MEXICO CITY & MERIDA CITY (DELIGHT MEXICAN CUISINE)

Arrive at Mexico City International Airport. Our representative will meet and greet you, and then you will be taken by shared transfer to the selected hotel. Have the rest of the day at leisure, taking advantage of the hotel facilities or exploring the beautiful surroundings. The itinerary order may change depending on the weekday of arrival (in order to make all activities).  Overnight in Mexico City.

DAY 2: MEXICO CITY: CITY TOUR, ANTHROPOLOGICAL MUSEUM, AND PLAZA GARIBALDI

After the tasty breakfast at the hotel, the guide will wait for you at the hotel to pick you up around 9 am to start with the visit to the historic center, the Zocalo (the main square of the city), the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace, which features murals by the famous artist Diego Rivera. Then, we make a stop at the Anthropological Museum, a place that after almost half a century since its creation, remains the most emblematic area that safeguards the indigenous legacy of Mexico. After this 5-hour visit, return to the hotel, or if you wish you can stay to explore the area on your own or enjoy lunch at the restaurant and return to the hotel on your own. In the evening at 7.30 pm, you will be picked up at the hotel and taken to the Bellini restaurant to enjoy a tasty dinner (a local drink included). This restaurant is the only revolving restaurant in Mexico City, which offers incredible panoramic views overlooking the flashing lights of the city and the traditional Mexican and international flavors. After dinner before we head back to the hotel, we will stop at Plaza Garibaldi, a nightlife center, and a very popular place to enjoy the sights and sounds of Mariachis accompanied by traditional dances and delicious drinks (a traditional drink included). Return to the hotel at 12 am.  Overnight in Mexico City

DAY 3: MEXICO CITY: XOCHIMILCO BOAT AND COLONIA ROMA FOOD TOUR

The day starts with breakfast at the hotel and picks up at 08:00 am. Enjoy a traditional boat trip on the trajinera through the canals while listening to Mexican music. After a one-hour tour, we will continue to Colonia Roma, where we will take you to seven places where you will taste delicious dishes with the unique flavor that La Roma has to offer: the most delicious fish tacos, delicious contemporary dishes, tasty tamales, creative author cuisine, Mexican wine, craft beer, mezcal and heavenly Mexican coffee made by extraordinary baristas. Meet the people behind the food, listen to their stories and discover the concepts of the restaurant so you can discover why Mexican food is special and unique. Walk with our expert local guide to discover the impressive architecture of mansions and buildings, beautiful squares, and fountains while having fun learning the fun stories of famous people and the background stories of the Roma Colony. At approximately 3.30 pm, we will return to the hotel. Rest of day at leisure.  Overnight in Mexico City

DAY 4: MEXICO CITY – TEOTIHUACAN – MEXICO CITY (100 KM – 2 HRS)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up at the lobby at about 9.00 am. You will visit two impressive ceremonial centers, the Basilica of Guadalupe (contemporary) and Teotihuacan (pre-Hispanic), which describe the religious evolution of Mexican people. First transfer to the “Plaza de las Tres Culturas”, the site where the largest market in pre-Columbian Mexico, Tlatelolco is located, where you will have a panoramic view of the esplanade and the archaeological zone. Continue to the Basilica of Guadalupe, the largest religious sanctuary in Mexico, which houses the most revered image in Mexico, that of the Virgin of Guadalupe. You will visit the atrium and its interior. Continue to Teotihuacan “place where the gods are made”. With more than 2,500 years of history, this ceremonial center had a vital development, born in Textiles of natural fibers and Obsidian as a matter of Exchanges and tools. This will be explained in detail at a stop before entering the archeological zone. Enter the enigmatic archaeological zone visiting the temples of “Quetzalpapalotl” (butterfly bird), the “feathered snails” and the entire pyramid of the Moon. Continue to visit the Citadel and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl before the end of the visit with the impressive Pyramid of the Sun. Upon returning to Mexico City, there will be a stop at the typical restaurant for lunch (not included). At approximately 4.30 pm you will return to your hotel.    Overnight in Mexico City

DAY 5 : MEXICO CITY – MERIDA (2 HRS BY FLIGHT)

Start your last day in Mexico City with a tasty breakfast at the hotel. Then, check out and transfer to Mexico City International Airport for your departure flight to Merida (flight not included). Upon arrival at Merida Airport, our representative will meet and greet you, and then transfer you to the selected hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, taking advantage of the hotel amenities or exploring the beautiful surroundings.  Overnight in Merida.

DAY 6 : MERIDA: MARKET AND COOKING CLASS

Today after breakfast, meet your guide at approximately 8.30 am, to immerse yourself in the local culture with the cooking class! This Merida Market Tasting and Cooking Class tour will start with a visit to the local market. First, you’ll discover amazing traditional dishes. Furthermore, you’ll get to taste delicious local fruits. In addition, you’ll learn about the customs and traditions of the Yucatan. After buying all your supplies, you’ll take an exciting bus ride to the local home. Finally, your host and guide will guide you step by step to cook a traditional menu. Return to your hotel at 2 pm.  Overnight in Merida

DAY 7 : MERIDA: CENOTES DE CUZAMA (SANTA BARBARA)

After breakfast at the hotel depart at approx. 9 am to the Homun area. Arrive at the refreshing waters of the Cuzama cenotes traveling by truck or bicycle. Visit all three of the Santa Barbara cenotes, the most beautiful cenotes in Homun. We will finish our day by enjoying lunch at a traditional restaurant.  Overnight in Merida

DAY 8: MERIDA – UXMAL

Start the day with a delicious breakfast. Then, you will be picked up at 12.45 pm at the hotel to go to Uxmal. Upon reaching the pyramids, we will explore the place and get to know the Mayan vestiges and interesting constructions full of great wealth and history. You will learn about the history of this archaeological site of the Mayan culture, and you will also hear some magical legends about that place. We will visit the Pyramid of the Magi, the House of the Governor, the Temple of the Masks, and the Quadrilateral of the Nuns, among other important Mayan constructions. Next, we will visit the Museum of chocolate where you will learn about the history of cacao from its origins, distribution, and worldwide uses to its Mayan ancient making ways. Lunch in a typical restaurant is included.  Overnight in Merida.

DAY 9 : MERIDA – CHICHEN ITZA – DEPART CANCUN OR RIVIERA MAYA (315KM – 4 HRS)

Start the day with a tasty breakfast at the hotel and be ready for the pickup at about 8.45 am. From Mérida, we will go to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World: Chichen Itza. Enter the rainforests of the Yucatan Peninsula in search of the legendary Mayan city of Chichen Itza, which has been laboriously recovered from the jungle. Learn about the Maya and their civilization while admiring the scale and details of this ancient city. Contemplate the geometric perfection of the 25-meter-high Kukulkan Temple, popularly known as El Castillo (‘el Castillo’), which was built as a representation of the Mayan mystical calendar and to reflect the optical illusion of a snake up or down the pyramid during the spring and fall equinoxes. Admire the Great Ball Court, the largest of the 13 discovered on the site, see the disturbing Skull Platform, where the heads of the victims of human sacrifices and prisoners of war were impaled, and also the Sacred Cenote, where the victims of the sacrifice were thrown. Visit the very well-preserved Temple of the Warriors, the Ossuary, the Nunnery and the adjacent Church, and the great observatory known as the Caracol. Then, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant around Chichen Itza, after which we will go to Cancun or Riviera Maya, and we will leave you at your selected hotel (not included in this program).

TOUR GUIDE: 

• Operated with local English & Spanish speaking licensed guide on a shared basis on days 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9
• The assigned guide and group size may change during the itinerary

ACCOMMODATION:  8 nights’ accommodation

MEALS:

• 8 breakfasts, 
• 4 lunches on days 3, 6, 7, 8
• 1 dinner on day 2

TRANSPORT:

• Shared transfer between the airport and the hotel in Mexico City
• Air-conditioned transportation on a shared basis
• Shared transfer from Merida Airport to the hotel

ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES: 

• All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: Mexico City tour (day 2), Anthropological Museum (day 2), Garibaldi, Xochimilco BT, Colonia Roma Food Tour (day 3); Teotihuacan, Basilica de Guadalupe (day 4), Cooking Class in Merida (day 6), Cenotes de Cuzama tour (day 7), Uxmal tour (day 8), Chichen Itza tour (day 9)

OTHER: 

• Meet & greet at Mexico City International Airport on day 1
• Meet & greet at Merida Airport on day 5

EXCLUSIONS

• Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks, and meals if not stated explicitly in the program
• Optional tours 
• International and domestic flight tickets (On request) or Mexican visa fees and local taxes
• Gratuities for drivers and guides

Please note

• The estimated arrival time in Cancun or Riviera Maya hotel is 19:30 hrs. Departure transfer to the airport is not provided
• Please note that there are ongoing road works on the access road to the Cancun Airport which are affecting the traffic. As it is required to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure we suggest booking an additional night stay in Cancun
• The itinerary order may change depending on the weekday of arrival (in order to make all activities)
• The assigned guide and group size may change during the itinerary
• On Monday the Anthropology Museum and National Palace are closed 
• Garibaldi & Dinner at Bellini’s tour is not available on Sunday and Monday
• Colonia Roma Food tour is not available on Sunday
• The itinerary order may change depending on the weekday of arrival (in order to make all activities)
• The assigned guide and group size may change during the itinerary
• Local conditions prevalent at the time of travel may result in modifications to the tour contents without prior notice

What do I need to bring?

Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for traveling in Mexico. However, the climate can be wet and cold, especially in winter, therefore we recommend bringing warm clothes, a raincoat, and an umbrella. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts, or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat, and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.