Itinerary

Day 1, Monday: Arrival at Mérida Airport (MID) and transfer to a cozy, boutique hotel. There we will receive an introduction to the Yucatan Peninsula, its social context, vibrant history and complex natural dynamics. An initial “survival Spanish” lesson is sure to boost our upcoming contributional work.

 Day 2, Tuesday: Buenas dias, México.
 We’ll start with time travel, and return to present day for the beginning of our contributional work: We will spend the morning in the Hacienda Sotutta de Peon, where we will take a truck ride into Yucatan’s history. In the afternoon and evening, we’ll teach English and Environmental Studies using stimulating learning tools. After dinner, we will enjoy our second Spanish lesson, which will be super useful, as it will focus on our first encounter with the children.

Day 3, Wednesday: We will have a guided city tour in the morning, visiting Merida’s historic center, Paseo Montejo and many more places of interest. Merida is the heart of Mayan culture, which thrives in the jungle surrounding this beautiful state. Then we will spend a playful evening with the kids (since games are one of the most powerful learning tools.

Day 4, Thursday: This morning we will visit the local market to select the ingredients for our traditional, Yucatecan cooking class. Hint: this is a great way to practice our Spanish. In the afternoon we will give back to Merida’s children, with more contributional work, as we continue to partner with one of the city’s leading development centers.

Day 5, Friday: Today we visit Uxmal, one of the most important archeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula. Then we will have lunch in the beautiful hacienda of Ochil, before working again with the kids.

Day 6, Saturday: This is our last contributional day, so we spend the morning with the children at a farewell party complete with piñatas, hugs and a diploma. Afterwards we will travel to Valladolid, a cultural remanent of colonial times.

Day 7, Sunday: After an early start, we will visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Chichen Itza! After exploring the ruins, we will enjoy a thermal bath in Cenote Ik Kill. Cenotes are unique to the Peninsula and exist thanks to the same meteorite that lead to the extinction of dinosaurs. These are freshwater bodies present both in caves and out in the open, enriching the jungle’s landscape. They were sacred to the Mayans, a fact that will be easily understood once you have enjoyed a soak in one of them.

Day 8, Monday: After a hearty breakfast, we will hit the road towards Ría Lagartos, where we will take a boat trip that will transport us into a realm of flamingos, pink lakes, crocodiles and medicinal sand. We will also spend some time at one of the least explored beaches in the area. We will visit one of the largest jungle reserves in the country, which is a hub of wildlife and natural abundance.

Day 9, Tuesday: Today we will visit a monkey reserve in Cobá, where we will learn how to care for them and how to make conservation efforts succeed. At the reserve we will meet Chef Don Julio, who will prepare a superb meal using organic and locally-sourced ingredients.

Day 10, Wednesday: We will spend the morning helping out at a local reforestation project and see how it impacts the well-being of children. Then we’ll head back to our boutique hotel to enjoy the beach, a walk along the famous Avenida Quinta and some shopping time, offering a relaxing end to this tranquilo day.

Day 11, Thursday: Sian Ka’an, a biosphere reserve consisting of beaches, mangroves, coral reefs and more, was once the beating heart of Mayan commerce. Today, it remains one of the most untouched places in Mexico. We will spend the day uncovering its secrets while navigating one of the most important natural ecosystems in the country. We will also visit the archeological sites of Tulum, with its turquoise sea and amazing vistas.

Day 12, Friday: After several days of intense cultural stimulation, nature and community engagement, it is time for some good old-fashioned comfort and self-indulgence… After a morning meditation workshop, we’ll head to a spa where you’ll relax and enjoy. You’ve earned it!

Day 13, Saturday: Our final day, and what a day! Izamal is the yellow pearl of the Yucatán Peninsula. Its colonial abbey is one of the largest in the world and it interacts nicely with the older Mayan ruins that dot the town. It is also an artisanship stronghold. Prepare to craft your own henequen jewelry, visit a traditional Mayan kitchen and enjoy a final gastronomical experience that will elevate your senses one last time before we say goodbye.
This is a good time for group and self reflection, since by now, you will have experienced a very inspiring adventure and positively impacted each of the places you have visited. Hopefully, you’ll be nourished by the kind of magic that lifts souls.

Day 14, Sunday: We will head back to Merida from which we will fly back home.