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Mexico > Mexico Tour Packages

Yucatan Tour

15 DAYS (11 Meals)

PRICE PER PERSON*
Single - $1,649
Double - $1,275
Triple - $1,185

DEPARTURE DATE
February 5, 2008

Departs From:
Brownsville 6:00a.m.
Harlingen 6:30a.m.
Weslaco 7:00a.m.
McAllen 7:30a.m.
Mission 8:00a.m.

NOTE: Please do not leave your car at the Holiday Inn Civic Center, McAllen unless you are registered there as a guest!

Explore the Mayan Ruins and more on this exciting Vactaion to Yucatan!

A fantastic tour! One of the very best ways to experience the Yucatan with two nights in Veracruz, two nights in Merida and two nights at the tropical Nututun Hotel right on the banks of the Chacamax River. This tour offers something for everyone - from the armchair archaeologist to lovers of warm, tropical breezes. We will hug the coast almost all the way viewing lush, green tropics, eating scrumptious seafood, and gazing upon sparkling blue coastal waters. Each day opens to a new horizon bringing you a deeper understanding of the different regions of Mexico and showing you the influence that the cultures of old have upon the social structure of today. Follow the Mayan Route for an unforgettable experience. Bring your binoculars, wear light weight clothing, and pack a swim suit!

DAY 1 - We begin our journey crossing into Mexico, traveling through lands rich in sorghum fields and cattle ranges, arriving into Soto La Marina for our lunch stop. Soon the landscape becomes more tropical as we approach Tampico. Before checking in, visit Miramar beach comparing it to our Texas Gulf Coast. Our hotel sits very near the main square, where it seems the entire world must meet. Nearby are local fruit juice stands and a Mexican bakery with mouth watering goodies. Walk across the Plaza to the Cathedral. Or visit the nearby restored historical square with lacy wrought iron balconies that have earned a new name for Tampico - “the New Orleans of Mexico.” Overnight at the Hotel Inglaterra in Tampico.

DAY 2 - After your included breakfast, you will cross the Panuco River on the tallest bridge in Mexico from which vantage point you can see the three ports that serve Tampico and the adjoining city of Cd. Madero. Lush vegetation and later mango orchards mingling with the coconut groves surrounding thatched roof houses welcome you to the state of Veracruz. Tropical plants sold as pot plants at home grow as tall as the eaves. Stop in Papantla for a sampling of vanilla where vanilla plantations are found in the nearby dense tropical forests. Arrive into swinging Veracruz in the mid-afternoon. Tonight, you may want to stroll the Malecon or go downtown and sip your favorite beverage as you listen to the marimba music played at the many outdoor restaurants surrounding the Plaza. Overnight at the Hotel Veracruz in Veracruz. B

DAY 3 - What a delight this town is. Early morning visit to the market, then on to San Juan Ulua before venturing out to Antigua, supposedly the sight where Cortez landed. Tonight, perhaps you would like to practice the romantic danzon. Ask your guide. Overnight at the Hotel Veracruz in Veracruz. B

DAY 4 - Travel through the Tuxtlas, through a tobacco growing region and center for the cigar industry and into charming Santiago Tuxtla with its colossal 18 ton Olmec head perched in the center of the main plaza. Circle around Catemaco and on through Coatzacoalcos arriving into Villahermosa in the late afternoon. Overnight at Hotel Cencali in Villahermosa. B

DAY 5 - Visit the out door museum La Venta with colossal heads some of which weigh as much as 20 tons. Amazing how these were carved some 3,000 years ago and later unearthed at the La Venta archeological site. Leaving Villahermosa, part of the route to Campeche hugs the Gulf Coast where we stop to search for sea shells. High on a hillside just outside of Campeche, visit one of the eight forts that at one time protected the city from raiding pirates. Overnight at the Del Mar in Campeche.

DAY 6 - On our short drive into Merida, we will stop en route to admire the finely woven Panama hats that are woven in damp underground caves. Your afternoon and evening in Merida are free to enjoy this friendly city. Take a buggy ride around town or stroll up to the nearby plaza. Every night there is special entertainment. Overnight at the Hotel Los Aluxes in Merida.

DAY 7 - This morning, drive to the wildlife refuge of Celestun, a small fishing village on the coast. Only one and a half hour’s drive from Merida, this refuge provides a haven for one of the largest colonies of flamingos in the Americas. The visit remains one of the highlights of this tour. Take photographs of large flocks as they paint the sky in pink or rest in the green waters of the estuary where they feed on the rich micro-organisms. This most enjoyable addition of Celestun includes a boat ride for a closer look at the flamingos. Return to Merida for lunch. Afternoon city tour visiting Montejo Palace, built in 1549, with its richly adorned facade and the Cathedral, the oldest in Mexico, constructed with many stones taken from Mayan ruins. Time to buy a traditional Yucatecan "guayabera" shirt or a hand woven hammock in the local market. Tonight dinner is inluded at a very well known Yucatecan restaurant serving all the better known Yucatecan dishes. Your guide will help with selections. Why not sample “pibil” or “pocchuck” or even “lime soup.” Overnight at the Hotel Aluxes in Merida. B, D

DAY 8 - Depart for Chichen Itza, one of the 21 wonders of the world. Here you will visit the ruins during the early morning. The 265 steps up El Castillo are formidable but offer an unforgettable view of the whole area. See the Sacred Well where it is believed that in times of drought, maidens were sacrificed to appease the rain god Chac. The largest Ball Court in Meso-America is located here. Chichen Itza is a place for looking at everything up close, then standing back and admiring from a distance. After lunch, those who wish can continue to leisurely explore more of the ruins or perhaps explore the grounds and enjoy the pool at your tropical hotel. Overnight at the Mayaland Hotel at the ruins of Chichen Itza. B

DAY 9 - Today, visit the remains of the magnificent Mayan City of Uxmal composing the most complete complexes of Pre-Columbian architecture in all of Mexico. Some of the majestic buildings we will see are the Pyramid of the Magician, the Temple of the Turtles and the Pyramid of the Old Woman. Tonight after dinner, walk the moonlight path to view the included Light and Sound Show said to be second only to the one in Egypt. Overnight at the Hacienda Uxmal at the Ruins of Uxmal.

DAY 10 - Leave this tranquil setting for the most mystical of ruins - Palenque - where the lush jungle encroaching on the ancient pyramids and palaces makes for an enchantingly beautiful place. En route visit Playa Azul where the tuquoise waters invite you to dip your toes in the water. At Palenque, our hotel sits right on the banks of the Chacamax River where the sound of the frogs will lull you to sleep and the songs of the birds will awaken you in the morning. Overnight at Hotel Nututun at Palenque.

DAY 11 - Early morning visit to the ruins. This religious and political center, whose heyday was between A.D. 600-800, boasts the most uniquely detailed stucco ornamentation and sculpture of the Mayan civilization. Like other central Mayan cities Palenque was suddenly and inexplicably abandoned in the 9th century. Be sure you are cool and comfortable today as you tour these most impressive ruins. Local birders say this is a wonderful area to observe tropical birds. Afternoon is free for those who wish to explore more of the ruins, explore the town of Palenque, bird watch or perhaps swim in the clear cool waters of the Chacamax River flowing right by our hotel. Overnight at the Hotel Nututun at Palenque. B

DAY 12 - It is time to pack up and continue our journey. Our destination is beautiful Catemaco where our hotel is situated right on the shores of Lake Catemaco, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in all of Mexico. Take an afternoon cruise around the lake with time to explore the downtown area or perhaps watch the fishermen as they seine for fish. It is difficult to believe that such a beautiful spot could be the site of an International Witches Festival. Overnight at the La Finca in Catemaco. B

DAY 13 - Poza Rica - meaning rich well - is our destination for today. You will arrive in the late afternoon with time to explore the gardens where tropical plants of every description grace the extensive grounds. Or perhaps take a relaxing dip in the pool. Dinner is included tonight. Overnight at the Poza Rica Inn in Poza Rica. D

DAY 14 - Nearby are the famous ruins of El Tajin - commonly known as the Pyramid of 365 niches. If we are lucky, the Flying Indians - known as The Voladores - will perform for us in their Totonac ritual of thanksgiving and prayer. Our day continues as we travel to Tampico and our hotel very near the main Plaza. Overnight at the Mansion Real in Tampico. B

DAY 15 - We will take a little different route back to the Valley traveling through mango and orange orchards to Cd. Victoria. Then on past man made Lake Guerrero arriving at the border around 6:30p.m. B

Call your Go...With Jo! Tour Consultant (956) 423-1446 or (956) 664-1446 or 1-800-999-1446

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