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Mexico Dreaming: Tulum to Holbox

From Tulum to Holbox via the monumental Chichén Itza; follow in the footsteps of the Mayans as you explore steamy jungles, mystical cenotes and miles of tropical sand

What's included

  • Accommodation in twin rooms
  • Private airport transfers
  • All activities mentioned on the itinerary
  • 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
  • Stay in hand-picked 3-4 star hotels
  • Minibus & boat transport
  • Experienced Pack Leader with you throughout the trip
  • Max 16 travellers per group

Flashpackers must provide evidence that they have purchased travel insurance for the duration of their adventure. Remember, flights aren't included and prices are based on sharing a twin room. If you'd like to upgrade to a single room, you can add this during the booking process or by contacting our Customer Experience team.

About your trip

Steamy jungle, mystical cenotes and miles of tropical sand… the Mayans certainly knew how to pick a scenic spot. 

You’ll be following in their footsteps as you rappel, zipline and wild swim your way around the idyllic Yucatán Peninsula. Naturally, there’ll be plenty of unique Flash Pack experiences along the way.  

Like touring Mérida in a fleet of VW Beetles, seeing the cosmopolitan city in style. Or sleeping in a jungle tree-tent at the mouth of a private cenote, complete with shamanic blessing and a magical candlelit dip. And staying with a small Maya community, sampling their food and learning about their traditional way of life. 

This trip isn’t short on beachy wonders either. Think snorkelling with turtles in Akumal Bay and cocktails on the coraline sand of your private Holbox beach club. Add to this tequila-tasting, ceviche-making plus the fabulous ruins of Tulum and Chichén Itzá and you’re Mexico dreaming.

Three thousand years of history can’t be wrong.

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Watch the adventure
A Yucatán welcome
  • Touch down at Cancún Airport, where your private Flash Pack transfer will be waiting to seamlessly transport you to tropical Tulum
  • Get to know your group over a traditional Yucatán meal and raise a margarita to the eight days of Mexican perfection ahead
Wild turtles & Tulum
  • Spend a perfect morning at Akumal Bay, whose shallow lagoon offers the unique opportunity to snorkel with resident green turtles – a magical encounter
  • Explore the dramatic clifftop ruins of Tulum; surrounded by lush green jungle and overlooking the cobalt Caribbean Sea, these 13th-century ruins are one of Mexico’s most photogenic sights
  • Descend the steps to the stunning white-sand El Castillo beach and cool off with a swim
Jungle camping & candlelit swims
  • Search for aardvarks, crocs and, of course, monkeys at the Punta Laguna spider monkey sanctuary; this private reserve supports 35 Mayan families
  • Sleep suspended from the trees within a private jungle camp, exclusively for Flash Pack, ending the day with a secluded candle lit swim in your very own cenote
  • Receive a Mayan blessing from a shaman using native plants and incense, before sitting down to dinner with the indigenous Pac Chen community
Rappel into a cenote
  • Hike through the jungle to a large cenote, where you’ll rappel 40 feet into the cavern to float serenely in the crystalline water
  • Get your adrenaline pumping with a thrilling zipline ride over a nearby lagoon
  • Continue your journey to Valladolid, a tranquil bohemian town filled with pastel stucco and elegant colonnades
Chichén Itzá at dawn & a VW adventure
  • Rise at dawn and be amongst the very first to enter the ruins of Chichén Itzá, a once-powerful Mayan city and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World
  • Cruise through the city of Mérida in a fleet of VW Beetles owned by locals – an experience completely unique to Flash Pack
  • Finish this spectacular day with a tequila tasting, sampling the different notes and flavours of Mexico’s famous blue agave spirit
Pink flamingos & beach time
  • From the sleepy fishing village of Celestún, embark on a gentle boat ride to discover the region’s spectacular biosphere reserve. Here you’ll witness the unique spectacle of thousands of flamingos gathered at a remote lagoon
  • Enjoy some well-earned R&R at a nearby beach resort – this is a holiday after all
Paradise calling
  • Visit the rainbow-hued Hoctún Cemetery, home to vibrantly decorated mausoleums that celebrate the dead
  • Board a ferry to the idyllic Isla Holbox; this unspoilt car-free island is famous for its bioluminescent waters and whale sharks
  • Spend a free afternoon exploring by golf cart or chill out out by the pool, finishing your day sipping sunset cocktails
Snorkelling & ceviche
  • Take a day trip by boat to Cabo Catoche, to snorkel the famous ‘cuevones’, special places to see nurse sharks, turtles, octopus and lobster
  • Learn how to fish using ancient string techniques, before allowing your crew to transform your catch into a delicious ceviche feast
  • Back at your hotel, enjoy a farewell dinner and a chance to reflect on the colourful adventures you’ve shared
Until next time, Mexico
  • All too soon it’s time to say goodbye. Board your Flash Pack group transfer back to the airport in Cancún for your onward flight home (remember to make sure your flight departs after 2pm)
  • You’ll return with cherished memories of a kaleidoscopic destination that still boasts many surprises. From secret cenotes and spectacular ruins to untouched white sands and exotic wildlife; how could you not feel both refreshed and excited by our planet’s power to transform you?

Where you'll be staying

We often feature these unique hotels on this trip, with final options confirmed a month before departure. We work with these or similar hotels to ensure a stylish and comfortable stay every time.

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Holbox Dream

This low-key island escape ticks all the boxes: a gorgeous pool leading out to coral white sand, Caribbean-style rooms set amongst lush gardens and a private beach club serving signature cocktails to a soundtrack of tropical tunes. 

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Kimpton Aluna Tulum

Hidden in the rainforest, halfway between buzzing downtown Tulum and its white-sand beaches, this tranquil oasis was designed with free spirits in mind. Think yoga classes, killer cocktails and DJ nights on the rooftop by the outdoor pool. 

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Piedra de Agua

This colonial-style boutique hotel is located in the heart of the historic center of Mérida, just a few steps from the iconic San Ildefonso Cathedral and the Main Plaza. It makes for the ideal setting for an unforgettable stay.

Praise for our Pack Leaders

Meet Erhard, a Pack Leader in Mexico

Adventure FAQs

Which airport do I need to fly into and out of? Plus airport code

Fly into and out of Cancún International Airport (CUN).

What time should my flight arrive (in time for the welcome meeting)?

Please try to arrive in Cancún before 1pm as the transfer to your first hotel in Tulum will take approximately two hours.

What time should my flight depart on the last day?

On the final day, make sure your flight doesn’t leave before 2pm. Your adventure finishes a few hours away from the airport and we only have one group transfer on this day back to Cancún.

Are airport transfers included?

If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you’ve booked yourself a pre-night at the same hotel the adventure starts from, your airport arrival transfer will be included. Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and in groups depending on flight times, so you may have to wait in the airport for a short while.

However, if you’ve booked alternative pre-trip accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport, you’ll have to arrange your own arrival transfer

Please also note: in order to secure your place on the private transfer, you’ll need to provide your flight details to our Customer Experience team no later than 30 days prior to your adventure’s departure date. You’ll get automated email reminders about this, but the team won’t be chasing you. That’s why it’s key to get this information over in good time. If the details are provided later than 30 days pre-departure, you’ll have to arrange your own arrival transfer.

We also offer a departure transfer trip on Day 9, returning from Holbox to the mainland by ferry and then a transfer to Cancún International Airport. If you wish to extend your stay in Holbox, you’ll need to arrange your own transfer to the airport. Alternatively, if you arrange to extend your trip in the Cancún area, you can pay a flat fee of 500 MXN directly to the group transfer driver to take you to your hotel once other Flashpackers have been dropped off at the airport. Hilton Garden Inn Cancun Airport is exempt from this additional transfer fee.

Do I need a visa?

Up-to-date visa and entry information can be found using our official partner, Sherpa, who can help you arrange a visa if needed.

You can also find essential travel advice – including security and local laws, as well as passport and visa information – on the government website of your home country:

Please be aware that passport and visa requirements can change before departure, so it’s important to stay updated with the latest information.

What vaccinations and medication will I need?

While we are not medical professionals and cannot offer personalised medical advice, we want to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable adventure. Here are some tips to help you prepare.

1. Consult with a healthcare professional

We recommend scheduling an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure. This will give you ample time to receive any necessary vaccines or medications.

2. Up-to-date medical advice

3. Government travel advice

4. Medication tips

If you take prescription medication, ensure you bring enough to last the entire adventure, plus a few extra days in case of travel delays. Carry a copy of your prescription with you in case you need to visit a clinic while abroad.

We hope this information will help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure.

Are tips included?

Please note that tips are not included in the cost of this adventure. Suggested amounts per person are:

  • Pack Leader: 7.50-10 USD per day
  • Drivers: 3 USD per day
  • Local tips: your Pack Leader will be able to advise on how much to tip local guides, restaurants, etc. Some Pack Leaders will collect a tipping kitty at the welcome meeting to take care of local tips.

However, all tips are at your discretion depending on what you feel comfortable with.

What will the jungle camping be like?

This is a basic but atmospheric site exclusive to Flash Pack. You’ll be sleeping in individual net-sided tents, suspended between trees and open to the sounds of the jungle. There will be a toilet and shower block, with flush toilets and cool showers (the jungle is hot so the cool shower is refreshing). Meals are provided by the local community and you’ll have a chance to learn about their traditional way of life. 

What fitness levels do I need for this adventure?

Overall this adventure does not require a high level of physical fitness. We recommend having a read through of the itinerary above, and getting in touch if you have specific questions on fitness.

Are there alternatives to rappelling?

The rappel into the cenote is about 40 feet. There’s also a rope ladder to climb down If you’d rather not rappel, but you’ll still be required to wear a safety harness. At the bottom of the cenote are inner tubes that you can use to float around and swim. 

How much should I budget per day for extras?

Activities and some meals are included in the adventure cost, so you won’t need to spend much money other than for souvenirs and the meals that aren’t included. In hotels and establishments that cater primarily to tourists, expect to pay about 25% less for food and drinks than you would at a similar place back home. However, your Pack Leader will help you find the best local places that offer great value.

Will activities be cancelled if the weather is bad?

Most activities will go ahead rain or shine as long as it is safe to do so. However, on occasion we may need to arrange alternative activities.

If it is windy and rainy, the Day 8 boat trip to Cabo Catoche will be replaced with a more sheltered boat ride to Isla Pájaros (the ‘Island of Birds’), which is home to more than 35 species of nesting birds, including pelicans, cormorants, gulls and frigates. You’ll enjoy the multicoloured landscapes of Passion Island, finishing with a rejuvenating dip in the stunning waters of Yalahau natural spring.

Will this itinerary change?

Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control. From time to time we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh.

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