Highlights
- Tour Spanish colonial Valladolid and its historic churches
- Visit ancient Maya ruins at Ek' Balam and swim in cenotes
- Marvel at El Castillo, the iconic pyramid at Chichén Itzá
- 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 & Cenotes | Valladolid |
| Day 3 | Culture & Nature Tour of Yalcobá | Valladolid |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Izamal via Chichén Itzá | Izamal |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Mérida, Tour & Gastronomy Museum | Mérida |
| Day 6 | Mérida Street Food Tour | Mérida |
| Day 7 | Depart Mérida |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Cancún, Transfer to Valladolid, Walking Tour
Welcome to Mexico! This weeklong escape will take you to Yucatán, a peninsular region in the southeast of the country. Though most famous for its Caribbean beaches on the east side, the interior and north of the region boast incredible wonders ranging from Spanish colonial cities to an ancient Maya pyramid listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. You'll see all this and more during your time here.
You'll arrive at the airport in Cancún. At the terminal, 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.
Later, you'll meet an expert guide and stretch your legs 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 Canton. 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 & Cenotes
In the morning, you'll meet your driver for the ride about 30 minutes north to the archaeological site of Ek' Balam, which means "black jaguar" in ancient Mayan. The name refers to the Maya king who constructed this city, and during its heyday, between the seventh and 10th centuries CE, it was the capital of the entire political region. On a one-hour tour led by an expert guide, you'll visit highlight ruins, including temples, a ball court, and an acropolis.
Afterward, you'll ride a bicycle (or take a bike taxi) along an ancient, 1.5-mile-long stone path called a sacbé (white road). This causeway leads to Cenote X'Canché, a limestone sinkhole fed by the largest underground aquifer in the world. After a traditional Yucatecan lunch, you'll dive into X'Canché for a swim before returning to Valladolid.
Day 3: Culture & Nature Tour of Yalcobá
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Transfer to Izamal via Chichén Itzá
Wake up early and meet your driver for the transfer west from Valladolid to Izamal, the famous "Yellow City of the Yucatán." The drive to this well-preserved colonial town only takes a couple of hours, but you'll stop about 45 minutes outside of Valladolid at one of Mexico's most awe-inspiring sites: Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Here, you'll meet an expert guide and embark on a two-hour tour of this 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 the tour, 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 a short drive to the rural community of Yokdzonot. In 2005, a group of women residents transformed the cenote in their village into a unique eco-tourism site. The result is one of the most beautiful lagoons in Mexico—and you can dive in for a swim. Afterward, you'll continue to Izamal and check into your hotel. Then enjoy one last tour to see Izamal's grand historical 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.
Day 5: Transfer to Mérida, Tour & Gastronomy Museum
In the morning, you'll transfer an hour west from Izamal to Mérida, the capital of Mexico's Yucatán region. After checking in to your hotel, you can head out and explore. Mérida's history runs deep, evident by the historic landmarks and plazas around town. It was founded in 1542 over the ancient Maya city of T'ho, with the Spanish leveling that city's five pyramids. Then, in 1598, they unsubtly used the pyramid remains to build Mérida's Cathedral. The famous church remains to this day, its twin belltowers looming large over the Plaza Grande, the city's main square.
Sample some of the plaza's street food, followed by a stroll around the Centro Histórico to admire the colorful colonial architecture. Then, venture down the iconic Paseo de Montejo, with its opulent mansions and museums, stopping at the Palacio Cantón. Head to the Santa Lucía neighborhood, another historic enclave, to relax in the tranquil Parque de Santa Lucía and admire the historic red church.
Later, immerse yourself in the rich culinary history of Yucatán at the Museum of Yucatecan Gastronomy (MUGY) in downtown Mérida. Housed in a charming Spanish colonial house, this unique restaurant/museum allows you to both taste and learn about traditional Yucatecan flavors amid a vast collection of traditional cooking utensils, recipes, and historical artifacts. In addition to savoring dishes like cochinita pibil (slow-roasted suckling pig), you can participate in interactive cooking workshops and witness various exhibits showcasing the evolution of food production from ancient times to modern days.
Day 6: Mérida Street Food Tour
Today you'll hit the colonial streets of Mérida's Centro Histórico once again as you 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.
After the food tour, you'll have the rest of the day free in Mérida. If you like, continue the food-and-drink theme with a tequila and mezcal tour. Or travel to one of the many cenotes just outside the city. One great options is Cenotes Hacienda Mucuyché. This historic site includes the remains of an 18th-century hacienda and plantation, plus two stunning cenotes. While here, you can take a dip in the sapphire-blue waters of cenotes Azul Maya and Carlota.
Day 7: Depart Mérida
This week of incredible adventures in the Yucatán has, unfortunately, come to an end. In the morning, your driver will transfer you to the airport in Mérida, where you'll catch your flight home. Adiós!
More Great Mexico Itineraries
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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