Contrasts of Mexico


Overview
Highlights
- Explore some of the very best Aztec & Mayan sites of Mexico
- Experience the local life & colour of Indigenous villages
- Discover little-explored ruins, hidden by rainforest
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Itinerary

Our tour starts today in Mexico City, the capital of Mexico and the bustling heart and soul of the country. CDMX, as the city is also known, gives 'metropolis' a whole new meaning with a new landmark, museum or gallery at every turn, not to mention the countless colou...
We'll head out to explore the city like a local this morning, on foot and by public transport. The Zocalo is the vibrant heart of the city; the main square that has been a cornerstone in public gatherings since ancient times. We'll walk down to the centre from the hot...
Our destination today is Teotihuacan, a mysterious complex of pyramid ruins, abandoned 13 centuries ago. En route, we'll make a stop at the Basilica de Guadalupe, an important pilgrimage site for Mexicans which has a miraculous story to tell (our tour leader will fill...
Leaving the capital behind, today we'll drive south through cactus country to Oaxaca, one of the most charming colonial cities in Mexico. The drive will take around eight hours, but we'll make several stops along the way. During the latter half of our journey, we'll b...
As with many of Mexico's colonial cities, Oaxaca was built in the 16th century using stones from ancient civilisations in the surrounding areas. Today, we'll visit Monte Alban which was built by the Zapotec people who flourished here over 1,500 years ago. This complex...
We have a long journey ahead of us today as we begin to head towards San Cristobal. The drive will lead us up through the winding roads of the Sierra Madre Mountain range and we'll make several stops along the way. Our first port of call is a 2,000-year-old swamp cypr...
Leaving early this morning, we'll have a five-hour drive to Cahuare, the starting point for our visit to the spectacular Sumidero Canyon. The canyon is a unique rift measuring 41 kilometres long and up to 1000 metres deep, cut by the Rio Grijalva. This is the spot whe...
San Cristobal has a unique atmosphere, located high in the scenic Chiapas Mountain range. The indigenous groups from the surrounding hills fill the town and marketplace with their colourful dress including the distinctive Tzotzil community who still retain much of the...
Leaving the highlands behind us, today we have a long driving day ahead of us (approximately eight hours, plus stops). The road is slow and winding, but there are scenic views as we descend to the jungles of Palenque. We'll be driving via the town of Villahermosa, whe...
Today's guided visit to the ruins of Palenque is one of the highlights of our tour of Mexico. Palenque is both a fascinating and important site and we'll explore it in depth with a guide. Once the choking forest was cleared, the ruins revealed the tomb of the high pri...
Today we'll drive for three and a half hours to Frontera Corozal on the border of Mexico and Guatemala. From the lodge, we'll board our lancha (river boat) on the Ucumacinta River and head for the remote site of Yaxchilan, only accessible by boat and famous for its st...
We'll continue our Mayan rainforest adventure this morning, travelling on the water to the small settlement of Bethel. Here, we'll cross the border into Guatemala and drive for three hours on to Flores. Flores, on Lake Peten Itza, is beautifully picturesque and ve...
Today we'll visit Tikal, the great Maya metropolis set amid the rainforest, which can justly be compared with the celebrated ancient cities of Egypt and Greece. Initially settled in about 600 BC, Tikal was abandoned by its rulers around 890 AD and totally deserted a h...
Today we'll say goodbye to Guatemala and drive over the border to San Ignacio in Belize. En route, we'll visit the little-known site of Xunantunich, with its fantastic array of pyramids and temples. Then, we'll make our way to our hotel, where the rest of the afternoo...
Departing San Ignacio this morning, we'll drive to Belize's Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE), arriving at around 10am, and this is where our trip ends. The earliest your flight can depart is 12.15pm. Haven't had your fill of Latin America? Extend yo...
Our tour starts today in Mexico City, the capital of Mexico and the bustling heart and soul of the country. CDMX, as the city is also known, gives 'metropolis' a whole new meaning with a new landmark, museum or gallery at every turn, not to mention the countless colou...
We'll head out to explore the city like a local this morning, on foot and by public transport. The Zocalo is the vibrant heart of the city; the main square that has been a cornerstone in public gatherings since ancient times. We'll walk down to the centre from the hot...
Our destination today is Teotihuacan, a mysterious complex of pyramid ruins, abandoned 13 centuries ago. En route, we'll make a stop at the Basilica de Guadalupe, an important pilgrimage site for Mexicans which has a miraculous story to tell (our tour leader will fill...
Leaving the capital behind, today we'll drive south through cactus country to Oaxaca, one of the most charming colonial cities in Mexico. The drive will take around eight hours, but we'll make several stops along the way. During the latter half of our journey, we'll b...
As with many of Mexico's colonial cities, Oaxaca was built in the 16th century using stones from ancient civilisations in the surrounding areas. Today, we'll visit Monte Alban which was built by the Zapotec people who flourished here over 1,500 years ago. This complex...
We have a long journey ahead of us today as we begin to head towards San Cristobal. The drive will lead us up through the winding roads of the Sierra Madre Mountain range and we'll make several stops along the way. Our first port of call is a 2,000-year-old swamp cypr...
Leaving early this morning, we'll have a five-hour drive to Cahuare, the starting point for our visit to the spectacular Sumidero Canyon. The canyon is a unique rift measuring 41 kilometres long and up to 1000 metres deep, cut by the Rio Grijalva. This is the spot whe...
San Cristobal has a unique atmosphere, located high in the scenic Chiapas Mountain range. The indigenous groups from the surrounding hills fill the town and marketplace with their colourful dress including the distinctive Tzotzil community who still retain much of the...
Leaving the highlands behind us, today we have a long driving day ahead of us (approximately eight hours, plus stops). The road is slow and winding, but there are scenic views as we descend to the jungles of Palenque. We'll be driving via the town of Villahermosa, whe...
Today's guided visit to the ruins of Palenque is one of the highlights of our tour of Mexico. Palenque is both a fascinating and important site and we'll explore it in depth with a guide. Once the choking forest was cleared, the ruins revealed the tomb of the high pri...
Today we'll drive for three and a half hours to Frontera Corozal on the border of Mexico and Guatemala. From the lodge, we'll board our lancha (river boat) on the Ucumacinta River and head for the remote site of Yaxchilan, only accessible by boat and famous for its st...
We'll continue our Mayan rainforest adventure this morning, travelling on the water to the small settlement of Bethel. Here, we'll cross the border into Guatemala and drive for three hours on to Flores. Flores, on Lake Peten Itza, is beautifully picturesque and ve...
Today we'll visit Tikal, the great Maya metropolis set amid the rainforest, which can justly be compared with the celebrated ancient cities of Egypt and Greece. Initially settled in about 600 BC, Tikal was abandoned by its rulers around 890 AD and totally deserted a h...
Today we'll say goodbye to Guatemala and drive over the border to San Ignacio in Belize. En route, we'll visit the little-known site of Xunantunich, with its fantastic array of pyramids and temples. Then, we'll make our way to our hotel, where the rest of the afternoo...
Departing San Ignacio this morning, we'll drive to Belize's Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE), arriving at around 10am, and this is where our trip ends. The earliest your flight can depart is 12.15pm. Haven't had your fill of Latin America? Extend yo...
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Explore! Reviews & Ratings
Trusted Customer
Mar 2025
Contrasts of Mexico
Very good tour and tour leader. Many thanks Said. Oaxaca, Mount Albon, Canon del Sumero, San Cristobal, Palenque and Tikal all excellent. The focus of the trip is de...
Richard
Feb 2025
Contrasts of Mexico
Fascinating insight into Mexico's history and the rise and fall of the Mayans.
Trusted Customer
Feb 2025
Contrasts of Mexico
Contrasts of Mexico is an Explore trip, which I would thoroughly recommend. You need to be very keen on seeing the ancient sites, which all in our group were. We had...
Nina
Feb 2025
Contrasts of Mexico
Great trip with a wonderful tour leader. Some wonderful sites and a learn...
Alun
Feb 2025
Contrasts of Mexico
First visit to Mexico. Opted for the security of a group tour given the occasional flare up of trouble. Most members of the group were active 50+ with a reasonable ...
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