Mexico, Oaxaca & Merida Cultural Exploration - 12 Days

Upon arrival at Mexico City International Airport, our representative will welcome you and assist with a shared transfer to your chosen hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and settle in—take advantage of the hotel’s facilities or explore the nearby surroundings at your own pace. Please note that the itinerary sequence may vary depending on your day of arrival to ensure all activities are included. Overnight in Mexico City.

After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will meet you at around 9 am to begin a tour of Mexico City’s historic centre. We will visit the Zócalo, the city’s main square, followed by the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace, which houses murals by the renowned artist Diego Rivera. Next, we will stop at the National Museum of Anthropology, a landmark institution preserving Mexico’s indigenous heritage since its opening nearly fifty years ago. This guided visit lasts approximately five hours, after which you may return to the hotel or choose to explore the area independently and enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant before making your own way back.

In the evening, at 7.30 pm, we will collect you from the hotel for dinner at Bellini, Mexico City’s only revolving restaurant, offering panoramic views of the city skyline alongside a menu of traditional Mexican and international dishes, including a local drink. After dinner, we will visit Plaza Garibaldi, a lively nightlife spot famous for its mariachi bands, traditional dances and vibrant atmosphere, where a traditional drink is also included. We will then return to the hotel for the night.

Today we embark on a full-day tour through some of Mexico City’s most vibrant and traditional neighbourhoods. En route to Xochimilco, we will travel along Insurgentes Avenue – the fourth longest street in the world and a Guinness World Record holder – passing notable landmarks such as the largest bullring in the Americas, the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and the 1968 Olympic Stadium.

Upon arrival at the tranquil canals of Xochimilco, we will enjoy a scenic cruise aboard a traditional trajinera, a pre-Hispanic flat-bottomed boat, gliding through one of the last remnants of the Aztec era. We suggest purchasing snacks and drinks beforehand to enjoy a leisurely lunch on board as you take in the colourful floating gardens. Learn about the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, originally established as a pre-Columbian city on the shores of Lake Xochimilco. You may be accompanied by live Mariachi bands playing classic Mexican tunes, available for hire by visitors.

Afterwards, we will visit Coyoacan, known as the cultural heart of Mexico City and a source of inspiration for many artists. Here, we will explore the charming area of colonial-era mansions and the Church of San Bautista. The tour concludes with a visit to the Frida Kahlo Museum, also called The Blue House, where you will gain insight into the life and work of this renowned Latin American artist. We return to the hotel in Mexico City for the evening.

After breakfast, we will collect you from your hotel lobby to begin the day’s visits to two remarkable ceremonial sites that illustrate Mexico’s religious history. First, we transfer to Plaza de las Tres Culturas in Tlatelolco, where you can take in panoramic views of the esplanade and archaeological zone of what was once the largest pre-Columbian market in Mexico.

Next, we visit the Basilica of Guadalupe, the country’s most important religious sanctuary, home to the revered image of the Virgin of Guadalupe. You will explore both the atrium and the basilica’s interior.

The final stop is Teotihuacan, known as the “place where the gods are made,” a vast pre-Hispanic ceremonial centre with over 2,500 years of history. Before entering the archaeological site, we will explain the significance of its early development, including its role in textile and obsidian trade. Inside, we will visit key structures such as the temples of Quetzalpapalotl and the Feathered Snails, the Pyramid of the Moon, the Citadel, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, and conclude with the impressive Pyramid of the Sun. On the return journey to Mexico City, we will pause for lunch at a traditional restaurant (not included). You will then be taken back to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Begin the day with breakfast at your hotel before checking out. You will then transfer to Mexico City International Airport for your flight to Oaxaca (flight not included). Upon arrival at Oaxaca Airport, a representative will meet you and escort you to a shared transfer to your chosen hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities or explore the charming surroundings. Overnight in Oaxaca.

After breakfast at the hotel, we begin the day with a visit to Monte Albán, an ancient Zapotec city perched atop a mountain and designated a World Heritage Site in 1987. Explore the expansive central plaza and climb the pyramids for panoramic views, capturing some of the best photographs of this remarkable archaeological site. Before moving on, we visit the on-site museum to see original artefacts that have been carefully preserved.

Next, we travel to San Antonio Arrazola, a vibrant village renowned for its artisans who carve copal wood into intricate figures known as Alebrijes. Here, you will learn about the entire creative process, a tradition involving the whole family. Our final stop is San Bartolo Coyotepec, a small town famous for its distinctive black clay pottery. Discover how these unique black mud ceramics are crafted, gaining insight into this celebrated local art form. We return to Oaxaca for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will enjoy a walking tour of Oaxaca city. Our first stop is the Temple of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, an outstanding example of Baroque architecture built by the Dominican Order. From there, we will stroll along one of Oaxaca’s main streets—a charming cobblestone avenue lined with green quarry stone—that leads to the city centre. Along the way, you will pass museums, galleries, craft shops and restaurants, soaking up the lively atmosphere with music bands and the sounds of marimba. The tour concludes with visits to two traditional markets. At Mercado Benito Juárez, you can browse and purchase local crafts such as black clay pottery and alebrijes, as well as regional products including mole, tlayudas, mezcal, chocolate, quesillo and chapulines. At the 20 de Noviembre market, you will find a bustling meat aisle and a wide variety of Oaxacan cuisine to explore. Overnight in Oaxaca.

Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel before checking out and transferring to Oaxaca International Airport for your flight to Mérida (flight not included). Upon arrival at Mérida Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your chosen hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities or explore the local area. Overnight in Mérida.

After breakfast, meet your guide at around 8.30 am for a hands-on cooking experience that offers a true taste of local culture. Begin with a visit to a bustling Merida market, where we explore traditional dishes and sample fresh regional fruits while learning about Yucatecan customs and culinary traditions. Once you’ve gathered all the ingredients, we take a short bus ride to a local home, where your host will guide you step by step through preparing a traditional menu. After the cooking session, we return to the hotel to relax and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

After breakfast, depart at around 9 am for the Homun area. Upon arrival, explore the refreshing waters of the Cuzama cenotes, travelling by truck or bicycle. Visit all three Santa Barbara cenotes, considered the most beautiful in Homun. The day concludes with lunch at a traditional local restaurant before returning to your hotel in Merida.

Begin the day with a hearty breakfast before being collected around 9 am for a visit to the archaeological site of Uxmal, a key highlight of the Puuc Route. Explore the impressive Mayan ruins, including the Pyramid of the Magician, the Governor’s Palace, the Temple of the Masks, and the Quadrangle of the Nuns. Learn about the rich history of this ancient city and hear some of the fascinating legends associated with the site.

Afterwards, visit the Museum of Chocolate to discover the origins of cacao, its cultural significance, and traditional Mayan methods of preparation. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel in Merida for the evening.

Begin the day with breakfast at your hotel before departing from Mérida to visit Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Journey through the Yucatan Peninsula’s rainforest to explore this remarkable Mayan city, carefully restored from the jungle. Discover the history and culture of the Maya as you admire the impressive architecture, including the 25-metre-high Kukulkan Temple—known as El Castillo—famed for its precise geometric design and the snake shadow illusion during the equinoxes. Explore the Great Ball Court, the largest on the site, the Skull Platform where sacrificial victims were displayed, and the Sacred Cenote, used for ritual offerings. You will also see the well-preserved Temple of the Warriors, the Ossuary, the Nunnery and its adjacent Church, and the Caracol observatory.

After the tour, enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant before continuing to Cancun or the Riviera Maya, where you will be dropped off at your chosen hotel.