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Essential Central Mexico

9 days, Puerto Vallarta to Mexico City

Map of the route for Essential Central Mexico
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Itinerary

Day 1Puerto Vallarta

Arrive at any time. Attend the welcome meeting in the evening and then opt to grab dinner with the group.

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.

Accommodation

Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.

Hotel Puerto de Luna (or similar)
Hotel

Day 2Puerto Vallarta

Get ready for a full free day in Puerto Vallarta for optional activities. Your CEO will help arrange and give you some insider recommendations, but you could spend some time on the beach, go whale watching (seasonal, Dec-Mar), a day trip with snorkelling to Isla Marietas or find a nice place to grab some food and people watch. In the evening meet with the group to trade stories and go out to search for some delicious local street food.

Free Time
Puerto Vallarta07:00-19:00 Full Day

Enjoy a full free day for optional activities in Puerto Vallarta, like whale watching (seasonal, Dec-Mar), beach hanging, or a day trip with some snorkelling at nearby Isla Marietas. Spend the evening in search of the most delicious local food you can find.

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Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow

Whale Watching - Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta

Take to the open seas in search of migrating humpback whales. Observe local marine life and enjoy this unforgettable half-day adventure with commentary from a marine biologist. Have those cameras at the ready should you see any action. Please note that this tour is seasonal and only available (Dec-Mar).

Beach Time
Puerto Vallarta

Explore the beautiful beaches of Puerto Vallarta. Sparkling blue waters, pristine sandy beaches, and gorgeous sun-kissed weather make a beach trip the perfect relaxing activity. Opt to lounge or swim in the water until your heart is content.

Sunset Sailing Tour
Puerto Vallarta

Set sail and awaken your senses to the stunning sights in Banderas Bay on a sunset cruise. Relax with some music, a drink, and some snacks as you watch the sun sink below the horizon casting impressive colors across the bay. A great way to cap off a day in paradise.

Marietas Island Snorkel Tour
Puerto Vallarta

Looking for the perfect active day in Puerto Vallarta? Head out on this snorkeling tour to the Marietas Islands. Hop on a boat and cross the calm waters in search of dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and whales along the way. Then, get underwater for a look at the colourful array of tropical fish just below the surface.

Food & Drink Tour Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta

Set out with a food guide through the streets of Puerto Vallarta on a food and cocktail tour. Learn about the culutral roots of mezcal, tequila, and raicilla. Taste michelad, Mexico's signature beer cocktail and stop at some popular local sports for food tastings of some pretty delicious tacos.

Accommodation

Hotel Puerto de Luna (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 3Puerto Vallarta/Guadalajara

Travel inland to Guadalajara this morning. Make a stop along the way near the town of Tequila to visit a distillery to learn about how tequila is traditionally made with a tasting included and lunch. Continue on arriving in Guadalajara in the early evening for a CEO-led orientation walk.

Private Vehicle
Puerto Vallarta – Guadalajara5h-6h333km

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

Tequila Distillery Visit & Tasting
Tequila

Mexico is the birthplace of tequila, and there is nowhere better to learn about the iconic drink. Visit a distillery in a town between Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara to learn about the history of tequila and the production process, before the main highlight –a tasting session with lunch. Sip, don't shoot!

Guadalajara Orientation Walk
Guadalajara

Set off on foot to get to know this city in western Mexico. Known for tequila and mariachi music Guadalajara packs a lively atmosphere appealing to any traveller. Wander the colonial plazas and spot landmarks like the Teatro Degollado and the Palacio del Gobierno houses.

Accommodation

Hotel Laffayette (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 4Guadalajara

Enjoy a free morning today to discover Guadalajara's charm. In the afternoon, set off on a city tour including the nearby vibrant city of Tlaquepaque. Think mariachis, historical centres, and loads of fun and street food. The rest of the evening is open to do as you please. Maybe go for another walk through the main square and find a cool tavern to grab a drink with the group.

Free Time
Guadalajara Evening

Spend some time shopping, eating, and relaxing in Guadalajara for your last night in the area.

City Tour of Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque
Guadalajara

See more of Guadalajara on this in-depth city tour including some free time to explore the gastronomy hub of Tlaquepaque. See the work of Mexican muralist Jose Clemente Orozco and discover the best views in the city.

Accommodation

Hotel Laffayette (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 5Guadalajara/Guanajuato

Travel by public bus to Guanajuato today. Enjoy an afternoon walking tour to discover the city's beautiful architecture, tunnels, cultural history, and of course, street food.

Your Foodie Moment: Guanajuato City and Street Food Tour

Gain a deeper understanding into this town located in a valley surrounded by mountains. Filled with brilliantly coloured buildings around a central park and loads of great places to try some local eats. Make a stop to a local bakery, head to a stall for some fresh squeezed juices, then try some tlacoyos, a sort of folded taco, stuffed with cheese and chicken. Next, head underground to see the labyrinth of tunnels below the city. And spend the remainder of the tour learning about the history and culture of this place while eating different kinds of street food from tamales to sopes, you'll taste vibrant flavours.

Local Bus
Guadalajara – Guanajuato3h-4h275km

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

Accommodation

Hotel Santa Regina (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 6Guanajuato/San Miguel de Allende

Wander through Guanajuato during your free morning. Grab a bite to eat on your own before the bus ride to San Miguel de Allende. Here the group will go on a CEO-led orientation walk before time to have dinner on your own.

Free Time
Guanajuato Morning

Free morning to grab a pastry on your own and walk through the main square one last time before moving on. Plenty of time for a quiet morning coffee and some people watching.

Local Bus
Guanajuato – San Miguel de Allende1h30m-2h80km

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

Orientation walk of San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende

Your CEO will lead you on an orientation walk of San Miguel de Allende. This colonial-era city is located in Mexico's central highlands and is home to a budding art scene and many cultural festivals. Wander the cobblestoned streets and learn the history and stories of this place while in the shadow of the pink towers rising above the El Jardín main plaza.

Accommodation

Hotel Hacienda Monteverde (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 7San Miguel de Allende

Start off with a half-day city tour of San Miguel de Allende. See various historical sites like the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, Iglesia de San Francisco, and Templo del Oratorio de San Felipe Neri. Learn the cultural significance of various places and admire the architecture of this place before a free afternoon for various optional activities.

San Miguel de Allende City Tour
San Miguel de Allende

Get to know the historical and cultural significance of local landmarks in San Miguel de Allende on a half-day city tour. Visit important sites like, Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, Iglesia de San Francisco, and Templo del Oratorio de San Felipe Neri.

Free Time
San Miguel de Allende

Enjoy some free time for optional activities in the area like, horseback riding, a cooking class, tequila tasting, or a visit to some nearby hot springs. Your CEO can help you organize whichever you choose.

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Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow

Cooking Class - San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende

Opt to reserve a private cooking class to test your culinary skills and learn how to make some traditional regional cuisine. The teacher will teach the class to create authentic dishes that can be replicated at home, when you're finished dig in and enjoy your dish!

Horseback Riding in San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende

Throw on some long pants, grab the reins and hop up on a well-trained horse. Ride through the colonial town of San Miguel de Allende on this leisurely 2-hour horseback riding tour admiring the scenery. Trot through Benito Juárez Park, toast your evening in a Mexican ‘cantina’; and listen to a moving serenade performed by ‘mariachis’ before a candlelit dinner inspired by Mexican culinary classics.

Accommodation

Hotel Hacienda Monteverde (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 8San Miguel de Allende/Mexico City

Hop on the local bus to Mexico City this morning and arrive around midday. Enjoy a free afternoon and opt for an evening out on the town.

Local Bus
San Miguel de Allende – Mexico City3h-4h265km

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

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Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow

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.

Taco Street Food Crawl
Mexico City

Is it possible to find the perfect taco? Hit the streets of Mexico City to find out! One of Mexico's most famous (and delicious) dishes is known across the globe – but to find the best you need to go straight to it's origins. Prepare for a feast that you won't soon forget.

District of Coyoacán Visit
Mexico City
50-75USD per group

Coyoacán is a quiet but vibrant Mexican neighbourhood, most notably known for the Museo Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo's home turned museum after her death. The quaint tree-lined streets of this district will enchant you and give you a window into real Mexican living. With a good street food scene, spend some time walking around and find stalls or restaurants on the hunt for the neighbourhoods best tostadas, a corn tortilla topped with all sorts of things from shrimp, chicken, beef, and other proteins and beans, cheese, corn, sour cream, and avocado.

Accommodation

Hotel PF Suites (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 9Mexico City

Depart at any time.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Essential Central Mexico

| 9 days - Puerto Vallarta to Mexico City - from $1049 USD