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The Most Mexico: Central Mexico, Yucatan & Cancún

16 days, Mexico City to Cancún

Map of the route for The Most Mexico: Central Mexico, Yucatan & Cancún
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Itinerary

Day 1Mexico City

Arrive at any time, and kick back at the hostel or head out to explore the city before meeting up with fellow Roamies in the evening. Grab a drink on the hostel rooftop terrace or check out the nearby main plaza, which is always buzzing at night.

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Day 2Mexico City

Mexico City is so huge that it's hard to know where or how to start exploring, but stick with us, we've got your back! Set off in a private ride with a local expert and head to the Monument to the Revolution to get great views from the top and learn a thing or two about Mexico's history. Continue to the iconic "El Angel" statue for the obligatory photos and then head to the trendy area of Colonia Roma Norte to visit a local market and find some mouth-watering tacos al pastor to devour for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is yours to continue exploring the city or maybe take a trip out to visit the ruins of Teotihuacán. Lucha libre in the evening, anyone?

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Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow

Museum of Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul)
Mexico City
320MXN per person

Visit the famed "Blue House" where Frida Kahlo was born, lived and died. Her lifelong home is open to those looking to learn more about or see what life was like for the celebrated artist. The museum consists of ten rooms throughout the home, each filled with original furniture from when she lived there with her husband Diego Rivera, and personal items of Frida's from letters, art materials, original works of art, to handcrafted kitchenwares. Tickets can be limited so we recommend booking in advance online: https://www.museofridakahlo.org.mx/?lang=en

Teotihuacán Guided Tour
Teotihuacán

Visit the ruins of Teotihuacán (meaning ‘the place where gods were born’), northeast of Mexico City. This ruin site dates back to 100AD and has the impressive Avenue of the Dead, Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon. Excavations are still underway at these ruins in the present day. These structures are so massive that the inside of the Pyramid of the Sun for example – has never been entirely explored. Bring water, wear a hat and solid walking shoes, and climb the pyramids to learn all about this pre-Columbian Mesoamerican city. Don't forget to stop by the museum too!

Lucha Libre Match
Mexico City
350-500MXN per person

Combatants don colourful masks and catapult themselves towards their opponents off of the ring’s ropes, employing a variety of different moves and holds to pin them to the mat for a three-count. The largely Mexican crowds are usually rowdy, making “lucha libre” an entertaining way to throw yourself head-first into the local culture.

Please be aware that prices for tickets will vary depending on seat location.

National Museum of Anthropology
Mexico City
95MXN per person

The National Museum of Anthropology houses the largest collection of Mexican art in the world. It's a must see if you're interested in the past or present-day history of Mexico. On the top of the highlights, see the Sun Stone (also known as the Aztec Calendar) an important piece in Aztec culture and mythology that illustrates the history of the universe. With over 20 exhibit halls, you may not be able to see the whole museum in just one day so grab a map and pick and choose what you're most interested in.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 3Mexico City/Puebla

You’re not done with Mexico City quite yet! Head out to the colourful neighborhood of Xochimilco where you'll float along in a typical "trajinera" boat along the canals of this ancient water system built by the Aztecs. Browse the floating markets for souvenirs and snacks and maybe hear some mariachis along the way before hopping back on the bus. Arrive in the colonial city of Puebla in the early afternoon and brush up on your Spanish with the CEO before having some time to explore a bit or to relax at the hostel.

Xochimilco Boat Tour
Mexico City1h-2h

Take on the famous canals of Xochimilco in a vibrant coloured gondola boat past vendors, mariachi bands and local artisans. Feel the vibes of the music around you as locals shop in the floating markets and hopefully you'll find something to bring back home too.

Private Vehicle
Mexico City – Puebla

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Puebla Orientation Walk
Puebla

Puebla is known for many things, such as pottery, colonial architecture and great food. Let your CEO guide you on a short walk through the city to point out the essentials like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs.

Accommodation

Hotel Gilfer (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 4Puebla/Oaxaca

Head south today on a bus to Oaxaca, (pronounced "Wah-ha-cah" in case you were wondering), a city packed full of culture and incredible food. You'll dive straight into the regional cuisine in the evening with a big spread of delicious local dishes like tamales, tlayudas or some of the ridiculously delicious mole. Throw in some local tequila and you’ve got yourself a party in your mouth.

Local Bus
Puebla – Oaxaca5h-6h340km

Keep the snacks handy and stretch out on this comfy public bus.

Oaxaca Orientation Walk
Oaxaca

Go on a CEO led walk through the colonial city of Oaxaca. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs.

Oaxaca Food and Drink Extravaganza

Prepare your taste buds as we dive into a culinary experience of Oaxaca's incredible food and drink specialties. Learn about the regional delicacies as we eat our way through a spread of dishes like mole, tamales and tlayudas with the ever-present fresh handmade tortillas. Wash it down with some local tequila and mezcal to round things off, which just seem to be natural fit with all of the flavours on the table.

Accommodation

Hostal Don Nino (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 5Oaxaca

Freedom! Enjoy a full day in Oaxaca where you can choose from a heap of fun things to do. Want to see some ancient ruins? Visit the nearby site of Monte Albán. Want to stay local? Take a city tour or channel your inner chef with a cooking class. Ultimately the day is yours so if that means having a few more sips of mezcal at a local tavern or chilling at the hostel then that is a-ok by us too.

You can pre-book the Hierve el Agua Day Trip during check-out and pay a visit to a petrified waterfall outside of Oaxaca.

Your Discover Moment
Oaxaca Full Day

There's plenty to see and do in Oaxaca, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like visiting the ruins of Monte Albán, the valley of Mitla ruins, and a petrified waterfall. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!

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Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow

Monte Albán Tour
Monte Albán – Oaxaca1h-3h 1-2km
950MXN per person

The Zapotec site of Monte Albán dates back to 500 BC and features platforms, pyramids, plazas, and a ball court sitting on a leveled mountaintop some 10km (5 mi) from Oaxaca. Enjoy the 360-degree views, see Olmec carvings, and be sure to visit the museum to see artifacts and stele excavated in the early 20th century.

Hierve el Agua Day Trip
Oaxaca

Begin this activity in the morning with included transport to Hierve el Agua. This stunning natural formation consists of a series of mineral pools near the edge of a cliff. Over thousands of years, the heavily calcified water has flowed over the cliff, leaving mineral deposits as it goes. The result is known as a "petrified waterfall" – nearly white rock formations that resemble a cascading fall. Upon arrival, enjoy a few hours of free time to explore the area and perhaps go for a swim in one of the mineral pools. Then, travel to a Mezcalería for a tour of the distillery which includes an explanation of the production process of mezcal and a tasting. The group will return to Oaxaca in the late afternoon.

Please note these approximate travel times below:
Oaxaca to Hierve el Agua - Between 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours
Hierve el Agua to Mezcalería- 1 hour
Mezcalería to Oaxaca - 45 minutes.

Valley of Mitla Ruins Visit
San Pablo Villa de Mitla
950MXN per person

The UNESCO World Heritage site of Mitla is 38km (24 mi) from Oaxaca. Its name derives from the Nahuatl language, meaning “Place of the Dead”. Occupied from 900 BC by the Zapotecs and then the Mixtecs, the ruin features five groups of structures on either side of the Mitla River. Look for ancient cut-stone mosaics and intricate stone carvings throughout.

The region is also famous for its hand-dyed, foot-loomed woven rugs.

Mole Cooking Class
Oaxaca
1200MXN per person

Take a cooking class and learn that there's more to mole than meets the eye (and mouth). In fact, in Oaxaca, there are at least seven different versions of this popular made-in-Mexico sauce cooked with ground chili, chocolate, and sesame seeds. Black, red, yellow, green – the list is endless. Take a guided trip to the local market and let your senses get lost in the spices, colours, and smells. Following your cooking class, sample your tasty creation.

Mezcal Factory Tour
Oaxaca

The Valley of Oaxaca is renowned as the birthplace of mezcal. Not to be confused with tequila, this distilled liquor is made in small batches from a variety of species of agave (spiky green plants that look like the tops of pineapples). Sample different types, including white unaged mezcal (often sold with an agave larva inside), along with “reposado” and “añejo” (aged) batches. Grab a slice of orange that's coated in salt and mixed with chili and ground worms. Now, it’s time to sip and enjoy.

Accommodation

Hostal Don Nino (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 6Oaxaca/Puerto Escondido

Road trip to the beach! Head out on a windy road up through the mountains, bound for the Pacific coast and the relaxed beach town of Puerto Escondido. Enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk upon arrival. The remainder of the afternoon is all yours; find somewhere for lunch on your own and settle in for some serious R&R or beach time, you deserve it.

Private Vehicle
Oaxaca – Puerto Escondido4h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Puerto Escondido CEO-led Orientation Walk
Puerto Escondido

Get the lay of the land on a CEO-led orientation walk in the port town on Mexico's Pacific coast. Known especially for its impressive nightlife and surfing beaches, there's much to do in Puerto Escondido. Think golden sands, crashing waves, and palm trees swaying over the thatched-roof bars lining the main street. Choose between one of the beaches and watch the sun dip towards the horizon.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 7Puerto Escondido

Take a day to do as much or as little as you want, there's no judgement here. Maybe it's the beach or a surf class that's calling your name or possibly it's a 'hang-around'-the-hostel' kind of day with the crew. Your CEO is always on hand to make recommendations or to pull up a seat at the bar with, the choice is yours. Did someone say fish tacos?

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Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow

Laguna de Manialtepec Visit
Puerto Escondido

Visit the nearby Laguna de Manialtepec in the evening to witness a natural phenomenon. Bioluminescent plankton appear for a few nights each year and are activated when touched. Go for an evening boat ride and jump in the lagoon to watch the water illuminate around you. This phenomenon only happens a few times each year, so don't miss out if you're lucky enough to be there in season.

Surfing
Puerto Escondido

Spend some time riding the waves on one of the many beaches in Puerto Escondido, famous for its surfing opportunities. Depending on your skill level some beaches will be better than others, Carizalillo is great for beginners while Zicatela is only safe for experts. Talk to your CEO to figure out where to go for rentals or lessons.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Puerto Escondido

Grab a board and a paddle and start exploring!

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 8Puerto Escondido/Mérida

Peel yourself off the beach and catch a flight north to Mérida via Mexico City. Head to the hostel and relax with a cold drink or explore the surroundings before meeting some newly-joining Roamies in the evening for the next leg of the adventure.

Plane
Puerto Escondido – Mérida4h30m-5h

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Accommodation

Che Merida Hostel (or similar)
Hostel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 9Mérida

Ok, so every day on this trip is amazing but we'll venture to say that this one is ridiculous. You'll explore some of the many cenotes in the area, giant sinkholes in the earth formed by underground freshwater rivers. Hop on a bike to cycle between a few of them and swim in the crystal-clear waters to take a break from the heat. After a yummy lunch, return to Mérida and spend the rest of the day wandering the city or relaxing in a hammock at the hostel. Sound about right?

Santa Barbara Cenotes Visit
Mérida4h

Head out in the morning from Mérida into the jungle to a state reserve that is chock-full of cenotes, natural sinkholes in the earth that were sacred to the ancient Maya. Cycle between 3 of them and swim in the crystal clear water to cool off from the heat before a delicious lunch, then return to Mérida in the afternoon.

Accommodation

Che Merida Hostel (or similar)
Hostel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 10Mérida/Valladolid

Ready for another epic day? Keep your sunscreen and the camera handy today as you'll be checking a major bucket item off of your list. Head into the jungle to the massive Mayan ruins of Chichen Itzá for a guided tour and time to walk around on your own. Then continue to Valladolid to drop off your stuff at the hostel and chill for a bit before heading out for dinner, where you’ll learn about the Mayas and have a chance to devour a spread of delicious Yucatan dishes cooked over the fire, like pollo pibil and tamales with fresh handmade tortillas.

Transport
Mérida – Valladolid

Settle in and scan the scenery as you journey to your next destination.

Chichen Itzá Guided Tour
Chichén-Itzá – Chichen Itza2h

Join up with a local expert and learn about the history of Chichén Itzá and the beliefs and rituals that defined this ancient Mayan civilization. This dramatic site includes a 30m (98 ft) high temple, known as the Pyramid of Kukulcan, famous for its balustrade of 91 stairs up each of the four sides, a ball court with a grandstand, and towering walls. Visit the highlights of the site including the famous Castillo, the ball court, the cenote, and the Nunnery.

Accommodation

Valladolid 48 Hostal (or similar)
Hostel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 11Valladolid/Tulum

Pile into the bus and head to the white sand and turquoise waters of the Mayan Riviera. But before you hit the beach we have more ruins to see - Tulum! The only of the Mayan temples to be built right next to the ocean, you will be filling your feed with jaw-dropping photos in no time. Spend the rest of the day on the beach, hanging out at the hostel or at one of the many bars and cafes in town.

Local Bus
Valladolid – Tulum102km

Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Tulum Ruins Visit
Tulum1h-4h

The Maya built the ancient seaport of Tulúm in the late 13th century. Located some 130 km (80 mi) south of Cancun, this picturesque site features a number of limestone structures protected on three sides by a 7m (23 ft) thick wall. Visit “El Castillo” (the castle), overlooking the Caribbean coast, and the Temple of Frescoes, then head down to the beach. Dive into the warm aquamarine waters and imagine spotting ancient vessels laden with turquoise and jade.

Accommodation

Che Tulum Hostel (or similar)
Hostel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 12Tulum

The beach at Tulum is pretty stellar that's for sure, and today is yours to do with it what you want. Feeling active and want to explore more? Go snorkelling at the natural waterpark of Xel-Há or visit some more cenotes. Feeling the ocean vibes instead? Stay local and hit the beach before shoring up at the hostel bar for a cold beverage. After dinner head to one of the beach clubs to dance the night away under the stars.

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Optional Activities - Day 12 HideShow

Cenote Visit
Playa del Carmen1h-4h 30-60km
40-60USD per person

Pack your swimsuit, hail a shared van (colectivo) and ask for directions to one of Yucatan’s many cenotes. These natural swimming holes were formed thousands of years ago, when the peninsula's porous limestone collapsed to reveal fresh water pools fed by underground systems of canals and rivers. Dive into the turquoise waters surrounded by cave walls or tropical foliage, watch fish dart in and out of the shafts of sunlight and realize why the Maya called cenotes “sacred wells”.

Accommodation

Che Tulum Hostel (or similar)
Hostel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 13Tulum/Cancún

Squeeze in a bit more beach time in Tulum before heading north to Playa del Carmen in the late morning. Have lunch at El Hongo, a community project that supports youth art initiatives that also happens to have delicious food. After, take some time to browse the shops along the vibrant pedestrian strip of "la quinta." Next stop, Cancún - where more beach, adventure and nightlife await! Check into the comfy hostel in the hotel zone and laze about by the pool with a cold beverage before deciding what's on for the evening.

Private Vehicle
Playa del Carmen – Cancún68km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Private Vehicle
Tulum – Playa del Carmen65km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Your G for Good Moment: El Hongo Mexican Community Restaurant & Youth Art Program

El Hongo (which means 'The Mushroom') is a volunteer-run restaurant started as a means to create income to support a youth art program in the 'real' Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Across the highway from the commercial beach strip is where most locals live – cross onto the unpaved roads and enjoy a delicious home-style meal at the restaurant, while learning more about this much-needed program for the community.

Accommodation

Selina Cancun Hotel Zone (or similar)
Hostel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 14Cancún

Day trip! Head away from the tourists into the jungle of the Yucatán to a local community. You'll learn all about the delicious regional cuisine and help prepare some of the dishes before scarfing it down on the spot for lunch. Later, top it all off with a swim in a nearby cenote to cool off from the midday heat. Don’t worry, you’ll still have time to hit the beach or hang out at the hostel pool when we get back to Cancún in the afternoon.

Your Foodie Moment: Yucatecan Community Lunch Experience and Cenote Swim

Get away from the tourist zone today on an excursion to the community of Nuevo Durango in the jungle. Learn all about the regional (and delicious!) Yucatecan cuisine and participate in the preparation of lunch with dishes like pollo pibil, tamales and fresh hand-made tortillas. Later, visit an insect museum then cool off from the heat with a swim in the clear waters of a nearby cenote before returning to Cancún in the afternoon.

Accommodation

Selina Cancun Hotel Zone (or similar)
Hostel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 15Cancún

A free day in Cancún, how good does that sound? If you're craving more adventure you could head out on a day trip to Isla Mujeres or Playa del Carmen, or stay local and squeeze every last moment out of that white sand beach or the hostel hang-out spots. Your CEO is always on hand to give recommendations or to show you the best local stretches of beach, the rest is up to you. Ready to party? Of course you are! Your CEO knows all the best bars and clubs Cancún has to offer. Who needs sleep anyways?

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Optional Activities - Day 15 HideShow

Cenote Visit
Playa del Carmen1h-4h 30-60km
40-60USD per person

Pack your swimsuit, hail a shared van (colectivo) and ask for directions to one of Yucatan’s many cenotes. These natural swimming holes were formed thousands of years ago, when the peninsula's porous limestone collapsed to reveal fresh water pools fed by underground systems of canals and rivers. Dive into the turquoise waters surrounded by cave walls or tropical foliage, watch fish dart in and out of the shafts of sunlight and realize why the Maya called cenotes “sacred wells”.

Day Trip to Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres

Hop on a ferry and take a short trip from Cancún to the laid back island of Isla Mujeres, where more white sand and turquoise blue water await. Hit the beach, wander the trendy shops and restaurants and snap a picture at the Isla Mujeres sign with great views across the ocean before the return ferry back to Cancún. Your CEO can help arrange the purchase of ferry tickets and any other coordination needed.

Accommodation

Selina Cancun Hotel Zone (or similar)
Hostel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 16Cancún

Depart at any time, or maybe decide to add on a few more nights at the beach.

Meals included:

Breakfast

The Most Mexico: Central Mexico, Yucatan & Cancún

| 16 days - Mexico City to Cancún - from $1762 USD