Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Your students will learn about the rich history of Mexico, from the Toltecs and the Aztecs to the Mexican Revolution, during visits to important sites around Mexico City, including Our Lady of Guadalupe and the nearby ancient town of Teotihuacán. Your class will also hike to Nace el Agua Waterfall, tour a working cacao farm and chocolate factory, and explore the Mayan city of Uxmal. A dip in a cool cenote and guided visit to Chichén Itzá ends your exciting tour on a high note.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Mexico City
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Mexico City city walk
Stroll beneath rows of leafy palm trees as you watch ten lanes of traffic zip or more often crawl along Mexico’s answer to the Champs Élysées. Emperor Maximilian built the Paseo de la Reforma, or “Reform Avenue,” to connect his residence with the Palacio Nacional. Today it remains one of Mexico City’s most elegant and bustling thoroughfares. Do not miss the golden angel atop the 150 foot Independence Monument, a beloved landmark and popular spot for wedding photos.
Day 2
Mexico City guided sightseeing tour - Bundle
Crowds, cars and cantinas fill Mexico City, a metropolis of 20 million built atop the Aztec capital. With a local guide, take in the vast Zócalo square, the Metropolitan Cathedral with its evolving architecture and the Palacio Nacional, home to Diego Rivera’s vivid murals, all from the surrounding historic centre. Then step inside the excavated ruins of the Aztec Templo Mayor for a closer look at the city’s ancient past.
Paseo de la Reforma
Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe visit
See the cloak of Juan Diego, said to bear the image of the Virgin Mary. Join pilgrims at one of Latin America’s most visited landmarks, where you can view the sacred relic, hear its story of miracles, and experience the devotion that makes this site so powerful.
Teotihuacán guided excursion
Follow your local guide down the Avenue of the Dead, stand before the massive Pyramid of the Sun, and take in the graceful Pyramid of the Moon. Once home to 250,000 people, this ancient city was so impressive that the Aztecs believed a race of giants had built it, calling it the “Place Where Men Became Gods.”
Day 3
Travel to Veracruz
Nace el Agua waterfall hike
Led by your Tour Director, enjoy an easy hike through lush surroundings to the Nace el Agua waterfall. Take in the sight and sound of cascading water and relax by its striking turquoise pool.
Veracruz city walk
Explore this historic Gulf Coast port where pirates once roamed. Join locals in the Plaza de las Armas to play dominos, shop crafts, or dance the danzón. Visit the Municipal Palace, Virgen de la Asunción Cathedral, the craft market, and the old lighthouse.
Day 4
Travel to Villahermosa
Cacao farm and chocolate factory tour
Day 5
Travel to Palenque
Aqua Azul Falls visit
Watch bright turquoise water cascade over rocks and trees at Agua Azul Falls, coating them in limestone as it rushes through the jungle. Surrounded by lush greenery, this natural wonder offers an unforgettable sight and sound.
Day 6
Palenque guided sightseeing visit
While smaller than other Mayan sites, Palenque is famed for its exquisite architecture, carvings, and sculptures. Explore its temples, towering palace, and aqueduct, and see why this ancient city remains one of the culture’s greatest achievements.
Travel to Campeche
Campeche Tour Director-led sightseeing
Day 7
Travel to Mérida via Uxmal
Uxmal guided visit
Visit this ruined Mayan city, thought to have been founded around 500 AD, to see towering temples, pyramids, and an ancient ball court once used for the Mesoamerican ballgame.
Mérida Tour Director-led sightseeing tour
Tropical flowers in fuchsia, yellow, and orange bloom beside the dark green leaves of almond and tamarind trees. Couples in white relax on ornate stone benches around Mérida’s central plaza. As the capital of Yucatán, Mérida is the ideal base for exploring the ancient Mayan world—but start with the city itself. A licensed guide will lead you to the Cathedral of San Ildefonso, begun in 1563 and home to Mexico’s oldest true dome. Inside, admire its dignified Tuscan columns and coffered nave. Across the sunny plaza, the Government Palace showcases murals of the Spanish conquest and Mayan heritage. Then stroll down Paseo de Montejo, a grand boulevard inspired by the Champs-Élysées, lined with iconic buildings and monuments.
Day 8
Travel to Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen, once a quiet fishing village, now holds a Guinness World Record as one of Latin America's fastest-growing communities. Drawn by its white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, newcomers help maintain the town’s vibrant and friendly atmosphere. Relax on the beach or shop for souvenirs along the lively main strip.
Chichén Itzá guided visit
Join a licensed local guide for a visit to Chichén Itzá, one of the country's most famous Mayan sites. The city dates to around the 7th century AD, though evidence shows farmers lived here as early as the 4th century BC. Known for its 365-stepped pyramid, El Castillo, the site also features sculptures, murals, and other ancient structures.
Cenote visit
Slip into the cool, shadowed world of Yucatán cenotes, where turquoise waters offer relief from the blistering heat. These underground caves were sacred to the Mayans and have fascinated travelers since ancient times.
Day 9
Playa del Carmen beach time
Spend an afternoon soaking up the sun on Playa del Carmen’s fine white sands, named for Cancún’s patron saint. The turquoise Caribbean waters invite you to explore vibrant marine life and coral reefs.
Tulum visit (optional)
See the Mayan idea of a beach town in Tulum, the largest coastal city of its kind and one of Cancún’s favourite day trips. Explore limestone ruins surrounded by lush jungle and gaze out at the brilliant blue Caribbean Sea, all with insights from your Tour Director.
Day 10
Return home
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
With TourFlex, available for tours departing October 2027 or later, you get the flexibility to shape an itinerary that's as unique as your group. Dial your trip up or down for more choice, more control, and more unforgettable hands-on moments, all while getting the right experience at the right value. Available options vary by program and destination.
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theatre tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions.
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Daily meals, with options varying by program (ask your Program Consultant for details)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers (excluding full-day bus drivers and Tour Director)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Scenes from Mexico City and the Yucatán
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
Through the WorldStrides Canada Financial Assistance Program (FAP), we provide travel grants to elementary and secondary school facing financial hardship. These grants, which can be up to $250 for coach tours and up to $1,000 for flight tours, are designed to make our programs more accessible to students from all backgrounds. Interested families are encouraged to speak with their school to learn more about our confidential application process.
Payment Plans
Monthly Automated Plan
Enroll with a deposit of $99 plus the cost of your travel protection plan (if included). We’ll automatically debit the rest of your tour fee from your chequing account in equal monthly payments, with the final payment due 35 days before you travel.
Please note: If two consecutive payments are declined, your account will be moved to the 4-Step Manual Plan.
4-Step Manual Plan
Manage your payments manually with a $249 initial payment plus your travel protection plan costs (if included). You’ll then make three more payments at key milestones as your departure date approaches. The final balance is due 65 days before your trip.
Please note: Payments on this plan are not automatically deducted and must be made manually.
Fundraising Tools
We are committed to helping you make your educational travel dreams a reality. We offer a comprehensive Fundraising Guide packed with creative ideas, tips, and resources to help you and your students reach your fundraising goals. From setting a timeline to brainstorming innovative campaigns, our guide provides a structured approach to make fundraising a fun and engaging experience for everyone involved.
