Yucatan Peninsula Treasures with Beach Stay

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Cancun

  Welcome to Cancun, a Mexican city with endless miles of dreamy white-sand beaches, numerous resorts, and varied nightlife!

  Upon arrival, you will be greeted at the airport and then transferred to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is for you to relax on your own.

  • Cancun

• Day 2: Cancun - Merida, Archaeological Site of Chichen Itza

  About 2.5 hours' drive, you'll be taken to the archaeological site of Chichen Itza, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Boasting the best restored Mayan site in the Yucatan Peninsula, this site owns many stone buildings with exquisite decorative patterns. You can listen to a legendary story about human sacrifice when watching the Sacred Cenote, marvel at the perfect combination of astronomy and architectural craft in the Pyramid of Kukulcan, and learn the brutal rules of the ancient Mayan ball court at the Great Ball Court measuring 168 by 70 meters. After the tour, continue for another 1.5 hours' drive to your hotel in the colonial city of Merida.

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  • Merida

• Day 3: Merida

  Built more than 450 years ago, Merida is an ancient Mayan city renowned for its colonial charm and laid-back tempo. Besides, some of the natural attractions can be easily reached from Merida. A full day of free time is aside for you to explore the area according to your interests. Of course, you can also ask your travel consultant for some suggestions, such as walking around the center of Merida, watching pink flamingos at Celestun, or visiting the Hacienda Yaxcopoil and Cenotes.

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  • Merida

• Day 4: Merida - Campeche, Archaeological Sites of Uxmal and Kabah

  This morning you will visit the archaeological site of Uxmal, a World Heritage Site located 62km south of Merida. It is one of the few Mayan sites that look almost exactly as they were abandoned and features its ornate Puuc architecture style. From the oval House of the Magician standing above the lush rainforest, the Nunnery Quadrangle with exquisite carvings on the walls, the House of Turtles, and so on, you may find Chaac, a Maya god with a long-nose, is everywhere. Later on, proceed to the archaeological sites of Kabah to visit the Palace of the Masks to see nearly 300 masks of Chaac.

  Afterward, head to Campeche and enjoy a city tour before resting in your hotel. The fortification of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an outstanding defensive building system of the 17th and 18th centuries. The tour includes the Fuerte de San Jose, the Fuerte de San Miguel, the Baluarte de San Carlos, Baluarte de la Soledad, the Ex-Templo de San Jose, the Casa del Teniente del Rey, and the Cathedral.

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  • Campeche

• Day 5: Campeche - Chicanná, Archaeological Sites of Edzna & Chicanná

  Today, set off for a visit to the archaeological site of Edzna located 50km southeast of Campeche. The site, featuring elaborate underground systems, has not yet been taken over by crowded travelers due to its remote location. Here, you can learn more about Mayan history in the company of your knowledgeable tour guide. You will walk around this area to explore how the underground systems capture and retain rainwater during ancient times, go up to the Cinco Pisos inside the Gran Acropolis for a wide overview of the surroundings, step into the Temple of the Masks to appreciate stucco masks of the Sun God.

  Later, proceed to your hotel in Chicanná. Nearby the hotel is the archaeological site of Chicanná, renowned for its well-preserved doorways with interesting details. While roaming around this area, take some time to listen to the stories behind these architectures, especially Structure Ⅱ named "House of the Snake's Jaws".

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  • Chicanna

• Day 6: Chicanná, Archaeological Sites of Calakmul and Balamku

  Have a day trip today to Calakmul combined with Balamku. Calakmul, one of the most powerful cities in Mayan history, is hidden deeply in the UNESCO-designated Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. Its well-preserved buildings will provide a vivid picture of life in the ancient Mayan city while the surrounded forest will offer you a chance to see parrots, toucans, and other species of wildlife. Just a few miles north of the ruins of Calakmul is Balamku, a small Maya archaeological site that is different from others. Almost everyone who travels here is attracted by its well-preserved, exquisite stucco friezes, especially a 17-meter-long stucco frieze representing the relationship between Maya royalty and the Cosmos.

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  • Chicanna

• Day 7: Chicanná - Tulum, Kohunlich & Bacalar

  Today, drive to Tulum and stop at Kohunlich and Bacalar on the way. Kohunlich is a large archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization, covering about 85,000 square meters. The most remarkable building is the Temple of the Masks, built around 500 AD in honor of the Sun God. The followed by Bacalar is a small charming town standing out for the natural beauties. Upon arrival in Tulum, check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

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  • Tulum

• Day 8: Tulum

  Today is a free day for you. If you have no idea, why not visit the archaeological site of Tulum, located by the edge of the ocean? The main body of the site remains as it was discovered by the Spanish in the early 16th century. Before ending your exploration pay a visit to the Castle, a beautiful pyramid perched on the edge of a cliff high above the pearl-white beaches below. From there you can see most of the ancient city as well as a magnificent view of the Caribbean coastline.

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  • Tulum

• Day 9: Tulum

  Enjoy your free time lying on the beach to enjoy the natural landscape constituted by clear sky, blue sea, and white sand, or putting on your dive equipment to cenotes to explore the amazing underwater world - all depends on your interests.

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  • Tulum

• Day 10: Tulum, Departure

  Your Yucatan explorer journey comes to an end. Enjoy a leisure morning before being transferred to the airport for your departure flight.

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