Wild Yucatan

The Trip

Day 1: Holbox Island – Arrive and cross to the island / Las Nubes Holbox
Day 2: Holbox Island – Snorkel with whale sharks / Las Nubes Holbox
Day 3: Nr. Merida – Transfer to the hacienda / Hacienda San José Cholul
Day 4: Nr. Merida – Take a city tour of Izamal / Hacienda San José Cholul
Day 5: Celustún – Visit Celestún nature preserve / Hotel Eco Paraiso Xixum
Day 6: Celustún – Free day to explore / Hotel Eco Paraiso Xixum
Day 7: Merida – Transfer to Merida / Rosas & Xocolate
Day 8: Merida – City tour of Merida / Rosas & Xocolate
Day 9: Riviera Maya – Visit Chichen Itza and a private cenote / Ana y José
Day 10: Riviera Maya – Snorkel at Akmual / Ana y José
Day 11: Riviera Maya – Visit the Sian Ka’an Reserve / Ana y José
Day 12: Transfer to the airport for return flight

Holbox Island

The adventure begins as soon as you land in Cancun. You will be met and taken by boat to the beautiful island of Holbox where you will spend the next two nights. This small Caribbean paradise has no more than 2,000 inhabitants, no paved cars or buildings higher than three stories. Its an ideal place for nature and wildlife lovers. The first night you will be free to explore by yourselves. No stay on the island is complete without trying one of the famous lobster pizzas! The following day you will take what will surely be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Board a boat and head out to snorkel with the whale sharks that migrate through this part of the Yucatan between May and September. Don masks, fins and accompanied by a guide you will swim next to these gentle giants. Not worry, they are just plankton eaters! End with some fresh prepared ceviche.

the haciendas of the Yucatan

Today your drive will take you to the magnificent Hacienda San José Cholul, an impeccably restored hacienda dating back to the seventeenth century. Explore the tranquil gardens, take refreshing dips in the pool and dine of delicious local cuisine. The following day your guide will be waiting to take you on a tour of the beautiful city of Izamal. Almost every structure in the city is a bright egg yolk yellow, which makes for excellent photography. Return to the San José Cholul for another night of luxury.

the nature reserve of Celestún

Today you will explore the fascinating Celestún, a nature preserve on the Yucatán’s gulf coast. A boat excursion takes you deep inside the estuary and boarding mangrove forests where you will find American flamingos and dozens of avian species. There’s also a natural spring, perfect for a refreshing dip and a visit to the town of Celestún, a sleepy fishing village which feels frozen in time. In the afternoon you will be transferred to the Hotel Eco Paraiso Xixim, nestled on a three mile virgin beach in the biosphere reserve. The bungalows have unrestricted views of the beach. The rest of the day and the following are free to explore or relax by yourselves.

city life

Next stop is the bustling city of Merida. Your driver will bring you to the Rosas & Xocolate Boutique Hotel & Spa located on the prestigious Paseo de Montejo, the most important avenue of Merida. The following day your local guide will take you on a tour of the city. This architectural stunning city makes for a wonderful place to explore. Shady avenues lined with exquisite mansions from the end of the 19th century. You will take a visit to the cathedral and the other restored buildings in the centre. Spend another night at the Rosas & Xocolate Boutique.

seven wonders of the modern world

The journey today will begin with a guided tour of Chichen Itza, one of the seven modern wonders of the world. Origanally built by the Maya, it was later conquered by Itzas, Tiltecs and then the Mayapan. Later in the afternoon you will be taken to your own private cenote, located on an historic ranch. Here you can swim and snorkel in the crystalline waters and enjoy a delicious luxury picnic lunch. Tonight will be spend at the Hacienda Ana y José. The following day you will head to Akmual, meaning ‘place of turtles’ in Mayan. Here you can enjoy a fantastic snorkelling adventure with marine turtles and colourful fish in the second largest coral reef in the world. Enjoy lunch before exploring Tulum in the afternoon. Spend another night at the Ana y José.

where the sky is born

On your last full day you will visit Sian Ka’an meaning ‘where the sky is born’, the first establish biosphere reserve in Mexico. It is currently a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take adventage of the opportunities for wildlife spotting since the reserve is home to 350 species of birds, jaguars, pumas, opcelots, spider and howler monkeys, crocodiles and many types of turtle. Spend your last night at the Hacienda Ana y José before heading to the airport in Cancun for your return flight home.