Mexico is a country full of joie de vivre, positive energy, endless nature and a culture that is thousands of years old.
On this Colonial Hacienda rental car tour you will learn all about the history of the ancient Maya and the Spanish conquerors at your own pace. On your tour through the Yucatán, you will spend the night in beautiful and exclusive luxury haciendas, which alone ensure an unforgettable stay in Mexico. To delve deep into the history of the ancient Maya, visit the world-famous ruins of Chichén Itzá, but also somewhat lesser-known temples such as Uxmal. Right next to this archaeological site, visit the Uxmal Chocolate Museum, fun for young and old, as you can even create your own chocolate at the end!
Look forward to your individually designed dream trip, which can be 100% tailored to you and your wishes.
When you arrive at Cancún airport, pick up your rental car and drive to your hotel. There you can rest from the long journey.
Meals: none
After breakfast you will drive relaxed towards Chichén Itzá. On the way, make your first stop at the beautiful Cenote Suytun. Cenotes are freshwater caves and were or are sacred places of the Maya. Enjoy the impressive cave and then continue to the charming colonial town of Valladolid. Valladolid used to be the largest city in Yucatán after Mérida and Campeche and was very wealthy, which can still be seen today in the townhouses in the Spanish colonial style. After you have got to know the town a little better, you drive to today’s destination Chichén Itzá.
Our tip:When you arrive at your hotel in Chichén Itzá, we recommend the Chichén Itzá light and sound show in the evening.
Meals: breakfast
Driving hours: approx. 3 hours
Distance: approx. 220 Km / 137 miles
Take advantage of the excellent location of your hotel and enter the ruins of Chichén Itzá very early and before all other tourists. After Teotihuacán near Mexico City, Chichén Itzá is the largest and most important ruin site in Mexico. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988 and is one of the 7 new wonders of the world. The ruins were once the most important supraregional center of the Maya and surrounding peoples. Chichén Itzá is home to numerous impressive monumental buildings with a religious and political background, e.g. the well-known step pyramid. Take enough time to explore the temple complex in detail before you continue to the luxury Hacienda San José and let the evening end comfortably there.
Meals: breakfast
Driving time: approx. 1,5 hours
Distance: approx. 120 Km / 75 miles
Enjoy a hearty breakfast before you set off for Mérida, which is also known as the “white city”. The capital of Yucatán gets this name because of its many buildings made of white limestone such as the church Iglesia de la Tercera Orden. The cultural and political center of Yucatán has a great Mayan and colonial heritage, including can be recognized by the many magnificent buildings such as the Cathedral of Méridas or the mansion Casa de Montejo. But not only the architecture bears witness to a rich history, but also the food. Mérida street food is absolutely delicious and worth the trip alone!
You are welcome to book an optional street food tour with us.
After your tour of the city on your own, continue to the beautiful luxury Hacienda Santa Rosa and enjoy your stay there.
Meals: breakfast
Driving time: approx. 2 hours
Distance: approx. 120 Km / 75 miles
After a delicious breakfast, pack your bathing suit and drive to Celestun. This place is still an absolute insider tip. Look for one of the many boat tours on offer through the nature reserve of Celestún and observe the unique mangrove and diverse fauna. Thousands of pink flamingos gather from December to March, an unforgettable natural spectacle that you definitely shouldn’t miss. After your boat tour, we recommend you eat fish or seafood in one of the authentic local restaurants, it doesn’t get fresher! If you still have the time and inclination, treat yourself to a refreshing swim on Celestún beach before heading back to the Hacienda Santa Rosa.
Meals: breakfast
Driving time: approx. 2 hours
Distance: approx. 120 Km / 75 miles
Enjoy another hearty breakfast before heading to the port city of Campeche. Campeche is the capital of the state of the same name and has been a World Heritage Site since 1999. The port used to be an important transshipment point for the salt, wood and silver exports of the Spanish conquerors. That is precisely why Campeche was a frequent target for pirates. Stroll through the small streets with their brightly painted houses. You will then continue to your current accommodation at the luxury Hacienda Puerta Campeche.
Meals: breakfast
Driving time: approx. 2 hours
Distance: approx. 140 Km / 87 miles
Enjoy breakfast before continuing your journey to the ruins of Uxmal. Uxmal is one of the ruins of the Puuc region and one of the best restored temple complexes in Yucatán. There you can get a very good picture of how the only magnificent buildings were at their heyday in the9th / 10th. century . The complex is dominated by the “Pyramid of the Magician” (Piramide del Mago) and the Governor’s Palace.
Afterwards, we recommend a visit to the Uxmal Chocolate Museum, which is very close to the ruins. There you will learn everything about the “drink of the gods” and at the end you can even make chocolate yourself.
Then you drive on to the luxury Hacienda Temozon and let the evening end comfortably there.
Meals: breakfast
Driving hours: approx. 3 hours
Distance: approx. 200 Km / 124 miles
Today your round trip with the rental car through Yucatán ends. We would be happy to organize a subsequent beach holiday on the Riviera Maya for you.
Meals: breakfast
Driving time – Tulum: approx. 3,5 hours
Driving time – Playa del Carmen: approx. 4 hours
Driving time – Cancún airport: approx. 4 hours
