Mexico Holidays to Mayan Ruins + Yucatan Tours to Palenque + Merida Cenotes
The southernmost state of Chiapas is the starting point for most Mexico holidays to Mayan ruins and Yucatan tours, travelling overland from San Cristobal to magnificent Palenque, Uxmal and Merida. Also view cenotes & the stunning ruins at Chichen Itza, before relaxing on a gorgeous Caribbean beach.
Chiapas has a rich culture and history, as one third of its population is indigenous - the highest concentration of indigenous people in all of Mexico. These are mainly Tzeltal- and Tzotzil-speaking Indians, who are descendants of the Mayans and live in dozens of small villages scattered across this beautiful highland valley. They are governed by the democratic Zapatista political movement, which strongly supports the survival of their traditional economy and language.
Largely because of the region’s history and its indigenous population, San Cristobal de las Casas is considered to be the cultural capital of the state, although Tuxtla is the actual capital. The centre of San Cristobal has maintained its Spanish colonial appearance, with narrow cobbled streets, wrought iron balconies with flowers, red clay tile roofs and local markets. On Mexico holidays to Mayan ruins and Yucatan tours to Palenque & Merida cenotes, you see that ancient customs and crafts survive here and mix easily with the trappings of a modern city.
Palenque is 80 miles northeast of San Cristobal and contains astonishing Maya ruins, some dating back over two thousand years to 226 BC, although the civilisation was at its greatest between 500 and 700 AD. Even though only a fraction of this huge city has been recovered from the jungle, it attracts thousands of visitors each year and is a world famous archaeological site . It contains some of the finest architecture, temples, pyramids, art, statues and carvings ever produced by the Mayans. There is also a monumental palace measuring 97m by 73m, which took four centuries to complete and includes its own aqueduct water supply. The city was a highly successful, beautifully refined urban masterpiece and is an absolute must-see on Mexico holidays to Mayan ruins and Yucatan tours to Palenque & Merida cenotes.
Combine your ideas with our expertise and let us help you create a holiday of a lifetime. We offer a wide range of options at different price points, all of which can be tailor made to your needs.
For expert advice on Mexico holidays to see Mayan ruins and Yucatan tours to Palenque & Merida with its stunning cenotes, email or call us on +44 (0)1582 766122 to speak with a specialist travel consultant. . Download our Mexico brochure (PDF 0.5 Mb).
We have been arranging Mexico holidays to see Mayan ruins & Yucatan tours to Palenque, Merida & cenotes for over 20 years.
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When exploring San Cristobal de las Casas, do not miss the cathedral, the large open air craft market at the church of Santo Domingo, and the Casa Na Bolum Museum. This remarkable institution, established by archaeologist Franz Blom, combines a hotel, restaurant, museum and research centre dedicated to conserving the Lacondon jungle and the Lacondon Mayan people who still live there. Another must see for indigenous culture enthusiasts on Mexico holidays to Mayan ruins and Yucatan tours to Palenque & Merida cenotes, is the Museum of Mayan Medicine, which explains the system of traditional medicine still used by the local Mayan descendants. Textile production has always been important here and the Textile Museum has a beautifully laid out presentation of this significant local industry. Amber, ceramics and wrought iron are also staple products and readily available all over this highly traditional corner of Mexico.
When in Palenque, as a change from viewing Mayan ruins you can walk to one of the many waterfalls in the area. Pride of place is taken by the Welib Ja Waterfalls, located in a beautiful park complete with stunning flora, walkways, zip lines into the water and howler monkeys. The Misol–Ha waterfall is close to the ruins and has a cave behind the falls. When visiting waterfalls on Mexico holidays to Mayan ruins and Yucatan tours to Palenque & Merida cenotes, don’t forget to take your swimsuit!
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![Mexico Self Drive Holiday Yucatan Peninsula Palenque Tulum Car Hire]()
This Mexico self drive holiday explores the Yucatan Peninsula with its many magnificent Mayan archaelogical sites, including Chichen Itza, Uxmal & Palenque, as well as the charming colonial cities of Merida & Campeche. Also visit Celestun Biosphere Reserve, the flamingos at Rio Lagartos & pink salt flats at Las Coloradas. Afterwards relax in Tulum, with its turquoise Caribbean beaches.
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• Campeche
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• Tulum Beaches
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• Palenque
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• Mexico Self Drive Holiday
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• Chichen Itza
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• Merida
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• Rio Lagartos & Las Coloradas
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• Yucatan Peninsula, Car Hire
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• Valladolid
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• Celestun Biosphere Reserve
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![Mexico Tours Mayan Ruins Oaxaca Puebla Palenque Merida Yucatan Peninsula]()
Our Grand Mexico tours combine ancient Mayan ruins and fabulous colonial cities, with a gorgeous Caribbean beach. Visit Mexico City with its amazing pyramids & history, the cultural centres of Oaxaca & Puebla, indigenous villages of San Cristobal, Mayan ruins at Palenque. Also visit Campeche & colonial Merida on the Yucatan Peninsula, before relaxing on the fabulous Mayan Riveira.
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• Yucatan Peninsula
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• Palenque & Campeche
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• San Cristobal & Villages
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• Mexico Tours, Mayan Ruins
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• Oaxaca & Puebla
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• Mayan Riviera
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• Merida & Uxmal
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• Mayan Ruins
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• Mexico City Pyramids
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• Chichen Itza
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![Mexico Small Group Tours Yucatan Mayan Ruins Palenque Tulum Chichen Itza]()
Our Mexico small group tours focus on the history and culture of Chiapas and the Yucatan Peninsula, with their amazing Mayan ruins, travelling from San Cristobal in the highlands to the Caribbean beaches near Tulum. Explore colonial cities, Indian villages & spectacular Palenque & Chichen Itza. 2 departures a month, with dual language English & Spanish guide.
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• Uxmal & Merida
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• Chichen Itza
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• Mexico Small Group Tours
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• Palenque
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• Campeche
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• Mexico
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• San Cristobal
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• Yucatan Mayan Ruins
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• Tulum
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• Indian Villages
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![Mexico Private Tours Tailor Made Mayan Ruins Palenque Chichen Itza Tulum]()
Our Mexico private tours can be tailor made to your needs. Explore the archaelogical treasures of Mexico City, then fly to San Cristobal and travel through the Yucatan Peninsula with your own driver/guide, viewing the Mayan ruins at Palenque, Uxmal & Chichen Itza. Also visit lovely Campeche, before relaxing on the turquoise beaches of the Riviera Maya at Tulum. English speaking guide, all transfers & excursions included.
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• Palenque Temple
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• Chichen Itza
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• Mexico City
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• Campeche
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• Teotihuacan Pyramids
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• San Cristobal
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• Mexico Private Tours, Tailor Made
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• Mayan Ruins
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• Tuxtla & Sumidero Canyon
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• Tulum beaches
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![Mexico Holiday Oaxaca Palenque Merida Uxmal Chichen Itza Pyramids]()
This Mexico holiday starts with a visit to the astonishing ancient pyramids outside Mexico City, before flying to Oaxaca, famous for its festivals & culture. Visit indigenous villages around San Cristobal & travel to the stunning Mayan Ruins at Palenque. Then fly to colonial Merida & visit Uxmal, Kabah & Chicken Itza, before relaxing on the stunning Yucatan coast. English speaking guide, all transfers & specified sightseeing included.
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• Chichen Itza
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• Oaxaca
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• Palenque Ruins
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• Playa Del Carmen
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• Mexico City
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• San Cristobal
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• Merida
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• Mexico Holiday & Oaxaca
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• Teotihuacan Pyramids
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• Indian Villages
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