Contrasts of Mexico

15 days
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Small Group Tour
Journey through the ancient heartland of the Aztecs, Zapotecs and Maya on our tour of Mexico and beyond. From the energy of Mexico City to the vibrance of colonial Oaxaca and the mystery of the Palenque jungle, tick off Mexico?s must-sees before crossing the border into Guatemala and Belize. Get a real flavour for local life, fuelling up on tacos and tequila....
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$3,875
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous

Highlights

    • Explore some of the very best Aztec & Mayan sites of Mexico
    • Experience the local life & colour of Indigenous villages
    • Discover little-explored ruins, hidden by rainforest

What's this trip about?

    Journey through the ancient heartland of the Aztecs, Zapotecs and Maya on our tour of Mexico and beyond. From the energy of Mexico City to the vibrance of colonial Oaxaca and the mystery of the Palenque jungle, tick off Mexico?s must-sees before crossing the border into Guatemala and Belize. Get a real flavour for local life, fuelling up on tacos and tequila. Want to see Mexico at its most vibrant? Choose a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) departure to witness the unique celebration. Marvel at Mayan ruins - From Palenque to Tikal, get closer to Latin America?s mysterious heritage at these iconic sites. Soak up colonial charm - Visit idyllic cities like Oaxaca and San Cristobal, soaking up local life in the Zocalos and dipping into artisanal markets. See the Sumidero Canyon - Take to the water on a boat trip through this towering gorge, spotting wildlife along the way.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityMexico City
End CityBelize City Airport

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

  • North America
  • New Mexico
  • Central America
  • Belize
  • Guatemala

Attractions

  • Caye Caulker
  • Central America
  • Chichen Itza
  • Flores
  • Mexico City
  • Palenque
  • San Cristobal
  • San Ignacio
  • San Juan
  • Santo Domingo
  • Tehuantepec
  • Tikal
  • Tulum
  • Xunantunich

Activities

  • Hiking

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join tour in Mexico City

Our tour starts today in Mexico City, the capital of Mexico and the bustling heart and soul of the country. CDMX, as the city is also known, gives 'metropolis' a whole new meaning with a new landmark, museum or gallery at every turn, not to mention the countless colou...

Day 2 Tour of Mexico City, including Museum of Anthropology

We'll head out to explore the city like a local this morning, on foot and by public transport. The Zocalo is the vibrant heart of the city; the main square that has been a cornerstone in public gatherings since ancient times. We'll walk down to the centre from the hot...

Day 3 Visit the Teotihuacan Pyramids and the Basilica de Guadalupe

Our destination today is Teotihuacan, a mysterious complex of pyramid ruins, abandoned 13 centuries ago. En route, we'll make a stop at the Basilica de Guadalupe, an important pilgrimage site for Mexicans which has a miraculous story to tell (our tour leader will fill...

Day 4 Journey to Oaxaca, free time to explore the city

Leaving the capital behind, today we'll drive south through cactus country to Oaxaca, one of the most charming colonial cities in Mexico. The drive will take around eight hours, but we'll make several stops along the way. During the latter half of our journey, we'll b...

Day 5 Visit the pyramids of Monte Alban, free afternoon in Oaxaca

As with many of Mexico's colonial cities, Oaxaca was built in the 16th century using stones from ancient civilisations in the surrounding areas. Today, we'll visit Monte Alban which was built by the Zapotec people who flourished here over 1,500 years ago. This complex...

Day 6 Journey to Tehuantepec via Teotitlan del Valle and the Mitla ruins

We have a long journey ahead of us today as we begin to head towards San Cristobal. The drive will lead us up through the winding roads of the Sierra Madre Mountain range and we'll make several stops along the way. Our first port of call is a 2,000-year-old swamp cypr...

Day 7 Sumidero Canyon boat trip then head to San Cristobal

Leaving early this morning, we'll have a five-hour drive to Cahuare, the starting point for our visit to the spectacular Sumidero Canyon. The canyon is a unique rift measuring 41 kilometres long and up to 1000 metres deep, cut by the Rio Grijalva. This is the spot whe...

Day 8 Discover the indigenous villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan

San Cristobal has a unique atmosphere, located high in the scenic Chiapas Mountain range. The indigenous groups from the surrounding hills fill the town and marketplace with their colourful dress including the distinctive Tzotzil community who still retain much of the...

Day 9 Sumidero Canyon boat trip and journey to San Cristobal

Leaving the highlands behind us, today we have a long driving day ahead of us (approximately eight hours, plus stops). The road is slow and winding, but there are scenic views as we descend to the jungles of Palenque. We'll be driving via the town of Villahermosa, whe...

Day 10 Explore indigenous villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan

Today's guided visit to the ruins of Palenque is one of the highlights of our tour of Mexico. Palenque is both a fascinating and important site and we'll explore it in depth with a guide. Once the choking forest was cleared, the ruins revealed the tomb of the high pri...

Day 11 Drive to Frontera Corozal, travel by boat to Yaxchilan

Today we'll drive for three and a half hours to Frontera Corozal on the border of Mexico and Guatemala. From the lodge, we'll board our lancha (river boat) on the Ucumacinta River and head for the remote site of Yaxchilan, only accessible by boat and famous for its st...

Day 12 Journey to Flores, optional boat trip on Lake Peten Itza

We'll continue our Mayan rainforest adventure this morning, travelling on the water to the small settlement of Bethel. Here, we'll cross the border into Guatemala and drive for three hours on to Flores. Flores, on Lake Peten Itza, is beautifully picturesque and ve...

Day 13 Explore Tikal, Guatemala

Today we'll visit Tikal, the great Maya metropolis set amid the rainforest, which can justly be compared with the celebrated ancient cities of Egypt and Greece. Initially settled in about 600 BC, Tikal was abandoned by its rulers around 890 AD and totally deserted a h...

Day 14 Travel to San Ignacio, Belize

Today we'll say goodbye to Guatemala and drive over the border to San Ignacio in Belize. En route, we'll visit the little-known site of Xunantunich, with its fantastic array of pyramids and temples. Then, we'll make our way to our hotel, where the rest of the afternoo...

Day 15 Drive to Belize City Airport where tour ends

Departing San Ignacio this morning, we'll drive to Belize's Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE), arriving at around 10am, and this is where our trip ends. The earliest your flight can depart is 12.30pm. Haven't had your fill of Latin America? Extend yo...

Day 1 Join tour in Mexico City

Our tour starts today in Mexico City, the capital of Mexico and the bustling heart and soul of the country. CDMX, as the city is also known, gives 'metropolis' a whole new meaning with a new landmark, museum or gallery at every turn, not to mention the countless colou...

Day 2 Tour of Mexico City, including Museum of Anthropology

We'll head out to explore the city like a local this morning, on foot and by public transport. The Zocalo is the vibrant heart of the city; the main square that has been a cornerstone in public gatherings since ancient times. We'll walk down to the centre from the hot...

Day 3 Visit the Teotihuacan Pyramids and the Basilica de Guadalupe

Our destination today is Teotihuacan, a mysterious complex of pyramid ruins, abandoned 13 centuries ago. En route, we'll make a stop at the Basilica de Guadalupe, an important pilgrimage site for Mexicans which has a miraculous story to tell (our tour leader will fill...

Day 4 Journey to Oaxaca, free time to explore the city

Leaving the capital behind, today we'll drive south through cactus country to Oaxaca, one of the most charming colonial cities in Mexico. The drive will take around eight hours, but we'll make several stops along the way. During the latter half of our journey, we'll b...

Day 5 Visit the pyramids of Monte Alban, free afternoon in Oaxaca

As with many of Mexico's colonial cities, Oaxaca was built in the 16th century using stones from ancient civilisations in the surrounding areas. Today, we'll visit Monte Alban which was built by the Zapotec people who flourished here over 1,500 years ago. This complex...

Day 6 Journey to Tehuantepec via Teotitlan del Valle and the Mitla ruins

We have a long journey ahead of us today as we begin to head towards San Cristobal. The drive will lead us up through the winding roads of the Sierra Madre Mountain range and we'll make several stops along the way. Our first port of call is a 2,000-year-old swamp cypr...

Day 7 Sumidero Canyon boat trip and journey to San Cristobal

Leaving early this morning, we'll have a five-hour drive to Cahuare, the starting point for our visit to the spectacular Sumidero Canyon. The canyon is a unique rift measuring 41 kilometres long and up to 1000 metres deep, cut by the Rio Grijalva. This is the spot whe...

Day 8 Explore indigenous villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan

San Cristobal has a unique atmosphere, located high in the scenic Chiapas Mountain range. The indigenous groups from the surrounding hills fill the town and marketplace with their colourful dress including the distinctive Tzotzil community who still retain much of the...

Day 9 Travel to Palenque via Agua Blanca waterfalls

Leaving the highlands behind us, today we have a long driving day ahead of us (approximately eight hours, plus stops). The road is slow and winding, but there are scenic views as we descend to the jungles of Palenque. We'll be driving via the town of Villahermosa, whe...

Day 10 Explore the Maya site of Palenque

Today's guided visit to the ruins of Palenque is one of the highlights of our tour of Mexico. Palenque is both a fascinating and important site and we'll explore it in depth with a guide. Once the choking forest was cleared, the ruins revealed the tomb of the high pri...

Day 11 Drive to Frontera Corozal, travel by boat to Yaxchilan

Today we'll drive for three and a half hours to Frontera Corozal on the border of Mexico and Guatemala. From the lodge, we'll board our lancha (river boat) on the Ucumacinta River and head for the remote site of Yaxchilan, only accessible by boat and famous for its st...

Day 12 Journey to Flores, optional boat trip on Lake Peten Itza

We'll continue our Mayan rainforest adventure this morning, travelling on the water to the small settlement of Bethel. Here, we'll cross the border into Guatemala and drive for three hours on to Flores. Flores, on Lake Peten Itza, is beautifully picturesque and ve...

Day 13 Explore Tikal, Guatemala

Today we'll visit Tikal, the great Maya metropolis set amid the rainforest, which can justly be compared with the celebrated ancient cities of Egypt and Greece. Initially settled in about 600 BC, Tikal was abandoned by its rulers around 890 AD and totally deserted a h...

Day 14 Travel to San Ignacio, Belize

Today we'll say goodbye to Guatemala and drive over the border to San Ignacio in Belize. En route, we'll visit the little-known site of Xunantunich, with its fantastic array of pyramids and temples. Then, we'll make our way to our hotel, where the rest of the afternoo...

Day 15 Drive to Belize City Airport where tour ends

Departing San Ignacio this morning, we'll drive to Belize's Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE), arriving at around 10am, and this is where our trip ends. The earliest your flight can depart is 12.30pm. Haven't had your fill of Latin America? Extend yo...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,150
Price per day$210
Last Updated: 4/24/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
18 May 2024
01 Jun 2024
$3,150
$600
6 spots left
03 Aug 2024
17 Aug 2024
$3,150
$600
7 spots left
28 Oct 2024
11 Nov 2024
$4,340
$710
8 spots left
29 Oct 2024
12 Nov 2024
$4,650
$710
9 spots left
29 Oct 2024
12 Nov 2024
$5,220
$1,070
9 spots left
30 Oct 2024
13 Nov 2024
$4,420
$700
2 spots left
09 Nov 2024
23 Nov 2024
$3,600
$590
10 spots left
19 Dec 2024
02 Jan 2025
$3,560
$590
11 spots left
21 Dec 2024
04 Jan 2025
$3,560
$590
15 spots left
18 Jan 2025
01 Feb 2025
$3,630
$740
16 spots left

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Explore!.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
6,513
Great
2,167
Average
377
Disappointing
116
Terrible
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H

HMT

Apr 2024

Written on

Contrasts of Mexico

Great trip, with a splendid leader. He had a marvelous sense of humor an...

J

Jane

Mar 2024

Written on

Contrasts of Mexico

A wonderful and varied trip. Special highlights were Oaxaca, Monte Alban, Palenque, the howler monkeys at Yaxha (think Jurassic Park), and the unusual church at San...

S

Sarah

Mar 2024

Written on

Contrasts of Mexico

Great itinerary, great guide (Luis) and great group - would highly recommend!

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Explore!

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About Explore

We've been taking small groups on adventure vacations for over 41 years. Our authentic adventure travel experiences explore the sights and culture of a country, with hand-picked accommodation that balances comfort and location. Our average group tour size is just 11; perfect for meeting new people and getting to the heart of our destinations. Explore is one of the world's most trusted adventure travel companies with over 350 trips to more than 100 countries. We are passionate about travel and have developed a wide range of unique activities and adventures which give our customers an unforgettable experience with a team of award-winning Explore leaders. With Explore, you'll get to see your destination from a whole new perspective that takes you away from the typical well-trodden tourist track. You'll have the chance to meet, dine and stay with local people, rest in authentic accommodation with other like-minded explorers and travel to must-see destinations with a unique Explore twist. From family holidays to trips for solo travelers; cycling tours to wildlife safaris; trekking on mountains or exploring miles of scenic coastline, there is something for every kind of traveler with Explore. We will provide our expert knowledge, exciting itineraries and outstanding service as part of our sustainable travel experiences which take you under the skin of the country you're visiting for the adventure of a lifetime.


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Logistics

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Boat,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Boat
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Boat Crew, Driver(s), Local Guide(s)
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Mexico: Citizens from UK, New Zealand, Australia, New Zealand, US and Canada require a Mexican Tourist Card to enter. This is obtained on arrival if flying into Mexico City Benito Juarez Airport or Cancun International. Some airlines may give this to you at the check-in desk. Once you receive the tourist card you must keep this on you until you exit Mexico. If entering by another port - you will have to apply for this in advance online - website - https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure. Guatemala: Visas are not required for UK, New Zealand, Australian, US and Canadian citizens. Belize: Visas are not required for UK, New Zealand, Australian, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. USA: If your flights pass through the USA, even if only in transit, you will require either a visa or an ESTA (an e-visa). Please read on for more information. Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and passport holders from several EU countries can apply for an ESTA under certain conditions. This applies if you enter the country by sea or by air, and this must be done online via https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov, no later than 72 hours prior to travel. Travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely be refused boarding. You must have a biometric passport to apply for an ESTA. UK passports which are biometric feature a small gold symbol (camera) at the bottom of the front cover. If you have visited Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen since 2011 or are dual nationals of these countries, you cannot travel with an ESTA and instead you will need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. If you are unable to provide a valid visa before boarding flights to the US, or entering via another method, you may not be permitted to travel. You should also be aware that if you have travelled to or have been in Cuba since the 12th of January 2021, you will not be eligible for an ESTA visa waiver and will need to apply for a US visa. You should consult the US State Department website to determine which you will need. Your ESTA application will ask for Point of Contact information. Please note that if you're only transiting through the USA then this is not required. If you're visiting or staying in the USA on an Explore trip, then our USA contact information will be listed on your final documentation which you will receive approximately 3-4 weeks before departure. Entry requirements for the USA can change regularly, therefore, please ensure you have the most up to date information before you travel by checking the US embassy website. Visa applications - http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/apply.html Canada: An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is required by British citizens transiting via Canada. For more information see the official Canadian government website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, infectious hepatitis and polio. Please consult your travel clinic for the latest advice on Malaria, Dengue and Zika Virus. Please take preventative measures to avoid mosquito bites - these include mosquito repellent as well as long trousers and long sleeve shirts to cover up when necessary. Please note many countries in Central America, South America and the Caribbean require a yellow fever vaccination certificates if travelling from infected areas. A detailed list of these countries can be found on the NaTHNaC website - http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries. Also on the NaTHNaC site there is a list of Countries (and specific areas within a country) which are at risk of infection and a vaccination is therefore recommended. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
    • Breakfast : 14
    • Dinner : 1
  • Breakfast : 14
  • Dinner : 1
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
Trip ID
explore-MX

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