Mérida and Riviera Maya Tour Package.
Discover Culture & Beaches
Mérida and Riviera Maya Tour Package
Yucatán Culture and the Caribbean Coast
The Mérida and Riviera Maya tour package is a 10-day private journey across Yucatán, from Chichén Itzá and Mérida to the Caribbean coast. Along the way, we explore Uxmal, Mérida’s markets and food traditions, a historic hacienda, ceramics with a local artisan, a cenote near Valladolid, Río Secreto and Tulum.
The journey begins with a night near Chichén Itzá for an early guided visit. It then spends four nights in Mérida before continuing east to the Riviera Maya, where guided exploration is balanced with time beside the Caribbean.
Journey Style: Private
Transportation: Private vehicle
Pick-up / Drop-off: Cancún International Airport
Activity Level: Moderate
Physical Demand: Walking on uneven archaeological terrain and walking and floating through the natural cave environment at Río Secreto.
Duration:10 Days, 9 Nights
Difficulty: Moderate
Group Size: Minimum 2
Comfort Level: Standard to Luxury
Highlights of the Mérida and Riviera Maya Tour Package
- Visit Chichén Itzá early with a private guide.
- Explore Mérida through its historic center, markets and Yucatecan food.
- Discover Uxmal and visit a historic hacienda in the Yucatán countryside.
- Meet a local ceramic artisan and cook with a Maya host family.
- Walk through Valladolid and swim in a quiet cenote.
- Explore the underground river and limestone chambers of Río Secreto.
- Visit Tulum above the Caribbean coast.
- Enjoy unhurried time beside the sea on the Riviera Maya.
Mérida and Riviera Maya Tour Package Photo Gallery
10-Day Mérida and Riviera Maya Tour Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in Cancún and Transfer near Chichén Itzá
Arrive at Cancún International Airport, where your driver welcomes you to Mexico. Continue by private vehicle to your hotel near Chichén Itzá, approximately two and a half hours away.
Settle into the hotel and enjoy a quiet evening before beginning your journey through Yucatán.
Day 2 — Chichén Itzá and Mérida
Enter Chichén Itzá early with your private guide. Explore El Castillo, the Great Ball Court, the Temple of the Warriors and other structures that reveal the history and importance of this Maya city.
After the visit, continue west to Mérida. Settle into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Day 3 — Mérida City, Market and Yucatecan Food
Walk through Mérida’s historic center with your guide and discover the city through its architecture, public spaces and daily life.
Visit a local market and taste regional food while learning how Maya and colonial histories continue to shape Yucatecan culture. The visit also introduces the streets, landmarks and traditions that give Mérida its distinctive character.
Day 4 — Uxmal and a Yucatán Hacienda
Travel south from Mérida to Uxmal, one of the most important Maya cities of the Puuc region. Explore the Pyramid of the Magician, the Nunnery Quadrangle, the Governor’s Palace and the architectural details that distinguish Uxmal from other sites in Yucatán.
Continue to a historic hacienda in the Yucatán countryside. Its architecture and grounds are placed within the social and economic history of the region, including the role of henequen production and the communities connected to the estate.
Enjoy lunch and time in the surrounding countryside before returning to Mérida.
Day 5 — Ceramics and Cooking with a Maya Family
Join a hands-on ceramic workshop led by a local artisan near Mérida. Learn about the materials, techniques and knowledge behind the work before creating your own piece.
Later, cook alongside a Maya host family using regional ingredients and family recipes. Share the meal you prepare together and spend time in conversation with your hosts.
The late afternoon remains free to enjoy Mérida independently or relax at your hotel.
Day 6 — Valladolid, Cenot,e and Riviera Maya
Leave Mérida and travel east toward the Riviera Maya. Stop in Valladolid for a guided walk through its historic center and time to appreciate the city’s architecture and Yucatecan identity.
Continue to a quiet cenote near Valladolid. Enjoy time to swim, change comfortably and have a regional lunch before continuing to the Caribbean coast.
Arrive at your hotel on the Riviera Maya and settle in for the evening.
Day 7 — A Day beside the Caribbean
Enjoy a full day at leisure on the Riviera Maya.
Spend time at the beach, relax beside the pool, visit the spa or simply enjoy the surroundings and comforts of your hotel. This unhurried day creates a natural pause between the cultural journey through Yucatán and the experiences that follow along the Caribbean coast.
Day 8 — Río Secreto and Beach Time
Visit Tulum’s archaeological site with your private guide. Explore the temples, ceremonial structures and defensive walls of this Maya city overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
Learn about Tulum’s role in regional trade and its connections with other communities across the Maya world.
Return to your hotel for a final afternoon at the beach and a relaxed evening on the Riviera Maya.
Day 9 — Tulum and Beach Time
Visit Tulum’s archaeological site with your private guide. Explore the temples, ceremonial structures and defensive walls of this Maya city overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
Learn about Tulum’s role in regional trade and its connections with other communities across the Maya world.
Return to your hotel for a final afternoon at the beach and a relaxed evening on the Riviera Maya.
Day 10 — Departure from Cancún
Meet your driver for the private transfer to Cancún International Airport in time for your departing flight
A Private Journey through Yucatán
This Yucatán and Riviera Maya tour follows a clear west-to-east route without unnecessary backtracking. Beginning near Chichén Itzá allows an early visit, while four nights in Mérida provide time for the city, Uxmal, the countryside and hosted cultural experiences.
The final four nights on the Riviera Maya bring a slower rhythm, with Río Secreto, Tulum and time beside the Caribbean.
Martsam arranges the accommodations, private transportation, guiding and experiences that form the journey. The final hotels, hosts and exact timing are confirmed according to your travel dates and local availability.
Why Choose This Mérida and Riviera Maya Journey?
- A well-paced route connecting Yucatán’s cultural interior with the Caribbean coast.
- Private transportation throughout the journey.
- Privately guided visits to the principal cities and archaeological sites.
- Meaningful time in Mérida instead of a brief overnight stop.
- Direct interaction with local artisans and hosts.
- Historical context for Maya sites, Mérida and the Yucatán hacienda landscape.
- A balanced final stay combining guided experiences with time to rest.
Plan Your Mérida and Riviera Maya Tour Package
Travel from Chichén Itzá and Mérida to the Riviera Maya with Martsam arranging your accommodations, guides, experiences and private transportation. Send us your preferred dates and number of travelers to receive a proposal for this 10-day private journey through Yucatán.