Step into the heart of Yucatán and experience a day where ancient history, village life, and Maya traditions come together in an unforgettable cultural journey.
Your adventure begins at Uxmal, one of the most majestic archaeological sites of the Maya world. Walk through the Pyramid of the Magician, the Nunnery Quadrangle, and the Governor’s Palace while learning about the cosmology, engineering, and mythology behind this extraordinary UNESCO site.
After exploring Uxmal, continue toward the charming village of Santa Elena, traveling in an authentic tuk tuk — a fun and local way to experience daily life.
Your first stop is a traditional milpa, where local farmers share the ancestral agricultural system that sustains Maya communities. See firsthand how they grow corn, beans, squash, chiles, and medicinal plants, and understand the spiritual relationship they maintain with the land.
Continue to a small tortillería, where you witness the beautiful process of transforming nixtamalized corn into warm handmade tortillas. Learn how each step — grinding, kneading, pressing, and cooking on the comal — carries centuries of cultural heritage.
You then arrive at a Maya rancho-style home, where your hosts welcome you with open arms. Here, you prepare pollo pibil, a beloved Yucatecan dish traditionally cooked underground. You’ll learn about the achiote marinade, plantain-leaf wrapping, and the ancestral technique that gives the dish its smoky, earthy flavor.
The experience becomes even more magical when a group of local children greets you with a lively jarana dance performance. They not only perform for you — they invite you to dance with them and teach you the basic steps of this joyful regional dance, creating an unforgettable moment of cultural exchange.
To complete your immersion, a local artisan arrives to demonstrate how they craft the intricate floral embroidery used in traditional jarana clothing. You’ll see how each flower is shaped, stitched, and brought to life — an art form passed down through generations.
This tour is a celebration of community, tradition, and living Maya culture. You don’t just visit Yucatán — you connect with its people, its flavors, its stories, and its heritage.
Travel to a nearby Maya community and enjoy an immersive cultural experience.
Climb aboard a colorful local tuk tuk and take a guided ride through Santa Elena, a small town rich in colonial and Maya heritage.
This full-day experience combines archaeology, food, and living Maya traditions. You’ll explore the Uxmal ruins, ride a tuk tuk through Santa Elena village, visit a traditional milpa and tortillería, cook pollo pibil with a Maya family, enjoy a jarana dance with local children, and see traditional embroidery.
A guided visit to Uxmal, all cooking materials, lunch, an English-speaking guide, and bottled water are included.
In a Maya rancho-style home, you’ll prepare pollo pibil, a beloved Yucatecan dish traditionally cooked underground.
You’ll learn about the achiote marinade, the plantain-leaf wrapping, and the ancestral technique that gives it its smoky flavor, then share the meal you prepared together with handmade tortillas and local dishes.
Uxmal is one of the most majestic archaeological sites of the Maya world and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
On a guided visit you’ll walk through the Pyramid of the Magician, the Nunnery Quadrangle, and the Governor’s Palace while learning about the cosmology, engineering, and mythology behind this extraordinary ancient city.
The experience takes place around Uxmal and the village of Santa Elena, in the heart of Yucatán.
Transport from Mérida to Uxmal and Santa Elena is not included, so you’ll make your own way to the meeting point; we’re happy to share directions and recommendations to meet the group.
Yes. The tour is rated easy and is a wonderful experience for families, couples, and small groups. Children especially enjoy the tuk tuk ride, the hands-on cooking, and the jarana dance with local kids, making it a warm, interactive way to connect with living Maya culture and heritage.
