Mexico Highlights (from Mexico City) Express Travel Pass

Mexico Highlights (from Mexico City) Express Travel Pass

53 Views

Mexico Highlights (from Mexico City) Express Travel Pass

12 Days Starting in Mexico City and ending in Cancún

Visiting: Mexico City, Teotihuacan, Oaxaca, Hierve el Agua, Teotitlan del Valle, San Cristobal de las Casas, Palenque, Merida, Chichen Itza, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cancun

Tour operator:

Bamba Travel

Tour code:

35085

Group Type:

Independent

Specialist Group:

18-30 Somethings

Guide Type:

Partially Guided

Physical rating:

Easy

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Explore Southern Mexico as you travel from Cancun to Mexico City. Make stops an ancient ruins and stunning waterfalls.

Highlights

  • See the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza

  • Marvel at the rock formations at Hierve El Agua

  • Dine with a local family at Teotihuacan

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Mexico City, Mexico

Location: Mexico City, Teotihuacan

Meals Included: None

Teotihuacan Early Morning Tour Departure Time: 6:20 Duration: 8 hrs Embark on a mystical journey to the "City of the Gods," Teotihuacan, before the tour groups from Mexico City arrive. Explore the impressive archaeological site in peace and tranquility as you visit its different structures, squares, and murals, surrounded by a magical and mystical atmosphere. Your experience is enhanced by a knowledgeable guide who shares stories, history, and updates on the latest discoveries at the site. Immerse yourself in the culture of ancient Mexico with a stop at a local Teotihuacan family's obsidian workshop, where you'll sample cactus-based liqueurs and traditional Mexican spirits like tequila, mezcal, and pulque. Cap off your day with a delightful lunch experience (not included), where you can savor a variety of traditional Mexican dishes and flavors.

Day 2: Oaxaca, Mexico

Location: Mexico City, Oaxaca

Meals Included: None

Mexico City to Oaxaca Type: Bus Time: 00:10, 09:00, 10:00, 23:00 Duration: 7 Hours Transfer from Mexico City to Oaxaca Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Oaxaca.

Day 3: Oaxaca, Mexico

Location: Hierve el Agua, Teotitlan del Valle

Meals Included: None

Hike through Hierve el Agua Departure Time: 9:00 Duration: 9 hrs Join us on a tour of Hierve el Agua, a popular tourist destination in the Mexican state of Oaxaca known for its tall petrified waterfalls made of carbonated water and natural springs. During the tour, you'll have the chance to swim in the crystal-clear pools, take guided walks through the trails, and learn about the tradition of mezcal making while sampling different flavors. We'll also visit the Zapotec weavers town of Teotitlan del Valle, where skilled artisans use ancient techniques to create and paint stunning rugs inspired by famous artists. Hierve el Agua is located in the Sierra Madre mountain range and is about 50 kilometers from the city of Oaxaca.

Day 4: Oaxaca, Mexico

Location: Oaxaca, San Cristobal de las Casas

Meals Included: None

Oaxaca to San Cristobal de las Casas Type: Bus (Overnight) Time: 19:00, 21:00, 22:30 Duration: 12 Hours Transfer from Oaxaca to San Cristobal de las Casas Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to San Cristobal de las Casas.

Day 5: San Cristobal De Las Casas, Mexico

Location: San Cristobal de las Casas

Meals Included: None

Free Day Enjoy a free day to experience on your own

Day 6: Palenque, Mexico

Location: San Cristobal de las Casas, Palenque

Meals Included: None

San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque Type: Bus Time: 12:00 Duration: 9 Hours Transfer from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Palenque.

Day 7: Palenque, Mexico

Location: Palenque

Meals Included: None

Palenque Ruins, Agua Azul & Misol-Ha Waterfalls (from/to Palenque) Departure Time: 08:00 Duration: 11 hrs You will be picked up early in the morning and transferred to the Palenque ruins. You will have 3 hours and 30 minutes to visit these beautiful ruins hidden in the jungle. Then you will be transferred to Misol-ha where you will spend 45 minutes. The last stop will be at Agua Azul where you will have 2 hour and 30 minutes to freely explore this beautiful area. After seeing these 3 beautiful attractions, you will be taken back to Palenque and dropped off at your accommodation. Palenque Ruins: The ancient Mayan city of Palenque is one of Mexico's most breath-taking archaeological parks surrounded by lush tropical forest and jungle. This site has a serene, mystical atmosphere. From the moment you enter, you feel engulfed by a sense of history, timelessness and awe. Explore the site on foot and climb up the pyramids for great views of the ancient city and the jungle. (approx. 3 1⁄2 hours) Agua Azul Waterfalls: Rio Xumul-Ha (meaning River of Blue Water, or in Spanish, Agua Azul) features a series of torrential cascades and fast flowing waters rolling down a limestone ridge to form pools and small streams. Take a one-hour walk next to the falls in the breath-taking green valley and swim in one of the calm parts of the refreshing blue river. (approx. 2 1⁄2 hours) Misol-Ha Waterfall: River Misol-Ha (meaning "Streaming Water"), in the "Chol Maya" tribe area of Chiapas, creates one of the state's most wonderful natural sights as the river glides off the edge of a cliff and 40 meters down into a deep pool of water surrounded by lush vegetation. Swim in the deliciously refreshing water and be impressed by the sight of the fall from below. A small walkway will take you behind the water curtain created by the waterfall where you can walk inside the caves. (approx. 30 - 45 minutes)

Day 8: Merida, Mexico

Location: Palenque, Merida

Meals Included: None

Palenque to Merida Type: Bus Time: 08:30, 20:45, 22:00 Duration: 9 Hours Transfer from Palenque to Merida Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Merida.

Day 9: Merida, Mexico

Location: Merida, Chichen Itza, Tulum

Meals Included: None

Chichen Itza Day Trip (from Merida to Tulum) Departure Time: 08:00, 08:10, 08:15, 08:20 Duration: 11.5 hrs Chichen Itza is one of the most well-preserved Maya archaeological sites in the country and once stood as a mighty citadel of the Maya civilization in the 9th and 10th centuries A.D., serving as its political and economic center. One of its most legendary structures is the Kukulkan pyramid, also known as El Castillo, which is a giant Maya calendar with exactly 365 steps divided among 4 staircases and the pyramid’s highest platform. During both equinoxes (around March 21st; September 21st) the sun’s shadow cast on this pyramid at a perfect angle creates the illusion of a serpent creeping its way along the structure’s northern staircase. Don’t miss the Gran Juego de Pelota, in which ancient Maya warriors battled to the death in this ceremonial game. Check out the acoustics of the structure by holding a conversation with someone standing 135 meters away at the opposite end of the field and the stone carvings of players in action. Feel the spirit of the Maya world by standing here admiring this unique and majestic construction that was once of monumental importance to the former inhabitants here. Other impressive structures you can’t miss are the Plataforma de los Craneos (Skull Platform) and the Cenote Sagrado (Sacred Cave). Check out the impressive stone carvings on other pyramids and temples of jaguars, flowers, birds, trees, eagles and among the more gruesome, human sacrifices and human hearts in the clutches of bird claws. The observatory, El Caracol, named The Snail for its spiral staircase, was once an important point from which priests determined important dates for ceremonies and rituals.

Day 10: Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Location: Playa del Carmen

Meals Included: None

Tulum to Playa del Carmen Type: Bus Time: 08:10, 10:20, 11:20, 11:30, 13:00, 14:20, 15:20, 16:30, 17:35, 18:45, 19:20, 20:20, 21:25, 22:20, 23:57 Duration: 1 Hours Transfer from Tulum to Playa del Carmen Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Playa del Carmen.

Day 11: Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Location: Playa del Carmen

Meals Included: None

Free Day Enjoy a free day to experience on your own

Day 12: Cancun, Mexico

Location: Playa del Carmen, Cancun

Meals Included: None

Playa del Carmen to Cancun Type: Bus Time: Every 30 minutes from 07:00 to 23:10 Duration: 1.5 Hours Transfer from Playa del Carmen to Cancun Please make your own way to the bus station to catch your bus to Cancun.

What's Included

  • Transport

    Travel between destinations is primarily by bus, with routes including Mexico City to Oaxaca, Oaxaca to San Cristobal de las Casas, San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque, Palenque to Merida, Tulum to Playa del Carmen, and Playa del Carmen to Cancun.

  • Activities

    Hike through Hierve el Agua, visit Palenque Ruins, Agua Azul & Misol-Ha Waterfalls, and take a Chichen Itza Day Trip.

  • Guides

    English speaking guides included for some of the activities.

What's Not Included

  • Accommodations

    Accommodation is not included in this tour package, allowing you the flexibility to choose your own lodging options throughout the journey.

  • Personal Expenses

    Personal expenses are not covered in this tour package.

  • Meals / Drinks

    Meals and drinks are not included in this tour package.

  • Guide throughout the trip

    A guide is not provided for the entire duration of the trip.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and should be arranged separately.

Mode of Transport

Travel between destinations is primarily by bus, with routes including Mexico City to Oaxaca, Oaxaca to San Cristobal de las Casas, San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque, Palenque to Merida, Tulum to Playa del Carmen, and Playa del Carmen to Cancun.

Accommodation

Accommodation is not included in this tour package, allowing you the flexibility to choose your own lodging options throughout the journey.

Check out our Q&As

  • Is accommodation included in the tour package?

    No, accommodation is not included in this tour package, allowing you the flexibility to choose your own lodging options throughout the journey.

  • What activities are included in the tour?

    Included activities are a hike through Hierve el Agua, a visit to the Palenque Ruins, Agua Azul & Misol-Ha Waterfalls (from/to Palenque), and a Chichen Itza Day Trip (from Merida to Tulum).

  • Are there any free days during the tour?

    Yes, there are free days on Day 5 in San Cristobal de las Casas and Day 11 in Playa del Carmen, allowing you to explore on your own.

  • What is special about the Chichen Itza Day Trip?

    The Chichen Itza Day Trip includes a visit to one of the most well-preserved Maya archaeological sites, featuring the Kukulkan pyramid, Gran Juego de Pelota, Plataforma de los Craneos, Cenote Sagrado, and the observatory El Caracol.

  • What type of transportation is used during the tour?

    Travel between destinations is primarily by bus, with routes including Mexico City to Oaxaca, Oaxaca to San Cristobal de las Casas, San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque, Palenque to Merida, Tulum to Playa del Carmen, and Playa del Carmen to Cancun.

  • What should I expect on the first day of the tour?

    On the first day, you will embark on an early morning tour of Teotihuacan, exploring its structures, squares, and murals. You will also visit a local family's obsidian workshop and sample traditional Mexican spirits.

  • What is the itinerary for the visit to Hierve el Agua?

    On Day 3, you will join a tour of Hierve el Agua, where you can swim in crystal-clear pools, take guided walks through trails, learn about mezcal making, and visit the Zapotec weavers town of Teotitlan del Valle.

  • What can I expect during the visit to the Palenque Ruins?

    On Day 7, you will visit the Palenque Ruins, spend time at Misol-Ha Waterfall, and explore the Agua Azul Waterfalls. You will have ample time to explore each site and enjoy the natural beauty and historical significance.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    No, meals and drinks are not included in the tour package.

  • Is there an age limit?

    No! Most of our bamba travellers fall between the ages of 18 - 35, but everyone is young at heart and welcome to come experience the world with us! If you are between the ages of 18 and 118, we invite you to travel with bamba and have the time of your life! Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    Most of our trips cater to the adventurous independent traveller. In fact, many of our travellers arrive on their own and quickly find that they easily meet like-minded people along the way at their hostels, on transportation, or during activities.

  • Do I need travel insurance?

    We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your trip, especially when travelling in developing countries. Bamba does not include travel insurance of any type.Your current medical insurance may cover part of your trip, so it is important for you to become familiar with your current coverage. We recommend purchasing additional travel insurance that provides coverage for medical emergencies, emergency evacuation and repatriation, lost or stolen items and unforeseen cancellations. If you plan to participate in activities such as white-water rafting, trekking, sand-buggy rides, etc please make sure they are included in your policy.

Reviews of this operator

Jonas Nesset(Norway)  

The company is exceptional. When...

Dec 10 2019

The company is exceptional. When I had questions, I always got prompt and professional answers. The excursions that Bamba organized were fantastic! Thank you once again for everything!

Shane Alce(United Kingdom)  

For true explorers....

Aug 12 2019

For true explorers.

Marian Reder(Germany)  

To this day, this is...

Oct 2 2019

To this day, this is the best tour we've ever done together as a couple! The fun activities, great hotels and nice guides worth the money! We were always taken care of and they made sure that we had a good time. This tour is definitely worth taking.

Tanja Ottosen(Denmark)  

The Bamba Team really made...

Jan 9 2020

The Bamba Team really made my journey one of the most memorable experiences of my life! Still so nice and supportive! They handled everything and responded to each question within a few minutes. I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone. Especially if you want to do a lot of activities and travel to a lot of different places without feeling rushed. They've also helped me with specific issues that weren't covered by the tour, as well as answering general questions. Thank you so much for making my journey so enjoyable!

Braiden Rowe(United States)  

The tour was fantastic; I...

Feb 12 2020

The tour was fantastic; I was able to visit some of Japan's most beautiful locations, and the accommodations were excellent, with convenient access to the city's best attractions. Also, our tour guide was fantastic. I will pick bamba again and recommend the tour to anyone who wants to see Japan while having a good time!!

Aaron Davies(Australia)  

I only have good words...

Oct 23 2019

I only have good words about our trip to Kenya. The entire experience was totally magical and I struggle to say how fantastic it was. We were fortunate enough to have a brilliant vehicle for ourselves, but we had great luck with David for our guide too. He was very knowledgeable, courteous and nice. Thank you for helping to create this fantastic safari experience. I Highly recommend this company.

Matteo Hoffmeister(Germany)  

Bamba Experience has been the...

Jun 5 2019

Bamba Experience has been the best tour guide I've ever had. Every tour has been a thrilling experience. There are so many things to choose from. Bamba has been extremely helpful in providing us with all of the necessary information for our departures and activities! Bamba has made this a simple and enjoyable experience. I'll certainly tell my friends and family about it! Thank you very much, Bamba!!

Melanie Liu Chang(Australia)  

We organized a trip through...

Feb 20 2020

We organized a trip through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia on the hop-on, hop-off bus. It made the trip so much simpler for us as first-time travelers because we just had to send an email to arrange the bus, which avoided the hassle of looking for the best price and so on! We also had a number of tours included, they were all amazing and saved us the trouble of trying to find the best offers on our own; it also meant we got to see a lot of stuff we wouldn't have seen otherwise. Overall, it was a fantastic experience that I will strongly suggest and use again!

Marius Halvorson(Norway)  

Our Bamba tour of Vietnam...

Jun 25 2019

Our Bamba tour of Vietnam was fantastic. We had a lot of new experiences and all of the help we needed to make this a stress-free vacation. The well-organized accomodation and transportation were excellent. We will certainly use Bamba in the future.

Alexis Helman(Australia)  

I had booked our Uyuni...

Jun 25 2019

I had booked our Uyuni Salt Flats & Desert Adventure 3D/2N (Uyuni to Atacama) tour via an Australian travel agency, but they had made an error and refused to assist us or take responsibility. This was very difficult for us because we wanted to have a stress-free honeymoon. I contacted Bamba and I asked if we could talk on the phone so they made the improvements to our tour reservation that our travel agent declined to make. The quality of service was exceptional and they generously offered to us a complimentary gift because it was our honeymoon. I can't say enough good things about Bamba.

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Bamba Travel allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Bamba Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform bamba travel, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Bamba Travel requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of bamba travel charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

Similar Tours