YUCATAN & QUINTANA ROO

Arrival in Cancun

On arrival, you'll be met with a hearty Mexican Bienvenido and transferred to your hotel in Holbox Island, where you'll meet your Kaoma Travel tour leader and fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner this evening.

Meals: D.
Accommodation: Nizuc ***** or similar.

Delve into the Mayan culture

After a early breakfast we leave Cancun to head to Nativa a Private Nature Reserve where you can live and explore the secrets and the depths of the Mayan jungle, choosing between an ecological or experience, surrounded by lush nature.
After lunch we proceed to Holbox Island, a small island in the state of Quintana Roo, accessible by boat from the town of Chiquila. Treasure of the Caribbean, Holbox with its relaxed atmosphere is an invitation to take your time and to live each moment fully.

Meals: B, L, D.
Accommodation: Villas HM Palapas del Mar **** or similar.

Go barefoot on pristine beaches

Isla Holbox is part of Yum Balam, Mexico’s largest ecological reserve; nearly 75 percent of the island is a jungle of wild mangroves and empty beaches. The surrounding sea once swallowed up Spanish galleons.

After breakfast admire the natural beauty offered by Holbox island, by joining ones of Kaoma Travel hand-picked excursions: horse rides, scuba diving, birdwatching and much more Holbox offers leisure activities for all tastes.

Meals: B.
Accommodation: Villas HM Palapas del Mar **** or similar.

From pink lagoons to the Mayan soul

After breakfast we say goodbye to Holbox Island to head to Rio Lagartos, a charming village on the Yucatán Peninsula. The Río Lagartos Biosphere Reserve is a wetlands area home of animals like flamingos, crocodiles, sea turtles, jaguars, and all kinds of seabirds. We will explore this beautiful area by boat and you will have the opportunity to take a mud bath. Then we will proceed to the stunning cotton-candy pink lakes filled with salt that are called Las Coloradas.
After a fish based lunch at Las Coloradas we drive to the unusual and amazingly well-preserved stucco sculptures of the winged warriors uncovered at the Mayan Ruins of Ek Balam provides a window into the Mayan soul. Once a thriving seat of a Mayan kingdom, the city was absorbed into the dense jungle typical of the area and wasn't rediscovered until the late 1800s. After exploring one of the most interesting Mayan ancient cities we'll head to Valladolid, once Yucatan's capital, where we will enjoy a typical dinner.

Meals: B, L, D.
Accommodation: Le Muuch Hotel **** or similar.

The Charming Colonial Mexican Cities

In the morning we will visit the Cenotes and the cozy and convivial colonial town of Valladolid. Purely from an architectural standpoint, Cenote Samula & Cenote X’keken are both extremely spectacular. The stalactites that protrude down from the ceiling are such an impressive sight. The only light entering the Cenotes, stream through a small hole from the cave ceiling. Therefore, both Cenotes give off a very dark, mystical impression. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to the colonial jewel of Izamal, said to be the oldest city in the Yucatan.Stroll along the picturesque cobbled streets of Izamal, See its yellow buildings glow in the tropical sun and visit the impressive Convent of San Antonio de Padua then we will continue to Mérida "The White City" and the symbol of Mayan legacy.

Meals: B, L, D.
Accommodation: Casa Lecada **** or similar.

The White City

Ancient meets colonial in the Yucatan's cultural capital of Mérida, which we will have an opportunity to explore in-depth today. After a rich breakfast start a private guided tour of Mérida's colorful and ornate Spanish colonial buildings, like the salmon Municipal Palace, or the green Government's Palace and the distinctive canary yellow-painted arch, one of the last original gateways marking the former 16th-century city limits. Dinner and overnight stay in Merida.

Meals: B, L, D.
Accommodation: Casa Lecada **** or similar.

Mexican Cooking Class

In the morning enjoying the culinary wonders that this region offers is one of the most wonderful experiences you can not miss during your visit to Merida!
The mix of culture, people and their roots create the kind of experience that the traveler counts when he gets home. A local chef is in charge of making all this happen, teaching how to prepare 100% traditional Mexican and Yucatecan dishes, using local products with unique flavours. After lunch In the early afternoon, we will drive two to hours to reach Chichen Itza at the sunset.

Meals: B, L.
Accommodation: Mayaland **** or similar.

Into the Mayan world

After an early breakfast, meet your local guide and take advance of an early entrance at the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá to avoid the crowd. This pre-Hispanic city was once the most venerated center of worship and pilgrimage of the Yucatán Peninsula. Its main draw is the step Pyramid of Kukulkán (El Castillo), though there are many significant Mayan and Toltec buildings, sculptures, and reliefs that will pull you in, like the Chacmools, Temple of the Warriors, Hall of the Thousand Columns, and the ball courts to name a few.
After fully exploring the sprawling complex, head the short distance to the lesser known Yokdzonot Cenote. Cenotes are magical, enigmatic and unique in the world and were once the only source of fresh water in the local jungle. They were sacred to the Mayas for that reason, but also because they represented the entrance to the underworld. The Yucatán Peninsula is a porous limestone shelf with no visible rivers: all the freshwater rivers are underground. Enjoy a refreshing swim before grabbing a bite of lunch and continue to the archaeological site of Coba, surrounded by beautiful lagoons and trees. There, you will learn about this important site, whose design and purpose were very different from other Mayan cities. You'll have the option to rent a bike to explore the sprawling site. In the early afternoon, we will drive to Tulum on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. After settling in, take the rest of the day to relax on the fine white sand of the beach.

Meals: B, L.
Accommodation: La Zebra a Colibrì Boutique Hotel *****or similar.

Paradise Beaches

Spend as you please those two days in Tulum. Stroll along the palm-fringed Paradise Beach, swim in the turquoise waters of the sea and dine on fresh seafood at any of the choice restaurants overlooking the Caribbean. Visit the Parque Nacional Tulum and check out the limestone sinkholes like the Cenote Calavera or snorkel in the Gran Cenote before spending the afternoon discovering the Mayan ruins just outside of town.

Relax at the beach

Beach day! The beach is the main feature of Playa Del Carmen and spending the day there can be a great way to relax. All along the beach you can find beach clubs. These places offer chairs, food and services for your day.
Meals: B.
Accommodation:

Explore the island on a golf cart

After breakfast departure for isla Mujeres. Even though it's located very close to Cancun (just 8 miles off the coast), this small island has a relaxed atmosphere and a laid-back, casual pace that will allow you to fully relax before heading back home.

See you soon!

Fully relaxed, today you will head to the Cancún airport and say goodbye to the Riviera Maya and this little slice of paradise. See you for the next adventure!