27 Oct 2027
Twin share
Book by 16 Oct
Single from £6,372
Escorted tour
Mexico Day of the Dead: Oaxaca to the Yucatán – 16 Days
Oaxaca's Day of the Dead, Mexico City, Teotihuacán, Palenque and Chichén Itzá, in a small group of up to 16.
16 days
From £5,040
Tour overview
This 16-day small-group journey crosses Mexico from the capital to the Caribbean, timed so you spend the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, the heartland of Mexico's most colourful festival. Groups have between 5 and 16 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader throughout. You stay fifteen nights in hotels of typically three-star standard, often colonial buildings in historic centres, such as the Hotel Colonial in Puebla and the Diego de Mazariegos in San Cristóbal. All breakfasts, five lunches and a welcome dinner are included.
In Mexico City you visit the Coyoacán neighbourhood and Frida Kahlo's Blue House, walk the historic centre and its markets, and cruise the canals of Xochimilco on a colourful trajinera. On the way to Puebla you climb among the pyramids of Teotihuacán, and in Puebla you visit the historic Palafoxiana Library. The Zapotitlán Botanical Garden, with its giant cacti, leads to Oaxaca.
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Three nights in Oaxaca put you at the heart of the Day of the Dead. You visit the hilltop Zapotec city of Monte Albán and the woodcarvers of San Antonio Arrazola, join the city's parade, spend a day learning about Day of the Dead beliefs and traditions in rural Oaxaca, including the altars families build for their loved ones, and take a hands-on cooking class. You then see the enormous Tule tree and the ruins of Mitla, with a mezcal tasting.
A boat trip through the towering walls of the Sumidero Canyon leads to San Cristóbal de las Casas and its markets and crafts. In the jungle you explore the Maya city of Palenque, then the elegant ruins of Uxmal with a traditional lunch, Mérida, Izamal and a swim in the Yokdzonot cenote. Staying near Chichén Itzá lets you visit early, before the trip ends in Cancún.
The physical rating is low, with some long drives. This trip suits travellers who want to experience one of the world's great festivals as part of a broad journey through Mexico. Your leader explains the meaning behind the festival's customs, so you can join in respectfully.
Trip highlights
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Frida Kahlo's house and Xochimilco (Days 2–3)
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Teotihuacán and Puebla (Day 4)
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Oaxaca's Day of the Dead parade (Day 6)
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Day of the Dead traditions in rural Oaxaca (Day 7)
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Sumidero Canyon and San Cristóbal (Days 10–11)
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Palenque, Uxmal and Chichén Itzá (Days 13–16)
Your route
16 stops from Mexico City to Cancún
- Mexico City Days 1–3
- Teotihuacán Day 4
- Puebla Day 4
- Oaxaca Days 5–8
- Monte Albán Day 6
- Mitla Day 9
- Salina Cruz Day 9
- Sumidero Canyon Day 10
- San Cristóbal de las Casas Days 10–11
- Villahermosa Day 12
- Palenque Day 13
- Campeche Day 13
- Uxmal Day 14
- Mérida Day 14
- Chichén Itzá Day 15
- Cancún Day 16
Why choose this tour
Mexico's great festival in its heartland, Oaxaca. Pyramids, colonial cities and Maya ruins in one journey.
Best suited to
- Culture and festival lovers
- Photographers
- Food lovers
- Solo travellers looking for a group
Day-by-day itinerary
16 days from Mexico City, Mexico to Cancún, Mexico
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Day 1 · Mexico City Arrive in Mexico City
Arrive in the capital.
- Hotel
- Royal Reforma or similar
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Day 2 · Coyoacán, Mexico City Coyoacán and Frida Kahlo
Museums, Frida Kahlo's house and a welcome dinner.
- Hotel
- Royal Reforma or similar
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 3 · Mexico City, Xochimilco Historic centre and Xochimilco
Walk the historic centre and cruise the canals.
- Hotel
- Royal Reforma or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 4 · Teotihuacán, Puebla Teotihuacán to Puebla
Explore the pyramids, then Puebla.
- Hotel
- Hotel Colonial Puebla or similar
- Meals
- Lunch
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Day 5 · Zapotitlán, Oaxaca To Oaxaca
Visit a cactus garden on the way to Oaxaca.
- Hotel
- Hotel Abu or similar
- Meals
- Lunch
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Day 6 · Monte Albán, Oaxaca Monte Albán and the parade
Explore Monte Albán and join the Day of the Dead parade.
- Hotel
- Hotel Abu or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 7 · Rural Oaxaca Day of the Dead traditions
Learn about the festival in rural villages.
- Hotel
- Hotel Abu or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Oaxaca Cooking class
A hands-on Oaxacan cooking class.
- Hotel
- Hotel Abu or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 9 · Santa María del Tule, Mitla, Salina Cruz Tule and Mitla
See the ancient tree and ruins, with a mezcal tasting.
- Hotel
- Misión San José or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 10 · Sumidero Canyon, San Cristóbal Sumidero Canyon
A boat trip through the canyon.
- Hotel
- Hotel Diego de Mazariegos or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 11 · San Cristóbal de las Casas San Cristóbal
Explore markets and crafts.
- Hotel
- Hotel Diego de Mazariegos or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 12 · Palenque To Palenque
An early drive to the jungle.
- Hotel
- Hotel La Aldea del Halach Huinic or similar
- Meals
- Lunch
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Day 13 · Palenque, Campeche Palenque to Campeche
Explore the Maya city of Palenque.
- Hotel
- Hotel Castelmar or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 14 · Uxmal, Mérida Uxmal to Mérida
Visit Uxmal and enjoy a traditional lunch.
- Hotel
- Hotel Caribe or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 15 · Izamal, Yokdzonot, Chichén Itzá Izamal and a cenote
Visit Izamal and swim in a cenote.
- Hotel
- Hotel Puerta Chichén or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 16 · Chichén Itzá, Cancún Chichén Itzá
An early visit to Chichén Itzá, ending in Cancún.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Mexico City (3 nights) Royal Reforma or similar
- Puebla (1 night) Hotel Colonial Puebla or similar
- Oaxaca (4 nights) Hotel Abu or similar
- Salina Cruz (1 night) Misión San José or similar
- San Cristóbal (2 nights) Hotel Diego de Mazariegos or similar
- Palenque (1 night) Hotel La Aldea del Halach Huinic or similar
- Campeche (1 night) Hotel Castelmar or similar
- Mérida (1 night) Hotel Caribe or similar
- Chichén Itzá (1 night) Hotel Puerta Chichén or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 15 nights in hotels
- Meals 11 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 1 dinner
- All transport, including a Sumidero Canyon boat trip
- Coyoacán, Frida Kahlo's house and a Xochimilco canal cruise
- Teotihuacán, Puebla and Monte Albán
- Day of the Dead parade, rural traditions day and a cooking class
- Palenque, Uxmal, a cenote swim and Chichén Itzá
- Tour leader throughout
Not included
- Flights to Mexico City and from Cancún
- Meals not included 4 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 14 dinners
- Optional activities
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want to travel at another time — this trip runs only around the Day of the Dead
- You dislike long drives — some days are long
- You want luxury — hotels are around three-star
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 3, 6–11 and 13–16 · Lunch: Days 4–5, 8, 12 and 14 · Dinner: Day 2
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for Mexico
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £5,040 per person, twin share, tour only. 3 upcoming departures. Single travellers from £6,371 (single supplement from £1,332).
Offer Reduced prices on selected dates, shown with the regular price crossed out. Book by 16 Oct.
27 Oct 2028
Twin share
£6,499pp
Single from £8,284
27 Oct 2029
Twin share
£6,699pp
Single from £8,564
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.
When does this trip run?
Only around the Day of the Dead, at the end of October and start of November.
What happens at the Day of the Dead?
Families honour their loved ones with altars, marigolds, food and visits to cemeteries, alongside parades and celebrations.
How long are the drives?
Some days involve several hours on the road, broken up with stops.
Do I need a visa?
UK visitors do not need a visa for Mexico for a holiday stay.
Is the cenote swim included?
Yes, at Yokdzonot on Day 15.
How many people travel together?
Between 5 and 16 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour 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