Mexico’s Yucatan is so much more than just the bright lights on Cancun’s hotel strip although you’ll spend your first 3 nights here after arriving at Cancun’s International Airport to relax and unwind in an all-inclusive hotel. Then collect your self-drive rental car and head off along the new highway westward across the Yucatan Peninsula to its capital, Merida, exploring your first Mayan Ruin, Ek Balam on the way.
Enjoy a 4 night stay in a Hacienda – former plantation house – now a luxury boutique hotel whilst you learn about the history of sisal and rope making that gave the Yucatan its wealth. Spend one day driving further west to the Gulf Coast to swim with the Pink Flamingos in the Celestun National Park and enjoy a superb fish lunch and a swim in the Gulf of Mexico,
On your second day, explore Merida’s amazing architecture and restored buildings on the Paseo de Montejo stemming from the Colonial period through the heyday of the sisal industry to the modern 21st century. On your final day, visit the famed sink holes on the Cenote Cuzama tour and visit the port of Progresso – the Yucatan’s access to the oceans via its container port.
Then drive eastwards to Valladolid, Yucatan’s second city for a 2 night stay via Izamal – a former Mayan pilgrimage centre which became a Franciscan Monastery in the 16th century. Explore Valladolid’s famed Colonial era Cathedral and Convent of San Bernadino and enjoy dinner at the nearby Cenote Zaci restaurant.
The climax of your tour is the early morning arrival at Chichen Itza, a twenty minute drive away. Enjoy the peace and quite as you explore the ruins and then as the bus party hordes arrive withdraw to the Mayaland Lodge hotel for lunch and an afternoon quietly around the pools. As the crowds depart, walk back to the ruins to experience them as the sun sets – a truly magical experience.
For the last 5 nights of your tour head eastwards to the Caribbean Sea and the Riviera Maya. Stay in our all-inclusive gay resort at Tulum – right on the beach and within walking distance of two stretches of sand popular with gay visitors and locals. Use your rental car to visit the nearby Mayan Ruins of Tulum or possibly try some of the adventure parks which feature zip wire rides, quad bikes and underground cavern rides.
After a relaxing few days in this beachside resort, drive north along the Riviera Maya Cancun Airport to drop off your rental car and think about your happy days exploring Mexico’s Yucatan.
Itinerary:
Day 1 Met at Cancun’s International Airport and transferred to your all-inclusive hotel for a 3 night stay.
Day 2 – 3 Relax and enjoy your resort and its beach or maybe explore Cancun’s magnificent shopping and gay nightlife. B, L,D
Day 4 Collect your self-drive rental car and drive 2hours to Mayan Ruins at Ek Balam. Continue an hour to Merida and stay in a Hacienda for 4 nights. B,D
Day 5 Drive the 90 minutes to Celestun National Park with boat trip to the Petrified Forest and watch the Pink Flamingoes and continue the last 2 miles to the village of Celestun on the Gulf Coast. B
Day 6 Meet your guide in the Centro Historico for a walking tour of Merida’s amazing architecture. Shop before returning to your Hacienda to enjoy its peace and calm before taking dinner on the terrace. B,D
Day 7 Make the half hour drive north of Merida to Cuzama and take the Cenotes Tour before continuing to Progresso B
Day 8 Drive eastwards for 90 minutes to Izamal and then 60 minutes to Valladolid for a 2 night stay. Explore Valladolid at your leisure. B,D
Day 9 Drive 20minutes for a day at Chichen Itza with mid-day lunch and relaxation at Mayaland Hotel. B,L,D
Day 10 Drive 21/2 hours to the coast at Tulum and check-in to our all-inclusive gay resort on the beach. B,D
Day 11 – 14 Four days to enjoy the resort, beach and explore the local area using your rental car. B,L,D
Day 15 Drive to Cancun’s International Airport to return your rental car. Check-in for your return flight. B
Tour includes meals as shown, accommodation in Cancun, Merida, Valladolid and Tulum and use of self-drive rental car. Entrance fees and local guides are payable locally except for the walking tour of Merida.