Mexico Family Holiday
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Experience Overview
Take the kind of tropical holiday your kids will talk about for years on this seven-day adventure that takes you to the sunny beaches, UNESCO World Heritage-listed temple ruins and bustling cities of Mexico. Discover Maya culture and history at Chichen Itza and Tulum, take a dip in the turquoise waters of a cenote at Yokdzonot, try your hand at tortilla-making with a Maya family and watch flamingos paint the horizon pink at the Celestun Bird Sanctuary. There’s so much more to Mexico than beaches and palm trees, and this family-friendly trip gets you to all of it, with an expert local leader to guide you along the way.
Highlights
- Revel in the beach vibes of Playa del Carmen, where you’ll have some free time to spend with your family however you wish – maybe go snorkelling, sample your way through the local cuisine or simply kick back on the beach.
- Explore ancient Maya ruins at the 13th-century port town of Tulum, perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean, and Chichen Itza – a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
- Discover the charm of Merida’s leafy plazas, captivating museums and vibrant city streets. Go on a walking tour of the city and try marquesitas – a traditional dessert of rolled crepes with fillings like chocolate or caramel.
- Meet local Maya families, learn how to make your own tortillas and dine on a pibil feast – a traditional Maya cooking method in which pork is slow-cooked underground.
- Swim in the clear waters of a cenote (underground cave) and learn about the fascinating local legends behind how some of them were formed.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2460
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private Mini Bus
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, Budget
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: QMFA
Starts: Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Finishes: Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Duration: 7 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (6), Lunch (2), Dinner (1)Accommodation: Hotels (6 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1808 ($258 /day)
Itinerary
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Mexico. Your adventure begins in Playa del Carmen – a great destination for families. You may like to arrive early to explore the local area and the many activities on offer. You and your family could go snorkelling among the mangroves, relax on white sandy beaches or even take a ferry to the island of Cozumel for some diving! You’ll have a welcome meeting at 5 pm, where you'll meet your local leader and the other families joining you for your trip. After the meeting, you’ll head to a nearby restaurant for a welcome dinner where you can get to know the other families and tuck into some authentic Mexican cuisine.
Accommodation:
- Hotel Kinbe (Number of Nights: 1)
Today, you’ll travel down the coast for a daytrip to the Tulum archaeological site – a well-preserved ancient Maya city backed by the Caribbean Sea. Tulum was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya and reached its pinnacle during the 13th and 15th centuries. The city stood for about 70 years after the Spanish occupation began. Get the lay of the land on a guided tour with your leader in the morning, then spend the afternoon either at the beach or stay in town, where you can rent some bikes and explore on two wheels. Return to Playa del Carmen later in the day for a free evening to spend as you wish.
Included Activities:
- Tulum - Archaeological Site (incl. entrance & national park fee - no guide)
Accommodation:
- Hotel Kinbe (Number of Nights: 1)
Head inland to the small city of Izamal, stopping at the village of Laguna Chabela along the way. Here, you’ll meet a local Maya family who have lived in this village for many generations. On a tour of their farm, you and the kids will see what produce they grow and learn how they live off the land. You’ll also learn how to make Coba-style tortillas and enjoy a traditional lunch using your creations. Continue to Izamal, where you’ll quickly learn why some call it the ‘City of Yellow’ as you pass the many bright yellow buildings. See the town’s highlights on an orientation walk with your leader, then enjoy some free time to explore more of the town with your family or maybe head to the hotel for a swim.
Included Activities:
- Laguna Chabela - Mayan homestead visit
- Laguna Chavela - Tortilla making demonstration
- Laguna Chavela - Home cooked lunch
- Izamal - Leader-led orientation walk
Accommodation:
- Hotel Tuul or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Continue to Merida, the capital of the state of Yucatan. Merida blends Spanish and Mayan influences, which is perhaps best illustrated in the Plaza de la Independencia – the city’s heart. Explore the city’s architecture – many of these buildings were constructed using the original stones of the temples that once stood in their place. Join your leader for an orientation walk and stop by a street vendor to buy some sweet marquesitas (a Yucatan specialty, these rolled crepes are filled with caramel, jam, chocolate or cheese and are sure to be a hit with the kids). The rest of the day is free for you to spend however you like.
Included Activities:
- Merida – leader led orientation walk
Accommodation:
- Hotel Maria Jose or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Travel west to the Gulf of Mexico coast and take a boat ride to visit the Celestun Bird Sanctuary and Biosphere Reserve, home to vast flocks of flamingos and herons. This region is the first stop on the migratory path of birds heading from North to Central America. If you’re visiting at the right time of year (December to March), you'll likely witness thousands of flamingos painting a pink streak across the landscape, framed by coconut trees lining the shoreline. Later, return to Merida, where you’ll have some free time to relax. Maybe go for a swim in the hotel pool or head out on one last walk around town to soak up the atmosphere.
Included Activities:
- Merida - Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel Maria Jose or similar (Number of Nights: 1)
Say farewell to Merida and begin your journey back to Playa del Carmen. Along the way, you’ll stop at Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage site and possibly the most famous Maya temple in all of Mexico. Marvel at the Temple of Kukulcan (AKA El Castillo), then explore the nearby Great Ball Court. Next, get to know a local family over a special lunch in the town of Piste. Here, you’ll sit down to a pibil feast – this traditional Maya style of cooking involves wrapping food (typically pork) in banana leaves and barbecuing it underground. You’ll also have a chance to cool off with a swim in one of the many hidden cenotes which are dotted all over the Yucatan peninsula. These are natural sinkholes created when underground limestone collapses, exposing the groundwater beneath. The cenote you’re visiting today was developed by a group of local Mayan women as a locally owned source of employment for people in the community.
Included Activities:
- Chichen Itza - Home-cooked pibil lunch
- Yokdzonot - Cenote visit and swim
- Chichen Itza - Archaeological site (entrance fee, no guide)
Accommodation:
- Hotel Kinbe (Number of Nights: 1)
With no further activities planned, today marks the end of your Mexico adventure. If you’d like to extend your stay for even more beach days and exploring, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Alan - Traveled, December 2025
Great family friendly trip suitable for all ages.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/25/2025
Penny - Traveled, December 2025
Fun trip. Lovely mixture of seeing towns across Yucatán, as well as a Mayan settlement, with Mayan archaeological sights included. Our leader was friendly and knowledgeable. 078888888
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/26/2025
Kristine - Traveled, December 2025
We thoroughly enjoyed this trip with our 14 and 12 year old sons. Our main goal was to expose them to a new culture, food, and gain an appreciation of travel. Intrepid delivered with genuine interactions with locals and their customs (cemetery tour), a farm stay where we experienced traditional tortilla making and a homecooked Mayan meal. As well as several other organized tourist activities. It felt like a true immersion in the culture vs the touristy version. Well organized, safe and overall a great experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/25/2025
Kristin - Traveled, December 2025
Our Mexican family holiday with Intrepid was great. We really enjoyed getting to experience the culture and food of the Yucután. In particular, it was really magical to spend an afternoon with a Mayan family in their traditional jungle home. Our guide did a fantastic job accommodating different ages during the activities. Other highlights were early morning pictures at Chichén Itzá and swimming in the cenote. We will definitely travel with Intrepid again.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/20/2025
Robert - Traveled, December 2025
Fantastic trip filled with great people and inspiring culture.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/26/2025
Rebecca - Traveled, August 2025
This trip was a lovely balance - wildlife, archaeological sites and meeting with local people, with some pools and beaches for good measure!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/29/2025
Duncan - Traveled, July 2025
We enjoyed a wonderful family adventure experiencing true Mexican cultures, incredible family activities creating unforgettable life time memories supported by an absolute legend of a tour guide!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/31/2025
Claire - Traveled, July 2025
This was our 1st Intrepid trip. We are a family of 5, ( 20,17&11). The Mexican family adventure provided something for us all - would highly recommend, especially our tour guide Kei
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/24/2025
Jason - Traveled, July 2025
A Family holiday for all that included an unforgettable sightseeing and activity filled week across the Yucatan peninsula with fellow travellers and an experienced, knowledgeable guide to ensure you consume and enjoy the trip in a responsible way supporting local communities and the environment along the journey. “Yum bo’otik”! (Thank you - Yucatan Mayan)
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/24/2025
Mandy - Traveled, July 2025
Incredible journey through the Yucatan with our top-notch guide Kei and a wonderful group of fellow travelers. With unique local interactions, cenote swims and delicious food, this has been our favorite Intrepid family itinerary yet.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/19/2025
