Mexico, Oaxaca & Yucatán: A Journey for the Senses

Welcome to Mexico City!

This sprawling city opens the door to an authentic journey. Depending on your arrival time, you’ll have the chance to start immersing yourself in the culture with a leisurely stroll through the surrounding neighborhoods: lively squares, traditional cafés, and your first sensory discoveries await you.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Mexico City.

Tour of Mexico City

This morning, set out to discover two authentic sides of the capital. You’ll start with a trajinera boat ride along the flower-lined canals of Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the afternoon, head to Coyoacán, a former village that has become a bohemian neighborhood. There, you’ll visit the famous Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo’s home, whose intimate world reveals the artistic soul of Mexico.

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Overnight at a hotel in Mexico City.

Explore the Valley of Mexico

After breakfast, your driver will take you to the northern part of the city to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a major pilgrimage site and a powerful symbol of popular piety.

Next, you’ll continue on to the pyramids of  Teotihuacan, the ruins of an ancient city that was once among the most populous in the world.

Return to the city at the end of the day.

Overnight at a hotel in Mexico City.

Discover Mexico’s cultural capital

Early in the morning, enjoy a private transfer to the airport for your flight to Oaxaca. Upon arrival, pick up your rental car and explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stroll through the historic center, explore the Baroque church of Santo Domingo, the paved streets, and the scent of spices wafting from local shops.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Oaxaca

Discover the creative soul of Oaxaca

Today, head to the surrounding valleys to explore the region’s rich artisanal heritage. You’ll start in San Bartolo Coyotepec, a village renowned for its hand-crafted black pottery. Next, stop in El Tule, home to a thousand-year-old cypress tree—one of the widest in the world—that has been revered for generations.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the site of Mitla, an ancient Zapotec ceremonial center. Its unique stone mosaics convey a powerful symbolic language: that of a Mexican culture off the beaten path, deeply rooted in spirituality.

Finally, the day ends in Teotitlán del Valle, at the home of a family of weavers. Here, you’ll discover the secrets of natural dyes and the techniques passed down from generation to generation.

Overnight in a hotel in Oaxaca

Monte Albán: The most beautiful panoramic view of Oaxaca

After breakfast, you’ll head to Monte Albán, one of Mexico’s major archaeological sites. Perched at an altitude of over 2,000 meters, this ancient Zapotec ceremonial center overlooks the Oaxaca Valley and offers a breathtaking panorama.

During your visit, you’ll wander among pyramids, tombs, and platforms. You’ll discover the origins of pre-Columbian writing and the advanced astronomical knowledge of this civilization.

Return to Oaxaca for a free evening.

Overnight in a hotel in Oaxaca

Discover the bohemian spirit of the Pacific Coast

This morning, you’ll leave the mountains of Oaxaca behind and head to the Pacific Coast. Thanks to the new highway, you’ll reach Puerto Escondido in just three hours. The drive offers a wide variety of landscapes, alternating between lush green valleys and rugged terrain. Once you arrive at the coast, you’ll check into your hotel, then set out to explore this little coastal paradise. Renowned for its unspoiled beaches and bohemian vibe, the town charms visitors with its laid-back atmosphere and untamed beauty.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Puerto Escondido

Enjoy a day with your feet in the sand

Today, you’ll enjoy a free day in Puerto Escondido, a hidden gem on the Pacific coast.

First thing in the morning, you can head out to sea for a sunrise excursion. With a little luck, you’ll spot dolphins, sea turtles, or even whales in season—an unforgettable sight. 

In the afternoon, treat yourself to a walk along the Manialtepec Lagoon, famous for its rare bioluminescence phenomenon. Alternatively, you can participate in a baby turtle release, a moving experience that supports conservation efforts.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Puerto Escondido

A Close Encounter with Nature

This morning, you’ll travel along the coast toward San Agustinillo, a small coastal village with understated charm. Along the way, a stop at La Ventanilla, a protected lagoon nestled in the heart of a mangrove forest, is a must.

Accompanied by a local guide, you’ll set out in a boat to glide through the canals, on the lookout for crocodiles, tropical birds, and iguanas. This excursion, both ecological and soothing, offers a wonderful encounter with the region’s biodiversity.

At the end of the day, you’ll arrive in San Agustinillo. Far from the large hotel resorts, this peaceful haven offers a simple and authentic setting. An ideal place to reconnect with what truly matters.

Overnight stay in a hotel in San Agustinillo

Today, there’s no rush. San Agustinillo is the perfect place to slow down, soak in the serenity of the Pacific Ocean, and savor every moment. You can spend the day with your feet in the sand, lulled by the sound of the waves, or set out to explore the small local community, which lives in harmony with nature.

Overnight stay at a hotel in San Agustinillo

A second free day in San Agustinillo gives you the chance to extend this relaxing getaway. Snorkeling, horseback riding on the beach, or simply napping in the shade of a palapa: everyone can create their own perfect moment.

For the curious, the nearby ecotourism center in Mazunte offers tours of the turtle sanctuary or boat excursions, depending on the season.

Overnight stay at a hotel in San Agustinillo

A new chapter begins in the capital of Yucatán

Early in the morning, head to Puerto Escondido airport to return your rental car. A domestic flight will then take you to Mérida, the cultural capital of  Yucatán. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by an English-speaking guide and handed a new rental car to begin the second part of your adventure.

Walk for the first time around the city depending on your arrival time. In contrast to the Pacific Ocean, Yucatán reveals another facet of Mexican culture off the beaten path, focused on Mayan heritage and ancestral traditions.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Mérida

This morning, head to one of Mexico’s most beautiful archaeological sites: Uxmal, a jewel of Puuc architecture. Less crowded than Chichen Itzá, the site exudes a peaceful and enchanting atmosphere. The stucco sculptures, depictions of the rain god Chaac, and the harmonious proportions of the pyramids perfectly illustrate Mayan ingenuity.

After this visit, head to the small village of Santa Elena, where Gladys welcomes you into her home for a Yucatecan cooking workshop. You’ll make your own tortillas and discover the secrets of local flavors in a friendly atmosphere.

Overnight in a hotel in Mérida

After breakfast, head to the colonial village of Izamal, nicknamed the “Yellow City.” Its colorful narrow streets, Franciscan convent, and Mayan pyramids integrated into the modern townscape make this place a unique fusion of cultures.

You’ll continue on to the Yokdzonot cenote, a little-known natural haven where you can swim in cool, crystal-clear water in the heart of a lush crater. It’s the perfect break before heading to Chichen Itzá, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The site, a testament to the encounter between the Maya and Toltec cultures, impresses with its grandeur and history.

Overnight in a hotel in Valladolid

Mangrove Safari

Today, you’ll head north to Rio Lagartos, an exceptional nature reserve. There, you’ll board a lancha for a photo safari through the heart of the mangrove forest: flamingos, white ibises, crocodiles, and perhaps even ospreys will accompany you on your journey. You’ll also discover Las Coloradas, the famous bright pink salt flats, a rare sight that seems straight out of a dream.

Overnight in a hotel in Valladolid

This morning, you’ll leave Valladolid to explore the mysteries of Coba, an ancient Mayan city hidden beneath the canopy. Less restored than other sites, the place retains an air of archaeological adventure, with its stone paths overgrown by the jungle and its Nohoch Mul pyramid, the tallest in Yucatán.

Then, head to Punta Laguna, a Mayan village nestled on the edge of a lagoon surrounded by forest. Accompanied by a local guide, you’ll set out on the trails in search of spider monkeys, the region’s iconic species.

Overnight in a hotel in Bacalar

Bacalar Lagoon, Mexico’s Unspoiled Gem

Wake up on the shores of one of Mexico’s most beautiful natural wonders: Bacalar Lagoon, nicknamed the “Lagoon of Seven Colors.” Aboard a small boat, you’ll set off on a peaceful and colorful exploration.

You’ll have plenty of opportunities to swim in these crystal-clear waters, whose hues shift between turquoise, indigo, and sapphire, depending on the depth and the light of day. Free afternoon to enjoy the area at your own pace.

Overnight in a hotel in Bacalar

This morning, you’ll make your way back toward the Caribbean coast, with a recommended stop in Tulum, an ancient Mayan port city perched overlooking the sea. It was here, in 1518, that the conquistadors first laid eyes on the temples of the New World. The contrast between the ruins and the turquoise waters is striking.

Continue on to Akumal, literally “the place of the turtles,” a little corner of paradise nestled between white sand and lush vegetation. At the end of the day, sink your feet into the sand… and let the calm wash over you.

Overnight in a hotel in Akumal

This day is all about relaxing on the beaches of Akumal, a peaceful spot that perfectly captures the spirit of the end of a journey.

You can choose to simply enjoy the tranquility, alternating between swimming and napping in the shade of a palm tree, or opt for water activities (optional) such as snorkeling in the bay, which is often frequented by sea turtles, or a paddleboarding trip along the coastline.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Akumal

The Land of the Turtles

Another free day to enjoy Akumal, still lulled by the waves and the scent of the tropics. Why not savor one last ceviche on the beach, go on a sunrise kayaking trip, or simply walk barefoot in the sand?

Overnight stay at a hotel in Akumal

Depending on your flight time, you’ll head to the Cancún airport. Return your rental car and check in for your international flight.

This marks the end of a journey rich in encounters, contrasting landscapes, and authentic discoveries. A trip designed for those seeking a different way to experience Mexico.