Mexico
The Legacy of the Maya: Archaeology of the Northern Yucatan
Program No. 22516RJ
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The Legacy of the Maya: Archaeology of the Northern Yucatan
The Legacy of the Maya: Archaeology of the Northern Yucatan
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Participant Reviews
Based on 33 Reviews
SHOWING
The beginning of the trip started a bit rocky due to misinformation I received from the Road Scholar itinerary staff person on when I would be picked up at the Cancun airport. I have discussed this with one of the Road Scholar liaisons.
The airport security personnel were very unfriendly so in the future Road Scholar attendees should be picked up promptly so they are not harassed.
The trip itself was lovely and very educational. We were a small group of nine. Our group leader Miguel Mendez was very knowledgeable and passionate about the history of the Maya and the Maya sites that we visited. He and our driver Angel took good care of us and were delightful companions. The one thing I would change would be the length of our in the field lectures. It's hard to stand in one spot even in the shade. Some of those lectures could have been conducted during our driving time.
I enjoyed the bus trip movies that Miguel showed us on long rides. They were educational and made the trips go be faster.
I also enjoyed our time with Dr. Tomas Gallareta Negron. He has many years of experience in archeological research, conservation and preservation.
All of the Maya sites we visited were breath-taking no matter what their state of preservation was. It is amazing to think that people who lived so long ago could build these beautiful monuments. I think my favorite sites were Tulum with it's beautiful coastal background; Kabah, smaller but with wonderful architecture and decorative features; and Uxmal with its large site and many fabulous buildings.
I also enjoyed visiting the public markets, where I would loved to spend more time; our time at the Hacienda where we spent a few nights; our tours in the colonial cities of Merida and Valladolid; and our visit to the monkey preserve.
Our lodging were all very nice and the meals were spectacular. I particularly enjoyed the fresh seafood at Progresso and the wonderfully prepared venison on our way to Merida.
I had a great time!
— Review left February 18, 2026
This was my sixth trip with Road Scholar and definitely the most intense. The itinerary and descriptions are very accurate. There is a lot of time spent in the van driving to Mayan sites- and there are a lot of Mayan sites. It was a little overwhelming at times. Every site was interesting, and there were a couple that were just totally amazing- sites where there were no other people and you probably never would have visited on your own. And the swimming! Swimming in cenotes is the best thing I have done all year. I just loved them. We had two public ones, and then a small one- in a cave!- at the Hacienda. At times I felt like the trip was just too much, too exhausting. But then we would walk through the jungle and see incredible ruins, or dive into a cenote and it all seemed wonderful. Read the program information carefully, and take note of the activity level. If you have trouble walking, or have low stamina, it may not be the right one for you.
— Review left December 21, 2025
You must be really interested in the Maya history and culture to appreciate this trip. You will explore many Mayan sites and will get a comprehensive view of this amazing culture. You will learn that places like Chichen-Itza are only the 'tip of the iceberg'. New techniques (Lidar) show that there's many Mayan sites and many were big cities with complex infrastructure, engineering and even highways between them. About 1000 years ago, the Maya region was inhabited by millions of people. Think of the Maya and the people of Central Mexico as the Greek and Romans. They had the same Gods (Quetzalcoatl in Mexico, Kukulcan for the Maya) but different cultures. Even today, the underlying Maya culture makes Yucatan very different from the rest of Mexico. Even the food is different, so don't expect 'Mexican food' as known in the US. Instead of burritos, you'll get cochinita pibil and papadzules. Some experiences were fantastic; we stayed at a Hacienda Hotel that has its own Cenote. Our guide (Juan Trejo) is Maya and greatly enjoyed sharing his knowledge. We even spent a day with an archeologist who shared his techniques and findings studying one of the 'new' sites. Overall, a great experience, especially if you're interested in learning about the Maya culture.
If your main interest is not the Maya, there's a new trip offered by Road Scholar (Chiapas and Yucatan) that may offer more variety of experiences and adds places like Palenque, Canon del Sumidero and Campeche.
— Review left April 30, 2025
A wonderful experience which I would thoroughly recommend.
— Review left April 16, 2025
The Road Scholar trip The Legacy of the Maya: Archaeology of the Northern Yucatan was a lifetime experience for me. The scale, complexity and wonder of the Maya civilization was far more extensive than I had realized. The living people/Maya of the Yucatan are vibrant and retain a rich culture. Road Scholar put together a knowledgeable and experienced trip leader, great accommodations, good driver, and a well-planned circuit around the Yucatan to see the amazing work of the Maya in Mexico.
— Review left March 1, 2025
This was the trip of a lifetime. Learning about Maya history and culture -- and climbing a pyramid -- with new friends was wonderful.
— Review left February 20, 2025
I had a great time! Thank you JJ!
— Review left February 9, 2025
Very disappointed that activities advertised in the program were not delivered upon. When we visited the city of Izamal we only walked past a few stores and spent all our time at the Convento de San Antonio de Padua. We were never taken to see the temple ruins of Kinich K'ahk Mo. (something we really wanted to see)The tour of the Sisal factory was a joke. We peeked in an open door and the driver pulled some sisal out of the garbage to show us! There was never and "expert presentation" on the Mayan calendar. When we asked about it our guide pulled up few pictures and showed it on a wall. We were never taken to the cave. We saw nothing at the monastery of Mani. We were told we could not go inside. We were supposed to have a lunch at our Hotel in Valladolid on Day 11 (nice place) instead taken to restaurant where we were the only customers (food not good) Our farewell dinner was stated to take place at a restaurant in Cancun. We ate at the Courtyard Marriot where our accommodations were.
Many meals we were told an amount to spend. But if the amount was less than the allotted amount we were not allowed to use the leftover money to buy a beer or put toward a beverage.
We arrived a day early in order take advantage of being in Cancun to see the beaches. When we asked about the shuttle service to the beach, we were told there wasn't anything like that and they could call a taxi for us. The next morning after talking to our waiter. We found this was not true. We proceeded to speak with the same desk clerk, she then booked our day trip to the Wyndham.(very nice) free transport, $70 per person for an all inclusive day. Our maid threw took away/ or took an important roll of medical tape from our room. Our last night we spent at the same Marriott. Upon arrival we were told there were not rooms for our group. After approx 30 minutes our reservations were found. Nobody's room safe worked. Email list and pictures taken were never sent to anyone as promised by our guide.
— Review left January 24, 2025
A great trip, we saw amazing things and learned a lot. Miguel Mendez and Angel Escalante really made the trip: while ruins were often visually stunning, we wouldn't have understood the significance of so much that we saw without Miguel's interpretation. Sometimes we didn't stay long at a site because he wanted to point out and explain a special feature, and then that related to everything else. His itinerary was outstanding. I felt I learned so much about the ancient Mayan culture, and then appreciated more the current population, their food and present day existence compared to the past.
To be honest, my only disappointment was the food, and I generally adore Mexican cuisine: I've visited Oaxaca 4 times and did have a stay in Mérida years ago. Often the food was heavily salted (my feet and ankles swelled) and it may just be a cuisine I don't care for as much. The food at the hotel in Valladolid was very good.
— Review left January 4, 2025
Outstanding in every way! Miguel, our guide, was exceptional in his knowledge and courtesy. He went the extra mile to make sure we were all comfortable, informed, and bonding as a group. Humor, patience, and respect were the hallmarks of his leadership. Bravo! The itinerary was well-planned, with enough nights per place to feel like we had a home base in each region. The physicality was well-explained by Road Scholar and matched the experience. I met amazing fellow travelers, too! Thanks for an excellent experience!
TIP: Add "treat clothes with Permethrin ahead of time" to this trip's suggestions; I got s single mosquito bite, while ALL fellow travelers who didn't use Permethrin got 50 chigger bites (or whatever they were) or more.
— Review left December 30, 2024
Our guide Juan Trejo presented a wonderful and diverse tour of the Maya past and present The ruins we visited represented the diversity of Maya cultures and social structure Juan introduced topics on Maya language numerology and architecture Juan solved every problem that came up and was a delightful to be with every day
— Review left November 18, 2024
An amazing tour learning much about the Maya and we even got to see the partial eclipse from a Maya site. Nice travelling companions, which made the tour even better. We had a very good tourist guide and driver.
— Review left April 26, 2024
An absolutely wonderful trip! The history of Maya civilization having been divided into three principal periods: the Preclassic, Classic and Postclassic periods was fascinating to learn how society evolved and adapted during the different periods. Learning the possible reasons behind the abandonment of the sites and may have been due to climate change sheds new light on what is happening in the world today.
Enjoyed the delicious traditional Maya foods we had, comfortable lodgings and delightful strolls through Mérida and Valladolid.
Our tour leader Miguel was extremely knowledgeable and provided us with a memorable experience, our driver Martin was very good in getting us to the ruins that we visited.
— Review left March 26, 2024
This was our first foray with Road Scholar and it was excellent. The leader - Miguel Mendez - had tremendous subject matter knowledge, seemed to know everyone where we traveled, and was exquisitely organized. It could not have been improved.
— Review left February 28, 2024
THe program provides a wide ranging and stimulating examination of Mayan cultural history as well as insightful introduction to life and issues related in contemporary times. A very comprehensive introduction to the world of the Maya.
— Review left February 18, 2024
The Good: A well-thought out trip with just the right mix of Mayan ruins along with other extras. Juan was a great and enthusiastic group leader who was passionate about the promised subject matter: the Legacy of the Mayas. The two Miguel's were both safe and reliable drivers as well as first-class "fixers." All three went out of their way to help us get the most out of our journey and smooth our way. The substance and staff of our program were both top notch.
The Bad: Our rooms at the Meson del Marques in Merida were right on the courtyard which meant that they were extremely noisy until 11PM and then got noisy once again at 6AM when the staff started to prep for breakfast. This might be resolved by insisting on rooms in a quieter part of the hotel. Also, my room at the Casa Lucia in Merida was at the far end of the building which also happened to be near the end of the pipes. The frequent air pockets moving through the pipes often sounded like gun shots. While I could deal with the frequent absence of hot water, the constant noise at night made it difficult to sleep after a full day of touring. And sadly, the food was much too hit and miss and seemed entirely focused on the same three dishes. More variety -- and higher quality when and where available perhaps as an option -- would have been nice. MUGY in Merida, for example, would have made for a perfect dinner in the Yucatecan capital.
The Ugly: Given all the oversized Americans in our group (including me), we were crammed into our van like sardines even if there were technically two seats to spare. Built for slim euro-butts, our van was very uncomfortable for those of us with XL size gringo-butts. Perhaps RS could purchase extra car seat cushions -- or recommend that participants bring their own. Given all the time that we spent in the van, any extra comfort would have been much appreciated. As it was, my sore back was much worse for wear after all the time spent on the peninsula's bumpy roads ....
— Review left February 12, 2024
A truly wonderful trip! Great guides, accommodations and food, and the sites are magnificent. Would highly recommend!
— Review left February 4, 2024
This is a fantastic trip, especially by being led by Miguel Mendez, an amazing guide who is informed, congenial, and engaging! Wonderful explanations of the Maya civilization and the 9 sites we visited, markets and other places of interest. Wonderful accommodations!
— Review left January 25, 2024
This is an excellent program for those wanting a in-depth understanding of the Mayan culture and legacy.
— Review left December 20, 2023
This is a wonderful trip for those interested in Maya history, art and culture. Visiting the less-touristed sites (including a site still being studied and not open to the public) was a wonderful experience. Tour leader Miguel has many local contacts, who helped make the program especially rewarding. And driver Angel proved to be cautious and thoughtful as he navigated roads with potholes and speed bumps - he kept us safe and minimized bumps to the rear passengers. If you have a real interest in Maya archaeology, this trip will not disappoint. The mid-trip stay at a rural Hacienda, with a private underground cenote for bathing, was memorable. Some cautions: it will be hot and humid, often in full sun, some days more than others. Come prepared. There is a lot of walking involved, although it is your choice to climb (or not) structures where it is allowed. Also be prepared for many hours in the van, as you cover a lot of ground to reach different sites. The high Activity Rating is well deserved.
— Review left November 15, 2023
Great trip to the Yucatan to learn more about the Maya Civilization. Thoroughly enjoyed the trip. We had a terrific guide and a congenial group of travelers. Very good value for our travel dollars.
— Review left May 22, 2023
Northern Yucatan trip was terrific. The sites were varied and awesome and our program leader was superb.
— Review left March 3, 2023
I enjoyed the small group size and it enhanced the viewings of the sites we visited. The sites visited were nicely restored in various stages and of historical significance. Miguel provided excellent explanation, significant history to help us understand the story at each site.
— Review left February 24, 2023
Anyone with a curiosity about the Maya and a love of learning will enjoy this program. Be prepared for heat, humidity and a deep dive into the world of the Maya of the Northern Yucatan. The program is very well organized, paced just right and you visit a variety of Mayan sites and Yucatan locations. Don't hesitate to sign up, especially if Fausto Lugo will be your group leader. He is the best!
— Review left February 25, 2020
Learning what is behind the Maya buildings familiar from travel agency brochures is what makes this Road Scholar adventure both a significant learning experience and a significant insight into a culture alive long ago and continuing today. I came away feeling I'd seen something new and something precious. It was over too soon.
— Review left January 30, 2020
This tour gives you the opportunity to see Mayan engineering, art, architecture, history and culture up close with a knowledgeable guide to interpret what you are seeing. Our tour leader was from Yucatan and was very well-informed and enthusiastic. A highlight of the tour was swimming in the various cenotes, which is a unique experience. A variety of foods and restaurants added to our enjoyment. With the exception of the few days at the Yunku hacienda (rustic), the hotels were charming and close to shops and restaurants. There is a lot of walking and climbing stairs at the sites but much of it is voluntary. I was not sure what to expect but I had no difficulties at the ruins, cenotes or visit to the cave. Because of the driving distances between sites, there is a schedule to maintain so days are full and start early. For the active traveler, this is a great tour of spectacular sites, packed with information and photo opportunities.
— Review left January 29, 2020
We just returned from a fabulous trip to the Yucatan. As others have noted, the trip gives an in-depth introduction to the many Mayan ruins and archeology in the region, but it also gives a real feel for more recent history and current life in the Yucatan. Our guide Pepe (Jose Osorio) and driver/assistant Angel were truly excellent. This is a very active trip (which is what we had hoped for) and we highly recommend this experience for active travelers who want a full introduction to the Yucatan and the Maya, both past and present.
— Review left January 29, 2020
This trip to a fabulous. You see and learn so much about the Maya and their sophisticated cities and culture. The trip includes some unusual sites as well as more famous ones. You go into a private sight only used by students and the archeologists guiding them. Walking is 10,000-15,000 steps a day, most of it not difficult but i n warm weather and lots of options to swim in the clear denotes or hotel pools. Highly recommend this trip
— Review left January 28, 2020
Wow! This trip was a tribute to Roads Scholar, our guide Fusto and our driver Angel. Full of knowledge, concerns and fabulous leadership for guiding travelers. We had the best of the best of just about everything.
— Review left December 22, 2019
This trip was Amazing! Our knowledgeable, enthusiastic guide Fausto and talented driver Angel went "over the top" to make every aspect of this trip EXCELLENT for each of us considering our individual interests! We visited many sites that were well preserved and that few people actually see, so there were no crowds giving us a better experience. The archeology site Kiuic, which is closed to the public, was extra special because we were led by an archeologist with 30 years experience and it included a visit to the science lab where we saw artifacts found in the area. Our overnights in the old cities of Merida and Valladolid were reminiscent of staying in old European cities, which I adore. Overall, this experience more than met our expectations in ways I never expected!!!!!!!!!
— Review left December 17, 2019
The program is wonderful, you see everything from the well known sites of Chichen Itza, Tulum and Uxmal to lesser known sites. Be prepared to climb - some sites require scrambling .
— Review left March 20, 2019
The programs and itinerary are excelent, as well as the local leader.
— Review left February 20, 2019
My daughters and I recently returned from the Water and the Maya Program. It was a truly wonderful experience. Our guide Pepe and our drive Angel, were the best. They took exceptional care of everyone with patience and good grace. Pepe was knowledgeable and passionate about the Mayans and their civilization. I learned a lot, had lots of fun, and met great people. Susan
— Review left February 2, 2019