Pueblo Magicos: Valladolid, San Cristobal and Laguna Bacalar

Day 1 - Welcome to Mexico

Today you will be transferred to your hotel in Valladolid.

Valladolid is hidden gem located  inland in the Yucatan. Here you can explore it’s colourful streets and colonial buildings including 16th-century Convent of San Bernardino of Siena,  and baroque-style San Gervasio Cathedral.

There are many beautiful cenotes to explore around the area including the local swimming hole (cenote) in the center of town. This is a great jump off point to explore the Mayan site Chichén Itzá, and we’ll help you set off early to avoid the crowds.

Day 2 - Samula and Xkeken cenotes

Today you will visit Samula and Xkeken cenotes. Cenotes (which feel like something out of a movie!), are swimming holes formed naturally by the collapse of porous limestone bedrock, this creates underground water pools. The Mayans revered cenotes because they were a source of water in dry times and cenote means ‘sacred well’.
Each one is unique and they are the perfect place to cool off in the most beautiful natural surroundings.
Cenote Samula: is famous for the light beams which shine into the cave through the opening in its roof.
Cenote Xkeken: has some incredible rock formations and swimming under its sprawling stalactites is a magical experience.

Day 3 - Chichen Itza

You will leave early to skip the crowds and visit the most important
Mayan ruins of the Yucatan Peninsula: Chichen Itza, known also as
“One of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World”.

Chichen Itza was one of the greatest Mayan centers of the Yucatan and one of the most important examples of the Mayan – Toltec civilization in the Yucatan. This is definitely one to tick of the bucket list.

Day 4 - Ekbalam

Today you head to the ruins of Ekbalam where you can climb to the top and have a great view back over the site. After you explore, you will be given bikes to cycle to the cenote (used by the Mayans here) to cool off.

We suggest you explore on your own as it is  very intuitive!

Day 5 - Sumidero Canyon

Today depart from Mexico City/Cancun to Chiapas on a domestic flight.

At your arrival at Tuxtla Gutierrez, should you like, you can enjoy a guided tour visiting the Sumidero Canyon, a protected area at the Federal level since 1980, is a magnificent geological landscape. Here, granite cliffs and walls with a height of over 1000 meters surround the cause of the Grijalva River. Afterwords you can visit the small village of Chapa de Corzo, where you will learn about the local traditions.

You will then continue to the charming mountain town of San Cristobal de las Casas (a Fleewinter favourite!) and to your hotel. You are free to relax in your hotel, spend the evenings exploring the easy to navigate grid of cobbled streets, enjoying the electric mix of cafes, restaurants bars; or we can book you a specially selected restaurant. This really is a magical little town.

Day 6 - Zinacatan and San Juan Chamula

After breakfast at the hotel, you will enjoy a City Tour in San Cristobal de las Casas, visiting the Santo Domingo church and a typical local market. Later on, you’ll discover the Native Community of Zinacatan and San Juan Chamula, learning about the native people of Chiapas and their traditions. Watch the laborious handcrafts of the weaver women, who, with a loom at their waists, produce magnificent textile pieces, including tablecloths, bedspreads, cushion covers and traditional “huipiles”, called “ponchos”. You’ll visits also the Juan Bautista Church.

This evening why not go to a salsa, bachata, merengue or cumbia class. We have recommendations for you!

Day 7 - San Cristobal de las Casas

Today you have a day at leisure, you might want to shop for souvenirs in the many markets and shops, cafe hop or climb the stairs to one of the many churches surrounding this beautiful town (if you haven’t already!)

Should you like, you can take part in atemazcal ceremony: Part-sweat lodge/part-sacred ritual these have been participated in Mexico for centuries for ones mind, body and soul. Many of the finest luxury resorts, boutique hotels have introduced them into their spa offerings. However there is also the opportunity to experience – we will tell you about our favourites in San Cristobal!

Or you might like to visit Cascadas El Chiflón:  Waterfalls with azul and turquoise waters and lush surroundings this refreshing escape is 2 hours from San Cristobal.

This is one of our favourite magical little towns to simply walk around and soak up the magical energy.

Day 8 - Laguna Bacalar

Today you will take an internal flight to Laguna Bacalar and be transported to you hotel here, you can choose to be downtown or lakefront and slightly out of the centro.

Day 9 - Laguna Bacalar

Laguna Bacalar, the second largest lake in Mexico. It is known as “the lagoon of 7 colours”, thanks to the different tonalities of blue and green that it has, which vary depending on the depth. Here you can enjoy relaxing days – going out on boats, kayaks, paddleboards.

Laguna Bacalar is also a Pueblo Magico meaning it is recognised for is unique and special history and culture. Here you can enjoy the Fort of San Filipe, amphitheater, the magical local square and colourful streets.

Day 10 - Laguna Bacalar

Day at leisure.

Day 11 - Laguna Bacalar

Today you can take a boat tour. These excursions are carried out by catamaran (or similar) so as not to impact the ecosystem of the lagoon, which is very fragile. Your guide can take you to the most hidden places in the lagoon, and you can travel a total of 17 km. You can discover a 170-metre deep cenote and snorkel to observe the mangroves and roots underneath the water.

Day 12 - Home

Today you travel home, with bronzed skin and full of memories and stories.