Around Mexico

On arrival, transfer to hotel and free time. You will receive information about the start of the circuit during the afternoon.

We have a fantastic day acquaint ourselves with Mexico. We include a sightseeing tour of the city. We will visit the Plaza of Three Cultures, and the historic centre in which the Zócalo (main square) and its Metropolitan Cathedral stand out, the main Aztec temple, Chapultepec Park, the “Paseo de la Reforma” Avenue and the other main avenues of this impressive city.

At the end of the visit we travel to the BASILICA OF GUADALUPE, the most visited Catholic temple in the Americas where the Virgin of Guadalupe is found. There we will be able to explore the old basilica dating back to the 18th Century and also the modern temple.

In the afternoon we travel to the neighbourhood of XOCHIMILCO, a wonderful place with its canals and semi-floating gardens. Here we include a ride in a “trajinera”, one of the boats festooned with flowers.

In the evening we include a transfer to the Plaza de GARIBALDI, with its many bars, restaurants and bars where tacos and tequila are served and the Mariachis sing. Dinner is included in a traditional restaurant.

Total distance by road: 380 km Scenery: Pleasant mountain landscapes.

07.30 h.- Mexico –Departure-. We enter the state of Michocaín and its lush, green countryside.

12:30 h.- MORELIA –Arrival- . The centre of the splendid capital of Michoacán is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its magnificent cathedral, large busy square and aqueduct. Time to explore and have lunch.

16.00 h.– Morelia –Departure- .

17.00h. – PATZCUARO, arrival to the pretty colonial town with the basilica of Our Lady of Health and the House of Eleven Patios, now an arts and crafts centre. Accommodation in in this “magical town”.

Total distance: 360 km

Scenery: Beautiful countryside near Chapala Lake.

08:30 h.- Pátzcuaro –Departure-. We set out for the state of Jalisco where we visit Chapala lake, the largest natural lake in Mexico, set amidst mountains.

13:00 h.- CHAPALA, free time to wander around and have lunch in this small touristic resort near the lake.

15:00 h.- Chapala –Departure-.

16.00 h.- TLAQUEPAQUE arrival to this quarter, with its charming streets filled with shops and arts and crafts centres. Free time to explore.

17.30 hrs.- Tlaquepaque. Departure.

18.00 h.- GUADALAJARA. –Arrival to Mexico´s second largest city, birthplace of Mariachi and Tequila. Free time to explore.

n the morning we include a visit to Guadalajara, the modern metropolis with its colonial historic centre, its cathedral, its market, its Tapatía square. We will enter the Cabañas Hospice, declared Unesco World Heritage. After the visit, we will go on to the next town of TEQUILA, we include entrance to the MUNDO CUERVO distillery and will see how this famous Mexican drink is made (entrance and tasting included). After this, time for a stroll and lunch in the picturesque town of Tequila. After lunch, we return to Guadalajara.

Total distance: 275 km

09:00 h.- Guadalajara –Departure-.

12:45 h.- GUANAJUATO – Arrival-. Free time to have lunch, followed by a two-hour visit to this beautiful university city and World Heritage Site, with its narrow, steep streets and churches. The visit ends with a trip on the funicular railway to admire the view from “el Pípila”, followed by free time. Visitors who are interested can visit the impressive “Mummies´ Museum”.

Total distance: 170 km

Scenery: Attractive mountain scenery between Guanajuato and Dolores Hidalgo.

08:30 h.- Guanajuato –Departure-. We travel through impressive mountain landscapes.

09:45 h.- DOLORES HIDALGO, the birthplace of Mexican independence. Visit to the church where the priest “Hidalgo” cried out for independence.

11:00 h.- Dolores Hidalgo –Departure-.On the way, we will visit the Sanctuary of ATOTONILCO, known as “Sanctuary of God and the Patria”, a World Heritage Site (sometimes we will not be able to visit its interior due to the retreats that take place).

12:15 h.- SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, a beautiful city with colonial architecture and cobbled streets, declared a World Heritage Site. Time to explore.

15:30 h.- San Miguel de Allende –Departure.

16:30 h.- QUERÉTARO –Arrival-. Time to explore the city, with its attractive colonial city centre, main square and busy restaurants and pedestrian streets.

Total Distance: 370 km

Countryside: Mountains. Arid plateaus.

07.30 hrs.- Querétaro. Departure. We reach one of the most impressive Aztec places.

10.45 hrs.- TEOTIHUACAN, which in Nahuatl means “the place where men become gods”, and is one of the most impressive cities from the ancient world. We will admire the pyramids of the sun and the moon. Entry ticket and visit.

12.45 hrs.- Teotihuacan- Departure. We continue our route.

14.30 hrs.-CHOLULA,. Time to have lunch and a stroll throught its beautiful square, its tunnels under the pyramid and the picturesque sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios from where you can admire the magnificent panorama.

16.15hrs.- Cholula. Departure.

17.00 hrs.- Arrival at PUEBLA, a historic city known for its gastronomic tradition, colonial architecture and ceramics, its great Renaissance cathedral and its active zocalo (main square) stand out. Free time at leisure.

Total distance: 340 km

08.00 hrs.- We travel to the state of Oaxaca, through mountainous regions with pleasant landscapes. 12.30hrs.- OAXACA. Arrival and visit included to this UNESCO World Heritage City of Aztec origin with its impressive monumental heritage. Shortly after, we go up to the site of MONTE ALBAN, which is set deep in a 400-metre mountain above the Valley of Oaxaca – entry tickets and visit are included. This is the most magnificent of the Zapotec cities. Return to Oaxaca.

In the evening we recommend a stroll through the historic centre of Oaxaca, an extremely beautiful colonial city which is full of life and music.

Total Distance: 505 kmCountryside: Mountains. Small towns en route.

08.00 hrs.- Oaxaca- Departure.

09.00 hrs.- SAN PABLO VILLA DE MITLA. Arrival. We stop at a this magical town. We allow time for a walk together to the Church of San Pablo dating back to the Sixteenth Century and through its beautiful rustic streets.

10.00 hrs.- San Pablo. Departure. We continue our route in the sierras of Oaxaca towards the Isthmus. Lunch is included en route.

20.30 hrs.- At the end of the afternoon, we arrive in TUXTLA GUTIERREZ, the capital of the state of Chiapas. We will go with our guide to the Marimba Park, where we will listen to a live group playing the Marimba, the emblematic instrument of Chiapas.

Total Distance: 100 km
Landscapes: spectacular

08.30 hrs.- Tuxtla – Departure.

09.00 hrs.– We will explore the SUMDERO CANYON. Travelling by boat, we will travel for more than 1 hrs up this impressive canyon which is almost 1 km deep and 14 km long.

10.45 hrs.- Sumidero Canyon.- Departure.

11.00 hrs.- Next, we will walk through CHIAPA DEL CORZO, a white traditional and cultural colonial site. Time for a stroll and a coffee.

11.45 hrs.- Chiapa del Corzo. Departure. We enter into the center of the Mexican Mayan culture. We discover 2 beautiful villages inhabited by the Tzotzil Indians.

12.45 hrs.- In ZINACANTAN we can admire the dresses worn by the women and also their small loom workshop-shops.

13.45 hrs.- Zicacantan.- Departure.

14.15 hrs.- SAN JUAN CHAMULA we will be surprised by their church that mixes Christianity with pre-Columbian traditions. Time for lunch.

15.45 hrs.- San Juan Chamula.- Departure.

16.15 hrs.– We continue to SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS. Free afternoon in this beautiful colonial city founded in 1528.

Distance travelled: 225 km Landscape: Beautiful mountain landscapes of Chiapas. Villages which retain their ancient Mayan language and traditions.

Important: We suggest you bring comfortable clothes and shoes, insect repellent and sunscreen – as well as a bathing suit and a towel, to fully enjoy the natural waterfalls and spectacular blue river water.

08:00 – San Cristobal, we head to central Chiapas.

10:45 – OCOSINGO. We stop at the commercial regional capital situated on dairy-farmlands, next to the north Chiapas range, where incredible archaeological remains are found.

11:45 – Ocosingo- departure – We get back on the road and drive through mountains and jungle.

13:45 – Parque Nacional de AGUA AZUL (Agua Azul National Park). Entrance fee and lunch included after the visit, time to have a walk or bathe in the pools and more than 50 waterfalls, which range from 3 to 30 meters in height.

16:30 Agua Azul- departure.

17:45 – MISOL HA. Arrival at this impressive waterfall and its walking trails.

19:00 – Misol Ha- departure.

20:45 – Palenque- arrival. Dinner included.

Total distance: 360 km.

Scenery: Yucatan Peninsula. Beautiful views over the coastal road of the Gulf of Mexico.

09.00 hrs.- We include entrance and guided visit to the impressive archaeological site of PALENQUE. This Mayan city, surrounded by jungle, reached its peak between 600 and 800 AD. During the visit we will see its temples, pyramids and ball game. Free time for lunch.

12.30 hrs.- Palenque -departure-. We travel to the Gulf of Mexico through the state of Tabasco.

17.30 hrs.- CAMPECHE- Arrival to this Mexican port city known for its colonial buildings and 17th century fortifications created to confront pirate attacks. Dinner included.

Total distance: 180 km.

09.00hrs- We leave Campeche for the state of Yucatan. In a bit over two hours, we arrive to Merida.

11.30 hrs- MÉRIDA– arrival. Tour of the city with a local guide, the vibrant capital of the Mexican Yucatan State boasts a rich colonial and Mayan heritage. We see the fortified cathedral of Merida and the limestone church of the Third Order as well as the House of Montejo, a 16th century mansion and the emblem of Plateresque colonial architecture. Afternoon free, we suggest you to visit the Museum of the Mayan World on your own. In the evening, we include a transfer to attend the “Sacred Stones” show of light and sound. Accommodation.

Total distance: 290 km

Scenery: Nice stage to get to know the state of Yucatan.

N.B.- Remember to bring comfortable clothes and shoes, swimsuit and towel, sunscreen and mosquito repellent.

08.30 hrs- Merida- departure.

09.45 hrs- IZAMAL– arrival to one of the prettiest cities in Mexico, declared a “Magic town”.

10.45 hrs- Izamal, departure.

12.00 hrs- CHICHEN ITZAN,– we include admission and a visit to the most important and renowned vestige of the Mayan civilization, a World Heritage Site where we see the mythical pyramid of Kukulcán and the warriors’ temple. After the visit we include a Mayan cuisine lunch.

16.00 hrs- Chichen Itzan- We continue on our beautiful stage through the state of Yucatan.

18.15- RIO LAGARTOS, arrival to this small fishing village in the middle of a Biosphere Reserve.

Distance: 265 km.

Note: Remember to bring comfortable clothes and shoes, swimwear and towel, sunscreen and mosquito cream.

08.00 hrs.– We include a boat ride of more than two hours. We enter the biosphere reserve, where we can see crocodiles among its mangroves, lots of birds, including pelicans and pink flamingos. You can also “live the mud experience” by smearing mud with high concentrations of sulfur, minerals and salts that act as exfoliants for the skin, leaving a feeling of softness throughout the body.

11.30 hrs- Rio Lagartos, departure. We head to the interior of the peninsula.

13.00 hrs- VALLADOLID- arrival in the third largest city of the Yucatan with a very nice historical city center. We recommend that you have lunch in one of the restaurants in the main square.

14.30 hrs- Valladolid, departure.

15.30 hrs- CENOTE CHOJ HA. We will explore this Cenote managed by the local Mayan community. We will walk along a short trail in the jungle to visit the dry cave and swim in the wonderful lake inside the wet cave.

17.00 hrs- Cenote, departure. Continuation to Cancun.

18.45 hrs- CANCUN, arrival.

The itinerary ends after breakfast. Any travellers who wish to extend their stay for a few days can do so resting by the beautiful beaches of Cancun or the Riviera Maya.