Mexican Culinary Journey

Welcome to Mexico! Upon landing at Mexico City International Airport, there will be a guide ready to greet you and take you to your hotel in the city centre via private transfer. Take the rest of the day at leisure to relax and enjoy your new surroundings for the next few days.

Mexico City

Mexico City

Palacio Bellas Artes

Tacos

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Hotel Bellas Artes

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Take a panoramic tour of Mexico City, often referred to as the City of Palaces. Begin with a walk through the Historic Center, or Zócalo, where you’ll see notable landmarks including the Metropolitan Cathedral and surrounding colonial-era buildings. Continue along Juárez Avenue, passing by Alameda Park, the Hemiciclo a Juárez monument, and the Palacio de Bellas Artes. The route then leads to Paseo de la Reforma, one of the city’s main avenues, known for its fountains and landmarks. Here you’ll see the Angel of Independence, a key symbol of Mexico’s national identity. The final stop is the National Museum of Anthropology. This museum is home to a large collection of artifacts from Mexico’s pre-Hispanic cultures. Among the highlights is the Aztec Sun Stone, one of the most significant archaeological pieces from the Aztec civilization. This tour offers a clear overview of Mexico City’s architectural, historical, and cultural landmarks in a manageable timeframe, making it a well-rounded introduction to one of Latin America’s most important urban centers.

Plaza de la Constitución

Aztec Sun Stone

The Angel of Independence

Streets of Mexico City

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Hotel Bellas Artes

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Visit one of Mexico’s most well-known archaeological sites, the Pyramids of Teotihuacan. Walk through this ancient city and see its main structures, including the Pyramid of the Sun, Pyramid of the Moon, the Citadel, and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. These monuments reflect the scale and design of a once thriving pre Hispanic city. Afterward, travel to the southern part of Mexico City to visit Xochimilco, an area recognized for its canal system and traditional farming method. In this area, you will see chinampas, which are artificial plots used for growing crops, along with a variety of plants along the waterways. The visit includes a ride on a trajinera, a wooden boat painted in bright colors and often decorated with names or floral patterns. As you move along the canals, you will get a clear view of the landscape and daily activity in this part of the city. A traditional lunch will be served on board during the ride. This itinerary offers a balanced look at the archaeological and cultural aspects of the region, with time spent in two distinct locations that each reflect a different part of Mexico’s past and present.

Xochimilco Boats

Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan

Xochimilco

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Hotel Bellas Artes

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Enjoy a free day in Mexico City at your own pace. In the late afternoon, take part in a taco and mezcal tasting experience. Tacos are one of the most recognized dishes in Mexican cuisine. This activity offers a chance to try a variety of styles made with corn or flour tortillas, filled with pork, beef, fish, or vegetarian options, with or without cheese. Each version reflects different regional methods and ingredients. You will visit several traditional taquerias that are known for their consistency and local following. These stops offer a range of preparations that highlight how tacos vary by area and preference. Alongside the food, a guided mezcal tasting will introduce you to this traditional Mexican spirit made from agave. A mezcal specialist will explain the characteristics of each variety, including differences in flavor that may be smoky, herbal, earthy, or slightly sweet. Each sample reflects a specific origin and production method. This experience offers a clear overview of two essential parts of Mexican food culture. Both the tacos and the mezcal are presented with context by people who understand their background and preparation, making it an informative and enjoyable way to end the day.

Mezcal

Tacos

Tacos

Mezcal

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Hotel Bellas Artes

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Depart in the morning for Celestún, a coastal area located within a protected nature reserve. This region is home to a variety of bird species, including cormorants, herons, and pelicans. During certain times of the year, large groups of pink flamingos can also be seen, making them one of the main seasonal highlights. The visit includes a guided boat ride through the mangroves, which form a key part of the coastal wetland ecosystem on the Yucatan Peninsula. These mangroves serve as a natural barrier protecting the coastline and also support a wide range of plant and animal life. As you travel by boat, you will have the opportunity to observe the landscape and wildlife in a calm and natural setting. The guide will provide information on the ecological role of the mangroves and the importance of preserving this environment. The trip offers a balanced mix of nature and learning, with time to enjoy the scenery and understand the ecological value of the area. It is a chance to experience the natural setting of Celestún in a direct and informative way.

Celestún Mangroves

Flamingos

Cormorants

Pelican

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Mansion Merida on the Park

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Your guide will advise you of pick-up time from the hotel for your journey to the airport for your final international flight home. We hope you enjoyed this visit to Mexico, have a safe and enjoyable journey!

Mexican Flag

Flight Home

Traditional Mexican Food

Cochinita

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Mansion Merida on the Park

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Spend the day in Tekit, a small town in Yucatan where daily life centers around the local church, market, and a few family run shops. The visit begins at a traditional bakery where you will prepare and sample local bread baked in a stone oven. Next, walk to the home of Ana and Manuel, who will introduce you to their agroecological practices. Learn about the care of melipona bees, a stingless native species, and taste several types of honey produced on site. The visit concludes with a home cooked Yucatecan meal prepared with ingredients from their garden. After lunch, stop at a guayabera factory to learn about the process of making this well known regional shirt. You will also have time to visit nearby shops where locally made clothing and textiles are available for purchase directly from the producers. To end the day, continue to the archaeological site of Mayapan. This site was one of the final capitals of the Maya civilization before the Spanish arrived. It features restored structures and open spaces that provide a clear view of the layout and function of a pre Hispanic city.

Mayan Hut

Mayapan

Mayapan Ruins

Honeycomb

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Mansion Merida on the Park

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Take a guided tour of the city of Merida and visit some of its most well-known sites. During this panoramic tour, your guide will provide an overview of the city’s development from its Maya roots through the period of Spanish colonization. Key stops include the Zocalo, the Cathedral of Merida dedicated to San Ildefonso, the Montejo House, the Government Palace, the Plaza Mayor, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Paseo de Montejo, the city’s main avenue. After the city tour, continue with a tasting focused on Yucatecan food, which combines European and Mexican influences. The tour begins with a walk to the main market of Merida. Along the way, there will be a brief stop at the main square, where your guide will explain some details about the layout and structure of the downtown area. At the market, you will sample several local items. From there, the group will head to a seafood restaurant to try fresh ceviche along with traditional drinks and regional beers. To finish, the tour includes a stop at a local ice cream shop known for handmade flavors prepared using local ingredients.

Passage of the Revolution

Museo Regional de Antropología

Food Stall

Ceviche

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Mansion Merida on the Park

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At the appropriate time, a private transfer will take you to Mexico City International Airport for your flight to Mérida where there will be a private transfer to your next hotel. Take the remainder of the day to explore the local area or enjoy the facilities of your hotel.

Mérida

Mérida

Mérida

Mérida

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Mansion Merida on the Park

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Visit Chichen Itza, one of the most well known archaeological sites of the Mayan world. This ancient city was a major center of political, religious, and cultural activity. During your visit, you will see the Kukulcan Pyramid, also known as El Castillo, recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Other points of interest include the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, the largest ball court in Mesoamerica, and the observatory known as El Caracol, where the Mayans made accurate astronomical observations that helped guide their calendar and agricultural practices. After exploring the site, continue to Cenote Ik Kil, a natural sinkhole located nearby. This cenote is known for its deep, clear water and surrounding vegetation. There will be time for a swim, offering a break from the heat and a chance to experience one of the region’s natural features. This visit provides a structured overview of Chichen Itza and an opportunity to learn more about the architecture and scientific knowledge of the Maya civilization. The stop at the cenote adds a relaxing moment to the day in a quiet and natural setting.

Cenote

Chichen Itza

Iguana Chichen Itza

Cenote

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Mansion Merida on the Park

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