Nat Geo Day Tour: Exploring the Underworld and Mayan Culture
When you imagine the ancient Mayans peering into mysteriously deep and limpid underground pools, it's easy to see how they came to believe these cenotes were windows to the underworld. This National Geographic Day Tour is a journey into the deepest aspects of Mayan culture, bridging the gap between the tempting beauty of the cenotes the region is so famous for, and the significance they hold in local tradition. You'll begin the day with a descent into either Abuelo or Zoi Che cenote, where you can choose to enjoy a cooling dip. These water-filled caverns offer a tangible connection to the Mayan way of life. Your National Geographic-trained guide will explain how the fresh water of cenotes was crucial for the survival of Mayan settlements, especially given the scarcity of rivers and lakes in the Yucatan. As well as their spiritual status, the guide will also describe the Mayan concept of the underworld, or Xibalba, and it's nine layered structure which is reflected in many of Mexico's Mayan pyramids. Next, you'll take a guided stroll along the Mayan Path of Xibalba where thirteen representations of Mayan gods punctuate the route, and your guide will unravel their stories on the way. National Geographic guests will have private access to the park's recently discovered fifth cenote, steeped in the aura of the ancient world. After your exploration of the connection between cenotes and Mayan culture and beliefs, it's time to relax over a traditional homemade local lunch, a homage to the region's culinary heritage.
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Guided Tour of Tulum and Visit to a Modern Maya Community
Exploring ancient ruins and swimming in underground caves make this an action-packed morning of adventure. A guided tour of one of Mexico's most important historical sites is followed by a visit to a traditional Mayan community. What's more, you'll get the chance to take a refreshing dip in a cenote too.
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Holbox Island Boat and Buggy Tour from Chiquila
Holbox Island offers 36km of pristine white beaches washed by emerald green seas. On this exclusive TUI excursion, you'll tour spots like Isla Pasion and Punta Mosquito on a private boat, enjoy lunch at a five-star eco resort and more. And there's also golf buggy tour of the island to look forward to.
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Coba Maya Ruins Tour with Lunch and Cenote Swim
A journey deep into the Yucatán jungle to discover the ancient Maya city of Coba. You'll learn about their enigmatic culture, see the Great Pyramid, meet local villagers and swim in a sacred cenote
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Tulum, Cenote Swim, Turtle Snorkelling & Beach Club Combo Tour
Exploring Mexico just got a whole lot easier. On this full day adventure, you'll tick off no less than four different activities. Start with a guided visit of the archaeological site of Tulum, then head to a cenote for a swim. Next, it's off to Akumal for a spot of snorkelling. Round off your day with lunch at a beach club. Carmen, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘The most photographed structure in the archaeological site is the Castillo, which is perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The Castillo might be the most famous, but there are plenty of other ancient Mayan ruins to explore, such as the Temple of the Descending God and the Temple of the Frescoes.'The marvels of the Mayan culture will be revealed on your guided tour around Tulum. You'll learn about it's past as a walled city, and its former role as a trading hub. After the tour you'll have free time to explore at your leisure. Next, prepare to be dazzled by colours at an ancient Mayan cenote, a natural cave with a freshwater pool fed by underground water sources and considered sacred by the Mayans.After a cooling swim, we'll head for the picturesque seaside community of Akumal, known for its laid-back atmosphere, natural beauty, and abundant marine life. With its intriguing underwater world, Akumal offers one of the best snorkelling experiences in the Riviera Maya. Encounter an array of tropical fish, corals, and perhaps even sea turtles. To complete your day, unwind and indulge in a tasty meal at a nearby beach club.
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Tulum Tour with Nopalitos Lagoon and Lunch
This adults-only tour has a healthy fifty-fifty mix of culture and chilling out time. You'll firstly explore the Maya ruins of Tulum, the only site by the sea, then while away the remaining hours at the exclusive Nopalito lagoon, where you can relax and try out some paddleboarding and kayaking.
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Chichen Itza Private Tour with Transport and Local Guide
The ancient ruins of Chichen Itza are one of Mexico's must-visits. This exclusive experience lets you see the site before the crowds arrive and tour the complex with an expert guide. Then, delve into the depths of the Mayan underworld with a cenote swim and visit a traditional Maya village for lunch.
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Aventuras Mayas Jungle Park with Mexican Lunch
If you're all about action and adventure, a day of fun-filled thrills awaits at Aventuras Mayas Jungle Park. Speed through the jungle by ATV, fly through the treetops by zipwire and abseil into a cenote to swim in one of these impressive underground chambers. And when it's time for a break, there's a tasty Mexican buffet on offer.
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Adults-only Riviera Maya Boat Trip with Open Bar and Lunch
There's nothing quite like that ‘you've made it' holiday feeling, and this adults-only boat trip features all the little luxuries and a new perspective on Mexico. Crafted and designed with you in mind, this cruise is offered exclusively by TUI – among the unique touches are fresh fruit, lunch and, of course, swim stops and water sports.
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Tulum Private Tour with a Local Guide and Maya Community Visit
This exclusive private tour ensures you'll be one of the first visitors through the gates to explore the Yucatan's best-preserved archaeological site – the ancient ruins of Tulum. A guided tour is followed by a swim in an underground cave and a stop by a typical Mayan community.
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Private Tulum Tour with Nopalitos Lagoon and Lunch
This private tour has an ideal 50/50 mix of culture and relaxation. First, you'll explore the Maya ruins of Tulum, their only city by the sea, then while away the remaining hours at the Nopalitos lagoon, which only recently opened to the public. Gustavo, one of our local guides, says, ‘Just when you think the Riviera Maya has no surprises left up its sleeve, you discover Nopalitos. Its flat water, with virtually every shade of blue imaginable, changes before your eyes as the clouds drift above the lagoon.'You'll kick off with a guided tour of the archaeological site of the Maya city of Tulum – the only one they built on the coast. As you admire monuments such as the Temple of the God of Wind and El Castillo pyramid, you'll be treated to views over the Caribbean. Afterwards, you'll have some free time to either hit the beach – famed for its turtles – there or take a few more photos. Gustavo says, ‘Tulum is that perfect balance between culture and nature. You see all these iguanas lazing around the ruins of the city and turtles ambling along the beach.'Then, it's on to Nopalitos. This freshwater lagoon gets its name from its similarity to the pads of the nopal cactus, also known as the prickly pear. It's darker in the middle because there's a deep cenote there. It's ideal for relaxing or trying out some paddleboarding and kayaking. After lunch, you can hit the hammocks or dangle your feet over the water from the wooden jetty.
ATV Ride, Cenote and Catamaran Cruise from Cancun with Lunch
Adventure-filled days are what holidays in Mexico's Riviera Maya are all about. This exciting tour offers a special combination of thrills on land and the serenity of the water. Paola, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘The contrasts are what make this excursion so appealing – the high-octane fun of the ATV ride followed by the peace of the cenote, and the two beautiful locations of Puerto Morelos Park and Marina Maroma.' Kick off the adventure with an exhilarating 45-minute ride through rugged terrain on a powerful ATV. This rip-roaring journey takes you down dirt roads, zipping around curves, and bounding over roots and rocks in the wilds of the jungle. Feel the rush of adrenaline and the wind against your face as you navigate through the green landscape, offering an unparalleled start to your excursion. Then, you'll switch from high-energy thrills to the tranquility of a hidden cenote. These mystical natural pools, integral to the Mayan world, are unspoilt underground water reservoirs. After a leisurely lunch of authentic Mexican cuisine, you'll enjoy a change of scenery as you transfer to the catamaran and sail the crystalline waters of the Caribbean Sea. Your trip culminates with snorkeling sessions at the Great Mayan Reef, offering a close-up view of vibrant marine life and coral formations. Your memorable day concludes with a return to the marina for the transfer back to base, rounding off a day full of adventure, nature, and culture.
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