Hacienda Hopping in Yucatan and the Riviera Maya

Go hacienda hopping in the Yucatán Peninsula and experience the wonders of the region while staying in sumptuous, regal accommodations.

Begin this luxury nine-day vacation with a private tour of the ancient ruins at Uxmal and, if there are little ones, a fun family scavenger hunt. After, go on a privately guided excursion of the Celestun Biosphere Reserve to see the vibrant pink flamingos that live there.

Then, enjoy a private cooking class before diving into Mexico’s past with a tour of the “living hacienda” Sotuta de Peon. Next, explore the ancient Maya world with privately guided tours of Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and Tulum. Finish with an underground adventure at Rio Secreto before a private full-day sailing trip, unwinding on the sparkling Caribbean Sea.

Throughout the vacation, stay in two of the Yucatan’s finest getaways, Hacienda Petac and Hacienda Magica. Enjoy the delights of their luxury amenities, gorgeous architecture, and highly professional staff.

HIGHLIGHTS

Private haciendas – Stay in two ultra-luxurious haciendas, Hacienda Petac and Hacienda Magica, enjoying elite amenities and gorgeous architecture

Ancient Maya sites – Enjoy privately guided tours of three world-famous ancient Maya sites: Chichen Itza, Tulum, and Uxmal

Celestun Biosphere Reserve – See the stunning pink flamingo colonies with a private excursion to the Celestun Biosphere Reserve

Living hacienda tour – Take a private tour of the stunning Hacienda Sotuta de Peon to learn about henequen, the source of old Yucatan’s wealth

Rio Secreto – Experience this stunning underground river with its stalactites and stalagmites

Catamaran sailing trip – Enjoy a full day bobbing along on the glittering Caribbean Sea on a private catamaran sailing trip

Day 1: Arrival to Mérida

After arriving at the airport, enjoy a private transfer to the breathtaking villa, Hacienda Petac, home for the next four nights. Spend the rest of the evening enjoying this 17^th-century villa’s elite amenities, which include a heated pool, private spa, and fitness center. Highly professional staff are on-hand to ensure a dream stay throughout.

Overnight: Hacienda Petac

Day 2: Private tour to Uxmal, family scavenger hunt

Journey to the famed archeological site of Uxmal, an ancient Maya city, for a privately guided tour of its ruins. Enter before the crowds arrive, visiting its famed Maya ball courts and temples.

If there are kids on the trip, enjoy a fun scavenger hunt, searching for a variety of clues that will draw on everything learned, so far, about the region.

After, unwind at a local restaurant with a traditional Yucatecan meal, before heading back to the hacienda for the rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight: Hacienda Petac

Day 3: Privately guided tour of Celestún Biosphere Reserve and Merida City

Explore one of Mexico’s most magical natural wonders, the Celestun Biosphere Reserve, with a privately guided tour. Taking a boat ride on its salt-water lagoon, see its stunning variety of flora and fauna, including the vibrant flocks of pink flamingos that live there.

Take the chance to swim before heading back to Merida for a tour of the city named the “World’s Best Small City 2019” by Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

Overnight: Hacienda Petac

Day 4: Private cooking class, private tour of “living hacienda”

Join Hacienda Petac’s chef in the kitchen for a step by step introduction to authentic Yucatecan recipes. Learn how to make homemade tortillas and a selection of desserts before enjoying the creations.

Later, head to the “living hacienda” Sotuta de Peon for a privately guided tour to learn about henequen, the crop that brought wealth to old Yucatan. Journey into the past, visiting the old machinery and uncovering the dark history of the haciendas.

Also enjoy a private ride on a mule-drawn ‘truck’ and journey through the acres of agave plantation towards the natural cenote that sits within the hacienda grounds. Cool off with a swim in its accessible water.

Afterward, enjoy lunch/early dinner at the hacienda’s restaurant before returning for the rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight: Hacienda Petac

Day 5: Privately guided Chichen Itza tour

Today, enjoy an unforgettable experience, taking a privately guided tour of Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Listen to the guide as they uncover the fascinating cosmology, religion, and everyday life of the Maya while exploring the site.

Along the way, visit Chichen Itza’s most stunning ruins, including the world-famous stepped pyramid known as El Castillo or the Temple of Kukulkan. After visiting other sites, including the Great Ball Court, visit the plunging cenote, in which sacrificial drownings once took place.

After, continue to the second hacienda of the vacation, Hacienda Magica. Enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure, relaxing on the soft sands of the accommodation’s quiet beach or cooling off in its beach-front pool.

Overnight: Hacienda Magica

Day 6: Private tour to Tulum Archeological Site

Dive further into the ancient Maya world with a privately guided tour of the Tulum archeological ruins. Joining an expert guide, visit the site’s most famous ruins, learning all about its history as a trading center for jade and turquoise.

Nestled above the Caribbean Sea, Tulum is just as beloved for its beauty as it is for its ancient ruins. Take plenty of pictures and enjoy views of the ruins from below while splashing around in the sea.

Overnight: Hacienda Magica

Day 7: Rio Secreto private experience

Go underground for a day of adventure at Rio Secreto. In this surreal locale near Playa del Carmen, observe natural history dating back millions of years, hiking and swimming through a 600-meter route full of beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Also, go deep inside an underground cave to experience true silence among some of the most dramatic mineral formations in the world.

Overnight: Hacienda Magica

Day 8: Private full-day catamaran sailing trip

Depart Puerto Aventuras Marina with a complete crew and expert guide for an unforgettable, full-day catamaran sailing trip on the glittering Caribbean Sea.

Travel for around an hour and 15 minutes before arriving at In-Ha, a bay sheltered by a shallow reef. Enter the water for a one-hour snorkeling experience, exploring the reef and the colorful fish and sea life that make these waters their home.

Complimentary drinks will be available throughout the trip, while a selection of snacks will be served on the journey back to Puerto Aventuras.

Please note: For safety reasons, alcoholic drinks will only be available after the snorkeling is complete.

Overnight: Hacienda Magica

Day 9: Departure day

Take a private transfer from Hacienda Magica to Cancun International Airport for onward flights home.

Dates

Our trips are fully customized, allowing us to build your itinerary for any time of the year.

Prices

Our custom-tailored journeys start from $1,000 USD per day for two travelers. Contact us today to discuss your travel desires and design a personalized proposal with exact pricing.

Please note, our pricing guideline is a starting from price and is not necessarily applicable to the suggested hotels contained within the suggested itineraries on this web site. Itineraries are customized prior to final pricing.