Arrive To: International flight arrivals into Cancun. Participants will be required to go through standard immigration and customs procedures before exiting the airport.

Transfer to your hotel.


Dinner: Pre- dinner welcome to the program.

Dinner at the hotel.

Lodging: Courtyard Marriott Cancun

Meals Included: Dinner

Holbox Island -
Ferry Ride to Holbox/City Orientation/Beach and Pool Time/Spanish Lesson

Breakfast: At the hotel.


Morning: After taking part in a program orientation at the hotel, board a bus to Chiquila (2.5 hours).

Arrive at Chiquila and board a ferry to Holbox Island (20 minutes).

Holbox Island is located off the northern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, within the Yum-Balam Biosphere Reserve. Just 7.44 miles long and less than a mile wide, this diminutive tropical paradise is home to a peaceful fishing community and is increasingly visited by tourists who come to view whale sharks. Residents and tourists get around the island on golf carts or mopeds. Streets are made of lime rock and remain unpaved.

Arrive in Holbox and transfer to the hotel in golf cart taxis.

Check-in at the hotel followed by a snorkeling orientation at the hotel swimming pool.

Time at leisure to enjoy the beach and the hotel swimming pools.


Lunch: At the hotel.


Afternoon: Board golf carts for a fun city orientation through Holbox's lime rock roads.


Dinner: At a local restaurant that serves kid-friendly fare.


Evening: Return to the hotel for an informal Spanish lesson.

Lodging: Hotel Villa Delfines

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Holbox Island -
Snorkeling with Whale Sharks/Beach and Pool Time/Spanish Lesson/Learning About Local Music

Note: Swimming with whale sharks is highly regulated. Only 2 participants are allowed in the water with the guide at any time (each snorkeling session lasts 10 minutes). No cameras are allowed in the water while snorkeling with the whale sharks.

Breakfast: At the hotel.


Morning: Transfer to the dock and board a boat to the snorkeling site (1-2 hours ride depending on location of the whale sharks).

Swimming with whale sharks is an activity that is strictly regulated by local park authorities. Only 2 participants are allowed in the water with the guide at any time (10 min. sessions). Participants take their turns in the water while the remainder of the group can observe the passing whale sharks and take photographs from the comfort of the boat (cameras are not allowed in the water). Participants are allowed up to 3 swimming sessions lasting 10 minutes each time. Snacks and drinks are provided onboard the boat.

After completing this exhilarating activity, return to Holbox Island in time for lunch.


Lunch: At the hotel.


Afternoon: After lunch, enjoy some time at leisure to relax after your busy morning. Visit the beach, lounge by the hotel pool, or perhaps catch-up on your vacation reading.

Join your group leader for another informal Spanish lesson. Let's see how much you can remember from the previous day!

Before dinner, learn about local music with Victor Vasquez--a local musician and instrument maker. A talk and musical presentation will have your feet tapping to the contagious rhythms.


Dinner: BBQ dinner on hotel patio.

Lodging: Hotel Villa Delfines

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Chitchén Itzá -
Isla Pajaros Sanctuary/Valladolid City Orientation/Cooking Lesson/Spanish Lesson

Breakfast: At the hotel.


Morning: Private transfer to the pier. Board a boat back to Chiquilla via Isla Pajaros.

At Isla Pajaros (Bird Island), take part in a walking field trip to a local lookout point in search of sea birds. Look for vibrantly colored flamingoes that flock to this location from April to October.

Continue your boat transfer to Chiquilla.

Disembark in Chiquilla and transfer to Chichén Itzá via Valladolid.


Lunch: At local restaurant in Valladolid.


Afternoon: After lunch, acquaint yourself with picturesque Valladolid during a city orientation.

Valladolid is an attractive 16th century town located in the eastern side of the Yucatán state, within 29 miles of Chichen Itzá. As is commonly the case with colonial cities in the peninsula, Valladolid rose from the ashes of a destroyed Maya center. Ancient structures were demolished in order to provide stones and other building materials for the Spanish settlement. Ironically, many colonial buildings were destroyed or damaged during the lengthy Yucatecan Caste War (1847-1901) and in later years during Indian uprisings. Valladolid is home to one of the oldest church buildings in the region, the Church of San Bernardino de Siena and adjoining convent.

Continue with transfer to nearby Chichén Itzá.

Arrive at the hotel and check-in.

Time at leisure to cool off in the hotel's swimming pool or explore the property's attractive gardens for a chance to see local flora and bird life and marvel at views of Chichén Itzá's ancient temples.

Gather around the kitchen table for a lesson in tortilla making. Push up your sleeves and get your hands dirty as you learn how locals make this important Mexican staple.

Piñata party for the children.


Dinner: At the hotel.


Evening: Finish the evening with an informal Spanish lesson.

Lodging: Hotel Mayaland
Chichen Itza

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Chichén Itzá -
Chichén Itzá Ruins/Cenote Ik Kil/Spanish Lesson/Light and Sound Show

Breakfast: At the hotel.


Morning: Walking field trip of the Chichén Itzá archaeological complex and site lecture.

Chichén Itzá is considered the greatest Mayan site on the Yucatán peninsula and is certainly the most popular stop along today’s Ruta Maya. The archaeological site centers upon two unusually large cenotes, one that provided water for the city and the other a famous sacred cenote. Its history is the Yucatán’s “Trojan War,” as the ruler of Chichén Itzá stole the bride of one of the lords of Izamal who then took vengeance and sacked Chichén. The consolidation of Chichén Itzá as a political center meant the creation of a complicated political structure. This leadership allowed it to achieve magnificent architectural and sculptural splendor and made it one of the largest cities in the Maya area.

Return to the hotel for a bathroom break and a change of clothes before departing for Cenote Ik Kil.

Feast your eyes on the beauty of Cenote Ik Kil before taking a refreshing dip in the cool spring-fed waters.

Cenotes are water-filled limestone sinkholes found in the Yucatán and some Caribbean sites. Cenotes were an important source of freshwater for the Maya living in the Yucatán Peninsula. They were believed to be the gateways to the afterlife, and were treated as sacred sites. Cenote Ik Kil is located in the heart of the Chichén Itzá archeological site, near the ceremonial centers. Its rock walls encircle a pool of transparent blue waters, amidst lush tropical vegetation. After catching a glimpse of this beautiful natural creation, it is easy to understand why the Maya would have felt this site was sacred.


Lunch: At a local restaurant overlooking the cenote.


Afternoon: Return to the hotel.

Time at leisure to rest or enjoy the hotel amenities.

Participate in an informal pre-dinner Spanish lesson.


Dinner: At the hotel.


Evening: Watch Chichén Itzá's temples come to life with bright colors and music during a spectacular light and sound show.

Lodging: Hotel Mayaland
Chichen Itza

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Akumal -
Spider Monkey Reserve/Maya Village/Yal Ku Cenote and Bay

Breakfast: At the hotel.


Morning: Transfer to Akumal Bay via Punta Laguna.

Walking field trip in the Punta Laguna Spider Monkey Reserve and visit a local Maya village.

Although the small and unassuming nature sanctuary is known for protecting hundreds of black-handed spider monkeys and a lesser number of howler monkeys, it also provides a safehaven for all nature of native wildlife and flora. An exploration of the forest trails reveal tall ceiba trees, zacate trees, fruiting ramón trees (a squirrel monkey favorite) and colorful epiphytic bromeliads. Ancient stone mounds and stone dwellings blend into the forest and offer interesting clues about the people who once inhabited the area.

The small village at Punta Laguna provides a good opportunity to examine the life and customs of modern day Maya.


Lunch: At a local restaurant.


Afternoon: Arrive in Akumal and check-in at hotel.

Ride bicycles to nearby Yal Ku Cenote and Bay (approximately 1/4 mile) for snorkeling and water sports.

Return to the hotel by bus and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.


Dinner: At the hotel.


Lodging: Akumal Beach Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Akumal -
Reef Snorkeling/Spanish Lesson/Akumal Environmental Center/Nighttime Turtle Nesting Walk

Note: In preparation for the nighttime turtle nesting walk participants should wear sneakers or sturdy walking shoes (no sandals), wear long sleeves and pants for mosquito protection (avoid perfumes or repellents), bring a water bottle and a plastic bag to collect trash on the beach. The walk can cover as much as 3 miles. No flash photography is allowed during this activity as it may disturb nesting turtles.

Arrive To: At the hotel.


Morning: Walk to the marina to get your snorkeling gear. After receiving a brief orientation on safety procedures and the use of the equipment, enjoy the morning snorkeling in the nearby reef.

While snorkeling, you will possibly encounter sea turtles. Please make sure to admire these beautiful creatures at a respectful distance (about 6.5 feet). The CEA likes to remind swimmers to avoid snorkeling over the turtles since they need to come up to the surface to breathe and to avoid approaching turtles when they are feeding.

Return to the hotel in time for lunch.


Lunch: At a local restaurant.


Afternoon: Enjoy a relaxing free afternoon to indulge in hotel amenities and explore the area at your leisure.

Join your group leader and fellow group members for an informal Spanish lesson before dinner.


Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: Transfer to the Centro Ecológico Akumal (CEA) for a lecture on coral reefs and sea turtles. The center is a non-profit marine research and conservation organization that monitors environmental impact of urban development in the Mexican Caribbean. Through scientific research and community education, the CEA hopes to raise public awareness about local ecosystems and the need for conservation.

The lecture will be followed by a nighttime turtle nesting walk along the beach (May - October is nesting season).

In preparation for the beach walk, the CEA suggests wearing sneakers or sturdy walking shoes (no sandals), refraining from wearing perfume/cologne or insect repellent (good idea to wear long sleeves and pants), and bringing a sport water bottle and a plastic bag to collect trash on the beach. Walks can cover as much as 3 miles.


Lodging: Akumal Beach Resort

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel.


Morning: Transfer to Selvática Eco Park for a jungle zip-line, cenote zip-line, and sky bridge walk adventure.


Lunch: At Selvática Eco Park.


Afternoon: Transfer to Cancun.

Arrive at hotel and check-in.

Enjoy some free time to relax before dinner.


Dinner: Farewell dinner at local restaurant.

Lodging: Courtyard Marriott Cancun

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel restaurant (dependent on flight times).


Morning: Participants will transfer to the airport via hotel shuttle to catch flights back to the U.S.

Meals Included: Breakfast