Encountering the Mayas of Yucatán
ENCOUNTERS
MAYA COMMUNITY
ARCHAEOLOGY
BEACH
COLONIAL TOWNS
In the deep south of Mexico, where heat embraces the land and the jungle whispers ancient legends, a living culture awakens: the Maya. This journey is an invitation to encounter it from within—not as a tourist, but as a guest.
You will learn Spanish in plazas, markets, and kitchens. You will listen to stories told by those who still walk among the stones of their ancestors.
From the archaeological remains of Uxmal, Ek Balam, and Chichén Itzá to spiritual rituals in sacred caves, each step becomes dialogue, each word a bridge, and each encounter an opening to what truly matters.
ITINERARY & PROGRAM
Day 1 – Arrival in the Heart of the Maya World
Cancún – Valladolid
Our journey begins toward Valladolid, a colonial jewel with a mestizo soul.
Its pastel-colored facades and tree-lined main square welcome us into a different sense of time.
We stroll among historic mansions and enjoy dinner at an old inn, where local flavors tell stories of blending cultures and memory.
Day 2 – Living Memories in a Maya Community
We begin with a welcoming ritual led by an Ahmen, a spiritual guide who opens the day with copal incense and blessings. Then, in small groups, we integrate into village life, joining local families in their milpas—traditional cornfields where maize is still cultivated according to lunar cycles and ancestral knowledge.
We prepare food together: among tortillas, salsas, and laughter, Spanish becomes a language of closeness.
In the afternoon, we visit the Museum of the Caste War, a little-known yet essential chapter in understanding Indigenous resistance. This town was once a stronghold of struggle, and its stones still hold that memory.
Day 3 – Sacred Nature and Stones with a Soul: Río Lagartos and Ek Balam
In the morning, we head to the Río Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, a sanctuary of mangroves, crocodiles, and flamingos. We navigate natural channels while learning about the coastal ecosystems of northern Yucatán.
In the afternoon, we visit Ek Balam (“Black Jaguar”), an enigmatic archaeological site. Unlike other Maya centers, it preserves extraordinary sculpted stuccoes depicting gods and winged warriors. We climb its acropolis to contemplate the endless jungle from above.
Day 4 – Chichén Itzá and the Sacred Waters of the Cenote
We visit Chichén Itzá, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This ancient ceremonial center reflects the astronomical, political, and religious precision of the Maya world. We admire the imposing Pyramid of Kukulkán, the Ball Court, the Temple of the Warriors, and the Sacred Cenote.
Afterward, we immerse ourselves in the crystal-clear waters of a community cenote—where the sacred and the everyday meet. We enjoy lunch beneath palm-thatched roofs, surrounded by jungle sounds.
Day 5 – Izamal: Suns, Pyramids, and Syncretism
Izamal, known as “the city of three times,” shines with its yellow architecture and spiritual energy. We climb the Pyramid of Kinich Kakmó, dedicated to the sun god, and visit the Convent of San Antonio de Padua, built atop an ancient ceremonial center. Here, religious syncretism is felt in every stone.
We chat with artisans and savor Yucatecan snacks. In the afternoon, we arrive in Mérida, where the night vibrates with trova music and local flavors.
Day 6 – A Living Hacienda: Interwoven Times
We visit a village where history exists in overlapping layers: Maya temples hidden in the brush, a still-active henequen hacienda, and an agave factory that tells the story of Yucatán’s “green gold.”
In Mérida’s main square, we practice the language through spontaneous interviews with locals—shared smiles, accents, and reflections.
Day 7 – Puuc Route and Pollo Pibil
In the morning, we go to the market to buy ingredients for traditional pollo pibil, which we will cook underground in true Maya style. While fire and earth do their work, we explore the archaeological sites of Kabah and Labná, part of the mystical Puuc Route.
Both sites stand out for their stone friezes adorned with masks of the rain god Chaac, arched doorways, and structures harmoniously integrated into nature.
Day 8 – Uxmal and the Walled City of Campeche
Uxmal, one of the most elegant cities of the Maya world, reveals its magic. Its Pyramid of the Magician—built on a unique oval base—and the Quadrangle of the Nuns, rich in astronomical symbolism, speak of an architecture in dialogue with the cosmos.
After lunch, we continue to Campeche, a walled colonial city and UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves the charm of seaside life.
Day 9 – Edzná: The Final Stone Whisper
We visit Edzná, an ancient Maya city whose name means “House of the Itzáes.” Its elevated acropolis, sophisticated hydraulic system, and five-story temple testify to the technical and spiritual ingenuity of this civilization.
We close the day at the Archaeological Museum of Campeche, housed in a colonial fort overlooking the sea. Free time to contemplate the horizon and write in our journals.
Day 10 – Toward the Caribbean: Long Roads, Shared Smiles
A long yet light journey takes us to Playa del Carmen. Along the way, we share Mexican films, conversations, and reflections that deepen our group connection. Upon arrival, the Caribbean greets us with its impossible shades of blue.
Day 11 – A Day of Rest, Contemplation, and Writing
Free time to swim, write, walk along the beach, or simply be. Today, there is no task more important than savoring the present.
Day 12 – Return: A New Way of Seeing
Transfer to the airport. We return home with backpacks full of living words, a transformed gaze, and hearts touched by the Maya peoples of Yucatán.