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Mexico

Mexico: Maya Ruins & Cenote Adventure — Custom School Trips

Groups of 8+ | Custom Dates | Fully Supported | 4.9 on GoOverseas

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Journey through Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula on a guided adventure exploring ancient Maya cities, swimming in breathtaking cenotes, and spotting flamingos in nature reserves. Discover colorful towns, taste authentic cuisine, and relax on beaches while immersing yourself in the region’s history and culture.

Custom School Trip

Contact us for a custom quote

Custom dates & duration. Groups of 8+.

Response within 1 business day

Anna Beckerman

Anna Beckerman

Head of School Group Travel

Dartmouth · 15 years at Rustic

321+ school partners since 2010

Not sure yet?

Email Rustic Pathways

Talk to a personal travel advisor: +1 (440) 975-9691

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View program itinerary

What Does a 10-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

1

Arrival at Cancun  

Arrive at Cancun Airport and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a bus drive while we transfer to Tulum (2 hours) and if lucky get in time for our first sunset at Tulum beach. Enjoy your first authentic Mexican meal. Bienvenidos!
2

Cobá and a Kaan Luum cenote 

Enjoy a privately guided bike tour of the ancient Maya city of Coba where an estimated 6,500 structures remain to be excavated. Along the way, an expert tour guide will unravel the mysteries of the ancient Maya by discussing their engineering, architecture, and societal structures. After lunch, enjoy time swimming at the Kaan Luum lagoon; our first cenote abierto; one of the three types of cenotes that we have in Mexico and that we will see during the trip.
3

Chichén Itzá visit and Merida via Izamal 

An early start allows for a visit to Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, before the crowds arrive from Cancun. Here, a guide will dive even further into the ancient Maya world and explain all about Chichen Itza’s most famous ruin, the stepped pyramid known as El Castillo or the Temple of Kukul’kan. We will have a chance to observe the Ik kil cenote abierto. We will have lunch at a traditional restaurant where we will be able to experience local women making tortillas, and we can try different traditional plates like cochinita pibil and el lechón, prepared using a Mayan pit-style oven that’s made in the ground. Then, head to the mysterious yellow city of Izamal for a guided tour and to visit its magical Franciscan monastery. The second largest atrium of the world. Izamal is called the town of the three cultures and we will be able to explore this town in oxcards to see its beautiful pyramids. After a long day of exploring ruins, relax while we drive for 1 hour to Merida, get a delicious dinner and rest for tomorrow’s adventures.
Merida Private Excursion and Celestun Biosphere Reserve

Day 4

Known for its large population of flamingos, Celestún is a large salt-water lagoon awash with pink birds. The area is well protected and preserved by local people as well as the local authority, ensuring that it remains the ideal habitat for the 2,000 or more flamingos and hundreds of other species of birds that flock there. Arriving at Celestún, enjoy a boat ride into the lagoon that also has various cenotes (sinkholes) under the surface that create springs in the water. Celestún is home to an abundance of flora and fauna, including red mangroves, many fish, prawns and alligators, some or perhaps all of which you will see from the boat. In the afternoon, explore Merida’s historic city centre. The city was founded in 1542 by the son of Conquistador Francisco Montejo, who was from Mérida in Spain, and gave this capital city of Yucatán state its name. Start in the main square of the city (Zócalo), visiting all four corners, exploring the oldest Cathedral in the Americas, the Government House with paintings by Fernando Castro and the Municipal Palace. While we visit the historic city centre, we will have a chance to try some sorbets and trompos (traditional tacos al pastor).
5

Adventure Uxmal and Kabah 

Explore two ancient Maya archeological sites with the benefit of a guide. First, visit Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the famed Pyramid of the Magician – a rounded pyramid with a mystical and mythical foundation story. After touring Uxmal’s ruins and some free time for lunch at a chocolate museum (choco story); we will learn the process of making chocolate and try some of this delicious product. In addition to that, we will be able to see some rescued animals like monkeys and jaguars. After lunch, head to Kabah, a smaller Maya site home to the Palace of Masks. Returning to Merida, if there is time left, we can enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.
6

A Taste of the Merida – Culture, Markets and Flavors 

We will depart early to visit the natural reservation of “El Corchito.” We will take a guided boat tour to explore several cenotes that we can swim in and enjoy the flora and fauna of this magical place. After lunch we have a couple of options: Either, we visit the largest port of the world in Puerto Progreso or visit Chicxulub, allegedly the place where the meteor that extinguished the dinosaurs and created the cenotes landed. On our way back to the city, we will visit the markets of Lucas de Galvez, artisan markets and food farmers in the Santiago neighborhood. Notice the market’s seasonal fruits and vegetables, sombrero stalls, hand-made hammocks and religious articles. Peek into the tortilla factory to see a staple of Mexican cuisine in the making. Return to the vans and head down Paseo de Montejo, the main thoroughfare into the city, modeled on the Champs-Elysees and lined with trees and large colonial houses, once the city homes of rich Hacienda owners.
7

Merida to Riviera Maya with Ek Balam Archeological Site 

In the morning, head to the Ek Balam Archeological Site for a privately guided bike tour of its ruins nestled within lush jungle. Take the chance to swim and cool off in Cenote X´canche, which is also located in Ek Balam. At X’canche we will be able to canopy and rappel down to the water. After visiting this cenote, we will head to a different type of cenote, cenote cerrado (closed cenote) just in time for dinner; where we will have a buffet style dinner, and if lucky a yucatecos dance show. After a long day of swimming in cenotes, enjoy a 2 hour bus ride back to Tulum for a good night of rest. Day 8-10: Days at leisure Take the time to relax and enjoy the beauty of Playa del Carmen beaches for the last few days. On our last day, we will transfer to the Cancun area and stay in a hotel close to the airport, get covid tested and have one last delicious meal.
11

Departure day 

On departure day, transfer to Cancun International Airport for onward flights home. We hope you enjoyed your time in Mexico and safe travels.

Total: 10 calendar days / 9 nights. International flights are not included.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

Trained Program Leaders

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Customizable Itinerary

Custom dates and duration

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

Mexico

What Do School Organizers Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup and handles all in-country logistics.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Supervision & Safety

Who supervises the students?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Communication

Can students contact home?

Yes. Rustic Pathways’ policy is that students can call, text, or WhatsApp anytime. Rustic Pathways is happy to defer to established school policies instead.

How do families stay informed?

Rustic Pathways sends daily photo updates throughout the program.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group?

Group size varies based on the school’s needs. Contact Rustic Pathways for a custom quote.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Rustic Pathways provides a room list prior to travel. Schools can assign rooming allocations or allow students to choose their roommates.

Program Details

Will students have unsupervised time?

Structured independence with staff nearby. No unsupervised time in public areas.

Can Rustic Pathways accommodate food allergies? 

Yes. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment and shared with all meal providers.

How much spending money should students have?

$150–200 recommended. Tipping is included, no extra cash needed.

Support

What if a student gets homesick?

Homesickness can be common during the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well-prepared. See how staff support students through homesickness

Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students. Read how Rustic Pathways supports neurodiverse students.

What Should Teachers Know?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.
What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.
Mexico offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.
How Do Flights Work?
School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways program leaders meet the group at the arrival airport and manage all in-country logistics from there.
What Meals Are Included?
All meals included. Dietary needs accommodated.
Included:
  • All lodging
  • All meals
  • In-country transport
  • All activities and excursions
  • 24/7 staff support
Not Included:
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?

Mexico Americas Adventure
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