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Mexico Upgraded
9 days, Mexico City to Mexico City
Itinerary
Day 1Mexico City
Arrive at any time; your arrival transfer is included.
Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.
Arrival Transfer
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
Day 2Mexico City
Start your day with a visit to Mexico City’s historic square Zócalo, before checking out the local cuisine at a food market. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore and opt to visit the National Museum of Anthropology or tour the murals of Diego Rivera. If you’re feeling musical, choose to spend your evening at a traditional dance performance.
Free Time
Take advantage of free time to get out and explore this amazing city and its surroundings.
Your Foodie Moment: Mexico City Walking and Food Tour
Start the morning with a walking tour of the highlights of Mexico City with your CEO. Explore the Zocolo (historical centre), the ruins el Templo Mayor, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the grand building of Bellas Artes, and Palacio Postal. Wander the streets, explore a traditional market, and taste some local favorites for lunch. Indulge your sweet tooth at one of our favorite panaderías, then opt to try pulque, a royal ancient Aztec alcoholic drink.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Palace of Fine Arts Visit
95MXN per personAlso known as the Cathedral of Art in Mexico, the Palace of Fine Arts is a cultural centre in the city capital that hosts events such as dance performances, orchestras and music, theatre and opera, along with art exhibitions for photography and paintings. If you are interested in the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, this is the venue they perform in. The building, a work of art itself, has a restaurant and bookstore that can be visited on the first floor. Getting to go inside is wonderful, but you can even appreciate the grandeur of this hall from the outside as the warm Mexican sun bounces off the glass dome on the top, and off of the beautiful marble siding of the palace.
National Museum of Anthropology
95MXN per personThe 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.
Ballet Folklórico de México
Founded in 1952 by Amalia Hernández the Folkloric Ballet of Mexico has been a shining symbol of traditional dance throughout the country. Using music, dance, costume and geography, this ballet choreographs their performances to reflect the various and vibrant cultures and regions of Mexico. If the lights and the music don't captivate you, the ensemble of fifty trained dancers gracefully moving across the stage will.
Please be aware that prices for tickets may vary depending on the day you choose to attend the ballet. This can be a popular activity with limited availability so we recommend that you book tickets online in advance before arriving to Mexico.
Diego Rivera Mural Museum Visit
45MXN per personVisit the Diego Rivera Mural Museum to see his works preserved in the historic centre of Mexico City. Rivera, widely known for his marriage to renowned artist Frida Kahlo, said "The composition (of the mural) are reminders of my life, my childhood and my youth and covers from 1985 to 1910. The characters of the walk all dream, some sleeping on the benches and others, walking and talking". To best know an artist you have to really look at their art to understand them better, visit the mural museum to do just that.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 3Mexico City
It’s off to the UNESCO World Heritage site for a guided tour of Teotihuacán this morning. This ancient city has become one of the most important sites in Central America. Wander the pre-Aztec ruins and learn about iconic temples before returning to Mexico City for a free evening. Choose to eat, drink, dance, or watch a match of freestyle Mexican wrestling as the night unfolds.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Teotihuacán Guided Tour
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!
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
The evening is yours to explore colourful Mexico City, take a stroll around markets, visit Torre Latino, or take it easy at the hotel.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Torre Latino
170MXN per personMexico City is home to Latin America's tallest skyscraper, Torre Latino. Marvel in all 181m (593ft) of this magnificent structure. Take the lift to see Mexico City from the observation deck on the 44th-floor, and then take a stroll through the buildings own museum all about Mexico City's history. (Fun note: Admission is free if you'd just like to visit the bar for a drink.)
Lucha Libre Match
350-500MXN per personCombatants 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.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 4Mexico City/Puebla
Experience a gorgeous sunrise tour of Xochimilco, a system of canals built by the Aztecs and stop at a local farm to eat a traditional breakfast. Then it’s onwards to the Frida Kahlo Museum in the Coyoacán district to tour Casa Azul. Afterwards, journey on to Puebla and take a guided walk of the city to learn about the colonial architecture and culinary traditions of this lively place.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Sunrise Xochimilco Tour with Mariachi
Wake before the sun to take on the famous canals of Xochimilco in a vibrant coloured gondola boat past vendors, and local artisans. Feel the vibes of the music around you with a mariachi band playing onboard. Watch locals shop in the floating markets and hopefully you'll find something to bring back home too. Visit a local farm and enjoy a traditional breakfast while learning about the region and its people.
Puebla Orientation Walk
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.
Museum of Frida Kahlo (Casa Azul)
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
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Puebla
Join a local artist for a Talavera pottery demonstration to learn about the cultural and historical significance of this tradition. Enjoy the rest of the day as you wish; visit a colourful market in Puebla, indulge in local tastes on a food tour, or check out the Great Pyramid of Cholula.
Talavera Pottery Experience
Spend time with a local artist to discover the historical and cultural significance of Talavera pottery dating back to the 16th century. Witness the process from clay to creation, learning about its uses from tableware to tiles and hearing about the purpose behind the colours chosen. Watch close to a hundred artisans working as they go through each stage of production. End the tour with a visit to a small museum of contemporary ceramic art.
Free Time
There's something for everyone in Puebla. Spend some time at the Cholula Ruins, head out on a foodie tour, take a stroll around the city's central square, the Zócalo to see the beautiful Puebla Cathedral or search for some beautiful Mexican souvenirs to bring home. You have half the day at your leisure, discover the city as you wish.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Puebla Food Tour
Dive into Puebla's foodie paradise on this walking tour. Your local cuisine loving guides will take you around La Acocota, the oldest market in the city, to enjoy the tastes of at least six local foods. Puebla is known for Mexican staples such as tacos and the city itself actually invented "tacos árabes". Tacos árabes are sure to make your mouth water with the star being its spit-roasted pork. Continue through the market feasting on fried masa (corn), and learning about what ingredients go into typical Mexican dishes. End the tour with pan dulce, delicious Mexican pastries, and try some tasty artisan candies made by the nuns of Puebla.
Please note that prices for this tour will vary depending on which restaurants you choose.
Cholula Ruins Visit
85MXN per personAlso known as Tlachihualtepetl, Cholula is a massive archaeological site west of Puebla. Dating from at least 100AD, it’s the oldest continuously occupied ceremonial centre in the western hemisphere. Most impressive is the Great Pyramid of Cholula – a tall grass-covered structure which is actually at least four successive pyramids built one on top of the other. The Spanish built a church at the very top in 1594. Visit the museum to learn about the history, explore tunnels, and climb to the top for breathtaking views of nearby volcanoes.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Puebla/Oaxaca
It’s on to Oaxaca today, but first we’ll stop en route to learn about alebrijes at an artisan community. Enjoy a guided walk around the main square in Oaxaca before exploring the culinary scene with a local host. End the experience in a local family’s kitchen for a taste of some delicious Oaxacan dishes; it’s a day of food and culture.
Oaxaca is known for its culinary delights and artisans who make just about everything! Today, you’ll enjoy many opportunities to taste and observe cuisine and culture in this vibrant community. From elaborate weavings to mezcal, the great cousin of tequila, there will be no shortage of things to do.
Oaxaca Culinary Experience
Explore the culinary delights of Oaxaca with this immersive foodie experience. Visit the local market with a local guide to see the chocolate grinding mills and tortilla-making workshop. Then visit the home of a local family and taste an array of local cuisine, learn traditional cooking methods, and discuss the food culture in Oaxaca.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Oaxaca Orientation Walk
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.
Your G for Good Moment: Alebrijes Artisan Community Visit
Alebrijes were created by a Mexican artisan named Pedro Linares who was known for making piñatas and carnival masks. After falling ill and hallucinating crazy figures and creatures inside his mind, the artist decided to bring what he saw to life by creating the small figurines we know as Alebrijes. Often made of a mash-up between animals, these figurines are now made by Oaxacan artisans out of wood and then painted with vibrant pigments and lots of patterns. Learn more about how these figurines integrated themselves into Oaxacan/Mexican folklore and how the craft expanded from originally being made from cardboard to now being carved from Copal wood. Meet a local artisan and speak with them, ask any questions the group may have and to learn more about how the Alebrijes are crafted.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 7Oaxaca
Tour one of Mexico’s best known archaeological sites; the ruins of Mitla. Before returning to Oaxaca we’ll stop at a mezcal factory for a taste of Tequila’s cousin made from the agave plant. Enjoy a free evening in Oaxaca to lay low or head out for a fun night.
Valley of Mitla Ruins Visit
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.
Free Time
Choose to put your feet up after a long day or to head out and explore the nightlife.
Private Vehicle
A busy day of sightseeing made comfortable with the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Foodie Moment: Mezcal Factory Tour
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.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Oaxaca/Mexico City
This morning is yours to enjoy. Walk among the plazas and pyramids of the Monte Albán ruins, or choose to visit the Museum of Oaxacan Cultures. Feeling hungry? Try learning how to make mole sauce; or people watch in a café in Oaxaca’s main square. In the afternoon, hop on a flight back to Mexico City where you can choose to enjoy a final night out with your group.
Free Time
Soak up a bit more of the vibrant culture in Oaxaca before your afternoon flight to Mexico City.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Monte Albán Tour
950MXN per personThe 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.
Mole-Making Class
1200MXN per personLearn to make the traditional sauce of mole, made with an assortment of chilis and chocolate. Sample your mouth-watering creation when you're done.
Cultural Museum of Oaxaca
80MXN per personSpend a couple of hours wandering through the Cultural Museum of Oaxaca, which lives in the historical monastery buildings attached to the Templo de Santo Domingo. This museum displays the rich culture of Oaxaca's present and past. With treasures dating back to the 14th-century history buffs are sure to enjoy this one. Stroll through halls from the pre-Hispanic to colonial periods, to the independence era and the present day.
Please note that this museum is currently closed due to the ongoing pandemic and a reopening date has not been decided on yet.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Mexico City
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.