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Caravan Tours-
Ancient Mexico and Colonial Cities
Mexico
Dear Traveler, Welcome to a great vacation at an affordable price. Your Caravan Latin America tour includes all meals in Latin America, all activities, all hotels, a great itinerary, all airport transfers, all transportation and excursions. A professional tour director accompanies you for the entire tour. Purified water at meals. Free bottled water on motor coach. Join the smart shoppers and experienced travelers who have chosen Caravan for more than 50 years.
Happy Travels!
 
Begins: Mexico City, Ends: Cancún
Note: Itinerary applies to 2009 departures. The 2008 itinerary is available in our 2008 brochure.
Day 1 – Mexico City
Welcome to the glory of Old Mexico. See the ancient cultures of the Nahua, Aztec, Olmec, Toltec, and Mayan civilizations. Visit the grand colonial cities of Veracruz and Merida. Arrive in Mexico City, the capital of this fascinating country with exotic indigenous and international cultures, close yet breathtakingly foreign. Caravan provides a taxi transfer from the Mexico City airport for a two night stay at your centrally located hotel. Rooms are available for check in after 3:00 p.m. Dinner is at your hotel, then join Caravan for an 8:00 p.m. welcome briefing. D
Day 2 – Mexico City, Teotihuacán Ruins
This morning visit Mexico’s grandest archaeological site, Teotihuacán, built by the Nahua. The sixth largest city in the world in 400 A.D., Teotihuacán was mysteriously abandoned 300 years later, centuries before the Aztec occupation. Visit the Jaguar Palace and the Temple of the Plumed Conch Shells. See the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon. Walk the Avenue of the Dead, flanked by temples and palaces. Enjoy lunch. Then, a brief visit to the National Palace. See the murals of Mexico’s greatest artist, Diego Rivera. These colorful murals cover Mexico’s pre-Columbian Indian history, the colonial period and the Revolution. Next, drive by Mexico City’s main square and Cathedral. Visit Mexico City’s National Museum of Anthropology in Chapultepec Park. See archaeological treasures of pre-Hispanic civilizations, including the Toltec, Mexica, Aztec, Zapotec, Mixtec, Olmec and Mayan. See the immense Aztec Calendar Stone. Enjoy dinner. BLD
Day 3 – Mexico City, Veracruz
Morning drive to the port city of Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico. En route see the towering snow-capped Popocatepetl Volcano, weather permitting. Lunch in Veracruz. For centuries Veracruz has been a crossroads of the Americas, with Caribbean, European, African and Mexican cultures. Explore the romantic plaza, the oldest in Mexico, with strolling mariachis, serenading guitarists and marimba bands. Enjoy dinner. BLD
Day 4 – Villa Hermosa, Olmec, Palenque
Mango orchards and pineapple fields give way to lush vegetation and tropical flowers on your drive east today (a box lunch en route). Photostop at Villa Hermosa’s La Venta Park. See giant Olmec heads up to twelve feet tall. The Olmec are the predecessors of the Maya and Aztec. Continue to Palenque for a relaxing two night stay. Dinner tonight. BLD
Day 5 – Palenque
Palenque is magical. Here, mysterious Mayan ruins are set against a natural backdrop of jungle foliage. See the Main Plaza, the Temple of the Inscriptions and the Group of the Cross. See the four story observation tower rising from the huge rectangular palace. Unique in the Mayan world, this observation tower is believed to have been constructed to view the winter solstice. After lunch, your day is at leisure to enjoy the tropical gardens of your resort. Enjoy dinner. BLD
Day 6 – Palenque Uxmal, Mérida
Head north through the state of Campeche. Enjoy lunch overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Next, through the Puuc Hills to visit ancient Uxmal, dating back to 600 A.D. At Uxmal, see the Pyramid of the Magicians, the Nunnery Quadrangle, the Governor’s Palace with its 20,000 intricately carved lace-like stones and the Turtle House. Then, drive to Mérida, Yucatan’s capital and cultural center, for a two night stay. Your hotel is ideally located near the Plaza Principal, lined with shops, cafes, strolling mariachis, and serenading guitarists. Enjoy dinner. BLD
Day 7 – Mérida, Chichén Itzá
Morning drive to visit the Mayan-Toltec ruins of Chichén Itzá. See the Castle Pyramid. Visit the Ballcourt, the Sacred Cenote and the Group of a Thousand Columns. Learn about achievements made by the Maya more than 1500 years ago, including the 365 day, 19 month Mayan Haab calendar. Enjoy lunch. Return to Mérida. Drive by Mérida’s colonial mansions. Mérida offers great shopping for paintings, handicrafts, hammocks and huipiles. Farewell dinner. BLD
Day 8 – Mérida, Cancún
After breakfast, Caravan transfers you from Mérida to Cancún. Arrive at Cancún airport at 11:00 a.m. Schedule flights after 1:00 p.m. Thanks for vacationing with Caravan. B
*indicates Super Value date.
Plus Taxes and Fees:
Double $129; Triple $119; Single $159
2009 Departure Dates
| Jan |
2*, 3*, 9*, 10*, 16*, 23*, 24*, 30*, 31* |
| Feb |
6, 7, 13, 20, 21, 27, 28 |
| Mar |
6, 7, 13, 20, 21, 27, 28 |
| Apr |
3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 |
| May |
8, 9, 22, 23 |
| Jun |
19, 20, 26, 27 |
| Jul |
3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18 |
| Nov |
6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 |
| Dec |
4, 5, 11, 12, 25**, 26** |
*indicates Super Value date.
**indicates Holiday Value date
Other Departures
| Please phone the Green Earth Office at 1-888-246-8343 |
2009 Price Per Person - $U.S.
Room Type Super Value Great Value Holiday Value
Double $995 $1095 $1195
Triple $975 $1075 $1175
Single $1295 $1395 $1495
| Room Type |
Super
Value |
Great
Value |
Holiday
Value |
| Double |
$ 995 |
$ 1,095 |
$ 1,195 |
| Triple |
975 |
1,075 |
1175 |
| Single |
1,295 |
1,395 |
1,495 |
Plus Taxes and Fees:
Double $169; Triple $159; Single $199
How to Reserve Space
Call 1-888-246-8343. You can reserve space free for up to 7 days, then a $300 deposit per person is due. Full payment due 60 days prior to departure.
In Latin America, Caravan transfers you between the airport and hotel on the starting and ending dates of your tour.
Airfare is not included
All Meals Included
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Hotels - listed by day
Hotels
Accommodations in the hotels and lodges are rooms with two beds and private bath or shower. A limited number of single rooms are available. Triple rooms are usually two beds, sometimes with a cot or rollaway.
Days 1, 2 – Mexico City
Sheraton Centro Historico
The Sheraton Centro Historico, the epitome of style and comfort, is a new five star luxury hotel, centrally located on Juarez Avenue, within walking distance of museums, shops and entertainment. The Sheraton Centro Historico is considered one of the top 10 leading-edge buildings in Mexico and was presented the “Intelligent Building of the Year Award” in 2003 for its unique design, technology, and the most advanced security systems. The beautifully decorated air-conditioned rooms have all the modern conveniences, including data ports, hair dryers and coffeemakers. The rooms feature views of Alameda Park, the Palacio de Bellas Artes, or Mexico City. “The first good lodging to open in the historic district in decades, “ Conde Nast Traveller, 2005.
Day 3 – Veracruz
Gran Hotel Diligencias
The Gran Hotel Diligencias is located in the heart of the city on the historic Plaza de Armas, the main plaza of Veracruz. The local color of the action packed plaza lies just outside its doors. This landmark hotel reflects the elegant taste and grand tradition of the city. The Gran Hotel Diligencias has a business center, health club, fitness equipment, sauna, outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi. The modern air-conditioned rooms include cable TV.
Days 4, 5 – Palenque
Misión Palenque
Perfectly blended with the landscape, the Mision Palenque hotel architecture melts with the green exuberance of the tropical rainforest. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, its 210 rooms all have telephone, air conditioning, television, hair dryer, andall the comfort needed to relax. Enjoy tennis, the heated outdoor swimming pool, or the outdoor jacuzzi beside the *temazcal* steam bath, a prehispanic bath to purify mind and body, plus natural clay beauty treatments, just right at the spring that rises at the hotel.
Days 6, 7 – Mérida
Casa del Balam
The Casa del Balam is a five star hotel in the heart of Mérida’s cultural and historic center. It was formerly the beautiful family home of Fernando Barbachano Peon, pioneer of Mexican tourism. The hotel has an intimate colonial atmosphere which is enhanced by friendly service. It is a quiet blend of Mexican tiles, terra cotta and wrought iron, with a pretty swimming pool. The Casa del Balam faces the Opera House and and is within walking distance to the main plaza, museums, cathedral, shops and colonial parks.
Airport Transfer Information
Arrival Transfers
Upon arrival at the Benito Juarez Airport (MEX) in Mexico City, please proceed toward the Taxi 300 taxi stand. Here, you will be met by a Caravan representative who will take you to your complimentary taxi transfer. The "TAXI 300" booth is located in the International Terminal E-3, immediately outside of baggage claim on your left hand side about 30 feet. There is a bright yellow sign with the words "TAXI 300". The transfer takes about 35 minutes from the airport to your hotel. If you arrive the day before the tour begins, expect to pay around $20.00 USD for the taxi ride. Please use only TAXI 300 for your independent transfer, the authorized airport taxi service. Advise that you are proceeding to Sheraton Centro Historico across from Alameda Park.
Departure Transfers
Caravan includes departure transfers from Merida to the Cancún Airport (CUN) in Cancún, Mexico on the last day of the tour, arriving by 11:00 a.m. Please schedule flights after 1:00 p.m. If you are staying on in Cancún, Caravan will transfer you to your Cancún hotel.
Airline Info
Airfare is not included :
| Mexico City |
Tour Begins |
AeroMexico, Air Canada, America West, American Airlines, ATA, AVIACSA, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Mexicana, Midwest Airlines, Northwest, United Airlines, US Airways |
| Cancún |
Tour Ends |
Aero Cozumel, AeroMexico, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, ATA, AVIACSA, Continental, Delta, LTU, Mexicana, Northwest, Sun Country, United Airlines, US Airways |
Local Weather
Temperature (hi/lo) and Rainfall (inches)
| |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Mexico City |
| temp |
70/43 |
73/45 |
73/49 |
79/52 |
79/54 |
76/54 |
73/53 |
74/54 |
73/53 |
72/50 |
72/47 |
70/45 |
| rainfall |
1.4 |
0.4 |
0.5 |
1.1 |
2.3 |
6.2 |
7.2 |
6.8 |
5.7 |
2.4 |
0.2 |
0.3 |
| Merida |
| temp |
83/62 |
85/63 |
89/66 |
92/69 |
94/72 |
92/73 |
92/73 |
91/73 |
90/73 |
87/71 |
85/67 |
82/64 |
| rainfall |
1.0 |
0.7 |
1.1 |
1.1 |
3.1 |
6.8 |
4.8 |
5.3 |
6.1 |
4.0 |
1.3 |
1.2 |
| Cancún |
| temp |
83/67 |
84/67 |
86/72 |
89/73 |
90/75 |
90/51 |
90/75 |
91/75 |
89/75 |
87/74 |
85/71 |
83/69 |
| rainfall |
3.5 |
2.2 |
1.6 |
1.6 |
4.6 |
7.0 |
4.3 |
5.9 |
9.0 |
8.6 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
Clothing Tips
This is a predominantly casual tour. Casual wear is suggested for sightseeing and daytime travelling. Dress code for most evenings is smart casual.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the tour price?
Virtually everything! Hotels, all meals, all of the activities described in the itinerary pages, airport transfers, gratuities to hotel porters, restaurant staff and local guides. Caravan's professional Tour Directors and local guides will be with you every step of the way, ensuring a worry free vacation.
What is not included in the tour price?
Prices do not include air travel, country entry or departure fees, airport porter fees, visas, phones, valet, all items of a personal nature, food and beverages not on the regular menu and tips to the Caravan Tour Director and Driver. General fees and taxes are additional and listed separately beneath each tour’s price.
How long will each day be?
A well paced and unhurried itinerary is our goal, after all, you are on vacation! Touring days begin and end at reasonable hours and include frequent stops. While the occasional early morning departure is necessary, we do our best to ensure a leisurely vacation.
How large will my group be?
Group sizes will vary depending on the reserved rooms at the hotels and lodges and the capacity of the ships, trains, and motorcoaches used. Usually, the maximum size will range from 36 to 44 passengers.
What vaccinations are required to enter Mexico?
No vaccinations are required to enter Mexico. Caravan does not have any doctors on staff and does not give medical advice, so please consult your doctor before deciding whether or not to receive any vaccination. Caravan does not endorse any vitamin, but please note that many Mexican pharmacies sell 500 milligram Vitamin B-1 tablets, a non-prescription vitamin, as "anti-mosquito" pills. Many travelers believe that Vitamin B-1 and garlic repel mosquitoes, and take garlic and Vitamin B-1 pills for about two weeks prior to and during their trips to the tropics. If you believe this may be of value, please consult your doctor for further information on vitamins. Many travelers also avoid eating bananas, because they believe this smell attracts mosquitoes.
Preparing for the Tropics
For travel to the Yucatan, it is recommended to bring at least one pair of lightweight quick-dry pants (preferably the kind that zip at the knee), and one quick-dry shirt. Also, it is advisable to try to prevent mosquito bites by wearing long pants, long shirts and bringing insect repellent. Many travelers feel that Avon Expedition is an effective anti-mosquito repellent. Caravan does not endorse any vitamin, but please note that many Mexican pharmacies sell 500 milligram Vitamin B-1 tablets, a non-prescription vitamin, as "anti-mosquito" vitamins. Many travelers believe that Vitamin B-1 and garlic repel mosquitoes, and take garlic and Vitamin B-1 pills for about two weeks prior to and during their trips to the tropics. If you believe this m ay be of value, please consult your doctor for further information on vitamins and repellents. Many travelers also avoid eating bananas, because they believe mosquitoes are attracted to the smell of bananas. For your visit to the tropics, it is advisable to bring one sturdy pair of hiking shoes or boots, a flashlight, a pair of binoculars and a lightweight raincoat. Also don't forget sun block, insect repellant, a good supply of wet wipes and anti-diarrheal medicine.
What is the currency exchange rate for Mexican pesos?
The exchange rate as of October 1, 2006 is 10.82 Mexican pesos to one U.S. dollar.
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