Compare UNESCO Heritage Challenge by Vibe Adventures vs Central Mexico: Puerto Escondido, Mexico City & Epic Mountain Views by G Adventures

Day 1: Mexico City

Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mexico City

Activities: welcome meeting

Bienvenidos a la Ciudad de Mexico – the largest city in Latin America where ancient and modern coexist in harmony. Arrive at any time before meeting your group and Tour Leader in the evening: welcome meeting, optional welcome & get-together with the rest of the group in one of local restaurants/bars.

Day 2: Mexico City

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mexico City

Activities: walking tour in the Historic Centre of Mexico City & Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; guided visit to Luis Barragán House and Studio; boat tour in Xochimilco.

Join your group to explore UNESCO-listed architectural gems of Mexico City: Historic Centre of Mexico City (walking tour), Luis Barragán House and Studio (guided visit), Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (guided tour), Xochimilco (boat tour).  Optional dinner & get-together with the group in the evening.

Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (3x): the Historic Centre of Mexico City & Xochimilco; Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Luis Barragán House and Studio.

Day 3: Mexico City – Xochicalco – Cuernavaca – Tepoztlan

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B/guest house in Tepotztlán

Activities: guided visit to Archaeological Monuments Zone of Xochicalco; walking tours in Cuernavaca & Tepotztlán

Firstly, go to Xochicalco – ruins of the ancient Mesoamerican city whose apogee came after the fall of Teotihuacan and that, allegedly, may have played a part in the fall of the Teotihuacan empire. After exploring the archeological zone, we will continue to Cuernavaca. Known as “the city of eternal spring”, this capital of the state is flanked by imposing hills and is festive all year round.

After a walking tour around the historic center, optional lunch, a visit to UNESCO-listed Cuernavaca Cathedral & nearby 40-meter high San Anton Waterfall we will go to Tepotztlán. Located at the foot of Tepozteco Mountain, this “Magic Town” is the result of the combination of the unique ancient traditions and wisdom that enrich its many cultural expressions, such as esotericism, pre-Hispanic and vice-regal treasures, the counterculture, ecotourism or the simplicity of its everyday life. Check-in, walking tour around the historic center, optional dinner & get-together with the group in one of local restaurants/bars.

Transportation: private vehicle

Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (3x): Archaeological Monuments Zone of Xochicalco; Cuernavaca Cathedral; Convento de la Natividad o de la Anunciación in Tepoztlán.

Day 4: Tepoztlan – Tlayacapan – Oaxtepec – Puebla

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B/guest house in Puebla

Activities: guided visit to El Tepozteco archaeological site (entrance & explanation); walking tours in Tlayacapan, Oaxtepec & Puebla.

After a visit to Tepozteco Mountain with an impressive Prehispanic temple, we will go to a “Magic Town” of Tlayacapan. Being there is like stopping time and enjoying a break in your life, while observing the majesty of perfectly carved murals in the UNESCO-listed Former Convent of San Juan Bautista, with walls that seem to form a celestial vault to guard the recently discovered mummies.

After a walking tour around the historic center of the town, we will move to a nearby town of Oaxtepec to visit local UNESCO protected Ex-Convent of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. Finally, we will finish our day in Puebla – a vibrant capital of the same-named state that retains a fantastically well-preserved center, a stunning cathedral, and a wealth of beautiful churches. After check-in and some rest at our accommodation, we will go out for an evening walking tour around the historic center and optional dinner in one of the local restaurants.

Transportation: private vehicle

Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (3x): Ex-Convent of San Juan Bautista in Tlayacapan; Ex-Convent of Santo Domingo de Guzmán in Oaxtepec; Historic Centre of Puebla

Day 5: Puebla – Cholula – Teotihuacan – Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque – Queretaro

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B/guest house in Querétaro

Activities: guided visit to Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacán & Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque Hydraulic System; walking tours in Cholula & Querétaro

To begin with, we will visit Cholula – the oldest city in America inhabited without interruption since its origins. There we will see The Great Pyramid of Cholula, the world’s largest pyramid topped by the Virgen de Los Remedios church. After a walking tour around the historic center of the town, we will go to Teotihuacan – a complex of awesome pyramids, set amid what was once Mesoamerica’s greatest city. After a guided visit to the archeological zone, we will go to visit an impressive Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque Hydraulic System built by the Jesuits in the 18th century and surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

TO conclude our day, in the evening we will arrive in Querétaro – one of the most representative examples of Spanish Colonial cities with buildings from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. After check-in and some rest at our accommodation, we will go out for an evening walking tour around the historic center and optional dinner in one of the local restaurants.

Transportation: private vehicle

Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (3x): Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacán; Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque Hydraulic System; Historic Monuments Zone of Querétaro

Day 6: Queretaro – San Miguel de Allende – Guanajuato

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B/guest house in Guanajuato

Activities: walking tours in San Miguel de Allende & Guanajuato; guided visit to the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco; cable car to Monumento Al Pipila in Guanajuato

In the morning go to San Miguel de Allende – a small city with a huge cultural heritage and a cosmopolitan population that preserves its true colonial feeling.  After a walking tour around the historic center and optional lunch, we will go to Guanajuato, passing by UNESCO-listed Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco – a church complex built in the 18th century that features mural work of Antonio Martínez de Pocasangre that is often dubbed the “Sistine Chapel of Mexico.” Evening arrival to Guanajuato – an opulent colonial city, located among gold and silver deposits, with its greatest peak in the 17th and 18th centuries. After check-in and some rest at our accommodation, we will go out for an evening walking tour around the historic center and optional dinner in one of the local restaurants.

Transportation: private vehicle

Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (2x): Protective town of San Miguel de Allende and the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco; Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines

Day 7: Guanajuato – Isla de Janitzio- Patzcuaro – Morelia

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B/guest house in Morelia

Activities: walking tours in Morelia & Pátzcuaro; boat tour to Isla de Janitzio

In the morning, go Isla de Janitzio – the main island of Lake Pátzcuaro whose town is famous for the butterfly fishermen that you can see on the back of the 50-peso Mexican banknote. Afterward, we will be back to Pátzcuaro – a picturesque colonial town founded in the 1320s as the capital of the Tarascan state and later its ceremonial center. Finally, after a walking tour around the historic center of a town and an optional lunch, we will go to the last destination of our trip – Morelia. Known as the “City of the Pink Stone”, it is home to numerous Baroque and Neoclassical monuments.  After check-in and some rest at our accommodation, we will go out for an evening walking tour around the historic center of the city and optional farewell dinner in one of the local restaurants.

Transportation: private vehicle

Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (1x): Historic Centre of Morelia

Day 8: Morelia – Mexico City

Meals: Breakfast

In winter, on the way, we will visit nearby Monarch Butterfly UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – a breathtaking over-wintering site of the eastern population of the monarch butterfly. In summer, instead, we will go to Angangueo – a small town with rich mining traditions located in high rugged forested mountains: walking tour around the historic center and optional lunch.

Transportation: private vehicle

Objects on the UNESCO World Heritage List (1x): Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (in winter only)

Day 1 Mexico City

Arrive at any time, and kick back at the hostel or head out to explore the city before meeting up with fellow Roamies in the evening. Grab a drink on the hostel rooftop terrace or check out the nearby main plaza, which is always buzzing at night.

Day 2 Mexico City

Mexico City is so huge that it's hard to know where or how to start exploring, but stick with us, we've got your back! Set off in a private ride with a local expert and head to the Monument to the Revolution to get great views from the top and learn a thing or two about Mexico's history. Continue to the iconic "El Angel" statue for the obligatory photos and then head to the trendy area of Colonia Roma Norte to visit a local market and find some mouth-watering tacos al pastor to devour for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is yours to continue exploring the city or maybe take a trip out to visit the ruins of Teotihuacán. Lucha libre in the evening, anyone?

Day 3 Mexico City/Puebla

You’re not done with Mexico City quite yet! Head out to the colourful neighborhood of Xochimilco where you'll float along in a typical "trajinera" boat along the canals of this ancient water system built by the Aztecs. Browse the floating markets for souvenirs and snacks and maybe hear some mariachis along the way before hopping back on the bus. Arrive in the colonial city of Puebla in the early afternoon and brush up on your Spanish with the CEO before having some time to explore a bit or to relax at the hostel.

Day 4 Puebla/Oaxaca

Head south today on a bus to Oaxaca, (pronounced "Wah-ha-cah" in case you were wondering), a city packed full of culture and incredible food. You'll dive straight into the regional cuisine in the evening with a big spread of delicious local dishes like tamales, tlayudas or some of the ridiculously delicious mole. Throw in some local tequila and you’ve got yourself a party in your mouth.

Day 5 Oaxaca

Freedom! Enjoy a full day in Oaxaca where you can choose from a heap of fun things to do. Want to see some ancient ruins? Visit the nearby site of Monte Albán. Want to stay local? Take a city tour or channel your inner chef with a cooking class. Ultimately the day is yours so if that means having a few more sips of mezcal at a local tavern or chilling at the hostel then that is a-ok by us too.

Day 6 Oaxaca/Puerto Escondido

Road trip to the beach! Head out on a windy road up through the mountains, bound for the Pacific coast and the relaxed beach town of Puerto Escondido. Enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk upon arrival. The remainder of the afternoon is all yours; find somewhere for lunch on your own and settle in for some serious R&R or beach time, you deserve it.

Day 7 Puerto Escondido

Take a day to do as much or as little as you want, there's no judgement here. Maybe it's the beach or a surf class that's calling your name or possibly it's a 'hang-around'-the-hostel' kind of day with the crew. Your CEO is always on hand to make recommendations or to pull up a seat at the bar with, the choice is yours. Did someone say fish tacos?

Day 8 Puerto Escondido

Say goodbye to your Roamies and depart at any time, or keep the adventure going by heading to the Yucatán Peninsula on the next leg of this epic adventure.