Trip Itinerary – Buena Vista Mexico
The best of Mexico PLUS Guatemala all on one fabulous adventure.Mexico City – the world's largest city, Teotihuacan Ruins in the Mexican highland, Puebla beautiful Talavera tiles, Monte Alban – a World Heritage Site,San Cristobal de las Casas, Palenque the ancient Maya site of Palenque, Campeches, Uxmal, Chichen Itza ,Playa del Carmen and the archaeological ruins of Tulum. We have been operating this itinerary for the last 10years without any incidents and consider it a safe region to travel through. It does take you off the beaten track and away from the beach scene to experience the real culture of some of Mexico’s most unique regions Optional extension to Cuba
Day 1 Fly to Mexico City On arrival to Mexico City we will transfer to our centrally located hotel. Accommodation: Hotel Casa Blanca https://en.hotel-casablanca.com.mx
Mexico City or “Cuidad de Mexico” is the capital of México, very old, the worlds largest city, the financial, political and cultural center of México, the nightlife capital of México, one of the worlds great cities, huge, one of the world's most difficult cities to drive in, filled with exciting things to see and do, sinking, an energetic metropolis or just an incredible place to visit. Day 2 Mexico City (B) Anthropology Museum Mexico City has plenty ot offer. First to this impressive museum. Crammed full of relics from the many temples scattered around Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula, it is easy to ‘lose’ ourselves for half the day. A bonus is the entertainment by Mayan dancers outside the museum garbed in their exotic dress. Rest of the day to explore more of this sprawling city.
Museo Nacional de Antropología...Extensive collection of artifacts, spanning some 100,000 square feet. This is one of the finest anthropological museums anywhere in the world and certainly the most important in México. The ground floor focuses on the native cultures and societies of México before the Spanish conquest. The famous Aztec sun stone is displayed among the extraordinary collection of artwork from the indigenous population. The museum also provides information about how the descendants of these cultures live today.
Day 3 Teotihuacan Ruins – Mexico City (B) Take the local metro and bus out to these magnificent ruins situated outside the city. Spend the day exploring. Climb the Sun and Moon pyramids, marvelling at the superb workmanship of these fantastic buildings covering 25 square miles that were once home to one million people.
Teotihuacan arose as a new religious center in the Mexican Highland, around the time of Christ. Although its incipient period (the first two centuries B.C.) is poorly understood, archaeological data show that the next two centuries (A.D. 1-200) were characterized by monumental construction, during which Teotihuacan quickly became the largest and most populous urban center in the New World. By this time, the city already appears to have expanded to approximately 20 square km, with about 60,000 to 80,000 inhabitants. The development of the city seems to have involved inter-site population movements, exploitation of natural resources, an increase in agricultural production, technological inventions, establishment of trading systems and other kinds of socio-political organizations, and attractive belief systems.By the fourth century, unmistakable influences of Teotihuacan were felt throughout most parts of Mesoamerica.Teotihuacan was the 6th largest city in teh world during its period of greatest prosperity, according to an estimated population of 125,000).The city seems to have functioned for centuries as a well-developed urban center until its rather sudden Day 4 Mexico City- Puebla (B) This morning we take a bus to Mexico’s fourth largest city- Puebla. Puebla is best known for the beautiful Talavera tiles that adorn its walls, domes, and interiors; and for the mole poblano, Mexico’s national dish that originated here. The streets of Puebla, a World Heritage Site, are lined with churches, mansions, and other handsome buildings and are a delight to stroll around. Accommodation: Hotel Colonial de Puebla Visit Cholula, a small colonial town with some fine churches and the remains of the Tepanapa pyramid, measuring 450 metres along each side of the base and 65 metres high, making it larger in volume than Egypt’s pyramid of Cheops. Now overgrown and with a church at the top, it is difficult to recognise the remains of this magnificent pyramid. Day 5 Puebla -Oaxaca (B) Continue our journey this morning to Oaxaca . Accommodation: Oaxaca Real Hotel Day 6 Oaxaca(B) Visit to Monte Alban, a World Heritage Site, spectacularly situated on a mountain 400 metres above the Oaxaca Valley, a few kilometers west of Oaxaca. Monte Alban is the greatest of the Zapotec cities and it came to dominate the cultural, religious, and economic life of the region. It is also a triumph of engineering where the mountain top was leveled to allow for the creation of the ceremonial site. We will explore the Gran Plaza, the Ball Court, the Observatory, the Palace, and other notable structures. Day 7 Oaxaca-San Cristobal de las Casas (B) Oaxaca, located in a valley surrounded by the Sierra Madre del Sur, was once the centre of the Mixtec and Zapotec civilizations. Today Oaxaca is a combination of pre-conquest, colonial and modern influences. The early Zapotecs developed a great civilization at nearby Monte Albán centuries before the birth of Christ. Two of Mexico's most famous presidents, Benito Juárez and Porfirio Diaz, were of Zapotec origin. After the Spanish conquered Oaxaca in 1533, the city quickly took on a Spanish flavour, with ornate buildings, churches, elegant archways, balconies, decorative grill work and charming plazas. Yet despite its colonial heritage, the city remains basically Indian at heart, wherein lies its charm.Enjoy a morning walking tour Afternoon to explore Oaxaca. This evening transfer to the bus terminal and travel by super comfy overnight bus with full reclining seats Day 8 San Cristobal de las Casas (B) Arrive Tuxtla Gutierrez We will then transfer via the spectacular Sumidero Canyon to San Cristobal. En route, the tropical heat and plant life prevalent in Tuxtla Gutierrez gradually give way to the nippy mountain air and pine forests that surround San Cristobal, where days are sunny and warm, and nights may be chilly. Amber, the translucent stone derived from fossilized coniferous resin, is plentiful in the region, and attractive shops in town display creative jewellery fashioned out of silver and the ancient rock. Accommodation: Hotel Diego de Mazariegos Day 9 San Cristobal de las Casas (B) Enjoy the tranquillity of this small Spanish built town situated in a pine-clad valley and surrounded by distinctly mysterious Indian villages which we will visit. These villages are colourful and they all have their special cults – the churches are quite different as they blend Catholic with their own ancient religions. We will explore on foot the colonial city center of San Cristobal de las Casas. We will visit the cathedral, on the north side of the pretty main square, with its lavish interior and gold-encrusted pulpit. We then walk a few blocks to the impressive 16th-century Dominican church Templo de Santo Domingo, with its intricate pink façade and gilded Baroque interior. Time to browse the handicraft market in front of the church, where Tzotzil Indians from the surrounding hills come to trade. We then drive 10km into the Chiapas highlands, to the Tzotzil Indian villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. The Tzotzils descend from the ancient Maya and maintain some unique customs, costumes and beliefs. We will visit the beautiful white church in San Juan Chamula. The candles, incense and chanting worshippers make a powerful impression. We then drive to the nearby village of Zinacantan, with its pretty church and handicraft market. Day 10 San Cristobal de las Casas- Atitlan (B) We depart by bus this morning and travel through to the Agua Azul Waterfalls, a wonderful natural resource that has turquoise blue waterfalls that reaches 20 meters. Then on to the Misol-Ha Waterfall, impressive waterfall that reaches 50 meters high, an ideal place to cool off by having 1 hour to visit this beautiful place.Continue on to Palenque Accommodation:Hotel Cuidad Real Palenque www.ciudadreal.com.mx In the foothills of the Tumbala mountains, the ancient Maya site of Palenque sits on a ledge overlooking the swampy plains that stretch northward all the way to the Gulf coast. Palenque was at its height between 500 and 700 A.D., when its influence extended throughout the basin of the Usumacinta river. The elegance and craftsmanship of the buildings, as well as the lightness of the sculpted reliefs with their Mayan mythological themes, attest to the creative genius of this civilization. It was the flood plain of the Usumacinta river that most likely provided Palenque's inhabitants with the resources to construct their extraordinary city. Blessed with the highest average rainfall in Mexico, this fertile alluvial plain could have been successfully farmed with raised beds, and would have produced a harvest that not only could sustain a large workforce but would also have provided an abundance that could be traded along the Usumacinta. It seems that the gods were as enchanted with Palenque as today's visitors We take the whole day to enjoy the ruins – they defy description – impressive to say the very least and set in pristine rainforest. This is one of those days you will never forget. The Mayan ruins of Palenque were hidden from the modern world until the late 1700s when Mayan hunters told a Spanish priest about the great stone palaces that lay in the jungle. The priest's report and those of other early Spanish explorers helped to unearth one of the most amazing Mayan sites in Mexico. Day 12 Palenque - Campeche (B) This morning depart by bus to Campeche on the coast . Campeche is a captivating port filled with naval history, Baroque Spanish architecture, and aging beauty. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999, an event that has spurred restoration of the city’s splendid architectural treasures. Specifically, UNESCO cited Campeche city as “a model of the city planning of a baroque colonial city. Afternoon Tour of Campeche Accommodation: Hotel Plaza Colonial www.hotelplazacolonial.com Day 13 Campeche -Kabah & Uxmal - Merida (B,L) Travel to the archeological sites of Uxmal & Kabah . After lunch continue on to Merida . Merida - known as the ‘White City” due to the large amount of limestone and white paint used, was a centre for Mayan culture long before the Conquistadors arrived. These days Merida is a bustling, colonial city and there is plenty to see and do. Enjoy the ambience of this friendly town, marimba bands plus the famous mariachi bands. Culture in the Yucatan. For centuries, the people living on the Yucatan Peninsula were isolated from the rest of Mexico. Largely due to geography, Yucatecan residents have always communicated more easily with parts of North America, the Caribbean and Europe. In addition, the Yucatan Peninsula is home to North America's largest indigenous Indian population, the Mayans, who still speak their own language in addition to Spanish. Accommodation: Hotel Del Gobernador http://www.gobernadormerida.com.mx
Time to enjoy what Merida has to offer – many plazas, museums, theatres and Historical sites. There really is a lot to see and do. Day 14 Merida –Chichen Itza –Playa del Carmen (B,L) Take the morning bus to Chitzen Itza to visit the most famous of all the Mayan Temples . Chichen Itza, founded in 432 AD. Here we find some of the finest examples of Mayan temples, pyramids, ballcourts, plus the only observatory to be found on the Yucatan. Chichen Itza is arguably the most famous Mayan site in Mexico. and derives its name from the deep, naturally occurring well, located near the centre of the site. During the hey-day of this city, this well was used for human sacrifice! But it is the astounding and unique architecture - a result of the invasion by the Toltecs people - that makes this site so incredible.Later today continue on to Playa del Carmen Playa del Carmen- the former sleepy coastal village has a charm and laid back lifestyle all of its own and a lovely beach . Arrangements end on arrival at Playa del Carmen Accommodation: Hotel Las Golondrinas situated in a quiet area , a few blocks to the beach and near Fifth Avenue- the main area for restaurants and shops Day 15 Tulum & Cenotes (B) Explore coral reefs, ancient history, and nature in the Riviera Maya on an 8-hour combination tour that features some of the best of Yucatan in a single day. Snorkel through the coral reef in the Caribbean Sea, visit the Tulum archeological site, and swim in a cenote, then explore a limestone cave and take a jungle walk. This tour includes entrance fees, a buffet lunch, and door-to-door transport from hotels in Playa del Carmen.8-hour Tulum Ruins, Caribbean Sea snorkeling, and cenote combo tour. Explore the Mayan Ruins in TulumTake a walk through a cave before strolling through the jungle .Go for a swim in Cenote Caracol.Snorkel through a coral reef in the Caribbean Sea. Return to our hotel in Playa del Carmen Day 16 Playa del Carmen (B) Day at leisure to relax on the beach or options available for trips to Cozumel Island Day 17 Playa del Carmen- Cancun (B) You will be transferred to Cancun airport for your flight departure |
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Dates & Prices Departures: Daily
Prices Per Person in NZ$ Mexico Double / Twin Single Supplement
May -Dec '26 $6775 $1985 Based on a minimum of 4 participants May - Dec '26 $7125 $1985 Based on a minimum of 2 participants
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