Haciendas, Beaches and the Wildlife of the Yucatan

Tulum is an idyllic and charming place to relax and enjoy sparkling warm ocean waters, sublime white beaches and Mayan archaeological ruins. Set on the coastline of the Yucatán Peninsula, Tulum is the site of a pre-Columbian Mayan walled city and the perfect base for an array of aquatic activities.

You'll be collected from your hotel to catch a boat with your guide to a secluded area known as Yalku-ito; a place where the freshwater that runs underneath the ground of the Yucatan Peninsula exits towards the ocean. Here, fresh and saltwater mixes creating a rare visual effect called the halocline and the temperature and combination of waters are known to attract fish in large schools.

This inlet has an important role for marine life because it acts as a nursery for fish, so lots of juveniles, new born fish and turtles hang around this area before adventuring to the outer reefs.

After spending some time here, the crew will take you to Akumal Bay to observe the sea life there and show you the difference between the two ecosystems, which despite being so near they're quite different from each other.

Begin the day with a visit to the archaeological site of Tulum. This walled Mayan city was occupied during the Post-classic period, late in the history of the Mayas, and is famous for its unique architectural style and its beautiful setting, overlooking the turquoise Caribbean sea. Admire the sculpture on the buildings as you wander through this lovely site.

With a circumference area of 202 meters, this cenote (a natural sinkhole that's very common in the Yucatan) is popular with families and first time cenote swimmers. You pass through well-kept gardens before descending a natural rock and wooden plank stairway to the wooden platforms and gardens below.

At the bottom of the stairs, first-timers tend to veer to the right where you'll find a shallow snorkelling area with a soft white sand bottom. With a snorkel mask, you can see the large stalactites up close.

Spend your days here relaxing in the Caribbean castaway setting of Holbox Island - you can rent a golf buggy to explore, do some birdwatching (as the island is a proven sanctuary for migrating birds), fishing, kayaking, kitesurfing and sailing, or simply unwind at your hotel.

Enjoy one of the best marine wildlife experiences in Mexico. A private boat and crew will be waiting to take you to the location where the whale sharks have been spotted. Once you arrive, you'll be given a safety briefing and rules for swimming with these amazing creatures, before getting into the water to swim with them.

The tour can last three to five hours and the whale shark season is from May to September.

The Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve covers an area of 60,347 hectares and is home to 580 different species: 58 species of mammals, 356 species of birds, 95 species of amphibians and reptiles and a record of 71 species of fish. Some are specially protected species to be endangered, and some are endemic to the Yucatan Peninsula. Here, you'll embark on a boat safari to spot the wildlife with expert guides, before your transfer to your chosen hotel or hacienda.

Possibly the most famous Mayan ruin in all of Mexico, your expert local guide will bring the pre-Colombian history of the country to life and Mayan heritage of sites such as this.

Your guide will drop you off at the charming Hacienda Chichen for a gourmet lunch.

Your guide will bring you to a local cenote (a naturally occurring, fresh water borehole that is quite common on the Yucatan Peninsula) for a refreshing dip in the waters.

Your guide will make a stop at the lesser known Mayan ruins of Dzibilchaltun. Though small in comparison to sites like Chichen Itza, it holds a certain charm thanks to its compact size and crystal clear cenote for swimming. Your guide will show you around the complex, detailing its ancient and colonial history, stopping at the Temple of the Seven Dolls (Templo de las Siete Muñecas), and there's an air-conditioned museum on the premises that houses Mayan and Catholic artefacts from the site.

Tixkokob (meaning place of poisonous snakes in Mayan) is famous within the Yucatan area for high-quality hammock weaving. Your private tour will stop here and your guide will point out the best shops for a purchase, should you like.

Your expert local guide will escort you around the city to see the cultural landmarks and historical heritage, which has shaped Merida. Bringing history and architecture to life, your guide will help you explore the city's past to present in a comprehensive tour.

You'll be brought to the glamorous and historical Hacienda Xcanatun for a gourmet lunch at the Casa de Piedra restaurant.

Today, your private guide will meet you at your hotel and drive you to some of the region’s best ancient Mayan sites and archaeological ruins of Uxmal.

Explore the archaeological ruins of Kabah, just to the south of the Uxmal complex. Your guide will fill you in on all the history behind each site, helping to bring alive the legends, myths and theories, while you enjoy the spectacular jungle setting and marvel at the wonders of Mexico’s sophisticated pre-Colombian civilisation.

Kabah is famous for its ornate Temple to Chaac, the Rain God of the Maya, with a facade covered in repetitious masks of Chaac. The site also has a number of other palaces, low stone buildings, and step-pyramid temples.

This archaeological site is just further south of Kabah, and is a complex that stands on a causeway. Its most famous feature is the Great Palace with 90 bedrooms, and the El Mirador Pyramid.

Your next stop along the route is X-Lapak located between Sayil and Labná. It's a somewhat small complex of some 14 mounds, a nine-room palace with intricate facades, and three pyramids. This site is less developed and more like the ruins as they were before re-discovery, but still well preserved.

Also just south of Uxmal is Labna, which is also a UNESCO-protected site. Your guide will bring to life the vestiges of the Palace, the Arch, El Mirador and the many bas-reliefs that Labna is well known for.

Next stop will be the Loltún Caves just south of the town of Oxkutzcab, which contain paintings from the Maya civilisation's late pre-classic era. An extensive cave that goes on for two kilometers, evidence of human habitation has been found in the form of tools, engravings, paintings and even mammoth bones.