COMPLETE FILE

Overview

Discover Mexico with a private local guide

Have you ever dreamed of entering the intimate world of a great artist? Of uncovering the roots of their imagination, the colors of their universe? This exclusive trip to the land of the Aztecs will reveal another side of Mexico, beloved homeland of the flamboyant Frida Kahlo – and of her equally exuberant lover, Diego Rivera. Follow in their footsteps to discover secret locations such as the school where Frida graduated, the famous Casa Azul in Mexico, and Rivera’s workshop in Guanajuato. Instead of admiring the timeless work of these two sacred monsters from the mundane confines of a museum, you have the opportunity to see their most grandiose paintings come to life right before your eyes in an adventure that combines curiosity, learning and artistic journey. Discover Mexico with a private local guide and travel to this unique country’s most breathtaking cities, each with an architecture that is rich, abundant, and boldly baroque. You'll come to know the traditions of a nation proud of its origins and culture—a culture whose surreal Teotihuacan pyramids triumphantly conquer the skies northeast of Mexico City. A visit to a tequila distillery and the exploration of the ancient silver mines of San Luis are just some of the many spicy flavors rounding out the menu on this voyage of discovery through Mexico. Needless to say, all your accommodation has been carefully selected for maximum comfort and luxury.

Of course, you’ll need to recover from a journey so rich in emotion and surprises. That’s why your vacation ends with two days of pure leisure at one of Mexico’s most vibrant beaches, Puerto Vallarta.

Contact Uniktour’s Mexico specialist for more information on this very exclusive journey in the footsteps of Frida Kahlo!

Itinerary

Day 1| International Flight
Arrival in Mexico. Settle into your hotel.

Day 2| Mexico City
Explore the city with a quick visit to San Idelfonso* – where Frida Kahlo graduated – followed by the Anthropology and History museum* in the afternoon. This museum features artifacts from the Maya, Olmec, Toltec, and, of course, Aztec civilisations. It presents a comprehensive view of the cultures and peoples that have populated this country in the last 3000 years. Highlights include the famed Aztec calendar, an enormous stone bloc whose circumference measures 3 meters. Many years passed before it was revealed that this bloc depicts the Sun god waiting for human sacrifice. With its thousands of statues and countless religious and historical artifacts, this museum is a must for those who want a better understanding of pre-Columbian cultures.
*(Closed on Mondays)

Day 3| Mexico City - Xochimilco
Visit Dolores Olmedo museum, featuring more than 170 paintings by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, making it the world’s largest collection of their work. In the afternoon, visit Xochimilco, where you’ll find floating markets (chinampas) cultivated by the Aztecs at the zenith of their civilization, when they were still settled on lake Tenochtitlan. Among the many people cruising the canals, visitors can encounter a few Mariachi bands playing on barges.

Day 4| Mexico
Head to San Angel and visit Diego Rivera’s house and workshop. This famous Mexican artist is known both for his tumultuous relation with Frida Kahlo and his political, pro-revolution, and anti-religious views. He painted many grandiose frescoes with very militant themes (which led to many problems with the authorities), the most famous of which is the National Palace of Mexico. Continue to Coyoacan and visit Trotsky’s house as well as the house of Frida Kahlo, the famous Casa Azul.

Day 5| Teotihuacan
Excursion to the archeological site of Teotihuacan, a sacred city located about 50 km northeast of Mexico city, built between the 1st and 7th century AD. Teotihuacan, “the place where men become gods”, is characterized by the size of its monuments, the most famous of which are Quetzalcoatl Temple and the pyramids of the Sun and Moon, known for their geometric and symbolic layout. The people of Teotihuacan, who built one of the most important sites in Mesoamerica, spread their culture and arts throughout the region, and even across the border.

Day 6| Mexico - San Miguel Allende
Morning departure for San Miguel Allende. On your way, visit the town of Queretaro. Upon your arrival in San Miguel, you will explore this city and discover the cathedral and its impressive architecture. The rest of the city has many fine examples of baroque Mexican and neo-classical styles. Its geographical location transformed San Miguel de Allende into a melting pot where Spanish, Creole, and Aboriginal cultures blended together, earning it the status of UNESCO world heritage site in 2008.

Day 7| San Miguel Allende - Guanajuato
Head to Guanajuato, an ancient mining town where silver and gold were once found in large quantities, blessing the city with superb monuments. Explore the city, including Pipila monument, Juarez theatre, the Basilica, the University, and Diego Rivera’s house.

Day 8| Guanajuato - San Luis Potosi - Zacatecas
Today you travel to San Luis Potosi and visit the Plaza de Armas, the city’s central square, as well as the cathedral. This city played an important role in the Mexican revolution and its rise to independence. It features a few masterpieces of baroque architecture, including the outrageous and extravagant altarpiece in Del Carmen church. Transfer to Zacatecas.

Day 9| Zacatecas - Guadalajara
Visit the historic city center in Zacatecas, including the cathedral, the plaza de armas, de la Bufa hill, and Eden Mine. On top of this incredible cultural heritage, the city is also home to many lovely museums: traditional masks, local art, and the incredible private collection of a magnate who accumulated works by Picasso, Goya, and Braque, among others. Head to Guadalajara in the afternoon.

Day 10| Guadalajara
Discover the city of Tequila and visit the hacienda San José del Refugio, a tequila distillery. In the afternoon, visit Guadalajara, the country’s second-most populated city, whose vibrant cultural scene is unparalleled. Highlights include Degollado theatre, the Palace of the Government, Cabañas Institute, and the cathedral. Your journey then takes you to the village of San Pedro Tlquepaque, known for its handicrafts.

Day 11| Guadalajara - Puerto Vallarta
Transfer to the airport. Transfer to your hotel upon your arrival, followed by free time to enjoy the town or to simply relax. This luxury resort offers many activities and is located on a superb beach on one of the country’s finest coasts.

Day 12| Puerto Vallarta
Free time to relax and enjoy the resort and the beach.

Day 13| Puerto Vallarta - International flight
Transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Budget

**Rates published on this website are for information purposes only and are not legally binding (since departure dates are not given). Prices on this website are known to fluctuate frequently in relation to changes in currencies and hotel pricing. In order to obtain a definite quote, please click here.

Other fees

Lodging

Overview

Mexico. Who hasn’t dreamed of one day exploring this incredible country of a thousand faces? Of exploring its colonial towns, idyllic beaches, ancient pyramids, and wild nature? Of enjoying its fine cuisine and fiestas? With so much to offer, a journey into Mexico simply cannot disappoint…

Mexico. Endless variety…
What could be better than taking a dip in a transparent turquoise sea to observe the colorful life swimming and growing around the ocean floor? For Mexico’s best dive spots, head to the Yucatan peninsula, also home to the country’s finest coral reefs and cenotes.
Mexico’s volcanoes (Pico de Orizaba, La Malinche, Iztaccihuatl) represent a great opportunity to challenge yourself and reach new heights, literally: hiking to the edge of a crater is an experience you won’t soon forget.

Always looking for ways to help people travel off the beaten path without sacrificing their comfort, Uniktour has selected the finest travel options for a wide variety of activities, allowing travelers to discover Mexico’s myriad natural wonders – in complete comfort and serenity. Many people dream of one day discovering Mexico, their heads filled with the magnificent beaches of the Caribbean, or the cultural jewels hidden in any of the country’s many pre-Columbian Mayan and Aztec archeological sites. Uniktour wishes you a great trip to Mexico. Happy trails!

Tourism

With a population of more than 100 million, Mexico is the world’s most populous Spanish-speaking country, the second-most populated country in Latin America (after Brazil), the third-most populated of the Americas, and the eleventh-most populated in the world. The number of Mexicans living in the United-States (legally and illegally) is thought to be as high as 20 million. Between 1900 and 2000, Mexico’s population grew by a factor of 7.2, while the world population grew by factor of 3.7 during the same time period (it doubled between 1970 and 2000).

There are more than 20 million homes in Mexico, which translated into an average of 5 people per home. Mexico is a young country: 45% of the population is less than 20 years old, while 63% of Mexicans are less than 30 years old.

The population is increasingly urban: Mexico’s 123 largest cities (those with more than 50000 people) are home to almost 75% of the total population.

With 9 million inhabitants (20 including the suburbs), stretching for 30 kilometers from north to south, and 20 kilometers from east to west, Mexico City one of the world’s most populous metropolitan areas (Tokyo-Okohama is currently first). Occupying 500 km2 in 1940, this city now covers an area of more than 4500 km2!

Geography

Mexico’s total surface area covers almost 2 million km2 – about 4 times the size of France. Sitting between Central America and North America, it is bordered on the north and east by the United States (for 3300 km), on the east by the Caribbean Sea, on the south by Belize (250 km) and Guatemala (960 km), on the west by the Pacific Ocean. It is the third-largest country in Latin America, after Brazil and Argentina.

Mexico is a mountainous country, with a mostly hilly topography: it is said that only one third of the territory consists of slopes whose incline is less than 10%. Beyond 10%, agriculture becomes very complicated. Half the country is more than 1500 meters high! Mexico is the world’s largest official capital, with an altitude of more than 2000 meters.

The northern part of the country is dominated by two large mountain ranges whose average altitude rises to 2200 meters: the Sierra Madre Occidental, along the Pacific coast, and the Sierra Madre Oriental, along the Gulf of Mexico.

Between these two mountain ranges lies a vast plateau whose altitude ranges from 1000 to 2000 meters: the Mexican altiplano. The climate is generally dry, creating vast semi-desertic landscapes dotted with cacti.

As they continue southbound, the Sierra Madres collide with a volcanic range that stretches 900 km from the Atlantic to the Pacific in central Mexico. A virtual fortress separating North and Central America! East of the range rises the country’s highest peak, Orizaba (5747 m).

Generally dry, the pacific coast generally gets lots of sunshine. An extension of the Texas plain, a vast coastal plain borders the Gulf of Mexico. Less crowded than the Pacific coast, this area is covered with citrus groves and fields sprinkled with water hyacinths as far as the eye can see.

At its southern tip, Mexico rises like the tail of a mermaid, creating a completely different landscape: the Yucatan peninsula, ancestral land of the Mayas. This vast calcareous area is flat and almost completely devoid of any surface water. The turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea lie east.

Culture

Civilization:
In the first century AD, three great civilizations take shape:
• The Teotihuacán, on the Anáhuac plateau; we still know nothing about the origins of these people, nor of the reason behind their disappearance
• The Zapotecs, in Monte Albán, in what is now the state of Oaxaca. They were the first to build ritual buildings. Between 700 and 750 BC, they began to use a type of pictographic writing and established their central state in what is now the Oaxaca valley.
• The Maya, whose territory stretched from southern Mexico to what is now Salvador. They built over a hundred city-states (Tikal, Palenque), each run by a theocracy. The architectural ruins left behind are clear signs that this culture had very advanced building techniques. The Maya produced many brilliant mathematicians and astronomers and profited considerably from their encounter with the Toltecs in the 9th century AD: this cultural syncretism gave birth to the cities of Uxmal and Chichén Itzá. Starting in the 12th century, this society became more and more decadent, a victim of rising inner conflict.
•And, of course, the Aztecs, who maintained their hegemony by brute force for over a century, collecting dues from their rivals and practicing religious sacrifices. At the beginning of the 16th century, 300000 people lived in Tenochtitlan, then the capital of the Aztec empire, now known as Mexico City. The Spanish conquered it on august 13th 1521, a painful birth to the mixed culture that would eventually become current day Mexico.

Mexico’s colonial heritage
When the Spanish landed in Mexico, they quickly realized that this was a land of incomparable beauty, rich with unlimited resources. Of course, they decided to stay. They built cities throughout the country, mixing their culture with the locals. The result is a traditional architectural style that is unique to Mexico. It is almost impossible to find a city without a mission or a cathedral that dates back a few hundred years. In many cases, the colonial architecture is still predominant. Mexico’s colonial treasures are boundless. There are more than fifty colonial cities, each showcasing different styles.
One example of such a colonial city is the second largest city in Mexico, Guadalajara, which is dotted with parks, monuments, town squares, and elegant colonial mansions. Many imposing buildings dating back to when the city was an important mining town still stand, such as the cathedral, Degollado theatre, and Cabanas Hospice. As for Guanajuato, the most colorful of all colonial cities, it proudly displays its magnificent theatres, churches, and public buildings, all dating back to the colonial era, as well as lovely paved alleys which, according to the legend of the Callejôn del Beso, are so narrow that lovers living on either side need only bend over to kiss. The city of ceramics, Puebla is bursting with picturesque charm, hidden convents, Spanish style patios, flower-covered arches, and stone fountains that would make many more famous monuments blush. If you pass by Cuernavaca, make sure you visit Cortès’ palace, now Cuauhnahuac museum, with its magnificent Diego Ribera frescoes and the historical Borda gardens. Then, of course, there’s Mexico City, the city of palaces, where the Spanish built the largest city of the new world on the ruins of an Aztec city. In the "Centro Historico", you’ll find the palace of Axayacatl, where Moctezuma was taken hostage by Cortès, now home to the immense Nacional Monte de Piedad. This area is also home to the oldest cathedral in the Americas and is a must for any itinerary. Also make sure you take a look at Chapultepéc castle, built on a hill overlooking the city, as well as the anthropology museum and the modern art museum, both of which are among the world’s finest. Of course, this city features countless other colonial wonders that history transformed into museums.

Cuisine

Rich and varied, Mexican cuisine is generally very spicy. It is the perfect blend of local fruit and legumes (corn, black beans, avocados, peppers, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cocoa, vanilla), and meat from domesticated animals introduced by the Spanish (pork, beef, chicken). These ingredients are part of the daily eating habits of the people of Mexico. Included on UNESCO’S intangible cultural heritage list since 2010, Mexican gastronomy has many indigenous influences, though its origins date back to the Spanish conquests. Here are a few dishes, drinks, and products typical of Mexican cuisine:
• Peppers are an integral part of Mexican cuisine. Though there are many varieties, the most famous of these are el serrano, el xalapeño, and el poblano.
• Corn is still the main staple of Mexican cuisine. It was prepared in a variety of ways in pre-Columbian times, many of which are still around today: pancakes (tortillas), pasta stuffed with meat and then steamed (tamales), and porridge (atole). Most antojitos (appetizers) are made from tortillas.
• Black, white, red, and pinto frijoles (beans) are served at every meal, either in a soup, or as a side dish, often in a puree or fried.
Mexico is also an important coffee producer and exporter. Café con leche is a local specialty served with breakfast and with the 7 pm lunch. This country also has an impressive variety of alcohols and liquors of all types: tequila, mezcal (alcohol made from aloe), pulque (cactus leaf extract), beer, and licuados (smoothies with milk or water).

Climate

The Tropic of Cancer divides the country into two zones, one temperate and the other tropical. As usual, climate varies with altitude. The tierras calientes (warm lands), which include the coastal plains, have an altitude that can reach 900 meters and an average temperature ranging between 24 °C and 28 °C. Between 1000 and 2000 meters, the average temperature drops to between 16 °C and 20 °C. Towns and cities at this altitude benefit from a relatively stable climate and pleasant temperatures all year long. North of the 24th parallel, it can get cold in the winter months.
Mexico has very distinct dry and rainy seasons. In most of the country, the rainy season lasts from June to mid-October. There is much less rain during the rest of the year. February is the driest month, while July is the wettest. The coastal regions, particularly those bordering the Gulf of Mexico, get most of their rain in September. The arid and semi-arid areas, such as Baja California, get an average of 300 to 600 millimeters of rain per year. It rains a little more in the Southern plateaus and the more populated areas (including Mexico City and Guadalajara), with an average precipitation of 600-1000 millimeters per year. The lowlands along the Gulf of Mexico receive more than 1000 mm of rain per year. It sometimes snows in some of the northern plateaus and on the peaks of the Sierra Madres.

Sitting in the hurricane belt, all the coastal regions are vulnerable to these storms between June and November. Hurricanes are less frequent and usually less violent on the Pacific coast than they are on the country’s east coast.