Discover the beating heart of Mexico on a journey south from the bustling capital to the rugged Pacific coastline. After immersing yourself in Mexico City’s vibrant cityscape, you head to the glorious colonial city of Puebla through the Sierra Madre Mountains where UNESCO monuments are framed against the mighty Popocatépetl Volcano. From here, you explore the famous colours, culture and cuisine of Oaxaca before heading across to the Pacific coast to end the trip at a comfortable resort.
Itinerary Highlights
Take a taditional boat through the floating gardens of Xochimilco
Visit the extraordinary Great Pyramid of Cholula
Tour the remarkable Zapotec sites of Monte Alban & Mitla
Join a cooking class in the culinary capital Oaxaca
Enjoy some R&R along the picturesque coastline of Huatulco
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
11
Nights
Price Guide
Prices on demand
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Mexico City
Day 2-3
Mexico City – History, Art & Culture
Your journey starts in Mexico City, a buzzing metropolis and fascinating melting pot of history, colours, culture and art. Founded on the site of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, Mexico City is brimming with galleries, monuments and museums. Spend a day in the colonial centre touring the national palace, Fine Arts Museum, cathedral and Aztec Templo Mayor before venturing into the suburbs to visit Diego Rivera & Frida Kahlo’s former home – the “Casa Azul” – and the floating gardens of Xochimilco, a remnant of the Aztec Lake Tenochtitlan. No trip to Mexico City is complete without visiting the ancient site of Teotihuacán, home to the enormous Temple of the Sun and the Moon, while for European history buffs, head to Chapultepec Castle, former residence of the doomed French Emperor Maximilian.
Day 4-5
Puebla – Under the shadow of Popocatepetl
Your itinerary traces the route of the conquistadors as you travel south through the “Paso de Cortes” at 3600m above sea-level to reach the beautiful UNESCO colonial city Puebla. Puebla epitomises the glory of old Spain, a city graced with beautiful architecture, historic churches and elegant monuments. Tour the city on foot, delve into the markets and visit the historic fortresses of Loreto and Guadalupe. Close by, the Great Pyramid of Cholula is unmissable and the face of Mexico, a vivid swathe of yellow set against the huge snow-capped Volcano Popocatepetl. Sitting atop the original Tlachihualtepetl pyramid, the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios is the classic symbol of Spain’s colonial conquest, a picturesque 16th century church rising from the ashes of ancient Mexico.
Day 6-8
Oaxaca – mexico’s culinary capital
From Puebla, you continue overland across the spine of Mexico to reach Oaxaca, a wonderful university city famed for its colonial architecture, regional cuisine and traditional handicrafts. Visit at the end of October and the city comes alive during the “Day of the Dead” celebrations with eerie, candle-lit effigies, skull shaped candies and popular Mexican artwork. Oaxaca is best explored on foot, a city of cobbled streets, elegant monuments, pastel-coloured houses and regional colour. Lauded as the culinary capital of Mexico, why not arrange a private cooking class and the chance to learn some classic regional dishes? Just outside the city, the Zapotec sites of Monte Alban is fascinating, dating back to 500 BC. and characterised by soaring terraces and platforms that overlook the surrounding countryside.
Day 9-11
From mountains to coast
Leaving Oaxaca behind, you drop out of the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca mountains and head 3 hours’ south to the Pacific Coast to finish your journey at the pretty coastal resort of Huatulco. Set across 9 bays punctuated by rocky coves and jagged cliffs all framed by the Sierra Madre del Sur range, Huatulco is charming low-rise, low impact tourist destination originally founded by Mexico’s National Tourism Fund to protect the unique coastline from over-development. With over 36 golden beaches to explore as well as a host of eco-adventures, there is so much to see and do from swimming, snorkelling and surfing to boat trips, hiking, paddling and canyoning.
Day 12
Transfer to the airport for onward connections
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Prices on demand
When to travel
janfebmaraprmayjunjulaugsepoctnovdec
Mexico is a wonderful year-round destination although each region has its own separate micro-climate. In the south, temperatures range between 25 – 35° in the lowlands and on the Pacific and Yucatan Peninsula. Here, days are warmer and more humid between May and October, the rainy season where afternoons often end with a short tempestuous downpour. However, Mexico’s Caribbean coast does lie on the hurricane belt which is at its height between the months of September and October. Travelling north through Mexico’s colonial highlands up into the Sierra Madre Mountains, temperatures drop down into the 10’s and beyond owing to the altitude especially over Christmas although days tend to be bright and generally sunny. Baja California is dry, arid and hottest between January and February, a time that coincides with excellent walking in the Copper Canyon and whale-watching in the lagoons of Magdalena Bay.
If you're planning a trip to Mexico in January, it's important to pack accordingly for the weather. The average temperature in Mexico during this month is around 21°C during the day and about 12°C at night, so you'll want to bring light layers to accommodate for the fluctuating temperatures. While the weather can vary depending on your location in Mexico, it's generally a good idea to bring a light jacket or sweater for the cooler evenings. Don't forget to check the forecast before you go, and be prepared for the possibility of rain in certain regions.
Mexico in February, you should expect slightly cooler temperatures than in January. On average, the daytime temperature is around 19°C and drops to about 10°C at night. It's still important to pack light layers to accommodate for the fluctuating temperatures, and a light jacket or sweater is advisable for the cooler evenings.
Mexico in March, you can expect warmer temperatures compared to February. The average daytime temperature is around 23°C and drops to about 14°C at night. However, it's still a good idea to pack layers as temperatures can fluctuate throughout the day.
Mexico in April, you can expect warmer temperatures compared to March. The average daytime temperature is around 27°C and drops to about 17°C at night.
May, it's important to be prepared for the weather. The average temperature in Mexico during this time of year is around 26°C, so you'll want to pack light and breathable clothing. However, it's important to note that temperatures can vary depending on where you are in Mexico. In coastal areas, temperatures can be slightly cooler thanks to the ocean breeze, while inland areas can be much hotter.
Mexico during the month of June are expected to range from 22 to 32 degrees Celsius. The weather should be relatively warm and sunny, with a small chance of rain in some areas. It's always a good idea to check the forecast before traveling, but overall, June is a great time to visit Mexico and enjoy all that this beautiful country has to offer.
Mexico is typically warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 22 to 33 degrees Celsius. While there may be a chance of rain in some areas, overall it is a great time to visit Mexico and enjoy all the amazing sights and experiences this country has to offer.
August, you can expect warm temperatures ranging from 23 to 34 degrees Celsius. Like in July, there might be a chance of rain, but overall it's a great time to explore all that Mexico has to offer.
Mexico in September, you can expect warm temperatures ranging from 22 to 32 degrees Celsius. While there may be some occasional rain, overall it's still a great time to travel and explore the country.
Mexico in October, you can expect similar temperatures to September, ranging from 21 to 31 degrees Celsius. However, there may be a slightly higher chance of rain, so it's important to keep an eye on the weather forecast and pack accordingly.
Mexico in November, you can expect temperatures to range from 19 to 28 degrees Celsius. It's generally a dry month, but there may be occasional rain showers, so it's still a good idea to check the weather forecast before packing. Overall, November is a great time to visit Mexico and take advantage of the warm weather and beautiful scenery.
Mexico in December, temperatures will generally range from 17 to 26 degrees Celsius. It is also a dry month, but as always, it's good to keep an eye on the weather forecast before packing. December is a wonderful time to visit Mexico and enjoy the pleasant weather and stunning landscapes.
Add on’s
Why not fly east to Merida and visit the ancient Mayan wonders of Uxmal and Chichen Itza. From here, you could head into the rainforest of Chiapas to visit the idyllic site Palenque before venturing across the border into Guatemala to take in the highlights of Tikal, Antigua and Lake Atitlan.
Mexico also combines beautifully with Costa Rica, Central America’s wildlife capital, home to stunning national parks such as Tortuguero, Cahuita and Arenal. There are also direct flights to Lima and the unique contrast of Inca Peru – Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca as well as connections to both Quito and Ecuador, gateway to the wildlife wonderland of the Galapagos.
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