Atypical Yucatan

Welcome to Mexico! Pick up your rental car and head to Puerto Morelos, a little further inland for your first night.

Departure for Ek Balam or "black jaguar" in Mayan, an ancient religious centre of great importance in the region and comprising about 40 structures. All the temples are accessible to visitors and allow you to get a good view of the city and the surrounding jungle. Ek Balam does not have the fame of Chichen Itza, yet it is a city full of serenity and mystery at the same time. There are few visitors and this is what makes it so charming. The Xcanche cenote is located about 1500 metres from the town. To get there, you can rent bicycles or go on foot. There is an abseiling trail, hammocks and a zip line to keep you entertained. Lunch is available at the cenote ecotourism centre, surrounded by jungle. In the late afternoon, we head to Rio Lagartos, a small fishing village in the north of the peninsula. You will enjoy a beautiful sunset during a walk on the "malecon".

Driving time: Cancun - Ek Balam 175km (2h10) / Ek Balam - Rio Lagartos 95km (1h15)

Today you can board a "lancha" - a small motor boat - and go for a ride through the mangrove. Then head to the famous pink lagoon called "Las Coloradas". Drive to Valladolid at the end of the day. Possibility to visit the beekeeping centre where you will sleep in a bungalow near the centre of Valladolid.

Drive : Valladolid - Rio Lagartos 110km (1h30)

Today, you will be immersed in the Yucatecan culture and discover the village of Xocen. Discover different key places that will lead to wonderful encounters. First, visit the Ranchería X Bajil, then take an interpretive trail (medicinal plants and bird watching). Visit the pretty village church and take time to soak up the tranquillity that characterises the community. At the end of the morning, join Doña Leonila, who will teach you how she cooks the famous "pollo pibil" and with whom you will be able to discuss her culture. After a hearty lunch, you will go to the cenote of Xcanahaltun, located in the neighbouring village of Yalcoba, still unknown to the general public. At the end of the day, you will go to Chichen Itza where a sound and light show will await you, if you wish, at nightfall.

Driving directions: Valladolid - Xocen 15km (20min) / Xocen - Chichen Itza 50km (50min)

Today, you will discover the marvellous archaeological site of Chichen Itza at the opening to avoid the crowds, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, and considered since 2007 as one of the "new wonders of the world". You will be immersed in the majesty of this site and the echo of its past glory. Continue to the Yokdzonot cenote for a refreshing swim in its clear waters. After lunch, you will head to the "magic village" of Izamal. You will visit the Franciscan convent of San Antonio de Padua, whose atrium is second in size only to that of the Vatican. You can also climb the Kinich Pyramid for a breathtaking view of this yellow city.

Driving directions: Chichen Itza - Yokdzonot 25km (25min) / Yokdzonot - Izamal 55km (55min)

Today, there are several cenote options available to you. You can go to Homun or Cuzama and you will find many cenotes to visit to refresh yourself. Both offer a truck ride (a small horse-drawn cart) from one cenote to the next.
At the end of the day, you will rest in a typical Yucatecan accommodation: a hacienda! Road to Seyé.

Today, you're off for a day's escape to the heart of traditional Yucatán, and discover the wonderful hacienda Sotuta de Peón! It is located in the small village of Sotuta, about 1 hour from Mérida, and is named after the family who built it: Peón. It was built at the end of the 19th century and reached its peak at the beginning of the 20th century, with the economic boom in henequen fibre. It was abandoned and then reopened to the public 12 years ago, in order to turn it into a museum and bring it back to life during the two tours organised during the day (10am and 1pm). The guided tour is divided into three parts a visit to the old renovated house including a tour of the henequen fibre production machinery (still in operation); a ride in a truck (an old cart pulled by a donkey on rails) to tour the hacienda and its agave fields, passing by a Mayan house where we will learn some Mayan words with Don Antonio, one of the first workers of the hacienda; finally, a swim in its wonderful cenote, Dzul Ha, in the heart of a cave. End of the day in Uxmal. Possibility to attend the sound and light show at the archaeological site at nightfall.

You will visit the site of Uxmal early and continue to an afternoon of sharing in the community of Tekit! End of the day in Merida.

After a morning visit to the city of Merida, you head to the Laguna Guerrero, a manatee sanctuary. If you are lucky, you will be able to discover this species in its natural environment. Take advantage of the kayaks and bicycles provided to get to know the surroundings.

You will leave the Laguna Guerrero to go to the famous lagoon of the 7 colours called Bacalar. You can enjoy a boat tour to discover the stromatolites, the cenotes and the pirate channel. End of the day in the community of Selva Bonita north of Bacalar.

Today you can enjoy and do some activities with the community and then head to Tulum to visit the site overlooking the sea. End of the day in a secluded town, away from the crowds and tourists: Paamul.

After ten days of touring, it's finally time to rest. Enjoy your last day before your departure.

Goodbye Mexico! See you soon, maybe? Welcome back!