The best of Cuba and Mexico. Yucatan, beaches, Chichen Itza and Ek Balam

In the morning we take a bus to the colonial city of Trinidad (up to 6 hours on the way). We check into a private house. Trinidad is known as an open-air museum. It is older than Havana - founded by the Spaniards back in 1514. We walk through the narrow paved streets, marvel at the old colonial buildings on the main square, and colorful houses with tiles. All this is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After lunch you can appreciate local souvenir shops, and art galleries, visit museums, take a salsa or merengue lesson, or visit the nearby beach.

In the evening, we will listen to traditional music and try to learn a few dance steps from energetic Cubans.

We travel to Havana (approximately 4 hours on the way) stopping in the town of Varadero, where the country's most popular beach is located. 20 kilometers of the purest white sand and turquoise water! There is everything for a perfect holiday - cozy cafes and restaurants, infrastructure for tourists, and quiet corners where vacationers almost never wander. 

Photos from these places do not lie. The sand is really this white. The water is completely transparent. The sky is clear. You can look at this pristine beauty and breathe in the fresh sea air forever! After a few hours, we continue our journey to Havana and check into a homestay hotel. Free time. You can visit local museums, art galleries or go shopping.

Flight to Cancun (1.5 hours), bus (3 hours) to the colonial town of Valladolid. We check into a hotel and walk in the streets with colorful houses. In the evening, we will watch an open-air light show on the facade of an old monastery. 

In the morning we dive into the history of Mexico before Columbus and visit the ancient city of Chichen Itza - one of the seven new wonders of the world! The famous pyramid of Kukulkan is located here. Scientists believe that this grand pyramid with a height of 24 meters served not only as a temple, but also as a calendar. 

365 steps divided into 18 sections lead to the top of the pyramid - the Mayans had 18 months in a year. A small temple with four entrances stands at the top of the pyramid. Scientists believe that it was here that young men from noble families were offered as sacrifices to Kukulkan. We will learn more about the Mayan calendar, Kukulkan and understand why so many architectural styles are mixed in this ancient city. 

But the main attraction of Yucatan is the cenotes! Imagine a limestone cave with the collapsed arch. A huge open cave is filled with light and the purest water. This is a paradise for those who like to explore the underwater world and swim with exotic fish. We will enjoy several cenotes, and visit a couple of sacred ones, where ancient Maya performed their ceremonies.

We go to the town of Las Coloradas on the coast of the Mexical Gulf to see lakes with pink water - the favorite place of hundreds of  flamingos!

After dinner we will visit another archaeological complex of ancient Maya - Ek-Balam and walk to the top of the acropolis. Just a few centuries ago, here was the capital of one of the most mysterious civilizations of our planet! We observe the impressive work of ancient masters of sculpture. For example, the famous figures of winged warriors.

We will visit a tequila factory to learn about the most famous Mexican drink.  

In the morning we take a bus (5 hours on the way) to the south of the Yucatan Peninsula - the village of Bacalar, which is located on the shores of the lake of the same name. It is also called the Lake of Seven Colors. All because of the bottom with white sand, which creates the illusion of seven shades of blue water in different parts of the lake. We check into a hotel.

Next day is free. We can enjoy rest on the lake, go kayaking, visit cenotes, explore the pirate channel, or visit the local fort.

Bus to Playa del Carmen (4 hours on the way), one of the most popular places on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. White beaches, shopping, food, souvenirs, parties... This place has it all! 

Next day we go to Cancun airport (1.5 hours on the way). Those interested can stay in Cancun to enjoy the beach life. Other participants say goodbye to Mexico and fly home.