Luxury Mexico: Yucatan in style
11 days from £5,850
Explore the tour day by day, from the highlights to the quieter moments in between. Here’s how each day unfolds and what to expect along the way.
You’ll be met at the airport by one of our local representatives and accompanied to your luxury hotel. Mexico City, known by the local people simply as ‘DF’ (Distrito Federal), was built on the site of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire, and it lies at 2,250m above sea level. Vast, chaotic and vibrant, this sprawling megalopolis of more than 20 million people has a multitude of attractions.
The Alest is an intimate boutique hotel combining contemporary Mexican design with a hint of British style in Mexico City’s upscale neighbourhood of Polanco.
With its large feature fireplace and plenty of space to sit soft, the stylish lobby of The Alest sets the scene at one of Mexico City’s most inviting small hotels. A white marble staircase beckons guests to the 20 or so elegant guest rooms and junior suites. Each room features curated Mexican art, hardwood floors, seating areas, Italian marble bathrooms and either views of the tree-lined street or interior patio, while junior suites have large terraces on the third floor overlooking the treetops.
The restaurant specialises in thoughtfully presented contemporary Mexican cuisine, while the adjacent bar is renowned for its signature cocktails. Opposite the hotel is verdant Lincoln Park, with its weekly market and little lake where local people gather to race model boats. Beyond are Polanco’s cafes, restaurants, museums and shops including Avenida Presidente Masaryk, the city’s equivalent of Fifth Avenue. Complimentary bikes are available to guests.
The arrival of the Spanish conquistadores was seismic event in the story of the Aztec people. Their magnificent causewayed city was razed, and the invading Spaniards rebuilt it in their own tradition ̶ the development fuelled by silver mining. This is all reflected in the cultural vestiges apparent all over the modern-day city which you’ll see during your guided tour. Visit the zócalo, or main square, with its monumental Metropolitan Cathedral and the remains of the original Aztec city upon which the modern-day capital was superimposed. Stroll down elegant boulevards, or browse at a handicraft market.
Passing through the northern suburbs of the capital, you head into the countryside towards the megalithic archaeological site of Teotihuacán. Teotihuacan dates from the time of Christ and was once one of the largest cities in the world. It is hugely influential in the historic narrative of modern Mexico and, although it had already been abandoned by the time of the Aztecs, even this great empire held it in awe. Soak up the history as you stroll along the imposing Avenue of the Dead, leading to the vast Pyramid of the Sun, and take the opportunity to climb its vertiginous, ancient steps for a panorama of the ruins and the surrounding countryside.
If you have time after or before the tour we suggest you visit the world-class Museum of Anthropology, exhibiting remarkable, well displayed expositions of Aztec artefacts alongside items from other ancient civilisations. It’s a fantastic introduction to the superb and sometimes grisly artistic achievements of Mexico’s early inhabitants.
The Alest is an intimate boutique hotel combining contemporary Mexican design with a hint of British style in Mexico City’s upscale neighbourhood of Polanco.
With its large feature fireplace and plenty of space to sit soft, the stylish lobby of The Alest sets the scene at one of Mexico City’s most inviting small hotels. A white marble staircase beckons guests to the 20 or so elegant guest rooms and junior suites. Each room features curated Mexican art, hardwood floors, seating areas, Italian marble bathrooms and either views of the tree-lined street or interior patio, while junior suites have large terraces on the third floor overlooking the treetops.
The restaurant specialises in thoughtfully presented contemporary Mexican cuisine, while the adjacent bar is renowned for its signature cocktails. Opposite the hotel is verdant Lincoln Park, with its weekly market and little lake where local people gather to race model boats. Beyond are Polanco’s cafes, restaurants, museums and shops including Avenida Presidente Masaryk, the city’s equivalent of Fifth Avenue. Complimentary bikes are available to guests.
Visit the lively and bustling colonial neighbourhood of Coyoacán, located in the south of Mexico City. There’s a palpable feeling of old Mexico here: Coyoacán was the first capital of New Spain and as a result, still proudly maintains its own identity, with narrow streets recalling a bygone era, plazas, cafes and a vibrant Bohemian atmosphere. The occasional strolling musician only adds to the atmosphere. You will explore Coyoacán’s main square, an array of churches and beautiful old buildings, then you’ll visit the home of surrealist artist Frida Kahlo. The house has been converted into a museum and gives an authentic representation of the lives and characters of both Frida Kahlo and her muralist husband, Diego Rivera – it highlights the political strains under which both passionate artists lived and constantly fought. Afterwards, visit the Leon Trotsky Museum, the former house where the Russian revolutionist lived during his exile in Mexico, having had a close friendship with Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
The Alest is an intimate boutique hotel combining contemporary Mexican design with a hint of British style in Mexico City’s upscale neighbourhood of Polanco.
With its large feature fireplace and plenty of space to sit soft, the stylish lobby of The Alest sets the scene at one of Mexico City’s most inviting small hotels. A white marble staircase beckons guests to the 20 or so elegant guest rooms and junior suites. Each room features curated Mexican art, hardwood floors, seating areas, Italian marble bathrooms and either views of the tree-lined street or interior patio, while junior suites have large terraces on the third floor overlooking the treetops.
The restaurant specialises in thoughtfully presented contemporary Mexican cuisine, while the adjacent bar is renowned for its signature cocktails. Opposite the hotel is verdant Lincoln Park, with its weekly market and little lake where local people gather to race model boats. Beyond are Polanco’s cafes, restaurants, museums and shops including Avenida Presidente Masaryk, the city’s equivalent of Fifth Avenue. Complimentary bikes are available to guests.
Mérida is the capital of the state of Yucatán. The city was founded by the Maya. In 1542 it was conquered by the Spanish conquistadores who dismantled the pyramids and used the stones as foundations for the cathedral. Mérida then became an immensely wealthy city, described as the Paris of the New World. Its money came mainly from the production of sisal, cactus fibres that are used to make rope, and it was culturally and geographically isolated from the rest of the country until transport infrastructure reached it in the 1950s.
The sumptuous boutique Casa Lecanda is aimed at a discerning clientèle, and marries an authentic sense of colonial Mexican tradition with the latest in modern luxury and elegance.
A former aristocratic residence, the hotel has been designed in keeping with the local style with elements of European luxury which were prevalent in the golden age of Merida’s sisal barons. It retains much of the original colonial ambience, with top quality antiques and furnishings peppering the rooms.
The décor is bold, with rich colours, strong patterns and wooden furnishings brought together with faultless attention to detail. Guest rooms are fully equipped, with air-con, minibar, flat screen TV, personal safe, iPod dock and walk-in rain showers. There is an open air swimming pool enclosed by colonnaded walkways, a stylish roof terrace and other restful areas for relaxation amidst the well-tended greenery.
Today’s full-day excursion begins with a drive to Yaxcopoil, a 17th century hacienda just outside Mérida that was typical of the many large, aristocratic estates which peppered the peninsula during the sisal boom. Yaxcopoil has been only partly restored, leaving some evocative vestiges of the old hacienda, and now also accommodates a museum narrating the history of sisal production in the region.
Continue to the ruins of Mayan Uxmal, (30mins) an important Unesco World Heritage Site considered the finest and most extensively excavated example of Puuc architecture, embracing such details as ornate stone mosaics and soaring vaulted arches. Whilst Chichén Itzá often steals the limelight for its sheer scale, Uxmal for many is a favourite for its ornate beauty and setting. The ruins are surrounded by forest and birds and bats flit around the broken walls, adding to the ambiance of mystery. After this you may be ready for a dip in the cool turquoise waters of a limestone cenote – hundreds of them punctuate the Yucatán landscape. To the Mayans, these represented the entrance to the underworld, and many valuable artefacts and even human skeletons have been found in them.
The sumptuous boutique Casa Lecanda is aimed at a discerning clientèle, and marries an authentic sense of colonial Mexican tradition with the latest in modern luxury and elegance.
A former aristocratic residence, the hotel has been designed in keeping with the local style with elements of European luxury which were prevalent in the golden age of Merida’s sisal barons. It retains much of the original colonial ambience, with top quality antiques and furnishings peppering the rooms.
The décor is bold, with rich colours, strong patterns and wooden furnishings brought together with faultless attention to detail. Guest rooms are fully equipped, with air-con, minibar, flat screen TV, personal safe, iPod dock and walk-in rain showers. There is an open air swimming pool enclosed by colonnaded walkways, a stylish roof terrace and other restful areas for relaxation amidst the well-tended greenery.
Unique due to its geographical isolation, strong Mayan presence and rich cultural heritage, Mérida is filled with striking white-stone Spanish colonial architecture and is known as ‘the white city’. Mérida retains a lovely historic centre, with a mix of opulent and crumbly buildings but it is a modern, bustling, thriving city, with lots of local character, some excellent places to eat and good shops and markets. The inhabitants, descendants of the Maya and the colonists, love a good fiesta, and there are plenty throughout the year, with live music and market stalls.
Your hotel is in the middle of the city’s elegant central axis, close to the Paseo Montejo. Merida’s stately boulevard, modelled on Paris’s Champs Elysées, is lined with mansions built by the wealthy plantation owners during the boom era of the city’s sisal trade at the turn of the 20th century. You can either plan to visit under your own steam or let us pre-book a guided walking tour of this joyous city, taking in its cathedral on the plaza grande (the oldest in Latin America) as well as its leafy, elegant plazas filled with pavement cafés and musicians. There’s a festive atmosphere, especially in the evenings after the heat of the day has passed.
The sumptuous boutique Casa Lecanda is aimed at a discerning clientèle, and marries an authentic sense of colonial Mexican tradition with the latest in modern luxury and elegance.
A former aristocratic residence, the hotel has been designed in keeping with the local style with elements of European luxury which were prevalent in the golden age of Merida’s sisal barons. It retains much of the original colonial ambience, with top quality antiques and furnishings peppering the rooms.
The décor is bold, with rich colours, strong patterns and wooden furnishings brought together with faultless attention to detail. Guest rooms are fully equipped, with air-con, minibar, flat screen TV, personal safe, iPod dock and walk-in rain showers. There is an open air swimming pool enclosed by colonnaded walkways, a stylish roof terrace and other restful areas for relaxation amidst the well-tended greenery.
From Mérida drive to Chichén Itzá (3 hrs), the grandest of all the Mayan sites, dominated by the huge, symmetrical, stepped El Castillo pyramid. The origins of the site are mysterious, and appear to have Toltec as well as Mayan influences. It has the largest and best-preserved ball court in the Americas: the venue for an ancient ritual game that was played throughout the continent, but which is still not fully understood.
Archaeologists have not been able to determine whether the losers or winners were decapitated, but judging from the gory carvings along the base of the court’s walls, someone certainly came to an unpleasant end. There is also a huge cenote sacred well. Accommodation is a short walk away, and in the evening there is the option to return to the site for the Sound and Light Show.
Close to the world-famous Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá, this converted 16th century property epitomises the peaceful, historic ambience of Mexico’s hacienda hotels.
Hacienda Chichen blends colonial style with ancient features, including original Mayan stone carvings hidden amidst its buildings and gardens. The 28 guestrooms are divided between rustic cottages dotted around the grounds and the main building. Rooms are very stylishly decorated, with iron bedsteads, large private bathroom and tiled terrace complete with rocking chair and hammock.
There’s also a pleasant patio restaurant beside the leafy pool terrace, and another dining option and sitting room in the main building. The traditional Mayan spa and organic garden is filled with tropical plants, much of which can be traced back to the collection of former owner and site archaeologist Edward Thompson.
Although the hotel is just a stone’s throw from Chichén Itzá, the nearest entry gate is 5km from the property.
Time to head for the Riviera Maya for 3 nights of utter relaxation. It’s a 3-hour drive to the white sands at Playa Maroma.
Relax on the sands or luxuriate in your jungle pool villa, enjoying your spacious terrace or private plunge pool. Take a kayak or paddleboard out on the Caribbean sea or sign up for a spa treatment before settling down for sundowners.
Chablé Maroma has a dreamy location on a wide, white-sand beach just north of Playa del Carmen on Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Enveloped by the Yucatán jungle, the hotel blends discreetly with its natural setting whilst offering top of the range facilities and comfort. An all-villa property, expect oodles of space, a private plunge pool and luxurious bathrooms with in/out rainforest showers and more than a nod to tradition in their construction and décor.
Both restaurants specialise in the regional cuisine of southern Mexico and there’s a big focus on wellbeing here with an extensive spa, yoga and meditation activities and a range of treatments. Use of kayaks and paddleboards is included as part of your stay as well as cooking and mixology classes and a traditional Mayan water ceremony.
Transfer to Cancun airport.
The places you’ll stay and explore on this tour. Here’s a closer look at each one and what makes it worth the trip.
Mexico - Mexico City
Mexico City is one of the world’s great capital cities, where ancient civilisations, colonial heritage and contemporary culture converge. Built on the foundations of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán, this vast metropolis offers everything from historic architecture and world-class museums to vibrant neighbourhoods and exceptional gastronomy.
Mexico - Mérida, Chichén Itzá and the Yucatan
Ancient Maya cities rise out of the jungle, colonial towns, and the Caribbean, this is the Yucatán Peninsula Mexico’s most varied region has to offer. Sites like Chichén Itzá, Uxmal and Tulum sit within easy reach of colonial Mérida and the Riviera Maya, making Yucatán Peninsula holidays one of the most rewarding trips.
Mexico - Caribbean coast: Riviera Maya and Holbox
White-sand beaches, turquoise waters and ancient Maya ruins meet along this stretch of Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Riviera Maya holidays run south from Cancún to the cliff-top ruins of Tulum, while Holbox Island offers a slower, sand-streeted alternative just off the northern tip of the Yucatán. This combines relaxation, nature and culture.
This luxurious private holiday showcases Mexico’s unmissable capital city and the storied archaeological sites of the Yucatán peninsula in the south-east of this culturally magnetic country. We feature a carefully selected range of prestigious Mexican properties, combining an urban boutique hotel in Mexico City’s trendy Polanco neighbourhood with boutique hotels and haciendas which perfectly capture the Yucatan’s slow-paced tropical charm.
Mexico is one of Latin America’s most vibrant and entertaining destinations, with a huge diversity of historical, cultural and natural attractions. On private guided excursions, you’ll discover the superb museums and teeming plazas of the megalopolis that is Mexico City, where the Aztec and Spanish heritages sit side by side. Moving south, explore the evocative ancient monuments, testament to bygone Maya empires, which lay hidden and silent for centuries amid the deep valleys and jungles of the south. Round off your holiday by pampering yourself at one of one of the country’s most prestigious, discreet and top-quality hotels on the white sand beaches of the Mayan Riviera.
Hannah Donaldson
All of our experts have lived or travelled extensively in Latin America, so you will receive unrivalled advice based on unique personal experiences.
The practical detail for this tour, all in one place. Transport, accommodation, what’s included and what to pack, so you know exactly what to expect before you go.
- Transport
One jet flight, 2 road journeys.
- Accommodation
This trip combines a first class boutique hotel in Mexico City, a first class boutique hotel in Mérida and a first-class beach resort on the Caribbean coast. Expect top-notch service and excellent facilities each of them. Whilst not luxurious, our hotel at Chichén Itzá is the best available and brims with rustic charm and jungle ambiance.
- Meals
Breakfast daily
- Guides
We carefully select our local partners, some of whom we have worked with for over 25 years. Their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by clients on their return.
- Summary Of Nights
11 days, 10 nights: Mexico City 3; Mérida 3; Chichén Itzá 1; Mayan Riviera 3.
- Currency
The unit of currency in Mexico is the Mexican peso.
- How To Take It
Cash machines are available in all major cities and towns, and so taking a debit or credit card with a PIN number is the most convenient way of withdrawing money while on your trip, and in most shops and restaurants you can also pay by card. However, since cards can get lost, damaged, withheld or blocked, you should not rely exclusively on a card to access funds. We recommend that additionally you take a reasonable quantity of US dollars cash (no more than is covered by your insurance), which you can exchange into local currency. Dollar bills should be in good condition, soiled or torn bills may be refused. You can take sterling, but the exchange rate is not always competitive or even available, restricting the number of places where you can change money.
- Daily Spend
It is very difficult to give a guideline for essential expenses but an average daily budget of around US$75-100 per person day should cover the cost of meals not included in the holiday itinerary, taking into account the grade of the hotels you’re staying at. You should budget further for drinks, tips and personal purchases.
- Tipping
Tips are welcomed and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income.
Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 – 12% in restaurants.
Tipping guidelines can be found in our Briefing Dossier.
- InsuranceTravel insurance is essential. Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel Insurance page.
- Visas
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.
- Trip Suitability
Generally this exciting yet well paced holiday is suitable for most visitors, including families with older children. Should you have a disability, please contact us.
- Climate
In Mexico City the climate is temperate all year round and, because of the altitude it never gets too hot (low to high 20s°C). However, temperatures can drop to freezing in the winter months. Most rain falls from June to October.
In the Yucatán and on the Caribbean coast, it’s hot and fairly humid all year round, with a risk of tropical storms and hurricanes August to November. On the coast, the rainiest months are June, October and November.
- Clothing And Special Equipment
For day-to-day wear in winter you should be prepared to encounter all seasons – for Mexico City a light fleece jacket and a breathable/waterproof outer shell makes a good combination. In summer a light jacket should suffice. Trousers, skirt or shorts made from light, quick-drying synthetic materials work well. If you plan to eat in smart restaurants, although clothing is not formal (no need for jacket and tie), something quite smart would be appropriate.
Strong, comfortable footwear is essential and you should bring insect repellant, hat, sun block and sun glasses. You should take swimwear for the beach, and for hotel pools.
Please get in touch with the office before departure if you have any doubts.
- Vaccinations
Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. For specific requirements you must consult your GP.
You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website.
- Airport Tax
If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the international departure tax is usually included in the ticket.
- When is the best time to go to Mexico?
It’s a year-round destination. Over half the country enjoys temperate highland weather, while the coasts are mostly sunny, hot and relatively humid. The northwest has an arid desert climate. Elsewhere most rain falls from Jun to Sep though precipitation can be expected up to Nov. Hurricanes are possible around the Gulf of Mexico and Yucatán Peninsula Jul – Nov.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What is the official language of Mexico?
The official language of Mexico is Spanish and indigenous languages.
- What is Mexico's official currency?
The official currency of Mexico is the Mexican peso. Notes can be withdrawn from the many ATMs using a UK credit or debit card.
Credit card or debit cards are widely accepted, although cash is still useful in Mexico. You’ll need some Pesos (or US$) cash for smaller expenses such as tips or souvenirs. Pesos can be obtained locally at ATMs or a Casa de Cambio. - What is the time difference between Mexico and the UK?
The time difference between the UK and Mexico is GMT-6 hours; ;and -7 hours in Southern Baja California and the Copper Canyon.
- Do I need a visa for Mexico?
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins.
If you are entering and/or leaving Mexico via a land border, you are required by the authorities to complete an electronic Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) form via the Gobierno do Mexico portal on https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html#
We recommend doing this several days before crossing the land border, as you need to upload a scan of your passport to complete the process and print the form once completed. If you arriving by air and leaving by land, you can ask our local partners to assist you with this process once you are in Mexico.
Anyone with a different nationality should ensuire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application. - What vaccinations do I need for Mexico?
Please check Travel Health Pro for information on health recommendations and vaccinations for the destinations you are visiting. Please note that many Latin American countries require proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever if you have recently travelled to another country where Yellow Fever is present.
- What other countries combine well with Mexico?
A visit to neighbouring Belize, where there are luxury eco-lodges, superb diving and snorkelling all embraced in British Caribbean cultural heritage.
- What are the festivals, cultural and sporting events in Mexico?
Independence Day, 16 Sep Celebrations throughout the country.
Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, 1 – 2 Nov. Celebrated throughout the country.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Take a stroll through the historic plazas and boulevards of Mexico’s cosmopolitan capital, discovering the city’s Aztec foundations.
Discover the private world of celebrated artist Frida Kahlo at her family home in leafy Coyoacán.
Take a memorable dip in one of the Yucatán peninsula’s distinctive turquoise limestone sinkholes and visit a hacienda brimming with colonial character.
Take a guided tour of a spectacularly situated Mayan clifftop fortress before enjoying a relaxing swim in the Caribbean cove at the foot of the ruins.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation. Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you will relax in utter comfort
Sumptuous boutique property in a converted mansion, bringing together the best of old and new Mexico with bold and stylish décor, elegant terraces and top-quality amenities.
Papagaio
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