Tour info

Transport

One jet flight, 2 road journeys. 

Accommodation

This trip combines a first class boutique hotel in Mexico City, a first class hacienda-style 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, lunch days 5 and 7.

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.

Insurance

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. 

Trip Suitability

If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the international departure tax is usually included in the ticket.

Country info

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. You may have to ask your bank to authorise withdrawals before you leave leave UK, and amounts are limited to about £100.

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. 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.

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.