13-day Mayan self-driving adventure

Cancún airport - Puerto Morelos

Day 1: Welcome to Cancun!

Welcome! Arrive at the international airport of Cancun, where your local hostess will be waiting for you to go together to the car rental agency to pick up your car.

You will be provided with a map and a mobile phone to use during this travel journey.

Once you have your car, you can head towards Puerto Morelos, a charming little town, very close to the airport.

Puerto Morelos - Ek Balam - Valladolid

Day 2: Explore the Puerto Morales Archaeological Site

Head to the entrance of the archeological site to go to the cenote. At the main gate, you can pick up a bicycle.

In the area, they have some options to taste the regional food offered by the members of the cooperative (not included in the price). After this, you will head towards the town (5 minutes by car), where a guide will be waiting to take you on a community walk, in which you will visit three homes to see the daily life of the Mayan families.

You will learn how to make tortillas by hand, as well as weave hammocks. Finally, you will participate in an embroidery workshop. When you have finished, you will continue your journey to the colonial city of Valladolid (30 min). Check-in at your hotel and enjoy a free night to walk through this beautiful city. Activities included are the community tour in Ek Balam and the entrance free to the cenote by bicycle.

Valladolid - Chichen Itza - Yaxunaha

Day 3: Marvel at Ancient Chichen Itza

After breakfast, you will leave very early to visit the emblematic Mayan ceremonial center of Chichen Itza. This pre-Hispanic city was the most outstanding capital of the Mayan area, at the end of the Classic period and the beginnings of the Postclassic period.

Upon the arrival of the Spaniards, it was constituted as the center of worship and pilgrimage of the Yucatan peninsula. You will then visit the community of Yaxunah, located 25 minutes away, where a group of women and men have gotten together to preserve their culture by creating cultural travel experiences for visitors.

You will help prepare a typical Yucatecan meal and meet other members of the community to taste the masterpiece together! Return to Valladolid in the afternoon to rest.

Valladolid - Mérida - Uxmal

Day 4: Travel to Pristine Merida

After breakfast, you will go to the white city of Mérida where you will meet your local guide for a tour of the city center.

Mérida developed a very strong cultural and political identity, due to its isolation from the rest of the country. The city is a symbol of the Mayan legacy, something that you can discover during this guided cultural tour, where you will visit the local market (Lucas de Gálvez), known for its endemic food products, very typical of traditional gastronomy.

Here you will be able to taste exotic fruits and Mayan dishes with different types of corn tortillas. In addition, you will discover landmarks such as the cathedral, the main square, the government hall and its incredible paintings, which tells the history of the city, as well as other interesting buildings. When finished, you will head towards Uxmal.

Uxmal - Muná - Uxmal

Day 5: Head Over to Historic Uxmal

In the morning you will head to the beautiful archeological site of Uxmal, one of the most important archeological sites of the Mayan culture.

Here, you will have a guided tour of the area to arrive at the Mirador Muná Chac-Nah (15 min), a beautiful project that preserves local biodiversity and culture. You will be invited to participate in a jícara engraving workshop and visit their craft workshop and ecological museum.

When finished, you will head towards the ecological center of Mun-Ha to taste delicious regional food. After, you can explore the area and return to your hotel to rest.

Uxmal - Chunhuhub

Day 6: Visit a Mayan Cooperative in Chunhuhub

After breakfast, you will head to a Mayan cooperative located in the village of Chunhuhub. The hospitality of the members of this ecotourism center will make you feel at home.

Upon arrival, you will visit their facilities and experience being in a traditional Mayan house, discovering how the ancient Mayans lived. You will have time to have lunch and rest or explore the area in the afternoon before setting out to discover the Yu’um Lu’um trail.

Before beginning the trail, a purification ritual is carried out to allow you to enter the jungle. Guided by torches and your local guide, you will reach a meeting point on the path, where your hosts will share stories and legends with you. Enjoy a typical drink of the region called Balché (only for adults, as it contains alcohol). Return to the ecotourism center for dinner.

Chunhuhub - bacalar - Calakmul

Day 7: Travel to Gorgeous Calakmul

After breakfast, you will depart for Calakmul. You can make a stop in Bacalar to eat or take a short break to have a quick look at the village and the fantastic lagoon.

After this, continue to Calakmul. Upon arrival, head to your hotel, located at the entrance to the Calakmul Reserve. Check in and enjoy the rest of the afternoon.

Calakmul Archeological Site - Conhuás - Calakmul

Day 8: Visit the Community of Conhuas

In the morning, your guide will pick you up at the hotel to take you to the archeological site of Calakmul. It is recommended that you take a packed lunch with you since the area is quite far away and there are no services at all.

You will cross the unpaved road through the reserve, where you can see different types of flora and fauna. This is one of the most important reserves for jaguars, although they are normally seen at night. At the end of the road, you will find the archeological site, one of the most photogenic and impressive of Mexico! After your visit, go back to the main road, drop off your guide and head to the community of Conhuás.

Here you will visit a wonderful stone carving workshop where you will see examples of different types of stone. The hand-crafter will show you how to carve stone, After this beautiful activity, you will return to your hotel.

Calakmul - bacalar

Day 9: Spend Time in Stunning Bacalar

After breakfast, you will leave for Bacalar. Now you will spend some time in this paradise. The Bacalar Lagoon is famous for its seven colors and fresh warm water.

You can enjoy some kayaking today. Depending on the hotel or restaurant, this is included for free or just by paying for a drink or two.

bacalar - Felipe Carrillo Puerto - Tulum

Day 10: Head to Astounding Tulum

After check-out today you will travel to Tulum. Along the way, stop in the small village of Felipe Carrillo Puerto to taste the delicious Yucatecan food at a village restaurant.

You will continue to Tulum to check-in at a charming hotel in the town center. Spend the afternoon at your leisure.

Tulum - Muyil - Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve

Day 11: Explore the Sian Ka'an Reserve

Head out early this morning to explore some of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. You will arrive at the Sian Ka’an center at 8:15 am to have a light breakfast and then take a transport with the rest of the group (this is a group excursion).

You will explore an archeological site hidden in the jungle and enjoy a path in the middle of nature. If you do not have vertigo, you will be able to go up to a viewpoint to observe the incredible views of the lagoons! Next, you will take a boat to visit the beautiful lagoons and the mangrove forests, and then reward your senses by floating through crystaline channels of fresh water leading to the Muyil Lagoon.

Its gentle current will drag you very slowly towards the endpoint. After this activity, you will walk a path to return to the center, where a regional meal will be waiting for you. Return to your hotel in Tulum.

Tulum - Cobá Archeological Site - Nuevo Durango

Day 12: Visit the Tallest Pyramid in the Yucatan

After breakfast, visit the archaeological site of Cobá, to explore its ancient white roads, known in the Mayan language as sacbé. Discover Nohoch Muul, the highest Mayan pyramid of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Next, you will get on your way to the community of Nuevo Durango. Nuevo Durango is a traditional Mayan village that has retained a strong cultural identity in terms of language and customs. Their conservation project has created an ecotourism cooperative.

The town has a small insect museum with a very interesting history. You cannot miss the beautiful sunrises and sunsets when thousands of swallows swirl around the old well that serves them as a refuge. Today you will discover a cave, accompanied by a local guide of the cooperative. Dinner at the community.

Nuevo Durango - Cancun Airport

Day 13: Farewell!

Today is your last day here. Give yourself plenty of time before your flight out of Cancún airport to return your rental car.

Catch your plane home. Safe travels and visit again soon!