My Flydrive Enquiry : Yucatan Fly Drive Featuring Haciendas

7 nights

From £pp

Yucatan Fly Drive Featuring Haciendas

Experience stays in historic plantation houses, lovingly restored into tranquil retreats
Incorporates the area's main sights including Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Merida and Campeche
Detailed description of driving route provided along with tips and advice
7 nights accommodation included (2 nights All Inclusive beach resort; 5 nights Haciendas around the Yucatan)
Includes car hire for 6 days
Includes return economy flights from London to Cancun

Journey through the history of the Yucatan from the formidable Mayan civilisation to the Spanish influence, staying in haciendas from the height of the 'green gold' era.

Beyond the glittering beaches Mexico's Yucatan peninsula contains UNESCO protected ancient sites, towns dating back to the Spanish conquest and unique cenotes - limestone sinkholes, not to mention celebrated food, drink and natural beauty. This tried and tested self drive experience takes you to both well known and lesser known archaeological sites, colonial towns, 16th Century convents & restored haciendas.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in to Mexico

Fly from the U.K. to Cancun

Meet and greet is provided at Cancun International Airport from your flight today, with a 20 minute private transfer provided to the Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World collection set on 500 yards of white sandy beach. With just 90 ocean facing suites, the emphasis is on tranquillity and wellness and the impressive all-inclusive plan consists of many unexpected inclusions.

INCLUDES : Dinner

Day 2 Riviera Maya Beach Time

Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita

Today you can enjoy all the amenities at the acclaimed Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita, including the private beach, award winning restaurants, relaxing lounges, a large fresh water pool & a Thalasso therapy pool. All the while, taking in the ambiance and sampling some local produce.

INCLUDES : All-Inclusive

Day 3 Drive to San Jose Cholul

Cancun to San Jose Cholul via Ek Balam, Valladolid and Izamal

Collect the car first thing, heading inland your first Mayan ruins to discover are Ek Balam just over 2 hours drive, where you’ll find abandoned temples and plazas covered in vegetation and climb the main pyramid for a view of the surrounding jungle. Observe the colonial architecture at the town of Valladolid before visiting fascinating Izamal which was known as the city of the hills to the Mayan civilisation, the Spanish constructed a Franciscan monastery which stands in the centre to this day amongst the many golden yellow buildings this quiet town is well known for.

Your accommodation is Hacienda San Jose Cholul for 1 night - A historic plantation house, built in the 17th Century oozing charm, beautiful gardens, a tranquil outdoor pool and wonderful restaurant

Total driving distance today 350 km

Day 4 Drive the route of cloisters

The route of cloisters takes you to Temozon via Dzibilchltun plus cenote Xlacah

Dzibilchltun’s key structure is the Temple of the seven dolls or Temple of the Sun, crafted specifically for the equinox where the Mayan sun god would show its feathers of fire through the temple gates. A small museum helps explain the site and the traditions of the people. Nearby is an opportunity to take a dip in a cenote – Xlacah is 50m deep and contained over 30,000 objects. There will then be time for some lunch and a chance to explore Merida briefly, or head straight to the hacienda to enjoy the beautiful setting.

Your accommodation is Hacienda for Temozon 2 nights - Once the main producer of sisal fibres, this impressively restored hacienda is now a luxurious place to stay, with stunning architecture, a spa within an underground cavern and fabulous outdoor pool

Total driving distance today 140 km

Day 5 - Drive the route of convents

The convent route takes you Tecoh, Mayapan, Mani & Loltun Caves

At Tecoh you will find an incredible combination of history, culture and natural beauty, where a 16th Century convent and church were constructed over the remains of a Mayan pyramid, step inside the church to view beautiful paintings by the celebrated artist Miguel Cabrera. Discover the Mayapan archaeological site, founded around 1,000 AD, significant as this was the last big Mayan civilization thriving before before the Spanish came. At the village of Mani the convent is quite simply the most beautiful one in this region. We recommend you allow 1 ½ hours for a tour of the Loltun Caves, part of the huge system that covers a lot of the southern Yucatan with excellent chambers of stalactites, stalagmites, not to mention petro glyphs & rupestrian paintings. After this return to the lovely hacienda to relax.

Total driving distance today 190 km

Day 6 - The impressive archaeological site Uxmal

Experience the magical and mystical Uxmal and Kabah's Palace Of Masks

Uxmal (meaning three times built) is arguably the best Mayan site and is certainly majestic, hi-lights include the great pyramid, house of the pigeons and the pyramid of the magician (noting the fascinating legend about a dwarf!) and intricate carvings. A Mayan stone road known as a sacbé linked Uxmal with Kabah where you can observe the amazing Palace Of Masks a façade of 250 faces of the Mayan rain god.

Your accommodation is Hacienda Uayamon for 1 night - Once one of the most important haciendas in the Campeche area in the 19th century, now a sumptuous mansion, the renowned restaurant is located within the original walls and serves fresh regional cuisine

Total driving distance today 240 km

Day 6 - The impressive archaeological site Uxmal

Day 7 - Campeche's old city and Merida

Two delightful cities featuring classic colonial architecture

The Mayan city of Edzna once rivalled Chichen Itza and Uxmal in terms of size and wealth, its ‘Building of the Five Stories is one of the largest and elaborate of all Mayan buildings. Nearby is the fortified city of Campeche on the Gulf of Mexico, a trading stronghold for the Spanish Empire, its old city is a remarkable museum piece of the colonial era with picturesque cobbled streets and coloured houses. On to Merida, known as the White City due to the many whitewashed facades, the cultural centre of the Yucatan, founded in 1542 at what was once a Mayan city of Ti Oh. Merida had a golden age during the henequen cactus boom when the sisal agave was known as green gold, producing the best rope in the world. The zocalo (main square) is the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere and consider an informal tour by horse-drawn cart.

Your accommodation is Hacienda Misne for 1 night - just 15 minutes from the historic centre of Merida, this informal hacienda dates back to the 18th Century and is a tropical oasis with authentic colonial features

Total driving distance today 280 km

Day 8 - Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The iconic Mayan site completes this amazing journey

The extraordinary archaeological site of Chichen Itza is world famous and one of the new seven wonders of the world, meaning the Entrance to the Wizard’s Well, its sacred cenote represented the most important place of worship and the stunning pyramid Castillo de Kukulcan is rich in cosmological symbolism. Amongst the many notable sections is the Great Ball Court with incredible acoustics. A remarkable place to end your adventure through the diverse attractions of the Yucatan.

2 ½ hour drive to the Caribbean coast, if you are ending your stay in Mexico at this point return the car to the rental office close to Cancun airport ahead of the flight back to the U.K. Alternatively continue your experience at a stay at a beachfront hotel, our travel consultants can discuss the options available, from informal all-inclusive resorts to secluded boutique retreats.

Total driving distance today 320 km

Day 8 - Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Hotels

Zoetry Paraiso De La Bonita Resort Aerial View

Riviera Maya

Zoëtry Paraiso De La Bonita

The all-suite Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita on Mexico's Riviera Maya, is set over 14 acres of picturesque beachfront, near to the fishing town of Puerto Morelos and just 20 minutes from the airport. The premium All-Inclusive facilities are impressive and there is an emphasis on well being throughout.

Riviera Maya

Hacienda Uayamon

Housed in a historic building dating back to the 1700s, Hacienda Uayamon seamlessly combines local heritage with modern romance in true style. Colonial touches are on display throughout this sophisticated with antique furnishings and colonnaded walkways evoking a sense of a bygone era.

Riviera Maya

Hacienda San Jose Cholul

Within the diverse Yucatan Peninsula, Hacienda San Jose is the perfect base to explore this historic area of Mexico, just a short drive from the city of Merida and some of the archaeological sites. With a collection of light and airy rooms, each with their own unique features and a restaurant offering regional and international cuisine, head to Hacienda San Jose for an unforgettable Mexican holiday.

Pricing

All prices shown represent a from price per person based on low season travel unless otherwise stated.
Availability of tour components and flights seats change continually, affecting the final price. The lead-in price given is therefore for guidance only.
To obtain a tailored quote for you and your party, please call one of our travel experts today.

This fly drive itinerary runs all year round

Important Info

Important info

Drivers must be minimum 21 years old and able to provide a full valid driving license which must have been held for at least 1 year. A driver fee of US$7 per day applies to drivers aged 21-25 years

Vehicles come with a full tank of fuel which must be paid for at the time of collection, we recommend the car is returned empty as unused fuel is not refunded

Cars are insured against full or partial vehicle theft, collisions, overturning, major catastrophe and damage to third parties

Whilst child car seats can usually be organised for a fee in advance, we recommend taking your own to ensure it meets international safety standards Mexican museums are closed on Mondays

The archaeological zones are open daily from 8.00 to 17.00

Visiting times in convents and churches are from 8.00 - 13.00 and 16.00 - 19.00

Inclusions

Mid-size manual category car hire for 6 days with selected insurance cover including collision damage waiver, unlimited mileage (if you wish to upgrade your car, please speak to us)

7 nights accommodation

Return economy flights between London and Cancun

Exclusions

Fuel, additional liability insurance, loss damage waiver, personal accident insurance (payable locally)

Parking

Gratuities

Local site, museum and visitor attraction entrance fees

Optional excursions

Food and drink

Personal expenditure

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