Contrasts of Mexico

Very good tour and tour leader. Many thanks Said. Oaxaca, Mount Albon, Canon del Sumero, San Cristobal, Palenque and Tikal all excellent. The focus of the trip is definitely on the archaeological ruins and the Mayan culture which was fascinating. Perhaps a few additional / different options could be added. The one negative aspect was the quality of the transport in Mexico. We had 2 vehicles, both uncomfortable and difficult to see out of a window if you sat at the back.

Fascinating insight into Mexico's history and the rise and fall of the Mayans.

Contrasts of Mexico is an Explore trip, which I would thoroughly recommend. You need to be very keen on seeing the ancient sites, which all in our group were. We had knowledgeable, professional but friendly, and experienced guiding by our tour leader Luis. He was a mine of information on the places we visited. He had to cope with some recent and sudden changes to the itinerary, which turned out not to be for the best re accommodation, and transportation. He attended to our needs well. The towns we visited were fascinating and enjoyable to explore. The journeys were long, which we expected, in order to reach all the itinerary, but manageable, with reasonably comfortable transport, and enough stops. We were given enough time at all the sites. If you are a vegetarian, or vegan you will not get a great choice of healthy, tasty foods. Maybe bring seeds, nuts etc to supplement what's on offer. The tour and all we saw was beyond my expectations.

Great trip with a wonderful tour leader. Some wonderful sites and a learning experience for me on the history of Mexico and surrounding countries.

First visit to Mexico. Opted for the security of a group tour given the occasional flare up of trouble. Most members of the group were active 50+ with a reasonable amount of travel under their belts and able to cope with long hours and rough roads on the minibus. Luis proved an excellent leader. A little knowledge of Spanish - even gracias - is much appreciated locally.

What a great and varied trip this was, much more than I was expecting. This isn’t just a tour of stunning ruins, but also more surprising things like Sumidero canyon. Our tour guide Luis Flores was fantastic - patient, organized, funny and amazing recommendations for food. The tour wasn’t as full on as it appeared in the reviews. Yes there was a lot of driving, but in most locations we stayed 3-4 nights. The hotel in Flores was stunning, with rooms looking directly over the lake.

Well-paced trip without being exhausting - excellent Explore leader, Ana: very knowledgeable and professional providing exactly the right level of information. Group was small but very companionable as one might expect from regular Explore travellers. As a suggestion the itinerary might benefit from a stay in Puebla and one less night in Mexico City - which would reduce the travelling time on one of the longer days - but that is an observation rather than a criticism. Elected not to do the Yucatan extension, so cannot comment but would expect that would be as good if one had the time.

They say it’s the tour leader who makes or breaks a trip, and for me, this couldn’t be truer. Luis Flores brought this whirlwind adventure to life with his warmth, kindness, passion for his country, and enduring patience—all matched by his brilliant, boyish sense of humour, which was a bonus. Behind the company logo is a man of immense grace and generosity—a true superstar in countless subtle ways. He’s not just someone who leads you through a place but someone who helps you connect with its soul and its people. This trip was a vibrant tapestry of breathtaking sights, iconic landmarks, and mouthwateringly delicious cuisine (with portions that were often humongous—wear stretchy trousers!). Add to that the genuine, heartwarming hospitality of the people we met, and it was an experience like no other. The long, scenic drives became opportunities to daydream out the window, snooze in readiness for the next adventure (or “meditate,” as Luis fondly called these sleepy and quiet moments), or share conversations that added even more richness to the journey—or, occasionally, for me to ask, “Are we nearly there?” Was it perfect? No. Could some things have been better? Yes, of course. But I came hoping for an authentic, enriching experience—and that’s precisely what I got. If you’re considering this trip, come with an open mind and heart and be ready to let the magic unfold. Drink in the numerous sensorial moments of wonder. There are so many “wow, wow, wow” moments—turning a corner and seeing something genuinely magnificent alongside enchanting flora and fauna (sadly, no jaguars made an appearance). For me, this was a genuinely enriching and transformative journey. In all honesty, I was hesitant to book after a really disappointing experience with an Explore guide earlier this year. It felt like a huge risk to trust you again, especially since this was a 2-week trip and tour leaders are beyond your control. But I’m so glad I did and am deeply grateful for the experience.

I would just like to say it was a wonderful holiday! It was brilliantly organised and most enjoyable.It was varied in what we did and what we saw.