Yucatàn: the Maya – the Whale Shark

First Day: ARRIVAL AT CANCUN
Arrive, meeting with our guide at the airport and transfer to Playa del Carmen. Hotel accommodationat HM Playa del Carmen (4 *) or similar. Overnight stay.

Second Day: PLAYA DEL CARMEN / TULUM / VALLADOLID / MERIDA
After breakfast, depart for the archaeological site of Tulum. The ancient Mayans called it Zamah, the word derived from “Zamal” which means dawn, for its majestic location in front of the Caribbean Sea. You will visit the most important buildings as the Castle, the Temple of God coming down and the Temple of the frescoes. We will continue to Valladolid, a pretty town with a very welcoming Maya population, which, in addition to the legendary cheerfulness, preserves the typical costumes of the pre-Columbian era especially in women’s clothing. It takes its name from the homonymous city in Spain and, in addition to the enchanting public garden, an aggregation center for the inhabitants,
Valladolid shows tourists the San Bernardino Cathedral and one lovely monastery. The city shows an urban layout
featuring picturesque streets and beautiful palaces with the typical warm Mexican colors.
After lunch – included – we will continue to Merida. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel.
Overnight stay at Hotel Casa del Balam (4 *) or similar.

Third Day: MERIDA / IZAMAL / MERIDA
You start after breakfast to visit the city that hosts us. The capital of the state of Yucatan, this elegant city
was founded on the Maya city of Tho. Known as the “White City”, you will visit the main attractions such as Paseo Montejo, Parque Santa Lucia, Casa Montejo and the Plaza Principal. We will continue to Izamal, the village of the three cultures, so called for the coexistence of three historical periods: the Maya culture, the convent, which attests Spanish influence, and the present era with its streets, palaces, squares, houses , churches, all together in a harmonious visual and monochromatic rhythm, with the yellow that distinguished them. We will go through
its streets aboard a calash.
Return to Merida.

Fourth Day: MERIDA / CHICHEN-ITZA / ISLA DE HOLBOX
Departure from Merida to reach Chichen-Itza, UNESCO Cultural Heritage and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Chichen-Itza is one of the best preserved Maya archaeological sites. We will discover the Pyramid of Kukulkan, the symbol of the city, the largest playground of the pelotte of all Mesoamerica, sacred “Cenote” where were thrown the bodies of the sacrificed to the gods. In the early afternoon, after lunch in the restaurant, depart for the port of Chiquilà from where you will take the ferry to Holbox. Arrival and transfer to hotel by taxi golf car.
Accommodation at Villas Paraiso del Mar (4 *) or similar.

Fifth Day: ISLA DE HOLBOX
Departing in the morning to experience an unforgettable experience of snorkeling along with the biggest fish on the planet! Whale sharks can reach 50 feet in length, they are very docile creatures and they feed on with just plankton. From the end of May to mid-September, their migratory path leads them to the tropical waters of Holbox and Contoy Island, located on the north side of the Yucatan Peninsula. This is one of the few places in the world where you can see them and even swim next.

from Sixth through Eighth Days: ISLA DE HOLBOX
Available days

Ninth Day: ISLA DE HOLBOX / CANCUN
Transfer to Cancun Airport.