Tomb Raider-inspired Mexico trip

Arrive at Cancún Airport and pick up your rental car for a relaxed drive to your hotel in Playa del Carmen. This first day is all about settling in and absorbing the Riviera Maya atmosphere, with optional stops at beaches or local eateries along the way.

Before arrival, you’ll receive a detailed, personalized itinerary and local tips for your Tomb Raider-inspired Mexico trip. Spend the afternoon exploring Quinta Avenida, taking a dip in the sea, or simply resting after your flight as you ease into your Mexico travel experience.

Explore Tulum’s cliffside ruins, perched above the turquoise Caribbean. Inside the Walled City, visit the Great Palace, the Castle, the Temple of the Frescoes, and the Temple of the Descending God for an authentic window into Maya life.

Continue to Jungla Maya Native Park for access to the Sac Actun System. Snorkel among stalactites and stalagmites, rappel into a cenote, ride all-terrain vehicles through the jungle, soar on zip lines above the canopy, and take part in a traditional Maya blessing ceremony.

Self-drive to Cobá and explore its archaeological site, an ancient Maya city surrounded by five lakes and connected by more than 50 sacbes (white roads). Climb the tallest pyramid on the Yucatán Peninsula for sweeping jungle views, one of the most adventurous moments of your Mexico itinerary.

Optional bike rentals and local guiding add flexibility and insight, making this an active and memorable day.

Start with a self-drive from Cobá to Valladolid, one of the peninsula’s oldest cities and a designated Magic Town. Located roughly 99 miles from both Mérida and Cancún, Valladolid is an ideal base for tailored cultural exploration.

In the afternoon, visit Ek Balam, “Bright Star Jaguar”, an early Maya city known for its intricately carved temples and plazas. Admire the restored jaguar-mouth façade, climb the main temple for sweeping views, imagine rituals at the Pok Ta Pok ball court, and photograph the site’s iconic false arch.

Ría Lagartos Reserve offers intimate wildlife encounters on guided boat tours through mangroves and shallow lagoons, perfect for photographers and birdwatchers hoping to see vibrant pink flamingos up close.

Nearby Las Coloradas enchants with its striking pink salt lakes and a friendly fishing community centered around traditional salt production. Stroll the shoreline, meet local salt workers, and capture unforgettable, mirror-like sunsets.

Drive from Valladolid to Mérida, stopping at hidden cenotes your guide can recommend along the way. Once in Mérida, explore the city’s colonial heart around Plaza de la Independencia, visit the cathedral and the Church of the Third Order, and stroll down Paseo de Montejo. Don’t miss Fernando Pacheco’s powerful murals in the Government Palace.

Later, you can continue to Uxmal to discover the Pyramid of the Magician, the Nunnery Quadrangle, and the Governor’s Palace before ending the day with the dramatic nighttime light-and-sound show.

Drive from Mérida to Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and consistently ranked among the best places to visit in Mexico. Explore El Castillo, the Great Ball Court, the Observatory, and the Temple of the Warriors as your local guide explains their astronomical and cultural significance.

After your visit, cool off with a swim in a nearby cenote selected to match your interests.

Drive from your hotel near Chichén Itzá to Playa del Carmen, leave your rental car at the ferry dock, and board a short ferry ride across crystalline waters to Cozumel. Here, coral reefs and vibrant marine life create the perfect setting for snorkeling and relaxation.

Upon arrival, a private transfer will meet you at the dock and escort you to your hotel.

Enjoy a free day on Cozumel’s beaches, where crystalline waters and soft sand invite snorkeling, beach games, and unhurried reading.

Friendly locals and shifting shades of blue create picture-perfect moments, ideal for photos, relaxation, and quiet reflection.

Relax on Cozumel’s white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. Snorkel vibrant reefs, paddleboard, join a local volleyball game, or simply lose yourself in a book as the waves roll in. Choose a quiet cove, a lively beach with friendly locals, or a spot where beach games unfold.

Savor a final breakfast on Cozumel, taking in fresh local flavors and tranquil island views. Your private transfer will meet you at your hotel and bring you to the dock at a pace that allows for a relaxed morning.

Cross by public ferry to Playa del Carmen, where another private driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel.

Say goodbye to the sunlit beaches of the Mayan Riviera with one final moment tailored to you. Enjoy a relaxed swim, a seaside coffee, or a last photo that captures the spirit of your Mexico trip.

A private transfer will take you to Cancún Airport in plenty of time for your flight, ensuring a smooth, personalized end to your Tomb Raider-inspired adventure, and leaving you with memories that stay long after the journey ends.