Refine search

Your itinerary

Mexico Grande route map

Arrive in Puerto Vallarta, the Mexican Riviera. Relax at the spa or pool, or take an optional sailing trip to remote beaches. Enjoy an included beachfront dinner as the sun sets over the sea.

Meals: Dinner

Free time to explore Puerto Vallarta. Optional activities include surfing, a zipline adventure, or a sunset cruise with a show and dinner.

Meals: Breakfast

Travel from Puerto Vallarta via Tequila to Guadalajara. Visit a tequila distillery to learn how the spirit is made and sample it. Explore Guadalajara’s four main squares and cathedral, and find a spot to watch a live Mariachi band.

Meals: Breakfast

Travel from Guadalajara to Guanajuato, a UNESCO World Heritage City. Learn about its history as a silver-mining town, discover the Alley of Kisses, and visit Hidalgo Market, designed by Gustave Eiffel.

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner

Travel from Guanajuato to Mexico City via San Miguel de Allende. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage city’s plazas, artisan shops, baroque architecture, and Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. Continue to Mexico City.

Meals: Breakfast

Visit the archaeological city of Teotihuacan with local guides. Walk along the Avenue of the Dead, see the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, and explore the murals and temples. Return to Mexico City.

Meals: Breakfast

Explore Coyoacan, with a focus on Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Shop and sample local flavours and Mexican delicacies at a market. In the evening, try city dishes such as enchiladas, tamales, and tacos.

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner

Travel from Mexico City to Cancun, a resort city known for its lively atmosphere.

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner

Travel from Cancun to Chichen Itza for a guided tour of the ancient Mayan city, including its history, calendar, and the positioning of the sun. Swim in a cenote, then return to Cancun.

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch

Free time to enjoy Cancun’s beaches, swimming, and taco spots. Your Trip Manager can recommend places to visit in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Share one last breakfast with the group before departing Cancun.

Meals: Breakfast

What’s included

10 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners, including a beachfront dinner in Puerto Vallarta
Travel by coach and an internal flight from Mexico City to Cancun
A Contiki Trip Manager and local guides for the scheduled guided visits, including Chichen Itza
10 nights in twin-share hotels: Holiday Inn Express Puerto Vallarta, Hotel de Mendoza Guadalajara, Hotel Gran Plaza Guanajuato, Hotel Royal Reforma in Mexico City and Ocean View Arenas Cancun, or similar hotels
Scheduled experiences include a tequila distillery visit, Hospicio Cabañas, walking tours of Guadalajara and Guanajuato, a stop in San Miguel de Allende, the ruins of Teotihuacan, a visit to Coyoacán, local-market street food tasting, a guided tour of Chichen Itza and a cenote swim. Entry to the Frida Kahlo museum itself is not included.

What’s not included

International flights to Puerto Vallarta and from Cancun
Visas, where required, and passport fees
Travel insurance
Meals not listed as included—most lunches and 6 dinners—plus drinks unless specifically provided as part of an included experience
Arrival and departure airport transfers; these are not listed as included and may be available to purchase separately
Free-time activities, such as a Puerto Vallarta sailing trip, surfing, ziplining or a sunset cruise, and advance-purchase entry to the Frida Kahlo museum
Voluntary tips for the Trip Manager, driver and local guides
Personal expenses, including shopping, laundry, phone calls, minibar purchases and any airline charges for excess baggage or seat selection
A single-room supplement or extra hotel nights before or after the tour, if requested

Additional information

  • 4 Dinner (D)
  • 10 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Lunch (L)
  • Lima: A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
  • Mexico City: Flexibility is key when you’re travelling in Mexico. The itinerary will give you a good idea of what your trip is gonna look like. But routes, schedules, hotels & modes of transportation may be subject to change without prior notice because of local circumstances or events beyond Contiki’s control. 
  • Mexico City: You’ll now book and pay for your Free Time Add-Ons through WeTravel — a simple website link where you can browse all the FTAs, pick what you’re keen on, and pay directly by card, in any currency. You’ll get the link in your Welcome Email, usually 3–5 days before your trip starts. Once you’re in, it’s easy: check out the pics, descriptions and prices, add your chosen experiences to your cart, then check out online. You can book before your trip starts or while you’re on the road, up until each activity’s booking deadline.Missed the link? No stress. Your Trip Manager can share it with you on trip too.
  • Mexico City: You’ll need to bring USD cash with you, as it’s the only way to pay for the Free Time Add-Ons on this trip. You’ll receive the cost of each option in your Welcome Email. Plus, we recommend you bring Visa and/or Master Card (American Express or Discover cards aren’t widely accepted).
  • Mexico City: It depends on where you’re travelling to. Mexico has lots of ATMs (just be careful of those sneaky fees). But you’re better off carrying cash when visiting rural places.
  • Iguazú Falls: You’ll usually receive a 10% service charge on your restaurant bill. But tipping isn’t a requirement. Either way, if you’re pleased with your service, a tip will always be appreciated! We recommend tipping 12% of the total bill. 
  • Mexico City: Mexico is marvellous all year round. But if you’re looking for the sweet spot – visit Mexico between November and March, since the weather is perfect for exploration. And that’s what we like!
  • Mexico City: As good as you’re expecting, if not better! Street food is very common in Mexico, so you can expect a steady supply of meats and veggies, served with tortillas and plenty of grated cheese.
  • Iguazú Falls: You can bring 1 hand luggage + 1 suitcase or backpack per person.  Internal flights are included in this trip (your Trip Manager will have your tickets ready for you). Each traveller is allowed 1 checked bag & 1 carry-on bag/personal item (eg: small backpack/handbag or laptop bag). Our suitcase restriction above means that the checked bag will be within the limitation for this flight. The carry-on bag must not exceed 114 cm (45”). Extra or overweight bags will incur a fee by the airline which is the traveller’s responsibility. Fees range from US$25.00-US$100.00. 
  • Mexico City: You’ll be able to buy a lot of things at an affordable price once you arrive. But we’d suggest you bring:   
    • Summer clothes: shorts and lightweight tops essential for keeping cool.  • Warm overcoat: there’ll be colder parts of your trip, even in summertime.  • Good walking socks & shoes: keep comfy on any terrain.  • Sturdy backpack: one you don’t mind getting dusty too!  
    Weather in the Mexico is unpredictable, so please make sure you also bring these items with you: 
    – Teva-style sandals (thongs or flip-flop sandals are not suitable for hikes)  
    – Swimming (bathing) suit & towel  
    – Light to medium fleece jacket  
    – Gore-Tex (or similar) rain jacket  
    – Shorts, T-shirts, Long pants, Long-sleeve shirt, Hat or cap  
    – Sunglasses (preferably polarised)  
    – Socks (athletic style socks for walking & hiking)  
    – First aid & medication – aloe vera gel, sunblock or sunscreen of the highest SPF possible, insect repellent, hand sanitiser or gel, moisturising cream, pain relief (e.g. aspirin etc for headaches or muscle pain) motion sickness medication  
    – Water bottle  
    – Plastic Ziplock bags (to protect valuables from drizzle, rain etc) 
  • Mexico City: Mexico’s climate varies by region – arid in the west and central-north, rainy in the mountains and southern tropics. Summer’s the wettest season. And annual rainfall ranges from 20 inches (central-north) to 118 inches (in Chiapas). Temperatures average 81°F (27°C) in Yucatán and 60°F (15°C) in central areas. So pack accordingly! 
  • Mexico City: Please check the latest travel info from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention if you’re travelling to Mexico. We also recommend that you consult your local health clinic or doctor for more details.
  • Mexico City: Ground Handler InformationContiki sometimes uses ground handlers or third parties to assist with the full or partial operation of our products. The ground handler for this trip is Journey Mexico. Passport InformationA passport is needed to enter Mexico for all passengers unless they are residents or citizens of Mexico. 
  • Iguazú Falls: Your Trip Manager brings the group together with all the info, fun facts and food recommendations you’ll ever need. Plus, they’ll ensure everything runs smoothly and address any issues. They’ll be there with you throughout the trip and will be your go-to person if you need anything. They’ll also fill you in on the cultural and historical context of the places you visit with some informal talks when relevant. 
  • Iguazú Falls: Most places use similar plugs to the US and Europe, but it’s a good idea to bring a circular two-prong adapter just in case. No voltage converter is needed for devices like phones and laptops, but you may need one for high-powered devices (e.g., hairdryers).
  • Puerto Vallarta: Grab your new buddies and a Paloma cocktail. It’s time to feast on Mexican food and watch the sunset over the sea.
  • Tequila: Discover how Mexico’s famous liquor is made. And knock back a cheeky shot or two. 
  • Guadalajara: This work of architectural art was originally built as a place to care for disadvantaged people. Nowadays, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Guadalajara: Stroll around the official birthplace of tequila and mariachi music. 
  • Guanajuato: Narrow cobbled streets. Colourful colonial architecture. Manicured gardens. You’ll see why this place is labelled ‘most beautiful city in Mexico’.
  • Mexico City: The candy-coloured buildings and antiquated streets make this one of Mexico’s most photogenic cities. And the perfect backdrop for an Insta shoot.
  • Mexico City: Admire the ‘City of Gods’: one of the first great cities of the Western Hemisphere. Although no one really knows who built it.
  • Mexico City: Heads up culture vultures! Visit Coyoacan to walk in the footsteps of the famous artist. And check out the museum in her honour. Plus, you can go inside the museum at your own cost if you purchase a ticket in advance.
  • Mexico City: Craving some authentic tacos, pambazo or barbacoa? It’s time to galvanise your tastebuds.
  • Mexico City: Get set for a barrage of beaches, jungles, ancient Mayan sites and epic nightlife.
  • Chichen Itza: Take a guided tour of this ancient Mayan city. Soak up the history and hear the myths and legends.
  • Chichen Itza: It’s time to live your best life, as you cool off in the emerald waters of this sinkhole. Don’t forget your camera!
  • Cancun: Get the party started with a Margarita and dinner with the gang. Gaze over the bay and bask in those mellow vibes. 

Contiki

Share a beachfront Mexican dinner with your fellow travellers in Puerto Vallarta, with a Paloma cocktail and views across the Pacific. It is a relaxed introduction to the food and company that shape the journey.

Watch the sunset over the sea as the waterfront lights begin to glow. Puerto Vallarta’s setting on Bahía de Banderas gives this included meal a distinctly coastal atmosphere.

Visit a working distillery in Tequila to learn how Mexico’s best-known spirit is produced, from blue agave to the finished drink. A tasting offers the chance to recognise some of the flavours created through its production and ageing.

Tequila sits within Jalisco’s agave-growing landscape, where the spirit has deep cultural roots. This included visit connects a familiar Mexican drink with the place and craft behind it.

Walk through Guadalajara’s historic centre to get to know the city’s four principal squares and imposing cathedral. Its public spaces bring together grand civic architecture and the everyday bustle of Jalisco’s capital.

Often called the Pearl of the West, Guadalajara is closely associated with mariachi music and tequila. This included stroll offers a sense of the city’s cultural identity as well as its colonial-era streetscape.

Discover Hospicio Cabañas, Guadalajara’s UNESCO-listed former charitable institution. Originally conceived to care for disadvantaged people, its courtyards and restrained architecture reveal the scale of an ambitious early nineteenth-century civic project.

The complex is also celebrated for murals by José Clemente Orozco, one of Mexico’s leading muralists. This included cultural visit offers a perspective on the building’s changing purpose and Guadalajara’s artistic heritage.

Explore Guanajuato’s colourful colonial streets, including the narrow Alley of Kisses and the lively Hidalgo Market. The city’s steep lanes, small plazas and bright facades make walking its historic centre a distinctive experience.

Guanajuato grew wealthy through silver mining, a past still visible in its architecture. This included visit brings the history of its UNESCO-listed centre into focus while leaving room to take in the atmosphere of its winding streets.

Stroll through San Miguel de Allende’s historic plazas and admire the striking Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, whose pink towers rise above the town centre. Colourful facades and artisan shops make this an inviting place to explore on foot.

The UNESCO-listed town is known for its preserved architecture and long-standing arts community. This included stop gives you a chance to experience both its landmark church and its street-level character.

Explore the ancient city of Teotihuacan with a local guide. Walk the Avenue of the Dead, view the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon from ground level, and look for surviving murals and temples across the vast site.

Teotihuacan was one of the great cities of the ancient Americas, although the identity of its original builders remains uncertain. Your guide provides context for its monuments and enduring mysteries.

Walk through Coyoacán, the Mexico City neighbourhood closely associated with Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Its plazas, older streets and local shops offer a different pace from the capital’s busier avenues.

See the setting of the Frida Kahlo Museum, housed in the artist’s former home, and learn why Coyoacán remains an important part of her story. The neighbourhood visit is included; museum admission requires a separate, advance-purchased ticket.

Explore a local Mexico City market and taste the flavours of everyday Mexican cooking. Look out for specialities such as tacos, pambazos or barbacoa while taking in the movement and aromas of a busy market.

Markets are gathering places as well as places to eat, bringing regional ingredients and food traditions together under one roof. This included experience makes the capital’s food culture tangible through what you see and sample.

Tour Chichén Itzá with a local guide and examine the monumental remains of this ancient Maya city. Hear about its calendar traditions, architectural alignments, myths and the wider network of Maya sites across the region.

The UNESCO-listed site includes the celebrated stepped pyramid of El Castillo. A guided visit adds cultural and historical context to the stone monuments, helping you understand why Chichén Itzá remains one of the Yucatán’s most significant archaeological places.

Cool off with a swim in a Yucatán cenote, a natural sinkhole filled with clear groundwater. The water offers welcome relief from the peninsula’s heat and a striking setting for a pause during the Chichén Itzá excursion.

Cenotes are characteristic of the Yucatán’s limestone landscape and held importance for the ancient Maya. This included swim is a chance to experience the region’s natural geography at close range.

Gather with the group for an included dinner overlooking the bay in Cancún. A Margarita and the waterside setting lend the evening a relaxed feel, with time to share impressions of the journey.

Cancún is known for its energetic resort scene, but its coastal views offer a quieter backdrop for a meal together. This hosted dinner is a social experience rather than an unscheduled restaurant stop.

Sail from Puerto Vallarta towards more secluded beaches for a different view of the Pacific coast. Time on the water offers a chance to appreciate Bahía de Banderas beyond the town’s busy beachfront.

This optional day trip suits travellers who want a coastal outing rather than a day by the pool. It is available at additional cost; ask about booking it on tour and confirm the route and activities offered.

Choose an optional zipline adventure during your stay in Puerto Vallarta. Gliding along a course offers an active contrast to the beach town’s slower pace and a chance to see the surrounding landscape from above.

The outing is best suited to travellers looking for an organised outdoor activity. It is available at additional cost and bookable on tour; your Trip Manager can provide details of the course and any participation requirements.

Cruise off Puerto Vallarta at sunset for an evening combining views from the water with a show and dinner. The coastline and fading light provide a different perspective on this Pacific resort town.

This optional experience brings entertainment and a hosted meal together in one outing. It is available at additional cost and bookable on tour; check the programme with your Trip Manager for the cruise and show details.

Go inside the Frida Kahlo Museum in Coyoacán if you would like a closer look at the artist’s life and home. Known as the Casa Azul, the house preserves a setting closely tied to Kahlo’s work and personal history.

Museum entry is optional and at additional cost, separate from the included neighbourhood visit. Tickets must be purchased in advance, so arrange your booking before the tour rather than relying on admission being available on the day.

Price & availability

December 2026
Be first to hear about our latest news and special offers.

Be first to hear about our latest news and special offers.

Newsletter