|
Home
>
Cancun
Travel Guide
>
Things to Do >
Sample
Itineraries > Overnight Itineraries |
Sample
Itineraries: Overnight Trips
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Land of
the Maya (7
nights)
|
|
Starting off in Cancun,
this eight day self-drive tour will
give you the opportunity of visiting
the highlights, and certainly the
most exciting sites, of the Mayan
World.
Day 1:
Arrival and overnight
in Cancun.
Cancun Hotels
Day 2:
Cancun
– Chichén Itza. Visit the major
Mayan site. Overnight in Chichén
Itza.
Chichen Itza Hotels
Day 3:
Chichén
Itza – Mérida. Sightseeing in Mérida.
Overnight in Mérida.
Merida Hotels
Day 4:
Visiting the country
around Mérida. Overnight in Mérida.
Day 5:
Mérida – Campeche
visiting Edzná en route. Overnight
in Campeche.
Day 6:
Campeche – Uxmal.
Visit the stunning Mayan site at
Uxmal
Day 7:
Uxmal – Tulum via
the Mayan site at Cobá. Overnight
in Tulum.
Tulum Hotels
Day 8:
Departure to Cancun
or extend your stay in the Mayan
Riviera.
Hotels
|
|
|
Colonial
Cities
|
|
This seven day self-drive
tour has been designed with the
idea of taking you through some
of the architectural treasures of
the state of Yucatán. Using Mérida
as your point of reference, you
will be visiting some haciendas,
magnificent structures built between
the 17th and 19th
centuries initially devoted to the
cultivation of corn, then to sugar
and then to henequen (sisal).
Day 1:
Arrival and overnight
in Cancun.
Cancun Hotels
Day 2:
Cancun
– Mérida via the Mayan site at Chitzen
Itza. Overnight in Mérida.
Merida Hotels
Day 3 & Day 4:
With your base in
Mérida explore the city and the
surrounding area including Izamal
with its stunning Franciscan convent
and the haciendas at San Jose and
Katanchel.
Day 5:
Visit the flamingo
nesting site on the west coast at
Celestún and stay overnight at Hacienda
Santa Rosa
Day 6:
Follow the Convents
route and overnight at
Hacienda Temozon.
Day 7:
Return to Cancun
|
|
|
Ruta
Maya - 21 Days
|
| Day 1:
Cenote
Dzitnup, Chichén Itzá, overnight
Mérida.
Merida Hotels
Day 2:
Uxmal
ruins, overnight Campeche.
Day 3/4:
Palenque
ruins, optional jungle tour & ultralite
flight, overnight two nights Palenque.
Day 5:
Agua Azul
Cascades, Misol-ha, overnight San
Cristobal de las Casas.
Chiapas Hotels
Day 6:
Drive
to Guatemala, overnight at La Democracia
or Huehuetenango, Guatemala.
Day 7/8:
Chichicastenango,
Highlands of Guatemala, Lago Atitlan,
overnight two nights Panajachel
Day 9/10:
Cultural
sites, overnight Antigua
Day 11/12:
Copan
ruins, Honduras, overnight Chiquimula,
Guatemala.
Day 13/14/15:
Geothermal
Waterfalls, horseback riding, or
River Cave trip, overnight Rio Dulce
/ two nights Poptun,
Day 15 or 16:
Tikal
ruins, overnight Tikal..
Day 16 or 17:
Border
crossing Belize, overnight San Ignacio,
Belize. Possible Canoe & Jungle
Tour.
Day 18/19/20:
Border
crossing to Mexico, Overnight Caribbean
Coast, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Cenote
swimming, Tulum ruins, Beach Activities,
or Cavern Snorkeling and Scuba Diving.
Hotels
Day 21:
Playa
del Carmen, Cancun Airport.
|
|
|
Western
Yucatán: From the Past Towards the
Sea
Merida Hotels
|
|
This
route provides a magical path where
you can experience both archaeological
marvels and beaches.
Dzibilchaltún,
located only 22 kms. from Mérida,
holds an incredible amount of stone
constructions. One of these, the
House of the Seven Dolls, is the
site of a beautiful light shown
every equinox. This site is also
famous for its Cenote, where visitors
can take a swim.
Heading
north we arrive at the Port of Progreso.
Its visitors are wrapped in its
special atmosphere, enjoying the
malecon and brilliant sunsets.
Further
on we find the typical fishing village
of Chicxulub, known for its coastal
customs and delicious cuisine.
Close
to Uaymitun is the Scenic View,
where from the thatched roof of
a building the visitor can observe
the beautiful sight of pink flamingoes
in their natural habitat.
A
must-see is Nuevo Yucatán in Telchac.
This tourism development on the
Yucatán coast offers a wide variety
of recreational options. Visit the
beautiful Pink Lagoon, sanctuary
and home of the many-colored migratory
birds.
Close
to Telchac is Xcambo, with ancient
Mayan Pyramids, roads and buildings.
|
|
|
Eastern
Yucatán: The Eternal East
Merida Hotels
|
|
One
of the most complete and fascinating
tourist routes. Here you will find
haciendas now converted into tourist
sites and hotels.
In
Izamal you will feel the mixture
of three cultures: Mayan, Spanish
and Mestiza. View the XVIth Century
Franciscan Convent, site of the
second largest indoor atrium in
the world. The picturesque streets
still conserve the enchantment of
a bygone era.
The
size and majesty of
Chichen-Itza,
one of the most important Mayan
cities, will astound the visitor.
The Castle is the most famous Mayan
pyramid, and subject of a spectacular
equinoctial light and shadow phenomenon
which testifies to the ancient Mayas'
knowledge of astronomy.
The
streets, cenotes, parks, markets
and squares of
Valladolid
will enchant you, as well as its
tasty cuisine and historic buildings
such as the Convent of St. Bernardino.
Ek-Balam,
just a few minutes from Valladolid,
is an archaeological zone rich in
monuments and buildings.
Heading
toward the cost you will visit Tizimin,
site of cattle shows and fairs as
well as religious celebrations.
San
Felipe is a small, charming fishing
village, where you can enjoy the
delicious sea food fresh from the
sea.
Rio
Lagartos is a true paradise for
nature lovers. Declared a Natural
Reserve by the Mexican Government,
it provides sanctuary for tens of
thousands of pink flamingoes.
|
|
|
Yucatán:
The Convent Route
Merida Hotels
|
|
This
route provides a trip through time,
featuring Mayan ruins, native Mestiza
populations and colonial monuments.
Among
the most important convents are
The Temple dedicated to Our Lady
of the Nativity, located in Acanceh
only 30 kms. from Mérida. Further
on the road to Tecoh is the Temple
and former Convent of The Ascension.
In
Tekit we find the former Convent
of St. Anthony of Padua and the
Chapel of St. Christopher. The former
Franciscan Convent located in Mama
is famous for the beauty of its
bell tower.
In
Mani, the Convent of St. Michael
Archangel is the site of the famous,
or infamous "Auto de Fe" in 1562,
when valuable Mayan writings and
codices were destroyed and burned
by the Bishop Fray Diego de Landa.
In
Oxkutzcab you can visit the XVII
Century church, or the Hermitage
of the Virgin of the Pillar. This
tour also includes a very important
archaeological zone: Mayapan, the
ancient capital of the Triple Alliance
formed by Mayapan, Uxmal and Chichen-Itza.
|
|
|
|
|
|
To
travel the Puuc route is to meet
the ancient Yucatán with its great
Mayan culture, past and present.
The
tour begins in Uman, only a few
minutes from Mérida, with a visit
to its church, an exquisite example
of the superb colonial architecture.
Another stop is Yaxcopoil, an ancient
henequen hacienda converted into
a museum.
Uxmal,
the Mayan city known throughout
the world for its beauty, majesty,
and the purity and fineness of its
architecture and decorative art.
Other
stops might include Kabah, with
its 250 masks of the God Chaac;
Sayil, which peaked between 800
and 1000 A.D.; and Xlapac, site
of some 114 mounds and 3 somewhat
restored pyramids and famous for
its Palace.
Labná,
holds one of the finest and most
photographed Mayan constructions:
The Arch.
In
the Loltún Caves you find ancient
wall paintings as well as delicate
pieces of ceramic. Then on
to
Tikul,
famous for its ceramic handcrafts
and fine shoes. And Oxkintok,
one of the most ancient Mayan cities
of Yucatán.
|
|
|
Yucatán:
Ecology & Adventure
Merida Hotels
|
|
Sisal,
only 55 kms. from Mérida, was once
the main port for the Yucatán Peninsula,
receiving and shipping a wide variety
of products to the world. Today
its warm beaches and exotic natural
scenery make it the perfect place
for rest and relaxation. It is also
the home for beautiful migratory
birds such as the Canadian goose.
El
Palmar: The numerous flora and fauna
species make this one of the most
important ecological reserves in
Yucatán. El Palmar is the ideal
site for eco-tourism, providing
scenic views, including the highest
lighthouse in the State.
Celestún:
The main attraction of this beautiful
national park is the pink flamingo,
found here in its natural habitat.
Touring the river in comfortable
motor boats is a unique experience,
enjoying the sight of thousands
of flamingoes, cranes, ducks and
other birds.
|
|
Day Trips
from Cancun
|
|
|
