The villagers share a feast by the graves, dancing and singing. Head back to your hotel in Mexico City at around midnight.

Overnight stay at the Hampton Inn Centro Historico Mexico City.

Day 5 : México

Trip to Queretaro

Today, travel the colonial city of Queretaro. On the way, stop in the Magic Town of Tepotzotlan. Admire its impressive religious architecture, particularly the Church of San Francisco Javier, one of the most magnificent in Mexico and stroll through the handicrafts market.

After, visit the archeological site of Tula, ancient capital of the Toltec civilization. Visit the archeological site with its impressive statues ‘Los Atlantes’. These are massive columns each carved in the likeness of Toltec warriors.

In the evening, arrive in Queretaro, a remarkable town built in classic architecture. Visit the town, walk through numerous stately houses, fountains, churches and convents and relax in the shady plazas. The Santa Clara Church is particularly interesting: the simplicity of its facade makes a strong contrast with its exuberant interior decoration.

Overnight stay at the hotel Gran Hotel.

Day 6 : Queretaro

Morning in Sleepy Querétaro

After breakfast, travel to Queretaro, a remarkable town built in classic architecture. Visit the town, walk through numerous stately houses, fountains, churches and convents and relax in the shady plazas. The Santa Clara Church is particularly interesting: the simplicity of its facade makes a strong contrast with its exuberant interior decoration.

Explore Beautiful San Miguel de Allende

Travel to San Miguel de Allende, a charming, colonial city with narrow cobbled streets. The pastel colors, the dozens of handicraft shops and the colonial architecture, give a delightful atmosphere to the city. Wander around the city and visit the parish church, the Plaza de Allende and the churches of Santo Domingo, San Francisco and San Felipe Neri. See the Spanish architecture, experience the thriving arts scene and immerse yourself in one of the many of the local festivals that take place throughout the year.

Spend the evening in San Miguel de Allende. Overnight stay at the hotel Monteverde.

Day 7 : San Miguel de Allende

Vibrant Guanajuato

After breakfast, depart for Guanajuato , with its pastel colored houses and numerous flowered window boxes. Free day to explore Guanajuato. Visit the monument El Pipila (Guanajuato savior) and the dam de la Olla. Also, take a visit to a silver mine (guide and helmet available), the ex-hacienda del Cochero (inquisition’s museum) and finally the San Cayetano temple.

Overnight stay at hotel Meson de los Poetas.

Day 8 : Guanajuato

The Island of Janitzio

This morning travel to the state of Michoacan. Hop on a boat for a visit to Janitzio island which means ‘where it rains’. On the way, encounter the fishermen with their unique butterfly nets fishing in the lake. Once on the island, stroll up to the top and visit the statue of Morelos , a true architectural masterpiece, that tells the story of the Mexican revolution. Wander back down through the meandering streets of the island. For lunch, we suggest that you eat local food in a traditional fonda.

The Magic Town of Patzcuaro

In the afternoon, continue towards the peaceful town of Patzcuaro , one of Mexico’s Pueblos Magicos and the center of the Tarascan population. On the way, stop in the village of Tzintzuntzan, famous for its monastery and its wooden handicrafts. Patzcuaro is a charming town with colorful markets and pleasant squares all surrounded by green mountains with pines and spruces. You can admire its adobe houses built over the quiet streets while listening to Michoacana folk music. Visit the ‘house of eleven patios’ , an ancient Dominican convent built in the seventeenth century.

Overnight stay at hotel Casa del Refugio.

Day 9 : Patzcuaro

Horseride over Paracutin

This morning, depart early to travel to the city of Uruapan. From there, continue on until you reach the Purepecha village of Angahuan. Here you can experience a horseriding day trip to the volcano Paracutin (2,700 m above sea level), an extraordinary geological phenomenon. In 1943 the volcano rose up in the middle of a corn field and within one year it had ‘grown’ 400 meters/ 7,000ft high. Its lava covered 20 km2 (8 square miles) and had swallowed up villages. You will ride through conifer forests to reach the foothills of the volcano. Have lunch with a gorgeous view over the region.

For the more courageous, there is the option to hike for around an hour to the summit of the volcano to enjoy a superb view over the crater and the valley partly buried in lava. Descend through a lunar scenery of volcanic ash and strange shapes solidified in black lava blocks. The fumaroles of the volcano demonstrate how the forces of Mother Earth are always there!

The Buried Village of San Juan Parangaricutiro Viejo

In the afternoon, arrive at the ruins of the village of San Juan Parangaricutiro Viejo, where you can see a church tower which is half buried in lava. This is all that remains of a Mexican village completely swallowed by lava.

Overnight stay at hotel Casa del Refugio.

Day 10 : Patzcuaro

Guadalajara, Home of Mariachi and Tequila

Today, travel to Guadalajara , the second largest town in Mexico, and the state capital of Jalisco. It’s also the hometown of the mariachis, the rodeos, and tequila.

In the morning, go for a discovery walk of the city center and its main attractions: the cathedral built in 1616, the Plaza de los Laureles lined with beautiful laurel trees. Admire the murals by Gabriel Flores in the Presidencia Municipal (city hall), and then continue to la Plaza de Armas, south of the cathedral, where it is easy to imagine the city back in the colonial period.

Visit the Palacio de Gobierno, with it’s murals by José Clemente Orozco, and more specifically the renowned portrait of Miguel Hidalgo, the Mexican pioneer of the Independence movement to free Mexico from Spain. Free time at the Plaza Tapatia, a commercial and pedestrian street.

Overnight stay at the hotel de Mendoza.

Day 11 : Guadalajara

On the Road to Tequila

This morning head to the the Magic Town of Tequila, which gave its name to the famous beverage. Fields of blue agave will unfold before your eyes, while the distillation steam of the tequila is still tangible… There is the possibility to visit the Jose Cuervo distillery, where you can learn how the Mexicans make and appreciate this precious nectar (entrance fee not included).

In the afternoon, take a walk down the streets of this pueblo magico. Visit the zocalo in the centre of town and the small museum Casa Sauze (10 pesos) where it’s possible to find beautiful handicrafts for a reasonable price.

Overnight At the Hotel Villa Tequila.

Day 12 : Tequila

The Road to Puerto Vallarta

Free morning in Tequila then drive to the Pacific Ocean. Puerto Vallarta is a small colonial city between mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It’s a lively city with traditional cobbled streets, incredible golden sunsets and white sandy beaches.

Overnight stay at hotel playa los arcos.

Day 13 : Puerto Vallarta

Sunny Puerto Vallarta

Enjoy a day at the beautiful city of Puerto Vallarta, a great place to rest on the white sandy beaches.

Overnight stay at hotel playa los arcos.

Day 14 : Puerto Vallarta

Hasta luego México

Transfer from the Hotel to Puerto Vallarta airport 3 hours before take off.