Viva Mexico: Ancient Ruins & the Mayan Riviera - 14 Days



Who is this trip for
Genders
- Female60%
- Male40%
Average age
Start / End
- Mexico City
- Tulum
Physical rating
Group size
1 - 18Meals included
1Highlights
- Immerse yourself in Mexico City's pulsating energy, exploring bohemian neighborhoods and indulging in a street food crawl of authentic tacos and chilaquiles, with an optional journey to the ancient Teotihuacán pyramids.
- Delight your senses in Oaxaca, a vibrant hub of indigenous culture. Wander through bustling markets, savor rich mole and potent mezcal, try local delights like tlayudas, and discover the artistry of traditional chocolate making and Alebrijes handicrafts.
- Embark on breathtaking natural escapades, including an exhilarating boat ride through the colossal Sumidero Canyon, where towering cliffs meet a rich ecosystem, followed by a refreshing swim in the pristine turquoise waters of Roberto Barrios waterfall.
- Unearth the profound history of ancient Mayan civilizations with guided tours of two iconic sites: the majestic jungle-clad ruins of Palenque and the legendary Chichen Itzá, home to the awe-inspiring Pyramid of Kukulcan.
- Discover the colonial charm of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, nestled in a high mountain valley, known for its 16th-century architecture, and experience the lively local culture of Valladolid, a quaint Mayan town on the Yucatán Peninsula.
- Conclude your Mexican adventure on the idyllic Mayan Riviera. Enjoy an unforgettable boating adventure on Bacalar's multi-hued lagoon, before unwinding on the pristine white sands of Tulum, famed for its trendy beach clubs and spectacular sunsets.
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Summary
This 14-day adventure through the heart of Mexico has so much to love. Kicking off in its buzzing capital and wrapping up on the white sands of the Mayan Riviera, you’ll eat your way through endless tacos and mole, exploring the country’s epic mountains, jungles, and waterfalls too. Throw in some ancient Mayan ruins like Palenque and Chichen Itzá — not to mention storied traditions and some of the friendliest people ever — and you have yourself a recipe for one tasty, tasty trip.
Itinerary
Day 1
Mexico City
Arrive at any time.
Day 2
Mexico City
Start the adventure off with a CEO-led walking tour through La Condesa and Roma neighborhoods. Stroll past bohemian cafes, bars, and restaurants. Your CEO will grab some street food snacks for the group ranging from street tacos to chilaquiles. Savour whatever you sample as you continue to get to know the area. Finish up the tour near the giant Bosque de Chapultepec. Then, spend the afternoon trying out the optional activities in the area like a visit to the ruins of Teotihuacán.
Day 3
Mexico City/Oaxaca
Hit the road and travel south to Oaxaca from Mexico City. Once the group arrives we will head out for an orientation walk to the main square and some of the nearby markets. Soak in your first experience of the vibrant culture in Oaxaca. Enjoy a free evening to do as you please. Perhaps, find a lively restaurant and give your tastebuds something to dance about.
Day 4
Oaxaca
Today, enjoy a free day for optional activities in Oaxaca until late afternoon. Explore local taverns, discover the vibrant indigenous culture in the area, sample food from lively markets, try mole, and mezcal and fully experience the allure of this Mexican city. Later your CEO will accompany the group to the market where you can try a tlayuda, a toasted tortilla with tons of different toppings like refried beans, shredded cabbage, salsa, meat, and cheese. Cap off the day with a visit to a local chocolate-making shop and a free evening to keep the adventure going.
Day 5
Oaxaca/San Cristóbal
The group will have additional free time today in Oaxaca for other optional activities. Afterwards, visit the Alebrijes Artisan Community for your G for Good moment. Meet a local artisan, speak with them, ask any questions the group may have, and learn more about how these handicrafts are made. In the evening board and overnight bus to San Cristobal.
Day 6
San Cristóbal
Arrive early to Tuxtla Gutierrez, which is a city in southern Mexico and the capital of Chiapas. The group will travel by private bus to Sumidero Canyon for an included boat ride down the river. The trip is a few hours long and will take you through the canyon with some of the walls towering 2,500 feet above you. It’s sure to make you feel small. Keep a lookout for the wildlife in the area and try to spot caves as you journey on. Afterwards, continue on to San Cristobal de las Casas where you will stop for the evening.
Day 7
San Cristóbal
San Cristóbal de Las Casas is located in a high mountain valley at 2110m (6921 ft). Enjoy a free day to experience this city known for its 16th-century architecture. Opt to visit nearby indigenous Mayan villages to see their unique day-to-day, or visit Lagunas de Montebello National Park and the group of beautiful lakes near the Guatemalan border. You have a full day to do as you please and there are plenty of activities to try out.
Day 8
San Cristóbal/Palenque
Get ready for a full day of travel from San Cristóbal de Las Casas to Palenque. Along the way the group will stop to swim in the pristine turquoise waters of Roberto Barrios waterfall. Arrive to Palenque in the evening.
Day 9
Palenque
Enjoy a guided tour of the impressive Mayan ruins of Palenque followed by free time for an optional jungle trail hike, or just relax at the hotel keeping an eye out for nearby birds and wildlife.
Day 10
Palenque/Bacalar
Spend the day travelling to Bacalar in the eastern part of Mexico from Palenque. Sit back as the scenery changes outside your window and rest up for the next part of the trip.
Day 11
Bacalar
Spend a full free day enjoying optional activities in the area, or just relax and keep the good vibes going.
Day 12
Bacalar/Valladolid
The group is in for a treat this morning with an included boating adventure in the lagoon. In the afternoon it’s onward to Valladolid. Travel north and inland from Bacalar to a city on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Upon arrival your CEO will lead you on an orientation walk of the small Mayan town filled with quaint taverns, vibrant indigenous culture, and loads of street food vendors. Smell the delicious aromas as you walk and sample a few snacks along the way.
Day 13
Valladolid/Tulum
After a short, but sweet visit in Valladolid the group will travel to the Chichen Itzá ruins for a guided tour. These ruins hold the history, beliefs, and rituals that defined ancient Mayan civilization. See the Pyramid of Kukulcan, the famous Castillo, the cenote, and the Nunnery. Afterwards, travel to Tulum for a free evening. Tulum is filled with trendy beach clubs where you can dance the night away, or stretch out on white sand beaches to admire the colors at sunset.
Day 14
Tulum
Depart at any time.
What's Included
Accommodation
Simple hotels/hostels (12 nts), overnight bus (1 nt).
Meals
Breakfasts: 1, Lunches: 0, Dinners: 0
Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.
Vegetarian options availableLocal Guide
GuidedThis adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.
Wifi
Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.
Dates & Prices
Oct 25
from £1,469Nov 25
from £1,049Dec 25
from £1,439Jan 26
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from £1,399May 26
from £1,249Jun 26
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from £1,249Oct 26
from £1,249Nov 26
from £1,399Dec 26
from £1,439Jan 27
from £1,249Feb 27
from £1,249Mar 27
from £1,249Apr 27
from £1,249May 27
from £1,249Jun 27
from £1,249Jul 27
from £1,249Aug 27
from £1,249Sep 27
from £1,249Oct 27
from £1,249Nov 27
from £1,249Dec 27
from £1,249
- Save 25%Sun 2 Nov 2025 > Sat 15 Nov 2025Guaranteed Departure6+ spaces of 18 left£1,469£1,102
- Save 25%Sun 30 Nov 2025 > Sat 13 Dec 2025Guaranteed Departure6+ spaces of 18 left£1,399Best offer£1,049
Customer reviews & ratings
It was great. As expected had some difficulties, however I would not let those stop me from doing it again. Things are much easier with a smaller group. Please inform your travellers that most places are cash only. It was great. Our CEO (Fatima) was friendly and the group was decent. Not 10 because: A bit too large group and we sometimes had difficulties moving around. And also we had called G-adventures prior to traveling and we were told that we would be able to pay with card. However all of our extra activities and some of the restaurants were cash only. Given how expensive the activities are, getting cash was proven a bit tricky...
Tatiana Sep, 2024 VerifiedTrip of a lifetime! Perfect mix of authentic culture experiences, nature and eating and drinking well. Made incredible friends and lifelong memories. The experiences included in the trip and CEO
Zoe Sep, 2024 Verified
Essential trip information
Our Important Notes and Packing List cover all essentials, from necessary equipment to inclusions, ensuring you're fully equipped and informed for this extraordinary adventure and more.
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