Highlights
- Visit Spanish colonial Valladolid and see historical churches
- Tour the ancient Maya ruins at Ek' Balam and Uxmal
- Enjoy a street food tour of Mérida, the Yucatán's capital
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Cancún, Transfer to Valladolid, Walking Tour | Valladolid |
| Day 2 | Day Trip to Ek' Balam | Valladolid |
| Day 3 | Yaxunah Agriculture Experience, Visit Lol-Ha Cenote | Valladolid |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Mérida via Chichén Itzá & Izamal | Mérida |
| Day 5 | Mérida Street Food Tour | Mérida |
| Day 6 | Day Trip to Uxmal, Visit the Choco-Story Museum | Mérida |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Cancún, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Cancún, Transfer to Valladolid, Walking Tour
Welcome to Mexico's famous Yucatán Peninsula! This region has long been popular with holidaymakers who come to enjoy the resorts and white-sand beaches on the famous Riviera Maya stretch of the Caribbean coast. This itinerary focuses more on the history and culture of the Yucatán, which is some of the richest and most captivating in all of Mexico.
You'll arrive at the airport in Cancún. From there, a driver will meet you for the 2.5-hour ride inland to Valladolid, a charming colonial city with well-preserved 16th-century landmarks. It's one of Mexico's celebrated Pueblos Mágicos (Magical Towns), a special designation the country has bestowed on some 132 places that have demonstrated historical importance, rich culture, great symbolism, and exceptional beauty. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel.
Don't get too comfy because soon you'll meet an expert guide and head out on a walking tour. Founded in 1543 and invaded several times by the Spanish, the city was the stage of vast confrontations between the Maya and the Conquistadores. Much colonial architecture remains today, and one of the finest examples is San Servacio Church, which dates to 1545 and overlooks the Parque Francisco Cantón. The tour also includes stops at the 16th-century Convent of San Bernardino de Siena and the colorful Calzada de Los Frailes, a cobblestone street lined with colorful shops, boutiques, and galleries.
Day 2: Day Trip to Ek' Balam
Day 3: Yaxunah Agriculture Experience, Visit Lol-Ha Cenote
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
After breakfast, you'll transfer about an hour west of Valladolid to the town of Yaxunah. The area has been a vital center of maíz (corn) production for thousands of years. Even today, this is a central crop (besides beans and squash) used in the intercropping milpa agricultural system developed by the ancient Maya. When you arrive, your guide will lead you on a 2.5 tour around the fields. During that time, you'll learn about the production process, from planting to harvesting to cleaning. You'll even sample traditional maíz beverages like pozol, pinole, and atole.
Later, you'll visit another highlight of Yaxunah: the Lol-Ha cenote. Meaning "water flower" in ancient Mayan, this gem is located right in the center of town. It's an open limestone sinkhole filled with shimmering blue waters just begging you to take a dip—which is precisely what you'll do. After a refreshing swim, you'll return to Valladolid.
Day 4: Transfer to Mérida via Chichén Itzá & Izamal
Wake up early and meet your driver for the transfer west from Valladolid to Mérida, the capital of Mexico's Yucatán region. The drive only takes a couple of hours, but you'll turn this relatively quick road trip into a full-day excursion with stops at some of the most stunning landmarks in the Yucatán.
Your first stop is about 45 minutes outside Valladolid at Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During its heyday (around 600-900 CE), this pre-Columbian Maya city was the most revered religious center and pilgrimage site in the Yucatán Peninsula. Its most iconic attraction is the pyramid of Kukulkán (El Castillo), built in honor of the feathered serpent god, an important deity to the Maya people. During a two-hour tour of the site, your expert guide will reveal the history and mythology of the ancient Maya world as you marvel at El Castillo.
From Chichén Itzá, it's another hour west to Izamal. This well-preserved colonial town is known as the "Yellow City of the Yucatán," as its historic buildings are painted canary yellow and surrounded by cobblestone streets. On a guided tour, you'll walk these streets as you visit grand historic landmarks like the Convent of San Antonio. Founded in 1553, its massive walled atrium covers 84,023 square feet (7,806 sq m), making it the second-largest in the world after St. Peter's Square. After touring Izamal, you'll continue to Mérida and check into your hotel.
Day 5: Mérida Street Food Tour
In the morning, you'll hit the colonial streets of Mérida's Centro Histórico (Historic Center) and discover the city's rich cultural heritage through its famous street food. This three-hour culinary adventure begins when you meet your local expert guide at the Plaza Grande, Mérida's central square. Start by enjoying some refreshing drinks before sampling your first dish of the day: gorditas (thick fried tortillas with various fillings).
Then, continue walking to one of the main food markets in town, where you'll sample more traditional dishes. You'll try salbutes (puffed deep-fried tortillas with avocado and shredded chicken), tamales (dough with various fillings steamed in corn husks or banana leaves), and also some local fruit like pitaya (dragon fruit). Finish the tour with a sampling of famous al pastor (roasted, seasoned pork) and carnitas (confit of pork) tacos.
Day 6: Day Trip to Uxmal, Visit the Choco-Story Museum
After breakfast, you'll hop in the car and transfer 1.5 hours south of Mérida to Uxmal, another of Mexico's important ancient Maya archaeological sites. Before entering the site, however, you'll visit nearby Choco-Story, a cacao (cocoa) museum. Cocoa is a fundamental ingredient in Mexican cuisine dating back to the days of the ancient Indigenous peoples. At this interactive museum, you'll learn the history of the cacao crop, plus taste a traditional spiced chocolate drink that the Maya enjoyed. You can even participate in a workshop and ancient Maya ceremony in honor of the god Chaac.
Then it's time to head into Uxmal. Located in the low hills of Yucatán's Puuc region, Uxmal's early structures here date to the sixth century CE, and the city was a major seat of power until its influence waned in the 10th century. Embedded in its ruins are ornate friezes, sculptures, and carvings that archaeologists regard as some of the finest architectural sculptures in the ancient Maya world. You'll see all this and more on a 1.5-hour guided tour. At the end of the day, you'll return to Mérida.
Day 7: Transfer to Cancún, Depart
Unfortunately, your week-long adventure in the Yucatán has reached its conclusion. In the morning, your driver will pick you up at the hotel for the 4.5-hour drive back to the airport in Cancún, where you'll catch your flight home. Safe travels!
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Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Mexico? Check out these other Mexico itineraries, explore different ways to spend a week in the Yucatán, or learn about the best time to visit Mexico.
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