Original
Explorer
Mexico Unplugged
15 Days | Say hola to the landscapes, cultures and ancient sites of Mexico
4.8
Excellent
418 reviews
15 days
Start
Mexico City, Mexico
Finish
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Trip Code
QVRM
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
8 breakfasts, 4 lunches
Transport
Private vehicle, Public bus, Local bus, Taxi
Accommodation
Hotel (14 nights)
From £1,844(15 days)
Trip Informations
Discover the heart of Mexico's Aztec, Zapotec, Maya and Spanish cultures on this 15-day adventure. Start by experiencing the mix of influences that make up Mexico City, then head out to taste pasita in Puebla, visit the markets of Oaxaca and learn about the textile traditions of Teotitlan del Valle. Immerse yourself in pre-Hispanic culture in San Cristobal de las Casas and unravel the magnificent mystery of ancient civilisations during guided tours in Chichen Itza and Palenque. Sample the incredible cuisine along the way, sharing meals with the communities of San Pedro Tlahuac and Piste, then relax beachside at Playa del Carmen. This is the ideal introduction to one of North America's most colourful and exciting destinations.
Why you’ll love this trip
Explore the stunning Maya temples of Palenque and stroll through Chichen Itza, with local experts at both sites explaining their storied history.
Visit the community of San Pedro Tlahuac, home to Nahuatl descendants, and enjoy a lunch made with produce picked fresh from a chinampa farm.
Wander market stalls, relax in public parks and sample the enticing Mexican eats of Mexico City, Puebla and Oaxaca.
Escape the Mexican heat in the highlands of San Cristobal de las Casas and explore surrounding villages where traditional customs and roots are thriving.
Share Yucatecan specialties with locals then finish off your journey in the beachside hub of Playa del Carmen.
Is this trip right for you?
This trip involves some long days of travel by private and local transport. While this can be tiring, it's also a fantastic way to rub shoulders with the locals and get under the skin of a place.
Mexico's climate is sultry and tropical, so can get really hot and humid. Wear loose clothing and make sure you stay hydrated, especially while out on walking tours. You can also expect to walk a lot and the terrain is rarely flat. Make sure to pack a jacket for the higher altitude cities like Mexico City, Puebla and San Cristóbal de las Casas.
Itinerary
Say hola to the landscapes, cultures and ancient sites of Mexico
Inclusions
Meals
8 breakfasts, 4 lunches
Transport
Private vehicle, Public bus, Local bus, Taxi
Accommodation
Hotel (14 nights)
Included activities
Mexico City - Leader-led Taco Crawl
Mexico City - Leader-led orientation walk
Mexico City - Gastromotiva (The Tuuur Foundation partner) visit (weekdays only)
Puebla - Leader-led orientation walk
Puebla - Visit to La Pasita Bar
Tlahuac - Community Visit
Oaxaca - Leader-led walking tour
Oaxaca - Tule Tree, Teotitlan del Valle visit, mezcal distillery
San Cristobal de Las Casas - Leader-led Orientation Walk
San Juan Chamula - Maya Church (entrance fee)
Palenque - Archaeological site (Guide, Transport & Entrance fee)
Misol-Ha - Waterfall Visit
Merida - Leader-led orientation walk
Campeche - Leader-led Orientation Walk
Playa del Carmen - Leader-led Orientation Walk
Chichen Itza - Archaeological site with local guide
Piste - Traditional Maya Family Lunch
Optional activities
Mexico City - Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) (entrance fee) (Closed Mondays) - MXN95
Mexico City - National Museum of Anthropology (entrance fee) (Closed Mondays) - MXN210
Mexico City - Frida Kahlo Museum (entrance fee) - MXN320
Mexico City - Metropolitan Cathedral (entrance fee) - Free
Mexico City - Torre Latino 360° Lookout (entrance fee) - MXN200
Mexico City - Diego Rivera Murals in the Mural Museum (entrance fee) - MXN50
Mexico City - Private Teotihuacan Pyramids Urban Adventure - USD220
Puebla - Santo Domingo Church and Rosary Chapel (No entrance during mass) - Free
Puebla - San Pedro Art Museum (entrance fee) - MXN50
Oaxaca - Monte Alban archaeological site with local guide - MXN1100
Oaxaca - Santo Domingo Cultural Centre (entrance fee) - MXN210
Oaxaca - Cooking class - MXN1500
San Cristobal de Las Casas - Amber Museum (entrance fee) - MXN55
Sumidero Canyon - Boat Excursion (entrance and transport) - MXN900
Merida - Uxmal Ruins tour (inc. shared transport and guide) - MXN2200
Merida - Fernando Garcia Ponce-Macay Contemporary Art Museum (entrance fee) - Free
Merida - Celestun Bird Sanctuary (entrance and transport) - MXN2100
Dos Ojos Cenote - Fresh Water Rock Pool (entrance fee with snorkelling gear & life jacket included) - MXN650
Playa del Carmen - Ferry to Cozumel (Round-trip Ticket) - MXN600
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in Mexico City. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Entry and exit fees apply and are payable locally. These amounts are in addition to your trip payment. Please refer to the Passports, Visas & Entry Requirements section of your Essential Trip Information for fee information and payment requirements.
Reviews (408)
5 stars
355
4 stars
42
3 stars
9
2 stars
2
Mahjabin
Oct 04, 2026
Mexico Unplugged is perfect if you want to experience Mexican culture, traditions, food, and history beyond the typical tourist experience. Valentina was a great tour leader, always helpful and full of great recommendations! Just be aware there’s a lot of travelling between destinations, which can get tiring, but it’s absolutely worth it.
Betty
Oct 03, 2026
MEXICO UNPLUGGED September-October 2026.👏👍 Highly recommend this tour for anyone interested in coming to Mexico...I didn't know whst to expect however it far exceeded my expectations. To be able to see how so much of the old cultures are still relevant in their society today😱 Our tour leader Valentina's knowledge was exceptional & can truly see why she LOVES doing this job. I met some amazing people from all over tge world & from day one we got on so well & being a small group certainly helped.
Abdol hossein
Oct 03, 2026
One of the best tours I have been on. The tour leader Valentina was so caring and competent. She made everything fun and interesting. We visited so many wonderful location; a tapestry of realties and beauties of Mexico. Highly recommend it.
Emily
Sep 20, 2026
When I close my eyes and think of my happy place, I know I’ll be thinking of this adventure in Mexico. This was the greatest, most memorable experience of my life. Our guide, Viri was simply extraordinary.
Sharon
Sep 19, 2026
If you are looking for a trip that provides the best balance between history, culture and experience then this trip is for you! Mexico is a country of fascinating layers and I guarantee you will have fun discovering each one as you travel across this extraordinary country.
Karen
Sep 18, 2026
Great trip, excellent guide Andrea made it amazing. Aztec and Maya sites visited were incredible. Overall spectacular! Kazz
Hema
Sep 15, 2026
Kim
Sep 13, 2026
Mexico Unplugged is a great introduction to this beautiful country and showcases the diversity and rich cultural, heritage and history of Mexico. We were lucky to have Andrea as our tour leader and her charisma, energy, knowledge and great sense of fun made this an amazing and memorable experience. She was always one step ahead in making sure everything was organized and ready for us and made it look effortless. When she mentioned there was a Michelin starred restaurant in Oaxaca and the group showed interest, she was able to get a last minute booking for us (10 people!) which is quite an achievement! You’ll see and experience many incredible things … from visiting ancient ruins, eating delicious food, strolling down colorful colonial streets, swimming in turquoise cenotes .. and much more! There is a lot of bus travel but it’s all very comfortable and there are adequate stops along the way. Would highly recommend this tour for anyone interested in visiting Mexico and get a good taste for this fascinating and fun country.
Lisa
Aug 20, 2026
This is an excellent introduction to the history, geography and culture of Mexico. There is a lot of travelling but it is worth it to see the incredible historical sites. I was touched by the warmth and friendliness of the Mexican people and their willingness to share their knowledge of this incredible country. As vegetarians (one of our group was also dairy intolerant) we were happy that most restaurants were willing to adapt their menus. Our guide was also willing to search out and recommend local vegetarian friendly restaurants which were always excellent. Thank you to our guide Kei, who took such good care of us x
Adam
Aug 20, 2026
This is an excellent trip which will shatter any stereotypes you may hold about Mexico. You will learn all about the culture, life and history of central and southern Mexico. A 'full on' but totally fulfilling journey across an amazing country.
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