Mini Mexico Tour with Veracruz

Welcome upon arrival and transfer to the hotel, free evening and night,

American breakfast, full day tour of Mexico City and, Brief stop off at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, dedicated to Mexico’s patron saint: a major pilgrimage site in Latin America., continue to, Visit the remains of this colossal Aztec city, today a UNESCO World Heritage Site: see the massive Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon and the 2 km-long Avenue of the Dead; the Butterfly Temple; the Temple of Quetzalcoatl; and the Citadel., lunch at a restaurant, return to the hotel; the rest of the night is free,

American breakfast, departure to, The journey carries on across Sierra Madre, from Mexico City towards Papantla, in the state of Veracruz (3 hours). The landscape is one of the most scenic in Mexico. Leaving the Ixtaccíhuatl Volcano behind you, you will soon catch glimpses of the white, perennial snow capping Pico de Orizaba. The corn and agave fields of the western side of the country give way to the eastern pine forests, cypress groves and vast pastures typical of this extraordinarily lush wetland. Papantla is very well-known for its plantations of vanilla, permeating the air with its sweet scent. The area also houses some of the very last few vestiges of the Prehispanic Totonac people. Visit the nearby archaeological area of El Tajin (UNESCO World Heritage Site), where you will admire the remains of a civilisation older than the Aztec’s. After being deserted around the year 1,000 AD, the site was chanced upon in 1785. Today, it is one of the most mysterious places in Mexico: its origin is still debated. The most awe-inspiring structures are the Pyramid of the Niches, originally painted in dark red and black; the Building n. 5; and the Great Ballcourt, one of the 12 playing fields of the city, sculpted with low reliefs depicting king and deities. The visits includes a small museum where you can see the reconstruction of the plan of El Tajin and several remains of columns, friezes and statues, found during the excavation., continue to Veracruz, The journey to El Tajin lasts 4 hours and it’s mostly coastal, running along the Gulf of Mexico., accommodation,

American breakfast, visit of the city, Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz was the first city founded by the Spaniards in Mexico, dating back to 1519. What’s striking about it, however, is not its illustrious past, but its brisk vitality. Veracruz is the largest port on the Gulf of Mexico, and one of the country’s most lively cities. At night, the open air cafés around the main square get nice and lively, as the air chimes with marimbas and Mariachis and Norteños songs., departure to, Stop off to visit the Hacienda El Lencero. Built in 1525, it’s the oldest inn between the port of Veracruz and the new capital, Mexico City., free time for lunch (not included), The capital of the state of Veracruz, Xalapa is a lovely city, overflowing with greenery. It stands in a scenic location amidst the Cofre de Perote volcano (4,282m) and the Pico de Orizaba. It houses the outstanding Museo de Antropología, second only to its counterpart in Mexico City. Visit the Museum, whose highlights are the halls dedicated to the Prehispanic Totonac, Olmec and Huastec civilisations. The journey carries on to Puebla, along the old Route of Cortes (2 hours)., accommodation, free evening and night,

American breakfast, visit of the city, Built by the Spaniards ten years into the Conquest, Puebla boasts several fine churches and gorgeous buildings, decorated with colourful ceramics. One example of this is the Capilla del Rosario of the Church of Santo Domingo, one of the best expressions of New Spanish Baroque. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site., lunch at a restaurant, continue to, accommodation, free evening and night,

American breakfast, transfer to the airport, Flight to, Transfer to Chiapa de Corzo (about 55 km / 1 hour away from San Cristobal); from here you will go for a picturesque cruise on the Rio Grijalva in the Cañón del Sumidero, the largest single Natural Wonder in Chiapas. As you sail down the river, flowing between 1000 m-tall rocky walls and scenic waterfalls, you might catch sight of monkeys, crocodiles, pelicans, herons and cormorants: the inhabitants of the surrounding thick forest., lunch at a restaurant, continue to San Cristobal de las Casas, accommodation, free evening and night,

American breakfast, In the morning, visit the market – one of the most representative of the area – and the baroque church of Santo Domingo. After that, visit the nearby native communities of San Juan Chamula and Zinancantan, still taking pride in their unbroken Mayan tradition. The township of San Juan boasts a unique blending of Mayan Tzotil religion and Catholic rites: its well-known church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist is the ideal core of this communion, and one of the holiest sites in Mexico., The tour includes a visit to a Zinacantan family, where you will cook a typical tortilla and taste some “Pox” – the Mayan tequila., return to town; the rest of the day is free,

American breakfast, departure to Palenque, Brief stop off at, Starting from 12/26/2023, a small snack in the hotel before departure around 5.30 in the morning, breakfast will be made during the stop in Ocosingo, in a local restaurant. The waterfalls of Agua Azul (“blue water”) are true to their name in the dry season, from November to April. During the rain season, especially in July and August, their water is brownish rather than blue; however, the huge volume of water falling makes for an outstanding view all the same., box lunch, continue to Palenque, accommodation, free evening and night,

American breakfast, morning visit to the archaeological site of Campeche, Palenque, at the heart of the forest, is considered the most beautiful Maya city state of the Archaic period. Excavation brought to light just a minor portion of this huge site; however, the magnificence of what has been dug out will inevitably leave the beholder speechless, awestruck at the splendour of this ancient religious and military centre. The civilisation of Palenque was outstandingly advanced in terms of architecture and engineering, and its artistic refinement was unmatched in the Pre-Columbian world. One example of this are the grave goods of Pakal, discovered in the Temple of the Inscriptions. Palenque is a UNESCO World Heritage Site., continue to Campeche, lunch en route, brief panoramic tour of the city upon arrival, Campeche – whose name is derived from the Maya name of “Ah-Kin-Pech”, “the place of snakes and ticks” – is a colonial seaside town, with matte-painted houses and massive walls built around the port: in the 17th century it used to be a sitting target to French, Dutch and English pirates. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site., accommodation, free evening and night,

American breakfast, departure to Merida, En route visit to the archaeological site of, The UNESCO-listed ceremonial centre of Uxmal is one of the most important archaeological sites of Maya culture. Its highlights are the Pyramid of the Magician and the Governor's Palace – two impressive edifices, wondrously decorated., Lunch will be served in the old, charming Hacienda San Pedro Ochil, halfway between Uxmal and Merida., afternoon visit of Merida, The capital of the Yucatán, Merida is a colonial town, full of pleasant parks and humming streets, and lively with its several open air concerts and its rich craft market. Stop off at the main square, overlooked by the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Palacio Municipal, and the Casa de Montejo., accommodation, free evening and night,

American breakfast, departure to Riviera Maya, En route visit to the archaeological site of, The UNESCO-listed Chichen Itza, halfway between Merida and Cancun, is one of the largest and most intact archaeological sites in Mexico. It is estimated that, at the time of its apex (10th-12th century), this Mayan-Toltec site was home to half a million people. Its magnificence shows in the colossal size of its famous structures, rising on the neatly-cut grass of the archaeological area: the El Castillo pyramid; the Ballcourt; the Sacred Cenote, a human sacrificial site; the Observatory; and the Temple of the Warriors., lunch at a restaurant, The visit includes a stop off at the Samaal cenote: enjoy a swim in this beautiful natural pit of karst origin., late night arrival at Riviera Maya, accommodation, all inclusive treatment,

American breakfast, transfer to Cancun airport

end of the tour Expected Hotels 1 Mexico City: Barceló Mexico Reforma 2 Veracruz: Hotel Emporio 3 Puebla: San Leonardo Puebla 4 Mexico City: Barceló Mexico Reforma 5 San Cristobal de las Casas: Villa Mercedes 6 Palenque: Villa Mercedes 7 Campeche: Plaza Campeche 8 Merida: Courtyard by Marriott Merida 9 Riviera Maya: Barcelo Maya Grand From 20/01/2024: 1 Mexico City: Barceló Mexico Reforma 2 Veracruz: Hotel Emporio 3 Puebla: NH Puebla 4 Mexico City: Barceló Mexico Reforma 5 San Cristobal de las Casas: Sombra del Agua 6 Palenque: Villa Mercedes 7 Campeche: Gamma Campeche Malecon 8 Merida: Courtyard by Marriott Merida 9 Riviera Maya: Barcelo Maya Grand Hotels may be replaced with others of the same category without prior notice.,