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> Viva Mexico: Ancient Ruins & the Mayan Riviera
Trip Style
18-to-Thirtysomethings
Departures
Budget
Affordable
Max. Group Size
18
Pace
Leisurely
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
CMMY
Overview
Read reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on G Adventures 14 Day Viva Mexico: Ancient Ruins & the Mayan Riviera. This 14-day adventure through the heart of Mexico has so much to love. Kicking off in its buzzing capital and wrapping up on the white sands of the Mayan Riviera, you’ll eat your way through endless tacos and mole, exploring the country’s epic mountains, jungles, and waterfalls too. Throw in some ancient Mayan ruins like Palenque and Chichen Itzá — not to mention storied traditions and some of the friendliest people ever — and you have yourself a...read more recipe for one tasty, tasty trip.
Itinerary
Arrive at any time. Stay: Hotel Benedicta
Start the adventure off with a CEO-led walking tour through La Condesa and Roma neighborhoods. Stroll past bohemian cafes, bars, and restaurants. Your CEO will grab some street food snacks for the group ranging from street tacos to chilaquiles. Savour whatever you sample as you continue to get to know the area. Finish up the tour near the giant Bosque de Chapultepec. Then, spend the afternoon trying out the optional activities in the area like a visit to the ruins of Teotihuacán. Stay: Hotel Benedicta
Hit the road and travel south to Oaxaca from Mexico City. Once the group arrives we will head out for an orientation walk to the main square and some of the nearby markets. Soak in your first experience of the vibrant culture in Oaxaca. Enjoy a free evening to do as you please. Perhaps, find a lively restaurant and give your tastebuds something to dance about. Stay: Hostal Don Nino
Today, enjoy a free day for optional activities in Oaxaca until late afternoon. Explore local taverns, discover the vibrant indigenous culture in the area, sample food from lively markets, try mole, and mezcal and fully experience the allure of this Mexican city. Later your CEO will accompany the group to the market where you can try a tlayuda, a toasted tortilla with tons of different toppings like refried beans, shredded cabbage, salsa, meat, and cheese. Cap off the day with a visit to a local chocolate-making shop and a free evening to keep the adventure going. Stay: Hostal Don Nino
The group will have additional free time today in Oaxaca for other optional activities. Afterwards, visit the Alebrijes Artisan Community for your G for Good moment. Meet a local artisan, speak with them, ask any questions the group may have, and learn more about how these handicrafts are made. In the evening board and overnight bus to San Cristobal.
Arrive early to Tuxtla Gutierrez, which is a city in southern Mexico and the capital of Chiapas. The group will travel by private bus to Sumidero Canyon for an included boat ride down the river. The trip is a few hours long and will take you through the canyon with some of the walls towering 2,500 feet above you. It’s sure to make you feel small. Keep a lookout for the wildlife in the area and try to spot caves as you journey on. Afterwards, continue on to San Cristobal de las Casas where you will stop for the evening. Stay: Hotel San Martin (B)
San Cristóbal de Las Casas is located in a high mountain valley at 2110m (6921 ft). Enjoy a free day to experience this city known for its 16th-century architecture. Opt to visit nearby indigenous Mayan villages to see their unique day-to-day, or visit Lagunas de Montebello National Park and the group of beautiful lakes near the Guatemalan border. You have a full day to do as you please and there are plenty of activities to try out. Stay: Hotel San Martin
Get ready for a full day of travel from San Cristóbal de Las Casas to Palenque. Along the way the group will stop to swim in the pristine turquoise waters of Roberto Barrios waterfall. Arrive to Palenque in the evening. Stay: Hotel Maya Tulipanes
Enjoy a guided tour of the impressive Mayan ruins of Palenque followed by free time for an optional jungle trail hike, or just relax at the hotel keeping an eye out for nearby birds and wildlife. Stay: Hotel Maya Tulipanes
Spend the day travelling to Bacalar in the eastern part of Mexico from Palenque. Sit back as the scenery changes outside your window and rest up for the next part of the trip. Stay: Bacalar Magico Hotel
Spend a full free day enjoying optional activities in the area, or just relax and keep the good vibes going. Stay: Bacalar Magico Hotel
The group is in for a treat this morning with an included boating adventure in the lagoon. In the afternoon it’s onward to Valladolid. Travel north and inland from Bacalar to a city on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Upon arrival your CEO will lead you on an orientation walk of the small Mayan town filled with quaint taverns, vibrant indigenous culture, and loads of street food vendors. Smell the delicious aromas as you walk and sample a few snacks along the way. Stay: Hotel Santa Ana
After a short, but sweet visit in Valladolid the group will travel to the Chichen Itzá ruins for a guided tour. These ruins hold the history, beliefs, and rituals that defined ancient Mayan civilization. See the Pyramid of Kukulcan, the famous Castillo, the cenote, and the Nunnery. Afterwards, travel to Tulum for a free evening. Tulum is filled with trendy beach clubs where you can dance the night away, or stretch out on white sand beaches to admire the colors at sunset. Stay: Hotel Casa Colonial
Depart at any time.
Trip Inclusions
- Hop on a boat tour and cruise through Sumidero Canyon.
- Listen for howler monkeys as you explore the Mayan ruins of Palenque in the jungle.
- Go for a dip in the Lagoon of the Seven Colours at Bacalar.
- Take a guided tour of Chichen Itzá.
- Your G for Good Moment: Alebrijes Artisan Community Visit, Oaxaca
- Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Foodie Moment: Oaxaca Market Visit With CEO, Oaxaca
- Your Discover Moment: San Cristobal de Las Casas - Free Time, San Cristóbal de Las Casas
- Your Big Night Out Moment: Tulum
- Mexico City street food crawl
- Alebrijes Artisan Community visit
- Boat trip to Sumidero Canyon
- Stop at Roberto Barrios Waterfall for a swim
- Tour the Mayan ruins in Palenque
- A boat adventure into a gorgeous lagoon in Bacalar
- Chichen Itzá ruins guided tour
- Free time in Mexico City, Oaxaca, Palenque, San Cristóbal de las Casas
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Simple hotels/hostels (12 Nights), overnight bus (1 Night)
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides
- 1 breakfast
- Public bus, private vehicle, overnight bus, walking
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
G's 18-to-Thirtysomethings
Built for young travellers ready to break free from the everyday grind, these trips bring together a safe and supportive group of like-minded people in their twenties and early thirties.
Connect on the First Night Out, explore with a Chief Experience Officer (CEO), enjoy free time, and celebrate unforgettable moments with new friends - without breaking the bank. Travel confidently, respectfully, and affordably.
Trip Reviews (1) Most Recent 'Viva Mexico: Ancient Ruins & the Mayan Riviera' Reviews
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Exploring Mexico 0
Lana , TAS, Australia, Sep 2024
I absolutely loved my time in Mexico! G Adventures was amazing and I would highly recommend them to anyone. My tour guide was so informative and made sure everyone had an amazing time. A high light of my trip was going on a party boat in Lake Bacalar and also visiting Chichen Itza as we learnt so much about the history.
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Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from G Adventures. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from G Adventures. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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