Your tour begins with a 2am or 3am pick-up from your Riviera Maya hotel. This may seem like an ungodly hour but if you want to avoid the crowds and capture tourist-free snaps of Chichen Itza’s world-famous Mayan ruins, then you have got to take a leaf out of a typical Mayan warrior’s book and be willing to make some sacrifices!

The drive to the archaeological site will take approximately 2 hours. Now is a good time to catch up on some z’s so you’re refreshed and ready for your ancient Mayan adventure!

As we arrive the sun should be beginning to rise. As we approach the site, you will start recognising some of the shapes of the pyramids, altars and monuments that dot the landscape. As we wander around, your expert local guide will fill you in on the history of this magnificent place and tell you stories about the Mayan civilisation that used to dominate the area.  

We’ll leave Chichen Itza around 8am, just as the tourist hordes begin their daily assault. As we drive away, you can feel nicely smug that you had the ruins almost all to yourself for that perfect holiday snap.

You have probably built up quite an appetite by now so we’ll make a stop at one of our favourite spots to enjoy a traditional Mexican breakfast. Expect things like huevos motulenos (a local twist on the famous huevos rancheros), panuchos yucatecos (a type of taco) and chilaquiles (fried tortilla strips with a variety of exciting toppings). Please note that dishes will vary depending on the season and availability.

After breakfast, we’re going to cool down in one of the most beautiful cenotes in the region. A cenote is an underwater valley or cave that’s been flooded with freshwater. This is the way the locals have been cooling off in the hot Mexican sun for centuries! Learn about how these incredible natural structures came into being and find out how the Mayans used them as part of their daily ritual routine. Remember to bring your swimsuit if you fancy a swim. There’s a swimming pool at the cenote too but most people prefer to explore the cave.

On our way back to Cancun, we will stop at the magical town of Valladolid for a chance to pick up authentic handcrafts, grab a coffee, ice cream or a refreshing drink and learn the interesting history of this little cozy town.

You will be dropped off at your hotel mid-afternoon, leaving you plenty of time to chill out by the pool or on the beach and catch up on those z’s. Before you go, don’t forget to ask your expert local guide for more tips on what else to see, do and eat during your stay on the Yucatan peninsula.