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> Yucatan & Cancún: Merida, Mayan Ruins, & Beachside Livin'
Overview
Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on G Adventures 9 Day Yucatan & Cancún: Merida, Mayan Ruins, & Beachside Livin'. What’s the best way to top off your Yucatán adventure? Pshh, that’s easy: add a stop in Cancún! With some of Mexico’s best hostels as your home, explore the Yucatan Peninsula on this nine-day adventure that wraps up with beachside days in Cancún. Kicking off in Merida, visit the jungle for a swim in crystal clear cenotes. Next, go on a guided tour of the massive Mayan site of Chichen Itzá before descending into a cenote for an epic dinner of local dishes cooked over a fire. After read more a couple of days in chilled-out Tulum, head to Cancún for an insider's tour away from the resorts, and spend your free time relaxing at the beach, your hostel, or doing all sorts of optional activities.
Sold Out
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either the season has ended and new dates will be released soon, or the itinerary has been updated and isn’t operating this season.
Operator
G Adventures
Trip Style
Roamies
Accommodation
Hostels
Budget
Affordable
Age Range
18-35 Years
Max. Group Size
24
Pace
Leisurely
Guide Style
Fully Guided
Tour Code
CMYCHW
Itinerary
Arrive at any time, and kick back at the hostel or head out to explore the city before meeting up with fellow Roamies in the evening. Later on, head to one of the many bars and restaurants near the hostel for some eats and make sure to check out the main plaza at night.
Included Experiences
- Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Ok, so every day on this trip is amazing but we'll venture to say that this one is ridiculous. You'll explore some of the many cenotes in the area, giant sinkholes in the earth formed by underground freshwater rivers. Hop on a bike to cycle between a few of them and swim in the crystal-clear waters to take a break from the heat. After a yummy lunch, return to Mérida and spend the rest of the day wandering the city or relaxing in a hammock at the hostel. Sound about right?
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences
- Santa Barbara Cenotes Visit: Head out in the morning from Mérida into the jungle to a state reserve that is chock-full of cenotes, natural sinkholes in the earth that were sacred to the ancient Maya. Cycle between 3 of them and swim in the crystal clear water to cool off from the heat before a delicious lunch, then return to Mérida in the afternoon.
Ready for another epic day? Keep your sunscreen and the camera handy today as you'll be checking a major bucket item off of your list. Head into the jungle to the massive Mayan ruins of Chichen Itzá for a guided tour and time to walk around on your own. Then continue to Valladolid to drop off your stuff at the hostel and chill for a bit before heading out for dinner, where you’ll learn about the Mayas and have a chance to devour a spread of delicious Yucatan dishes cooked over the fire, like pollo pibil and tamales with fresh handmade tortillas.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experiences
- Transport: Settle in and scan the scenery as you journey to your next destination.
- Chichen Itzá Guided Tour: Join up with a local expert and learn about the history of Chichén Itzá and the beliefs and rituals that defined this ancient Mayan civilization. This dramatic site includes a 30m (98 ft) high temple, known as the Pyramid of Kukulcan, famous for its balustrade of 91 stairs up each of the four sides, a ball court with a grandstand, and towering walls. Visit the highlights of the site including the famous Castillo, the ball court, the cenote, and the Nunnery.
Pile into the bus and head to the white sand and turquoise waters of the Mayan Riviera. But before you hit the beach we have more ruins to see - Tulum! The only of the Mayan temples to be built right next to the ocean, you will be filling your feed with jaw-dropping photos in no time. Spend the rest of the day on the beach, hanging out at the hostel or at one of the many bars and cafes in town.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Tulum Ruins Visit: The Maya built the ancient seaport of Tulúm in the late 13th century. Located some 130 km (80 mi) south of Cancun, this picturesque site features a number of limestone structures protected on three sides by a 7m (23 ft) thick wall. Visit “El Castillo” (the castle), overlooking the Caribbean coast, and the Temple of Frescoes, then head down to the beach. Dive into the warm aquamarine waters and imagine spotting ancient vessels laden with turquoise and jade.
- Local Bus: Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.
The beach at Tulum is pretty stellar that's for sure, and today is yours to do with it what you want. Feeling active and want to explore more? Go snorkelling at the natural waterpark of Xel-Há or visit some more cenotes. Feeling the ocean vibes instead? Stay local and hit the beach before shoring up at the hostel bar for a cold beverage. After dinner head to one of the beach clubs to dance the night away under the stars.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Optional Experiences
- Cenote Visit: Pack your swimsuit, hail a shared van (colectivo) and ask for directions to one of Yucatan’s many cenotes. These natural swimming holes were formed thousands of years ago, when the peninsula's porous limestone collapsed to reveal fresh water pools fed by underground systems of canals and rivers. Dive into the turquoise waters surrounded by cave walls or tropical foliage, watch fish dart in and out of the shafts of sunlight and realize why the Maya called cenotes “sacred wells”. (40-60 USD per person)
Squeeze in a bit more beach time in Tulum before heading north to Playa del Carmen in the late morning. Have lunch at El Hongo, a community project that supports youth art initiatives that also happens to have delicious food. After, take some time to browse the shops along the vibrant pedestrian strip of "la quinta." Next stop, Cancún - where more beach, adventure and nightlife await! Check into the comfy hostel in the hotel zone and laze about by the pool with a cold beverage before deciding what's on for the evening.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences
- El Hongo Mexican Community Restaurant & Youth Art Program: El Hongo (which means 'The Mushroom') is a volunteer-run restaurant started as a means to create income to support a youth art program in the 'real' Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Across the highway from the commercial beach strip is where most locals live – cross onto the unpaved roads and enjoy a delicious home-style meal at the restaurant, while learning more about this much-needed program for the community.
Day trip! Head away from the tourists into the jungle of the Yucatán to a local community. You'll learn all about the delicious regional cuisine and help prepare some of the dishes before scarfing it down on the spot for lunch. Later, top it all off with a swim in a nearby cenote to cool off from the midday heat. Don’t worry, you’ll still have time to hit the beach or hang out at the hostel pool when we get back to Cancún in the afternoon.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences
- Yucatecan Community Lunch Experience and Cenote Swim: Get away from the tourist zone today on an excursion to the community of Nuevo Durango in the jungle. Learn all about the regional (and delicious!) Yucatecan cuisine and participate in the preparation of lunch with dishes like pollo pibil, tamales and fresh hand-made tortillas. Later, visit an insect museum then cool off from the heat with a swim in the clear waters of a nearby cenote before returning to Cancún in the afternoon.
A free day in Cancún, how good does that sound? If you're craving more adventure you could head out on a day trip to Isla Mujeres or Playa del Carmen, or stay local and squeeze every last moment out of that white sand beach or the hostel hang-out spots. Your CEO is always on hand to give recommendations or to show you the best local stretches of beach, the rest is up to you. Ready to party? Of course you are! Your CEO knows all the best bars and clubs Cancún has to offer. Who needs sleep anyways?
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Optional Experiences
- Cenote Visit: Pack your swimsuit, hail a shared van (colectivo) and ask for directions to one of Yucatan’s many cenotes. These natural swimming holes were formed thousands of years ago, when the peninsula's porous limestone collapsed to reveal fresh water pools fed by underground systems of canals and rivers. Dive into the turquoise waters surrounded by cave walls or tropical foliage, watch fish dart in and out of the shafts of sunlight and realize why the Maya called cenotes “sacred wells”. (40-60 USD per person)
- Day Trip to Isla Mujeres: Hop on a ferry and take a short trip from Cancún to the laid back island of Isla Mujeres, where more white sand and turquoise blue water await. Hit the beach, wander the trendy shops and restaurants and snap a picture at the Isla Mujeres sign with great views across the ocean before the return ferry back to Cancún. Your CEO can help arrange the purchase of ferry tickets and any other coordination needed.
Depart at any time, or maybe decide to add on a few more nights at the beach.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Trip Inclusions
- Bike and swim your way through cenotes in the jungle.
- Take a guided tour of the massive Mayan site of Chichen Itzá.
- Descend into a cenote for a delicious spread of Yucatecan cuisine cooked over the fire.
- Hit the beach after visiting the ruins of Tulum.
- Stay at hostel near the beach in Cancún.
- Venture away from the Cancún hotel zone to prepare a meal in a local community.
- Enjoy free time for optional activities or hanging out at the hostels.
- Your G for Good Moment: El Hongo Mexican Community Restaurant & Youth Art Program, Playa del Carmen
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Foodie Moment: Yucatecan Community Lunch Experience and Cenote Swim, Cancún
- Excursion from Mérida to cycle between and swim in cenotes
- Guided tour of Chichen Itzá and Tulum ruins
- Dinner inside a cenote near Valladolid
- Beach time at Tulum and Cancún
- Visit to an insect museum
- Beach time at Cancún
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Private vehicle, public air-conditioned bus, taxi
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides
- Hostels (8 Nights)
- Accommodation will be primarily in multi-share hostels (typically 6-8 people per room), with a choice of mixed gender and female-only dorms as well as available upgrades to twin-share rooms (same gender).
- 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
Operator
G Adventures came from a desire to deliver authentic and responsible small group travel adventures that were equally life-changing for travellers and the communities they visit. And we’re been doing just that for almost 30 years. Our award-winning trips span seven continents and over 100 countries, giving you meaningful more experiences with people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife, as well as offering you the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own.
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
Trip Style: Roamies
Roamies trips combine the freedom of backpacking with the ease of group travel, built for curious, social travellers aged 18 to 35. You will explore must-see destinations and stay in top-rated hostels that are central, comfortable, and packed with character.
With a small group of like-minded adventurers and a Chief Experience Officer to guide the way, expect a mix of iconic highlights, offbeat discoveries, and plenty of unforgettable moments.
Prices & Dates
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and is not operating this season. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view general release dates for all destinations.
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 the cruise-line and 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 the cruise-line and 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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