Your family will enjoy this active and engaging experience in the Yucatan that takes you away from the crowds of the other nearby beaches and resorts. Your family will enjoy a variety of activities learning to cook, not Mexican food but the food of the Yucatan, hiking, canoeing, and swimming in cenotes just as the early explorers of this region. Learn how the Mayas lived years ago and walk in their footsteps. Enjoy the colonial architecture, and local wildlife all while you spend some good quality time with your family. This trip is customizable and activities can be rearranged based on your family’s interests. We think this trip is also great for adult only departures.
Depending on arrival time, get out and begin exploring some of the city. Rest of the day at leisure.
Meals
Dinner
Lodging
Hotel Casa del Balam, Hacienda Misne (or similar)
BDay 2Market Tour and Cooking Class
Go on a local treasure hunt today! Start by exploring the local food market and find foods that are on your treasure checklist. Then, cook and enjoy a meal together. Enjoy watching (or join in on) a possible salsa experience (depending on performance schedules available closer to the trip date).
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Hotel Casa del Balam, Hacienda Misne (or similar)
CDay 3Villages, Mayapan Ancient Ruins, and Swimming
Today begins with a visit to the town of Acanceh where you will visit the village’s church, the market, and the pyramids that are located in the main square. About 10 minutes further is another village, Ek Kanan, where we will see German Gothic Style church dating from the 18th Century and now a museum.
Our next stop is Mayapan, an incredible archeological site located in central Yucatan where you’ll explore and learn about the architecture of the Maya in the Late Post-Classic period. The Maya were masters of math, astronomy, and architecture. Visit the Temple of Kukulcan and the Observatory, which are similar to Chichen-Itza, but on a smaller scale and much less visited.
Later, we will visit Cenotes Hacienda Mucuyche and learn of this 17th Century ranch. We will swim in the cenotes, where you will learn of the history, magic, and adventure of these cave systems and their meaning for the Mayan.
Become explorers for the day, learning about ancient Maya rituals and meanings in nature. Returning to Merida, the evening is at your leisure. There are wonderful music and dance events in the streets of Merida to enjoy!
Meals
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch
Lodging
Hotel Casa del Balam, Hacienda Misne (or similar)
DDay 4Celestun, Flamingos, Birds, Boat and the Beach
Today, experience nature at its finest by visiting the Celestun Biosphere Reserve, a large coastal wetland and wildlife refuge. Join locals belonging to a local cooperative who will take you in canoes and kayaks to explore ecosystems including mangroves, coastal areas, lagoons, and beaches. During the winter months, this region attracts the second-largest greater flamingo population in America. In addition to the flamingos, this is an ideal region for bird watching in general. After your boat and nature excursion, head to the beach to have a seafood lunch in a small palapa on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. The evening in Merida is free; a great option is to watch the “Vaqueria,” a traditional and colorful dance of Yucatan, in the central plaza!
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Hotel Casa del Balam, Hacienda Misne (or similar)
EDay 5Puuc Hills, Cacao Museum, Uxmal
Say goodbye to Merida and begin your journey to the Puuc Hills, land of the Classic Era Maya. Settle into the Lodge at Uxmal and enjoy a pollo pibil lunch in a Maya hut before relaxing and swimming in the hotel pool. In the late afternoon, visit the Cacao Museum to learn about the ancient Maya and their ceremonial use of the plant. At night, experience the Uxmal Light and Sound show.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
The Lodge at Uxmal
FDay 6Uxmal Site
Visit the site of Uxmal this morning, when it is cool and less crowded. Explore some of the nooks and crannies of this ancient Maya ruin before departing to visit a modern Maya community where you’ll spend the afternoon with families. Return to Merida in the late afternoon.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Hotel Casa del Balam, Hacienda Misne (or similar)
GDay 7Sotuta de Peon, Izamal
Begin the day with a journey to explore a living plantation where sisal fiber is stripped from the agave plant to make twine and rope. These plantations in Yucatan supplied the entire rope industry, particularly important in shipbuilding, until the early 1900s. Try your hand at making a rope to see how it was done “back in the day.” Ride a mule cart, the traditional mode for transporting the fibers and ropes. The mule cart will carry you to a refreshing cenote, where you’ll enjoy a swim in a cave. These water-filled sinkholes carry special significance to the Maya.
Later, visit the Golden City of Izamal to learn about its history and tour this charming town. See how the Spanish built directly on top of the former Mayan cities. It is a strong visual of one of the greatest clashes of culture in world history. After touring, settle into a favorite traditional Yucatecan restaurant, Kinich, to eat some of the best traditional Yucatecan cuisines on the Peninsula. Cochinita pibil, queso relleno, and papadzules are some famed dishes. Return to Merida, where your last evening is free to explore and to say goodbye to your favorite places.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Hotel Casa del Balam, Hacienda Misne (or similar)
HDay 8Depart for Home
Say goodbye to Merida and the Yucatan. Transfer to the airport and depart for home.
Meals
Breakfast
Anticipated plan; actual route and program may vary.
Your family will enjoy this active and engaging experience in the Yucatan that takes you away from the crowds of the other nearby beaches and resorts. Your family will enjoy a variety of activities learning to cook, not Mexican food but the food of the Yucatan, hiking, canoeing, and swimming in cenotes just as the early explorers of this region. Learn how the Mayas lived years ago and walk in their footsteps. Enjoy the colonial architecture, and local wildlife all while you spend some good quality time with your family. This trip is customizable and activities can be rearranged based on your family’s interests. We think this trip is also great for adult only departures.
Depending on arrival time, get out and begin exploring some of the city. Rest of the day at leisure.
Meals
Dinner
Lodging
Hotel Casa del Balam, Hacienda Misne (or similar)
BDay 2Market Tour and Cooking Class
Go on a local treasure hunt today! Start by exploring the local food market and find foods that are on your treasure checklist. Then, cook and enjoy a meal together. Enjoy watching (or join in on) a possible salsa experience (depending on performance schedules available closer to the trip date).
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Hotel Casa del Balam, Hacienda Misne (or similar)
CDay 3Villages, Mayapan Ancient Ruins, and Swimming
Today begins with a visit to the town of Acanceh where you will visit the village’s church, the market, and the pyramids that are located in the main square. About 10 minutes further is another village, Ek Kanan, where we will see German Gothic Style church dating from the 18th Century and now a museum.
Our next stop is Mayapan, an incredible archeological site located in central Yucatan where you’ll explore and learn about the architecture of the Maya in the Late Post-Classic period. The Maya were masters of math, astronomy, and architecture. Visit the Temple of Kukulcan and the Observatory, which are similar to Chichen-Itza, but on a smaller scale and much less visited.
Later, we will visit Cenotes Hacienda Mucuyche and learn of this 17th Century ranch. We will swim in the cenotes, where you will learn of the history, magic, and adventure of these cave systems and their meaning for the Mayan.
Become explorers for the day, learning about ancient Maya rituals and meanings in nature. Returning to Merida, the evening is at your leisure. There are wonderful music and dance events in the streets of Merida to enjoy!
Meals
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch
Lodging
Hotel Casa del Balam, Hacienda Misne (or similar)
DDay 4Celestun, Flamingos, Birds, Boat and the Beach
Today, experience nature at its finest by visiting the Celestun Biosphere Reserve, a large coastal wetland and wildlife refuge. Join locals belonging to a local cooperative who will take you in canoes and kayaks to explore ecosystems including mangroves, coastal areas, lagoons, and beaches. During the winter months, this region attracts the second-largest greater flamingo population in America. In addition to the flamingos, this is an ideal region for bird watching in general. After your boat and nature excursion, head to the beach to have a seafood lunch in a small palapa on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. The evening in Merida is free; a great option is to watch the “Vaqueria,” a traditional and colorful dance of Yucatan, in the central plaza!
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Hotel Casa del Balam, Hacienda Misne (or similar)
EDay 5Puuc Hills, Cacao Museum, Uxmal
Say goodbye to Merida and begin your journey to the Puuc Hills, land of the Classic Era Maya. Settle into the Lodge at Uxmal and enjoy a pollo pibil lunch in a Maya hut before relaxing and swimming in the hotel pool. In the late afternoon, visit the Cacao Museum to learn about the ancient Maya and their ceremonial use of the plant. At night, experience the Uxmal Light and Sound show.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
The Lodge at Uxmal
FDay 6Uxmal Site
Visit the site of Uxmal this morning, when it is cool and less crowded. Explore some of the nooks and crannies of this ancient Maya ruin before departing to visit a modern Maya community where you’ll spend the afternoon with families. Return to Merida in the late afternoon.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Hotel Casa del Balam, Hacienda Misne (or similar)
GDay 7Sotuta de Peon, Izamal
Begin the day with a journey to explore a living plantation where sisal fiber is stripped from the agave plant to make twine and rope. These plantations in Yucatan supplied the entire rope industry, particularly important in shipbuilding, until the early 1900s. Try your hand at making a rope to see how it was done “back in the day.” Ride a mule cart, the traditional mode for transporting the fibers and ropes. The mule cart will carry you to a refreshing cenote, where you’ll enjoy a swim in a cave. These water-filled sinkholes carry special significance to the Maya.
Later, visit the Golden City of Izamal to learn about its history and tour this charming town. See how the Spanish built directly on top of the former Mayan cities. It is a strong visual of one of the greatest clashes of culture in world history. After touring, settle into a favorite traditional Yucatecan restaurant, Kinich, to eat some of the best traditional Yucatecan cuisines on the Peninsula. Cochinita pibil, queso relleno, and papadzules are some famed dishes. Return to Merida, where your last evening is free to explore and to say goodbye to your favorite places.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging
Hotel Casa del Balam, Hacienda Misne (or similar)
HDay 8Depart for Home
Say goodbye to Merida and the Yucatan. Transfer to the airport and depart for home.
Meals
Breakfast
Anticipated plan; actual route and program may vary.
Rates Per Person
Need to Know
Rates Per Person -
Adults (Ages 12+), group size of 2-4
$3,525
Adults (Ages 12+), group size of 5-6
$2995
Children Ages 7-12 (when sharing with 2 full paying adults)
$2,550
The trip is available for custom & private adventures, and the final cost of a custom trip will be based on the activities selected, trip duration, accommodations, etc. Child prices can apply and reduce trip costs where rooms are shared. This covers accommodations, transfers, activities, touring, guide services, and meals as described in the full itinerary.
Developing an initial custom trip itinerary is a service we provide to all clients at no cost. If after the development of the initial itinerary you request additional development but are not ready to make a deposit, a trip planning fee may apply.
Please note that this trip operates under different payment and cancellation policies than those described in our complete Terms & Conditions as noted on our website and elsewhere. Please review the complete Terms & Conditions prior to submitting a deposit.
Expenses covered
Normally, our stated land costs include the cost of all guides, leaders, permits obtained after arrival, lodging accommodations, food and entry fees as specified, and all surface transportation associated with the planned itinerary. We do our best to avoid increasing prices after receipt of your deposit, but, rarely, factors beyond our control might require us to change our prices without prior notice, even after you have signed up.
Expenses not covered
Costs not included in the price may include: meals not indicated as included in itineraries; meals prior to arrival in starting cities; transfers, if not arriving or departing on the scheduled group flights; soft drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages; medical expenses, costs of hospitalization, or evacuation from remote areas; laundry; airport departure taxes not included on your airline ticket; accommodations en route to starting cities; visas; airfares; gratuities; and insurance.
Deposit and payment schedule
$800 per person per trip or the applicable amount based on the trip and the proximity of the departure date. (Note: this schedule supersedes that listed in the general Terms and Conditions.) A second deposit of $1000 per person is due four months prior to departure, and the final payment for land arrangements is due 60 days prior to departure. Any applicable permit fees required in advance are non-refundable as well. Airlines require full payment when tickets are issued. The deposit may be made by Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express, or check, and the Reservation Form may be submitted via our website. Full payment schedule and cancellation penalties are described in our Terms and Conditions as noted on our website, and elsewhere. Please request these if you do not have them before advancing a deposit.
Airfare
We can help you secure air travel arrangements to correspond with land travel booked through Journeys International. We work with an airfare consolidator to assist in booking the flights that suit your needs. If you decide to make your own flight arrangements, you must provide Journeys International with a complete copy of your itinerary showing departure and arrival flights and times. You should plan to arrange your own air travel if you are using mileage credit or originating outside North America, but please be in touch with our office before you finalize ticketing so that we can help you to coordinate the correct arrival and departure dates and times.
Insurance
When you make your reservation, we strongly recommend the purchase of comprehensive travel insurance in case of emergency situations. Please contact us for a recommended policy.
Itinerary Change Fee
There will be a $40 fee for changes once an itinerary has been confirmed and approved. Additional cancellation penalties or change fees may apply as per our terms and conditions. The passenger is responsible for such fees.
Duration 8 Days
The number of days, or duration, in a destination corresponds with the itinerary as published. This is the time period covered by the land cost.
Group Size From 2 - 14
The stated range indicates minimum required for guaranteed departure and maximum accepted on the scheduled dates. Exceptions can often be made for private departures.
Comfort Level
Superior
Activity Level
Active
Why Journeys International
Our purpose is to understand the journey you are on – not just the vacation you want to take – and to help you on your way.
We are here to help you plan the trip that will move you closer to your goals and help you fulfill your dreams.
We are here to help you plan a more inspiring, more provocative, more breathtaking, more transformational adventure.
We say “adventure” and not “trip” because, for us, a trip is just going someplace else, but an adventure is an experience that takes you someplace beyond your comfort zone – and therefore maximizes the potential for wonder, discovery, and potentially transformation.
Why trust Journeys to plan that kind of experience with you?
Journeys is an award-winning industry-leader with more than 40 years in business planning creative and thoughtful adventures in interesting places around the world
Our staff is professional and devoted, with adventure specialists in Ann Arbor and guides in the field who take pride in traveler satisfaction; many stay with us for decades
Our Ecological Code of Ethics has long stood as a model for others, and our Earth Preservation Fund puts our money where our mouth is
We go to the farthest corners of the earth – you’ll see some pretty remote destinations on our list, and if you want to challenge us with something new, we’ll likely be willing (though we’ll make sure you know if we’ve never experienced it firsthand)
We’re real people like you, starting with the real person who will answer the phone, right through the owner, Robin Pollak, who you can talk to any time you want (or even her parents, Joan & Will Weber, who started the company!)
We ask lots of questions and get to know you as well as possible to we can design the best experience for YOU
Your unique itinerary includes sites, accommodations, activities, and meetings with people hand selected for personal goals, passions, interests and abilities
Your personal adventure specialist stays with you from trip planning through departure to answer all your questions – promptly – and make sure every detail is handled so you are well prepared for your trip
Our partners on the ground in your destination will welcome you as a friend of a friend; we’ve been working with many of them for ages
We’re open and clear, and offer a complete picture of what you can expect while traveling. We don’t want to make an easy sale; we want to make an honest one.
24-hour emergency phone support while traveling
We’ll be excited to hear about the trip when you get back, and take all feedback seriously
Our travelers come back again and again, for five, ten, or more adventures — and they trust us enough to send their friends to us, too
We love what we do, and we love sharing our common passion with you.