Active Yucatan Jungle and Ruins

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Cancun

Arrive in Cancun at any time. There are no planned activities, so check into the hotel (check-in time is 12am midday) and enjoy the city. In the late afternoon (approx 5pm) meet your fellow group members to go over the details of your trip; this is also when your leader will collect your local payment. Check the notice board or ask reception to see the exact time and location of this group meeting. After the meeting head out for a meal in a nearby local restaurant (optional). If you arrive late, no worries, the leader will leave you a message at the front desk.Long a destination among sun-worshipping tourists and spring breakers, we only stay here long enough to meet and get primed for our adventure. As your fellow travellers are arriving at various times throughout the day, there are no planned activities other than a group dinner and info session. Look in the hotel lobby for notices on when/where the group meeting will occur.The heat and humidity of Cancún may affect you upon arrival, with a general sense of lethargy and/or loss of appetite. This is no cause for alarm, it’s simply a reaction to the heat. Be sure to drink plenty of water (cold bottled water is available everywhere) and do not attempt too much in any given day. We prefer fan-cooled rather than air conditioned rooms to avoid having to acclimatize to the heat and humidity every time you go outside.The famous resort of Cancún on the north-eastern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula is a thriving town with skyscraper hotels and crowded beaches. Prices are higher in Cancún than elsewhere in Mexico because everything must be transported into the city. We use it as a starting and finishing point, and try not to spend too much time in this massive resort area.

Day 2 Tulum

A short trip south takes us to the seaside town and Mayan ruin site of Tulum. Enjoy a guided tour of the ruins before taking a stroll down the beach or going for a swim in the turquoise waters of the Mayan Riviera.

Days 3 Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve (B,L,D)

Travel south to the pristine Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and set up camp, our home for four nights.In the afternoon, feel the magic of the natural reserve on a biking trip to a secluded beach, where the water of the sea and the lagoon meet. Admire the beautiful flora and birds of the reserve and end your first day gazing at a Caribbean sunset. Camp overnight with only the sounds of nature to lull you to sleep.

Day 4 Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve (B,L,D)

Today we kayak from the Yucatán mainland to the second largest reef in the world. Snorkel in this stunning coral reef and experience the amazing sea life, including tropical fish, turtles, manta rays, and if we’re lucky, dolphins. Discover this new fascinating world with your own eyes. After lunch there is the option to hike or bike around the area, or just relax on the beach. Overnight camping in the reserve.

Day 5 Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve (B,L)

Today we hike through the jungle to discover the long lost temples of Cobá, one of the largest archaeological sites in the Mayan world. Lesser visited than sites such as Chichen Itza or Tulum, Cobá is a hidden treasure, and extensive excavations in recent years have reconstructed ball courts, temples and ceremonial roads. Hike off the beaten path, and there are more than 1000 structures lost in the jungle.Next, visit Choc-Ha cenote for a cool swim in the crystal clear water of a limestone cave. Admire massive stalactite formations in this beautiful cenote, one of thousands hidden underground in the Yucatán.Cenotes are natural limestone caves connected by underground rivers, where rainwater has percolated through the porous limestone bedrock. As the limestone dissolves, caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites are formed; occasionally the roof of these caves collapses, forming sinkholes or openings into the eerie world below. The limestone acts as a filter, and the fresh water pools are crystal clear and perfect for swimming or even SCUBA diving.The native Maya believed that the cenotes were sacred entrances to Xibalba, the underworld, and important cenotes were often the sites of ritual offerings and sacrifices.After lunch, hike through a monkey reserve populated by spider and howler monkeys, one of their last sanctuaries on the Yucatán peninsula. After our hike, enjoy a beautiful fresh water lagoon. Dinner in Tulum.

Day 6 Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve (B,L,D)

Start the day with a biking trip to Punta Allen, through forest populated by ocelots, armadillos, iguanas, boa constrictors, racoons, tapir, and blue crabs. From Punta Allen, switch to a boat, and cruise through mangrove lagoons, watching for dolphins and massive turtles on the way. The lagoon itself is home to a large variety of birds, as well as crocodiles. The mangrove forest itself—made up of red, black and white mangrove—is a vital part of the ecosystem. After exploring the lagoon, we head back out to sea for some snorkelling on the protected reef. Last night camping in the reserve.

Days 7-8 Merida

Travel across the Yucatán Peninsula, stopping en route for a guided tour of the Chichén Itzá Ruins, one of the new 7 wonders of the world, then continue on to the bustling historic city of Merida, the capital of Yucatán State. Mérida was founded in 1542 on the site of the Mayan city of Tihoo. Its centre, the Plaza Mayor (usually known as a zocalo in Mexico), is green and shady and surrounded by the twin-towered 16th Century Cathedral, the City Hall, the State Government Palace, and the Casa Montejo. There are several 16th and 17th Century churches scattered throughout the city, as well as some excellent museums. Mornings are the best time to visit the busy, colourful markets. You can buy traditional crafts, such as hammocks or Guayabera shirts, or choose from a dizzying array of Maya replicas.Mérida is a great spot to try traditional Yucatecan cuisine, as the sophisticated but relaxed city is stuffed with great restaurants. Be sure to stroll down the Paseo de Montejo to see opulent 19th Century mansions built with money from the sisal rope industry, or take a calèche (horse-drawn carriage) ride. Nearby you will find the main shopping street, Calle 65.Mérida is also the gateway to the Mayan ruins of the Puuc Route. The most famous of these ruins, Uxmal, rivals Chichén Itzá both in scale and extent of excavation.If you need to escape the heat, take the option of a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters of three nearby cenotes. Located in the town of Cuzama, not far outside Mérida, getting to the cenotes is an adventure in itself, as it involves taking small wooden horse-drawn carts that run along old rail tracks.

Day 9 Playa del Carmen

Our final stop is Playa del Carmen, located on the beach just a 45-minute drive south of Cancún. The town is your last chance to enjoy some nightlife, buy last minute souvenirs and to relax and swim in the Caribbean Sea. There is snorkelling and diving available, and long stretches of sandy beaches perfect for walking and relaxing after a long day. Just off the coast is the island of Cozumel, renowned for its world-class diving. Take the ferry from Playa del Carmen (30 to 75 minutes depending on the boat) across the turquoise waters and explore the towns and the reefs of the island. Many travellers prefer “Playa” as it is called, to its larger, brasher cousin Cancún. Playa centres on a long, mostly pedestrianised street running parallel to, and only one block from the beach; the whole area of interest to tourists is walkable. More European in atmosphere than Cancún, Playa is rightfully famous for its nightlife and restaurants; if you like your activity after-dark, you may find yourself wanting to stay longer than you intended.

Day 10 Depart Playa del Carmen

You are free to depart at any time on Day 10, though remember check out from the hotel is approx. 12am midday.