Faculty-Led: Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico - 8 Days

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 – Travel to Cancun, Mexico

Today you'll start your Mexico adventure to make unforgettable memories with your group. Upon arrival in Cancun, you'll meet with your Tour Manager and begin your journey.

Day 2 – Xcaret Eco Park

This morning, you’ll take a full-day excursion to Xcaret, a natural eco-park where you will encounter indigenous plant and animal life, take a rafting trip down a river and through caves, learn about ancient Mayan civilization and culture, and have an opportunity to snorkel and swim with dolphins! 

Day 3 – Snorkeling at Ixlache Reef and Contoy Island

After breakfast, you will board your cruise vessel to Ixlache Reef and Contoy Island. At Ixlache Reef you will have the opportunity for snorkeling among coral reefs, sea turtles, and fishes of every color of the rainbow. Later in the morning you will join the few tourists allowed to visit Contoy Island every day. This national park and wildlife refuge is home to various turtles and dozens of species of birds. Here you will join a naturalist guide on a tour of the island, after which you have plenty of time to wander on a trail, visit a nesting lagoon or lounge on the beach.

Day 4 - Chichen Itza with an Archaeologist & Merida

You'll depart for Chichen Itza where you will join your specialized guide for an in-depth tour of the site. Enjoy the tranquility of your early-morning visit before the crowds arrive. Your archaeologist guide will explain how this large pre-Colombian city played an important role in Mayan civilization from around A.D. 600 to 1200, and remained a center of worship and pilgrimage until the arrival of the Spanish. Even today, it is still considered a sacred site by the Yucatán peninsula’s Mayan population. This massive ceremonial center contains many impressive monuments and is home to the famous pyramid, the Temple of Kukulkan, also known as El Castillo. You’ll also see the Great Ball Court, the Sacred Cenote, the Platform of the Eagles and Jaguars, the Platform of Venus and more. 

 After your visit you’ll have lunch and then continue to the colonial city of Merida. Upon arrival you’ll take a guided city tour, enjoy some free time to shop, and then enjoy dinner together. 

Day 5 – Celestun Biosphere Reserve

Celestun is a quaint fishing village located in the Celestun Biosphere Reserve, home of hundreds of species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, many of them in danger of extinction

In the morning, you will take a boat ride through an estuary and mangrove forest. Here you will have the opportunity to witness one of the largest flocks of flamingos in the world in their natural habitat. From your boat you will be able to see lots of marine and terrestrial animals that find their home among the mangrove trees. 

Day 6 – Return to Cancun via Traditional Villages

Breakfast at your hotel and early departure by bus back to Cancun. Along the way you will stop at traditional small villages where your guide will share with you about the traditions and history of this captivating part of Mexico. You will enjoy lunch en route and dinner back in Cancun.

Day 7 – Cancun

You will time to explore the world famous beaches of Cancun. You will have lunch together and, later, a special farewell dinner where you will celebrate the conclusion of your Mexican adventure.

Day 8 – Departure

Today your Mexico adventure comes to a close as you depart for your flight back to the US.