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

Frequently asked questions

• What type of accommodation is provided on this tour?

  Accommodation will be varied throughout your adventure. Some nights on this tour will be multi-share. This may involve 4-6 group members sharing and even (on rare occasions) dormitory-style rooms for the whole group. The majority of accommodation will have shared bathroom facilities. Where we use multi-share hostels, rooming requests of any kind cannot be taken. For private accommodation please see tours in our Classic Travel Style. Specifically, you will stay in simple hotels/hostels for 12 nights and have one overnight bus journey.

• Are international flights included in the price of this trip?

  No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour. However, on some combo tours travelling between two different countries, international flights are included as part of the itinerary and price of the tour. Please speak to your GCO or booking agent for further details. In addition, check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.

• Are there any health considerations I should know before travelling?

  Inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that quite often we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. The tour operator reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our CEO they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.

• How can I contact the tour operator in an emergency?

  Should you need to contact us during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call either the local operator or our local office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. The tour operator Office San Jose, Costa Rica (During Office hours Weekdays 9am-5pm Local Time): +506 4001 8474. After hours emergency number: +51 997 582 712. If you are unable to contact our local office, please call the sales team: Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100; Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000; Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000; Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618; Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307; Outside these regions: +1 416 260 0999.

• How much emergency money should I bring?

  Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

• Who will be leading the group on this tour?

  All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders, a CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, along with local guides. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting.

• What is the maximum group size for this tour?

  The maximum group size is 18 travelers, with an average of 14.

• How much spending money do I need for my trip?

  Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping.

• What is the minimum age to join this trip?

  Minimum age of 18 years for this trip.

• Are there any important notes or taxes to be aware of?

  QUINTANA ROO TOURIST TAX: Please note there may be an approximately $45 USD tourist tax at Cancún International Airport, however it is usually included in international tickets. Please verify with your airline if the departure tax is included in your airfare.

• Is there an extra cost for solo travellers?

  We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price. If you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops.

• What meals are included in this trip?

  1 breakfast is included. Generally, meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though.

• What should I know about currency, credit cards, and exchanging money while on this tour?

  It is uncommon to pay for optional activities, souvenirs and meals on credit card in the areas this trip visits, so be prepared with a combination of USD cash and local currency to pay for these on-trip costs. That said, credit cards and debit cards are very useful for cash advances. Visa cards are the most widely accepted cards. While ATMs are widely available, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will actually work in Latin America. Check with your bank prior to travelling. ATMs generally only dispense local currency, not USD. Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money. A combination of US dollars cash and cards is best. Always take more rather than less, as you don't want to spoil the trip by constantly feeling short of funds. You will be able to exchange USD to local currency along the way, but please be advised that slightly torn notes and notes that have been heavily marked or are faded may be difficult to exchange. It is best to bring notes in fairly good condition, in denominations lower than 50USD (or equivalent). Learn about local exchange rates at www.xe.com.

• What optional activities are available?

  Optional activities include: Teotihuacán Pyramids Visit (40USD or 1350MXN per person), Monte Albán Tour (950MXN per person), Hierve el Agua Day Trip, Cooking Class (65USD per person) in Oaxaca, Valley of Mitla Ruins Visit (950MXN or 210MXN per person), Lagunas de Montebello Visit (30USD per person), Indigenous Villages Tour (30USD per person) in San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Jungle Trail Hike (25USD per person) in Palenque, Kayaking (10-12USD per person) and Fortress Exploration (10MXN per person) in Bacalar, and Tulum Ruins Visit. There is also an 'All You Can Eat Taco Tour' in Mexico City.

• What are the main highlights of this trip?

  Highlights include hopping on a boat tour and cruising through Sumidero Canyon, listening for howler monkeys as you explore the Mayan ruins of Palenque in the jungle, going for a dip in the Lagoon of the Seven Colours at Bacalar, and taking a guided tour of Chichen Itzá. Other included moments are a Mexico City street food crawl, Alebrijes Artisan Community visit, and a swim at Roberto Barrios waterfall.

• What are the modes of transportation used on my trip?

  Transportation on this trip includes public bus, private vehicle, overnight bus, and walking.

• What do I need to know about safety and security on my trip?

  Many national governments provide regularly updated advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend checking your government's advice. We strongly recommend a neck wallet or money belt for valuables. Leave valuable jewellery at home. Many hotels have safety deposit boxes. A lock for luggage is recommended. Your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel parts of the itinerary if necessary due to safety. Optional activities are at your own judgment. While cities are generally safe during the day, at night it's recommended to stay in small groups and take taxis. Water-based activities have an element of danger; participate only when accompanied by a guide(s). Swimming, including snorkeling, is always at your own risk.

• What happens if I experience problems when arriving?

  If for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, please refer to the emergency contact details provided and contact us as soon as possible. If you have a pre-booked transfer, and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend taking a taxi to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.

• What is Planeterra?

  Planeterra International Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to turning travel into impact by helping local communities earn an income from tourism. Planeterra connects underserved local communities to the benefits of tourism by developing and supporting small community-owned businesses. These businesses support Indigenous people, empower women, grant youth access to employment opportunities, and protect the environment. The tour operator is Planeterra’s largest corporate donor, covering all operating costs, so 100% of your donation will bring opportunity to people in need. Consider donating $1/day for the length of your trip to support these projects.

• What rules should I know before joining this trip?

  Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of people in the sex trade is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our CEOs have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they utilize the services of paid sex workers, in any capacity.

• What should LGBTQ+ travellers know about safety and travel considerations on this trip?

  The safety and well-being of all of our travelers is a priority, including our travelers who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. We recognize that there are specific concerns and questions you may have about your adventure in terms of safety and security. We encourage you to visit our LGBTQ+ page for useful resources to ensure you feel safe and comfortable throughout the duration of your trip. The Equaldex tool linked on this page can be of particular help when deciding where you may want to visit next.

• What's included in the tour?

  Included are: Your G for Good Moment: Alebrijes Artisan Community Workshop, Oaxaca; Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends; Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group; Your Foodie Moment: Oaxaca Market Visit With CEO, Oaxaca; Your Discover Moment: Oaxaca; Your Discover Moment: San Cristobal de Las Casas - Free Time, San Cristóbal de Las Casas; Your Big Night Out Moment: Tulum. Also, a Mexico City street food crawl, a boat trip to Sumidero Canyon, a stop at Roberto Barrios Waterfall for a swim, a tour of the Mayan ruins in Palenque, a boat adventure into a gorgeous lagoon in Bacalar, a Chichen Itzá ruins guided tour. Free time is allocated in Mexico City, Oaxaca, Palenque, and San Cristóbal de las Casas. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities is covered.

• When can I do my laundry on this trip?

  Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.