Compare Colonial Mexico by Europamundo Vacations vs Central Mexico: Puerto Escondido, Mexico City & Epic Mountain Views by G Adventures

Day 1: Mexico City

Today’s Highlights: Arrival Arrival. Welcome to Mexico. Transfer to hotel and free time. Our guide will contact you late in the afternoon or provide information through the informative panels in the hotel reception area.

Day 2: Mexico City

Today we have a fantastic day acquaint ourselves with Mexico. We include a sightseeing tour of the city. We will visit the Plaza of Three Cultures, and the historic centre in which the Zócalo (main square) and its Metropolitan Cathedral stand out, the main Aztec temple, Chapultepec Park, the “Paseo de la Reforma” Avenue and the other main avenues of this impressive city. At the end of the visit we travel to the Basilica Of Guadalupe, the most visited Catholic temple in the Americas where the Virgin of Guadalupe is found. There we will be able to explore the old basilica dating back to the 18th Century and also the modern temple. In the afternoon we travel to the neighbourhood of Xochimilco, a wonderful place with its canals and semi-floating gardens. Here we include a ride in a “trajinera”, one of the boats festooned with flowers. In the evening we include a transfer to the Plaza de Garibaldi, with its many bars, restaurants and bars where tacos and tequila are served and the Mariachis sing. Dinner is included in a traditional restaurant.

Day 3: Mexico City - Morelia - Janitzio - Patzcuaro

We leave México DF, and amidst green countryside we enter the state of Michoacán. We travel to Morelia, the splendid Michoacán capital whose centre, with its magnificent cathedral, was declared Unesco World Heritage. Time for lunch and a stroll in the centre. Then we will go on to the beautiful Lake Pátzcuaro, the heart of the purépecha region. We embark and travel to the island of Janitzio, where after our 25-minute crossing, we reach this picturesque village full of life and craft shops. After this, we see Patzcuaro, a pretty colonial village with its outstanding Basilica of Our Lady of Health and the house of the eleven courtyards which today is a craft centre. Night in this “magical village”.

Day 4: Patzcuaro - Chapala - Tlaquepaque - Guadalajara

We leave for the state of Jalisco. We see Lake Chapala, the largest natural lake in Mexico, surrounded by mountains. Chapala, time for a stroll and lunch in this small tourist city by the lake. Arrival in Guadalajara. The end of the afternoon, we include a transfer to the Tlaquepaque District, with its picturesque streets full of shops and craftsmen. You can have dinner in “El Parían” a large square with many typical restaurants where there will be no lack of Mariachis. Dinner included in this pretty district.

Day 5: Guadalajara

In the morning we include a visit to Guadalajara, the modern metropolis with its colonial historic centre, its cathedral, its market, its Tapatía square. We will enter the Cabañas Hospice, declared Unesco World Heritage. After the visit, we will go on to the next town of Tequila, we include entrance to the Mundo Cuervo distillery and will see how this famous Mexican drink is made (entrance and tasting included). After this, time for a stroll and lunch in the picturesque town of Tequila. After lunch, we return to Guadalajara.

Day 6: Guadalajara - Guanajuato

We travel to the state of Guanajuato. Arrival at midday. In the afternoon we include a city tour of this very beautiful university city declared World Heritage, its steep slopes, its narrow streets, its churches, and we also include a cable car ride to admire the view from “el Pípila”.

Day 7: Guanajuato - Dolores Hidalgo - San Miguel De Allende - Queretaro

Amidst the mountains, we will travel to Dolores Hidalgo, the city that is the cradle of Mexican independence. Following this, we see San Miguel De Allende, a beautiful city with vice regal architecture and cobbled streets declared World Heritage. Time for a stroll. We include lunch. In the afternoon, we see the Atotonilco Sanctuary, known as the “Century of God and the Patria”, World Heritage (sometimes it will not be possible to visit the inside due to the retreats made there). We then come to Queretaro, with its very beautiful colonial centre, its square of arms and its busy restaurants and pedestrian streets.

Day 8: Queretaro - Teotihuacan - Mexico City

We travel to Teotihuacan, in Náhuatl “the place where men become gods”, one of the most impressive cities in the ancient world. Here we admire the pyramids of the sun and the moon, entrance and tour. Continuation to Mexico City, arrival at lunchtime. End of our services. Check the time of your flight in case you need an additional night.

Day 1 Mexico City

Arrive at any time, and kick back at the hostel or head out to explore the city before meeting up with fellow Roamies in the evening. Grab a drink on the hostel rooftop terrace or check out the nearby main plaza, which is always buzzing at night.

Day 2 Mexico City

Mexico City is so huge that it's hard to know where or how to start exploring, but stick with us, we've got your back! Set off in a private ride with a local expert and head to the Monument to the Revolution to get great views from the top and learn a thing or two about Mexico's history. Continue to the iconic "El Angel" statue for the obligatory photos and then head to the trendy area of Colonia Roma Norte to visit a local market and find some mouth-watering tacos al pastor to devour for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is yours to continue exploring the city or maybe take a trip out to visit the ruins of Teotihuacán. Lucha libre in the evening, anyone?

Day 3 Mexico City/Puebla

You’re not done with Mexico City quite yet! Head out to the colourful neighborhood of Xochimilco where you'll float along in a typical "trajinera" boat along the canals of this ancient water system built by the Aztecs. Browse the floating markets for souvenirs and snacks and maybe hear some mariachis along the way before hopping back on the bus. Arrive in the colonial city of Puebla in the early afternoon and brush up on your Spanish with the CEO before having some time to explore a bit or to relax at the hostel.

Day 4 Puebla/Oaxaca

Head south today on a bus to Oaxaca, (pronounced "Wah-ha-cah" in case you were wondering), a city packed full of culture and incredible food. You'll dive straight into the regional cuisine in the evening with a big spread of delicious local dishes like tamales, tlayudas or some of the ridiculously delicious mole. Throw in some local tequila and you’ve got yourself a party in your mouth.

Day 5 Oaxaca

Freedom! Enjoy a full day in Oaxaca where you can choose from a heap of fun things to do. Want to see some ancient ruins? Visit the nearby site of Monte Albán. Want to stay local? Take a city tour or channel your inner chef with a cooking class. Ultimately the day is yours so if that means having a few more sips of mezcal at a local tavern or chilling at the hostel then that is a-ok by us too.

Day 6 Oaxaca/Puerto Escondido

Road trip to the beach! Head out on a windy road up through the mountains, bound for the Pacific coast and the relaxed beach town of Puerto Escondido. Enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk upon arrival. The remainder of the afternoon is all yours; find somewhere for lunch on your own and settle in for some serious R&R or beach time, you deserve it.

Day 7 Puerto Escondido

Take a day to do as much or as little as you want, there's no judgement here. Maybe it's the beach or a surf class that's calling your name or possibly it's a 'hang-around'-the-hostel' kind of day with the crew. Your CEO is always on hand to make recommendations or to pull up a seat at the bar with, the choice is yours. Did someone say fish tacos?

Day 8 Puerto Escondido

Say goodbye to your Roamies and depart at any time, or keep the adventure going by heading to the Yucatán Peninsula on the next leg of this epic adventure.