Family Vacation in Mexico
12 days
Are you looking for a 12-day family vacation in Mexico that offers something for everyone? Look no further than the stunning white sandy beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and various activities suitable for all ages. On this vacation, you’ll have the opportunity to explore hidden Mayan ruins, take in the beauty of the second-largest barrier reef in the world, swim with sea turtles, learn about the fascinating Mayan culture, and marvel at the many impressive buildings in the gorgeous Mayan cities. Create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.
Cenotes Sac Actun
Ancient limestone pools with crystal clear water
Coba Mayan Ruins
Archaeological and bike experience
Celestun
The Flamingos come to Celestun in November-March for nesting season
Tulum
The unique Mayan ruins located on the Caribbean Coast
Highlights
The Mayan ruins of Coba, Ek-Balam, Tulum, and El Meco. Cenotes Ek-Balam, and Sac Actun. Celestun Biosphere Reserve. Colonial city of Valladolid.
Itinerary
Today you will arrive at the airport of Cancun and will go by private transport to your hotel in Playa del Carmen.
You will receive a warm welcome by visiting the park of Xcaret and getting a magical experience. At night there is a show with over 300 actors, giving you a colorful musical journey through the history of Mexico with a lot of folklore and traditional dancing. The park also has a coral reef aquarium, a butterfly pavilion, underground rivers, beaches, and natural pools.
Today you will go to the town of Valladolid, far enough off the beaten path. Consequently, it has preserved the authentic and local feel. Valladolid is a very small and colorful colonial city. You will have a city tour, where you will see:
- The Venados house. It is not just a private home, but it is also a national cultural site. This residence contains the largest museum-quality collection of Mexican folk art in private hands.
- Francisco Canton Rosado, the central square that is surrounded by historical colonial buildings.
- The beautiful stone building of San Bernardino former convent
- The street of Los Frailes, on which both sides are lined with gorgeous colonial houses.
Today, you will explore the varied fauna and the archeological site of Ek-Balam with its many monumental buildings and Mayan Art. Later, you will have the chance to swim in the Cenote. After this tour, you will go to the city of Merida. Merida has magnificent buildings and architectural diversity. Therefore, Mexicans recognize it as the “Paris of Mexico”. Buildings from the colonial period light up the evening with romance and charm.
Come upon a biosphere reservoir that shelters a booming community of seasonal birds on a full-day excursion. The fishing village of Celestun is quiet and it moves at a pace of a turtle, and that is the approach residents like. There is a little square in the village center and some fine beaches, but the real draw is the reservoir, a wildlife sanctuary flush with flamingos, the star interest.
Look for wildlife on a dramatic sunset boat ride forward the coastline, then make a pause for dinner in a restaurant before going back to Merida. The ideal time to see flamingos is between November and March, principally January and February. However, the beach can be visited year-round, and the beach can make for a fine break from the warm summer Yucatan sun.
Coba is a beautiful archeological site with the highest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula which today you will climb. Together with a professional guide, you will explore Coba. The highlight of these Mayan ruins is the fact that you can discover them by bike, it is a unique experience to bike through the jungle in the middle of monumental temples. Then you can have a delicious meal in the restaurant in the middle of the jungle and go visit a family in the Mayan Community to discover how the families now live.
For more interaction they will explain more about their traditions, customs and they will even teach you how to make handmade tortillas. Another highlight today is the representation of a local guide who will take you on a hike through the jungle and demonstrate the gum process.
Afterward, you can enjoy the natural wonder of a Cenote. A Cenote is an amazing Deep Natural Sinkhole. The Mayans believed that these natural sinkholes were the entrances to the underworld. Finish your day by taking a refreshing swim in the Cenote. Later, you will go to your hotel in Tulum.
In the morning you will visit the only Mayan city located in the Caribbean sea. Later you will have an adventure tour to the Cenotes Sac Actun. Subterranean water afterworld in the Riviera Maya, this expedition will be a particular experience like no other, enchanted and intrepid, you will be able to snorkel or dive in the caves packed with formations.
We are very confident it is one of the best Cenotes in Mexico, While it is fully subterranean, the access is open and gives a small area where you can float in the delicate turquoise water. There are multiple Cenotes here that are linked so you will be exploring a couple during this fascinating excursion.
Today, you will have a snorkeling tour in Akumal, where you will have great chances to swim with sea turtles in their natural habitat. Later, you will go to Isla Mujeres (Women Island). They found several female figurines in the 16th century. As a result, they named it Isla Mujeres. The island is very small, as it covers only five miles of land. It has beautiful white sand beaches and gorgeous tropical views.
Enjoy another two relaxing days. Swim in the blue waters, snorkel in the barrier reef, get a massage on the beach, or relax in a hammock. You may be able to take part in the magical experience of releasing baby turtles into the ocean. The turtle hatching season in Isla Mujeres takes place from August to October. So, if you are here on the right day, you may even help release turtles with a guide.
Today, you will go to Cancun. To start the day, we will visit the archeological site “The Meco”, with a pyramid of 12.5 meters tall called “The Castle ”, from the top of this temple you will enjoy impressive views of the coastline and Isla Mujeres.
Later, you will visit the seabed-based Cancun Underwater Museum, with more than 500 sculptures submerged at depths between three to six meters, a delight visit for snorkeling and diving adventurous. You can even enjoy this remarkable display from a glass-bottom boat if the snorkel or dive is not your thing.
Today, a driver will take you to the international airport for your flight back home.
map, expenses & price
Family Vacation in Mexico
Expenses included:
-All private transportation.
-Twelve nights of hotel accommodations.
-Professional certified guides.
-All park entrance fees.
-Tours and excursions as listed.
-Daily breakfast.
