23 Day Magic Mexico & Cuba

Hola! Welcome to Mexico. You’ll be met on arrival at Mexico City International Airport and taken to your hotel.

The rest of the day is free for you to relax, or explore this intriguing, bustling capital. Given Mexico’s rich history, it’s little surprise that Mexico City is home to the second largest number of museums in the world, behind London. You’ll find it all here – art, architecture… and of course, the food.

Trying the famed street food is a must – tacos, breakfast tamales, seafood tostadas, churros. Fried grasshoppers, chapulines, are a local delicacy. Get used to guacamole being served with every meal and remember: sip your tequila, don’t down it like a shot.

Please note:

Some flights may depart the day before.

Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day from as early as 6am through to late evening. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotels discretion.

The oldest city in the Americas, Mexico City boasts a rich history, and you’ll find countless relics and remnants of its past.

After breakfast we’ll visit the city’s main square and historic centre – the zocalo – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s home to many of the main tourist attractions, like the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral on the northern side and the grand National Palace on the east side. Once upon a time the square was used as a bullfighting arena; today, it’s used for festivals and parades.

We’ll then see the National Museum of Anthropology, which houses a priceless collection of artefacts, some dating from 35,000 years ago. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of this purpose-built facility, featuring 11 sections dedicated to different eras and civilisations. It houses the world’s largest collection of ancient Mexican art. The Aztec sun stone sculpture is perhaps the most well-known exhibit, but Olmec sculptures and Mayan murals haven’t lost their beauty after all these centuries! Scale models of pre-colonial cities offer an insight into the architectural feats of these ancient civilisations.

Having observed artefacts from the different civilisations that inhabited Mexico before the arrival of the Spaniards, we’ll go on to visit the remnants of the Aztecs at the well-preserved ruins of Teotihuacan. You’ll be overwhelmed by the sheer scale of this once-vast city.

Step back in time as you stroll along the Avenue of the Dead, towards the imposing 2,000-year-old Pyramid of the Sun, one of the two iconic, towering pyramids here. At the end of the visit, there is some free time to explore the site and to climb one of the colossal pyramids to take in the panoramic views.

We’ll then return to the city, stopping at the famous Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine to visit both the 16th-century old basilica and the new basilica, built in 1976. This is an important Catholic pilgrimage site, visited by several million people every year.

When we return to the hotel in the evening, the rest of the night is yours to relax or explore.

We’ll head north this morning through the highlands of the Sierra Mixteca, arriving at Santa Maria Tonantzintla, an astoundingly ornate church in a style that is a native adaptation of the nearby Rosary Chapel.

We’ll continue on to reach the colonial city of Puebla at midday. Enjoy a panoramic tour taking in most of the city’s famous churches, such as the Baroque-style Puebla Cathedral, and the imposing Church of St Francis with its towering belfry. We’ll visit Templo de Santo Domingo to admire the gilded and sculpted Rosary Chapel inside, a masterpiece of Mexican Baroque style.

Founded by the Spaniards in 1531, this city’s architecture is a dream, with a range of styles on display. Puebla’s downtown area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A short walk through the picturesque city centre allows you to appreciate the baroque palaces, monasteries and mansions. You’ll notice the widespread use of Cantera stone, a local grey volcanic rock, as well as red brick and tiles.

Enjoy a mouthwatering lunch before setting off for Oaxaca to check into your hotel. It’s a distance of approximately 475km, which normally takes six or seven hours.

We’ll head to Monte Albán, the ancient Zapotec capital, located on a mountain summit just a few kilometres west of Oaxaca. Together with colonial Oaxaca, this archaeological wonder comprises a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Founded around 500 BC, this feat of engineering stands 400 metres above the Oaxaca Valley. The ruins of pyramids, temples, plazas and other residential structures all centre on the main plaza, a large open square on the mysteriously artificially-flattened mountain-top – the size of more than 50 football fields! This mysterious site features some oddly shaped structures. From here you can enjoy 360-degree views of the city and valleys below. The relics are in a remarkably good state – the ball court looks like it could still be used.

Next we’ll make our way to Mitla, the ancient religious centre of the Zapotec culture, whose name translates to ‘place of rest’. Admire the incredible geometric designs covering the tombs and walls of this ancient site.

Then we’ll head to the suburb of Santa Maria del Tule, to see the sacred Tule Tree, a 1400-year-old Montezuma cypress. The tree’s gnarled trunk has a circumference of 42 metres and a diameter of 14, making it the stoutest in the world. It dwarfs the town’s main church.

We’ll return to Oaxaca and the rest of the day is free time for you. This vibrant city is a cultural and culinary hub. Relax in one of the patio cafes surrounding the zocalo (the main square), stroll through one of its hectic markets, or have a taste of the city’s famous mezcal – the other agave spirit. Oaxaca is known for its lively nightlife.

We’ll hit the road early this morning and enjoy breakfast on the way as we travel to the Sumidero Canyon, one of Mexico’s top natural wonders. This awe-inspiring gorge, carved into the earth over millions of years by the River Grijalva, has to be one of Mother Nature’s most underrated masterpieces.

During a spectacular boat tour along the imposing canyon bed, you’ll appreciate just how deep the ravine gorge is as you find yourself dwarfed by the sheer scale of its walls, covered in thick vegetation. Look out for crocodiles!

We’ll continue on to San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Today we’ll drive approximately 685km which typically takes ten hours, so make sure you have a good book handy or just enjoy the scenery!

We’ll visit the traditional Mayan village of San Juan de Chamula this morning. The town is almost entirely inhabited by the Tzotzil Maya, known for their distinctive clothing. Men wear tunics called chujes and the women favour colourful blouses known as huipils.

San Juan de Chamula is famous for its whitewashed cathedral, Iglesia de San Juan, with colourful ornamentation and pine-scented, candlelit interior – there are no pews, rather, dry pine needles cover the floor. You might observe the intriguing religious rituals that the locals perform. Worshippers gulp down soft drink so they can burp to get rid of evil spirits.

We’ll also visit the indigenous village of Zinacantan. It’s renowned for the quality of its weavers and the local shops and markets offer great variety.

Please note: Taking photographs and videos of the people who live here, and inside temples and official buildings, or during processions and rituals is prohibited in San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan. Your tour leader will provide further guidance in this regard.

Upon your return to San Cristóbal de las Casas, the afternoon is free for you to explore this southern town. Wander the cobblestone streets and admire the pastel-hued houses in this dreamy mountain setting. As with most of these lively cities, the zocalo is an excellent spot for people watching and relaxing.

Perhaps you’d like to visit the imposing Baroque church of Templo Santo Domingo, or the colourful art and food markets where you can admire the traditional wear of the Maya cultures who live in this region. Iglesia de Guadalupe is not only a gorgeous church, it’s perched on a hilltop that offers breathtaking views of the city below if you climb to the roof. Inside, don’t miss the huge Guadalupe (Virgin Mary) statue above the altar, framed in neon lights.

We’ll head north for a journey of about five to six hours today. On the way, we’ll see the beautiful waterfalls in Chiapas. Take a dip in one of the natural pools filled with bright blue water below the roaring falls. This mesmerising natural area will impress you.

Afterwards, we’ll head to the city of Palenque.

We’ll visit the temples of Palenque first today. This Maya city-state flourished in the seventh century and here you’ll find some of the finest Mayan architecture, sculpture, roof comb and bas-relief carvings. Enjoy a fascinating guided tour to admire its beauty.

In the impressive Temple of Inscriptions, reaching almost 23 metres high, the tomb of the Maya ruler Pakal the Great was found and excavated in the 1950s.

In its heyday, Palenque was a sprawling city-state that covered nearly 60 square kilometres – archaeologists estimate that they have only excavated 5–10% of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. So far, more than 200 structures have been unearthed. The most prominent are the Temple of the Inscriptions, the Palace and the Temple of the Cross complex, a set of graceful temples atop pyramids.

Afterwards, we’ll head to Campeche on the Yucatan Peninsula. We’ll cover a distance of approximately 360km, in about four or five hours.

After breakfast this morning, we’ll venture out on a panoramic tour of this historic coastal city. A drive through the heart of the picturesque old town is a delight, with its pastel-coloured colonial houses, collonaded arcades and bell-gabled churches. You’ll then explore by foot, seeing sights such as ramparts of the old city walls and the Cathedral.

The Yucatan was once the home of the Maya empire. We’ll leave Campeche for the impressive archaeological site of Uxmal. As you approach, it comes into view as it rises above the canopy of the jungle. You’ll enjoy a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Unlike other Maya cities, Uxmal was devoured by the rainforest after the Spaniards arrived. The most famous structure is the 35-metre-tall Pyramid of the Magician, towering over the remarkably well-preserved Nunnery Quadrangle, four palaces on different levels surrounding a courtyard. Across the central plaza, just beyond the ball court, is the Governor’s Palace with its elaborately-decorated roof.

Then we’ll head for the beautiful colonial white city of Mérida, where we’ll take a panoramic tour to see the city’s highlights, like the Government Palace, City Hall, the Mérida Cathedral, Casa de Montejo and a typical market.

After breakfast, we’ll travel to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. We’ll head deep into the rainforests of the Yucatan peninsula in search of the legendary Maya city of Chichen Itza, which has been laboriously reclaimed from the jungle. The site covers five square kilometres and has both Toltec and Mayan ruins.

Learn about the Maya and their civilisation as you admire the scale and beauty of this once-grand city. Behold the geometric perfection of the perfectly-symmetrical 25-metre-tall El Castillo pyramid. It was built both as a representation of the mystical Maya calendar and, during the spring and autumn equinoxes, to reflect the optical illusion of a serpent snaking its way up or down the pyramid thanks to the shadow created by sunrays.

Admire the Great Ball Court, the largest of 13 discovered at the site. See the haunting Platform of the Skulls, where the heads of human sacrifice victims and prisoners of war were impaled, and the Sacred Cenote, where sacrifice victims were dumped.

Also extremely well-preserved are the Temple of the Warriors, the Ossuary, the Nunnery complex and adjacent Church, as well as the large observatory known as the Snail.

Afterwards, we’ll make a final stop at Cenote Ik Kil. Once a sacred site to the Maya people, it’s now a popular swimming hole in the middle of the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s lush, green and beautiful, with vines hanging down from the top of the cenote (sinkhole). You need to climb down 26 metres to reach the water. There are several cenotes around the Yucatan, popular swimming spots with clear water and lush surrounds.

We’ll then head east for Playa del Carmen. It’s about a four-hour journey to cover 315km. You should arrive by 6 or 7pm.

You’ll have two nights in Playa del Carmen – just ‘Playa’ to the locals – on the idyllic Riviera Maya coast. This part of your trip is unaccompanied, so you are free to relax and explore at your own pace.

It’s certainly a dreamy setting – think palm-lined, white-sand beaches and those pristine turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Once a small fishing coastal town, it’s now a tourist hotspot. Despite the development, it’s retained its charm and small town feel.

Compared to neighbouring Cancun, Playa is less party-oriented. It’s easy to explore on foot. The pedestrian-friendly main street – 5th Avenue, or Quinta Avenida – is home to many restaurants, shops and entertainment. Venture a few hundred metres away and you’ll discover small, interesting markets and authentic, delicious taquerias frequented by locals.

One of the best ways to spend a few hours in Playa del Carmen is visiting a cenote (or sink hole) and swim or snorkel in it's crystal clear waters surrounded by colorful fish and wicked rock formations.  The cost of this activity is approximately MXN 350 to enter these sites and rent snorkelling gear. You tour leader will be help you arrange transport to and from this activity if you wish to.

It’s another free day for you today in paradise.

The ruins of Tulum make for a great day trip down the coast. Given the beautiful setting – high on the cliffs above the Caribbean Sea – and the ideal location, they do get busy. It’s the third most visited site in Mexico, so try to get there early to avoid the crowds. The beaches in Tulum are stunning and generally less crowded, too.

There are a number of cenotes around Playa del Carmen, like Dos Ojos, home to the deepest known underwater cave passage – 118 metres deep! It has two sinkholes connected by a 400-metre passageway.

These activities can be organised with hotel staff at your accommodation.

At the appropriate time, you’ll be taken to the airport in Cancun for your flight to Havana.

Bienvenido a Cuba! You’ll be met on arrival at Havana’s José Martí International Airport, where you’ll be transferred to your hotel.

After being shut off from parts of the world for decades, Cuba is now a thriving tourist destination. Despite the increase in tourism, the glory of ‘old Cuba’ is alive and well.

It’s vibrant, exciting and mysterious. The largest city in the Caribbean, Havana has loads of character. Live music, friendly locals, a rich heritage and complex history. It’s as if time stands still here, especially with classic American cars from the 1950s all over the city – a result of the inability to import new cars under the long-standing communist government.

Walking the Malecón, the esplanade and seawall that runs the length of the city, is a great way to admire the skyline and take in the mix of architectural styles. It’s about eight kilometres long and an excellent place to see the sunset.

You’ll be staying at Hotel Nacional de Cuba, a grand icon of this city. Its location, history and gardens make this a true experience – it’s a place of real Cuban history. Located high on a hill, on the seafront of the Vedado district, you’ll have great views of the harbour, the city and the Malecón. Built in the 1930s, this elegant hotel was known as the playground of American Mafia bosses. It’s been the hotel of choice for many illustrious guests since.

Be warned, hotel staff – and many other hospitality workers in this beautiful island nation – generally operate at ‘Cuban pace’. This means a slow and relaxed pace! A fair degree of patience may be required.

Please note: Hotel Nacional de Cuba is a self-rated five-star hotel. However, by our standards, we believe three-star hotel is a better representation of the reality. The hotel is fascinating, historic and in a lovely setting. The rooms are clean, spacious and comfortable but can be somewhat outdated.

Enjoy a walking tour of the lovely Old Havana with your tour guide this morning in the city centre. For approximately two and a half hours, see the best of this fascinating historic district from a local’s perspective.

You’ll be taken through the labyrinth of streets to discover the enchanting secrets of this living museum, where residents live among the unique charm and haunting decay of buildings dating as far back as the 16th century.

You’ll take in some of the city’s most iconic sights, such as the Art Museum, the famous pedestrian-only thoroughfare of Calle Obispo and Hotel Ambos Mundos, Ernest Hemingway’s home for seven years. You’ll see Old Havana’s four historic squares; Plaza de Armas, Plaza de la Catedral (one of the city’s most famous landmarks), Plaza San Francisco de Asis and Plaza Vieja.

It’s no wonder Old Havana was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, thanks to its special character, culture and beautiful architecture. Restoration is happening slowly, so while many of the main buildings have been restored to their original glory, others have been left to age – crumbling – virtually neglected since the Revolution triumphed more than 50 years ago.

Today we’ll head inland to Santa Clara. It’s about an hour and a half away.

Here we’ll encounter a huge statue of counter-cultural symbol Ernesto “Ché” Guevara. We’ll visit the museum directly under the statue, which tells the story of Ché’s fascinating life. There is also a mausoleum with an eternal flame to commemorate his death and that of the revolutionaries who were with him in Bolivia. Time permitting, we’ll also visit the derailed train that was crucial in the success of Ché Guevara’s mission to prevent the progress of arms to Havana.

We’ll continue onto the town of Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a journey of about seven hours, 380km away. Upon arrival your guide will take you on an orientation walk to get your bearings and understand where the main places of interest are in town.

This evening, enjoy dinner with your guide and the rest of your group.

Please note: In Trinidad and Vinales, you’ll be staying in B&Bs that have been carefully selected for their comfort and location. While these houses cannot be compared to modern western hotels, you can expect them to be clean, comfortable and well-located. They will feature at least an ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning, modern imported mattresses (which can be a luxury item in Cuba!) and cold and hot water. Every B&B is different and has its own unique charm.

It’s a free day for you to explore the colourful, colonial town of Trinidad at your own pace. Founded in the early 16th century, its riches came largely from the sugar industry. The colonial architecture is exceptionally well-preserved.

Stroll the cobblestone streets, visit beautiful churches and listen to live music in the main square Plaza Mayor, surrounded by grand, brightly-coloured 18th and 19th-century buildings. Climb to the top of the bell tower at the Convento de San Francisco for gorgeous views over the terracotta-tiled rooftops of Trinidad.

It’s about a three hour journey to Cienfuegos this morning. Settled by the French, this graceful city has a distinct European flavour to its colonial hub, with a wide Parisian-style boulevard and elegant colonnades. Its urban historic centre has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2005. There’s an ambience that inspired Cuba’s most celebrated Son singer to pen the words, “Cienfuegos is the city I like best”.

We’ll take a walk around this beautiful city, learn about some iconic figures and take in the architecture and the local culture. Enjoy visiting Palacio de Valle, a magnificent, historic villa built in the early 20th century. This lavish palace is now home to a museum and rooftop bar and restaurant, with lovely views of the bay.

Today we’ll travel to Viñales via Bay of Pigs, a favourite for snorkelling given the clear Caribbean waters and dazzling array of coral and fish. Take a dip in the crystal clear water, or simply sit back and try to imagine the battle played out in this monumental bay in 1961. Your guide will share insights into the botched US military counter-revolutionary invasion.

Then we’ll settle in for the long drive to Viñales – we’ll cover about 500km in eight hours. When we arrive, we’ll take an orientation walk to visit the main places of interest and find our way around the town.

The farming valley of Viñales makes for a stunning landscape, surrounded by mogotes, limestone pincushion hills. We’ll take a walking tour through farmland this morning for a great insight into rural Cuban life. On our walk we’ll see the abundance of local seasonal produce like enormous avocados and mangoes, papaya, guava, sweet potatoes – as well as some tobacco plantations, of course.

We’ll learn the tradition of legendary Cuban cigars from a farmer and expert cigar maker. Get an insight into how communism works, how much tobacco they’ll keep, how much produce they’ll give back to the government, and how they make ends meet. You’ll learn about the process from tobacco planting to rolling the final cigar.

In the afternoon we’ll tour an organic farm outside Viñales and learn about sustainable farming in Cuba. You’ll meet a local farmer and his family, who will show us around their farm and explain the methods used to cultivate crops without the use of pesticides. With this beautiful landscape as our backdrop, we’ll enjoy a deliciously fresh and diverse meal prepared by the family – a truly authentic farm to table experience!

Today we’ll head back to Havana, about a three-hour trip. We’ll stop en route at the fishing village of Jaimanitas, home of the famous artist Jose Fuster. Inspired by projects like Gaudi’s Park Güell in Barcelona, Fuster made his entire home – and much of the surrounding neighbourhood – into mosaic-tiled art.

Now referred to as Fusterlandia, it’s a unique work of public art, with over 80 colourful houses decorated with ornate murals and domes to suit the personality of each neighbour.

He’s built a chess park with giant boards and tables, a theatre, and public swimming pools. Fuster’s work is a cherished part of Cuban culture.

Enjoy one last delicious breakfast this morning, before your Cuban adventure comes to an end. At the appropriate time you’ll be transferred to José Martí International Airport for your flight home.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this extraordinary journey.

Please note: Passengers will be departing at various times throughout the day. Standard hotel check-out times will apply no matter what time your flight is scheduled to depart. Check-out time is generally anywhere from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or alternatively please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. This service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost. Your tour guide (or hotel staff) will confirm the time of your airport transfer with you directly.

Travellers returning to Australia and New Zealand, please note that connection time in Cancun can be up to 6 hours as you are required to collect your luggage, transfer to the international wing of the airport and re-check in.

Cross the international date-line.

Arrive home today after your amazing adventure, we hope you have been Inspired!