Hidden beaches on the Gulf of Mexico

Mérida - Celestun

Day 1: Straight to the beach

Upon your arrival at Merida International Airport, make your way to the rental car office to pick up your vehicle. With the keys in hand, set off on your Mexico adventure. Drive to your hotel in Celestun on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. You will have the rest of the day free to enjoy the beach, as well as the ocean and jungle views from your hotel. The local cuisine here is some of the finest in the region, so be sure to get your fill before an overnight stay.

Celestun

Day 2: Yoga & temazcal ceremony

Begin your day with a relaxing yoga class either on the beach at sunrise or in the hotel’s wonderful yoga room overlooking the ocean. Relaxed and refreshed, you can enjoy your breakfast and a free morning at the beach and village. In the late afternoon, you will participate in a temazcal ceremony, an ancient ritual that has been part of Mexican and South American culture for around 1,000 years. During the two-hour ceremony, you will enter a sweat lodge (typically an igloo-shaped hut) constructed from volcanic stone, wood or cement. Hot volcanic rocks are placed in its centre, and water is poured over the rocks to produce steam. Herbs are then added to aid the cleansing process. Not only will this flush out toxins and clear your skin, but it is also said to help release mental burdens.

Celestun - Uxmal - Campeche

Day 3: Mayan Uxmal

In the morning you will head south. The first stop will be at the archaeological site of Uxmal, the second-most important Mayan city on the Yucatan Peninsula. Here you'll take a three-hour guided tour of its fascinating temples. After some free time for lunch, continue on to the town of Campeche. This small fishing town is famous for its colourful houses and historic centre, which was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list in 1999. 

Campeche - Isla Aguada - Campeche

Day 4: Swimming with dolphins

Today you will be picked up from your hotel in Campeche and taken to Isla Aguada. Between the island and the mainland is the beautiful Laguna de Terminos - one of the largest lakes in Mexico, it served as a hideout for pirates which were once found in abundance in the region. Here you can explore the lagoon on a boat ride and observe the playful dolphins - if you're lucky, you may even get to swim with them. After the boat tour, you will be taken to one of the beautiful beaches on Turtle Bay for a delicious lunch. Relax on the beach and take a refreshing dip in the warm waters of the lagoon before returning to your hotel. 

Campeche - Cenote Cumpich - Mérida

Day 5: Street food tour of Merida

Today you will head back north. Your first stop will be the lovely hidden Cenote of Cumpich. Mesoamerican cultures believed that cenotes are entrances to the world beyond. Take a dip and enjoy the crystal-clear waters. In the late morning, you will drive on to Merida, the capital of the Yucatan. Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting to take you on a food tour of the city. Discover the cuisine of the Yucatan, a unique fusion of Mexican and European flavours. Your first stop is at the Lucas de Galvez market, Merida's largest local market. Here you can taste extraordinary fruits and vegetables, juices, tamales, empanadas and the national dish, cochinita pibil, cooked in underground earth ovens. You will then visit a local seafood restaurant as well as an ice cream parlour selling unique flavours. Lastly, enjoy some free time in the city before heading to your hotel.

Mérida - Ek Balam - El Cuyo

Day 6: Mayan explorations

After breakfast, head to Izamal, a city once known as the town of hills because of the dozens of pyramids found there. Today it is known as the 'Yellow City' because of its predominantly ochre buildings. The main attractions here are the Kinich-Kakmo pyramid and the Convento de San Antonio de Padua, the largest in the Yucatan. Enjoy a tour of the city and a stroll down the cobblestone streets before heading to Ek Balam, one of the few Mayan settlements that was still inhabited until the arrival of the Spaniards. It stretches over eight square miles and features a large, square central area where the elite once lived. Explore the ruins here before driving to your final destination, the coastal gem of El Cuyo.

El Cuyo

Day 7: Lagoon & beach relaxing

Enjoy a serene day on one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. El Cuyo is still relatively unknown and untouched, with gorgeous natural landscapes and mangroves for you to explore, as well as a stunning turquoise-blue sea and lagoon. This scenic picture makes it one of the few hidden gems dotted on the Gulf of Mexico, and guarantees a stay filled with tranquillity.

El Cuyo - Cancun

Day 8: Return to the airport

Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy one last scenic stroll on the beach this morning. Then, allowing plenty of time for your journey, set off to Cancun International Airport where you can drop off your rental car and prepare for your return flight home.