Merida: Uxmal & Yaxcopoil tour with cenote swim + lunch

Summary

Walk ancient halls, climb Mayan pyramids, and cool off in a cenote

You’ll travel from Merida with a local guide to explore Hacienda Yaxcopoil’s faded grandeur, wander through Uxmal’s ancient Mayan temples, enjoy a traditional Yucatecan lunch at Cananah restaurant, then cool off swimming in Cenote Peba’s clear waters — moments you’ll remember long after returning home.

What’s the experience like?

I barely had time to finish my coffee before our driver honked outside the hotel in Merida. The city was just waking up — fruit carts rolling out, someone sweeping the sidewalk with a palm broom. We headed straight for Hacienda Yaxcopoil. I’d seen old photos of these henequen estates but standing under those high ceilings, you feel the weight of it all — faded tiles underfoot, sunlight slanting through dusty windows. Our guide, Rosa, told stories about the families who lived here and the Mayan workers whose hands built everything. She pointed at a cracked wall and said something about “los fantasmas” — ghosts — and I swear it felt colder for a second.

After that we drove south to Uxmal. The ruins rise out of the green like they’re waiting for you — not crowded at all when we arrived (maybe 10:30?). Rosa led us past iguanas sunning themselves on warm stones and showed us the Pyramid of the Fortune Teller. I tried to imagine climbing it centuries ago in bare feet. The carvings are so sharp still; you can run your hand over them and feel every groove. There was this moment in the Quadrangle of the Nuns where everything went quiet except for birds calling somewhere above us. I didn’t expect to get goosebumps but there it was.

Lunch at Cananah was a blur of flavors — lime soup, cochinita pibil, tortillas that tasted smoky from the comal. Rosa laughed when I asked how to pronounce “poch chuc” (I definitely got it wrong). After eating way too much we drove out to Cenote Peba. It’s tucked away behind some scrubby trees; you’d never guess there’s water down there until you peer over the edge and see blue-green light flickering on stone walls. The first step into the cenote is shockingly cold but after sweating all day it feels like starting over. Some kids from a nearby village were jumping in too, splashing each other and shouting in Spanish — made me wish I’d learned more than just “gracias”.

The drive back to Merida was quiet; everyone kind of lost in their own thoughts or dozing off as afternoon clouds rolled in. I kept thinking about that hush inside Uxmal and how different it felt from anywhere else I’ve been. If you want a day trip from Merida that’s more than just checking boxes — this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Yaxcopoil, Uxmal & Cenote Visit

• Explore Yaxcopoil Hacienda
• Guided tour of Uxmal ruins
• Swim at Cenote Peba

Top questions

How long does this day trip from Merida last?

The tour covers Yaxcopoil Hacienda, Uxmal ruins, lunch at Cananah restaurant, and Cenote Peba before returning to Merida by evening.

Is hotel pickup included for this Uxmal & Yaxcopoil tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Merida are included.

Can I swim at Cenote Peba during this tour?

Yes, there is time set aside for swimming at Cenote Peba before heading back to Merida.

Is lunch provided on this day trip?

Lunch at Cananah restaurant is included as part of the experience.

Are entrance fees covered for all attractions?

Entry fees for Hacienda Yaxcopoil, Uxmal ruins, and Cenote Peba are included.

Will there be a guide during the tour?

A professional local guide leads visits at both Yaxcopoil and Uxmal.

Is this tour suitable for families or kids?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels; infants must sit on an adult's lap during transport.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Merida, entry fees for Hacienda Yaxcopoil, Uxmal ruins, and Cenote Peba, guided visits throughout with a knowledgeable local guide, plus an à la carte lunch at Cananah restaurant before returning comfortably in the evening.