Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Oaxaca was fantastic - fun weddings with the full band experience at high volume and intensity and the 'carnival' plus a few demonstrations with lots of interesting swirling props and craziness ( i would be on one everyday if I lived in Oaxaca ) - great restaurants . Puebla was lovely . Cookery class was fun . I enjoyed all the historical sites and the nuances of the different phases of history ( even liked climbing them, in the heat) . Also, enjoyed tostados in the market near Frida's house

Thoughts on Group Leader

Adriana was a great group leader. She was very passionate about her homeland and was keen to share this with all of us. She had a wonderful personality and nothing was too much trouble for her to make our trip as interesting and comfortable as possible . Pillows for the back seats, the offer of getting tea bags from Walmart, fresh fish and sea side trip , lots and lots of restaurant and bar recommendations/ shopping . Also, asked us for toons for the mini bus and downloaded these for us to sing along to - some Spice Girl moments slipped in to the playlist ! We also 'taught' Adriana some more obscure English words !!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Quite a few long days travelling . Make sure you have a decent water bottle and day pack and also closed in shoes for the walking at the main archaeological sites . Check Frida Kahlo trip and tickets are confirmed before you arrive . Mini bus had four seats at back which were uncomfortable , limited view and it was hotter at the back ( although good speakers in the back ) - pillows helped with this and the rotation of the 14 in the group

Suggestions

Mexico is a wonderful country . I was pleasantly surprised that its got everything ! plus very good cocktails , colour and exuberance ...I will be back , that's for sure - it was great fun

Most Inspirational Moment

Enjoyed impromptu wedding processions in Oaxaca, along with some protests ( which were loud, noisy musical affairs accompanied by huge wooden framed figures carried on shoulders of dancing men) . The cooking lesson in Oaxaca was very good .

Thoughts on Group Leader

Adriana was an excellent guide/tour leader . She provided lots of information and suggestions for eating establishments ( for all budgets) . Even downloaded a ton of music ( nominated by us travellers) to her phone so it could be played on minibus stereo system .

Advice for Potential Travellers

Learn a few words of spanish, such as please, thank you and I am sorry. Dont leave your manners at home ! Carry a reusable/refillable water bottle as temperatures can get very high and you drink more ( water available on mini bus) , especially when wandering around sites of historical interest . Have some closed toe shoes/sandals as the steps up Mayan pyramids can be uneven / rocky / jagged.

Suggestions

Trip notes mention tipping kitty but this no longer happens. So travellers either have to tip local guides (without knowing correct amounts or notes) or hope to persuade trip guide to operate a kitty . Frida Kahlo musuem tickets are nowhere near guaranteed despite prominent mention in online trip notes , so if thats important to you check availability yourself and query if resellers available . Request this info from Exodus just prior to departure . Quintana roo deprture tax can be purchased via web site prior UK departure online, however also at Cancun airport. However , tax desk was "closed " when we went through and no one checked /interested so it really depends on your view of risk !

Most Inspirational Moment

The Teotihuacan ruins near Mexico City, Palenque, and Chichen Itza were all different, yet amazing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader, Adriana, is absolutely excellent. She was very organized, informative, and helpful. She made our trip fun in many ways like making playlists of our requested music to pass the long road trips. This also inspired positive group dynamics.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some long days of travel. The temperatures in March are very hot (mid-30s celsius).

Suggestions

The transportation in the minibus was uncomfortable for the long trips.

Most Inspirational Moment

Palenque pyramids and Oaxaca wedding processions final meal in a Mayan family home (also independent visit to Churmula Church )

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent knowledgeable friendly helpful flexible

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bear in mind there are many hours on the road in an uncomfortable minibus. Double check well before departure that Frida Kahlo's house is included as per itinerary. We didn't find out it wasn't until arriving in Mexico so far too late to do anything about it and very disappointing

Suggestions

A smaller group of 12 is more suitable as no visibility from back seats. When buying snacks from small shops en route vegetarian options can be limited

Most Inspirational Moment

Quite a few: Archeological sites, cooking course, BIG TREE visit (extra stop bonus), canyon trip, Concote SWIM in sink hole (another extra stop bonus).

Thoughts on Group Leader

HIGH PRAISE & THANKS!!! Artero was an absolutely fantastic Tour Leader, passionate about his work and devoted to well being and care of his group. Went the extra mile on more than one occasion. Miguel, the Driver, always kind and cautious!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take 100 dollar US Notes. You get better FX rate at the exchanges

Suggestions

Saving for the next trip !!

Most Inspirational Moment

As always very difficult to highlight just one inspirational moment in such a varied trip but the optional visit to the Sumidero Canyon which also included a visit to the Mayan community of San Juan Chamula, particularly witnessing some of the pre hispanic ritual in the church.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Arturo was excellent in every way. His knowledge of his country, which he obviously loved, was phenomenal and he was always cheerful, enthusiastic and always showed great concern for the welfare of all the group. A first class tour leader!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for long days and some early starts as distances are generally quite large or in the case of some of the mountain roads, quite slow. The trip notes do make this quite clear. I would strongly recommend the optional excursion to the Sumidero Canyon and visit to the local Mayan communities.

Suggestions

Accomodation was generally very good in terms of location and character with some delightful colonial establishments. Although the trip is classified as "Leisurely" and it is entirely optional to climb the pyramids at the pre Hispanic sites, with the early starts, long days and with some of the places visited at medium altitude, I would think the classification should be "Leisurely/Moderate" as the tour is certainly"Full on". Again, this is outlined in the trip notes in which case I would question the "Leisurely" classification. I would also recommend may be extending the trip by staying 2 nights in Campeche rather than just 1 night. Campeche is an interesting city with a calm atmoshere and would give some relaxation after the long drive the day before from Palenque

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking into the church at San Juan Chamula with its thousands of candles ablaze.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Arturo was our professor, our concierge, our maitre d'hotel, our friend. It was a pleasure to explore Mexico with him as our guide. He's the best.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The first week of the trip is spent in areas at relatively higher altitude, so the weather was cooler than I expected. With the second week, we hit warm weather. I found my walking sticks helpful for climbing the pyramids at the archaeological sites. Comfortable shoes, of course, are also important.

Most Inspirational Moment

Mayan sites

Thoughts on Group Leader

Arturo was, quite simply, excellent. He has immense empathy, knowledge, good humour and patience. His command of English, including technical archaeological and geological terms, was outstanding. He also looked after me very, very well when I had a slight altercation with a park bench!

Suggestions

I would have liked to have had more opportunities for sampling street food and maybe a free day in Oaxaca.

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved swimming in cenotes which was added to the tour as well as Frida Kahlo house and the Mayan sites.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Arthuro couldn’t do enough for the group and had extensive and humour!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Booked group flight via Washington and on reflection should have booked my own flight either direct or via non US hub. Transfer queues were worse part of holiday!

Most Inspirational Moment

Turning around at the top of the pyramid in Cholula to see the sun set behind Popacatepetl - magical!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Arturo was an excellent, knowledgeable and careful guide, who made the whole trip very special.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Keep a daily diary - you see SO much, it is easy to mix up your memories!

Suggestions

I'm looking forward to my next Exodus trip!