Merida (Progreso)

Explore an ancient city, colonial heritage and Maya traditions on this overnight tour on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Travel from the port town of Progreso some 150 kilometers inland to the archaeological site of Chichén Itzá, once the most important Maya city and ceremonial center on the peninsula.

Your arrival is timed to coincide with a purification rite performed by a modern Maya shaman. You’ll then check in and relax over a welcome cocktail at Mayaland, a family-owned hotel with lush tropical gardens established inside the archaeological park in 1923. 

Spend the day exploring the wonders of the ancient Yucatan with a visit to the spectacular ruins of Chichen Itza and a refreshing swim in a sinkhole pool known as a cenote. Located some 150 kilometers inland from Progreso, Chichen Itza emerged as the most important ceremonial center of the ancient Maya on the Yucatan peninsula. The combination of traditional Maya building techniques and styles, including alignment with astronomical events, with elements incorporated from the Toltec culture of Mexico’s central highlands factor into its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Spend the day getting to know Mérida, the cultural capital of the Yucatán Peninsula. Driving along its narrow streets with vibrant colonial architecture, you begin your day at the Monument to the Country, a massive stone sculpture that tells the story of the Yucatán. A drive down Paseo de Montejo reveals some of the city’s most iconic buildings, and a stop at the Santa Ana neighborhood allows time to visit its cathedral and market. You will also explore one of the oldest cathedrals on the continent and contrast that with the Museum of Modern Art in Merida’s historic center.