Tour overview

This 8-day small-group tour is a compact and comfortable introduction to Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, combining Maya ruins, colonial towns, wildlife and the Caribbean coast. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a local leader throughout. You travel by private vehicle and boat, and stay seven nights in handpicked hotels: one in Playa del Carmen, one in a converted 16th-century house in Valladolid, three in the Hotel Casa Lucía, a 17th-century mansion in Mérida, and two in Tulum. Seven breakfasts, three lunches and three dinners are included, from a welcome dinner to a farewell dinner in Tulum.

Your adventure begins in Playa del Carmen, a lively resort town on the Caribbean coast. Next day you visit the secluded Laguna Chabela and meet local people before travelling to Valladolid, a colourful colonial town of pastel facades and cenotes.

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A guided visit to Chichén Itzá, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, reveals the great pyramid of El Castillo and the ball court. You then settle into Mérida, the elegant capital of the Yucatán, for three nights. Your leader takes you on a walking tour of downtown to learn about the city's Maya and colonial history, and an exclusive experience at the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve takes you by boat through mangroves to see flocks of pink flamingos.

On the way to Tulum you stop for lunch in the village of Cobá and visit the Muyil reserve. In Tulum you explore the clifftop Maya ruins, set dramatically above the turquoise Caribbean, with free time for the beach before a farewell dinner.

The physical rating is low. This tour suits travellers who want to see the best of the Yucatán in a week, in comfort and with a small group, perhaps as an extension to a beach stay. Your leader handles every detail, and the short distances between stops leave time to relax. Mexico's food is a highlight in itself, from street tacos and tamales to regional moles, and the country's warm hospitality makes it easy to feel at home. The dry season, from November to April, is the most comfortable time to travel.

Trip highlights

  • Laguna Chabela and Valladolid (Day 2)
  • Chichén Itzá (Day 3)
  • Three nights in a Mérida mansion (Days 3–5)
  • Flamingos at Ría Celestún (Day 5)
  • Cobá and Muyil (Day 6)
  • The clifftop ruins of Tulum (Day 7)

Your route

8 stops from Cancún to Tulum

8-day route: Playa del Carmen – Valladolid – Chichén Itzá – Mérida – Celestún – Cobá – Tulum
  1. Cancún Day 1
  2. Playa del Carmen Day 1
  3. Valladolid Day 2
  4. Merida Days 3–5
  5. Ría Celestún Day 5
  6. Cobá Day 6
  7. Muyil Day 6
  8. Tulum Days 6–8

Why choose this tour

The Yucatán's highlights in a week, in characterful hotels. A flamingo boat trip and local encounters, with a small group.

Best suited to

  • Travellers short on time
  • Couples looking for comfort
  • Beach holidaymakers wanting some culture
  • History and wildlife lovers
Mérida Cathedral

Day-by-day itinerary

8 days from Playa del Carmen, Mexico to Tulum, Mexico

  1. Day 1 · Playa del Carmen Arrive in Playa del Carmen

    A welcome dinner on the coast.

    Hotel
    Fiesta Inn Playa del Carmen or similar
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Laguna Chabela, Valladolid Valladolid

    Visit Laguna Chabela, then Valladolid.

    Hotel
    Hotel El Mesón del Marqués or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  3. Day 3 · Chichén Itzá, Mérida Chichén Itzá to Mérida

    Explore Chichén Itzá, then Mérida.

    Hotel
    Hotel Casa Lucía, feature stay, or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  4. Day 4 · Mérida Mérida

    A walking tour of downtown.

    Hotel
    Hotel Casa Lucía, feature stay, or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Ría Celestún Ría Celestún

    A boat trip to see flamingos.

    Hotel
    Hotel Casa Lucía, feature stay, or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Cobá, Muyil, Tulum Cobá to Tulum

    Lunch in Cobá and a visit to Muyil.

    Hotel
    Motto Hotel Tulum or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  7. Day 7 · Tulum ruins Tulum

    Explore the ruins and a farewell dinner.

    Hotel
    Motto Hotel Tulum or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Tulum Trip ends in Tulum

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
The beach below the ruins at Tulum

Where you stay

  • Playa del Carmen (1 night) Fiesta Inn Playa del Carmen or similar
  • Valladolid (1 night) Hotel El Mesón del Marqués or similar
  • Mérida (3 nights) Hotel Casa Lucía, feature stay, or similar
  • Tulum (2 nights) Motto Hotel Tulum or similar

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 7 nights in characterful hotels
  • Meals 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
  • Private vehicle and boat travel
  • Laguna Chabela and Valladolid
  • Chichén Itzá guided tour
  • Mérida walking tour and Ría Celestún boat trip
  • Cobá, Muyil and Tulum
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights to Cancún
  • Meals not included 3 lunches and 4 dinners
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
El Castillo at Chichén Itzá

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want to see Mexico City or Oaxaca — this tour covers the Yucatán
  • You want a budget trip — this is an upmarket tour
  • You want all meals included — many are free to choose
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–8 · Lunch: Days 2–3 and 6 · Dinner: Days 1, 4 and 7
Flamingos wading in the Yucatán

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £2,330 per person, twin share, tour only. 49 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

What is the feature stay?

Three nights at the Hotel Casa Lucía, a 17th-century mansion in Mérida.

When can I see flamingos?

Ría Celestún has flamingos year-round, with the largest numbers in winter and spring.

Can I add a beach stay?

Yes, the tour starts and ends on the Caribbean coast, so extra nights are easy to add.

Do I need a visa?

UK visitors do not need a visa for Mexico for a holiday stay.

Which airport should I use?

Cancún is the nearest international airport for both Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

How many people travel together?

Up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a local leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From £2,330
See dates & prices