Best of Chiapas and Yucatan, Italian-speaking guide
Best of Chiapas and Yucatan, Italian-speaking guide
6 Days Starting in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico and ending in Cancun, Mexico
Visiting: Tuxtla Gutiérrez, San Cristobal de las Casas, Palenque, Campeche, Merida, Cancún
Tour operator:
Tour code:
182390
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
15 - 25
Age range:
10-99
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Mexico with the "Best of Chiapas and Yucatan" tour, guided by an Italian-speaking expert. Marvel at the towering 1,000-metre-high walls of Sumidero Canyon, explore the intricate Mayan architecture of Palenque, and stand in awe of the Pyramid of the Magician at Uxmal. Wander the elegant, tree-lined boulevards of Merida, Yucatan’s ‘White City,’ and uncover the mysteries of the ancient Maya civilisation at Chichen Itza, dominated by the imposing Temple of Kukulkan. This cultural adventure offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, historical wonders, and vibrant local traditions.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival Tuxtla Gutierrez – Sumidero Canyon – San Cristobal (80 Km – 1.5 Hrs)
Location: Tuxtla Gutiérrez
Accommodation Name: Mansión del Valle or Casa Mexicana
Arrive at Tuxtla Gutierrez airport before 13 hrs and head towards the Sumidero Canyon, one of Mexico’s outstanding natural attractions. This spectacular gorge carved into the earth over millions of years by the River Grijalva has to be one of Mother Nature’s least celebrated masterpieces. This makes visiting it even more exciting. During a two-hour boat tour along the imposing canyon bed, you will be able to appreciate just how deep this ravine gorge is. Find yourself dwarfed by the sheer scale of its high walls, covered in thick vegetation. Admire the beautiful wildlife, such as crocodiles, monkeys, and birds and the great variety of flora of the surrounding rainforest. After the boat ride, we continue to San Cristobal de las Casas with drop-off at your hotel.
Overnight in San Cristobal de las Casas.
Day 2 : San Cristobal – San Juan Chamula And Zinacantan – San Cristobal (30Km – 1 Hr)
Location: San Cristobal de las Casas
Accommodation Name: Mansión del Valle or Casa Mexicana
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today starts with breakfast, followed by a visit to the indigenous villages San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan, which is famed for its whitewashed cathedral with colourful ornamentation and pine-scented, candlelit interior. Observe the rare religious rituals that the locals perform. The towns are almost entirely inhabited by Tzotzil Maya, who apart from speaking their own language also wear distinctive clothing, with the men wearing tunics called chujes and the women favouring blouses known as huipils. Chamula is famous for the quality of its weavers, local shops and, markets, which offer a great variety. Keep in mind that in San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán, photographs or video are prohibited within the temples, or during processions and rituals. In Zinacantan, we visit a family co-operative where we are offered a regional drink and can observe the loom waist weaving technique, which dates back to pre-Columbian times. Then sample a tasty traditional hand-made tortilla. Afterwards, we return to San Cristobal de las Casas, where we go on a sightseeing tour of the town’s most important monuments to appreciate the colonial architectural beauty and the town’s colourful atmosphere. Have a rest of the afternoon at leisure
Overnight in San Cristobal de las Casas.
Day 3 : San Cristobal – Waterfalls – Palenque (230Km – 5.5 Hrs)
Location: Palenque
Accommodation Name: Tulija Express or Chan Kah
Meals Included: Breakfast
Aboard the bus, you will enjoy a delicious box lunch. Depart from the hotel heading northeast to see the beautiful waterfalls in Chiapas. Admire some of the most stunning cascades on earth and take a dip in one of the many natural pools full of bright blue water. This natural area is sure to impress. Afterwards, we continue the journey to the city of Palenque for check-in at your designated hotel.Â
Overnight in Palenque.
Day 4 : Palenque – Campeche (360Km – 4.5 Hrs)
Location: Campeche
Accommodation Name: Mision Campeche or Plaza Campeche
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, the temples of Palenque are waiting for you. This archaeological site boasts some of the finest Mayan architecture, sculpture, roof comb and bas-relief carvings produced. Enjoy a guided tour of the premises to find out interesting and useful information. In the impressive Temple of Inscriptions, which reaches almost 23 metres high, the tomb of the Maya ruler was found and excavated in the early 1950s. Palenque was a sprawling city-state that spanned nearly 60 square kilometres but archaeologists estimate that they have excavated only 5-10% of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. So far, more than 200 structures have been unearthed, with the Temple of the Inscriptions, the Palace, the Temple of the Count and the Temple of the Cross, the most prominent. Afterwards, continue to Campeche for a panoramic tour of this historic coastal city, driving through the heart of the picturesque old town, with its pastel-coloured colonial houses, collonaded arcades, and bell-gabled churches. Continue exploring the surroundings by foot, seeing sights such as ramparts of the old city walls and St Francis’ Cathedral.
Overnight in Campeche.
Day 5 : Campeche – Uxmal – Merida (250Km – 3.25 Hrs)
Location: Merida
Accommodation Name: Del Gobernador or El Castellano
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, after breakfast at the hotel, we visit the impressive archaeological site of Uxmal and enjoy a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which rises above the canopy of the jungle. Unlike other Mayan cities, Uxmal was devoured by the rainforest after the Spaniards had arrived. The most famous structure is the 35-metre-tall Pyramid of the Magician, which towers over the remarkably well-preserved Nunnery Quadrangle with its ornately carved interior and exterior walls. Across the central plaza, just beyond the ballgame court, is the Governor’s Palace with its elaborately decorated roof. At the southern end of the main complex is the Great Pyramid, of which only one side has been excavated with the other three still unclaimed from the bush. Then, we head to the beautiful colonial white city of Merida where we go on a panoramic tour along Merida's highlights and see the Government Palace, City Hall, the Cathedral, and Casa de Montejo
Overnight in Merida.
Day 6 : Merida – Chichen Itza – Depart Cancun Or Riviera Maya (315Km – 4 Hrs)
Location: Cancún
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Begin the day with a tasty breakfast at the hotel. From Merida, we head to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Head deep into the rainforests of the Yucatan peninsula in search of the legendary Maya city of Chichen Itza, which has been laboriously reclaimed from the jungle. Learn about the Maya and their civilisation as you admire the scale and detail of this ancient city. Behold the geometric perfection of the 25-metre-tall Temple of Kukulkan, popularly known as El Castillo (‘the Castle’), which was built both as a representation of the mystical Maya calendar and to reflect the optical illusion of a serpent snaking its way up or down the pyramid during the spring and autumn equinoxes. Admire the Great Ball Court, the largest of 13 discovered at the site, see the haunting Skull Platform, where the heads of human sacrifice victims and prisoners of war were impaled, and also the Sacred Cenote, where sacrifice victims were dumped. Also extremely well-preserved are the Temple of the Warriors, the Ossuary, the Nunnery and adjacent Church, and the large observatory known as the Snail. Enjoy a tasty lunch after your visit. Afterwards, we head to Cancun or Riviera Maya, and we will drop you off at your selected hotel (hotel not included).
Breakfast included.
What's Included
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Tour Guide
Operated with Italian-speaking licensed local guide on a shared basis.
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Accommodation
5 nights' accommodation in various hotels as per the itinerary.
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Meals
4 breakfasts on days 2, 4, 5, and 6; 1 box breakfast on day 3; 1 lunch on day 6.
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Transport
Air-conditioned transportation with pickup/drop-off as indicated in the itinerary on a shared basis.
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Entrance Fees and Activities
All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: boat tour in Sumidero Canyon, San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan, sightseeing tour of San Cristobal de las Casas, Agua Azul or Misol-Ha waterfalls, guided tour of Palenque, panoramic tour of Campeche, guided tour of Uxmal, panoramic tour of Merida, tour of Chichen Itza.
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Other
Motorway tolls and parking fees.
What's Not Included
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Personal Expenditures
Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks, and meals if not stated explicitly in the programme.
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Optional Tours
Optional tours are not included.
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Flights and Visa Fees
International/domestic flight tickets or Mexican visa fees are not included.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for drivers, guides, porters, and chambermaids are not included.
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Taxes
Border taxes and airport departure tax are not included.
Requirements
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Mexico. However, the climate in Chiapas can be wet and cold, especially in winter, therefore we recommend to bring warm clothes, a raincoat and umbrella. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
Please Note
- The estimated arrival time in Cancun or Riviera Maya hotel is 18.30 hrs. Departure transfer to the airport is not provided
- Please note that there are ongoing road works on the access road to the Cancun Airport which are affecting the traffic. As it is required to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure we suggest booking an additional night stay in Cancun
- Departure on Day 1 from Tuxtla airport should be prior to 13 hrs.Â
- Local conditions prevalent at the time of travel may result in modifications to the tour contents without prior notice.
- The assigned guide and group size may change during the itinerary
- There is no guarantee that you will be part of the same group during the tour
- Please take note that different languages will be combined in our vehicles: Bilingual Italian & Spanish or Italian & English speaking licensed local guide.
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONSÂ
Day 1-2 San Cristobal
- Standard Hotel Category = Mansión del Valle or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category =Â Casa Mexicana or similar 4*
Day 3 Palenque
- Standard Hotel Category = Tulija Express or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category =Chan Kah or similar 4*
Day 4 Campeche
- Standard Hotel Category = Mision Campeche or similar 3.5*
- Superior Hotel Category = Plaza Campeche or similar 4*
Day 5 Merida
- Standard Hotel Category = Del Gobernador or similar 3.5*
- Superior Hotel Category = El Castellano or similar 4*
OPTIONAL EXTRA
Pre-night in Tuxtla Gutierrez:
- Deluxe Hotel Category: Marriot Tuxtla Gutierrez or similar 5*; bed and breakfast basis and shared transfer from TGZ Airport to the hotel with Spanish-speaking assistance
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONSÂ
Day 1-2 San Cristobal
- Standard Hotel Category = Mansión del Valle or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category =Â Casa Mexicana or similar 4*
Day 3 Palenque
- Standard Hotel Category = Tulija Express or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category =Chan Kah or similar 4*
Day 4 Campeche
- Standard Hotel Category = Mision Campeche or similar 3.5*
- Superior Hotel Category = Plaza Campeche or similar 4*
Day 5 Merida
- Standard Hotel Category = Del Gobernador or similar 3.5*
- Superior Hotel Category = El Castellano or similar 4*
OPTIONAL EXTRA
Pre-night in Tuxtla Gutierrez:
- Deluxe Hotel Category: Marriot Tuxtla Gutierrez or similar 5*; bed and breakfast basis and shared transfer from TGZ Airport to the hotel with Spanish-speaking assistance
Mode of Transport
Travel in air-conditioned transportation with pickup and drop-off as indicated in the itinerary on a shared basis, ensuring a comfortable journey throughout the tour.
Accommodation
Enjoy 5 nights' accommodation with options ranging from 3-star to 5-star hotels, including Mansión del Valle, Casa Mexicana, Tulija Express, Chan Kah, Mision Campeche, Plaza Campeche, Del Gobernador, and El Castellano.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during the boat tour in Sumidero Canyon?
During the boat tour in Sumidero Canyon, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife including crocodiles, monkeys, and birds, as well as a great variety of flora in the surrounding rainforest.
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Are there any restrictions on photography during the tour?
Yes, in San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán, photographs or video are prohibited within the temples, or during processions and rituals.
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What kind of traditional activities will I experience in San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán?
In San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán, you will observe rare religious rituals, visit a family co-operative to see the loom waist weaving technique, and sample a traditional hand-made tortilla.
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What is special about the Pyramid of the Magician in Uxmal?
The Pyramid of the Magician in Uxmal is a 35-metre-tall structure that towers over the remarkably well-preserved Nunnery Quadrangle. It is one of the most famous structures in Uxmal and is known for its ornately carved interior and exterior walls.
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What can I expect to see at the archaeological site of Palenque?
At the archaeological site of Palenque, you can expect to see some of the finest Mayan architecture, including the Temple of Inscriptions, the Palace, the Temple of the Count, and the Temple of the Cross. The site boasts impressive bas-relief carvings and roof combs.
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What are some of the highlights of the Chichen Itza tour?
During the Chichen Itza tour, you will see the 25-metre-tall Temple of Kukulkan, the Great Ball Court, the Skull Platform, the Sacred Cenote, the Temple of the Warriors, the Ossuary, the Nunnery, and the large observatory known as the Snail.
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What kind of meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 4 breakfasts on days 2, 4, 5, and 6; 1 box breakfast on day 3; and 1 lunch on day 6.
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides 5 nights' accommodation with options ranging from 3-star to 5-star hotels, including Mansión del Valle, Casa Mexicana, Tulija Express, Chan Kah, Mision Campeche, Plaza Campeche, Del Gobernador, and El Castellano.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes air-conditioned transportation with pickup and drop-off as indicated in the itinerary on a shared basis, ensuring a comfortable journey throughout the tour.
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What language is this tour operated in?
This tour is operated with Italian-speaking licensed local guide.
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Are flights included in the tour?
No, they are not included
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What does the price include?
What is included is stated specifically on the product Description. Gratuities are at your discretion. Prices do not include (unless stated otherwise) - gratuities to the guide, driver or tour manager.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Booking confirmation with Itinerary and confirmation vouchers
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Are Visa fees included in the price?
No, visa fees are not included
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You can change it by logging into your profile and click on Bookings. Please check your cancellation policy.
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When are there specific hotel names confirmed?
Confirmed hotel names are informed latest 10 days prior to client's arrival
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Do you offer any travel insurance?
We do not offer Travel Insurance but would strongly recommend that you purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy prior to departure.Â
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Is there any option for solo traveller?
Yes of course. Please note that the default selection shows the price per person per double room. For solo travellers, you will have to select a single room when available.
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Low Deposit
Destination Services Mexico requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of destination services mexico charges.
At 6 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.