Self Drive Programs in Mexico

HIGHLANDS WITH 2 COASTS – 14 DAYS/13 NIGHTS

ARRIVAL MEXICO

Welcome at airport MEX and private transfer to your overnight hotel in Mexico City’s Historical Center. Your transfer assistant also delivers and explains the travel docuemtns to you. Rest of day at leisure. Overnight in Mexico City

Zocalo Central 4*             2 Nights / Std-room

HISTORICAL CENTER & ANTHROPOLOGY MUSEUM                                           (B)

Breakfast at hotel.       

Seat-in-Basis Service (approx. 6h duration from/to hotel): Morning pick up at your hotel for a sightseeing tour in Mexico City, to see the Historical Center (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage

- UWCH) and National Museum of Anthropology. In the city center, see Zocalo main square, National Palace with mural paintings of Diego Rivera, Metropolitan Cathedral, view from outside on former Aztec Main Temple, and others. Drive along elegant Reforma Boulevard to have a photo stop at Independence Monument, and enter Chapultepec Park area to visit the National Museum of Anthropology with its interesting exhibition halls about prehispanic cultures like Toltec, Aztec, Zapotec, Maya and others. Early afternoon return to your hotel and rest of day at leisure.

FREE TIME - CAR PICK UP – SELF DRIVE:  MEXICO CITY–TEOTIHUACAN          (B)

(Approx. distance 60km / driving time 1h30min // city exit and motorway)

Breakfast at hotel.

First part of today is free at leisure. For the morning we recommend already the room check-out latest by noon. Your luggage can be stored by the concierge service in the time between check-out and departure from hotel.

Optional possibilities / not included as service part in package price: Perhaps you still might like to explore parts of the city you have in mind, e.g. going to Coyoacán colonial quarter and visit there Museum Frida Kahlo.

Around 15 o’clock, it is recommended to have your moment for rental car pick up (in case of Pick Up not being at hotel, eventually necessary taxi transfer not incl. in package price).

Self Drive: Car Pick Up at approx. 15:30h (please, count with approx. 30-40min for the pick up procedure until moment of real departure). Afterwards, drive out of Mexico City via an easily drivable route. The urban development seems to be endless, but finally, after approx. 30km, finally reach the countryside. There is not much time further to drive, and you arrive in Teotihuacán town and the archaeological site. Enjoy an evening in your charming hotel right next to the site and surrounded by the peaceful ambiancde of province.

Villas Arqueológicas Teotihuacan 3-4*       1 Night / Std-room

SELF DRIVE: TEOTIHUACAN – PAPANTLA                                                           (B)

(Approx. 260km / 4h30min // Highland-motorway and rural mountain road)

Breakfast at hotel.

Self Drive: Take your time in the morning to have an extense visit of Teotihuacán archaeological site (UWCH) right in front of your hotel. this site was already abandoned, when the Aztecs arrived in the central highlands in the early 14th century. Due to the majestic temple ruins, for the Aztecs and their mystic believe it was abvious that such place had been built by gods – therefore also the name of “Teotihuacán”, which in english means something like “City of Gods”. In the early morning hour, not that much visitors have already arrived, and you can enjoy your walk and see the site’s parts like Citadel, Quetzalcoatl Temple, Road of the Death, Pyramids of Sun and Moon, Jaguar Mural and Quetzalpapalotl Palace, among others. To discover some remaining jewel parts of the site, add simply some minutes and visit the originally conserved mural paintings of so called “Paradise of Quetzalcoatl” in small Tepantli Palace. In the afternoon, you should continue then your drive latest by 14:00h, to cover the remaining distance for your overnight hotel in Papantla. This place is titled Magic Town of Mexico – enjoy your hotel’s central location for a relaxing short evening walk.

Tajin 3*           2 Nts / Std-room

SELF DRIVE: EL TAJIN & VANILLA GARDENS                                                      (B)

(Approx. 30km / 1h // rural road through hilly landscape)

Breakfast at hotel.

Self Drive: From Papantla you quickly reach arch. site of El Tajín (UWCH) with its typical Temples of Niches spread in between hills and tropical vegetation. In prehispanic Totonac Culture, El Tajín was a very important center of religious power.

An impressive landscape is built by river Tecolutla: here you can have a rich lunch from local fish, served at a nice outlook-restaurant over the river.

Back at Papantla, do not miss to visit the small botanical garden of the Vanilla tree – the region around town is a world wide important center of vanilla production.

SELF DRIVE: PAPANTLA – QUIAHUIZTLAN – VERACRUZ                         (B)

(Approx. 230km / 4h // rural road through hilly and flat landscape near and next to coast)

Breakfast at hotel.

Self Drive: Today, the route leads you mostly along the Gulf Coast of Mexico, which you reach after hardly 1h drive. Palms, picturesque towns and from time to time a view on the sea are characteristic for this traject. After approx. 3h drive, reach the area of Villa Rica, where Hernan Cortes, in 1519, reach America’s continental mainland for the first time, finally to conquer the land for the Spanish crown. Shortly after Villa Rica reach the small archaeological site of Quiahuiztlan with its wonderful high up position next to a majestic monolith. This place, also called Totonac Cementry, counts with miniature temples to form characteristic tombstones – the outlook over the landscape and coastline is also extraordinary! Afternoon arrival then in port city of Veracruz, where your hotel is located right next to the vivid main square. Here it is recommended to make a town walk to through the historical part, as well as along the nearby harbour pier. Do not miss to try regional dishes like fish Veracruz style, as well as the traditionally served Café Lechero..

Veracruz Centro Histórico 3-4*   1 Nt / Std-room

SELF DRIVE: VERACRUZ – SIERRA MADRE – OAXACA                                       (B)

(Approx. 490km / 6h // Highway & free road, 4  2 lanes width through mountains and highland)

Breakfast at hotel.

Self Drive: From Veracruz take the direct highway back into the central highlands, which then soon follows pronounced bends and curves to climb up the mountains. Change in landscape and vegetation is obvious. Up again in the central plateaus, take the direction towards Oaxaca, also for still making an interesting stopp in Biosphere Reservate of Cactus in the the Sierra Madre mountains near town of Tehuacán. Here in an exstense botanical garden that seems to continue limitless into the natural environment, you can see all kinds of cacti, like Elephant foot and Mother-in-Law! Also the interesting saltmine-terraces along the road are interesting to see. Over the resting afternoon, drive to Oaxaca colonial city with its beautiful historical center (UWCH), where you also will find your hotel. An evening walk through the historical ensemble of squares, houses, churches and lanes is highly recommended.

Oaxaca Real 3*           2 Nts / Std-room

SELF DRIVE: OAXACA & SURROUNDINGS                                                           (B)

(Approx. 80km / 3h // Free and city roads through highland plateau and small hills)

Breakfast at hotel..

Self Drive: In case of starting early, you can visit the archaeological site of Monte Albán (UWCH) in the morning. Strategically built by prehispanic Zapotec Culture on a plateau hill next to Oaxaca, it was a center of power and religion. Interesting parts of the site are the main temples at both ends of the great central square, as well as the ball game court, the observatory and the so called Relieffs of the Dancers. For noon, we recommend to drive to weaver town Teotiltán del Valle to taste from local specialties and have a look on traditions of colours and patterns in carpets and clothing. The afternoon would be for a visit of the second important archaeological site in the central valley of Oaxaca: Mitla (UWCH). Here, the frets in different patters and in form of stone-mosaic reliefs on the main temple’s façades are simply unique. When back in later afternoon in Oaxaca, you still could visit the traditional cocoa mills in the market quarter – a wonderful aroma of chocolate fills all air in the street!

SELF DRIVE: OAXACA – PUEBLA                                                                         (B)

(Approx. 350km / 4h // Highway & free road, 4 to 2 lanes width through mountains and highland) Breakfast at hotel.

Self Drive: After breakfast you can already start your continuing journey for Puebla. In the early afternoon, passing by again the cacti of the Sierra Madre, as well as, with some luck in climate to enjoy fantastic views on high volcanos, you reach Puebla, so called “City of Angels”, with its jewel historical center with colonial and baroque architecture (UWCH) – see here elegant Majolica tiles and baroque stucco art covering many parts of the city mansions façades. During a sightseeing walk, you can see the main square with the dense green crowns of its trees, cathedral and Sto Domingo church with the precious Rosary Chapel, as well as traditional El Parian market, where regional artisan sweets are offered in great variety, as well as the colorful quarter of arts Los Sapos. Try a Puebla-style dish with Mole sauce! It is delicious with chicken!

Colonial 3*            2 Nts  / Std-room

SELF DRIVE: CACAXTLA & CHOLULA                                                                   (B)

(Approx. 50km / 2h // Freeway, city streets and Highway around Puebla)

Breakfast at hotel.

Self Drive: Near to Puebla are located tow interesting places to visit: In Cacaxtla, the archaeological site from prehispanic Olmec culture shows amazingly conserved paintings in original colours, and from the Tempel hill, with good luck in weather, you might have a wonderful view over the valley and volcanoes. Afterwards then in Cholula, you will find a picturesque town center with its outstanding main church and exconvent, as well as the rests of a prehispanic pyramid, which nowerdays is covered with the construction of a church dating from colonial times. In case you are a curious taster of culinary traditions, then we recommend also to enter the local market hall of Cholula to try from the exquisite quesadillas.

SELF DRIVE: PUEBLA – CUERNAVACA – ACAPULCO                                           (B)

(Approx. 435km / 6h // Free- and Highway, 2-4 lanes)

Breakfast at hotel.

Self drive: In the morning, depart for Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Shortly after Puebla you will already surround volcano Popocatépetl, to enter state of Morelos, which has a rich subtopical climate with lots of lush vegetation. After approx. 2 ½ hours driving reach Cuernvaca, capitl of state of Morelos, and so called “City of Eternal Spring” – this name due to the fact of the dominating mild climate all year around. Here we recommend a short visit stop, as you can see so called Palacio de Cortés, the first administrative building on conquered ground by the spanyards in early 16th century. It is also very here to have a look into the old cathedral of Cuernavaca with its open Chapel of the Indians, as well as into the adjacent Museum Robert Brady, who was a foreign artist living in Mexico, since the country and tradition inspired him to reach fascinating expressions in colours and collections of art, joined all together in his charming former living house. Then afterwards, the afternoon can be dedicated to take the toll-highway down to Acapulco, which can be reach after another approx. 3-4 hours. Have check-in at your beach hotel for the coming 2 nights..

Emporio Acapulco 4*  2Nts/Std-room Ocean or Garden View

(these 2 nights are NOT included in the package price, as they have to be added depending on the travel season and corresponding price by hotel for that. This exclusion also allows, if preferrered, to change to other beach hotels in Acapulco, even with the possibiltiy to extend for more nights – please, be aware always to count well the Car Rental duration)

SELF DRIVE: ACAPULCO AT LEISURE                                                                 (B)

(Approx. 10km / 45min // city streets)

Breakfast at hotel.

Self Drive: Enjoy today to completely relax. Acapulco counts with a historical harbour fortress, from where you have a nice view over the main bay. A small historical museum in the fortress allows to learn about the importance of Acapulco in oversea trade with East Asia. If you like, you can also visit the famous Cliffdivers of La Quebrada – they jump once at 01:30pm, as well as several times in the evening. The later functions are recommended, as you can combine them with a nice dinner from terrace of Restaurant La Perla..

SELF DRIVE: ACAPULCO – TAXCO           (B)

(Approx. 260km / 4h // Highway and rural mountain road)

Breakfast at hotel.

Self Drive: HFor today you can expect an interesting route back again into the dramatic landscape of Southern Sierra Madre Mountains. For example, after Chilpancingo, you can take the free road which leads through bends of a river valley soon. In case you have departed early from Acapulco, on this free way you could have a stop near the freeway-bridge over river Mezcala, where an unpaved track leads you to a natural spring right next to the river. Another stop is recommended to be in Xilitla, as here is a center of traditional handcraft of pottery painting. Through wide valleys and savannas the road finally bends up again to reach Taxco, so called Silver City of Mexico. Your hotel provides a wonderful overview on the historical part with baroque church of Sta. Prisca. For relaxation of your legs, you can make an easy walk from your hotel into the historical part of Taxco, to reach its main square, have a coffee on one of the balconies around, to visit the local silver market and explore precious architecture in Sta. Prisca and adjacent lanes.

SELF DRIVE: TAXCO  - MEXICO CITY                                                                   (B)

(Approx. 185km / 3 h // rural mountain road and highway, city traffic towards the end)

Self Driv: From Taxco you drive back to Mexico City today. In case, your flight back to Europe departs from MEX airport in the evening, then you can start the day still in a relaxed way, as the direct drive from Taxco to MEX airport might take 3-4 hours. You still might like to visit a typical handcraft village, like for example the basket weavers in Tlamacazapa, or visit inspiring sites like Museum Robert Brady in Cuernavaca “City of Eternal Spring” or Frida Kahlo Museum already in Mexico City’s colonial quarter of Coyoacán. Your rental car can be returned then directly at airport MEX car rental office.