This family adventure holiday in Mexico will see you delve deep into the Yucatan Peninsula with fun activities for everyone.
- Explore Mayan pyramids
- Cool off with a swim in beautiful cenotes
- Learn how to make tortillas & salsa
- See pink flamingos on a boat trip
- Experience traditional Mayan family life
- Enjoy the soft white sands of the Caribbean coast
A captivating trip that includes the azure Caribbean waters, ancient ruins and colonial cities all in one fell swoop.
Soak up the history and culture of the Yucatán, and hear stories of the ancient Maya civilisation as you explore their remarkable temples and pyramids. On this family holiday in Mexico you swim in ‘cenotes’, learn a little Mexican cookery and meet local families who introduce us to modern and traditional Mayan life. See pink flamingos, iguanas, crocodiles, grab a bargain in a market, experience unforgettable activities, stay in the Mayan jungle and soak up the sun on the exotic Caribbean Coast.
Whilst this trip is normally 10 days in duration, we offer a shorter trip during the half-term holidays. Please see Itinerary footnote, or contact us for full details.
We can also arrange some extra time on beautiful Caribbean beaches before or after your trip. Contact us for more information.
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1: Fly to Cancun
Fly to Cancun on a daytime flight and transfer to Valladolid. In the evening, meet your guide and fellow travellers.
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Day 2: Boat trip to flamingos at Río Lagartos
Visit Río Lagartos Biosphere Reserve today. Launches will be waiting to take us through the winding canals of this vast mangrove to visit a colony of pink flamingos. We can also expect to see spoonbill, crocodile, basilisk and spider monkey. Following our tour, we transfer to the picturesque pink lakes of Las Coloradas.
Back in Valladolid, we explore the city to learn more about its history.
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Day 3: Ziplining & swimming in the cenotes
Today we head to Selva Maya Adventure Park, where we zipline through the jungle and over the cenote, before enjoying a refreshing dip in one of the cenotes! We have a buffet lunch and then transfer to our hotel in the jungle near Chichén Itzá. -
Day 4: Mayan pyramids of Chichen Itza
A short drive takes us to the most famous of Mayan sights – Chichén Itzá - the centre of the Mayan world. We can see the huge Kukulkan pyramid, the ball game court, Mayan observatory, the marketplace and the sacred cenote.
Heading onwards to Mérida, we explore the city, visiting its historical, archaeological and cultural sites.
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Day 5: Experience Yucatán family life
Today we visit a local market in Mérida, where we can try different fruits and other foods you might not be familiar with. We meet our host family here, and buy the ingredients for a three-course meal that will be cooked for our lunch.
We continue to our next family, where we learn about the history of traditional Mayan games. We can make our own versions of the games and toys whilst listening to elderly family members beguile us with tales of their childhood. This is an authentic experience that we will look back fondly on!
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Day 6: Oxkintok Jungle Ruins & San Ignacio Cenote
This morning we drive to the ancient and lesser-known site of Oxkintok. A 2,000-year-old ruined city hidden in the jungle full of pyramids, temples, ball courts, mysterious statues and a unique ancient Mayan labyrinth.
In the afternoon, we drive to the San Ignacio cenote, to enjoy swimming in the cenote and relaxing in the emerald river.
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Day 7: Drive to Riviera Maya with a visit to a traditional Mayan Village
We transfer to the Riviera Maya and stop at a traditional Mayan village on the way. We find out more about Mayan life and how they cook the traditional meal of cochinita underground.
We continue onto Playa de Carmen in the Riviera Maya, where the rest of the day is at leisure.
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Day 8: Optional excursion to Isla Mujeres
Today you can choose between a free day by the beach, or an excursion to Isla Mujeres - a beautiful island with snorkelling opportunities in the azure-blue sea, home to colourful fish and turtles.
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Day 9: Fly back to the UK
Depart any time today for a flight back to the UK or extend your holiday with some time on the beach - contact us to arrange.
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Day 10: Arrive UK
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Day 9: OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Caribbean Coast
Extend your stay along the Caribbean coastline and sit back and relax before heading home. Alternatively, continue to explore the history and culture of the Yucatán; from swimming or paddleboarding in cenotes, sailing and snorkelling tours where you can go looking for sea turtles, whale sharks and manta rays to the ancient structures of Tulum Ruins, contact us about extending your trip.
Please note: Whilst this trip is normally 10 days in duration, we offer a shorter trip during the half-term holidays. Please see Itinerary footnote, or contact us for full details.
Half-term itinerary: Day 1: Flight to Cancun. Day 2: Boat trip on Rio Lagartos & Las Coloradas; visit Selva Maya Adventure Park. Day 3: Visit Chichen Itza Archaeological site & evening tour of historical Merida. Day 4: Merida food tour & cooking class and play & build Mayan Games Day 5: Oxkintok Jungle ruins & San Ignacio Cenotes. Day 6: Transfer to Riviera Maya & visit traditional Mayan village. Day 7: Transfer to Cancun Airport. Day 8: Arrive UK.
Duration and Guide Prices
- Age Guide: 8+
- Itinerary Type: Small Group Holiday Tailor-made can be arranged
When To Go
View dates and prices-
Feb
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Easter
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May
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Summer
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Oct
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Xmas
What’s Included
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Activities
- Adventure park
- Boat trip
- City tour
- Cookery class
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Wildlife watching
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Accommodation
Hotel x 9 nights -
Meals
8 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 2 dinners
Tailored for You
A private departure or tailor-made holiday can also be arranged to suit your requirements. Contact our experts today.
Next Steps
Departures
Choose your preferred departure date from the 11 options below, then make a no obligation booking request, or enquire if you would like to ask us a question.
Our small group holidays require a minimum number of participants to operate. Most of our holidays are also available on a private basis or can be tailored to meet your requirements.
Itinerary Dates | Prices Per Person From (Exc. Flights) | |||||
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Year | Starts | Ends | Adult price, excluding flights, from | Child price, excluding flights, from | Holiday Status | Options |
* Guaranteed: this holiday is available to book and has reached a minimum number of participants, so is guaranteed to run. ** On Request: we may be able to offer places on this holiday, please contact us for further information. *** Fully Booked: if your preferred holiday is full we may be able to offer you a private departure or tailor a holiday to suit your requirements, please contact us for more details. | ||||||
2024 | 25 May | 31 May | £1,565 | £595 | Available | Book or Enquire |
2024 | 27 Jul | 4 Aug | £1,945 | £595 | Available | Book or Enquire |
2024 | 12 Oct | 18 Oct | £1,565 | £595 | Available | Book or Enquire |
2024 | 26 Oct | 1 Nov | £1,495 | £595 | Available | Book or Enquire |
2024 | 21 Dec | 29 Dec | £1,945 | £595 | Available | Book or Enquire |
2025 | 15 Feb | 21 Feb | £1,645 | £595 | On Request** | or Enquire |
2025 | 12 Apr | 20 Apr | £1,995 | £595 | On Request** | or Enquire |
2025 | 24 May | 30 May | £1,645 | £595 | On Request** | or Enquire |
2025 | 9 Aug | 17 Aug | £1,995 | £595 | On Request** | or Enquire |
2025 | 25 Oct | 31 Oct | £1,675 | £595 | On Request** | or Enquire |
2025 | 20 Dec | 28 Dec | £2,035 | £595 | On Request** | or Enquire |
If you can’t see the holiday or departure date that you are looking for please contact us. We may be in the process of finalising further departures and are often able to tailor a holiday for you according to your own requirements.