Temples and cenote diving in the Yucatan

CANCUN
Morning flight to Cancun, your arrival point on the Yucatán Peninsula.
You will spend the first night in Cancun at a hotel before setting off the next day.

VALLADOLID – CHICHEN ITZA
Pick up your rental vehicle in town. You will leave the bustling tourist activity of Cancun behind to reach Valladolid, a charming small colonial town far removed from Cancun’s mass tourism.
You will spend 2 nights in a small, characterful hotel located in the historic center, ideal for walking tours of the town.

Devote a day to visiting the site of Chichen Itza, located just 50 km from Valladolid. This ancient city, spread over more than 300 ha, was founded around 540 AD by Mayan tribes arriving from the south. You can admire the Kukulcan Pyramid, the Temple of the Warriors, the Tomb of Chac Mol, the famous sacred cenote (a site of sacrifices), and the ball court.

MERIDA – IZAMAL – CELESTUN RESERVE
After Valladolid, you will continue toward the city of Merida, capital of the State of Yucatán. A remarkable heritage with Mayan, Caribbean, and Spanish character. A short horse-drawn carriage ride through the historic center to discover the cathedral, the Plaza Mayor, and the covered market on the Zocalo.

You will spend 2 nights in Merida, giving you time to explore the cultural and natural surroundings during the day and enjoy evenings and dinners on the terraces in the center of Merida.

Take the opportunity for a stopover in Izamal, one of the oldest towns in the Yucatán, once a major religious center dedicated to the supreme god as well as the sun god Kinich Kakmo. Spanish colonists built a vast Franciscan monastery there, the Convent of San Antonio de Padua.

Another day can be devoted to the Celestun biosphere reserve, natural habitat of a colony of pink flamingos.

UXMAL
Another cultural stop at the site of Uxmal. Located at the heart of a very dry region, the city was founded in worship of the rain god Chac. You will reach the small village of Santa Elena the evening before, to spend the night close to the Uxmal site. The evening before or the following morning, you can visit the Mayan ruins.

Drive toward the Caribbean coast as far as Tulum, the only Mayan city built on the seafront. It is above all a fortress, from which the Maya witnessed the arrival of the Spanish caravels.

You will spend a week in Playa del Carmen, staying in very pleasant bungalows located right on the seafront.

SCUBA DIVING IN THE CENOTES OF THE YUCATAN
From Playa del Carmen, you will set out each day for scuba diving excursions in the cenotes of the Yucatán.
In the evening, you can relax on the white sand beach in front of your hotel and go out for dinner in Playa del Carmen.
Each day, report to the dive base to get equipped.
Departure for the splendid cenotes of the Yucatán, these pools of remarkably clear underground water, beneath enormous stalactites.
You will dive into these mineral wonders.

Depending on the season, your level, and your autonomy, you may also swim with whale sharks and sailfish (mask and snorkel), or dive to encounter spotted eagle rays or bull sharks.

Training options are also available at this French-speaking dive center.

In summary:
– 1 night in Cancun with breakfast
– 2 nights in Valladolid with breakfast
– 2 nights in Merida with breakfast
– 1 night in Santa Elena, near Uxmal, with breakfast
– 5 nights in Playa del Carmen, at the Mahékal Beach Resort on half board