This program is made by our team to show you all the highlights of the Yucatan peninsula you have to see. You can add some additional places after this selfdrive like the fascinating island of Holbox and fantastic excursions to Isla Mujeres or Sian Ka’an.
Brussel – Cancún . 1n Cancún
Arrival at the International airport of Cancún (hour always depending on place of departure, day and airline company). At the airport, you will be greeted by an UA associate who will arrange the transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a free night at Cancún.
Hotel: room type
Breakfast included
Cancún – Valladolid. 1n Valladolid
Relax and enjoy your hotel in all peace. Around 11h30 you will be picked up to get your car at the car rental shop. Around noon, you will be able to depart to the colonial city of Valladolid. This lovely little city simply can’t be missed on your trip through the Yucatán peninsula.
After an approximate 2 hour drive, you arrive in Valladolid, with time to have lunch before checking in at your hotel. Check in is possible from 15h00.
Ready to discover Valladolid? At 16h00 you will be going on a city tour with an English guide so that you can get to know this cosy little city better. Get to know the Sisal monastery, the lovely main square and its cathedral, Zaci cenote and off course Las Frailes.
If you want to enjoy a delightful sound and lightshow at night, please let us know, so we can help you at that time by providing all necessary information.
Hotel: room type
Breakfast included
Valladolid – Chichen Itza – Rio Lagartos. 1n Rio Lagartos
An early wake up call, but who would not be excited to visit one of the seven world wonders! At 9h00 the private tour starts so you can beat the crowds, and more important, the heath of the sun. Discover the secrets of Maya civilisation and glance at the most known pyramid, known as the pyramid of the feathered snake, or Kukulcan, in awe.
After this visit, you will drive to Hacienda Oxman, where you can have lunch around 13h00. Not only lunch, but afterwards, you can have a dip in the cenote.
At 15h00 it is time to leave Hacienda Oxman and head towards Rio Lagartos, a small fishermen town, where you can relax by the mangroves and nature reserve. Enjoy a lovely dinner by the pier.
Hotel: room type
Breakfast included
Rio Lagartos – Mérida. 1n Mérida
After breakfast, your 2h boat ride through the nature reserve starts. As you make your way through the mangroves, try to spot a variety of birds, crocodiles, and flamingos, what this place is mainly known for!
After that thrilling boat ride, you will continue your trip to nearby Las Coloradas, where you are expected to arrive at 11h00. Discover the beautiful pink lakes and make possibly one of the nicest holiday pictures. This place is perfect for goofy poses and photoshoots. Around 12h00 have lunch in Las Coloradas before continuing your trip to Mérida.
Free night
Hotel: room type
Breakfast included
Mérida – Sotuta de Peon – Mérida. 1n Mérida
Just outside Mérida, you will get to know the lovely and well preserved Hacienda Sotuta de Peon. During this 3 hour during guided visit in English, you will get an insight in the day to day life on a 19th century Hacienda, when the agave production was at its peak.
In the afternoon we head back to the city of Mérida to enjoy a private city tour to get to know this historically interesting city better. Do not forget to pass by the Paseo de Montejo. You will see why people make the comparison with the world known Champs-Elysées. Enjoy afterwards of a night out in this romantic city with a lot of squares and nice restaurants.
Hotel: room type
Breakfast included
Mérida – Uxmal – Campeche . 1n Campeche
In the morning you will discover Uxmal, one of the best conserved Maya sites on the whole peninsula of Yucatán. Climb the palace of the Maya rulers where you can take one of the most breath-taking pictures with views of the jungle surrounding the Maya site.
After visiting the Uxmal ruins, you can visit the local chocolate museum and decide for yourself whether the local Mexican chocolate is better than the Belgian or Swiss chocolates.
Before hitting the road towards Campeche, it is advised to have lunch just outside of Uxmal. On the way, you can enjoy nice views of the Gulf of Mexico. Don’t forget to visit the Malecon at night in Campeche, one of the main attractions where there is always a nice little breeze.
Hotel: room type
Breakfast included
Campeche – Xpujil. 1n Xpujil
Take the time to enjoy the lovely city of Campeche with its many squares and visit San Felipe fortress. Campeche is mostly known for its architecture and colourful houses. Just wander around the city and discover for yourself.
After lunch, head over to Xpujil where you will stay in the middle of the jungle. If lucky (or unlucky – you decide) you can hear some jungle sounds, such as from monkeys during your stay. Enjoy a free night
Hotel: room type
Breakfast included
Xpujil – Bacalar. 1n Bacalar
At7h00 you will be picked up for a guided tour at the magnificent archaeological Maya site of Calakmul where you can climb one of the highest Maya temples. Calakmul will not sound that familiar with most. Close your eyes for a second and imagine a place where you hear monkeys howling, birds, in a jungle infested area where you can discover an ancient city of Maya people. After a short walk, we enter the site and stumble upon the different buildings. The highest temple has an amazing view of the surrounding jungle of the State of Campeche. Nothing but jungle surrounding you.
After this discovery, a lovely picknick is provided as lunch. You will get back to Xpujil around 17h00, where you will continue with your own car towards the lake of Bacalar.
Enjoy Bacalar by night and the local atmosphere, sipping on a delicious margarita.
Hotel: room type
Breakfast included
Bacalar. 1n Bacalar
Enjoy some free time in the morning and relax.
In the afternoon, we set sail for about 4 hours on the gorgeous lake of Bacalar. Let the silky breeze take you to the nicest places the lake has to offer and finish off with enjoying some fresh fruit at the final stop. What else is required to make you daydream in a special place such as this one?
Hotel: room type
Breakfast included
Bacalar – Tulum. 1n Tulum
Today you should leave early, around 8h00 to make the most of your day. You are headed for Tulum, where you will get a private guided tour in English. This mythical place by the ocean gives you a good idea how well the Maya have evolved, and how ingenious they were. Get to know El Castillo that towers above the ocean a make a beautiful snapshot of this unique view, since Tulum is the only Maya settlement by the ocean.
After visiting Tulum, you have a meeting scheduled with a nice refreshing cenote. Rejuvenate and get to know one the most holy places the Maya had. You will not find gold here, but we assure you that you will have a pleasant and surprising experience.
Hotel: room type
Breakfast included
Tulum – Cancún. 1n Tulum
Today you will drive back to Cancún where you will hand over the rental car again. Depending on what time the flight is, you can enjoy a little bit, staying on the beautiful beach of Tulum.
Journey back home.
*short version possible 8 days/7 nights
OPTIONS:
+1n Izamal
Discover the colonial town of Izamal by taking a 2 hour carriage ride through the city. The city is known as the yellow city, because all buildings are painted yellow.
Enjoy the night in romantic Izamal
Hotel: Hacienda Santo Domingo
+2n Holbox
Daytrip to Holbox island (cenote Yalahau, Isla de la Pasion and Holbox island with lunch included), stay based on 2 nights in room with breakfast and transfer based on travelling back to Cancún or directly to the airport of Cancún.
Villas HM Paraiso del Mar / Moons Dreams Yum Balam
+2n Playa del Carmen
From this place you have the opportunity to relax, or to add extra day excursions with us to get the most out of your visit to the Yucatán peninsula.
- Snorkelling in Puerto Morelos & cenote
- Premium Catamaran trip to Isla Mujeres
Ask for our various hotels in Playa del Carmen