CANCUN • MEXICO CITY • CABO • PALM SPRINGS
22 March – 5 April 2025
This has been a fun tour to put together, but it’s taken a while as we’ve gone through, day by day, line by line, to add enough to ensure we get to immerse into the Mexican culture, but also to include free time and not pack it too full so we can’t enjoy ourselves along the way.
The tour officially starts in Cancun, so we will talk with everyone if they’d like assistance travelling via the US. I will probably go via Houston or LA, depending on the best price flights, and take a connecting flight to Cancun, so you can join me if you like.
Day 1 | Cancun
22 March
Arrive and check into Oleo Cancun Playa, our all-inclusive boutique 4-star hotel on the beach.
This fabulous property has a luxury/minimalist design. There is a pool with a swim-up bar, a spa, pickleball court, 4 restaurants, 2 bars and a cafe.
All our meals are included – if we want them to be. I am also looking forward to exploring the nearby town for perhaps some snacking on tacos and empanadas, shopping and enjoying the vibe.
Day 2 | Cancun
23 March
Today we go on a private tour of Yucatán Peninsula’s most significant landmarks, to see the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza and swim in the cenotes – naturally created waterholes.
If you don’t fancy swimming, they are super photogenic so you’ll enjoy just seeing them. Our tour today includes a buffet lunch.
We will also visit the charming colonial city of Valladolid and see the baroque style 16th-century San Gervasio Cathedral.
Day 3 | Cancun
24 March
Today, pack your togs, as we take a private tour to Xelha in Tulum on the Riviera Maya in the Caribbean Sea.
This water park is part of naturally occuring rock pools surrounded by lush jungle. We can use inner tubes for floating among the sealife and swimmimg holes to dip into. If you dare you can zip line, water slide and leap off cliff tops. Or there is a restaurant and bar to sit at in between dips. Because it’s connected to the ocean, there is also sealife in here and you can snorkel sedately with them.
It’s indescribably beautiful here, and there are jungle trails, cenotes, mangroves and rivers to see. Admission includes a buffet lunch and open bar (non alcoholic) – although you can buy a drink.
Day 4 | Cancun
25 March
Free day to relax in our resort, make the most of that pool and swim-up bar, and visit the nearby markets for a little shopping, or try the local restaurants and bars in Cancun.
Together we will make some plans, as by now we have probably found our favorite resort restaurant.
Day 5 | Mexico City
26 March
Today we depart for Mexico City and will stay in a lovely hotel in Zocalo Square, amid the vibrancy of the dining, shopping and nightlife scene.
Free evening. That just means at our own cost, but we will head out together and find somewhere to eat.
Day 6 | Mexico City
27 March
I’ve chosen a lovely day trip for today. After breakfast in our hotel, we’ll head out of town with our bi-lingual guide to visit Xochimilco (place of flowers), with its colourful canals and floating vendors selling their wares. We’ll hop on a trajinera (a traditional flat-bottomed gondola-style boat) and immerse ourselves into the colourful scene.
We’ll visit the famous “Blue House”, the colonional neighbourhood of Coyoacan and the wonderful world of Frida Kahlo, at her iconic museum. I’ll be picking up a memento for sure!
We will visit a local market to shop for souvenirs and try the delicious street food.
Free evening.
Day 7 | Mexico City
28 March
Today we have breakfast in our hotel then we’ll head out to see three of Mexico City’s most important historical landmarks.
We’ll see the pyramids of Teotihuacan and the Basilica of Guadalupe, and have lunch in a breathtaking cave restaurant that was used about 2000 years ago.
Free evening.
Day 8 | Cabo
29 March
Today we check out of our hotel in Mexico City and fly to Cabo, at the bottom of the Baja Peninsula – and it’s whale-watching season.
I’ve selected Marina Fiesta Resort & Spa, a gorgeous hotel here in the heart of Cabo San Lucas, and a stone’s throw from the marina and all the fun things to do within easy walking distance.
Within steps of our hotel are the shops, bars and restaurants, little pop up kiosks and markets where you’ll find some cute mementos. It’s an easy area to explore on your own, or with each other.
Our hotel is all-inclusive with 12 restaurants and a swim-up bar, so we will enjoy dinner here tonight.
Day 9 | Cabo
30 March
The reason I chose this date for our tour is because April is humpback whale watching season in Cabo.
Today we’ll go out on a luxurious double-decker catamaran which is equipped with a hydrophone system so we can hear whales singing in the deep! We’ll pass the famous Arch rock formation, and see whales frolicking. We’ll also enjoy canapes and drinks onboard.
This afternoon we’ll take a drive to Jose Del Cabo, an historic neighbourhood about half and hour away. It’s such a pretty town, and we’ll enjoy an art and wine walk around the central square, with Baja-style appetisers. We’ll visit Plaza Mijares where ice popsicles with a twist will be served! We’ll see art and sculpture in this thoroughly lovely evening.
There will be craft beer tastings, maybe some tequila, and the evening will end at Maestro Toreador Cigars, where coffee, chocolate and tobacco meld together. I bet you know someone who would love that!
Dinner at our resort.
Day 10 | Cabo
31 March
Today is a relaxing free day to enjoy our all-inclusive resort and explore the marina area of Cabo San Lucas.
Day 11 | Cabo
1 April
Another free day, but we will have things to do – or not!
Options could include a fishing trip, a spa treatment, a cooking class, SCUBA diving, jet skiing, golf, shopping, or enjoy the beach.
For more ideas of things to do in Cabo, click here.
Day 12 | Palm Springs
2 April
Today we depart Cabo and fly to Los Angeles where we will take a private coach for the two-hour drive to Palm Springs.
I love Palm Springs and have visited maybe four or five times. We’re staying at the beautifully appointed Kimpton Rowan Hotel, which has a rooftop with a pool and bar, and is right in the heart of town.
Free evening.
Day 13 | Palm Springs
3 April
Today we’ll head out and explore famous Joshua Tree National Park, where the awesome spikey Dr Seuss-looking trees, standing amid enormous rocks, make for wonderful photos. I’ll take you for lunch (at own cost) to Pappy and Harriet’s, an authentic American bar that’s been here forever, for ribs and burgers and maybe live music, in the desert.
When we get back into Palm Springs, and while we have the coach, we’ll go for a drive around some of the most famous mid-century modern homes so you can get a taste of why so many people come here each year for Mid Century Modern week in October.
Day 14 | Palm Springs
4 April
Today is a free day to enjoy Palm Springs.
There are so many great activities you can enjoy: take the Aerial Tram up to the top of the mountain – where there is snow! Windfarm geeks (like me) can take a tour of this remarkable technology and hear the history of harnessing wind power in the Coachella Valley for the California Grid, and what the future looks like.
Take a tour to the San Adreas Fault Line and wander the desertscape. Play golf on the one of the 130 courses in the Greater Palm Springs area. Take an Uber and go outlet shopping at nearby Desert Hills Premium Outlets.
And whatever you do, make sure you try a date shake made from delicious locally grown Medjool dates!
See my blog post on things to do in Palm Springs
Day 15 | Depart
5 April
We have included a private transfer to LAX today, timing to be confirmed. But as the flights to New Zealand leave in the evening, my plan is to spend today over at Spa He-che.
Across the road from our hotel is a new and stunning spa facitlity built on a natural hot spring, on native American land. It’s been built by the local tribe, and is world-class, yet won’t break the bank.
For about US$200 you can have a massage treatment, that starts with a private soak in a hot pool, then you can enjoy a massage or whatever you’ve booked. But following your hour-long treatment, you can take as long as you like in other rooms in the spa. The steam room, the relaxing room, the salt room, a plunge pool, and then finish with lunch at the main pool if you want to.
This tour is going to be amazing and I can’t wait to host you!
“Thank you Megan for converting me to the world of small group touring, it was like travelling with a group of friends and family. Whether you are a couple, friends or solo traveller, I would highly recommend travelling with ‘Blogger at Large’. Bring on the next tour!” – Kerrie (7th time guest)
What’s included:
- 11 nights accommodation
- 11 breakfasts
- Some lunches, as per itinerary
- Some dinners (at the all-inclusive resorts in Cancun and Cabo)
- Transfers to and from airports to hotels
- Flights Cancun to Mexico City, Mexico City to Cabo, Cabo to Los Angeles
- Private guides and luxury vehicles
- Admission into attractions and tours, as per itinerary
- Your host Megan Singleton
What’s not included:
- International flights
- Transfer to hotel in Cancun
- Travel insurance (a requirement of this tour)
- Some meals
- Gratuities for guides
- Spending money for shopping!
Cost
$15,500*pp twin share. If you’d like your own room, it will be an extra $3,750*
*Subject to exchange rate
If you love the sound of this tour as much as I do, $2000pp will secure your spot, with the balance due in two installments. $10,000 (2nd person $5,000) payable by 1 October 2024, and the balance by 21 January 2025.
Email me for the registration form: [email protected]
Cancellation and Ts & Cs
This tour requires a minimum of 14 people to go ahead. If that number is not reached your payments will be returned.
Free cancellation before 30 November 2024, after then, we will be unable to refund deposits so you will need to have travel insurance to protect yourself in case of unforeseen circumstances.
