Discover Mexico From City to Sea - 20 Days

Welcome to Mexico City. On arrival, we include a transfer to your hotel, and the rest of the day is free – you can relax or explore at your own pace. Our guide will contact you in the late afternoon. Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

After breakfast, we set out for the Plaza de las Tres Culturas, where historic and contemporary Mexico meet. We then continue 40 km from the capital to Teotihuacan – entrance included – to explore its monumental Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, the Temple of Quetzalpapalotl, the Citadel and the Avenue of the Dead. We also visit a local artisan centre.

On our return to the city, we stop at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of Latin America. Back at the hotel, you have the remainder of the day free.

After breakfast we leave Mexico City for Tepoztlán in the state of Morelos – a Pueblo Mágico set against a green hillside crowned by a small pyramid. You have free time to wander its streets or browse the artisan market.

We then continue to Cuernavaca, the state capital known as the City of Eternal Spring. Founded in pre–Hispanic times and later a retreat for Aztec nobility and the colonial elite, it offers landmarks such as the Palace of Hernán Cortés and the cathedral – you’ll have free time here for lunch.

Our journey ends in Taxco, in the mountains of Guerrero – one of Mexico’s most picturesque Pueblo Mágico towns, renowned for its silver craftsmanship, cobbled streets and whitewashed houses. You’ll have time to explore before settling in for the night.

After breakfast, we travel through the mountains towards the capital of Guerrero and continue to the Pacific coast, arriving in Acapulco. You’ll have free time to enjoy one of its popular beaches – lined with restaurants where you can have lunch and swim. In the afternoon, we include entrance to and a visit to the Fort of San Diego – a 17th century fortress built to protect the city from pirate attacks. After the visit, we transfer to the hotel – you’ll have the rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast, we continue along the Pacific coast for 230 kilometres to Zihuatanejo – a relaxed seaside town that began as a fishing village and still keeps its cobbled‑street charm. We include a short boat ride of about 10 minutes to Playa Las Gatas, which is accessed only by sea – you can swim, unwind and choose a spot for lunch at one of the many restaurants. We return by boat, settle into the accommodation and you have the rest of the day free. Please note: during peak season, accommodation in Zihuatanejo may be limited – in this case we may depart in the late afternoon to overnight in the city of Lázaro Cárdenas.

As we travel, the scenery gradually shifts from desert landscapes to the green mountains of Michoacán. We continue to Lake Pátzcuaro and board a boat for a 30 minute crossing to Janitzio, an island inhabited by the Purépecha community, known for preserving its traditions and distinctive butterfly net fishing. You can choose a local restaurant for lunch, stroll the traditional streets and, if you wish, climb to the statue of José María Morelos. We then return by boat to Pátzcuaro – one of Mexico’s most beautiful colonial towns, with roots predating the Spanish conquest, notable architecture and artisan markets.

We depart Pátzcuaro for Morelia, the capital of Michoacán – a UNESCO World Heritage city famed for its pink-stone architecture and graceful historic centre. We’ll take in its key sights, including the Cathedral, Plaza de Armas and the University of Morelia, founded in 1540. You’ll have free time to stroll and enjoy lunch. En route, we stop in Tlaquepaque, a Pueblo Mágico alive with mariachi music, live performances, artisan shops and excellent local cuisine. We then continue to Guadalajara, capital of Jalisco and a vibrant colonial city known as the birthplace of Mariachi and Tequila, arriving in the late afternoon.

In the morning we explore Guadalajara, a modern metropolis with a colonial centre. We visit the cathedral, the market and Plaza Tapatía, and we enter the Hospicio Cabañas – a UNESCO World Heritage site. After the city visit, we continue to the town of Tequila, where entrance to the Mundo Cuervo distillery is included – we see how this celebrated Mexican spirit is produced and enjoy a tasting. You then have free time to stroll and have lunch in picturesque Tequila before we return to Guadalajara.

Leaving Guadalajara, we travel into the state of Guanajuato, arriving around midday. In the afternoon, we include a guided tour of Guanajuato – a beautiful university city and UNESCO World Heritage site – known for its steep slopes, narrow lanes and historic churches. We also include a cable car ride up to the El Pípila viewpoint to admire panoramic views over the city.

We leave Guanajuato and travel through the mountains to Dolores Hidalgo – birthplace of Mexican independence. We then continue to the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, known as the Sanctuary of God and Country and recognised as a World Heritage Site – please note that on some dates entry to the interior may not be possible due to retreats. Afterwards, we explore San Miguel de Allende – a World Heritage city of elegant colonial architecture and cobbled streets – with time to stroll at your own pace. We then arrive in Queretaro, noted for its magnificent colonial centre, Plaza de Armas and lively pedestrian streets and restaurants.

We depart Querétaro for Tula, where entrance to the archaeological site is included. We explore the ancient Toltec capital, taking in the Atlantes – imposing warrior figures standing around four metres – along with pyramids, palaces and finely carved columns that showcase Toltec craftsmanship. We then continue to Puebla for an included panoramic tour of this historic city, renowned for its cuisine, colonial architecture and Talavera pottery, where we see its magnificent Renaissance style cathedral and the lively Zócalo. Overnight in Puebla.

We travel towards the state of Oaxaca, winding through mountain scenery, and arrive in Oaxaca City by late morning. We include a guided visit of this UNESCO World Heritage city with Aztec origins, noted for its outstanding historic heritage.

In the afternoon we head up to Monte Albán, set on a mountain top around 400 metres above the Oaxaca Valley – entrance and guided tour included – to explore the most magnificent of the Zapotec cities. We then return to Oaxaca, where you have free time to continue exploring at your own pace.

We depart early from Oaxaca, pausing in San Pablo Villa de Mitla – a Pueblo Mágico – where you’ll have time to stroll by the 16th century Church of San Pablo and along its rustic streets. We then continue through the mountains of Oaxaca towards the Isthmus, with lunch included en route. By late afternoon we arrive in Tuxtla Gutiérrez – capital of Chiapas.

From Tuxtla Gutiérrez, we’ll take a boat trip through Sumidero Canyon – an impressive gorge almost 1 km deep and about 14 km long. We’ll then stroll through Chiapa de Corzo, a colonial town known for its traditions.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue into the highlands to visit Tzotzil communities. In Zinacantán, we’ll see traditional women’s dress and weaving workshops, and in San Juan Chamula we’ll visit the church where Christianity is blended with pre‑Columbian rites. We’ll then continue to San Cristóbal de las Casas, founded in 1528 – you’ll have the rest of the afternoon free to explore this beautiful colonial city at your own pace.

Today we travel through beautiful mountain landscapes in the heart of Chiapas, passing communities that preserve their Mayan languages and traditions. After crossing the Ocosingo region, we continue to Agua Azul – entrance to the national park included – where more than 50 waterfalls fall between 3 and 30 metres. We include lunch, and you’ll have free time to follow the paths or swim. We then continue to Misol Ha, an impressive waterfall with a path that runs behind the cascade. Our journey ends in Palenque, where we include dinner and an overnight stay. Note: In the Ocosingo region, occasional road closures may occur due to local social tensions.

We begin with a guided visit to the archaeological site of Palenque – an ancient Mayan city set in the jungle. With entrance and a guided tour included, we explore its temples, pyramids and ball court. After the visit, we travel towards the Gulf of Mexico through the state of Tabasco and continue to Campeche – a historic port known for its colonial architecture and 17th century fortifications built to defend against pirate attacks. Dinner is included on arrival.

We travel from Campeche into the state of Yucatán and, after just over two hours, arrive in Mérida. We enjoy a guided tour of the capital, known for its blend of colonial and Maya heritage, taking in the fortified Cathedral of Mérida, the limestone Church of the Third Order and the House of Montejo – a 16th century mansion and emblem of Plateresque architecture. The afternoon is free – you can visit the Museum of the Maya World independently if you wish. In the evening, we include a transfer to the Zócalo, where you can choose a spot for dinner and soak up the local atmosphere.

We travel from Mérida to Izamal, one of Mexico’s prettiest cities and designated a Magic Town. We then continue to Chichén Itzá – entrance and visit included – the most renowned Maya archaeological site and a World Heritage Site, where we see the Pyramid of Kukulkán and the Warriors’ Temple. After the visit, we include lunch featuring Mayan cuisine. We continue to Río Lagartos, a small fishing village set within a biosphere reserve.

Nature takes centre stage today. This morning we take a boat ride of over two hours into the biosphere reserve – weaving through mangroves to spot crocodiles and abundant birdlife, including pelicans and pink flamingos. If you wish, you can try the local mud experience – applying mud rich in sulphur, minerals and salts that acts as a natural exfoliant.

Afterwards we travel to Valladolid – Yucatán’s third largest city – to see its historic centre. You’ll have time for lunch in one of the restaurants on the main square. In the afternoon we visit Cenote Choj Ha, managed by the local Mayan community – we follow a short jungle path to its dry cave, and you can swim in the lake inside the wet cave. We then continue to Cancun, arriving at the end of the afternoon.

After breakfast, our services conclude in Cancun – if you’d like to extend your trip, you can spend a few extra days relaxing on the beaches of Cancun or along the Riviera Maya.