Explore Food, Culture, and Maya Traditions With an Expert Guide
Indulge your senses and explore the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula on a food lover’s dream tour. From savoring beach-side seafood to learning the art of making tortillas, this journey dives into the region’s unique culinary heritage, recognized by UNESCO as a treasure of intangible cultural heritage. Led by an archaeologist with a passion for food and deep knowledge of Maya traditions, this tour offers an unforgettable combination of history, flavor, and hands-on experiences. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a Valladolid walking tour, taste honey straight from Maya beekeepers, and sip traditional chocolate beverages that have been enjoyed for centuries.
This isn’t just about eating – it’s about connecting with the land, the people, and their rich traditions. You’ll swim in the crystal-clear cenotes, feast on longaniza sausage in Temozon, and end your adventure with a Mexican cooking class where you’ll bring the flavors of the Yucatán to life. Perfectly paced for those who want to slow down, savor the tropical heat, and explore the deep interplay between culture and cuisine, this tour promises a feast for your stomach and your soul.
Tour Highlights
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Tour Logistics
Tour Logistics
Price
From $140 per person, per day (based on a recommended tour duration of 5 days for 10 people).
Kids 13 and under receive a 20% discount.
Departure time
Flexible. We recommend morning time arrivals to make the most of your time.
Meeting point
The airport or your hotel in Mérida, Cancún, or Tulum.
Availability
Year round, upon request.
Accommodations
Mid-range, with options to upgrade to luxury accommodations.
Duration
Flexible. Options from 1 – 5 days.
Group size
1 – 10 guests per tour.
Included
- Transportation
- Accommodation
- Entrance fees to sites
- Cost of activities
- Lunch
Not included
- Airfare
- Alcoholic beverages
- Dinner
- Tips
What to bring
- Light rain accessories
- Hat
- Sunscreen (reef-safe–some sites require it)
- Insect repellent
- Swimwear
- Comfortable closed-toed shoes
- Water shoes
About the guide
Your tour leader is an academic with an MA in Anthropology. He’s written extensively about the ancient and contemporary Maya people, and he lives in Yucatán. He’s fluent in English and Spanish to translate for you, and he knows the contemporary Maya language as well. You’ll also get to meet a number of his Maya friends and colleagues on the way.
What You’ll See & Do
Our itineraries are flexible based on where you fly in and how long you’ll be in the area, making this Foodie Tour a perfect fit for any schedule. Because it focuses on local cultural foods, the activities vary slightly depending on the time of year, but our favorite version of the Foodie Tour looks like this:
Day 1: Arrive in Cancún, Tulum, or Mérida, and make your way to Valladolid, a charming colonial town with cobblestone streets and pastel-colored buildings. Kick off your adventure with a welcome dinner featuring Yucatecan specialties and prepared using time-honored techniques. After dinner, enjoy a leisurely walking tour through Valladolid’s historic streets and learn about the town’s cultural significance.
Day 2: Venture into the surrounding communities to uncover traditional Maya culinary practices. Visit a beekeeping site to see how the ancient Maya have been cultivating stingless bees for generations, producing prized honey known for its medicinal properties. Learn about the fascinating history of chewing gum production, once a key industry in the region, and savor authentic Maya chocolate beverages crafted from cacao grown nearby. In the afternoon, explore the awe-inspiring Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, before cooling off with a refreshing swim in one of the region’s crystal-clear cenotes.
Day 3: Head north to Temozon, a small town renowned for its smoky longaniza sausage. Discover the secrets behind this regional delicacy as you enjoy a hearty meal. From there, continue to Rio Lagartos, a peaceful coastal town where you’ll indulge in the freshest beachside seafood, from grilled fish to shrimp ceviche. End the day relaxing at a beachside hotel, listening to the waves lapping the shore as you wind down.
Days 4 – 5: Return to Valladolid for a morning visit to its bustling mercado. Stroll through the vibrant stalls brimming with fresh produce, aromatic spices, and handmade tortillas, soaking up the local culture. In the afternoon, attend a Mexican cooking class where you’ll recreate some of the dishes you’ve experienced during the tour. Finally, head back to the airport of your choice.
Note: Please inform us of any dietary restrictions or allergies you may have. In many cases, we can accommodate them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read our frequently asked questions for more information about this tour:
Email us at arkeogato@gmail.com or fill out our contact form with as much info as you can to get the most accurate quote.
No! Your tour leader speaks English and Spanish and will translate as necessary.
In most cases, dietary restrictions can be accommodated.
No, these are private tours. In the future, we may offer some small-group tours on important local holidays, but those will be advertised as such.
Merida in the Yucatán Peninsula is considered to be one of the safest metropolitan areas in the world. In general, the Yucatán Peninsula is one of the safest regions of Mexico for travelers, and the crime rate can be compared to travel destinations like Paris or London. As in any part of the world, travelers should exercise good judgment and avoid conspicuous displays of wealth.
The Must See Yucatán and Foodie’s Delight tours are great for families and can be adjusted to accommodate any age. The Off the Beaten Path tour is more physically intensive, including hiking, bicycling, and two nights of rugged sleeping that can be difficult for younger children.
If you can only spend one day on the tour, we’ll chat with you about your priorities. Depending on your availability, we can cut or add sites based on your preference. For example, if you’ve only got one day, we might visit Chichen Itza or Uxmal, eat a nice lunch, visit another small local site, and hang out at a cenote.
For a day tour, we typically recommend a street tour of Valladolid, a visit to see how local honey is produced, lunch, a culinary workshop, an art gallery in Valladolid, followed by dinner. (This is the only tour where we provide a welcome dinner for single-day tours.)
Our pricing reflects clean, quality mid-range hotels with wifi and other amenities, but if you prefer more luxurious hotels for the Must See Yucatán and the Foodie Yucatán tours, let us know. The hotels and cabañas in the Off the Beaten Path tour may be more rustic, as you might expect from a more adventurous tour.
Lunches are included, and we try to favor hotels with complementary breakfasts. We will also occasionally provide regional snacks such as marquesitas, chocolate beverages, etc. depending on the tour. All trips also include a welcome dinner. (Each meal includes one entree and a drink; alcoholic beverages not included.)
You will have most evenings free to explore, and we are happy to give you recommendations for activities in the cities we visit.
