Mexican Caribbean and the Splendor of Yucatan
Day 1: Arrival at Cancun International Airport
Meet, greet at Cancun airport and transfer to selected hotel. (Overnight in Cancun or Riviera Maya.)

Day 2: Cancun at Leisure
Relax at the beach or shop until you drop. (Overnight in Cancun or Riviera Maya)

Day 3: Valladolid & Chichen Itza
Pick up at 8:00am. Check out of hotel. We start our journey in Valladolid, a colonial city where you will see how the Mayan people live at present. We will see the main plaza and the monastery of San Bernardino. Then we will visit one of the most important Mayan sites in the world, the ceremonial center of Chichen Itza, where we shall be able to see the majestic Castillo or main Pyramid, the Observatory, the Sacred Well, the Nunnery, the Ball Court and the temple of the Warriors. After the visit enjoy lunch (Yucatan style food). We will proceed to Merida arriving at 5:30pm. Check into hotel.

Day 4: City Tour, Sotuta de Peon Hacienda and Izamal
Pick up at 8:00am. Our program starts with a visit of the colonial City of Merida. We shall visit the main square or Zocalo, the Mercado, the beautiful Avenida de Montejo, a colonial boulevard with colonial style mansions, and the monument to the Mexican history. We will then proceed to the hacienda Sotuta de Peon, in the town of Tecoh. This hacienda was built in the 17th century, and has been revamped to show us how the Henequen plant was processed and was a main part of the peninsula's economy during that period (1880 to 1920). We will also have the chance to cool down swimming in a cenote (an underground cavern with crystal clear water). Lunch included. We will continue our day visiting the colonial city of Izamal, where we will see the great pyramid, the temple of the Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception and the stunning convent of Saint Anthony de Padua. Return to hotel in Merida at 7:00pm.

Day 5: Uxmal and Kabah
Pick up at 9:00am. We will visit the Puuc route, visiting the Mayan ruins of Kabah. This region is called Puuc, and it is known for the many architectural masteries built by the Mayas during that period. Later in the day, we shall go to Uxmal, the city three times built, and admire its majestic buildings, such as the Governor's Palace, The Nun's Quadrangle, the House of the Turtles, the recently restored Quadrangle of the Birds, the Ball Court and the imposing pyramid of the Wizard, an immense and very steep pyramid with a temple on the top. Lunch included. Return to Merida at 5:30pm.

Day 6: Return to airport to fly back home
Pick up at hotel lobby and transfer to the Merida airport.

Includes: -Transfers airport-hotel-airport -3 full lunches -Entrance fees to archaeological sites -Entrance to Hacienda Sotuta de Peon -City tour in Izamal and entrance to the convent -Certified tour guide -Traveler's insurance -All applicable taxes

Does not include: -Lodging -Non specified transfers -Beverages at the restaurants where lunch is served -Airline tickets and airport taxes -Excess luggage -Meals not specified -Tips for Tour guide (at client's discretion)

Chichen Itza (Tour# AX CCH)(Regular Tour, seat-on-coach service)Sample this tour online
Duration - Approximately 12 hours

Transport - 40 seat bus with air-conditioning, restroom and tables
Departure - Daily, pick up in each hotel between 7:20 am and 8:00 am, leave Cancun at 8:30 am
Drop off approximately at 7:00 pm
Meals - Buffet lunch
Days: Daily.
Pick Up/Drop Off: Pick up in each hotel between 7:20am and 8:00am. Leave Cancun 8:20am. Pick up is also available in the Riviera Maya area. Drop off is approximately at 7:00pm.
Inclusions - Entrance fee to the archaeological site and a bilingual tour guide (English/Spanish)

Probably the best known Mayan archaeological site. The majestic city of Chichen Itza awaits you. It is the capital of the ancient Mayan civilization which archaeologists consider one of the most advanced in the Americas. This mysterious city was an important ceremonial center. Founded in 445 BC and inhabited until 1204 AD, when it was mysteriously abandoned. The city is divided into two areas; Old Chichen, built between 600 and 900 BC, and New Chichen, constructed in the 10th century after the arrival of the Putune people from what is now Campeche state. The largest and most important structure is the Castle (75 feet high) which features a stair that ends in two large serpent's heads. During the equinoxes (21 March and September), the sun casts shadows on the steps that create the effect of a snake wriggling down the face of the pyramid. There is also the Temple of the Warriors, integrated into the Temple of Chac Mool (a reclining man) built next to a group of pillars, each engraved with representations of priests and warriors. Other important buildings include: the Ceremonial Ball courts, the Observatory, and the Sacred Well (Cenote Sagrado), where archaeologists have found ceramic offerings and objects made of precious stones and metals.

Some walking is involved, comfortable shoes and suitable clothing is recommended as well as a sweater for the return trip.

Xcaret (Tour# AX CLX)(Regular Tour, seat-on-coach service)Duration: Approximately 10 hours

Transport: 40 seat bus with air-conditioning
Departure: Daily, pick up in each hotel between 7:20 am and 8:00 am, leave Cancun at 8:15 am. Drop off approximately between 9:30 pm and 10:30 pm
Inclusions: Entrance fee to the park and a bilingual tour guide (English/Spanish)

Sacred Paradise of nature, Xcaret was for more than a millennium one of the most important Mayan ceremonial centers and ports. Five centuries ago the eco-archaeological Park of Xcaret was known as the ancient Mayan Pole. Strategically located on the coast amid dense jungles of Yucatan peninsula, this city was one of the principal centers of marine commerce and trade in the Caribbean region. Not only an important place of business, the Pole is also considered a special area where pilgrims came to cleanse and bathe themselves in its sacred waters before crossing in canoes to the island of Cozumel, where they would pay homage to Ixchel, the Mayan Goddess of fertility. Enjoy the Caribbean Sea-- swim on the beach, in the lagoons, ponds, canals and sacrificial wells. In a cave, snorkel among colorful fish and explore archaeological sites. Visit the Botanical Garden and the Nursery, Butterfly Pavilion, Tropical Aquarium as well as the wild bird hatchery and the Maya town. You will be amazed with the majestic archaeological sites when you visit the model exhibition in the museum. In 1992, Xcaret was officially reintroduced to the public as "Nature's Sacred Paradise," Mexico's only eco-archaeological park. A plethora of unique sites and activities for the entire family are just part of the park's appeal. Services like restaurants, restrooms, lockers and showers are available and a life jacket is included to swim through the underground river.

Wear your bathing attire under clothes, no suntan lotion is allowed. Bring an extra T-shirt to protect yourself while swimming. Bring money for extra activities and locker rental.

Dolphin Swim Program/Royal Swim (Tour# SWD017) Duration: 1 hour

There are 2 spots for this activity. One in Isla Mujeres and one in Puerto Aventuras. The one in Puerto Aventuras includes ground transportation (from hotel lobby to Dolphin Center). The one in Isla Mujeres does not include ground transportation from the hotel to the pier, but it includes roundtrip boat transfers (ferry) from the pier to the Dolphin Center located in Isla Mujeres.

The American Express representative will reserve the activity at the best location according to the hotel the guests are staying at. For hotels in Cancun, as well as the Moon Palace, the best place will be Isla Mujeres.

For hotels in the areas of Puerto Morelos, Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Xpu-Ha and Tulum, the closest and most convenient is Puerto Aventuras.

The swim program is 1 hour long and is divided into 2 parts. Guests begin with a 30 minute orientation seminar during which they will watch an educational video to learn some of the more interesting facts about Dolphins, followed by specific instructions from the training staff on what they will be doing when they swim with the dolphins.

Following the orientation, the trainers will take the guests dockside for a 30 minute "experience of a life time". Guests will enjoy the thrill of gently rubbing the dolphins' skin as they swim next to these creatures. They will be amazed at the dolphin power and grace as they push them through the water by their feet or jump over them.

A portion of the water time will also be dedicated to the "free time" portion of the swim where guests will interact more spontaneously with the dolphins allowing everyone very personal contact. Do not miss the experience of a lifetime!

Special Observations: Wear your bathing suit under your clothes. No suntan lotion allowed. Bring an extra t-shirt to protect yourself while swimming. Bring money for extra activities.

Important Notes: No children under 8 years old in this program. Children 8-12 years old can participate if accompanied by a responsible adult. Pregnant women can not participate in this program. Anyone with a physical or mental handicap needs to check with us before reservation. Cancellations must be done 24 hours prior to scheduled swim in order to get a full refund.

Departure: Daily at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.