G-Adventures logo

Viva Mexico: Ancient Ruins & the Mayan Riviera

14 days, Mexico City to Tulum

This 14-day adventure through the heart of Mexico has so much to love. Kicking off in its buzzing capital and wrapping up on the white sands of the Mayan Riviera, you’ll eat your way through endless tacos and mole, exploring the country’s epic mountains, jungles, and waterfalls too. Throw in some ancient Mayan ruins like Palenque and Chichen Itzá — not to mention storied traditions and some of the friendliest people ever — and you have yourself a recipe for one tasty, tasty trip.

14 days

Mexico City to Tulum

From$9959HKD
was $13279
Valid on Jun 16 2024
Trip Code: CMMY

Special Offers

Expires on May 31, 2024 03:59 UTC
Promo Code G24GAV020ADV06
Expires on May 31, 2024 03:59 UTC
Promo Code G24GAV015ADV06
Expires on May 31, 2024 03:59 UTC
Promo Code G24GAV010ADV05
Expires on Jun 01, 2024 03:59 UTC
Promo Code G24SDT015ETT05

This 14-day adventure through the heart of Mexico has so much to love. Kicking off in its buzzing capital and wrapping up on the white sands of the Mayan Riviera, you’ll eat your way through endless tacos and mole, exploring the country’s epic mountains, jungles, and waterfalls too. Throw in some ancient Mayan ruins like Palenque and Chichen Itzá — not to mention storied traditions and some of the friendliest people ever — and you have yourself a recipe for one tasty, tasty trip.

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: 18-to-Thirtysomethings

Fast, fresh, and fun adventures that never slow down, made for young, budget-minded travellers.

Service Level: Basic

Simple and clean hotels and hostels; affordable public and private transport; lots of optional activities.

Physical Rating: 2 - Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 18, avg 14

Age requirement: 18-39

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

View our Entry Requirements tool

14 days

Mexico City to Tulum

From$9959HKD
was $13279
Valid on Jun 16 2024
Trip Code: CMMY

Special Offers

Expires on May 31, 2024 03:59 UTC
Promo Code G24GAV020ADV06
Expires on May 31, 2024 03:59 UTC
Promo Code G24GAV015ADV06
Expires on May 31, 2024 03:59 UTC
Promo Code G24GAV010ADV05
Expires on Jun 01, 2024 03:59 UTC
Promo Code G24SDT015ETT05

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Trees for Days

Help us spread love around the world — with trees! Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 14

Ripple Score

Want to create ripples that change lives? The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.

Ripple Score for this trip: 100

Map of the route for Viva Mexico: Ancient Ruins & the Mayan Riviera

Places visited

Itinerary

Day 1Mexico City

Arrive at any time.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your First Night Out Moment Connect With New Friends| Your Welcome Moment Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Day 2Mexico City

Start the adventure off with a CEO-led walking tour through La Condesa and Roma neighborhoods. Stroll past bohemian cafes, bars, and restaurants. Your CEO will grab some street food snacks for the group ranging from street tacos to chilaquiles. Savour whatever you sample as you continue to get to know the area. Finish up the tour near the giant Bosque de Chapultepec. Then, spend the afternoon trying out the optional activities in the area like a visit to the ruins of Teotihuacán.

Day 3Mexico City/Oaxaca

Hit the road and travel south to Oaxaca from Mexico City. Once the group arrives we will head out for an orientation walk to the main square and some of the nearby markets. Soak in your first experience of the vibrant culture in Oaxaca. Enjoy a free evening to do as you please. Perhaps, find a lively restaurant and give your tastebuds something to dance about.

Day 4Oaxaca

Today, enjoy a free day for optional activities in Oaxaca until late afternoon. Explore local taverns, discover the vibrant indigenous culture in the area, sample food from lively markets, try mole, and mezcal and fully experience the allure of this Mexican city. Later your CEO will accompany the group to the market where you can try a tlayuda, a toasted tortilla with tons of different toppings like refried beans, shredded cabbage, salsa, meat, and cheese. Cap off the day with a visit to a local chocolate-making shop and a free evening to keep the adventure going.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Foodie Moment Oaxaca Market Visit With CEO

Day 5Oaxaca/San Cristóbal

The group will have additional free time today in Oaxaca for other optional activities. Afterwards, visit the Alebrijes Artisan Community for your G for Good moment. Meet a local artisan, speak with them, ask any questions the group may have, and learn more about how these handicrafts are made. In the evening board and overnight bus to San Cristobal.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your G for Good Moment Alebrijes Artisan Community Visit

Day 6San Cristóbal

Arrive early to Tuxtla Gutierrez, which is a city in southern Mexico and the capital of Chiapas. The group will travel by private bus to Sumidero Canyon for an included boat ride down the river. The trip is a few hours long and will take you through the canyon with some of the walls towering 2,500 feet above you. It’s sure to make you feel small. Keep a lookout for the wildlife in the area and try to spot caves as you journey on. Afterwards, continue on to San Cristobal de las Casas where you will stop for the evening.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 7San Cristóbal

San Cristóbal de Las Casas is located in a high mountain valley at 2110m (6921 ft). Enjoy a free day to experience this city known for its 16th-century architecture. Opt to visit nearby indigenous Mayan villages to see their unique day-to-day, or visit Lagunas de Montebello National Park and the group of beautiful lakes near the Guatemalan border. You have a full day to do as you please and there are plenty of activities to try out.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Discover Moment San Cristobal de Las Casas - Free Time

Day 8San Cristóbal/Palenque

Get ready for a full day of travel from San Cristóbal de Las Casas to Palenque. Along the way the group will stop to swim in the pristine turquoise waters of Roberto Barrios waterfall. Arrive to Palenque in the evening.

Day 9Palenque

Enjoy a guided tour of the impressive Mayan ruins of Palenque followed by free time for an optional jungle trail hike, or just relax at the hotel keeping an eye out for nearby birds and wildlife.

Day 10Palenque/Bacalar

Spend the day travelling to Bacalar in the eastern part of Mexico from Palenque. Sit back as the scenery changes outside your window and rest up for the next part of the trip.

Day 11Bacalar

Spend a full free day enjoying optional activities in the area, or just relax and keep the good vibes going.

Day 12Bacalar/Valladolid

The group is in for a treat this morning with an included boating adventure in the lagoon. In the afternoon it’s onward to Valladolid. Travel north and inland from Bacalar to a city on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Upon arrival your CEO will lead you on an orientation walk of the small Mayan town filled with quaint taverns, vibrant indigenous culture, and loads of street food vendors. Smell the delicious aromas as you walk and sample a few snacks along the way.

Day 13Valladolid/Tulum

After a short, but sweet visit in Valladolid the group will travel to the Chichen Itzá ruins for a guided tour. These ruins hold the history, beliefs, and rituals that defined ancient Mayan civilization. See the Pyramid of Kukulcan, the famous Castillo, the cenote, and the Nunnery. Afterwards, travel to Tulum for a free evening. Tulum is filled with trendy beach clubs where you can dance the night away, or stretch out on white sand beaches to admire the colors at sunset.

Day 14Tulum

Depart at any time.

View full itinerary

What's Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Alebrijes Artisan Community Visit, Oaxaca
  • Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Your Foodie Moment: Oaxaca Market Visit With CEO, Oaxaca
  • Your Discover Moment: San Cristobal de Las Casas - Free Time, San Cristóbal de Las Casas
  • Mexico City street food crawl
  • Alebrijes Artisan Community visit
  • Boat trip to Sumidero Canyon
  • Stop at Roberto Barrios Waterfall for a swim
  • Tour the Mayan ruins in Palenque
  • A boat adventure into a gorgeous lagoon in Bacalar
  • Chichen Itzá ruins guided tour
  • Free time in Mexico City, Oaxaca, Palenque, San Cristóbal de las Casas
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Simple hotels/hostels (12 nts), overnight bus (1 nt).

Meals

1 breakfast
Allow USD350-455 for meals not included.

Transportation

Public bus, private vehicle, overnight bus, walking.

Staff & experts

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Available extras (Add these to your tour when you book)

My Own Room - From $4069.00

If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.

Make it a private tour

Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.

Viva Mexico: Ancient Ruins & the Mayan Riviera

| 14 days - Mexico City to Tulum - from $9959 HKD