Best of Yucatan 2025: 10-day Tour

This tour begins on January 19, 2025.

Welcome to an unforgettable journey through the heart of the ancient Maya civilization. Our all-inclusive adventure archaeology tour offers a unique blend of exploration, education, and discovery, promising an experience like no other. From the moment you arrive in Merida, our small-group guided tours ensure personalized attention and a steadfast commitment to safety.

Join us as we unravel the mysteries of ancient Maya cities, from the grandeur of Chichen Itza to the hidden gems tucked away in the Yucatan Peninsula. We'll explore the most important Maya sites in the peninsula that our groups have not visited before.  These are truly some the best sites in Yucatan.  This is more than just a tour; it's an immersive journey into the rich tapestry of Maya culture, filled with educational insights, awe-inspiring beauty, and the thrill of uncovering centuries-old secrets.

“Following up on last year's successful, but somewhat physically demanding tours, I aim to make this one a bit more relaxed. We'll switch hotels a few times, but I've ensured we'll stay for at least two nights in the same hotel on three different occasions along the way, upgrading our hotel experiences where possible. The groups who accompanied us in previous tours to Belize, Guatemala, Calakmul, Rio Bec, and other sites were some of the best I have traveled with; I cherish the camaraderie and conversation. Additionally, I've avoided the super touristy Tulum area, focusing instead on seldom visited but easily accessible Maya ruins, beautiful colonial towns and pueblos, intriguing museums, and a relaxing time at Laguna Bacalar. There will be no great hills to climb (Yucatan is relatively flat) except a pyramid or two, no 4WD trips into the jungle, and no long hikes to reach our sites. With January bringing cooler weather in Yucatan, we can expect excellent conditions for exploring some of the region's best Maya ruins in areas we have yet to fully explore.” – Dan Griffin

This all-inclusive package covers everything you need for a seamless adventure, from accommodation to meals and transportation. The only things not included are airfare to and from Merida, alcoholic beverages, and your souvenirs allowing you to focus on the experience without any hidden costs or surprises.

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Day 1: Arrive in Merida

Arrive in Merida and spend your first night in our favourite hotel. The Treehouse, a luxurious hotel nestled in a quiet street close to centro.

Day 2: Explore Merida

After a relaxing first night at The Treehouse we'll explore a little of the history of Merida, one of the oldest cities in North America.  The city is constructed over an ancient Maya city called T'ho.  We'll walk through the central plazas of the city and visit the anthropology museum that showcases the ancient Maya culture with ever changing exhibitions.   We’ll be in the same hotel tonight and ready to embark on our adventure to uncover the secrets of the ancient Maya civilization tomorrow. Sleep at the Treehouse.

Day 3: Acanceh, Ake, and Izamal

Our journey begins just 40 minutes away in Acanceh, a small pueblo where modern-day life intersects with ancient ruins. Right in the center of today's village we can explore the impressive stucco masks among the structures, remnants of a once vibrant civilization. From there, we'll head to the beautiful ruins of Ake, showcasing early Maya architecture. Witness the remnants of a bygone hacienda/henquen era, a hacienda was built on the site of the ruins to take advantage of the available stone from the ruins for the construction of the henequen hacienda and where even the machinery from the late 1800s still operates today. Ancient Ake was connected by a 20 kilometer sacbe to our next destination; Izamal, that today is a charming city, a Pueblo Magico! 1500 years ago, ancient Izamal was an early powerful Maya kingdom that once reigned over the northern lowlands centuries before Chichen Itza's rise to dominance.  Marvel at the juxtaposition of ancient Maya pyramids and colonial architecture, a testament to the city's rich history. We'll spend the night in Valladolid, a picturesque city built over an earlier Maya site, setting the stage for further exploration.

El Castillo pyramid in Chichen Itza. Photo by Dan Griffin.

Day 4: Rediscovering Chichen Itza and Unveiling Hidden Gems

Today, we embark on a journey to the magnificent Chichen Itza, a site so grand that it demands multiple visits. No matter how many times that you have visited here in the past there are a still new things to see! Just recently, a new area called the Initial Series (or Chichen Viejo) group has been opened to the public. It will be well worth our time to check this out. Additionally, in the summer of 2024, the new archaeology museum at Chichen Itza will be open. Hundreds of new pieces will be displayed that few have seen before. This promises to be an enriching experience, offering insights into the rich history and culture of the Maya civilization.

After immersing ourselves in the wonders of Chichen Itza, and after lunch, we'll take a short drive to Yaxunah, an important site linked to the great city of Coba by a 100 km sacbe, or white road. While not touristy, Yaxunah offers a glimpse into the ancient Maya world and the ongoing efforts of archaeological preservation. Additionally, Dan has worked at this site for many years!  Sleep in Valladolid.

Ek Balam. Photo by Dan Griffin.

Day 5: Exploring Ek Balam and Culuba

Begin your day with a leisurely breakfast before delving into the wonders of Ek Balam, a site that once controlled a significant portion of the northern peninsula. Then, travel through local villages to discover Culuba, a hidden gem boasting unique architecture and remnants of ancient paint. Return to Valladolid for a well-deserved rest.

Day 6: Cycling through Coba and Exploring Muyil

Gear up for a day of adventure as we take our tour through the expansive site of Coba on our bicycle taxis!  It's an enormous site and the best way to see it is with our bicycle chauffers.  Home to the tallest pyramid in northern Yucatan, marvel at the ancient stelae of Coba and immerse yourself in the history of this powerful site. Afterward, journey to Muyil, a coastal site with significant trade connections to other Maya cities. Relax and recharge in Laguna Bacalar, ready for the next leg of our journey.

Laguna Bacalar, Mexico. Photo by Camille Beaulne

Day 7: Leisure Time at Laguna Bacalar and Exploring Chacchoben

Take a break from archaeological exploration and unwind at Laguna Bacalar, renowned for its mesmerizing blue hues. Explore the nearby site of Chacchoben in the morning before indulging in optional activities such as boat rides or fort exploration. Spend another night in Bacalar, savoring the tranquility of this picturesque destination.

Day 8: Discovering Oxtankah and Chetumal's Cultural Heritage

Venture further down the Caribbean coast to explore Oxtankah, a medium-sized site steeped in history that still has colonial remnants constructed over the ruins before continuing to Chetumal to visit the Museo de la Cultura Maya, a treasure trove of Maya heritage. For the next two nights our hotel will be in Chetumal.

Dzibanche. Photo by Dan Griffin.

Day 9: Unveiling the Mysteries of Kohunlich and Dzibanche

Embark on a journey to Kohunlich, renowned for its well-preserved masks and pure Rio Bec style architecture. Afterwards, we are going to explore the nearby sites of Dzibanche and Kinichna. delving into the fascinating history of these ancient Maya cities. Although separated by a few kilometers, these sites are actually part of the mega-site of Dzibanche!  From almost all the Maya cities that we have visited over the years in various tours across the ancient Maya world, Dzibanche has to be one of the most important and impressive ruins that we we will visit. Dzibanche was the early seat of the Ka'an dynasty that waged war with its allies over centuries with Tikal. Rich tombs with jade masks have been excavated here.  Recent archaeological discoveries in Belize and Guatemala continue to show the importance and far-reaching control and manipulation that Dzibanche wielded over their many allied Maya cities in their quest for dominance in the southern Maya lowlands.  The site of Dzibanche has many wonderful structures and is a requirement for understanding everything that we have seen. 

Day 10: Exploring Lesser-Known Sites on the Journey Back to Merida

Our final day on the road takes us on a scenic drive back to Merida, with stops at lesser-known sites like Dzibilnocac and Tabasqueno. Enjoy lunch in Hopelechen and explore the nearby site of Tohcok before returning to The Treehouse in Merida for a well-deserved rest.

Day 11: Farewell or Extended Adventure

Return to your homes, or continue on? Dan can show you even more fantastic sites if you want to stick around! Or take a break from Maya ruins, and go exploring abandoned haciendas, pueblos, etc. We can arrange something if you decide to hang out a bit longer.

Whether you're a history enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or simply curious about the ancient civilizations of the world, this tour promises to captivate your imagination and leave you with memories to last a lifetime. Come along on this extraordinary journey and discover the wonders of the Maya world with us.

You are always welcome to arrive early or stay late in Merida to further explore the city's charm and culture. We've upgraded our hotel experiences, creating a relaxing itinerary, to ensure maximum comfort and enjoyment without feeling completely exhausted by the end of our journey. Contact Dan Griffin today for more information!

*Dates for this tour may change by a day or two but will be confirmed in advance.