Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula - Maya, Monkeys & Turtles

Tour Code: MEX04

An 11-day holiday to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula focusing on the region's abundant wildlife and the ancient Maya cities of Tulum, Chichen Itza and Coba.

11 days from
£5,195 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£4,495
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

After a flight to Cancun, we begin our holiday on the Caribbean coast with a 3-night stay in the town of Akumal, which means ‘Place of Turtles’ in the native Mayan language. During our stay we will learn more about the four species of marine turtle occurring here, enjoy snorkelling with Green Turtles in the shallow waters, and spend a day at the Maya ruins at Tulum. The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve lies just south of the spectacular ruins at Tulum, and we’ll explore its wetlands mostly by boat in search of birds such as Black Skimmer and Mangrove Warbler. Next we journey inland, where we’ll enjoy a walk led by local Maya guides through forests to look for Spider Monkeys as well as a visit to the Maya temples and pyramids at Coba where we spend the night. We will also have a full day visit to the spectacular Maya ruins of Chichen Itza, and close to our hotel we will look for mammals including Northern Tamandua and White-nosed Coati, and birds such as Yucatan Jay and Keel-billed Toucan. Lastly, we return to the coast for a stay at a beachside hotel and exploration of Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, where the sight of hundreds of American Flamingoes awaits us, as well as boat trips to explore mangroves.

  • Includes 3-night stay on the beautiful Caribbean coast at Akumal
  • Chance to swim amongst Green Turtles as they feed on seagrass beds
  • Explore the Maya ruins at Tulum and then Coba, surrounded by dense jungle
  • American Crocodile & 300+ bird species inhabit Sian Ka’an including Jabiru Stork, Reddish Egret & Black-headed Trogon
  • Howler Monkeys & Geoffroy’s Spider Monkeys in forests near Coba
  • Optional refreshing dip in a ‘cenote’ (flooded limestone sinkhole)
  • Collared Aracari, Turquoise-browed Motmot & Oscellated Turkey, Chichen Itza
  • Led by an expert naturalist guide

Grading

A. Day walks only.

Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is a beguiling place. Here, charming colonial towns sit alongside 10th century pyramids, while nearby there are magnificent forests, rivers and coastal habitats, all extremely rich in wildlife. This is a land in which ancient ruins rise from the forests above powder-white beaches and turquoise seas, in which thousands of flamingoes take to the wing painting the sky crimson, and where the call of Black Howler Monkeys echoes through reserves managed by people whose faces bear witness to their ancient Maya heritage. It is hard to picture a place in which history and modernity are more tightly or attractively entwined, or that boasts such a pleasant all-round travel experience, with culture, food, climate and ambience all competing to delight the senses.

We begin our holiday with a flight to Cancún airport, followed by a short transfer to the coastal town of Akumal, which means ‘Place of the Turtles’ in the native Mayan language. The Caribbean waters here have long provided a sanctuary for these marine creatures, and four species of sea turtle occur here. However, during our 3-night stay, it is the Green Turtle that we may expect to see and we will have the opportunity to snorkel amongst them as they feed on the sea grass beds.

The Yucatán Peninsula boasts some of the most remarkable Maya ruins in all of Mexico and our exploration of the region’s Maya heritage starts with a visit to the ruins in Tulum, which tower over a rugged coastline blessed with exquisite beaches and tempting waters. Just a kilometre to the south of Tulum is an interesting ancient Maya archway, and beyond this lies today’s Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. On leaving Akumal, we will spend a full day deep within this fabulous reserve, exploring its wetlands mostly by boat. Hundreds of species of tropical fish inhabit the waters here, as does a small population of West Indian Manatees and American Crocodiles, although we will be very lucky to see either of these. The reserve is also a haven for birds, with well over 300 species having been recorded, amongst them Black Skimmer, Reddish Egret, Black-headed Trogon, Mangrove Warbler and the rare Jabiru stork.

After our stay on the coast we will head inland to Coba and its beautiful Maya ruins. The rugged temples, pyramids and ancient ball courts are surrounded by dense jungle, with the Nohoch Mul pyramid the tallest Maya structure in the Yucatan. Next to the ruins is a lake which is the perfect spot for birding and we can expect to see species such as Pied-billed and Least Grebe, Magnolia Warbler, Cinnamon and Buff-bellied Hummingbird and Gray-collared Becard. There will also be an opportunity to visit one of the nearby cenotes, the sheer number of which are a well-known feature of the Yucatán. These incredible limestone sinkholes were considered by the ancient Maya to be sacred gateways to the underworld. Whilst we do not plan on going quite that far, there can be few better ways to spend an hour or two in the Yucatán, than with a refreshing dip in the beautifully clear water of these underground caverns.

Nearby is a small community reserve in the heart of the jungle that we will visit the following morning. Here, the local Maya community has formed a co-operative to guide tourists around this ecologically important area that is also their home. Geoffrey’s Spider Monkeys whirl through the trees with their long limbs and prehensile tails whilst Black Howler Monkeys are also possible. As the day begins to warm up and wildlife activity subsides, we will stop in the colonial town of Valladolid for lunch, before heading to our next hotel. Here we will be perfectly positioned for a visit to the spectacular ruins at Chichen Itza, and in the surrounding habitat we can enjoy such birds as Yucatan Jay, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Aracari, Turquoise-browed Motmot and the attractive Oscellated Turkey. Mammals are present too, though harder to find, and a sharp eye will be required to spot White-nosed Coatis or a Northern Tamandua.

After three nights inland, we return to the coast. This time we will travel north to the Río Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, in which lies our beachside hotel. Here, we will take boat trips into the mangroves to enjoy the resident and migratory birds, explore the reserve’s wooded trails and snorkel in warm, coral-rich waters. The star attraction, however, is a concentration of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of fiery orange-red American Flamingoes that gather here. If we time it right, and are able to witness the birds as they take to the skies en masse, the horizon will glow crimson as if the sun is setting.

After nine days and a thorough exploration of this captivating corner of Mexico, it will be time to return to Cancún’s international airport, and our evening flight home to the UK. 

 

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Cancún; overnight Akumal
Day 2/3
Akumal
Day 4
Coba
Day 5/6
Chichen Itza
Day 7/9
Río Lagartos Biosphere Reserve
Day 10
Depart Cancún
Day 11
Arrive London
cloud_downloadDownload Full Itinerary
What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    Comfortable hotels and lodges, all with private facilities.

  • Food: All included in the price.
Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Sat 15th Nov – Tue 25th Nov SPACES £5,195
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£4,495
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£795

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Sat 14th Nov – Tue 24th Nov SPACES £5,295
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£4,595
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£795 
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Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists


The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.


Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours


We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.


The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:



Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection


Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.


 




Our specialist recommends...






"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader




  


 


All Birdwatching Tours

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Mammal Watching Holidays


Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.


Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours


Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.


Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:



Bargain mammal selection


We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.




Our specialist recommends...







"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”

Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager




  


All Mammal Watching Tours

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire
Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!