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Days
15
Price from
$1,780AUD
Map of Mexico Highlights including Mexico

Mexico is everything you dreamed of and more, and you'll live out that dream on this trip

Mexico is everything you dreamed of and more. Smash some delicious treats in Mexico City, see some of the bazillion churches in Puebla, taste the best mezcal around in Oaxaca, swing through San Cristobal, Palenque and Merida, then finish up snorkeling, swimming, tanning and eating by the Carribean. Life could be worse

It's time to live out your Mexican food fantasies. Tequila, tacos, grasshoppers... is your mouth watering yet?

Start
Mexico City, Mexico
Finish
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Destination
Mexico
Code
GSRM
Physical rating
Traveller’s rating
70 reviews
Ages
Min 18 , Max 29
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Geckos Adventures is moving to Intrepid Travel

From October 1st, all Geckos tours will be operated by Intrepid Travel, as part of their brand new range for 18 to 29-year-old travellers.

Find out more on Intrepid Travel

Why you'll love this trip

  • You've never seen true colour until you've been to a Mexican market. Practice your bargaining skills, snap some photos and pick up traditional handicrafts at the markets in multiple destinations.

  • Eat your way through arty Oaxaca. Mole, mezcal and chocolate for dinner? Delicioso!

  • Escape the Mexican heat in San Cristobal de las Casas. This old-world town is surrounded by ancient tribal villages that still have their traditional customs and roots.

  • Discover the colonial history of charming Merida. Loaf around in leafy plazas, get cultural at a museum or work your salsa shimmy with a friendly local.

  • Chichen Itza is one the New Seven Wonders of the World and it's not hard to see why – strolling around these ancient Mayan ruins feels pretty amazing.

  • Splash around, sun-bake and play on Playa del Carmen's white sandy beaches.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip involves some long days of travel by private and local transport, including one overnight bus. While this can be tiring, it's also a fantastic way to rub shoulders with the locals and get under the skin of a place.

  • Mexico's climate is sultry and tropical, so can get really hot and humid. Wear loose clothing and make sure stay hydrated, especially while out on walking tours.

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Itinerary
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Bienvenidos! Where better to start a Mexico exploration than in Mexico City. Modern meets ancient here in one of the world's largest urban centres. Forget about the crowds and the smog, D.F. (Distrito Federal) has got museums, galleries and great architecture for you, along with pumping nightlife and delicious street food.

Let’s kick things off with a Welcome Meeting today at 6pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so have all these details for your leader. If you arrive into the city early, head to the Zocalo, the city's huge central square, to see Aztec ruins and colonial architecture, or relax in one of the many parks, plazas or gardens. After the meeting tonight, you’re definitely going to want to seek out some tacos for dinner.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Teotihuacan - Archaeological site (Entrance fee, Guide & Transport) - USD80
  • Mexico City - National Palace and Diego Rivera murals - Free
  • Mexico City - Metropolitan Cathedral - MXN20
  • Mexico City - Templo Mayor (Archaeological Site and Museum) (Closed Mondays) - MXN70
  • Mexico City - Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) (Closed Mondays) - MXN60
  • Mexico City - National Museum of Anthropology (Closed Mondays) - MXN70
  • Mexico City - Bosque de Chapultepec & Natural History Museum - USD5
  • Mexico City - Frida Kahlo Museum (Cheaper for students, pensioners & on weekdays. Closed Mondays) - MXN200
  • Mexico City - Estadio Azteca football match (ticket price depends on the game) - USD30
  • Mexico City - Mariachis in Garibaldi Square (Approx. for 2-3 songs) - MXN150
  • Mexico City - Boat ride through Floating Gardens of Xochimilco (Approx. per boat per hour) - MXN350
  • Mexico City - Torre Latino 360° Lookout - MXN100
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
This trip can be booked as part of a longer combination trip. As such, some of your fellow travellers may continue travelling to Havana on the A taste of Mexico & Cuba (GSRMC), or to Guatemala on the Central America in Depth (GSRYC), or to Costa Rica on the Epic Central America (GSRZC). Please contact our sales team if you wish to book or know more information on these longer combination trips.

Maybe grab some chilaquiles for breakfast this morning, then join your leader for an orientation walk around the city, followed by a free afternoon. There’s so much to do here in the city – if you like art, the Frida Kahlo Museum is a must-see, and for all museum lovers there's the Museum of Anthropology or the Palace of Fine Art. Another great thing to do is to hop on one of the colourfully painted boats that cruise through the canal district of Xochimilco. Alternatively, you can choose to take an optional day trip to the archaeological ruins of Teotihuacan, 50 kilometres out of the city. A local guide will lead you down ‘The Avenue of the Dead’, pointing out the historic Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon. Don’t forget to snack your way around the city too, munching on tostadas, tortas, and chicharrones all day long.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

This morning and most of the afternoon are free to continue exploring Mexico City. Some of the most vibrant (not to mention most delicious) places in the city are its streets markets – from food, to handicrafts, to magic potions, these markets are a riot of colours, smells, and sights. Later in the afternoon, take taxis to the bus station and catch a local bus to Puebla (approx 2.5 hours). Please make sure you bring bottled water and snacks for the journey. Local buses in Mexico aren’t the colourful school buses you’ll see in other areas of Central America; most of the buses we use in Mexico are comfortable coach-style vehicles, with a bathroom and seats for all passengers. Local buses tend to blast the air conditioning, so remember to pack a jacket in case you get cold. Puebla sits in the Puebla Valley surrounded by snow-topped mountains and volcanoes, and it's got a growing art and nightlife scene.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Today is free to discover Puebla at your leisure. Although a rapidly growing city, Puebla's got an amazingly well preserved centre with loads of colonial buildings. There are over 70 different churches alone. Two top ones to check out are Santa Domingo Church and Rosary Chapel. You can head to the markets to brush up on your bargaining skills and pick up some hand-painted tiles or other handicrafts. If you're looking for something more active, go for a hike near one of the area's looming volcanoes, or head to Cholula for the archaeological sites and massive pyramid. The city is also obsessed with food, so after a day of sightseeing and shopping, why not try some mole Poblano, a dish native to Puebla and famous all over Mexico. You could even try making it yourself during an optional cooking class. For something a bit more dramatic, check out a Lucha Libre show, the famous Mexican sport where masked musclemen combine wrestling and theatre in a memorable performance.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Puebla - Santo Domingo Church and Rosary Chapel - Free
  • Puebla - Visit to Cholula - USD20
  • Puebla - Cooking class - USD92
  • Puebla - Lucha Libre show (ticket price depends on seating area) - USD15
  • Puebla - Museum of Art - USD5
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Get cosy with the locals as you travel by local bus to Oaxaca (approximately 5 hours). You'll have two full free days here. Your leader will provide ideas for activities and help you to make the most of your time. A beautiful old colonial town, Oaxaca is full of graceful arcades and colourful markets. Descendants of the Zapotec and Mixtec Indians selling colourful woven blankets and shawls populate the markets – a great place to shop for textiles and margarita flavours. Here you’ll also find some tasty regional food specialties – snack on everything from cactus fruit, to spicy baked chilli and lime grasshoppers and the heavenly Oaxacan cheese. Oaxaca is also known for its arts scene, including folk art, fine art and dance. Get lost in the narrow, cobbled streets or simply sit in the square sipping a mezcal as the world goes by. Your hotel is within walking distance of Oaxaca's nightlife hot spots.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Spend the next two days exploring Oaxaca. Maybe get out to the spectacular mountain top temples of Monte Alban just outside the city. Monte Alban was inhabited for 1,500 years by the Olmec, Zapotec and Mixtec peoples, and is an outstanding example of a pre-Columbian ceremonial centre. The settlement's terraces, dams, canals and pyramids were literally carved out of the mountain. You’d better have your camera ready, because up here you can get an amazing view across the three legs of the valley of Oaxaca. Alternatively, you could take a day tour out to the nearby Mitla Ruins. Mitla (the Nahuatl word for ‘underworld’) is an important Zapotec archaeological site and was the main religious centre for the Zapotec people. Drop by the mineral springs of Hierve el Agua, and on the way back to Oaxaca, stop into a mezcaleria (mezcal distillery). Although this tequila-like drop is experiencing a comeback in popularity all over Mexico, it’s mainly produced in Oaxaca. It's generally enjoyed straight-up, so it's not for the faint-hearted! 
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Oaxaca - Monte Alban Ruins (Entrance fee) - USD5
  • Oaxaca - Full-day tour inc. Mitla Ruins, Hierve el Agua and mezcal distillery - USD45
  • Oaxaca - Santo Domingo Cultural Centre - USD5
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Spend your final day in Oaxaca shopping in the artisan stores around town, otherwise why not whip up something delicious at a cooking class.

In the evening, take a first-class overnight bus to San Cristóbal del las Casas (approx 13 hours in total). First-class buses in Mexico are quite comfortable. They are equipped with toilets and reclining seats with plenty of legroom. They are always air-conditioned, so make sure you take a warm layer with you, as it may get cold on board.
While the bus is very comfortable, the road from Oaxaca to San Cristobal has some very winding sections. If you suffer from motion sickness, this will be a good time to have your medication ready.
Accommodation
  • Overnight bus (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Oaxaca - Cooking class - USD85
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Petty thefts happen from time to time during overnight bus journeys. These opportunistic individuals are not only an annoyance, they are also unfortunately extremely talented. They wait for passengers to be asleep to skilfully search through carry-on luggage in search of cameras, money and credit cards. During overnight bus journeys, it is safest to carry all your valuable belongings in the main luggage compartment which remains locked and out of the reach of anyone throughout the journey.

Say ‘hola’ to San Cristobal, your pastel-hued highland home for the next two days. Arrive early in the morning – check-in at the hotel isn't usually until midday, so leave your luggage and start exploring the city. Today and tomorrow are at your leisure. As always, your group leader will help you arrange any optional activities. With its winding cobblestone streets and colonial architecture, San Cristobal de las Casas has an old-world feel mixed with strong pre-hispanic roots. The surrounding villages are home to Tzotzil and Tzeltal groups, who maintain their tribal origins through their traditional costumes and customs. You might like to get things pumping with an exploration of the villages by mountain bike, and learn more about these mostly Maya communities.If you take a day trip to San Juan Chamula, make sure to visit the church. The floor is covered with pine needles and the air is heavy with incense. Shamans come here to carry out cleansings with firewater, ancient prayer and chickens. If you visit, please be aware of a strict ban on cameras as the local people maintain their traditional customs. There are also markets selling colourful handicrafts. 
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Maya villages - San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan, including textile making with community - USD25
  • San Cristobal de las Casas - Mountain bike tour - USD45
  • San Cristobal de las Casas - Amber (Jade) Museum - MXN30
  • San Cristobal de las Casas - Jade Museum - USD5
  • San Cristobal de las Casas - Museum of Typical Costumes - USD3
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Today there is an option to take a day trip to Sumidero Canyon, where you can take a boat down the mighty Rio Grijalva. Back in town, wander to a local cafe and try an ‘elote’, a traditional highland corn snack, or check out the local museums. For something more adventurous, try a canyoning trip to ‘El Chorreadero’. This 6-hour excursion will see you venture a kilometre inside a (dry) cave and return following the river through a number of cascades, pools and rappels. A truly memorable experience, but probably not recommended for the claustrophobic and those with fear of heights!
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • San Cristobal de las Casas - El Chorreadero canyoning - MXN1400
  • Sumidero Canyon - Boat Excursion (Entrance & Transport) - USD30
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Today travel along a windy road by private minivan to Palenque (approx 6 hours). Once you've arrived, the afternoon is free for you to relax or explore. Situated in hot jungle, Palenque is the jumping off point to the nearby Mayan ruins of the same name. You'll have tomorrow to check them out.

Notes: The local Zapatista movement in the region around Palenque has been quite active in recent months, occasionally holding protests or blocking roads. Our local operations team is constantly monitoring this situation to ensure the safety of our passengers and leaders. In some cases, we might need to use an alternative route from San Cristobal to Palenque to avoid this activity – more so to bypass long traffic delays than any real danger.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Today you have the chance to visit the ruins of Palenque. Sitting on a hilltop surrounded by thick trees, the ruins date back to 600 AD and are some of the most impressive Mayan relics in Mexico. As you walk among the temples, listen out for the eerie calls of howler monkeys and screeching parrots echoing from the jungle. There are many ruins that are still un-excavated and remain concealed in the forest. You can opt to take a guided tour of the ruins or through the surrounding jungle to a hidden waterfall. The area gives you a great idea of what the Spanish invaders must have seen when they first arrived. This feels like real Tomb Raider stuff. This afternoon, travel by private bus to Merida (approx 7-8 hours in total).
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Palenque - Archaeological site (Entrance fee & Transport) - USD25
  • Palenque - Jungle Trail tour - USD15
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Founded in 1542, Merida still has much of its old-world charm. Wander through the Old Town, check out some museums and stroll the city streets, which are alive with art and culture. Hang out in the green and shady Plaza Grande, with the 16th-century cathedral on one side and City Hall, State Government Palace and Casa Mantejo on the others. For a taste of Merida's 19th-century glory, go for a walk along the mansion-lined Paseo de Montejo. Mornings are the best time to visit the outdoor markets, where you can stock up on hammocks and Maya replicas. This is also a great place to sample local food specialities, such as cochinita pibil or the extremely spicy El Yucateco hot sauce. Nearly every Mexican dish is made using corn tortillas (like tacos, tostadas, flautas, chilaquiles and enchiladas), and there's a bicycle cart on almost every corner in Merida selling elotes (corn on the cob) doused in salt, chilli, cheese, lemon juice or mayonaise. So yeah, they like corn. 
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Merida is the gateway to the Maya ruins of Uxmal. A tour of the ruins includes transport and a local guide. Little is known about the site’s origins but it’s thought the city was founded around 500 AD. Much of the site is decorated with masks of the rain god Chac. You can also visit a nearby bird sanctuary or a variety of other ruins, or hunt down one of the hidden cenotes (stunning natural sinkholes filled with water) and take a dip in the crystal clear fresh water. Merida's locals love dancing. Every Sunday the town's streets are transformed into an open-air dance floor, with salsa and merengue bands providing the music.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Merida - Uxmal Ruins tour (inc. shared transport and guide) - MXN810
  • Merida - Cuzama cenotes tour (inc. transport and guide) - USD49
  • Merida - Celestun Bird Sanctuary (Entrance and Transport) - MXN1035
  • Merida - Guided city tour - USD24
  • Merida - Dzibilchaltun Ruins tour - USD70
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Chichen Itza is your first stop today (approx 2 hours). This is possibly the most famous Mayan site in Mexico. Recently named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza has both Toltec and Mayan ruins lying alongside each other. The famous El Castillo (Temple of Kukulkan) pyramid dominates the site. Not far from the temple is the ‘ball court’, where many disputes are were settled by way of a ball game that employed only the elbows, hips and wrists. Stone carvings depicting violence suggest it was not some casual sport. Nearby, excavations of the Well of Sacrifice offered up treasures of jade, copper and gold as well as many human and animal bones. Following a guided tour of the site, continue to the Caribbean coast and the resort town of Playa del Carmen by private minibus (approx 3 hours). Blessed with azure waters, powdery beaches and a European feel, Playa del Carmen is a resort city close to Cancun but with less of a party atmosphere. Here you can spend your time snorkelling among the mangroves, diving in underground caverns, tanning, or strolling along white sands. It's possible to take a ferry from here across to Cozumel, an island famous for its reef diving. In the evenings, feast on seafood, kick back, and watch the waves with a margarita or two.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Chichen Itza Ruins - Entrance Fee
Optional Activities
  • Chichen Itza Ruins - Entrance - USD80
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

There are no activities planned for the final day. But to make the most of what Playa has to offer, extending your stay is highly recommended.
Optional Activities
  • Dos Ojos Cenote - Fresh water rock pool (Entrance fee with snorkelling gear included) - MXN350
  • Playa del Carmen - Bicycle rental (per day) - MXN250
  • Playa del Carmen - Ferry to Cozumel (Round-trip) - MXN326
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Meals

No meals are included on this tour

Transport

Local bus, Overnight bus, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (11 nights), Overnight bus (1 night)

Included Activities

  • Chichen Itza Ruins - Entrance Fee

Reviews

Our Mexico Highlights trips score an average of 4.73 out of 5 based on 70 reviews in the last year.

Mexico Highlights, August 2018

Pollie Rawnsley

Review submitted 15 Sep 2018

Mexico Highlights, July 2018

Helen Regan

Review submitted 18 Aug 2018

Dates & availability

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There are currently no scheduled departures before October 1st on our Mexico Highlights trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

From October 1st, we'll be joining forces with our sister company, Intrepid Travel. Intrepid 18 to 29s will be your go-to spot for small group adventures with people your own age. See this trip on Intrepid Travel
Prices may change, so secure your trip today!
Jump to a departure month

Travelling after October 1st?

Our sister company Intrepid Travel has just launched a new range of adventures for 18 to 29-year-olds. Same small group size, same awesome local leaders, different logos on the t-shirts.
From October 1st, Intrepid 18 to 29s will be your go-to spot for small group adventures with people your own age.

See this trip on Intrepid
Book this trip and make a difference to local communities. Along with carbon offsetting your trip, we’ll also contribute funds to our new social enterprise partner, Friends-International, on your behalf. Find out more

Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
2. A single supplement is available for purchase on this trip, except for nights 7 (Overnight bus) where you will be in shared accommodation. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Hurricane season in this region is June to November, when landslides, mudslides, flooding and disruptions to essential services can occur. Geckos Adventures monitors any situations that arise, and may need to change itineraries or activities in response to these natural weather occurrences.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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