Mexico (Yucatán Peninsula)

Flight to Cancun.

Upon arrival, transfer by coach to your Cancun or Playa del Carmen accommodation to settle in. Dine at the restaurant and explore the surrounding area while enjoying the warmth of Mexico. Meal included: dinner.

Enjoy a tasty breakfast at the hotel before departing by coach to Tulum to explore the archaeological area of the same name. Tulum is a small site of Mayan ruins dominating the coast of the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, which gives it a unique prestige. It is also a great place to watch the sunrise, hence its original name under the Mayan Empire, “Zama”, meaning “City of Dawn”. Its current name, “Tulum” which means “fortress”, was given to it to underline its imposing ramparts. Appreciate the beauties of this site and pull out your camera! After lunch, head to Valladolid where you will spend the night. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

This morning, meet one of the New Seven Wonders of the World: the Chichen Itzá archaeological site. This site is one of the most important of the Mayan civilization and one of the most visited, in particular thanks to its main building, the pyramid “El Castillo”. It impresses with its size, beauty and above all its remarkable state of preservation. Also admire the ballroom, its astronomical observatory, its ball court and its temple of the warriors. Walk along the sacred path to the Sagrado Cenote, the Well of Sacrifice. Have lunch in Chichén Itza and then move on to Mérida, the capital of the Yucatán Peninsula. Mérida is a colonial city that evolves with its inhabitants and tourists. It is famous for its atmosphere and its lively markets, where you will find local products and crafts. Check into your hotel and let students enjoy some free time in the evening to explore. Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Departure for Izamal in the morning. Modern city, Izamal presents an almost perfect union of pre-Columbian remains and Spanish colonial buildings. Discover this city populated for thousands of years, a center where the Spaniards attempted to convert the Mayans to Christianity. During the Mayan era, Izamal was one of the most important religious sites and despite the conquest, it is fortunately still possible today to see around twenty classical Mayan-style buildings. Besides these remains, you can also admire the enormous Franciscan Convent of Saint Anthony of Padua and its church, a place of pilgrimage and miracles. In the afternoon, visit Tixkokob, a small Mayan village located on the way back to Mérida. Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Board your coach for the small fishing village of Celestún, located on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, in the heart of a biosphere reserve. On site, take a half-day excursion aboard a boat to admire several species of birds including the flamingo, which attracts a large number of tourists and makes this place a favorite place for ornithology. Have lunch on site and take the afternoon to enjoy the beautiful beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. Return to Mérida at the end of the day. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Start your day by going to the Yucatán geohydrological reserve to enjoy the three cenotes of Santa Barbara, and bathe in clear blue water under the stalactites. Originally considered sacred to the Mayans, cenotes are today an important source of freshwater in the jungle and provide, to our delight, natural underground pools. In the afternoon, move to Hacienda Yaxcopoil. A hacienda is a large farm that originated in Spain and whose style was brought to Latin America during colonization. The Hacienda Yaxcopoil, although having kept only 3% of its initial size, is still preserved today and serves as a museum in which three major periods are mixed: the pre-Columbian period, the Spanish conquest and the period of changes in the farm brought in towards the end of the 19th century. Then return to Mérida at the end of the day. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Today, visit the archaeological site of Uxmal. Considered an important city of the late classical period, its history remains very mysterious, however, since archaeological data are insufficient. Walk around the site and admire its Pucc-style buildings, which are characterized by a more elaborate finish in height and a more stripped-down base. In the afternoon, opt for a tour of the Museo del Chocolate Yucateco in Mérida and follow in the footsteps of the origins of the Mexican cocoa trade. Students will learn more about the importance of this trade to the country’s economy. You could also choose a much different tour: explore the Loltún cave complex, the largest in Yucatán. You will be amazed by these colorful caves where human and animal traces date back over 7000 years. Return to Mérida after your activity. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Pack your bags and depart for Playa del Carmen on the Caribbean coast. In Playa del Carmen, a highly touristy coastal town in Riviera Maya, take the afternoon to discover this little corner of the region: shops, restaurants, beach and turquoise water. Check into your Playa del Carmen accommodation. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

For this last day in Mexico, you will have the day completely free to enjoy the pleasures of the Caribbean Sea, to shop for your souvenirs or to taste Mexican culinary specialties. Take advantage of this last day in the sun to recharge and relax before going home, after this beautiful student trip in Mexico. Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Transfer by coach to Cancun airport for your return flight home. Meals included: breakfast (to be confirmed according to your flight time).