Mexican Roots and Routes
Duration
15 Days
Physical rate
Moderate
Start city
Mexico City, Ciudad De México State
Available
April 2025 / March 2026
Cities to visit: Mexico City, Ciudad De México State; Querétaro; Tula; Puebla; Oaxaca, Oaxaca; San Pablo Villa De Mitla, Oaxaca; Tuxtla, Chiapas; ; Chiapa De Corzo, Chiapas; Zinacantan; San Juan De Chamula; San Cristobal De Las Casas; Agua Azul; Palenque, Chiapas; Campeche; Mérida, Yucatan; Izamal; Chichen Itza; Rio Lagartos; Cenote Choj Ha; Cancun, Quintana Roo
Detailed day by day description
Introduction
Dear Traveler: thank you for choosing us to perform this Tour! We hope you enjoy your trip.
Here we give you a guidance on their tour with the information that we believe may be of your interest. The information is indicative, may exist variations on designated hours.
TRANSFER from the airport, if you have it included or purchasing. Our transfer will be waiting for you with a poster on behalf of Europamundo or its name to the output of the custom (after collecting your luggage)..
Remember to inform us by phone if you lost your connection flight or expected delay of their arrival, in your VOUCHER figure the phone of the transfer.
IMPORTANT: If you had additional nights upon arrival the hotel will have your reservation, but his travel guide normally will not be until the night before the start of the tour.
Day
Welcome to Mexico! Upon arrival, we’ll provide a transfer to the hotel, after which you will have free time. Our guide will contact you late in the afternoon.
IMPORTANT: If you requested additional nights, your room will be ready upon arrival at the hotel, but your trip guide will only contact you when the included activities begin. Until then, you’ll have free time to enjoy at your leisure.
Note: The schedules provided in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust them as needed to enhance the trip experience.
IMPORTANT: If you requested additional nights, your room will be ready upon arrival at the hotel, but your trip guide will only contact you when the included activities begin. Until then, you’ll have free time to enjoy at your leisure.
Note: The schedules provided in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust them as needed to enhance the trip experience.
Today, we’ll explore Mexico City and the remarkable site of Teotihuacan, located just 40 km from the capital. After breakfast, we’ll begin our journey at the Plaza of the Three Cultures, where past and present merge seamlessly. From there, we’ll continue to the impressive archaeological site of Teotihuacan, where we’ll visit the monumental Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, the Temple of Quetzalpapalotl, the Citadel, and the Avenue of the Dead. We’ll also stop by a local artisan center. On our way back to the city, we’ll visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of Latin America. After returning to the hotel, the rest of the day will be free.
Free morning in Mexico City. After lunch, we’ll provide an included transfer to the bus station for the journey to Querétaro, located 200 km from Mexico City. Upon arrival at the station, you’ll be transferred to the hotel.
Querétaro is a historic city known for its rich cultural and architectural heritage. Founded in 1531, it played a key role in both Mexico’s Independence and the Mexican Revolution. Its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is filled with charming plazas, baroque churches, and colonial buildings. Over the next few days, you’ll have time to stroll through the magnificent center, with its cobblestone streets, vibrant plazas lined with colonial architecture, the 18th-century aqueduct, lush gardens, and bustling markets.
Querétaro is a historic city known for its rich cultural and architectural heritage. Founded in 1531, it played a key role in both Mexico’s Independence and the Mexican Revolution. Its historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is filled with charming plazas, baroque churches, and colonial buildings. Over the next few days, you’ll have time to stroll through the magnificent center, with its cobblestone streets, vibrant plazas lined with colonial architecture, the 18th-century aqueduct, lush gardens, and bustling markets.
Today, we’ll visit the Pueblo Mágico of San Sebastián de Bernal, a charming town known for its tranquil atmosphere at the base of the world’s third-largest monolith. Here, you’ll find skilled textile artisans. We’ll also explore Tequisquiapan, famous for its mineral water spas and colonial-style buildings that line its cobblestone streets. This town is renowned for its handmade artisanal products, especially the woven baskets sold in the artisan market. A guided tour will be included, allowing us to delve into the local history.
Our excursion will also include a delightful culinary experience, with a visit to the San Patricio Winery and the Bocanegra Cheese Cellar. You’ll learn about cheese production and the unique challenges of high-altitude winemaking, accompanied by a tasting of regional wines.
Our excursion will also include a delightful culinary experience, with a visit to the San Patricio Winery and the Bocanegra Cheese Cellar. You’ll learn about cheese production and the unique challenges of high-altitude winemaking, accompanied by a tasting of regional wines.
We’ll enjoy a free morning in Querétaro for you to continue exploring this charming city. In the afternoon, we’ll include a unique theatrical experience! Just 40 km from Querétaro lies the Hacienda Atongo, a historic seventeenth-century estate. Here, we’ll take a guided tour with characters from another era, immersing ourselves in the rich history of the hacienda, from its main buildings to the vineyard. The visit will be brought to life with theatrical performances by local actors. We’ll also enjoy a refreshing drink made from wine produced on the estate. We’ll then return to Querétaro.
Total distance covered: 337 km.
Scenery: We’ll cross the central Mexican highlands, surrounded by cultivated fields, rugged hills, and volcanic landscapes.
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Querétaro. We’ll begin our journey southward, entering regions rich in history and cultural heritage.
10:00 a.m. – Tula. Arrival at the archaeological site of Tula (admission included), the former capital of the Toltec civilization—precursors to many Mesoamerican traditions. Among its most remarkable structures are the Atlantes, four-meter-tall stone warrior figures that symbolize the military power of the Toltecs. The site also includes the remains of pyramids, palaces, and intricately carved columns that reveal the sophistication of this ancient culture.
11:30 a.m. – Departure from Tula. We’ll continue by road to one of the most iconic colonial cities in Mexico.
02:15 p.m. – Puebla. Arrival in this UNESCO World Heritage city, renowned for its exquisite cuisine (home of mole poblano), colonial baroque architecture, and traditional Talavera pottery. Highlights include its grand Renaissance-style Cathedral—one of the most imposing in the Americas—and the Zócalo, a lively central square surrounded by arcades. Free time to enjoy lunch and explore the historic center.
Scenery: We’ll cross the central Mexican highlands, surrounded by cultivated fields, rugged hills, and volcanic landscapes.
08:00 a.m. – Departure from Querétaro. We’ll begin our journey southward, entering regions rich in history and cultural heritage.
10:00 a.m. – Tula. Arrival at the archaeological site of Tula (admission included), the former capital of the Toltec civilization—precursors to many Mesoamerican traditions. Among its most remarkable structures are the Atlantes, four-meter-tall stone warrior figures that symbolize the military power of the Toltecs. The site also includes the remains of pyramids, palaces, and intricately carved columns that reveal the sophistication of this ancient culture.
11:30 a.m. – Departure from Tula. We’ll continue by road to one of the most iconic colonial cities in Mexico.
02:15 p.m. – Puebla. Arrival in this UNESCO World Heritage city, renowned for its exquisite cuisine (home of mole poblano), colonial baroque architecture, and traditional Talavera pottery. Highlights include its grand Renaissance-style Cathedral—one of the most imposing in the Americas—and the Zócalo, a lively central square surrounded by arcades. Free time to enjoy lunch and explore the historic center.
Total distance covered: 340 km.
Scenery: We’ll cross the southern mountain ranges of Mexico, passing dramatic highland landscapes, fertile valleys, and rural villages where ancient traditions are still alive.
07:30 a.m. – Departure from Puebla. We’ll leave the capital of the state of Puebla behind as we enter Oaxaca, a region known for its rich cultural, archaeological, and culinary heritage. The journey will take us through mountains, canyons, and sweeping natural scenery.
01:15 p.m. – Oaxaca. Arrival in the capital city of Oaxaca, renowned for its harmonious architecture and strong Indigenous identity. After lunch, we’ll head up to one of Mexico’s most iconic archaeological treasures: Monte Albán. Located 400 meters above the Oaxaca Valley, this ancient ceremonial center was the capital of the Zapotec civilization for over a thousand years. We’ll explore its platforms, pyramids, ball courts, and ornately decorated tombs while learning about the worldview and structure of this great civilization (admission and guided tour included).
After the visit, we’ll return to Oaxaca for a panoramic tour of its historic center, recognized as a World Heritage Site. We’ll admire its stunning Cathedral, the Church of Santo Domingo, and the lively plazas and colonial streets brimming with life. You’ll then have free time to continue enjoying the unique atmosphere of this city, also celebrated for its handicrafts, mezcal, and diverse traditional cuisine.
Scenery: We’ll cross the southern mountain ranges of Mexico, passing dramatic highland landscapes, fertile valleys, and rural villages where ancient traditions are still alive.
07:30 a.m. – Departure from Puebla. We’ll leave the capital of the state of Puebla behind as we enter Oaxaca, a region known for its rich cultural, archaeological, and culinary heritage. The journey will take us through mountains, canyons, and sweeping natural scenery.
01:15 p.m. – Oaxaca. Arrival in the capital city of Oaxaca, renowned for its harmonious architecture and strong Indigenous identity. After lunch, we’ll head up to one of Mexico’s most iconic archaeological treasures: Monte Albán. Located 400 meters above the Oaxaca Valley, this ancient ceremonial center was the capital of the Zapotec civilization for over a thousand years. We’ll explore its platforms, pyramids, ball courts, and ornately decorated tombs while learning about the worldview and structure of this great civilization (admission and guided tour included).
After the visit, we’ll return to Oaxaca for a panoramic tour of its historic center, recognized as a World Heritage Site. We’ll admire its stunning Cathedral, the Church of Santo Domingo, and the lively plazas and colonial streets brimming with life. You’ll then have free time to continue enjoying the unique atmosphere of this city, also celebrated for its handicrafts, mezcal, and diverse traditional cuisine.
Total distance covered: 505 km.
Scenery: We’ll venture along one of the most scenic routes in southern Mexico, crossing the Oaxaca highlands, the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and lush tropical landscapes that lead us to the heart of Chiapas.
08:30 a.m. – Departure from Oaxaca. We’ll begin a day rich in cultural and natural beauty, traveling along roads that connect two states deeply rooted in the country’s Indigenous heritage.
10:00 a.m. – San Pablo Villa de Mitla. Arrival in this Pueblo Mágico , known for its ancestral traditions and distinctive adobe-and-stone architecture. It’s also famous for preserving remnants of the Zapotec culture. We’ll have time to walk around the Church of San Pablo, built in the 16th century atop an ancient ceremonial platform, and stroll through its rustic, charming streets.
11:00 a.m. – Departure from San Pablo Villa de Mitla. We’ll continue southeast, crossing the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, a key region in Mexico’s geography and culture. Lunch will be included en route.
07:45 p.m. – Tuxtla Gutiérrez. Arrival in the capital of Chiapas, a modern and dynamic city that blends urban life with natural beauty in its surroundings. Accommodation.
Scenery: We’ll venture along one of the most scenic routes in southern Mexico, crossing the Oaxaca highlands, the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and lush tropical landscapes that lead us to the heart of Chiapas.
08:30 a.m. – Departure from Oaxaca. We’ll begin a day rich in cultural and natural beauty, traveling along roads that connect two states deeply rooted in the country’s Indigenous heritage.
10:00 a.m. – San Pablo Villa de Mitla. Arrival in this Pueblo Mágico , known for its ancestral traditions and distinctive adobe-and-stone architecture. It’s also famous for preserving remnants of the Zapotec culture. We’ll have time to walk around the Church of San Pablo, built in the 16th century atop an ancient ceremonial platform, and stroll through its rustic, charming streets.
11:00 a.m. – Departure from San Pablo Villa de Mitla. We’ll continue southeast, crossing the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, a key region in Mexico’s geography and culture. Lunch will be included en route.
07:45 p.m. – Tuxtla Gutiérrez. Arrival in the capital of Chiapas, a modern and dynamic city that blends urban life with natural beauty in its surroundings. Accommodation.
Total Distance: 100 km
Landscapes: spectacular
Notes: We recommend you to take appropriate waterproof clothing for the speedboat ride.- The visit of the towns of Zinacantán and San Juan can take place on Wednesday or Thursday morning (according to opening times of the church of San Juan).
08.30 hrs.- Tuxtla - Departure.
09.00 hrs. - We will explore the SUMDERO CANYON. Travelling by boat, we will travel for more than 1 hrs up this impressive canyon which is almost 1 km deep and 14 km long.
10.45 hrs.- Sumidero Canyon.- Departure.
11.00 hrs.- Next, we will walk through CHIAPA DEL CORZO , a white traditional and cultural colonial site. Time for a stroll and a coffee.
11.45 hrs.- Chiapa del Corzo. Departure. We enter into the center of the Mexican Mayan culture. We discover 2 beautiful villages inhabited by the Tzotzil Indians.
12.45 hrs.- In ZINACANTAN we can admire the dresses worn by the women and also their small loom workshop-shops.
13.45 hrs.- Zicacantan.- Departure.
14.15 hrs.- SAN JUAN CHAMULA we will be surprised by their church that mixes Christianity with pre-Columbian traditions. Time for lunch.
15.45 hrs.- San Juan Chamula.- Departure.
16.15 hrs. - We continue to SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS . Free afternoon in this beautiful colonial city founded in 1528.
Landscapes: spectacular
Notes: We recommend you to take appropriate waterproof clothing for the speedboat ride.- The visit of the towns of Zinacantán and San Juan can take place on Wednesday or Thursday morning (according to opening times of the church of San Juan).
08.30 hrs.- Tuxtla - Departure.
09.00 hrs. - We will explore the SUMDERO CANYON. Travelling by boat, we will travel for more than 1 hrs up this impressive canyon which is almost 1 km deep and 14 km long.
10.45 hrs.- Sumidero Canyon.- Departure.
11.00 hrs.- Next, we will walk through CHIAPA DEL CORZO , a white traditional and cultural colonial site. Time for a stroll and a coffee.
11.45 hrs.- Chiapa del Corzo. Departure. We enter into the center of the Mexican Mayan culture. We discover 2 beautiful villages inhabited by the Tzotzil Indians.
12.45 hrs.- In ZINACANTAN we can admire the dresses worn by the women and also their small loom workshop-shops.
13.45 hrs.- Zicacantan.- Departure.
14.15 hrs.- SAN JUAN CHAMULA we will be surprised by their church that mixes Christianity with pre-Columbian traditions. Time for lunch.
15.45 hrs.- San Juan Chamula.- Departure.
16.15 hrs. - We continue to SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS . Free afternoon in this beautiful colonial city founded in 1528.
Distance travelled: 225 km Landscape: Beautiful mountain landscapes of Chiapas. Villages which retain their ancient Mayan language and traditions.
Important: We suggest you bring comfortable clothes and shoes, insect repellent and sunscreen - as well as a bathing suit and a towel, to fully enjoy the natural waterfalls and spectacular blue river water.
08:00 - San Cristobal, we head to central Chiapas.
10:45 - OCOSINGO. We stop at the commercial regional capital situated on dairy-farmlands, next to the north Chiapas range, where incredible archaeological remains are found.
11:45 - Ocosingo- departure - We get back on the road and drive through mountains and jungle.
13:45 - Parque Nacional de AGUA AZUL (Agua Azul National Park). Entrance fee and lunch included after the visit, time to have a walk or bathe in the pools and more than 50 waterfalls, which range from 3 to 30 meters in height.
16:30 Agua Azul- departure.
17:45 - MISOL HA. Arrival at this impressive waterfall and its walking trails.
19:00 - Misol Ha- departure.
20:45 - Palenque- arrival. Dinner included.
Important: in some instances, roadblocks might be experienced in the region of Ocosingo due to local social unrest. In that event, we would take an alternative route visiting the City of Villahermosa and the ecological reserve of Yumka instead of the usual stops at Ocosingo, Agua Azul and Misol.
Important: We suggest you bring comfortable clothes and shoes, insect repellent and sunscreen - as well as a bathing suit and a towel, to fully enjoy the natural waterfalls and spectacular blue river water.
08:00 - San Cristobal, we head to central Chiapas.
10:45 - OCOSINGO. We stop at the commercial regional capital situated on dairy-farmlands, next to the north Chiapas range, where incredible archaeological remains are found.
11:45 - Ocosingo- departure - We get back on the road and drive through mountains and jungle.
13:45 - Parque Nacional de AGUA AZUL (Agua Azul National Park). Entrance fee and lunch included after the visit, time to have a walk or bathe in the pools and more than 50 waterfalls, which range from 3 to 30 meters in height.
16:30 Agua Azul- departure.
17:45 - MISOL HA. Arrival at this impressive waterfall and its walking trails.
19:00 - Misol Ha- departure.
20:45 - Palenque- arrival. Dinner included.
Important: in some instances, roadblocks might be experienced in the region of Ocosingo due to local social unrest. In that event, we would take an alternative route visiting the City of Villahermosa and the ecological reserve of Yumka instead of the usual stops at Ocosingo, Agua Azul and Misol.
Total distance: 360 km.
Scenery: Yucatan Peninsula. Beautiful views over the coastal road of the Gulf of Mexico.
09.00 hrs.- We include entrance and guided visit to the impressive archaeological site of PALENQUE . This Mayan city, surrounded by jungle, reached its peak between 600 and 800 AD. During the visit we will see its temples, pyramids and ball game. Free time for lunch.
12.30 hrs.- Palenque -departure-. We travel to the Gulf of Mexico through the state of Tabasco.
18.30 hrs.- CAMPECHE- Arrival to this Mexican port city known for its colonial buildings and 17th century fortifications created to confront pirate attacks. Dinner included.
Scenery: Yucatan Peninsula. Beautiful views over the coastal road of the Gulf of Mexico.
09.00 hrs.- We include entrance and guided visit to the impressive archaeological site of PALENQUE . This Mayan city, surrounded by jungle, reached its peak between 600 and 800 AD. During the visit we will see its temples, pyramids and ball game. Free time for lunch.
12.30 hrs.- Palenque -departure-. We travel to the Gulf of Mexico through the state of Tabasco.
18.30 hrs.- CAMPECHE- Arrival to this Mexican port city known for its colonial buildings and 17th century fortifications created to confront pirate attacks. Dinner included.
Total distance covered: 180 km.
Scenery: We’ll travel through the Yucatán Peninsula, passing flat landscapes dotted with lush vegetation and traditional villages along the way.
09:00 a.m. – Departure from Campeche. We’ll leave behind this coastal city and make our way into the state of Yucatán. In just over two hours, we’ll reach our destination.
11:30 a.m. – Mérida. Arrival in the vibrant capital of the state of Yucatán, a city rich in both colonial and Mayan heritage. We’ll visit the fortified Mérida Cathedral, the limestone Church of the Third Order, and the Montejo House—a 16th-century mansion that stands as a symbol of Spanish Plateresque colonial architecture.
Free afternoon. We suggest visiting the Museum of the Mayan World on your own.
In the evening, a transfer to the Zócalo will be included, so you can enjoy dinner and take in the lively atmosphere of the city.
Scenery: We’ll travel through the Yucatán Peninsula, passing flat landscapes dotted with lush vegetation and traditional villages along the way.
09:00 a.m. – Departure from Campeche. We’ll leave behind this coastal city and make our way into the state of Yucatán. In just over two hours, we’ll reach our destination.
11:30 a.m. – Mérida. Arrival in the vibrant capital of the state of Yucatán, a city rich in both colonial and Mayan heritage. We’ll visit the fortified Mérida Cathedral, the limestone Church of the Third Order, and the Montejo House—a 16th-century mansion that stands as a symbol of Spanish Plateresque colonial architecture.
Free afternoon. We suggest visiting the Museum of the Mayan World on your own.
In the evening, a transfer to the Zócalo will be included, so you can enjoy dinner and take in the lively atmosphere of the city.
Total distance: 290 km
Scenery : Nice stage to get to know the state of Yucatan.
N.B.- Remember to bring comfortable clothes and shoes, swimsuit and towel, sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
08.00 hrs- Merida- departure.
09.15 hrs- IZAMAL - arrival to one of the prettiest cities in Mexico, declared a "Magic town".
10.15 hrs- Izamal, departure.
11.30 hrs- CHICHEN ITZAN, - we include admission and a visit to the most important and renowned vestige of the Mayan civilization, a World Heritage Site where we see the mythical pyramid of Kukulcán and the warriors’ temple.
14.30 hrs - After the visit we include a Mayan cuisine lunch .
16.00 hrs- Chichen Itzan- We continue on our beautiful stage through the state of Yucatan.
18.15- RIO LAGARTOS , arrival to this small fishing village in the middle of a Biosphere Reserve.
Note: The hotel infrastructure in Rio Lagartos is very limited. Occasionally, we will have to provide accomodation in Valladolid. In that case, we will visit Valladolid on Sunday instead of Monday and spend more time in Rio Lagartos on Monday.
Scenery : Nice stage to get to know the state of Yucatan.
N.B.- Remember to bring comfortable clothes and shoes, swimsuit and towel, sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
08.00 hrs- Merida- departure.
09.15 hrs- IZAMAL - arrival to one of the prettiest cities in Mexico, declared a "Magic town".
10.15 hrs- Izamal, departure.
11.30 hrs- CHICHEN ITZAN, - we include admission and a visit to the most important and renowned vestige of the Mayan civilization, a World Heritage Site where we see the mythical pyramid of Kukulcán and the warriors’ temple.
14.30 hrs - After the visit we include a Mayan cuisine lunch .
16.00 hrs- Chichen Itzan- We continue on our beautiful stage through the state of Yucatan.
18.15- RIO LAGARTOS , arrival to this small fishing village in the middle of a Biosphere Reserve.
Note: The hotel infrastructure in Rio Lagartos is very limited. Occasionally, we will have to provide accomodation in Valladolid. In that case, we will visit Valladolid on Sunday instead of Monday and spend more time in Rio Lagartos on Monday.
Distance: 265 km.
Note: Remember to bring comfortable clothes and shoes, swimwear and towel, sunscreen and mosquito cream.
08.00 hrs. - We include a boat ride of more than two hours. We enter the biosphere reserve, where we can see crocodiles among its mangroves, lots of birds, including pelicans and pink flamingos. You can also "live the mud experience" by smearing mud with high concentrations of sulfur, minerals and salts that act as exfoliants for the skin, leaving a feeling of softness throughout the body.
11.30 hrs- Rio Lagartos, departure. We head to the interior of the peninsula.
14.00 hrs- VALLADOLID- arrival in the third largest city of the Yucatan with a very nice historical city center. We recommend that you have lunch in one of the restaurants in the main square.
16:00 hrs- Valladolid, departure.
17:00 hrs- CENOTE CHOJ HA. We will explore this Cenote managed by the local Mayan community. We will walk along a short trail in the jungle to visit the dry cave and swim in the wonderful lake inside the wet cave.
18:00 hrs- Cenote, departure. Continuation to Cancun.
21.30 hrs- CANCUN , arrival.
Note: Remember to bring comfortable clothes and shoes, swimwear and towel, sunscreen and mosquito cream.
08.00 hrs. - We include a boat ride of more than two hours. We enter the biosphere reserve, where we can see crocodiles among its mangroves, lots of birds, including pelicans and pink flamingos. You can also "live the mud experience" by smearing mud with high concentrations of sulfur, minerals and salts that act as exfoliants for the skin, leaving a feeling of softness throughout the body.
11.30 hrs- Rio Lagartos, departure. We head to the interior of the peninsula.
14.00 hrs- VALLADOLID- arrival in the third largest city of the Yucatan with a very nice historical city center. We recommend that you have lunch in one of the restaurants in the main square.
16:00 hrs- Valladolid, departure.
17:00 hrs- CENOTE CHOJ HA. We will explore this Cenote managed by the local Mayan community. We will walk along a short trail in the jungle to visit the dry cave and swim in the wonderful lake inside the wet cave.
18:00 hrs- Cenote, departure. Continuation to Cancun.
21.30 hrs- CANCUN , arrival.
Our services end after breakfast. We suggest that any travellers who wish to extend their stay for a few days can do so resting by the beautiful beaches of Cancun or the Riviera Maya.
From
USD 2,403.00
