8 Days Mexico Tours: Colonial & Maya Sites

Day 1 · Mexico City Airport Pick-up

1. 1

   Mexico City

   one hour

   Your adventure begins in Mexico City, where our English-speaking guide greets you at the airport.

Historico Central Hotel, Mexico City (4 stars) - Deluxe Room or similar

Day 2 · Mexico City: National Museum of Anthropology & Historic Center Walk

1. 1

   National Museum Of Anthropology

   2 hours Admission included

   This morning, prepare to be dazzled by ancient wonders at the National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de Antropologia), the most visited museum in Mexico.

2. 2

   Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de Mexico

   2 hours

   In the afternoon, let’s walk through the historic Spanish-style buildings of the Old Town, where we will find the core of Mexican culture wrapped in colonial architecture. Wander through the vast Zocalo (Plaza de la Constitución) to admire the majestic Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de México) that stands next to it.

3. 3

   Museo del Templo Mayor

   one hour Admission included

   See the exterior of Templo Mayor Museum (Museo del Templo Mayor) and sigh over the remnants of a 14th-century Aztec temple destroyed by the Spanish visitors.

4. 4

   Palacio Nacional de Mexico

   one hour

   Next, visit the National Palace (Palacio Nacional) on the east side of the square, the seat of Mexico’s federal administration.

5. 5

   Mexico City

   one hour

   Beyond the architecture, the true magic of the Old Town lies in its strong cultural atmosphere. You will encounter Aztec curanderos (healers) adorned in colorful feathered costumes. For a small fee, they perform the ancient ritual of ‘limpia’, believed to cleanse and balance the recipient’s energy through the burning of sage leaves or copal incense. Finally, our guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Historico Central Hotel, Mexico City (4 stars) - Deluxe Room or similar

Day 3 · Mexico City - Teotihuacan Sun & Moon Pyramids - Puebla

1. 1

   Teotihuacan Mexico Tour

   2 hours Admission included

   After an early breakfast, we will head to experience the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Then drive to the enigmatic ruins of Teotihuacan, an ancient civilization shrouded in secrets. Our guide will take you to the Teotihuacan Culture Museum (Museo de la Cultura Teotihuacana) before stepping onto the wide Avenue of the Dead (Avenida de Los Muertos) to marvel at the Pyramid of the Sun (Pirámide del Sol), the Pyramid of the Moon (Pirámide de la Luna), and other palace ruins.

2. 2

   Puebla

   2 hours

   Afterwards, begin our scenic 2-hour drive to Puebla, a niche destination renowned for its over 70 stunning churches, colonial architecture, and Talavera pottery.

3. 3

   Templo de Santo Domingo

   one hour

   we will first visit the 16th-century baroque Church of Santo Domingo and its Rosary Chapel.

4. 4

   Zocalo de Puebla

   30 min

   Next, stroll around the central Zocalo, and admire the nearby Puebla Cathedral (Catedral de Puebla), a masterpiece of colonial architecture. Its 69-meter bell tower, the highest in Mexico, pierces the sky, while its opulent interior surpasses even the grandeur of Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral.

5. 5

   Museo Amparo

   one hour Admission included

   Later, immerse yourself in the superlative exhibitions at the Amparo Museum (Museo Amparo), which combine pre-Hispanic artifacts and contemporary art.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   30 min

   Finally, our guide and driver will escort you back to the hotel, or leave you at the Alley of the Frogs (Callejón de los Sapos), where you can take your time to browse through antique shops overflowing with interesting artifacts, old records, handmade trinkets and other collectibles.

Hotel La Purificadora, Puebla (4 stars) - Superior Room or similar

Day 4 · Puebla to Oaxaca: Visit Zocalo and Templo de Santo Domingo

1. 1

   Oaxaca

   4 hours

   our guide and driver will accompany you on a road trip winding to Oaxaca. Here the ancient civilizations and pristine indigenous cultures await.

2. 2

   Zocalo

   one hour

   Feel the pulse of the city’s historic center by visiting the Zócalo and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Oaxaca by the square.

3. 3

   Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman

   one hour

   Then head to the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán, another testament to colonial grandeur. The building itself is impressive from ceiling to floor, with gold everywhere and the altars made of solid gold.

4. 4

   Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca

   one hour

   Next, journey through time at the Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca in the ex-convent, to appreciate the artifacts from prehistory to the 19th century.

Hotel Grana B&B, Oaxaca (3 stars) or similar

Day 5 · Oaxaca: Monte Alban - El Tule - Teotitlan del Valle

1. 1

   Zona Arqueologica de Monte Alban

   4 hours Admission included

   Today we will drive outside the city to explore Oaxaca’s extraordinary World Heritage site. The guide will lead you to a secret vantage point to capture the essence of Oaxaca in a panoramic photograph.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   one hour

   Next, let’s head to El Tule, where you’ll be greeted by the world’s stoutest tree, with a trunk circumference of 42 meters (138 feet). This 2,000-year-old cypress is a true living monument.

3. 3

   Teotitlan del Valle

   one hour

   Bid farewell to it and drive to Teotitlan del Valle, a small village tucked away at the foot of the Sierra Juarez mountains. Here, seize the chance to visit a family workshop of the Zapotec people and delve into their real life, customs, and their distinctive textile weaving art.

Hotel Grana B&B, Oaxaca (3 stars) or similar

Day 6 · Fly from Oaxaca to Cancun

1. 1

   Museo Historico Casa de Juarez

   2 hours

   This morning you can unlock the hidden gems of Oaxaca on your own. The House of Juarez Site Museum and the city’s many galleries and art workshops are worth seeing.

2. 2

   Oaxaca

   2 hours

   Our driver will then be happy to escort you to the Oaxaca Airport. Enjoy the 2-hour flight to Cancun.

3. 3

   Cancun

   4 hours

   Once settled, you can go for a walk on your own, soak in the night view while having dinner, and breathe in the fresh air of the seaside city.

La Villa du Golf à Cancun Hotel Boutique (4 stars) or similar

Day 7 · Cancun to Chichen Itza: Explore Ancient Maya Ruins

1. 1

   Chichen Itza

   6 hours Admission included

   Fuel your morning with an early breakfast so that we can leave early as the drive to Chichen Itza takes 2.5 hours. A strategic early start allows you to be among the first to enter Chichen Itza, avoiding the heat and crowds. Our guide will take you on a tour of the once most prosperous Mayan city, established in the 5th century AD. Spanning an impressive 5 sq km (1.9 sq mi), its core area boasts hundreds of structures, each a testament to the incredible achievements of Mayan civilization at its pinnacle. Follow the guide to observe the Temple of Kukulcán (El Castillo), Great Ball Court (Gran Juego de Pelota), Temple of the Warriors, The Observatory (El Caracol), and The Nunnery (Las Monjas), and imagine the lives and spiritual beliefs of the ancient Mayans.

2. 2

   Cancun

   one hour

   After this enriching cultural experience, we’ll head back to Cancun.

La Villa du Golf à Cancun Hotel Boutique (4 stars) or similar

Day 8 · Cancun Airport See-off

1. 1

   Cancun

   one hour

   Our reliable driver will arrive at your hotel on time to serve you a stress-free transfer to Cancun Airport.