Ecotourism: Meeting the Mayan People
In the heart of the Yucatán, experience the Mayan heritage between crystalline cenotes and ancestral communities.
Duration
10 days
From
€1,817/pers.
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Style
Self-drive tour
Comfort
classique
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends
The spirit of travel
This journey into the heart of the Yucatán invites you to discover the cultural and natural richness of the region through an itinerary focused on ecotourism and authentic encounters with local populations. Your adventure begins in Valladolid, a charming colonial town, where you will explore its heritage and gastronomy. Next, head towards Rio Lagartos, famous for its biodiversity, notably its pink flamingos and preserved marine landscapes. Visiting Mérida and the surrounding Maya communities will immerse you in the living culture of the region. You will have the opportunity to interact with locals, learn about their traditions and sustainable way of life. A night in the Maya community of Nuevo Durango will offer you total immersion, fostering exchanges and authentic experiences. To conclude your stay, join the idyllic beaches of Tulum, where you can relax while appreciating the preservation efforts of this unique ecosystem. This responsible journey combines cultural discoveries and respect for nature, leaving you with unforgettable memories and a better understanding of the Yucatán.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Welcome to Mexico!
Cancun International Airport → Cancún
Upon your arrival in Mexique, our concierge service will be by your side to assist you and ensure your well-being throughout your stay.
A WhatsApp group will be created just before your departure to facilitate exchanges and provide you with smooth support to fully enjoy your trip.
Support from Angie, your local contact
Settled in Mexique for over three years, Angie first lived for a year in Playa del Carmen before settling in Mexico. Passionate about the country and its culture, she will be your privileged point of contact on the ground. Present throughout your stay, she will remain available to assist you if needed.
Transfer from Cancún airport to the city center
Included: transport, fuel, tolls, parking
Ecotourism initiatives
Our partner takes you to discover the natural wonders in the Yucatán Peninsula in the company of our local drivers. We strive to offer you only visits to places that respect the environment and ecosystem of the peninsula.
Snorkeling on the Puerto Morelos Coral Reef
Vehicle rental of Changan Alsvin type or similar (basic coverage)
Number of days: 9
Included:
- Vehicle rental
- Unlimited mileage
- Additional driver included, over 24 years old
- TPL (Third-party liability coverage for material and bodily damage, excluding passengers and their belongings, as required by Mexican law, this coverage is mandatory)
- Basic insurance with 10% deductible on vehicle value
Rates do not include:
- TGI - Glass and tires coverage (10 USD / day)
- SRA - Road assistance (12 USD / day)
- MDW - Minor damages (10 USD / day)
Drop off of your vehicle in downtown Cancún
Road Assistance Insurance
Number of days: 9
Included: SRA - Road Assistance
Insurance limitations:
In case of driver negligence, the insurance will be invalidated. Be sure to carefully review the contract with the car rental company to understand the various limitations.
Price: 154 EUR
Puerto Morelos is a typical Mexican fishing village, located between Cancún and Playa del Carmen. It is renowned worldwide for its coral reef, considered the second largest on the planet. In 1998, it was declared a protected natural area.
We offer you a 2-hour excursion inside the Puerto Morelos National Park, one of the best snorkeling tours in the Riviera Maya thanks to its protected area. During this outing, you will dive and explore 2 different reefs for 45 minutes each. We provide professional-grade equipment (mask, fins, snorkel and life jacket), a water bottle, the national park entrance bracelet, the boat and our official guide.
You will be pleasantly surprised by the richness of marine life and corals, results of the conservation efforts implemented by the park. Several departures are offered daily, and a pool is available for beginners so you feel comfortable during your first water entry.
Free visit to the authentic village of Puerto Morelos
You can walk to the leaning lighthouse, located in the middle of the main harbor. Puerto Morelos is also an excellent snorkeling spot, where you can admire hundreds of marine species just meters from the beaches.
Included: all equipment: mask, fins, snorkel and life jacket, the national park bracelet, the boat and official guide.
Pink Flamingo Observation Excursion
Embark on a boat excursion through the lush mangrove channels of the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve. During this captivating visit, you will be able to admire a wide variety of birds, such as pelicans, eagles and herons, which adorn the landscape. Without a doubt, the star of the visit will be the American flamingo, whose majesty will leave you speechless. Furthermore, if you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the fascinating crocodiles that inhabit the mangroves. To conclude this adventure, we invite you to swim in the crystal-clear waters of the brilliant emerald green beach of Río Lagartos.
Included: life jackets, binoculars, bird guide and cooler.
Pick-up not included
Self-guided visit to Ek Balam:
Discover the Ek Balam site, or Black Jaguar in Maya. This unique site, sheltered from the crowds of visitors, is relatively "recent" since excavations only began in 1994. It was one of the most important centers of the eastern part of the Yucatán.
Although this archaeological site is not the most popular, it is worth the detour, particularly for its magnificent statues. Lost in the middle of the jungle, Ek Balam is one of the sites with the most temples, although not all have been discovered yet.
The site is open every day, Monday to Sunday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Discovering one of the 7 wonders of the world: Chichen Itza
You will head towards the charming village of Kaua, where you will be warmly welcomed by a Yucatecan community. Here, art and tradition blend within an artisans' cooperative. You will explore renowned workshops, including that of a sculptor, master in the art of obsidian and mosaic. His talent has made him one of the rare artists authorized to create museum pieces in Mexique.
We will also visit the workshop where the famous Mayan calendar on "amate" paper is created. You will discover the fascinating astronomy, mathematics and hieroglyphics that were essential to the ancient Mayas.
Throughout the day, you will participate in a small purification ceremony with the Xmen, a herbalist and spiritual guide, who will help you connect with ancestral energies. You will also have the opportunity to admire the Catholic chapel decorated by the community's sculptor, a reflection of the region's cultural syncretism.
We will then continue our journey towards Chichén Itzá, where you will enjoy a guided tour to explore this archaeological wonder before returning to Valladolid, taking with you unforgettable memories of this unique experience.
Certified guide included
Pick-up not included
In the Heart of the Yucatan: Traditions, Flavors and History
Discover Yucatecan daily life during this immersive full-day excursion to Tekit. Your adventure begins with a warm welcome in the village, followed by a traditional bakery workshop. Learn to bake typical Yucatecan bread in a stone oven, following ancestral recipes passed down from generation to generation.
Visit a traditional Mayan house and discover how ancient practices still influence daily life. Next, explore the production of meliponas bees, essential to local culture and agriculture. After this visit, savor a regional Yucatecan lunch, composed of authentic dishes prepared with local ingredients.
In the afternoon, discover the making of guayaberas, these emblematic shirts of the Yucatán, and learn more about this product linked to the region's identity. Finally, explore the Mayapán archaeological site, one of the most important Mayan cities in the region. Stroll among the ruins and learn more about the civilization that thrived there.
This enriching experience allows you to discover the daily life, culture and history of the Yucatán, while exchanging with local artisans and exploring the heritage of this land.
Pick-up not included
Free day in Merida
Mérida → Nuevo Durango
Enjoy a free day to explore Mérida at your own pace. You will be able to discover the main sites of the city, such as the San Idelfonso Cathedral, Casa Montejo and the Government Palace. Continue your exploration by venturing into traditional markets and strolling along Paseo Montejo avenue, where you will find the great colonial villas.
On the gastronomy side, Mérida offers you a wide range of options: restaurants specializing in Yucatecan cuisine to street food stands offering affordable delights such as tacos and marquesitas, all in a friendly atmosphere.
To extend the evening, don't miss the free evening shows that take place every night in downtown Mérida. In your travel journal, we will indicate our best restaurant recommendations and must-see attractions in Mérida.
Free visit to the village of Izamal
Izamal is a "pueblo mágico" renowned for its Spanish colonial architecture and Maya remains. Nicknamed the "yellow city" because of the bright color of its buildings, Izamal charms visitors with its beauty and unique atmosphere.
The historic center of the city is dominated by the Convento de San Antonio de Padua, an imposing Franciscan monastery built on the ruins of an ancient Maya temple. Besides the monastery, Izamal is home to several other fascinating historical sites, such as the Temple of Kinich Kak Moo, an ancient Maya temple, as well as the Zamna Square.
Izamal is also renowned for its delicious local cuisine and craftsmanship, offering visitors a true journey to the heart of the region's traditions and culture.
Maya purification ceremony
Maya purification ceremonies with our shaman are rituals of energy renewal and emotional stability. These sacred ceremonies aim to harmonize the four cardinal points with the four elements to allow the descent of spiritual deities.
During this experience, you will be exposed to natural incense, copal, and taste the sacred drink called "balché", prepared from the bark of a tree, honey, cinnamon, star anise and ginger. This is the only sacred Maya drink used in various ceremonies, offering a deep immersion in the traditions and spirituality of this ancient culture.
A unique opportunity to find inner peace and connect with the Maya spiritual heritage.
Pick-up not included
Cobá, a Mayan site in the heart of the jungle
Nuevo Durango → Tulum
Discover the Coba archaeological site on foot to see the most famous groups of monuments. This site lost in the middle of the jungle will take you back in time.
It is the most important site on the Yucatan Peninsula, rivaling only Chichen Itza, its eternal rival. The city extended over 70 km² and developed a network of 45 "sacbeob" (small limestone paths) allowing movement between the different complexes, but also to reach satellite sites.3
Included: Guided tour in English-speaking guide
Pick-up not included
Gastronomic experience at Nuevo Durango
Join us for a unique culinary adventure in the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula. Our excursion offers you an authentic experience, where we will marinate chicken in the traditional way and cook it underground in the "pibil" style. Then, we will discover local products to prepare fresh cactus salads (nopal) and taste refreshing seasonal water.
After this first part of the excursion, you will have an hour of free time which we will spend visiting a magnificent cenote. You will be able to cool off in its crystal-clear waters and enjoy the natural beauty of the region.
Then, back at our cooking location, we will taste the delicious meal we prepared together. To crown this memorable experience, we will invite you to participate in a local music session and share a Mayan toast as a farewell.
Price 143 EUR /person
Included: cooking class, private guide, meal
Pick-up not included
Ancestral Waters: The Cenotes of K'oox Baal
We will venture into three cenotes of cave type, located in the third longest flooded cave system in the world, "K'oox Baal". A privilege reserved for a select few who will have the opportunity to explore these sacred water portals.
During a walk of approximately 40 minutes through virgin jungle, we will connect with the very essence of nature. While the song of birds and the whisper of the wind accompany us, we will discover the secret beauty of the cenotes, in which we will explore their deep and mysterious waters.
This adventure is an invitation to immerse yourself in the ancestral spirit of the land, to walk on thousand-year-old trails and to observe up close the flora and fauna that inhabit these magical places.
Included: English-speaking local guides, 3 cave-type cenotes, mask, homemade meal, underwater lamp, life jacket, safety helmet, neoprene suit, purified water and seasonal fruits, lockers.
Guided tour of the Tulum site in an intimate setting
Sixteenth-century sources designate the site as "Zamá", which means in Maya "tomorrow" or "dawn". The name Tulum, relatively recent, is translated as "wall" or "palisade", in allusion to the wall that is preserved here.
Tulum is the most emblematic site on the Quintana Roo coast, due to its privileged location and the excellent preservation of its buildings and murals. Its wall is well known, which delimits the main complex on its north, south and west sides, since the eastern sector faces the Caribbean Sea; it has five entrances and two watchtowers.
The site is presided over by El Castillo, the highest base of Tulum, which preserves a temple with three entrances decorated with serpent columns and two zoomorphic masks at the angles. In front of the castle, there is a platform for dances and to the southwest is the temple of the initial series, where the earliest documented date at Tulum was found: 564 A.D.
To the north is the Temple of the Descending God, with a small base on which a building was constructed decorated with the image of this deity, the main iconographic element of the city. Opposite this complex is the main road, with several buildings; the most important is the Temple of Frescoes, whose murals represent a series of supernatural beings residing in the Underworld, which constitute one of the most important testimonies of pre-Hispanic Maya mural painting.
Continuing along the road, you can see the palaces known as House of Columns and House of Halach Uinik.
At the northeast entrance, the Casa del Cenote, documents the importance that the Maya gave to water worship linked to cenotes. Nearby, you can see the temple of the God of the Wind, named after its circular base, linked to Kukulcan, god of the winds.
Included:
- Site entrance
- Guided tour
Pick-up not included
Beaches around Tulum
Paraiso Beach (Playa Paraíso)
Access: A few minutes from downtown Tulum, accessible by bike, taxi or car.
Equipment: Lounge chairs and umbrellas available from 200-500 MXN, depending on the establishments (restaurants and beach clubs).
Parking: Nearby parking (approximately 50-100 MXN).
Las Palmas Public Beach (Playa Las Palmas)
Access: Easily accessible by bike or car from downtown Tulum.
Parking: No parking fees if you find a spot on the main road.
Akumal Beach
Access: Accessible by car or local transport (colectivo).
Price: Beach access is free, but fees of approximately 150-200 MXN are charged for snorkeling equipment or to enter specific beach areas.
Parking: Approximately 50 MXN.
Xpu-Ha Beach
Access: Accessible by car or colectivo.
Price: Entrance fees of 100 to 150 MXN per person (sometimes deductible from your consumption at beach clubs).
Parking: Included in the entrance fee.
See you soon in Mexico!
Tulum → Aéroport de Cancún
Welcome back home and see you soon for new adventures!
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- International flights
- Meals not mentioned (10-15€ per meal)
- Non-mentioned beverages
- The options and extensions
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Insurance not mentioned
- Petrol costs (100-150€ for self-drive tour)
- Eco-friendly taxes (2€/day/person)
Included
- Premium English-speaking concierge service
- Personalized airport welcome
- Travel notebook offered in digital version
- Eco-traveler Welcome Kit
- Ready to rent portable wifi router with local SIM card
- Custom Google Map with Recommendations
- Online thematic conference replay
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
Les informations ci-dessous concernent les voyageurs ressortissants de l'Espace économique européen (EEE), de la Suisse et du Canada se rendant au Mexique dans le cadre d'un séjour touristique. Les règles d'entrée pouvant évoluer, nous vous recommandons de vérifier les informations auprès des autorités officielles avant votre départ.
Passeport
Pour entrer au Mexique, votre passeport doit être valide pour toute la durée du séjour. Il est toutefois fortement conseillé qu'il soit valide au minimum six mois après la date d'entrée dans le pays, certaines compagnies aériennes et autorités frontalières pouvant l'exiger.
Le document doit comporter au moins une page vierge pour les tampons d'immigration et être en bon état (pas de pages détériorées, déchirées ou modifiées).
Séjour touristique sans visa
Les ressortissants de l'Espace économique européen, de la Suisse et du Canada bénéficient d'une exemption de visa pour les séjours touristiques au Mexique.
Cette exemption permet un séjour pouvant aller jusqu'à 180 jours. La durée de séjour autorisée est déterminée par l'agent d'immigration mexicain à l'entrée sur le territoire et est inscrite sur la carte de visiteur (FMM — Forma Migratoria Múltiple) ou enregistrée électroniquement.
Les autorités peuvent également demander :
un billet de sortie du territoire (vol retour ou continuation),
une preuve de ressources financières suffisantes pour la durée du séjour,
une adresse d'hébergement au Mexique.
Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM)
À votre arrivée, les autorités mexicaines peuvent vous remettre ou enregistrer électroniquement une Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM), document officiel attestant de votre statut de visiteur temporaire.
Ce document recense notamment :
les informations de votre passeport,
les détails de votre vol,
votre adresse d'hébergement au Mexique,
la durée de séjour autorisée par l'agent d'immigration.
Il est impératif de conserver ce document durant tout votre séjour et de le restituer lors de votre départ. Sa perte peut entraîner des complications et des frais lors de la sortie du territoire.
Santé
Aucun vaccin n'est obligatoire pour entrer au Mexique depuis l'EEE, la Suisse ou le Canada. Cependant, certaines vaccinations sont recommandées à titre préventif :
mise à jour des vaccinations de base (diphtérie, tétanos, poliomyélite, rougeole),
hépatite A et hépatite B,
fièvre typhoïde, selon les régions visitées.
Dans certaines zones tropicales et côtières, un risque de paludisme et de dengue existe. Il est conseillé de consulter un médecin ou un centre de vaccination internationale avant le départ.
Voyage avec des enfants
Les mineurs doivent être titulaires de leur propre passeport valide couvrant la durée du séjour.
Le Mexique peut exiger, lorsqu'un mineur voyage accompagné d'un seul parent ou sans ses deux parents, une autorisation parentale notariée du ou des parents absents. Il est recommandé de se renseigner auprès du consulat mexicain compétent avant le départ.
Dans certains pays européens, lorsqu'un mineur voyage sans l'un de ses parents, une autorisation de sortie du territoire peut également être exigée selon la réglementation du pays de résidence.
Autres nationalités
Les conditions d'entrée peuvent varier selon la nationalité. Les voyageurs concernés doivent se renseigner auprès de l'ambassade ou du consulat du Mexique de leur pays de résidence.
Pour participer à nos voyages, il est fortement conseillé d'être assuré en assistance-rapatriement et frais médicaux à l’étranger.
Votre agence locale vous encourage à prendre connaissance du contrat spécifique élaboré avec notre partenaire CHAPKA ASSURANCES et AXA ASSISTANCE.
Pour souscrire à une assurance, connaître les garanties et les tarifs, suivez le lien ci-dessous.
CAP EXPLORER : La solution d’assurance complète conçue pour vivre sereinement votre voyage !
Choisissez la formule qui vous correspond le mieux:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Spécifiques à nos voyages, nous suggérons fortement d’y souscrire.
Si vous choisissez de souscrire à l’une de ces formules, la convention détaillant l’ensemble des garanties et les modalités de déclaration du sinistre sont disponibles sur le site Internet de l'assureur.
Votre agence locale en aura connaissance, mais seul le participant est responsable du respect des procédures de déclaration de tout sinistre. Le participant doit donc conserver cette convention avec lui pendant toute la durée de son voyage.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
Non, les ressortissants français peuvent séjourner jusqu'à 180 jours au Mexique sans visa. Passeport valide pendant la durée du séjour requis. À l'arrivée, une FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) est remise, à conserver jusqu'au départ. Vérifiez les conditions à jour auprès du consulat.
Rendez-vous dans la section Mes Voyages pour retrouver tous vos projets.
Vous pouvez envoyer un message à votre hôte directement depuis le Salon de Thé.
Pour un voyage sur mesure de qualité, comptez entre 150 et 260 euros par jour et par personne, incluant hébergement, repas, transports internes et activités. Les vols internationaux (700-1100 euros A/R) sont en supplément. Le Mexique est un pays immense : les distances imposent des vols intérieurs.
Vos documents sont accessibles dans l'onglet Documents de votre voyage.
Absolument. Nous adaptons chaque circuit au profil des voyageurs. Pour les familles, nous privilégions des rythmes détendus, des hébergements familiaux, des activités ludiques et pédagogiques, et des transferts privés confortables. Nos guides locaux francophones savent capter l'attention des enfants avec des anecdotes adaptées à leur âge.
C'est simple. Vous échangez avec notre équipe locale pour définir vos envies, votre budget et vos dates. Vous recevez une proposition d'itinéraire détaillée sous 48 heures. Vous ajustez ensemble chaque détail jusqu'à la version parfaite. Vous confirmez et partez l'esprit tranquille. Votre agence locale reste disponible 7j/7 pendant toute la durée du voyage.
En cas d'urgence, contactez immédiatement votre agence locale.
Le paiement s'effectue généralement en deux fois.
Notre agence fait partie du réseau Nomadays, immatriculé en France. Vous bénéficiez de la garantie APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) qui couvre 100% de vos fonds. Paiement sécurisé, assurance rapatriement incluse, et assistance francophone 24h/24 sur place pendant tout votre séjour.
Let's talk about your adventure — Yucatan Riviera Maya
Bespoke Mexico Travel Creator, based in Mexico (Roma Norte)
A truly tailor-made journey starts with listening. My role is to understand what matters to each traveler, then translate it into an itinerary.
— Kim
