All posts tagged: "day-trip"

Build your own Day Trip!

Build a custom day trip to any destination within Yucatan. The only restriction is that target sites should be within a reasonable distance. Bear in mind that all archaeological sites are closed by 5pm (last entrance 4:30pm), and most churches close from 10am-6pm.

Just send us a proposed Day Trip and we can make it work one way or another.

Our driving service rate includes, van & driver, insurance, fuel, toll fees, cold bottled water (ice boxes on board the vehicle), as well as towels for swimming activities. Rates consider Merida as collection and drop-off destination. The 10-hour continuous driving service allows to complete any published day trip without rushing through the experience. Should you need additional time, add $150 MX pesos per hour (or $10 USD dollars).

Please add 16% Mexican sales tax.

Meals & admission fees to sites are not included.

If you are interested in wildlife, you will enjoy exploring Celestun.

The wildlife reserve at Celestun is a bird sanctuary best known as a flamingo breeding spot, as well as a stop-over for migrating North American birds. Depending on the season, you will be able to see cormorants, egrets, storks, pelican and ducks. Although it is very likely that you will be able to watch flamingoes, it cannot be guaranteed. Swimming at the lagoon is not allowed.

An eastward drive of under 1.5 hours will take you to the coastal area of Celestun. The bird sanctuary is located across the lagoon bridge to the left, about 1 mile before the village. The boat ride along the lagoon takes about 1.5 hours. Each boat takes no more than 6 passengers as it is rather shallow lagoon. A very early start is not recommended as tides will not allow the boats to depart; (water level has to reached a certain depth). The highlight of the trip is of course bird watching, particularly the amazing flamingo flocks. However, you will also navigate through a mangrove canal and to a fresh water source where swimming is allowed. The visit to the petrified forest has been eliminated because it is now flooded

After the visit, you can continue to the coastal town of Celestun to enjoy the beach and/or have lunch at one of the seaside restaurants

Our driving service rate includes, van & driver, insurance, fuel, toll fees, cold bottled water (ice boxes on board the vehicle), as well as towels for swimming activities. Rates consider Merida as collection and drop-off destination. The 10-hour continuous driving service allows to complete any published day trip without rushing through the experience. Should you need additional time, add $150 MX pesos per hour (or $10 USD dollars).

*Please add 16% Mexican sales tax.

Meals & admission fees to sites are not included.

One of the hidden treasures of the Peninsula is the city of Campeche.

The city was established two years before Merida in 1560 by Francisco de Montejo, and fortified in the 18th. century as protection against frequent pirate attacks.

During the 17th. century pirates Morgan and Drake terrorized the rich coastal town of Campeche. While visiting the city of Campeche, you can walk along the Soledad Bastion near Puerta de Mar (or Sea Entrance) and visit the Mayan exhibit. The Cathedral and main square, Casa Carvajal, San Francisco convent, San Roman, La Guadalupita chapel, are among the key sites to visit.

Drive up the hills to the San Gabriel fort for exhilarating views of the city and the Gulf of Mexico; visit the Archaeological Museum within the bastion, where you will find Mayan sculptures, friezes and artifacts from Calakmul.

Our driving service rate includes, van & driver, insurance, fuel, toll fees, cold bottled water (ice boxes on board the vehicle), as well as towels for swimming activities. Rates consider Merida as collection and drop-off destination. The 10-hour continuous driving service allows to complete any published day trip without rushing through the experience. Should you need additional time, add $150 MX pesos per hour (or $10 USD dollars).

*Please add 16% Mexican sales tax.

Meals & admission fees to sites are not included.

The archaeological site of Uxmal – “The thrice built” is a masterpiece of the Puuc style.

This Mayan site is located next to the only mountain range of the Yucatan and close to the state of Campeche.

The Governor’s Palace, the Nunnery and Sorcerer’s pyramid are among the most important buildings. The Mayan word Puuc means mountain range. This architectural style is characterized by elaborate geometric patterns on the upper section of buildings, contrasting with very austere lower sections. Climbing the “Gran Piramide” allows for a panoramic view of the citadel.

Follow the path to the magnificent chambers and hear the legends and secrets explained by the local guides.

After your visit to Uxmal, continue the Puuc route to Kabah, or visit the Cacao Musuem across Uxmal: taste chocolate mixed with pepper and other spices, understand the importance of cacao in the Mayan culture. Time permitting, Yaxcopoil Hacienda (a former sisal plantation, closed on Sunday and at 2pm on Saturday) can also be explored as the final stop before heading back to Merida.

If you wish the extended version of the Puuc route including Sayil, Labna, X’lapac and/or Loltun Caves please send us a message (temporarily closed).

Our driving service rate includes, van & driver, insurance, fuel, toll fees, cold bottled water (ice boxes on board the vehicle), as well as towels for swimming activities. Rates consider Merida as collection and drop-off destination. The 10-hour continuous driving service allows to complete any published day trip without rushing through the experience. Should you need additional time, add $150 MX pesos per hour (or $10 USD dollars).

*Please add 16% Mexican sales tax.

Meals & admission fees to sites are not included.

Chichen Itza holds a very special significance within the Mayan classic period.

It represents the pinnacle of Mayan civilization.

The architectural style has a strong Toltec influence from central Mexico. In order to preserve the citadel, there are restrictions at most building. However, just walking among the magnificent structures and the jungle is worth a visit. Key landmarks are: Kukulkan pyramid, commonly known as “The Castle”, the ball court – the largest in the Mayan region-, the Observatory and the Thousand Column temple.

Afterwards, you can refresh at Ikil cenote and have lunch at the cenote or in nearby Piste.

Continue to Izamal village. This colonial town is home of the beautiful 16th. century Franciscan monastery and the Kinich Kak’ Moo Mayan pyramid, which offers great views of the town and the extensive lowlands of the Yucatan. The local museum of Folk Arst displays magnificent pieces of pottery and textiles from different parts of Mexico (closed on Mondays).

An alternate stop instead of Izamal, depending on how much time you spend on the first two sites, is Valladolid. This colonial town has several landmarks: the Franciscan convent at the main square, the San Bernardino de Sienna monastery, the blue cenote, among other sites. If you prefer the Valladolid stop, contact us for a quote.

Our driving service rate includes, van & driver, insurance, fuel, toll fees, cold bottled water (ice boxes on board the vehicle), as well as towels for swimming activities. Rates consider Merida as collection and drop-off destination. The 10-hour continuous driving service allows to complete any published day trip without rushing through the experience. Should you need additional time, add $150 MX pesos per hour (or $10 USD dollars).

*Please add 16% Mexican sales tax.

Meals & admission fees to sites are not included.

Mayapan is a post-classic settlement, 45 km. east of Merida. This was the last Mayan capital of the northern lowlands, after the collapse of Chichen Itza.

Despite its relative proximity to Merida, this magnificent archaeological site is somewhat off the beaten path, so it is likely that you will find very few visitors, or none at all if you arrive early. It still holds the advantage of allowing visitor to climb most of the structures. Just be sure to go slowly and climb steadily as there are no handrails and some staircases have short steps. This is particularly true for the largest pyramid, the Kukulkan. Once at the top you will have a splendid view, no mountains in sight ! In spite of the vantage point, due to the vegetation you will not be able to see the crumbling wall that encloses the site.

After Mayapan, you will head to Acanceh. The striking element of this short visit is that the small village has a pyramid within !, just across the main square and the church, unlike Mayapan that sits alone in the low rain forest.

After visiting these archaeological sites you will be ready to relax, refresh and enjoy the cenotes at Santa Barbara at Homun village. Santa Barbara has 3 magnificent cenotes and the option of having lunch. They offer very good Yucatecan food and reasonable prices.

Our driving service rate includes, van & driver, insurance, fuel, toll fees, cold bottled water (ice boxes on board the vehicle), as well as towels for swimming activities. Rates consider Merida as collection and drop-off destination. The 10-hour continuous driving service allows to complete any published day trip without rushing through the experience. Should you need additional time, add $150 MX pesos per hour (or $10 USD dollars).

*Please add 16% Mexican sales tax.

Meals & admission fees to sites are not included.

Homun is a small community near Cuzamá, better known for its cenotes. While Cuzamá struggles to settle their land dispute, Homun is good choice to visit several cenotes within a contained geography. Each cenote at Homun is different, all of them refreshing and eye-catching. After visiting and swimming in the cenotes, we suggest you continue your day trip to Izamal, the only “magical town” in the Peninsula. Very few selected towns in the country have been awarded the title of magical towns. These few places are endowed with relevant architecture from the Spanish colonial period, in this case the magnificent Franciscan monastery (built on top of an former Mayan temple), plus the connecting squares. The surrounding streets and old homes are well kept, and the striking unifying element is the color, a unique hue of yellow that is the trademark of Izamal. The Kinich pyramid (which means “the elder”), located only 2 blocks north from the monastery adds the Mayan touch to the town. It offers outstanding views of the northern lowlands. On a very, very clear day, Chichen Itza can be seen. At first glance the pyramid does not seems large, but once you walk around it and climb on top of it you will notice its regal dimensions. A couple of blocks east, you can visit Izamatul pyramid. Excellent Yucatecan food can be found at the Kinich restaurant.

Our driving service rate includes, van & driver, insurance, fuel, toll fees, cold bottled water (ice boxes on board the vehicle), as well as towels for swimming activities. Rates consider Merida as collection and drop-off destination. The 10-hour continuous driving service allows to complete any published day trip without rushing through the experience. Should you need additional time, add $150 MX pesos per hour (or $10 USD dollars).

*Please add 16% Mexican sales tax.

Meals & admission fees to sites are not included.