7-Nights Mexico Family Journey: The Heart of the Yucatan - National Geographic Family Journeys

7 nights from: $2,774

Mexico Family Journey: The Heart of the Yucatán
The Yucatán Peninsula is the perfect destination for your family to explore. Full of marine life, Maya ruins, and wildlife-packed jungles, this 8-day journey through some of Mexico’s must-see historical sites–small towns, cenotes, and reserves, offers the perfect educational experience for your family to share. Explore the remarkable Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, marvel at the largest pyramid at Chichen Itza, take part in a immersive experience at Hacienda Sotuta de Peón, visit a small Maya community and enjoy some ice cream in Izamal. The perfect blend of cross-cultural connections, history, and exploration that will provide a lifetime of memories for your whole family.

Highlights
Embark on a visit to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve for a boat ride with a Maya-owned cooperative followed by a float through mangrove-lined canals past ancient ruins, Channel your inner explorer at Chichen Itzá the site of the iconic El Castillo pyramid and a treasure trove of Maya ruins, Enjoy a private tour of a historic working hacienda and take part in a hands-on cochinita pibil cooking experience rooted in tradition, Swim in a cenote-natural sinkholes that were sacred to the ancient Maya, Participate in communal life in the Maya community of Yaxunah where you’ll prepare a historical dish incorporating ancient Maya techniques.

Accomodation
Rooming is based on double occupancy (2 passengers / 2 beds per room); all other room configurations are on request and cannot be guaranteed. We will try to accommodate triples/quad requests whenever possible and it's important to note that rooming configuration can change from city to city and 2 single beds are the standard configuration in a room. Please remember that hotel/lodge standards can be different from what you are used to in your home country, which is part of the appeal of adventure travel.

Group Leader
All National Geographic Family Journeys with G Adventures group trips are accompanied by two of our Expedition Leaders. The aim of the Expedition Leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense; you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds.

Group Size Notes
Max 20.

Meals Included
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 1 dinner

What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve Excursion, Sian Ka'an
Your G for Good Moment: Yaxunah Community Visit, Yaxuná
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet
Your Expedition Leader and Group, Playa del Carmen
Your Family Journeys Moment: Family Tour of Chichén Itzá with an Expert Guide, Chichén-Itzá
Your Family Journeys Moment: Santa Bárbara Cenotes, Mérida
Your Foodie Moment: Traditional Cochinita Pibil Meal Experience, Sotuta de Peón
Your Discover Moment: Playa del Carmen.
Complimentary arrival transfer. Private tour of a working Hacienda. Visit Izamal’s Mayan pyramid and climb the many steps. Enjoy an ice cream before the drive back to Playa del Carmen. All tips included for activities and meals, except for Expedition Leader and porterage. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Located on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula in the fascinating Mundo Maya Region, Merida provides a looking glass that reveals both colonial influence and the mystique of an ancient civilization. In fact, the city is built on the exact site of an indigenous ceremonial center.

Merida (progreso) Travel Agents

Easily one of the best way to see Merida is by climbing into a calesa - a high-wheeled, horse-drawn carriage. The city is also easily explored by foot. As you amble past whitewashed houses, through lively marketplaces and around the flower-filled Plaza Mayor, you'll begin to feel as if you've stepped back in time. You can also visit one of Mexico's oldest cathedrals, built from the stones of a Mayan temple, explore Paseo Montejo, a Parisian-style boulevard lined with Victorian mansions, and visit the treasure-filled museums.

Wind down with the friendly locals in the welcoming bars and restaurants of the old colonial district. If you want to travel even further back in time, you'll find Merida is surrounded by one of the richest collections of Mayan ruins in Mexico. Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Dzibilchaltun, and more are just a short trip away.