Riviera Maya with Whale Shark Adventure - June 1-7, 2024
Adventure with Women Who Explore in the Yucatan Peninsula! Our home base will be in our own private paradise in Playa del Carmen. The location is central to all our adventures as well as the 5th Street Playa for shopping and local cuisine.
This trip is timed for Whale Shark season and we have a day dedicated to swimming with these gentle giants. We also want to make sure you get the full Mayan Culture experience! We will visit the Tulum ruins, explore the cool waters of local cenotes, make local favorites with our own private chef and participate in a Mayan ceremony!
As well as our Women Who Explore host, you will also have a local female guide, who specializes in archeology and local nature, that will be leading us on most of our excursions. This adventure is more than a tourist destination, it’s a cultural experience.
Day 1:
Bienvenidas to playa del carmen
You will meet your host this afternoon when we gather at the airport for the shuttle service. After a short ride from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, we arrive at our private paradise for the week. You’ll get settled in, relax and get to know your fellow travelers while lounging by our private pool. The home we have rented is owned by a local artist so you will definitely want to take time to peruse the pieces around the home and the windows.
We recommend an early night since we have a 7am start on Day 2 and a full day of adventure planned!
Day 2:
Tulum and Cenotes
We will wake up early and have a simple breakfast. Our guide will be picking us up at 7am and we will head to the Tulum coastal Mayan Ruins. Our private guide will walk with us through the ruins, sharing the ancient history of the area. Built on the cliffs of the Caribbean, this is the only Mayan settlement built on the coastline of the Riviera Maya Peninsula.
After our tour, we will head to a couple nearby cenotes. These sinkholes, that have occurred due to collapsing limestone, are the perfect way to cool off and relax for the rest of our time in this area. Our guide chooses cenotes that are quieter than some of the larger and more popular locations. This will give you the chance to really immerse yourself in the beauty and tranquility.
For lunch we will grab tacos at a nearby local stop! This will not by your typical tourist spot, but a local favorite.
After our day exploring, we’ll head back to our house to relax. Dinner will be prepared while you’re lounging poolside.
Day 3:
Explore playa del carmen
Wake up to fresh coffee and a light breakfast!
Today is your day to explore Playa del Carmen. You can head to the nearby 5th Avenue Playa, book a tour of your preference or relax at home poolside. The choice is yours!
You won’t want to be late for dinner though! Plan to arrive back at the Airbnb by mid afternoon for a private cooking class with a local chef! We’ll have a few recipes to try our hands at, learn about the native ingredients and stories of the people that live in Playa del Carmen. After, we’ll all enjoy the meal together… that is if you still have room after all the taste testing!
Day 4:
whale sharks!!
Today we get up close and personal with the whale sharks! These gentle giants are about 40 ft in length and entirely harmless to humans since they feed on small sea life like plankton. Every year, the whale sharks gather near Isla Mujeres, which is where we’ll be heading for the day. Whale sharks are endangered so there are strict rules about how we engage with them while in their habitat.
We will be picked up early and taken to the marina where we will have a light breakfast. After a short briefing, we will board our boat and take a 45 minute ride near Isla Mujeres. Conditions permitting, we will have the opportunity to swim with the whale shakrs 3-4 times. Only 2 guests and one guide will be permitted in the water at a time.
While out on the boat, make sure to keep your eyes out for dolphins, turtles, sting rays and flying fish!
After our time with the whale sharks, our captain will take us to a nearby reef so we can spend more time snorkeling and have our lunch. After this, we will drive the 45 minutes back to the marina and head home. After a day enjoying the water and sun you can relax while dinner is made!
*sitings are not guaranteed. If there is only a small number, you will get to watch from the boat, but may not have the opportunity to swim with them.
Day 5:
Cacao Ceremony & mayan bees!
Today you will take part in a traditional Mayan Cacao Ceremony. Your spirit will be immersed in this cultural experience where you will not just taste the real chocolate like the ancient mayans, you will also feel, understand and learn about why Mexicans say that chocolate is “the heart medicine”, medicina del corazon.
This local ceremony is lead by a a Medicine Woman at her beautiful place, in the middle of the Mayan communities. Amaya will guide your spiritual experience through ceremonial chants, incense and sound healing. This experience is an ancient powerful tool that you can use for different physical and spiritual purposes as well as connecting with your self love, feminine energy and activate your will power.
After this ceremony has completed, we will head to a local Mayan bee farm to learn about the ancient Mayan practice that is still alive today, honey production.
This precious honey is known as “melipona honey”, that comes from the stingless bees, or “Xunan-Kab” in Mayan language. This bee only live in the Yucatan peninsula.
The honey has been used as a natural medicine since the ancient Mayans. You will also have the opportunity to learn about a different way of life while we walk around the Mayan village with the Cahum family, who are always happy to share their knowledge with travelers.
Day 6:
Rio Secreto
We’re up early again to make the most of our day! Coffee and breakfast will be ready for you before we head out on today’s amazing adventure.
In this surreal locale near Playa del Carmen we will observe natural history dating back millions of years, as we hike and swim through a route of about 1 km full of beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. We will go deep inside an underground cave, where we'll experience true silence among some of the most dramatic mineral formations in the world.
This is a magical journey through the crystal museum, where the history of our planet is written on the myriad geological formations, and where floating in its crystal clear fresh water your life will change forever.
We will spend about 3 hours exploring the cave system. Afterwards, we will enjoy a regional buffet and then head back to the house. The afternoon is yours to spend how you choose! Later that evening, we will meet in Playa del Carmen for a final dinner out on the town!
Day 7:
time to say goodbye
We’ve had an amazing adventure filled week in Mexico, but it’s now time to say good-bye! There will be just enough time to grab a light breakfast and take one last dip in the pool!
We will check out of the AirBnb and travel to the Cancun Airport via the shuttle.
Ready to Book?
Ready to Book?
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$2,495 per person; this includes shared occupancy along with transportation and meals as noted.
If you are traveling solo, you will be assigned roommates upon request.
A deposit is due at booking to hold your spot with regular monthly payments. Additional payments may be applied to the trip balance prior to payment due dates.
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• 7 days/6 nights stay in a private Airbnb with a pool just outside of the downtown area of Playa del Carmen. All rooms are double occupancy.
• Private group airport transfer from Cancun Airport to the Airbnb and then from the house to Cancun (CUN).
• A private guide and transportation to/from Tulum and nearby cenotes.
• Private cooking class with professional chef. Dietary needs can be taken into consideration.
• Private boat for whale shark adventure that includes a stop for lunch near Isla Mujeres. Includes snorkel gear and transportation too and from the location (2.5 hours total drive time).
• Mayan Cacao experience and visit to local Mayan Bee Apiary. Transportation too and from this experience.
• Three hour Rio Secreto tour, transportation to and from the location and well as lunch.
• All breakfasts, lunches and dinners as noted in the itinerary and a farewell dinner out on the town. Snacks, water and coffee provided throughout the trip.
• Trip checklists, detailed packing list, training guide, and pre-travel support provided in a private Facebook and/or WhatsApp group
• WWE Swag to sport on the trial!
• Small group; maximum of 9 women + your trip host.
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• International Flights to/from Cancun International Airport (CUN)
• Tips and gratuities for guides (at the discretion of the client)
• Airport transfers outside of designated times and meeting location
• Alcohol, additional beverages, snacks and meals as noted above.
• Any additional excursions or activities not included in the above itinerary
• Visa if applicable and any pre-travel medical expenses such as immunizations or required Covid-19 testing
• Travelers insurance to cover medical expenses while traveling abroad (proof of insurance required)
• Personal expenses not included in the itinerary such as additional accommodations, transportation, meals, souvenirs, etc.
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All meals will be provided as noted in the itinerary. Please reach out to the trip host after booking if you have any food allergies/sensitivities. We always do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions but cannot make any guarantees.
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This trip requires a minimum number of ladies to register in order for it to be confirmed. Once the trip reaches the minimum participant number, you will receive a trip confirmation email and a link to be added a private Facebook group just for trip guests. In this group further trip details will be provided along with pre-travel support. Please let us know if you do not have or use Facebook (see contact information below).
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Please see our Terms of Service.
*Please note: some of our trips have a non-refundable fee that will be stated in the trip description.
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Women Who Explore guests will be required to follow the local Covid-19 guidelines and requirements as set forth by the local governing body of the destination being visited.
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Travel (and medical) insurance is required for anyone traveling on a Women Who Explore adventure. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.
For recommended travel insurance providers click here.
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Please note that the itinerary provided for your adventure is subject to change. While we strive to adhere to the proposed plan, unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions, safety concerns, or other factors beyond our control may necessitate adjustments to the itinerary. We prioritize your safety and enjoyment throughout the adventure, and any modifications made will be done with careful consideration. We will make every effort to inform you in advance of any changes and provide suitable alternatives to ensure a fulfilling experience.