Arrival in Cancún

After arriving in Cancún, please pick up your luggage and go directly to the Rental Car Desk within the airport. They will arrange your transport to the Rental Car office where you will pick up your rental car. With the keys in your hand, you are off on your Yucatan adventure and can drive to your hotel. Overnight stay. (Meals: none)

Cancún – Rio Lagartos – Ek Balam – Valladolid

Today, you will head towards Rio Lagartos, a small fishing community on the coast where you can observe the multitude of sea birds and flamingoes as they take flight and begin their day. Enjoy a boat ride (ask for our contact) through the lagoon and mangroves to get a closer look at the unique flora and fauna with around 320 different species. Afterwards, stop at the salt ponds of Las Coloradas which have a unique pink hue due to the high content of marine microorganisms rich in beta carotene. After lunch (not included), the tour continues to the secluded archeological site of Ek Balam, which translates as “shiny jaguar”. The facade of the main pyramid is especially impressive with beautiful artful stucco. After a full day continue to your hotel in Valladolid. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)

Distance: approx. 370 km | Total driving time: approx. 5 hours

Chichén Itzá – Cenote Yokdzonot – Izamal – Mérida

After breakfast, stop at the world famous archaeological site of Chichén Itzá. In 1988, the ancient Mayan city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and in 2007 declared one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Let yourself be fascinated by the imposing, architecturally impressive buildings of the Mayas and admire, among other things, the famous pyramid of Kukulcán, which as a whole is a calendar turned to stone, and the huge ball court. Afterwards, continue to Cenote Yokdzonot, where you can take a refreshing bath in the bright blue water. Around the cenote you can find a still typical yucatecan Mayan village, which, with the support of the government, maintains the water hole, looks after the small restaurant and thus ensures the income of the inhabitants. Before arriving in Mérida, visit Izamal the small colonial town, which consists mainly of yellow painted colonial buildings and the old beautiful Franciscan monastery. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)

Distance: approx. 150 km | Total driving time: approx. 2 1/2 hours

Mérida – San Antonio Mulix – Hacienda Yaxcopoil – Uxmal – Campeche

Today you have earned some time to relax and cool off. Make a quick stop at San Antonio Mulix, where you will find two still undiscovered, quiet and idyllic cenotes which can only be reached via a bumpy and overgrown path of jungle vegetation. A must see off the beaten path secret! Continue to the ancient Hacienda Yaxcopoil, considered one of the most important sisal Haciendas of Yucatan in the 17th century. Feel transported back in the old history while admiring the original furnishings of the former residents and landlords. Your next stop will be the visit of the archaeological site of Uxmal, which is the Yucatan’s most important archeological excavation, apart from Chichén Itzá. The architecture of Uxmal is an example of that present in the Puuc region. The temples have smooth low walls which represent traditional Maya huts and many figures of the rain god Chaac. After a full day continue on to Campeche which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, where you still should have a quick city walk. Overnight stay.
(Meals: breakfast at the hotel)

Distance: approx. 280 km | Total driving time: approx. 4 hours

Campeche – Xpujil

Begin your day with a city walk through Campeche Learn about the San Miguel Fort which protected the city against pirates, the Cathedral, the Zócalo, the boardwalk and the San Román Church. Campeche is a small fishing town famous for its colorful houses and restored testimonies of its colonial past. The historical city center was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list in 1999. Enjoy the cobblestones streets of this authentic Mexican town far away from the masses of tourists found on the Riviera Maya. Afterwards drive to your hotel in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)

Distance: approx. 280 km | Total driving time: approx. 4 hours

Calakmul – Laguna Bacalar

Start this morning with a visit to the excavation site Calakmul. Drive about 60 km through the jungle of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. Located in the middle of the rainforest, it is still one of the less discovered archaeological sites and was once the the largest and most influential Mayan center of power and the greatest of all Mayan cities at that time. Explore the ruins and temples without the mass of tourists found in other sites. There are over 100 ruins spanning 2 km² and the view from the top compensates for every effort and is simply wonderful.

Afterwards, continue to the idyllic and peaceful Laguna Bacalar, also known as the lagoon of 7 colors. It shines especially in the afternoon in all its blue, turquoise and green tones and invites you to relax in the Mayan hammock. Luckily, this impressive location has been spared from large hotel complexes, and there are only small eco-resorts here, that attach great importance to preserving the pristine landscape. Overnight stay.
(Meals: breakfast at the hotel)

Distance: approx. 320 km | Total driving time: ca. 5 1/2 hours

Laguna Bacalar – Tulum – Playa del Carmen / Cancún

In the morning continue to Tulum. Explore these spectacular ruins which are situated on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean. Afterwards take a refreshing dip in the beautiful blue water before returning your rental car in Playa del Carmen or Cancún. If you have booked an extended beach vacation we can arrange a transfer back to your hotel. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)

Distance: ca. 280 km | Total driving time: approx. 3 1/2 hours