Cycle Mexico - The Yucatan Peninsula

Our journey begins in Cancun. Located on the north-eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun is a coastal resort town known for its white sand beaches and turquoise blue waters. A good range of international flight arrive into the local airport. This evening, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception for a welcome meeting, followed by the chance to go out for dinner for those interested. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive at Cancún International Airport (CUN), which is a 25-minute drive from our hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.

This morning, we'll have time to familiarise ourselves with our bikes and make any necessary adjustments. Once everybody is comfortable, we'll pedal off. The first 3.5 kilometres/2.1 miles of our route are on paved roads as we head east to Puerto Juarez. There, we'll catch a ferry for the short journey across to Isla Mujeres (30 minutes). Located 13 kilometres off the coast from Cancún, this island was revered by the Maya as a holy place and sanctuary for the Mayan goddess Ixchel. Today its known for stunning beaches, snorkelling, surrounding coral reefs, and Mayan Ruins. Departing the ferry, we'll meet our guides on the island with our bikes. From there we'll have a 16 kilometre/ 9.9 mile ride circumnavigating the island. Halfway we'll stop at Punta Sur, the southern tip. There's a lighthouse, the remains of a Mayan temple, and the most stunning views on the island. We'll learn about the ruins, hike around a bit, and explore. Continuing on our ride, we'll come to Playa Norte. We'll take some time here to enjoy the beach and have lunch (not included), or perhaps opt for a drink at one of the many beach clubs. After relaxing for a bit, we'll board the ferry and cycle back to the hotel. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 22 kilometres/13.7 miles (flat, paved roads).

Early this morning, we'll leave Cancun and drive inland for two hours to Chichen Itza. Founded in AD432 and conquered by the Toltecs in the 10th century, the culture of the Maya and the Toltec gradually fused. Chichen Itza is one of the most outstanding archaeological sites in the Americas and we'll visit the site with a local guide before enjoying free time to explore further. Founded in AD432 the city is believed to have reached its zenith during the Terminal Classic Period (800-1000 AD) and remarkable sculptures adorn the pyramids, palaces, temples and ball court (where death was the penalty for defeat). After our visit, we'll drive a short distance to Yokdzonot Cenote where we'll have free time to cool off with a swim and lunch (not included). Cenotes are natural pools formed in limestone and used by the ancient Mayan culture as a source of fresh water. Finally, we'll drive for a further 90 minutes to Merida and get to know the colonial city with a 10 kilometre/6.2 mile ride. (Please note that depending on arrival time and sunset hours, it might be better to move this ride to the early morning of day 4 - your tour leader will advise.) Famed for its Spanish-Moorish style architecture, Merida was founded in 1542 by Francisco de Montejo and the city was built over the ruins of a Mayan city. Trade with Europe during the Spanish colonial rule brought the city great wealth which is reflected in the many grand mansions, churches and plazas that lend the city a faded elegance and more of a European feel than elsewhere in Mexico. Merida is now the capital of the state of Yucatan and is also known as the 'White City'. Tonight, we'll enjoy an included meal at a local restaurant where we'll experience a traditional 'taquiza' (a taco buffet). Our total cycling distance today is approximately 10 kilometres/6.2 miles on flat, paved roads.

This morning, we'll take our bus the short distance from Merida to the coastal town of Progresso. Keeping the Gulf of Mexico to our left, we'll then enjoy a bicycle ride to Telchac, crossing coastal lagoons, beautiful beaches, and enjoying spotting the array of wildlife here. One interesting fact about the area we cycle through today (Chicxulub) is that it's the place where the meteorite hit the earth 65 million years ago - a collision that wiped out most dinosaurs and much of life on Earth. Our guide will provide interpretation on Chicxulub, coastal lagoons, salt production and local fishermen. We'll stop for an included seafood lunch at a local restaurant, and there'll be opportunities to swim in the ocean in Telchac. After finishing our cycle ride, we'll hop back in the van and travel 70 kilometres/43.4 miles to Izamal, also known as the 'Yellow City'. We'll visit the ancient Mayan site & Convento de San Antonio de Padua, and then continue on to a city tour of this incredibly photogenic city, learning about the Spanish influence on the Maya. Please note, depending on arrival time and sunset hours, we might move this to the early morning of day 5 - our tour leader will advise. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 43 kilometres/26.7 miles (flat, paved roads).

We start our day driving the 55 kilometres/34.1 miles to Dzitas - a small town where we start our bicycle ride towards Valladolid. On the way, we pass several small Maya villages, seeing how locals still live. Before arriving to Valladolid, we'll stop to swim in a cenote to cool down. Formerly known as the Sultana of the East, the Yucatán's third-largest city is known for its quiet streets and vibrant pastel-coloured walls. Upon arrival, we will do a city tour to visit the Cathedral, see the murals, and visit Casa de los Venados museum (entrance included). If time permits and we arrive on the right day, we might also get a chance to visit a local market.

To begin this morning, we drive the 77 kilometres/47.8 miles to Panaba - a small town where we start our bicycle ride towards the Rio Lagartos biosphere reserve. En route, we'll ride through the semi-evergreen Yucatan forest and past traditional local villages. Once in Rio Lagartos, we'll hop on a boat - the best way to navigate through this UNESCO biosphere reserve. With its diverse ecosystems and abundance of bird species, the lagoon is one of the best places in the Yucatan for watching birds. More than 400 bird species have been recorded, including the largest colony of American Flamingos. Reptiles such as crocodiles may also be seen. After the boat trip, we'll have the chance to tuck into a seafood lunch in a local restaurant (not included). Later, we'll head back towards Valladolid by bus. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 41 kilometres/25.4 miles. The terrain and roads are primarily flat paved surfaces.

We kick off our day driving the 71 kilometres/44.1 miles to Nuevo Xcan - a small town where we start our bicycle ride towards the Coba archaeological site. Coba lies deep in the forest and many of its temples are still buried under a tangle of tropical vines, palms and tree roots. Archaeologists believe Cobá was one of the most important ruin sites on the Yucatan Peninsula. This Mayan site is still largely unexcavated making it a true wonder. Coba means 'waters stirred by the wind', an appropriate Mayan name as this settlement is surrounded by two large lagoons. Once in Coba archaeological site you will have the choice to walk or rent a bicycle to navigate this impressive archaeological site (we cannot bring our own bikes inside). Our expert guide will lead you through Coba and its rich Mayan history, giving you the chance to climb one of the tallest Mayan temples in the region. This afternoon, we'll hop on our bus and head towards Tulum to check in to our hotel. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 31 kilometres/19.2 miles. Today's cycling route is mostly on the flat, with 2 short but steep climbs. The roads are flat paved surfaces.

After breakfast, we'll visit the incredible Mayan site of Tulum with a local guide. The ruins of Tulum enjoy a dramatic setting perched atop a cliff overlooking the turquoise waters and white sand beach below. Tulum was the last great city constructed and inhabited by the Mayan people between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. It was a site of worship to the Great Descending God, whose image adorns the temples within the site. Tulum was also of great importance for sea trade. Tribes from all over Mexico and other Central American countries would travel here for commerce. It's said that the great wall around the city was erected to protect it from envious traders and pirates who wanted to steal the prime location for themselves. After visiting Tulum ruins, we'll make our way to Playa del Carmen and check into our hotel. The afternoon is free, so you might choose to kick back and relax on the beach or take in the sights of this exciting seaside town. This evening, as it's the last night of the tour, you might like to have a final farewell dinner with your fellow travel companions and tour guide.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Playa del Carmen. We choose to end here as it's in close proximity to Cancun International Airport (CUN). There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If you'd like more time to explore Playa del Carmen, contact our reservations team to secure accommodation. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at your hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Cancún International Airport (CUN), which is a one-hour to 90-minute drive away (56 kilometres/34.8 miles)