Family Learning Adventures
and Bevin Clare presents:
Mayan Mexico
October 10-18, 2026
Join us in Mayan Mexico in early October 2026 for a 9-day exploration of the Yucatan, starting and ending in Merida, Mexico. We will explore hidden temples, cool down in cenotes, and eat all of the delicious things. It's one of my favorite places in the world, and I can't wait to share it with you and your family!
We keep coming back to the Yucatan for so many reasons!It’s safe, beautiful, traditional, and exciting with amazing food, astounding cenotes, and so much history in the temples and archeological sites of the region. It’s also one of those places where you need only choose the places off the beaten path and you’ll have ancient Mayan temples to explore all on your own, markets in Mayan villages to taste and experience the regional specialties, and a cool, fresh dip in a cenote that feels like pure magic in an arid region.This 9-day journey to Mayan Mexico pieces together some of our favorite places and experiences in the region. With a focus on families traveling and learning together, the idea is to take part in learning and adventuring in a community. The trip is a balance of fun, adventure, and understanding of the importance of the region and its people.
Our 9-day Itinerary
October 10 - 18, 2026Day 1: Merida, Yucatan
Day 2 - 4: Ruta Puuc
Days 5 - 6: Valladolid
Day 7: Si-an Kaan
Day 8: Return to Merida
Day 9: Departure
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Highlights
Visit a number of Mayan temples, some of them with only a few visitors, so you can fully explore without tour groups and crowds. It can be a powerful and fun experience to wander freely in these temples.
Head towards the coast and float down the pristine ancient Mayan freshwater canals in the Si-an Kaan Biosphere Reserve. The canals were carved for the sea-faring Mayan to reach the sea.
Visiting a wide variety of open and closed cenotes. Some are as easy and relaxed as regional swimming holes, some (optional), where you descend deep into the earth on ladders to swim in a dark cave. And many in between, where the clear protected waters are sheltered from the sun by cave walls as the sunlight streams in. Don’t worry, there are always life jackets available for safety.
Mayan cuisine is delicious, and you’ll get to try many specialties over the course of this trip.
Explore fun Merida and its markets and plazas, and maybe even catch a traditional dance
Check out the Museum of Chocolate in the jungle, where you can learn all about the cultural significance of cacao to the region.
Inclusions and Logistics
Included Before the Adventure
Facebook group (private) for travel logistics and community building
Reading and video materials suggested ahead of time (optional)
With sufficient interest, optional book club for teens / tweens /parents
WhatsApp community during the trip for logistics and community
Included during the Adventure
Summary: transportation once you are in Merida, all activities on the itinerary, lodging, and breakfast.
Transportation: All transportation other than your travel to and from Merida is included in the cost of the trip. This means you will have someone meeting you at the Merida airport and will have transportation arranged for the rest of the time you are on the trip until we get you back to the airport.
All lodging (see below), including daily breakfast.
Activities The admission cost for all of the activities listed on the itinerary, unless they are specified as “optional”. This includes the temple entrances, cenote entrances, life jacket rental if extra, and the Mayan canal trip.
Communication: Clear, detailed plans for each day, adapted as needed and shared by WhatsApp along with a community chat so we can stay in touch.
What's not included
Flights: You’ll need to get to Merida and home from Merida.
Meals: All of your meals, snacks, and drinks other than breakfast.
Extended Hotel Nights: Any extra hotel nights before or after the trip.
Shopping and souvenirs
Other Activities: Activities that aren’t on the itinerary – this is especially relevant for nighttime activities, which are usually not planned to give families flexibility. Massages or wellness treatments, which are totally worth it in this part of the world if it’s your thing – but would be at your own cost.
Travel insurance: which is highly recommended. We use Allianz annual family policies, but they have single-trip policies as well, and there are many companies out there you can compare.
Chichen Itza temple: is not included, and we won’t be visiting. While it’s a beautiful site, there are many others that aren’t absolutely packed with tourists and tour groups and have fewer restrictions around visiting and climbing the temples. We think you can have a better experience visiting the many other regional temples.
Lodging and Transportation
I love looking for the perfect spot! Balancing atmosphere, comfort, and sense of place.
Lodging will be simple, comfortable hotels and guesthouses. When possible, we will book in walkable areas and book with locally owned and operated businesses.
Breakfast will be provided, and there will be options for vegetarians and vegans and those who are gluten-free.
Rooms will have private bathrooms, AC, wifi, and will have a bed (sharing for those preferring) for each person on your itinerary (a rollaway may be provided a third adult or child at times).
Efforts will be made to meet your needs for family rooms, two adjoining rooms, etc.
The specific lodging choices will depend on our group size and composition. I'll let you know ahead of time our plan.
TransportationTransportation, other than your travel to and from Merida, is included in the cost of the trip. This will typically be private vans or buses with air conditioning and professional drivers. When we are in cities or villages, we will walk around. The trip to Si’an Kaan will include a speedboat ride to the canals.
Pricing and costs
Children 12 years and up are considered adults for lodging.There is a $100 discount per family if you pay by cash or a payment app with no fees (Venmo, PayPal friends and family, Zelle, personal check, etc).If you bring along family on the trip, you will also receive a $100 gift on the trip, which you can use for shopping, dining, or experiences.The costs below are PER FAMILY with children 12 years old and up counting as adults for pricing.A "double bed" often is a king bed in most places we will stay.If you have 5 or more people in your family, please contact me for pricing.A $500 deposit per family will hold your spot, with the balance due on or before 180 days of the start date. You can see more details in the Policies below.***EARLY BIRD registration is on or before February 1, 2026.***
This is best viewed on a desktop, or click to see the image of the whole chart at the bottom of this section below
| Adults / Children | Room Configuration | EARLY BIRD per FAMILY | Regular PER FAMILY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2A | One room with one double bed / two twins | $4900 | $5000 |
| 1A 1C | One room with one double bed / two twins | $4800 | $4900 |
| 3A | One room with 1 double + 1 twin / 3 twins | $7150 | $7350 |
| 2A & 1C | One room with 1 double + 1 twin / 3 twins | $7050 | $7250 |
| 1A 2C | One room with 1 double + 1 twin / 3 twins | $6950 | $7150 |
| 4A | Two rooms with one double / two twins | $9700 | $9900 |
| 3A 1C | Two rooms with one double / two twins | $9600 | $9800 |
| 2A 2C | Two rooms with one double / two twins | $9500 | $9700 |
| 1A 3C | Two rooms with one double / two twins | $9400 | $9600 |
| 5+ people please contact me for pricing |
Policies and Cancellations
To hold your family’s spot on the trip:You’ll need to make a $500 deposit to hold your family’s spot. This deposit is fully refundable until 180 days before the start of the trip. At that time. I’ll be making deposits and firming up some of our arrangements, so the deposit will become non-refundable if you need to cancel after that date.180 days before a final decision will be made if the trip is running
This is so you can purchase your plane tickets and make other non-refundable expenses on your end, and be sure the trip is running. If I meet the confirmed minimum before then, I will let you know. I'd also like to confirm earlier!180 days before full payment is due
180 days before the trip, your full balance is due for the trip. If you would like to break it into payments (preferably started before the 180 days) or make another arrangement, please reach out to me. I’ll be as flexible as I can while I make deposits on your behalf, buy plane tickets and visas for your family, and incur other non-refundable costs.If you need to cancel
I will be purchasing non-refundable elements at 180 days, so there will be significant time and money spent on your behalf. There will be a non-refundable fee of up to $800 per person after 160 days before the trip if you need to cancel. I will do my best to make this fee as low as possible in serious circumstances.If I need to cancel.
In the extremely unlikely event that I need to cancel, I will refund you your full amount.
Your Hosts
We are Bevin, Alexander (16), and Cassia (13) and we love exploring the world and learning about the present and past. We have traveled to over 100 countries around the globe, and are here to help you navigate the Yucatan to get the most pleasure and learning out of your visit. I have also coordinated and led many trips, overnight educational experiences, and a Worldschool Pop-up Hub. I know it can be a lot to trust someone, so if you would like references, I'd be more than happy to provide them!We have been to this part of the world many times, most recently in November 2024. My first trip to the area was in the 1990s and the kids went first when they were toddlers!Our job is covering the planning and logistics so you can enjoy and learn.
Next Steps
FAQs
What age is this trip best for?
For families with kids, this trip is recommended and designed for ages 8+, but younger siblings are welcome. The target age group is 10-17, and my own children are 13 and 16. If you have questions about the age of your kiddo(s) and who is coming on the trip, just let me know.How does food work, and what are the expected costs?
Breakfast will be provided each day, included in the trip. Beyond that, you will typically have a variety of meal options when it’s time to eat. Street food and food stalls, which are often hygienic and tasty, such as simple tacos, tostadas, etc, are usually a dollar or less each. Restaurants at hotels will usually be about $5-$10 per person, depending on what you are ordering. Alcohol is inexpensive in the region and can be found widely. Making a picnic can be difficult, but possible.On an average day, we will take breakfast at our hotel when families want before our departure time for activities. Lunch will be when we are out and about, and everyone can decide their needs at the time, unless we are on the road, and we will all go to the same spot, which will be chosen to suit the group. Dinner, you and your family can join others, go out yourself, or order in. We know we all need breaks at times, so I try to keep it as flexible as possible.What’s the daily flow like?
Usually, we will meet after breakfast, sometime between 9 am and 10 am to begin our activities. I’ll have sent you a list of what we are doing for the day, along with times if they are fixed, and we will adjust as needed. We will have a pause or break for lunch and afternoon activities. I always allow plenty of time for play or a diversion as the group needs. Usually, we will wrap up the day by 4 pm or 5pm, so there is time to swim, relax, do schoolwork, read a book, or go out and see some things that aren’t on the itinerary. Evenings are as you wish, with many families choosing to connect for activities and others needing some downtime.I have dietary needs – how will this work?
This part of the world is pretty easy to navigate for dietary needs. Vegan and vegetarian options are easy, and picky eaters can find simple sandwiches, tacos, and American food etc. If you are strictly gluten-free, there is a lot of corn, but also low allergy literacy for asking questions. I will help you make sure you have safe food to eat.My family is LGBTQ is this trip safe and welcoming for me?
Your safety as an LGBTQ family is very important to me. Mexico is extremely welcoming to LGBTQ families. I will also screen individual smaller lodgings, as needed, to make sure they are safe and welcoming. All families on this trip will be notified that, should they have discomfort being around LGBTQ families, then this trip may not be a good fit for them. If you have questions about this or want to discuss, please reach out to me.I don’t have kids, but I want to come, can I?
We have had people without kids come on the trips before, so I am open to this, and it has worked out well. There will be kids with us all of the time, but you can make choices to do your own thing as you desire during almost all of the excursions. Kids can be annoying, whiny, and very loud, so if this isn’t your cup of tea, I get it! If I don’t know you, there will be additional screening to make sure you are a safe and good fit. Just reach out to me.Is this part of Mexico safe?
The area around Merida and Valladolid is the safest part of Mexico and is safer than many European cities. It’s traditional Mayan culture and community, and it’s very family–centric. We have been to the area many times and have never had an issue with safety when going out in the city at night.I went on another trip with you. How will this one be different?
If you have been on a pop-up in Abu Dhabi, Oman, or Indonesia, you’ll find the same level of organization, communication, great activities, and community – but this time it’s all together at the same lodging, and there will be more of an educational focus.If you went to Spain on my first Family Learning Adventure, Asia is a whole different experience! You’ll find much more comfortable lodging, food full of vegetables and flavor, and some more creature comforts overall. Since these areas are more affordable, you’ll be able to do more with less spending. We will also be walking a bit less and having more daily private transportation. You’ll also be immersed in a totally different culture from home, with wonderful and new experiences each day.What happens if you don’t get enough people to run the trip?
There are minimums needed to run the trip, and this will be by 180 days before the start date or earlier. I hope for earlier, so we can get the best airfares. If the trip is canceled, you will get your deposit back in full. I will communicate with you to make sure you know if there is a chance the trip won’t run before you purchase your airfare.How many people will be on this trip?
The trip is limited to 18-20 people, depending on family configurations. This is usually about 6 families.Below is the US State Department Safety Map for the Yucatan, you can see the area we are going to is the safest in Mexico
