Wonders of Mayan Mexico

Aloft Cancun merges the amenities of the best hotels in Cancun with edgy, boutique style and a fresh, open aesthetic.

Aloft Cancun is located just steps from the Cancun Convention Center and the hottest beaches, shopping, entertainment and nightlife, find all the modern comforts and conveniences you need to fuel your spirit for Caribbean adventure. With a bold, modern design and free-flowing social areas, Aloft Cancun is where travel creates unlimited possibilities and stirs your urge to mix & mingle.

On arrival into Cancun you are transferred to the hotel in Cancun where the tour leaves for Chicanna. On route, you will stop at the Bacalar Lagoon, also known as the "Lagoon of the Seven Colors" thanks to its water that reflects several colors, such as turquoise and jade, throughout its 50-kilometer extension. After lunch continue to Chicanna, located in the amazing area of the Bec River, which received its name from a particular Mayan architecture style and where you can see recently discovered archaeological sites surrounded by an amazing Mayan jungle.

Chicanna archaeological site, which means "House of the Serpent's Mouth" was only discovered in 1967 and stands out thanks to its doors marked with animal shaped masks. Structure II is quite special due to its huge zoomorphic mask that probably represents Itzamna, God of the Sun.

Enjoy breakfast then hit the road for a one-hour trip to Calakmul, which is the only real high jungle of the Yucatan peninsula. The region hosts five of the six species of American wildcats as well as over 230 bird species and a great variety of flora. It is possible to see an incredible diversity of flora and fauna while traveling along this route.

Calakmul archaeological site is considered one of the most important sites in the Yucatan. Located approximately 25 kilometers from the border to Guatemala there are hundreds of stelas (monoliths) surrounding the ruins which clearly show its Mayan domain. At the top of one of its largest monuments, visitors can admire the "green sea" of the huge Mayan biosphere. The visit ends with a break for packed lunch. Late afternoon you head to Palenque and check into your hotel.

Palenque, while growing in popularity for visitors is still somewhat quiet compared to the bigger sites of Uxmal, Tulum and Chichen-Itza and as such offers a relatively more serene experience.

The area displays beautiful Mayan work made in stone and stucco; this area is frequently recognized as one of Mexico's most beautiful places due to the ruins being enclosed by the Chiapanecan jungle. Its most important temple is called Templo de las Inscripciones (Temple of the Inscriptions), and it is here that explorers discovered Pakal's tomb, with his famous jade green mask.

Continue onto Campeche, which is the capital of Campeche State. Lunch in restaurant on route. Upon arrival into Campeche, you have a short visit of the ancient town, surrounded by fort walls and towers built to protect the city from the pirates. Campeche has a Colonial mood thanks to its gorgeous houses and austere churches. After visiting the city, you check-in at your hotel.

After breakfast you head off to Merida with visit of the Uxmal archaeological site on route.

Uxmal means "built in three stages" and it is a typical example of the classic and post-classic Mayan period; its main buildings are: Piramide del Adivino (The Fortuneteller's Pyramid), Palacio de los Gobernadores (Governor's Palace) and the Cuadrángulo de las Monjas (Quadrangle of the Nuns). Lunch is at a nearby restaurant.

You then visit the museum 'Choco-story", a living museum of cacao (cocoa). You then continue to Merida, also known as the "White City", which is filled with colonial houses as well as houses that date back to the beginning of the century in Arabic, French and Italian styles. Stop at Merida's Zocalo (main square) where visitors can admire the city's main monuments: the Cathedral, the Government's Palace, the Municipal Palace and the Francisco Montejo's House. This is also a good place to pick up a quality hammock! Earl evening check in to your hotel.

Depart to Hacienda Sotuta de Peon, where you can see the transformation process of the henequen thread. Hacienda Sotuta de Peon was built in the late 19th century in Tecoh. Walking through the Hacienda you will take a true journey back in time on board small wooden wagons named "Trucks" pulled by mules over old rails shipped from France in the late 19th century. At the end of the tour, submerge yourself in the crystal clear water of a wonderful Cenote on site. Lunch is at the Hacienda.

On route back to Cancun you stop at Chichen Itza archaeological site. Chichen Itza was the Mayan capital of Yucatan and flourished between the 5th and 10th centuries AD. Admire the impressive buildings of the northern and central archaeological sites, such as the Kukulcan Temple, the Ball Game arena, the Observatory, the Warrior's Temple, the Convent of the Nuns and the Sacred Cenote. Lunch is at the Chichen Itza restaurant. After the visit, take the 2-hour drive to Cancun and Riviera Maya, where you transferred to your chosen hotel (not included in the trip price).