Mexico City &
The Yucatán Peninsula
12 Days
Mexico City & The Yucatán Peninsula
12 Days
Destinations: Mexico City – Hot Air Balloon at Teotihuacan – Tacos Tour – Valladolid – Chichén Itzá – Holbox Island
Highlights
- From as little as $250 USD per person/day
DAY 1 - Transfer from Mexico City Airport to Hotel in Mexico City
Welcome to Mexico!
Upon arrival at the Mexico City International Airport, you’ll be met by your private driver and transferred to your hotel.
DAY 2 - History, Culture & Gastronomy in Mexico City
Today you’ll taste the best street food in the city while discovering the vibrant atmosphere of Mexico City’s historic center. Along the guided walking tour, you’ll stroll past highlights like the Alameda Central Park (the oldest public garden in the Americas) and the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Continue along the bustling pedestrian street of Madero to reach the grand Plaza de la Constitución, better known as Zócalo. This heart of the city is home to some of its most important buildings and monuments—including the Metropolitan Cathedral, the ancient Aztec archaeological site of Templo Mayor, and the 16th-century Palacio Nacional.
Along the way, you’ll make lots of different stops to taste some of the local gastronomy. Try some tacos al pastor, (pork tacos), huitlacoche quesadillas (made with corn mushroom), and fresh tamales, finishing off the tour with a traditional dessert or some sweet churros to finish with a traditional dessert or some delicious churros. The gastronomy of the Aztec capital is so varied that your guide can easily adapt the tour to your interests and tastes.
- Private tour
DAY 3 - Mexico City: Xochimilco, Coyoacan & Casa Azul Museum
Today. you will visit one of the most emblematic areas of Mexico City: The canals of Xochimilco. Xochimilco, means the ‘Place of the Flowers’ in Náhuatl, the canals are the last reminder of the rivers that once crossed the valley floor of Tenochtitlan – which is now modern-day Mexico City. Today, visitors can explore the canals while on a colorful boat called a trajinera (a wooden boat painted in colorful colors)
Afterward, you will visit the bohemian neighborhood of Coyoacán, or “the place of coyotes,” in Nahuatl, which is a relatively quiet neighborhood in central Mexico City. Formerly a rural village, over the years Coyoacán has become a rich pocket of art and history in Mexico’s capital. You will explore this typically Mexican neighborhood with its many museums, cafés, bookstores, and markets to uncover its history.
Finally, you will visit the Casa Azul, where the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo spent most of her life, having lived in the same house until her death. You will see pictures, photographs, and personal items that belonged to her and fellow artist Diego Rivera, as well as her studio, kitchen, bedroom, and, of course, the beautiful garden in the courtyard. Afterward, head back to your hotel in Mexico City.
DAY 4 - See Teotihuacan by Hot Air Balloon & Narvarte At Night
View Teotihuacan, an ancient Mesoamerican city located northeast of Mexico City, from great heights today with a hot air balloon flight. Your guide will show you the process of how they set up the balloon while you enjoy coffee and cookies.
Once in the hot air balloon basket, you’ll begin the unforgettable ascent as other balloons with different designs and colors join you. Marvel at the views, the beauty, and the tranquility of the valley as you soar toward the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Teotihuacan. Once there, you will fly very close to the majestic Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon and have a bird’s eye view of the famous Avenue of the Dead, as well as other important buildings of the site. After enjoying spectacular views across Teotihuacan and the valley, you’ll begin the flight back, where a delicious breakfast awaits upon landing.
At night you will enjoy Mexico City in a completely different way. Narvarte is known throughout Mexico City for its tacos, and you’ll kick off the tour with a visit to a neighborhood taquería that specializes in volcanes, a type of crispy tortilla cooked on a charcoal flame, smothered in cheese and poblano peppers. From there you’ll try tacos al pastor—picture a big outdoor roasting spit, shooting flames—and suadero tacos from vendors who’ve been in the neighborhood for decades. You’ll visit a lively cantina to learn more about Mexico City cantina culture, where we’ll toss back a chela, slang for cold beer, or a cocktail if you wish. And we’ll finish by trying a flight of small-batch, artisanal mezcals in a cozy neighborhood restaurant, part of a private mezcal tasting led by a local chef and expert. If you want a tour that combines food, culture, and drinks, this is not to be missed!
Rated 5-stars by more than 1,500 travellers on Tripadvisor.
(4.8)
travelers
Victoria O.
September, 2022
Two Weeks in Mexico
Tripadvisor Review of Rutopia
Kris S.
April, 2022
Enjoyed using Rutopia
Kimkim Review of Rutopia
Melissa W.
July, 2022
Adventures in the Yucatán!
Tripadvisor Review of Rutopia
Cat839
April, 2022
Great experience with this agency, totally recommend!
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Sue G
June, 2022
Mayan Site Tour in Yucatan Penninsula Mexico
Kimkim Review of Rutopia
Varadarajan
July, 2022
Fantastic Will do it again
Tripadvisor Review of Rutopia
Elena R.
April, 2022
A literally perfect trip to the Yucatan peninsula
Tripadvisor Review of Rutopia
David
July, 2022
Journey to Mexico City, Cholula and Cuetzalan
Tripadvisor Review of Rutopia
DaniEla
March, 2022
Just wonderful!
We had an amazing trip excellent organized by Jorge and supervised by Melina from Rutopia. We spent 10 days in Mexico, starting in Ciudad de Mexico where we visited the amazing Teotihuacan and then we flew to Yucatan for the amazing sites of Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Ek Balam, Tulum, Merida, Valladolid and the great Island Holbox. The trip was perfectly organized, the hotels were very good, and the guides were carefully chosen. We highly recommend Rutopia and especially Jorge!
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Bikø J
November, 2021
Chiapas, Neri and her family
Tripadvisor Review of Rutopia
Alexhcros1500
March, 2021
Super local agency
Tripadvisor Review of Rutopia
Mikel D
April, 2021
The best moment lived in Mexico
Tripadvisor Review of Rutopia
Claudia A
September, 2020
Super organization, great accommodations and nice team
Tripadvisor Review of Rutopia
pascalrichard0304
March, 2020
Circuit in Yucatan
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Sabrina N
March, 2020
Perfect
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DAY 5 - From Mexico City to Valladolid
There are many riches that make Valladolid a “Pueblo Magico”. Among these are its beautiful streets, churches, gastronomy, and people.
To fully experience the city, visit La Calzada de Los Frailes, where you can spend your day strolling along an iconic pastel-colored street. It was built in the 16th century to unite Valladolid with the town of Sisal. The street starts in the corner of the Cinco Calles and ends in the former convent of San Beradino de Siena. You’ll find plenty of boutiques and charming sports for coffee lovers.
- Flight between Mexico City and Cancun
DAY 6 - Cultural & natural immersion in Yalcobá
Visit the Mayan community of Yalcobá in Valladolid, Yucatán and enjoy a day of cultural immersion. You will have a full day full of adventure and fun, because here, you will have a guided tour through the Milpa and the Mayan Forest, you will explore caves, get to know wonderful virgin cenotes where you can swim. Finally, you will have the opportunity to visit the handicrafts workshop that stands out for its jewelry from bull horn and weaved hammocks. Mayan gastronomy is another of the many treasures you will find in this town, so you will participate in a delicious gastronomic workshop that will allow you to learn about the regional food.
- Private tour
DAY 7 - Visit Chichen Itza and swim in the mystical cenote of Yokdzonot
Today you will meet your local guide to visit the archaeological site of Chichen Itza. This pre-Hispanic city is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was once the most revered centre of worship and pilgrimage on the Yucatan Peninsula.
Then, you will have lunch and swim in the cenote of Yokdzonot. In 2005, a group of women from the rural community of Yokdzonot, Yucatan, organized to transform the Mayan cenote of their village into a unique ecotourism site. The cenotes were the main source of water supply in the middle of the Mayan jungle, which motivated the development of cities and settlements. They were also seen as symbolic settings and spaces for rain, life, death, rebirth and fertility rituals. This is why they were so sacred to this culture. This cenote is quite unknown, so it is not as crowded as others and its waters have a cool temperature to mitigate the heat outside. Back to Valladolid.
- Private tour
DAY 8 - Holbox Island and its bioluminescence, a natural spectacle
A private driver will pick you up at your hotel in Valladolid to take you to Chiquilá where you will take the ferry to Holbox. (2 hrs 15 min drive) The Ferry to Holbox is a shared transfer with a duration of 30 minutes. Your driver will give you your tickets and take you to the correct dock where you’ll go onboard the ferry. Check-in.
In the late afternoon, you will enjoy a unique experience. Admire the Holbox night sky and look into the glowing eyes of its sea. Marvel at the divinity that is the bioluminescence of the sea, the celestial vault and the large number of stars and lights created by sea creatures seen only on a clear night. It’s a short and easy paddle (no experience needed). You will star gaze, looking for constellations, clusters and galaxies. If you are lucky, you may spot a shooting star!
- Private tour
Let's plan your trip
DAY 9 + DAY 10 - Holbox Island
These days are free to spend them however you want on the peaceful island of Holbox. Choose one of the many beautiful white sand beaches to soak up some sunshine, swim in turquoise waters, and recharge your batteries. As cars are not allowed on the island, you will also have the option to rent a bicycle or a golf cart to travel around and explore the less crowded areas. Other great options include walking around town, browsing the street art for souvenirs, or simply relaxing at one of the many cafés.
- Private tour
DAY 11 - Explore Cabo Catoche
Today’s adventure begins at the “Whale Shark Jetty”, from where you will head to the northern area of Cabo Catoche. An exotic trip where you will see dolphins and other marine creatures.
The captain and the guides are experts and will choose the perfect spot to fish, they will advise you and teach you the most used and ancient techniques of bottom fishing (with ropes, without rods) you will be able to catch good size fish to prepare a delicious ceviche.
- Private tour
DAY 12 - Transfer to Cancun International Airport
A taxi driver will take you to the port of Holbox to take the ferry back to Chiquilá.
From Chiquilá a driver will take you to the airport of Cancun in 3 hours before taking your flight.
- Private transfer
Create your Mexican adventure!
Our team will help you with free destination advice, activity ideas and provide full costings.
So you can stop dreaming and start packing!
See more itinerary examples
History in Tulum
- Tulum Archaeological Site
- The Mayan underworld
- Explore Coba by bike
- Punta Laguna Nature Reserve
- Float in the Biosphere Reserve
Yucatan Peninsula
- Gastronomic workshop
- Canal float
- Cultural immersion
- Calakmul Biosphere Reserve
- Bacalar Lagoon catamaran
Culture & Natural Immersion
- Explore subterranean world
- Archaeological site of Tulum
- Swimming with beautiful turtles
- 7-color lagoon of Bacalar
- Swimming with Whale Sharks