Yucatecan tastes
Yucatecan tastes
Yucatecan tastes
10 Days Starting and ending in Cancun, Mexico
Visiting: Cancun, Río Lagartos, Valladolid, Chichen Itza, Yucatán, Uxmal, Bacalar, Tulum
Tour operator:
Tour code:
12559
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 99
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, Ruins-Archaeology, Wildlife Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a culinary and cultural adventure through Mexico with the "Yucatecan Tastes" tour. This journey takes you from the vibrant city of Cancun to the serene beaches of Tulum, with stops at iconic sites like Chichen Itza, Uxmal, and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. Delight in local flavors with visits to a beekeeping center, a tequila distillery, and a cocoa museum, and enjoy gastronomic tours in Valladolid and Merida. Experience the natural beauty of the pink lagoon of Las Coloradas, the seven-colored lagoon of Bacalar, and the wildlife-rich Ria Lagartos. Travel comfortably with a rental car and stay in charming accommodations, making this a truly immersive Yucatecan experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Welcome To Mexico!
Location: Cancun
Accommodation Name: Ambiance Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast
Welcome to Mexico! Upon arrival at Cancún airport, you will pick up your vehicle. Drive to your hotel.
Drive: Cancun airport - Cancun 20km (30min)
Day 2 : Ria Lagartos And Crocodile Reserve
Location: Río Lagartos
Accommodation Name: Saastah
Meals Included: Breakfast
Departure for Rio Lagartos. About 100 km north of Valladolid, this small fishing village is the gateway to the national park reserve of the same name. A real paradise for nature lovers. It is an ideal place to discover the Yucatán "differently". You can embark on a "lancha" - a small motor boat - and go for a ride in the mangrove. Then head to the famous pink lagoon called "Las Coloradas". Drive to Valladolid at the end of the day.
Gastro reco: dinner at the famous restaurant Ix Cat Ik, a great culinary and cultural experience.
Driving time: Cancun - Rio Lagartos 230km (3h35) / Valladolid - Rio Lagartos 110km (1h30)
Day 3 : Vallisoletanos Flavours
Location: Valladolid
Accommodation Name: Saastah
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, you will visit the Xkopek beekeeping centre. Accompanied by a local guide, you will discover the specificities of the Mayan bees, which are totally harmless as they have no sting. To finish, you will be offered a honey tasting. Afterwards, you can go to a distillery where you will learn more about the making of tequila, the famous Mexican alcohol. Tastings included. In the afternoon you will have a walk around Valladolid and in the evening you will go to a restaurant to taste other local spirits/liqueurs/beers.
Reco gastro: You will go to the village of Kaua for lunch, located about 30 minutes away. You will sit down at the famous Tia Kaua restaurant and order the famous Poc Chuc, a local specialty.
Day 4 : Chichen Itza And Cochinita, Two Unmissable Yucatecs
Location: Chichen Itza
Accommodation Name: Marionetas
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, you will discover the marvellous archaeological site of Chichen Itza, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, and considered since 2007 as one of the "new wonders of the world". You will be immersed in the majesty of this site and the echo of its past glory. Continue to the nearby village of Yaxuna where you will prepare the favorite Sunday meal of the Yucatecs: the cochinita. To be eaten as a taco or torta (sandwich)! Continuation to Merida. After a walk in the city centre you will meet your guide on the Plaza Grande, from there you will go to a Yucatecan botanero, have a Yucatecan antojito (marquesita, elotes, esquites etc) and finish with an ice cream if you feel like it. Please note that only the guided service is included, the food is not.
Day 5 : Unknown Yucatecan Delights
Location: Yucatán
Accommodation Name: Marionetas
Meals Included: Breakfast
Reco gastro:
Today, you will put yourself in the shoes of a merideño and go to the village of Motul for breakfast. You will go to the market and climb to the first floor, then you will settle in at Doña Evelia's and order the famous Huevos Motuleños, a breakfast known throughout Mexico.
Afterwards you can go to the Sambula cenote to refresh yourself. You will continue to Tixkokob, the village where hammocks are made.
Reco gastro: lunch at the Pueblo Pibil restaurant in Tixkokob where most of the dishes are cooked underground.
Day 6 : Uxmal And Puuc Style
Location: Uxmal
Accommodation Name: Aires
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, you will visit Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Located in the middle of the Yucatecan jungle, Uxmal means "three times built" in Maya. The architecture of this site is particularly faithful to the "Puuc" style with its geometric forms, its mosaics and its representations of the god Chaac, god of rain and thunder. Before leaving you will stop at the cocoa museum. You will take the road in the direction of Bacalar. Famous for its seven-coloured lagoon, Bacalar is a pearl of the Caribbean, close to the Belize border, in the south of the Yucatán peninsula. Bacalar is a small town known for its history and natural riches. The lagoon is made up of seven different cenotes, which gave it its name, and is about 42km long and 2km wide. Bacalar was an important commercial crossroads for the Maya, a real place of exchange between Central America and the Yucatán peninsula. Walk around the city centre and visit Fort San Felipe, built in 1729, an example of the military architecture of New Spain, which has seen various battles and conflicts.
Driving directions: Merida - Uxmal 85km (1h10) / Uxmal - Bacalar 320km (4h25)
Day 7 : Bacalar
Location: Bacalar
Accommodation Name: Aires
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day trip to Bacalar. Famous for its seven-colored lagoon, it is possible to discover it through various activities, such as boat or kayak excursions. It is also possible to visit Fort San Felipe, built in 1729, an example of the military architecture of New Spain, which experienced various battles and conflicts. If you want to learn more about the Mayan culture, you can go to the Kohunlich site, 1 hour from Bacalar and belonging to the Ruta Rio Bec. You will discover the incredible Temple of the Masks, 5 of which have been restored.
Day 8 : Sian Ka'an Reserve
Location: Tulum
Accommodation Name: Casa Don Diego
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, you will head to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, one of the largest in Mexico and located near Tulum. This reserve includes tropical forests, mangroves and swamps, as well as a vast marine area crossed by a coral reef. Its diversity of flora and fauna is impressive and it shelters for example jaguars, manatees, turtles, birds and dolphins. To reach it, you will pass by Muyil where the entrance of the site is. There, you will be able to go on a boat with a local guide who will accompany you in the lagoons. You will reach the channels created by the Mayans where you will put on your life jacket to let you be carried by the current sitting in the water. Continuation to Tulum, one of the jewels of the Riviera Maya and the only Mayan port known as such, which saw the arrival of the first conquistadors a few centuries ago. Tulum means "wall" in Mayan language, and it is indeed the case since it has one of the most beautiful vestiges of this civilization. You will discover this ancient city perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, like an ancient fortress, and thus leaves to see a breathtaking panorama on the beaches ParaÃso and Maya, as much for its contrasts of colors as in its proximity to both the jungle, the sea and the city. Tulum combines paradisiacal beach landscapes and historical sites that have made it famous and popular with travelers.
Driving directions: Bacalar - Muyil 190km (2h10) / Muyil - Tulum 30km (40min)
Day 9 : Tulum And Caribbean
Location: Tulum
Accommodation Name: Casa Don Diego
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean or take the opportunity to explore the surroundings! Between the archaeological ruins of Tulum and Coba, the biosphere of Sian Ka'an, the lagoons of Punta Laguna and Kaan Luum, Akumal and its turtles, the cenotes and the parks of the Riviera Maya, there is no lack of activities!
In the evening, you will join your group to discover the Mexican specialties in Tulum. On the program 7 stops in three hours: tacos de guisado, drinks, cochinita pibil, fruits, mole, tamales and more.
Day 10 : Hasta Luego Mexico
Location: Cancun
Meals Included: Breakfast
Maybe it's time to say goodbye to Mexico and its beaches? Your stay is coming to an end. Departure from the hotel to Cancun airport for your return flight.
Driving time : Tulum - Cancun airport 125km (1h45)
What's Included
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Accommodation and breakfast
Accommodation and breakfast included from day 1 to day 10 in the following establishments or similar.
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Car rental
Car rental from day 1 to day 10, including a cat. Intermediate type Chevrolet Aveo or similar.
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Full insurance and unlimited mileage
Full insurance and unlimited mileage for one driver.
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Airport transfers
Pick Up & Drop Off at Cancun airport.
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Beekeeping centre visit
Visit of the beekeeping centre.
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Mayapan distillery visit
Visit to the Mayapan distillery.
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Local liquors tasting
Tasting of local liquors.
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Gastronomic tour in Merida
Gastronomic tour with an English-speaking guide in Merida (food not included).
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Cochinita preparation
Preparation of cochinita in a community.
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Taco tour
Taco tour.
What's Not Included
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International flights
International flights are not included.
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Domestic flights
Domestic flights are not included unless mentioned in inclusions.
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Personal equipment
Personal equipment is not included.
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Insurance
Cancellation, health, and repatriation insurance are not included.
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Meals and beverages
Meals and beverages are not included unless mentioned in inclusions.
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All activities
All activities are not included unless mentioned in inclusions.
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Tips
Tips in restaurants or with guides are not included.
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Environmental taxes
Environmental taxes in some hotels in the Riviera Maya are not included.
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Personal purchases
Personal purchases are not included.
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GPS and gasoline
GPS and gasoline are not included.
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Tolls
Tolls are not included.
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Parking and other fees
Parking and other fees related to the use of the rental car are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel conveniently with a car rental from day 1 to day 10, including a Chevrolet Aveo or similar, with full insurance and unlimited mileage. Pick-up and drop-off are at Cancun airport.
Accommodation
Enjoy comfortable stays at various accommodations including Ambiance Suites in Cancun, Saastah in Valladolid, Marionetas in Merida, Aires in Bacalar, and Casa Don Diego in Tulum, ensuring a pleasant and restful experience throughout your journey.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of vehicle will I be driving during the tour?
You will be driving a Chevrolet Aveo or a similar intermediate type car, with full insurance and unlimited mileage included.
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What kind of accommodations can I expect during the tour?
You will stay at various comfortable accommodations including Ambiance Suites in Cancun, Saastah in Valladolid, Marionetas in Merida, Aires in Bacalar, and Casa Don Diego in Tulum.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Breakfast is included from day 1 to day 10. Other meals and beverages are not included unless specifically mentioned in the inclusions.
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What activities are included in the tour?
Included activities are visits to the Xkopek beekeeping centre, Mayapan distillery, a gastronomic tour in Merida, preparation of cochinita in a community, a taco tour, and a visit to the cocoa museum.
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Is there any assistance available during the tour?
Yes, 24-hour assistance from the agency on site is included.
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What are some of the key highlights of the tour?
Key highlights include visiting Valladolid and the Xkopek beekeeping centre, Chichen Itza archaeological site, Ria Lagartos and the pink lagoon of Las Coloradas, Uxmal and its Puuc style architecture, Bacalar and its seven-colored lagoon, Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, and Tulum's archaeological ruins and beaches.
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What is the driving distance and time between key locations?
For example, the driving time from Cancun airport to Cancun is 30 minutes (20km), from Cancun to Rio Lagartos is 3h35 (230km), and from Bacalar to Muyil is 2h10 (190km).
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Are there any specific culinary experiences included?
Yes, the tour includes a gastronomic tour in Merida, preparation of cochinita in a community, and a taco tour. Additionally, there are recommendations for local dining experiences such as dinner at Ix Cat Ik in Rio Lagartos and breakfast at Doña Evelia's in Motul.
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What are some optional activities I can do in Bacalar?
In Bacalar, you can engage in activities like boat or kayak excursions on the seven-colored lagoon, visit Fort San Felipe, or explore the Kohunlich site to see the Temple of the Masks.
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What should I know about the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve visit?
The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve includes tropical forests, mangroves, swamps, and a vast marine area with a coral reef. You can take a boat tour with a local guide, float in the Mayan-created channels, and see diverse flora and fauna including jaguars, manatees, turtles, birds, and dolphins.
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How does Today Voyages work?
We are an Online Travel Agency, specialized in Group Vacations and Private Vacations. We have been in business for over 30 years through our sister company Go West Tours and, throughout the years, have developed an extensive network of trusted professionals around the world and a structured methodology to screen our suppliers. Today Voyages offers a selection of tours that are designed, managed and operated by our network of trusted Tour Operators and DMCs. Our database is connected with our partners so that when you make a booking with us this will immediately be received and processed by the Tour Operator.
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Where should I buy the flights to reach my destination?
Today Voyages does not sell flights directly. None of our tours come with flights included. Why? Because we prefer to give full flexibility to our valued customers to select the airlines and the booking platform they prefer. As soon as your flight is booked and confirmed, we invite you to update your flight plan within your Today Voyages booking confirmation page by entering your flight number, departure and arrival times, as well as your Passport information (if needed). None of these fields are mandatory but we highly encourage you to provide as much information as possible. This will allow us to provide you with the excellent service you are looking for.
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What is an additional excursion or tour optional?
Certain tours might show a selection of additional excursions/optional activities that you may want to add to our standard itinerary. These services are priced separately and can be added to the cart before completing the booking. We believe these optional services to contribute to making your vacation unforgettable; however, you are in no way obliged to purchase them. All our tours are awesome with our without optional services!
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What is the difference between Group Vacations and Private Vacations?
If you purchase one of our Group vacation packages, you will be escorted by a professional tour guide and will be traveling with other like-minded travelers you may not know. The group size depends on the tour you select. If you purchase one of our Private vacation packages, you will be traveling only within your group of friends. You may or may not be escorted by a professional tour guide; this depends on the type of private tour you are interested in.
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When and how will I receive the travel documents (vouchers)?
If you book one of our Group or Private tours, you will receive your travel documents via email approximately 20 days prior to travel date. If you reserve one of our Vacation Rentals, you will hear back from the property manager via email a few days prior to checking-in. We recommend checking your emails on a regular basis as this is our most reliable method of communication. If you have questions or need additional support, you can always chat with us or email us directly.
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What happens if a Group tour does not get confirmed?
It is very simple... you will be offered an alternative departure date or be refunded the full amount you pre-paid. No questions asked!
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What happens after I book?
The majority of our tours are confirmed at the time of booking. This means that, after submitting the payment online, you will receive an order confirmation email; make sure to save this email and to note down your confirmation number for any future communication with us. Some tours may be sold on a 'on request' basis. This means that for these tours we reserve the right to check the availability of your spot(s) with the Tour Operator before confirming the tour to you. As soon as you submit the payment online for a 'on request' tour you will receive an email notification that confirms your order request. Within 72 hours, you will receive either a confirmation email or a denial email. Do not worry... we will do everything we can to confirm your tour!
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Free Date Changes
Today Voyages allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 65 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Today Voyages requires a minimum deposit of 30% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of today voyages charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.