Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Mexico – Mexico City – Yucatan
100% customisable for you
Your Mexican adventure starts today, so head to the airport for your direct flight to Mexico City, which takes around 11-and-a-half hours.
Upon arrival, meet your private transfer who’ll whisk you to the capital’s elegant La Condesa neighborhood. Young professionals and artists from all walks of life have made this one of Mexico City's most pleasant districts , brimming with wide, tree-lined avenues, café terraces and galleries. Just steps away from your hotel, you’ll find trendy boutiques, hip bistros and laidback taquerias – perfect for hungry teens and parents alike...
Mexico’s capital is a sprawling megacity, and today, you’ll get to know its historic heart alongside a local. The Centro Historico was built in the 16th century by the Spanish on the site of Tenochtitlan, the former capital of the Aztec Empire. You can get a sense of its past grandeur at the Templo Mayor ruins, dedicated to Huitzilopochtli and Tlaloc (the Aztec gods of war and agriculture), standing next to the imposing Metropolitan Cathedral.
Alongside the city’s colourful past, your guide will give you a glimpse into present day Mexico City, telling you about their daily life and that of today's capitalinos (residents of Mexico City). They'll answer your questions and share their favorite spots and insider tips, too.
Also on the agenda today is the National Palace and the Palace of Fine Arts, where you can find the works of 20th-century muralists. If you haven’t had your fill of art, head to the Soumaya Museum in the upscale Polanco neighbourhood to see over 66,000 works.
Later this evening, you have the option to meet a lucha libre – Mexico’s famous masked wrestlers – and watch a thrilling match.
Today, make your way to Coyoacan, once an independent village that was absorbed into Mexico City during its expansion in the early 20th century. Despite this integration, the neighborhood has retained its provincial charm. Cobblestone streets and colonial architecture lend it an old-world atmosphere that has captivated artists and intellectuals alike, including Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Leon Trotsky.
We’ve also organised tickets to Casa Azul, the former home of Frida Kahlo. This is where the Mexican artist was born, spent much of her life and painted some of her most famous works. Today, it’s a private museum dedicated to her. Her self portraits, dresses, corsets and jewellery are all meticulously preserved, immersing you in her daily life and private world.
Today, you also have the option to explore Mexico City’s most picturesque Art Deco neighbourhoods on a bike tour from Roma to La Condesa.
This morning, take a private transfer to the airport to catch your two-hour flight to Merida, tucked in the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula. Upon arrival, pick up your rental car and drive to your hotel for the next two nights in the charming historic centre.
As the capital of the Yucatan, Merida is known for its colourful colonial architecture (despite having the nickname of the ‘White City’). Stretch your legs after your day of travelling with a walk around the central Plaza Grande or the historic ramparts by the port. Come dinner, consult our detailed Dossier for family-friendly restaurants (there’s no shortage of options).
This morning, soak up the city’s vibrant atmosphere over breakfast in one of Merida’s characterful squares.
Then, bundle the family into your rental car and drive for just over an hour to reach Uxmal, where you’ll embark on a tour of the important archaeological site. Emerging from the jungle, far from the crowds, the ancient Mayan city is characterized by its typical Puuc-style architecture, incorporating simple facades on the lower level and richly decorated ones on the upper. This architectural style is most evident in the well-preserved Pyramid of the Magician, the Nunnery Quadrangle, the Governor's Palace and the House of the Turtles.
On the way back to Merida, be sure to visit the X'batun cenote for a swim . Located between Merida and Uxmal in the heart of the forest, this sensational cenote boasts shallow turquoise water, water lilies and lush vegetation that make it well worth the detour.The entrance fee also grants access to the Dzombakal cenote, just a few minutes' walk away.
Wave goodbye to Merida and make the two-hour drive east towards Valladolid, another charming colonial city.
A must-see along the way is Izamal, the ‘Yellow City’. As you stroll through the city's colonial center, admiring the ochre, sunflower and lemon-yellow facades, it's easy to see how it earned this nickname. Watch horse-drawn carriages adorned with colourful trappings pass in the busy streets as you head to the Convent of Saint Anthony of Padua, which has become the symbol of Izamal.
With Izamal ticked off, journey on to Valladolid and settle in for two nights in the tranquil San Juan district.
Today is yours to explore Valladolid and its surroundings. Valladolid was named after its Spanish counterpart, then the capital of the Kingdom of Spain, and is replete with colourful streets lined with boutiques, antique shops and authentic cafés. It's also the perfect base for exploring ancient Mayan cities, including Ek' Balam and Chichen Itza, as well as the emerald jungle and serene cenotes that dot the landscape.
You also have the option to take part in a Mexican cooking workshop today, as well as enjoy a private visit to the Chenxunan cenote. Why not let the teenagers decide on the day’s agenda?
Today, hop back in the car and press play on our destination-specific playlist as you head south for around four hours to Bacalar, where you'll stay for two nights. Bacalar is one of Mexico’s charming ‘Pueblos Magicos’ (magic towns), best known for its ‘Lagoon of Seven Colours’, a multi-hued turquoise lagoon with a limestone bottom. Often touted as the ‘Maldives of Mexico’, Bacalar is the perfect place to unwind after a busy week exploring. For the rest of the day, settle in and soak up your new surroundings.
Live life in the slow lane today. Curl up in a hammock with a book, browse the quaint shops in town and sample the local cuisine. If the teens (or adults) can’t wait to get out on the lovely lagoon, we can also organise a catamaran cruise across the shimmering waters.
Stretching almost 25 miles long and over one mile wide, there’s no doubt that Bacalar lagoon is best experienced from the water. To make the most of your time in this spectacular beauty spot, we’ve organised for you to take to the lagoon’s waters by kayak at sunset. Single or double kayaks (parents vs children?) are available to choose from – both are ideal for exploring this thriving ecosystem.
Today, it’s time to head to the final destination of your trip, Tulum, where you’ll settle in for two nights. The drive will take between two-and-a-half to three hours, so make sure you’ve packed enough snacks to keep everyone happy. As the jewel in the crown of the Riviera Maya, Tulum is known for its magical Mayan ruins overlooking the Caribbean Sea, its white-sand beaches and its thriving bar and café scene. In the surrounding area, you can explore ancient ruins, biosphere reserves and stretches of untouched coast. It’s your choice where to explore first today…
On the agenda today is a snorkelling trip in spectacular Soliman Bay. After a short boat ride out onto the water, all that’s left to do is don a mask and a snorkel and dive straight in. Swim above the colourful coral, among parrotfish, barracudas, leopard rays and green turtles. Who can spot the most marine life? The bay is protected, located away from tourist-laden areas, so you’ll have the underwater world all to yourselves.
If you’re keen for more marine life in Tulum, today you also have the option of a trip to encounter the manatees in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
As your Mexican road trip winds down, sadly, the time has come to drive to Cancun airport – around a 90-minute journey from Tulum.
Return your hire car at the airport before boarding your direct ten-hour flight back to the UK. Arrive back on home turf with enough memories to last a lifetime (or at least until your next family getaway).
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
