Wonders of Mexico

Our adventure in Mexico begins today as we depart Miami on our nonstop flight to Mexico City. Upon arrival at Mexico City International Airport, we'll meet our tour guide outside the arrival hall. We'll transfer to our hotel where we can explore the resort before meeting our guide for orientation and check-in. This evening, we'll visit Garibaldi Plaza, the go-to spot for live local music in Mexico City. To get the full experience, we'll have dinner at Tenampa Salon Restaurant, one of the iconic restaurants in the area, where we'll enjoy typical Mexican dishes like tacos, guacamole, pozole, and more. During dinner, we'll see a folkloric show with mariachi bands playing traditional tunes.

*Passengers who did not purchase flights will join the tour in Mexico City on Day 1, meeting the group at the hotel at 3 pm for the orientation tour.

Accommodations: Hotel Histórico Central or City Centro Ciudad de México or similar
Meals: Dinner

Experience the Monarch Butterfly migration at Piedra Herrada Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary! As these migrations become scarce, this can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see thousands of Monarchs shelter in pine, cypress, and eucalyptus trees. Next, we'll drive to the colonial town of Valle de Bravo where we'll visit Saint Mary Chapel which houses the miraculous Christ. We'll also see the lovely Valle de Bravo Waterfalls and visit the large handicraft market where we can purchase souvenirs made of wood, clay, blown glass, wrought iron, or even garments woven by Mazahua hands before we return to Mexico City.

Note: Due to the seasonal nature of the butterfly migration, April - October departures will visit the mysterious ruins of Teotihuacan including the Sun and the Moon Pyramids, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the Avenue of the Dead, and much more plus an extra lunch!

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we'll travel to the southern part of Mexico City to reach the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Culture Heritage Site. The Aztecs built their artificial Chinampa Islands in the shallow waters of the lake to gain land for agriculture. We'll step on a typical Trajinera boat and enjoy a fascinating ride on the ancient canals.

Next, we'll visit the Frida Kahlo Museum, also known as the Blue House for the structure's cobalt-blue walls. This historic house was Kahlo's birthplace, childhood home, where she lived with her husband Diego Rivera for several years, and where she later died. In 1957, Rivera donated the home and its contents to turn it into a museum in Frida's honor. Enjoy a collection of artwork by Kahlo, Rivera, and other artists along with the couple's Mexican folk art, pre-Hispanic artifacts, photographs, memorabilia, personal items, and more. The collection is displayed much as it was in the 1950s and remains one of the most visited museums in Mexico City. This evening, consider an optional Tacos and Mezcal foodie tour of Mexico City.

Meals: Breakfast

Today, we leave Mexico City for Oaxaca. On the way, we'll stop in Puebla. In this colonial city, we'll see buildings decorated with tiles and beautifully sculpted freestones. We'll see the majestic cathedral at the main square where the Rosario Chapel, considered the eighth wonder of the art world, is located. We'll visit one of the oldest Talavera workshops where we'll meet the artists and learn the process and importance of this typical handicraft. We'll have some free time to enjoy Puebla's famous cuisine from their mole to their Cemitas before we continue on to Oaxaca.

Accommodations: Hotel Misión Oaxaca or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Today, we'll visit Santa María el Tule and admire the Tule Tree a 2,000-year-old Montezuma cypress tree. Later, we'll visit Mitla, "The City of the Dead," where we'll see the rich geometric designs covering the tombs and facades. Next, we'll return to Oaxaca for a fantastic food tour of a local market with our guide, delighting in typical and exotic flavors like different kinds of mole, cacao, pan de pueblo (homemade bread). For the braver foodies, we will have an opportunity to try grasshoppers and other insects offered in this traditional setting. At the end of our tour, we'll sit down at one of the food stands and enjoy sample some delicious tacos, chiles en nogada, moles, tasajo, chocolate, and some mezcal concluding today's touring with a feast for the senses!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we'll explore colonial Oaxaca's historical center. This UNESCO World Heritage Site includes the Main Square with a beautiful pavilion in its center, the Governor's Palace with the arcades around Hidalgo Square, the Cathedral, the Alcala Pedestrian Walk Avenue, and the theatre building. Take in the breathtaking architecture of Santo Domingo Church, which is also the regional Museum of Anthropology. Here, you can find precious artifacts from a Zapotec tomb at Monte Alban. We'll also visit the fascinating market hall where vendors, popularly known as "marchantes," walk down the aisles with baskets full of quesillo, grasshoppers, chilis, and tortillas. Later, we'll visit the archaeological site of Monte Alban, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This site is what's left of the former ceremonial center, and the main city of the Zapotec culture. Built with temples, a ball game court, and an observatory on a hill with an artificial plateau, the area also provides nice views over the city of Oaxaca and the central valley.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we'll fly to Cancun International Airport where we'll meet our expert guide of the Yucatán outside the arrival hall. From here, we'll travel to Valladolid where we'll check-in at our resort and enjoy free time to rest and relax.

Accommodations: Ecotel Quinta Regia or similar
Meals: Breakfast

We'll begin our day at the incredible Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, a Wonder of the World and the most famous and best-preserved archaeological site in Mexico. Chichen Itza was once the most populous Mayan city and the center of work and trade. Highlights of this archaeological site include the imposing Kukulkan Pyramid, the huge ball court, and the observatory "El Caracol." Enjoy a quintessential Yucatean lunch. As a perfect end to this spectacular visit, refresh in one of the most famous cenotes in the area named Ik'kil. Then, we'll return to Valladolid for a quick tour of this beautiful town including the San Bernardino Convent and the church, or enjoy some gold and silver shopping. The rest of the day is free to rest and relax or explore independently.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we'll travel to Playa del Carmen, often referred to as the heart of the Riviera Maya. Once a fishing town known as Xaman Ha, it is now a beautiful, energetic, and vibrant destination in the Mexican Yucatán. After we arrive, we'll have some free time to explore. This afternoon, we'll depart for a special Mayan night where we'll take part in a sacred Mayan ritual. Learn how a small Mayan community lives with an eye into their lifestyle and traditions. This evening, we'll join a purification ceremony, the Temazcal, which includes a volcanic stone steam bath to cleanse and renew the mind and body. We'll enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystalline waters of the community cenote and delight ourselves with a gastronomic experience of a simple but delicious dish and hibiscus drink.

Accommodations: Hotel Hacienda Real del Caribe or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a day at leisure in Playa del Carmen, home to beautiful beach clubs and picture-perfect places! Explore the area independently or simply relax at the beach. Consider an optional visit to Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres. This evening, we'll partake in a farewell dinner at one of the area's most popular restaurants on the well-known 5th Avenue.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we'll transfer to Cancun International Airport and say farewell to Mexico, returning home full of wonderful memories.

*The tour will end for passengers who did not purchase flights on Day 11 in Playa del Carmen after breakfast. Optionally, these passengers may ride with the group to the airport in Cancun.

Meals: Breakfast