Destination:
Days: 8The Yucatan Family Adventure is a customizable itinerary that combines the history, adventure, culture, luxury, and many natural wonders of the Yucatan Peninsula.
On this trip, enjoy a fun and educational family scavenger hunt around the ancient Maya city of Uxmal, see the pink flamingoes of the Celestún Biosphere Reserve, and take expertly guided tours around some of Mexico’s most famous ruins including Chichen Itza.
You will also head to the incredible beach-side ruins at Tulum and one of Mexico’s most important biosphere reserve, the Sian Ka’an. The tour culminates in a memorable private sailing trip on a 34-foot catamaran.
Despite being designed with families in mind, this itinerary can also be adapted for solo travelers or any other group vacation.
HIGHLIGHTS
Merida – Explore the charming Yucatan capital, a gorgeous colonial city of local markets, busy squares, and a bustling commercial center
Uxmal – Head to this Maya archeological site and marvel at the achievements and mysterious demise of the Maya
Celestún Biosphere Reserve – Head on to the salt-water lagoon to see its magical, mysterious, and majestic flock of flamingos
Chichen Itza and Ek Balam – Tour these world-famous archeological site visiting towering pyramids and learning about Maya history
Sian Ka’an – Go on an adventure in one of the most important protected areas in Mexico, looking out for its marvelous wildlife
Izamal – Explore the magical Yellow City taking a ride in a horse-drawn carriage
CUSTOMIZE
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You can customize this itinerary by adding or removing the tours and activities.
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Day 1: Arrival to Merida
Your family will be greeted at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel, a lovely and historic hacienda. Spend the evening relaxing with the little ones before the following day’s adventure.
Overnight: Hacienda Temozon
Day 2: Uxmal and family scavenger hunt
Today the family will wake up early in order to be one of the first to enter and explore the ancient Maya city of Uxmal. Your guide will lead the family on a fun discovery of the site, learning about the myth of the Pyramid of the Magician and Maya cosmology in the Nun’s Quadrangle. As a group, climb the Uxmal’s Great Pyramid to get a bird’s-eye view and remarkable photos.
The family will also participate in a scavenger hunt, searching for a variety of clues that will draw on everything learned in this magical region. To complete this fun challenge, the family will need to work together in a combination of intellectual acuity, mental fortitude, physical prowess, and creativity!
After completing the hunt and finding the prize, head to a local restaurant for a traditional dish.
Overnight: Hacienda Temozon
Day 3: Visit Celestún to see the pink flamingos, Merida city tour
Visit the Celestún Biosphere Reserve, a great place for nature lovers known for its large population of flamingos. Here, the family will take a boat ride on this great salt-water lagoon to see the variety of flora and fauna that naturally thrive there. Back on land, enjoy local seafood at Celestun’s beautiful beach and have the chance to swim in the waters.
After lunch, the family will explore the historic city center of Mérida, the capital of Yucatán state. Learn all about Merida’s history and contemporary importance and enjoy an enchanting caelsa horse-drawn carriage ride.
Ending the day at the hacienda, the rest of the time is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Overnight: Hacienda Temozon
Day 4: Hammock weaving in Tixkokob, exploration of Izamal
Start with a visit to the traditional Maya village of Tixkokob to see how the local families practice the age-old tradition of hammock weaving. Speak to the local artisans and learn their secrets, plus the techniques behind getting into a hammock.
Afterward, continue to the Pueblo Magico, Izamal, to explore this gorgeous city where the buildings are painted in yellow and white before continuing to a charming lodge nestled in the garden on the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chichen Itza.
Day 5: Explore the Ancient Maya Cities of Chichen Itzá and Ek Balam
Today, the family will explore two world-famous Maya archaeological sites: Chichen Itzá and Ek Balam. With a private entrance from the hotel, your family will beat the crowds entering Chichen Itzá, Mexico’s most celebrated archeological zone. Explore the site visiting its greatest ruins including the ball court and El Castillo.
Depart, just as the crowds and mid-day heat are arriving to enjoy lunch and a refreshing swim in a cenote.
Next is Ek Balam, with its striking feature: a palace with a façade intricately decorated in the form of a snake. Your expert guide will lead the family in traversing the two sites and will explain all about Maya cosmology, religion, and everyday life.
The day ends as your family is dropped off at a stunning luxury hotel located on the idyllic Mexican Caribbean coast. This resort is family-friendly and stands out for its Rosebud Kids’ Club which features a wide-range of activities for kids.
Overnight: Rosewood Mayakoba
Day 6: Explore the Sian Ka’an and the beach-side ruins at Tulum
Visit the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, the largest protected area on the Mexican Caribbean coast and home to big cats, whales, and crocodiles among many other creatures.
Along with your expert guide, explore the reserve by boat, discovering a cenote, as well as looking out for the wildlife swimming past or hiding in the trees. Time permitting, your family may also have a chance to swim in the clear waterways or float along the ‘lazy river’.
Arriving back on dry land, the family will then be driven to Tulum archeological site. The only Maya city located right by the Caribbean Sea, Tulum was a Maya fortress city that peaked between the 13th and 15th centuries. Your expert guide will lead in exploring this small site that was an important place of trade in jade and turquoise. There may also be time for you to take a swim and look up at Tulum’s iconic structure from below.
Overnight: Rosewood Mayakoba
Day 7: Riviera Maya
Finish your Yucatan family adventure on a high, exploring the open seas on a half-day, private sailing trip around the bay of Cancun and Isla Mujeres on a 34-foot catamaran. The family can swim or snorkel around the second-largest coral reef in the world while the adults simply enjoy the ride with a cold drink in hand.
Overnight: Rosewood Mayakoba
Day 8: Departure from Cancun
You will transfer to Cancun Airport for your homeward-bound flight. Alternatively, speak to a Journey Mexico advisor if you would like to extend the trip to see more of Mexico’s wonders.
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.
