Yucatán Tour 2026: Exploring Ancient Wonders and Hidden Gems
- Ko'ox Maya Tours
- May 28
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 2
Join Ko’ox Maya Tours for an unforgettable journey through the Yucatán Peninsula in early January 2026! This expertly curated 10-day adventure will take you deep into the heart of Maya history, archaeology, and culture, blending iconic archaeological sites with lesser-known treasures, charming colonial towns, and luxurious accommodations. Led by an experienced guide with firsthand knowledge of the region’s excavations and discoveries, this is more than just a sightseeing trip—it’s an immersive experience into the rich tapestry of the ancient and modern Maya world.
Exploring Ancient Wonders Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Mérida and settle into your first night at The Treehouse, a luxurious hotel tucked away on a quiet street near the city’s vibrant centro.
Day 2
We’ll explore Mérida today, starting with the Palacio Cantón Anthropology Museum just steps from our hotel. Housed in a stunning mansion from the golden age of Yucatán’s henequen production, the museum’s ever-changing exhibitions are always worth a visit. Later, we’ll stroll through Mérida’s historic centro, where the 16th-century cathedral and the conqueror’s residence still stand.
New for 2025, right beside the cathedral, is the Ateneo Peninsular, now home to the Mayan Train Museum. Featuring over 100 archaeological pieces recovered during the Tren Maya project, this impressive exhibit offers fresh insights into the region’s past. I visited in May 2025 and was genuinely impressed—it’s a must-see! Relax this evening; tomorrow, we set off on our journey.
Day 3
A short drive brings us to Acanceh, where the modern village is built atop ancient ruins, including impressive stucco masks. Next, we head to the beautiful ruins of Aké, once connected to Izamal by a 20 km sacbé. Here, we’ll explore both the Maya site and the historic hacienda built during the henequen boom of the late 1800s.
We continue to Izamal, a Pueblo Mágico and once the northern lowlands’ dominant power before Chichén Itzá. The massive Franciscan convent here was built on a former Maya pyramid—a striking blend of colonial and ancient worlds. Tonight, we stay at Hacienda Chichén, the former home of explorer E.H. Thompson, right beside Chichén Itzá.
Day 4
Even if you’ve seen Chichén Itzá before, it’s worth another visit! A newly opened area, Chichén Viejo (Initial Series Group), offers fresh perspectives, and we’ll beat the crowds by arriving early. We’ll also visit the new archaeology museum that opened in 2024, showcasing hundreds of recently displayed artifacts.
After lunch, we head to Yaxunah, a non-touristy site connected to Coba by a 100 km sacbé—the longest Maya highway. I’ll share insights from my own work here over the years. We’ll spend the night in Valladolid, one of the Yucatán’s earliest Spanish colonial cities, built atop an ancient Maya settlement.
Day 5
We start with a visit to Uayma, home to a stunningly beautiful church—truly an architectural gem. A brief stop in the newly designated Pueblo Mágico Espita offers another charming colonial church. Then we head to the tiny village of Tahcabo, an active archaeological and anthropological research site, where I hope to introduce you to the project director.
Our final stop today is Ek Balam, once a dominant force in the northern Yucatán. Climb the 25-meter-high pyramid for breathtaking views, imagining the world of the ancient Maya. We’ll return to Valladolid for a restful evening.
Day 6
We’re off to Cobá, the vast 60 sq km site at the far end of the sacbé from Yaxunah. We’ll explore by bicycle taxi and marvel at its towering 43-meter pyramid and fascinating stelae. From there, we visit the coastal trade site of Muyil, a key hub linking sea and land routes. We’ll finish the day at Laguna Bacalar, where we’ll stay at a hotel right on the lagoon’s shore.
Day 7
Take it easy today! Laguna Bacalar, famous for its seven shades of blue, is a rare gem in the Yucatán. We’ll visit the newly opened site of Ichkabal, a massive, early Maya city long closed to the public. Participation is optional — you can spend the afternoon relaxing, swimming, taking a boat ride, or exploring the historic fort. We’ll overnight again at our lagoon side hotel.
Day 8
We continue down the coast to Chetumal to visit Oxtankah, the region’s most important ancient site, known for its richly adorned tombs and colonial-era Spanish chapel. We’ll also explore the Museo de la Cultura Maya before returning to Bacalar.
Day 9
Today we explore Kohunlich, famous for its beautifully preserved masks with original paint, and its elegant Rio Bec-style architecture. Then we’ll visit Dzibanché and Kinichná, where you’ll see imposing structures, royal tombs, hieroglyphic stairways, and the early seat of the mighty Kaan (Snake) dynasty. There’s so much history here to uncover! We return to Bacalar for the night.
Day 10
On our final travel day, we head back to Mérida with one last stop: Chacchoben, a site occupied as early as 200 BC and known for its massive temple platforms. It’s an easy walk and a perfect way to wrap up our adventure of the Yucatan ancient wonders.
***We’ve worked hard to upgrade our accommodations this year to ensure we enjoy the journey without being completely wiped out by the end—because a great tour should be both enriching and relaxing!
Testimonial of 2025 Yucatan Tour
“We had a stimulating, broad-reaching, and truly fun exploration of numerous Maya ruins, churches, and towns with Dan. He organized a very smart tour where we gained more insights than expected, along with great climbs up those stone steps and lots of laughter. The logistics all worked out comfortably, and there were many very special moments of reflection and beauty…” — John Gray See more reviews here.
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