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Mexico : Yucatán

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Yucatán

SAVOR

Traditional flavors, the freshest seafood, specially prepared Yucatecan feasts

EXPLORE

Pyramids of Chichén Ítza, ancient Mayan temples, colonial towns, pristine beaches

EXPERIENCE

Yucatán's vibrant culture and cuisine, meet modern artists and traditional makers

Why Yucatán

History and beaches, art and cuisine—Yucatán is full of traditional flavors and modern sensibilities. True Yucatán means ancient pyramids and Mayan ruins, meetups with artists and craftspeople, the finest local ingredients, historic haciendas in the jungle, and access to some of the world's best diving and snorkeling. Go deep in one of Mexico's most rewarding regions, exploring the vibrant towns and cultural sites from Mérida to Chichén Ítza, Celestún and Uxmal to Campeche.

Moments That Matter

Travel through a jungle of trees to a cavernous cenote for an unforgettable swim or dive in its surreal, crystal-clear fresh waters. Meet local artists in their home studios, explore the mighty ruins of Chichén Ítza and walk the colonial streets of Merida. Savor a a traditional meal that’s been roasting all day, Yucatán-style, in a pit near ancient Mayan pyramids where iguanas bask in the sun. Feel the fresh sea breeze on a perfect beach, and linger over a star-lit cocktail in a 300-year-old hacienda. Yucatán is simply the best.

Your Private Experience

Who It’s For

Our Yucatán is for families looking to get away from it all, and for travelers who appreciate distinctive cuisine, mesmerizing art and bountiful beauty.

When to Travel

Yucatán is a year-round destination, with temperatures rarely below 75F. Winter (Dec - Apr) is our favorite season, when clear skies and calm seas make for the best diving and fishing.

Make It Yours

More beach time and relaxation, or dial up the adventure: cenote and reef dives, 4WD excursions, a deep foodie journey. The choice is yours.

Day by Day

We’ll help you focus the trip from a true adrenaline-thumping adventure to a foodie’s dream, or even extend it into Mexico City or Oaxaca for a deeper dive. Here’s how we do Yucatán:

Day 1

Mérida is the glorious heart of the Yucatán, with its French-inspired colonial homes overlooking tamarind-lined streets bursting with open-air music, dance and taco stands. Mérida is often called the New Orleans of Mexico; and like the Big Easy, it’s not hard to fall in love with Mérida at first glance. Celebrate with a chef’s table meal at Apoala, one of Yucatán’s top kitchens. 

  • Private street-food tour
  • Dinner at Apoala

Day 2

Chichén Itzá is Mexico’s most famous Mayan city, a World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Explore the jungle-clad expanse of mighty pyramids, temples and ball courts with a local historian, then head for a late lunch in nearby colonial Valladolid, a flaneur’s dream-town brimming with cafes, shops and leafy parks.

  • Private Chichén Itzá tour
  • Late lunch in Valladolid

Day 3

First up is Cuzama, a short drive southeast of Mérida, to go cenote-hopping past agave farms, and make a literal splash at a trio of underground caves filled with crystal-clear rain water—a surreal scene. Lunch is in the colonial town of Izamal for some regional specialties, then visit the nearby Kimbilá village to meet local embroiders and see how they’ve been making colorful guayabera (aka “Yucatán shirts”) for over a century.

  • Cenote swimming
  • Traditional lunch in Izamal
  • Meet traditional weavers in Kimbilá

Days 4 - 5

On the Gulf of Mexico, Celestún is home to a quiet fishing town, tranquil beaches and thousands of colorful flamingos. You’ll meet some—along with scores of marine life in the clear waters—by boat through the protected Reserva de la Biosfera Ría Celestún. Then spend a morning at arguably the region’s best Mayan site, Uxmal, followed by a feast you won’t soon forget—the local cochinita pibil, pit-roasted pork, smoky and succulent. Finish up with a visit to local potter Roger Juarez’s home/studio and see his adaptations of ancient Mayan works.

  • Explore fishing village of Celestún
  • Wildlife cruise through nature preserve
  • Uxmal archaeological site visit
  • Cochinita pibil traditional meal
  • Potter Roger Juarez home/studio visit

Day 6

Beach time, Yucatán style. Kick way back on a nearby beach to play in the sand, maybe laze in one of the locally made hammocks and catch the gulf breezes with a cocktail, before regrouping for a delicious open-air lunch. Ceviche campechana is the local twist on the beloved Mexican shrimp cocktail—fresh, spicy and the perfect cap to a lazy day on the beach.

Where We Sleep

Footsteps from colonial city scenes, or lost amidst gorgeous forest, our boutique hotels make you feel right at home in the Yucatán's most stunning locations

Mérida

It's the perfect set-up in colonial Mérida, in an intimate, award-winning spot lovingly restored from a former painter’s studio, with beamed ceilings and endless charm. Chocum trees line pathways, and their resin adds a pinkish hue to the walls in the same timeless manner Mayan architects favored. Contemporary comfort floods the unique designs. There's also an on-site spa, pool and incredible Yucatecan restaurant.

Campeche

Arriving to this rural hacienda wonderland will stop you in your tracks. It's on the outskirts of Campeche, with green gardens and candle-lit walkways leading to this stunning hacienda complex built in 1700. Dark-wood, colonial furnishings and century-old black-and-white tile floors adorn the high-ceiling rooms. A stray pillar juts from the inviting pool. Is this real? Yes, and it’s your perfect base for exploring nearby Mayan sites.

People Love MO/AD's Mexico

“
I am truly a tough critic but you planned an exceptionally fun adventure—no constructive criticism necessary.
Avis C.
“
I look forward to another trip with MO/AD. You make everything more elevated, and interesting.
Patricia H.
“
Great luxury, and truly authentic street food, our trip with Modern Adventure was the best of both worlds.
Francois L.

FAQs

  1. How many people is this itinerary suitable for?

    We can plan a custom, private departure for any group size. Our custom trips are perfect for a couple wishing to travel on their own, a family, or a multi-generational group. If you’re looking to travel on one of our group departures on a private basis, a minimum number of travelers may apply.

  2. Can you curate an itinerary for a larger group?

    Yes, we can craft an unforgettable milestone celebration or company retreat for groups as large as 40 or more.

  3. What makes a MO/AD experience different?

    Our level of curation, care, and in-country connections. We handle everything, overseeing your experience from beginning to end with the highest levels of ownership and responsibility. We support you every step of the way with comprehensive itineraries, detailed day-by-day descriptions, insider destination info, and 24/7 dedicated support.

  4. How far in advance should I plan my trip?

    Preferably six to nine months in advance and earlier for holiday travel. We stay in unique, in-demand boutique and luxury hotels where advance reservations are important to secure the best accommodations possible. We can help with last-minute travel planning, however availability may be limited.

  5. What is typically included?

    We curate your MO/AD Private Departure to ensure the experiences are authentic, immersive, and included in your trip price. Your itinerary typically includes accommodations, airport transfers, private transportation for all day trips and excursions, privately guided tours with local guides, exclusive VIP access and activities, and meals as detailed in your itinerary.

  6. How much will it cost?

    MO/AD Private Departures typically cost $750 to $1,500 per person, per day, and vary by destination, time of year, number of people in your group, and types of activities you prefer.

  7. What's not included?

    MO/AD Private Departures do not include roundtrip airfare to/from your destination, travel insurance, gratuities for local guides, hotel incidentals, and any activities and meals not included in your itinerary.

  8. What deposits are required?

    After learning more about you, your interests, preferred style of travel, dates, and budget, we will present you with initial ideas and examples of what we can plan for you. In order to design a detailed itinerary and check availability, there is a $500 non-refundable planning deposit due. This will be applied to your final trip cost. Once your itinerary is perfect, we require a 25% non-refundable confirmation deposit to start confirming all of your arrangements. Many of our local partners and hotels require additional advance deposits to secure the best accommodations. The balance of your trip cost is due 90 days prior to travel.

  9. What travel documents are needed?

    US citizens are not required to have a visa for tourist visits to Mexico, but are required to show a valid US passport. It is recommended that your passport is valid for six months after your travels are over. On arrival in the airport, you will be issued a visitor’s permit, known as a FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple). For citizens of other countries, please check with the Mexico Embassy or Consulate for information and requirements.

  10. Where can I find the complete terms of my booking?

    See our Terms & Conditions for complete details about our policies regarding your MO/AD Private Departure booking.