Itinerary forMerida, Mexico
MODERATE Activity Level (click to see rating scale)
Day 1: Welcome to Mérida
Arrive in Mérida, Yucatán, and take a guided walking tour of the city’s historic center, learning about its rich history. Enjoy a welcome dinner featuring Yucatecan cuisine.
Day 2: Ek Balam Maya Village
Travel to Ek Balam village, where you’ll visit and volunteer in crop fields, learn about Maya agriculture, and observe hammock weaving. Explore the Ek Balam ruins and swim in the XCanché Cenote. End the day in Valladolid with a local dinner.
Day 3: Maya Cooking Class
Experience a hands-on Maya cooking class, learning to make traditional dishes. Enjoy lunch, then relax before attending a videomapping show at a local convent in Valladolid.
Day 4: Chichen Itzá and Yokdzonot
Tour the famous Chichen Itzá ruins, then swim in the peaceful Yokdzonot Cenote. Spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring Valladolid before returning to your hotel.
Day 5: Return to Mérida
On the way back to Mérida, visit a cenote for a swim and lunch. Enjoy free time for shopping or exploring Mérida before a group dinner.
Day 6: Wildlife Sightseeing in Celestún
Explore the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve by boat, spotting wildlife such as flamingos and jaguars. Enjoy a swim in a freshwater spring, lunch at the beach, and some leisure time before returning to Mérida for a farewell dinner.
Day 7: Departure
Bid farewell to Mérida as you transfer to the airport for your departure flight, leaving with unforgettable memories of your Yucatán adventure.
UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Sustainable Development Goal 2 – No Hunger
With hands-on experience with Yucatan and Mayan cooking, travelers will learn about small-scale food producers, in particular–women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, and how they function. By visiting agricultural cooperatives, participants will learn about sustainable agriculture practices.
CULTURAL & EDUCATIONAL CONNECTIONS
- Culinary Arts – The cooking classes provide hands-on experience in traditional Yucatecan cuisine, offering practical skills in food preparation, recipe development, and culinary techniques.
- Agriculture – Visiting local agricultural cooperatives, participants engage with sustainable farming practices, community-based agriculture, and food production, enhancing their understanding of agricultural productivity and resource management.
- Hospitality & Tourism – Exploring Mérida, visiting cultural sites, and enjoying activities such as walking tours and beach days connects to the hospitality and tourism industries, promoting cultural tourism and the role of tourism in local economies.
- Visual & Theatre Arts – The weaving demonstrations at cooperatives offer insight into traditional textile arts, providing participants with an understanding of craftsmanship, artisan skills, and the economic impact of the textile industry.
- World History – The immersion in Mexico’s history, heritage, and cultural practices provides valuable insights into cultural preservation, local history, and social structures, contributing to global citizenship and cultural appreciation.
