Discover Parts of the Yucatán Peninsula You Never Knew Existed!
Ready to venture off the beaten path and discover the hidden wonders of the Yucatán? This is the tour for travelers seeking adventure, deeper connections with nature, and a true taste of Maya culture. Led by an expert anthropologist fluent in English, Spanish, and who can both speak the contemporary Maya language, and read ancient hieroglyphics, you’ll kayak through pristine lagoons, bike deep into the jungle, and explore near-forgotten Maya ruins at sunset.
From playing with bees in the jungle to camping by bioluminescent lightning bugs, this tour is perfect for those looking to experience the Yucatán like never before. Enjoy a Coba tour from Tulum or other other lesser-known archaeological wonders, then take a peaceful Bacalar boat tour on the stunning “Lake of Seven Colors.” Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning for a new adventure, this tour will show you a side of the Yucatán you won’t find in any guidebook.
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
You’ll stay mid-range hotels and cabañas.
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 depending on your arrival location and how long you’ll be in the area, but here’s the version of the Yucatán Off the Beaten Path Tour we love the most:
Day 1: Arrive in Tulum and head straight to Coba, one of the Yucatán’s lesser-known but equally impressive Maya ruins. Skip the overrun Tulum archaeological site and instead climb the tallest pyramid in the region for panoramic views of the jungle stretching out beneath you. Afterward, cool off by swimming in nearby cenotes, natural freshwater sinkholes surrounded by lush vegetation.
Days 2 – 3: Make your way to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site where you’ll hike through untouched jungle, swim in crystal-clear waters, and observe an incredible variety of birds in their natural habitat. From there, head down to the serene Ocom Lagoon outside of Carrillo Puerto, where you’ll spend the night in a cozy cabaña by the water. Wake up to the sounds of nature, then take an early-morning bike ride through the lush countryside before learning about the fascinating Maya tradition of stingless bee farming – a unique experience you won’t find just anywhere.
Day 4: Head to the magical town of Bacalar, where you’ll explore the stunning Lake of Seven Colors on a boat tour, taking in its vibrant shades of blue and learning about the area’s rich history. Visit the fortress overlooking the lake and hear about the area’s colonial past. Later, check in to the Ki’ichpam K’aax Eco-Lodge for the night, where you’ll hear spine-chilling Maya ghost stories around the campfire under a starlit sky.
Day 5: Start with a refreshing dip in a cenote before heading to a local farm where you can try your hand at pineapple picking. Enjoy a delicious lunch with a local family, getting a taste of traditional Maya cuisine before heading back to Tulum to wrap up your journey.
As always, this trip is customizable based on your interests and the time you have available, so if you’ve already visited some of these spots or want to explore different areas, let us know, and we’ll tailor the itinerary just for you.
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.
